Jana Bommersbach
Jana Bommersbach is one of Arizona's most honored and respected journalists. Her career has covered every phase of the profession--newspapers, magazines, books, television--and she's won major awards in each. For her work in 1982 for the weekly newspaper New Times, she was named Arizona's Journalist of the Year. In 1997 and 1999, she was named the outstanding columnist in the country by the National City Magazine Association for her columns in Phoenix Magazine. Her debut book, The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd, was nominated for the prestigious Edgar Allan Poe Award by the Mystery Writers of America as one of the five outstanding non-fiction books published in the United States in 1992. It also won Arizona's only literary prize. In 2001, for her work for KTVK-TV, she won a Regional Emmy. In 2004, the Arizona Press Club awarded her its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. In 2005, she was an inaugural inductee into the Arizona Hall of Fame. She received a lifetime achievement award in 2006 from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Stories by Jana Bommersbach
Saving Dalton Days
Brent Demmitt grew up with Dalton Days in his hometown of Meade, Kansas, and remembers "it was everything to me."
Massacre Site Open to the Public
Dozens of honorific titles have dignified the name of Ben Nighthorse Campbell...on the night of April 27, the only one that counted was Cheyenne.
Ranchers vs. Army
Lon Robertson is a third generation Colorado rancher and patriotic American who never dreamed he'd be fighting the United States Army.
Fort Stanton's Angel
Two years ago, a 600-unit subdivision threatened the fort that has been "the heart of Lincoln County" since 1855.
A Tragic End to a Classic Cowgirl
Was it the sexy cowboy or the opportunity to break out of the "woman's world" that most prompted young Eloise Fox to run away from a convent school at the age of 14.
Song Catcher
The Dakota and Chippewa songs could have been lost forever if not for a pioneer Minnesota woman who decided these American sounds must not be silenced.
Tombstone's Flying Monster
One of the West's most fascinating cold cases involves a flying monster, a dying town and a disappearing photograph.
Honoring Mothers and Fathers
Determined women are responsible for two of America's most revered holidays.