Emcee Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia congratulates Christine Vendel on winning the Journalist of the Year award.

The Kansas City Press Club named Christine Vendel, Kansas City Star police reporter, 2009 Journalist of the Year.  Judge Dave Umhoefer of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said, “Vendell’s passion for giving voice to crime/accident victims and their families comes through loud and clear.”

Guest speaker Glenn McCoy, syndicated cartoonist, at the Heart of America Awards banquet.

This year’s Joe McGuff Lifetime Achievement award went to Steve Rose, publisher of Sun Publications.

Winner of the Press Club’s “Member of the Year” award was C.J. Janovy, editor of the Pitch. Janovy has served several years as chair of the awards committee.

Based on the number of awards won by its staff members, the Kansas City Star was named print publication of the year. Radio station of the year honors went to KCUR-FM.  And KOMU-TV won TV station of the year.

Click here for complete list of winners

Diners at the 2009 Heart of America Awards banquet in the old Muehlebach lobby of the Marriott Downtown.