Jill Way on Muck Rack

Jill Way

  • Public information and media specialist, City of Bolivar, Missouri
Missouri, Springfield
As seen in: Topeka Capital-Journal, Hutchinson News, Salina Journal, Garden City Telegram, Hays Daily News, Leavenworth Times, Pittsburg Morning Sun, The Kansan, Dodge City Daily Globe, Bolivar Herald-Free Press and
Covers:  A little bit of everything. My beats include law enforcement and local government. I specialize in feature and in-depth, investigative stories. And, I love any time I get to share community stories.

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Jill Way’s Biography

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I'm a community journalist covering Polk County, Missouri, with the Bolivar Herald-Free Press. I've worked with the BH-FP, found online at https://bolivarmonews.com, for over 5 years. During my time here, I moved from reporter to associate editor. Covering the stories and events of my community is my passion.

Jill Way’s Journalist Portfolio

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Bolivar's own 'over there'

Bolivar's own 'over there'

On a spring day in April 1919, memories flood the mind of Bolivar resident and decorated U.S. Army World War …

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Pot search sparks controversy

Pot search sparks controversy

A search for marijuana in a Citizens Memorial Hospital patient room has sparked controversy and conversation …

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Road less traveled

Road less traveled

It started out like any typical Saturday. Randa Brakebill went about her day on July 20 - caring for her husb…

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Community rallies to support fired professor

Community rallies to support fired professor

The dismissal of a Bible professor at Southwest Baptist University has sent apparent shock waves through the …

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Letters from the front

Letters from the front

Pfc. Joe Tinsley was just 22 years old when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. The smalltown boy, who was bor…

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From the ashes

From the ashes

By the time Aaron Mayfield made it to his home in rural Polk County on the evening of July 3, 2018, nothing w…

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Articles

Building damaged in crash

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By Jill Way
| Bolivar Herald-Free Press Verified
A building in Bolivar was recently damaged when a vehicle crashed into it. According to a Bolivar Police Department news release, officers were called to the 1800 block of West Broadway Street at around 10:24 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, for a report of a motor vehicle crashing into a building. The release stated a 2012 Buick LaCrosse, driven by R.M. Wrinkle, 93, of Bolivar, had struck and damaged the facade of two businesses located on the west side of the property.
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Bolivar PD requests help finding two missing teens

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By Jill Way
| Bolivar Herald-Free Press Verified
The Bolivar Police Department is asking for the community’s help as officers search for two missing teenagers. According to a news release, BPD received a report of a missing 16-year-old girl, Morgan Rogers, on Monday, Sept. 27. Contributed photo Rogers was last seen on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 26, at her home in Bolivar, the release stated. Her father discovered she was missing on Monday afternoon.
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Sheriff's office searches for missing man

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By Jill Way
| Bolivar Herald-Free Press Verified
The Polk County Sheriff's Office has issued an endangered silver advisory for a missing Polk County man. According to a news release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Kenneth Wayne Shattuck went missing from 1322 E. 477th Road in Bolivar at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 28. Shattuck is a white, 61-year-old man, the release stated. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 210 lbs., per the release.
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See all 1,823 licensed articles (1,957 Total)

Interview

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Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?

Yes, the Conway Chronicles, a joint school and community newspaper. My dad revived the long-forgotten paper as the school's superintendent.

What story are you most proud of writing or working on?

I'm most proud of the BH-FP's Everyone's Epidemic series. It delved into the real life impact of the area's opioid crisis.

What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?

Even when things get hard, remember why you're doing this job — to make a positive impact on people's lives.

Awards

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Missouri Press Association

2018 - Best news or feature series

First place, Jill Way and Jessica Franklin Maull, “Everyone’s epidemic,” a series focused on the opioid crisis in Polk County.

Missouri Press Association

2018 - Best story about religion

First place, Jill Way, “Community rallies to support fired professor,” printed Dec. 21, 2018, “Any number of articles could’ve taken first place, but this one stood out to me because of the straight-forward nature of the article and the wealth of information. The reporter did a wonderful job of weaving in information from supporters.”

Missouri Press Association

2018 - Best story about history

First place, Jill Way, “Bolivar’s own ‘Over There,’” printed Nov. 9, 2018.

Missouri Press Association

2018 - Best investigative reporting

Second place, Jill Way, “PHPD chief, prosecutor weigh in on dismissals, missing evidence,” printed June 29, 2018.

Missouri Press Association

2018 - Best online newspaper or website

Second place, BH-FP news staff

Missouri Press Association

2018 - General excellence

Third place, BH-FP news staff, “People are in the know when they read this paper. The staff does a wonderful job of connecting with the community.”

Missouri Press Association

2018 - Best news story

Honorable mention, Jill Way, “I’ve got your guy,” printed Jan. 17, 2018, “Wow. A thorough, riveting account of an absolutely wild story. Details, like this quote, are exceptional: ‘There was a plate full of Totino’s pizza rolls all warmed up and ready to eat. I don’t think he had touched even one. The coffee pot was half full and his cup was half full. He’d just made him some and ate a few cookies.’ The kicker is also stellar. Congratulations on some great work.”

Missouri Press Association

2018 - Best news or feature series

Honorable mention, Dave Berry, Jessica Franklin Maull and Jill Way, “From Polk County to the governor’s mansion,” a look at Gov. Mike Parson’s move from his hometown to the state’s top office, printed from May 29, 2018, to June 8, 2018.

Missouri Press Association

2018 - Best military story

Honorable mention, Jill Way, “Bolivar’s own ‘Over There,’” printed Nov. 9, 2018, “It’s not easy to bring a 100-year-old letter to life.”

Missouri Press Association

2017 - Best military story

Third place, Jill Way, "To the shores of Tarawa."

Missouri Press Association

2017 - Best news photograph

Honorable mention, Jill Way, “Red flag firefighting.”

Missouri Press Association

2017 - Best local business coverage

Third place, BH-FP news staff

Missouri Press Association

2017 - Best news or feature special section

Second place, BH-FP news staff, “Today’s Woman: Beyond Boundaries.”

Missouri Press Association

2016 - Best news or feature series

Third place, Jessica Franklin Maull and Jill Way, “Suffering in silence: Child sexual abuse survivor speaks out.”

Missouri Press Association

2016 - Best local business coverage

Third place, Jessica Franklin Maull and Jill Way.

Missouri Press Association

2016 - Best feature story

Honorable mention, Jill Way, “Last chance: Firefighters create new flotation device.”

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