It's not often we get to boast about ourselves, so here's our chance. Sentinel reporter Eiji Yamashita was honored Wednesday evening at the George F. Gruner Awards for his work on our "Toxic Addiction" series. The stories of methamphetamine in the Central Valley ran last fall over a six-day period and included interviews with local folks impacted by the drug's devastation. The series included Eiji's one-on-one interview with Sherill Calhoun, wife of Kings County District Attorney Ron Calhoun.

At the event held in Fresno, Eiji was recognized for Meritorious Public Service in Journalism for spearheading, and contributing to, The Sentinel's investigative series.

The awards were established in 1989 by McClatchy newspapers in honor of former executive editor of the Fresno Bee, George F. Gruner.

But that's not all. The series also has been honored by state officials, and received Certificates of Recognition from Congressman Jim Costa and Assemblywoman Nicole Parra. The certificates for "2007 Historical Contribution to Prevention" were presented at the Kings Partnership for Prevention annual recognition event last October.

As The Sentinel's government reporter, covering city and county issues, Eiji has been a member of our news team for eight years. Originally from Atsugi, Japan, he studied at Fresno State University, and interned at The Bakersfield Californian.

His increasing interest in public health brought him back to Fresno State in 2004, enrolling in the Master of Public Health program. He was a health journalism fellow of the California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowship and a medical journalism fellow at the National Institutes of Health in 2005.

Congratulations, Eiji!

(May 8, 2008)