The Youngstown Press Club will induct eight distinguished media professionals into its Hall of Fame, including three in its newly established media pioneers category, on Sept. 23.

The inductions will occur at the club’s sixth annual Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner, which will begin at 5 p.m. at Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave., Youngstown.

The three media pioneers to be inducted are: Simeon Booker, who was best known for his courageous coverage of the civil rights movement; Helen Hart Hurlbert, who was publisher of the Warren Tribune Chronicle; and Warren P. Williamson Jr., who founded WKBN radio 100 years ago.

The other inductees will be Ralph R. “Boots” Bell, the disc jockey whose voice and personality dominated WHOT radio; Carolyn Martindale, who directed Youngstown State University’s journalism program for 23 years; Mark Niquette, who has been a Bloomberg News reporter for the past 15 years; Dan O’Brien, managing editor of the Business Journal; and Bob Yosay, retired chief photographer at The Vindicator.

David Skolnick, Vindicator politics writer for the past 26 years, will receive the club’s First Amendment award for his consistent advocacy for the freedom of the press and the public’s right to know.

Chad Krispinsky, WKBN sports anchor, will receive the excellence in media award.

The press club will present its medal of merit to Lori Factor, its immediate past president. That award is given to someone who has made a significant contribution to the club.

Also to be recognized at the dinner will be this year’s recipients of $4,000 press club college scholarships: Joslyn Del Signore, a journalism major at Youngstown State University; Omar Frazier, a multimedia communications student at YSU; Kaitlin Hogg, a journalism major at Ohio University; and Maggie McGlone, a film and media production and marketing student at Capital University.

In addition, the club will recognize Harper Liller, a Boardman High School student, who won the club’s 2026 Scholastic Journalist of the Year award, and Stephanie Mickler, who was named the club’s 2026 Scholastic Journalism Adviser of the Year.

Reservations

For reservation and dinner ticket purchase information, visit youngstownpressclub.com. The cost is $55 per person for Youngstown Press Club members and $65 for non-members. A nominal transaction fee will be added for credit card users. Pre-registration is required. The registration deadline is Sept. 14.

A portion of proceeds from press club events goes to the club’s college scholarship fund.

Dinner sponsors are Covelli Enterprises and Stambaugh Auditorium.

About: Founded in 1902, the Youngstown Press Club promotes journalism and related professions in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys.

Stambaugh Auditorium

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