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Jo Ciavaglia on Muck Rack

Jo Ciavaglia

Verified
Pennsylvania
As seen in: Bucks County Courier Times, MSN, Yahoo Entertainment, Yahoo Life, FSU Wire, USA Today, Yahoo Canada, Yahoo News, Aol, Yahoo Finance, Associated Press and
Covers:  Watchdog investigative reporter with extensive experience in crime, justice, health, consumer & in-depth topics
Doesn't Cover: arts, entertainment, technology
Award-winning investigative word herder @CourierTimes; loud spin teacher, undercover superhero, recreational bad-ass. Ideas & Tips: jciavaglia@couriertimes.com

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Jo Ciavaglia’s Biography

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Multimedia newspaper reporter currently focusing on in-depth investigation & watchdog reporting, but who has covered every imaginable beat in her journalism career. I am social media & SEO proficient. I pride myself on delivering the news piping hot to readers including at-the-scene videos. I have more than 90 local, state and national writing awards and my work is featured on Harvard University's Nieman Foundation for Journalism website.
I teach spin classes for fun and extra money because, …

Jo Ciavaglia’s Journalist Portfolio

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Building a Case

Building a Case

A two-part series about how lax enforcement and legal loopholes lead to slow justice for Pennsylvanians who a…

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Megan's Lawbreakers

Megan's Lawbreakers

A collection of stories from our award-winning two-day series about enforcement of Megan's Law requirements.

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Recovery Road

Recovery Road

This award-winning five part series shines a light on the recovery houses that share our neighborhoods, the a…

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Overdose death raises questions for Bristol Township sober house run by property company

Overdose death raises questions for Bristol Township sober house run by property company

When Victoria Exner moved into a sober home on Ironwood Road in Bristol Township last year, the only thing th…

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3 overdose deaths, 1 Bristol Township house, zero answers

3 overdose deaths, 1 Bristol Township house, zero answers

Leonard Spearing started his new sober life on Oct. 28, 2015. Six days later, the 33-year-old Quakertown man …

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Little known about Bucks County inmate monitoring program; unique in Philadelphia region

Little known about Bucks County inmate monitoring program; unique in Philadelphia region

Bucks County appears to be one of the few Pennsylvania counties that pays prisoners to monitor sick or suicid…

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Articles

Islamic center in Feasterville may still appeal mosque decision

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By Jo Ciavaglia Verified
| Bucks County Courier Times Verified
Lower Southampton officials are waiting to see if members of an Islamic community center will appeal a recent zoning board rejection of their plan to open a mosque. The township’s zoning hearing board members unanimously rejected the variance request from Al-Asr Community Center in the 70 block of Buck Road for the religious sanctuary at their meeting Aug. 4.
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Islamic center in Feasterville may still appeal mosque decision

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By Jo Ciavaglia Verified
| Centre Daily Times Verified
The Lower Southampton Zoning Board has rejected a variance for the Al-Asr Islamic Community Center to permit a mosque and other services in their existing building on Buck Road in Lower Southampton Township Lower Southampton officials are waiting to see if members of an Islamic community center will appeal a recent zoning board rejection of their plan to open a mosque.
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Bensalem cat rescue founder seeking probation | Exclusive

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By Jo Ciavaglia Verified
| Bucks County Courier Times Verified
The founder of a Bensalem cat shelter is expected to have more than 100 animal cruelty charges dismissed. • Margaret Vautard is applying for a first-time nonviolent offender program, allowing for potential expungement of her record. • Vautard's attorney called the case an overreach, stating that she has dedicated more than 20 years to rescuing animals.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

Writing reviews for the Bucks County Playhouse. I was 19.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yep

How is social media changing news?

Making it faster, and unfortunately, more ripe for mistakes

Awards

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Society of Professional Journalists Award

2012 - Non-Deadline Writing

Greater Philadelphia chapter, First place, three examples of work "This writing is not good; it is excellent. Ciavaglia’s ability to transport readers to a time and place, her use of dialogue and vivid descriptions are first rate. That paper is lucky to have her; she is a joy to read."

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Pennsylvania Women's Press Association

2013 - Journalist of the Year for Pennsylvania

Award given to the member who wins the most awards in a single contest year

William A. Schnader Print Media Awards

2013 - Beat Reporting

First place for three examples of work

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2013 - Health and Medical Reporting

Pennsylvania Keystone Spotlight, third place Doctors Can Put Brakes on Driver's Licenses

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Society of Professional Journalists Award

2013 - Feature writing

Pennsylvania Keystone Spotlight, second place Doctors can put brakes on driver's licenses

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William A. Schnader Print Media Awards

2014 - Special Projects

First Place, Special Projects, "Megan's Lawbreakers" A two-part investigation series looking at the lax enforcement of Megan's Law registration violations in Pennsylvania

William A. Schnader Print Media Awards

2014 - Beat Reporting

First place award for three examples of work