New baby

Kristy and Ricky Kolecki of Tacoma, Wash., have proudly announced the birth of their son Thomas Jay Kolecki. Thomas, who was born Oct. 22, 2003, weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and was 191⁄4 inches long. Proud grandparents are Kathy Watson of New Castle, Jim Watson of Reno, Nev., and Rich and Laura Kolecki of Glenwood Springs.

Texans honor

former Rifle editor

For the second straight year, Dale Shrull was recognized by the Dallas Press Club for feature writing. Shrull, the former general manager/editor of the Citizen Telegram, was named as one of three finalists for the feature writing category for the Katie Awards, a contest sponsored by the Dallas Press Club.

This year, Shrull had to settle for just being a finalist in the six-state competition, which was open to journalists from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana and Colorado. Last year Shrull won first place for feature writing.

Shrull earned a spot on the 2003 finalist list with his story “Battle with MS continues,” about Rifle resident Sonya Doyal, who has multiple sclerosis. Shrull competed in the 15,000 and under circulation category for all newspapers, dailies and weeklies.

Shrull recently took the managing editor job for the Montrose Daily Press.