Photo of the day: Oct. 20

NICOLE L. CVETNIC / Observer-Dispatch
Steven Mancuso, 39, left, and Paul Mancuso, 46, both of Utica, make their way into the U.S. District Court in Syracuse for the beginning of their trial, Tuesday, October 20, 2009 in Syracuse. The woman in the photograph is unidentified.

Editor's note: We often avoid using images that do not show the faces of the subjects. However, this is a case where the fact that the subjects are hiding and that tells the reader about their state of mind.

Photo of the day: Oct. 19

DAVE LONDRES / Observer-Dispatch
Griffiss International Airport seen from the control tower, Monday, October 19, 2009.

Story: Do airport’s benefits outweigh costs?

Editor's note: Dave did a great job connecting with the folks at the airport who allowed him to get this great shot from the control tower. The key is that it is a view that the everyday passerby cannot see.

Photo of the day: Oct. 18

MICHAEL LAPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
Notre Dame's Dylan Davis, left, jumps up for a pass while Oriskany's Brad Sahl comes in for the tackle during a Section III Class D playoff game at D' Alessandro Stadium, in Utica.

Photo of the day: Oct. 17

MICHAEL LAPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
Notre Dame's Dylan Davis, left, jumps up for a pass while Oriskany's Brad Sahl comes in for the tackle during a Section III Class D playoff game at D' Alessandro Stadium, Saturday, October 17, 2009 in Utica.

Story: Early battles toughened Jugglers

Photo of the day: Oct. 16

EDITOR'S NOTE: Today's winner is not a single photo, but a collection of images included in an audio slideshow produced by photojournalist Dave Londres.

Dave followed one player from each of the two local football teams as they prepared for, and played in, one of their biggest games of the season.

Story: Spartans defeat Clinton in rough-and-tumble soccer match

NICOLE L. CVETNIC / Observer-Dispatch
Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School junior Lamarr Hallagan, 17, attempts to lay mortar on a cement block during the 6th Annual Mohawk Valley Construction Industry Career Day at George E. Carle Complex, Thursday, October 15, 2009 in Oriskany. About 400 children from Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison counties attended. Watching in the background, left to right, students Josh Stone, Ray Lanzi, and Chris Smith.

Photo of the day: Oct. 14

DAVE LONDRES / Observer-Dispatch
Camden's Holly VanDresar, left, battles Dominique Coy of VVS for the ball during their game in Camden, Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

Photo of the day: Oct. 13

ANGELICA A. MORRISON / Observer-Dispatch
SUNYIT students and staff participate in a belly dancing class at the college on Tuesday Oct. 13, 2009.

Editor's note: This is a good use of the surroundings to help tell the story. By using the mirror, Angelica composed it with the instructor on the left and then added context with the reflection on the right.

Photo of the day: Oct. 12

ANGELICA A. MORRISON/ Observer-Dispatch
History buff Brody Rowan of Jamestown closes his eyes during an imagination activity on Monday Oct. 12, 2009 at the Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome during a School's Out program hosted in honor of the Christopher Columbus holiday.

Photo of the day: Oct. 10

NICOLE L. CVETNIC / Observer-Dispatch
Westmoreland's Travis Rogers tackles Waterville's Stephen Potter during the second quarter of the game at Westmoreland High School, Saturday, October 10, 2009 in Westmoreland.

Photo of the day: Oct. 9

NICOLE L. CVETNIC / Observer-Dispatch
Christopher Columbus Elementary School third graders Giovonni Williams, left, and Ethan Lasisomphone, both 8, watch The Death Defying Incline Motorcycle performance during the 63rd Annual Ziyara Shrine Circus at the Utica Memorial Auditorium, Friday, October 9, 2009 in Utica.

Photo of the day: Oct. 8

ANGELICA A. MORRISON/ Observer-Dispatch Homeowners, Gretchen and Robert Austin, comfort each other as their home burns. Firefighters from four departments battle a house fire Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, at the home at 332 Mucky Run Rd. in Frankfort Center.

Editor's note: This photo was published last week, but deserves special notice. This image was part of a package done by O-D multimedia journalist Angelica Morrison.

While on the scene, she sent mobile phone photos for uticaod.com, shot video and still photos of the fire and the family, interviewed the family and photographed the dog that miraculously survived the fire.

She then returned to the office where she published a story, photo gallery and video.

Photo of the day: Oct. 7

MICHAEL LAPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
David Torrellas, right, walks out of the courtroom with Attorney George Aney, center, and Court Reporter Therese Jalonack at the Oneida County Court building on Wednesday Oct. 7, 2009.

Editor's note: This image was shot as the defendant was brought into court. It is striking because of the happy expression on the face of someone being charged with a serious crime.

Photo of the day: Oct. 6

DAVE LONDRES / Observer-Dispatch
New Hartford's Emily Bergmann, right, and Notre Dame's Abby Kowalczyk try to head the ball during their game in New Hartford, Tuesday, October 6, 2009.

Editor's note: Though not unusual in sports photography, this shots remains a difficult one to nail down. Add to that the collision between the two, and it makes a strong image.

Photo of the day: Oct. 5

WILLIAM P. CANNON / Observer-Dispatch
Vaughn Taylor reacts to a missed putt on the 12th green Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, during a six hole playoff round between him and Matt Kuchar in Turning Stone Resort Championship in Vernon. Had Taylor sunk this putt, he would have been the champion. Instead, the men remained tied, and continued to play until Kuchar emerged as the champion.

WILLIAM P. CANNON / Observer-Dispatch
Vaughn Taylor's ball rests inches from the cup on the 12th green Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, during a six hole playoff round between him and Matt Kuchar in Turning Stone Resort Championship in Vernon. Had Taylor sunk this putt, he would have been the champion. Instead, the men remained tied, and continued to play until Kuchar emerged as the champion.

Photo of the day: Oct. 4

DAVE LONDRES / Observer-Dispatch
Spectators leave after play was suspended during a playoff for the 2009 Turning Stone Resort Championship, Sunday, October 4, 2009.

Editor's note: This is a great shot that really told a key part of the story. After four rounds of golf, there was a tie between two players. Though the playoff round began, it was halted due to darkness.

Photo of the day: Oct. 3

NICOLE L. CVETNIC / Observer-Dispatch
A standard-bearer for Colt Knost and Carl Pettersson walks past bunkers on the 9th during the third round of the Turning Stone Resort Championship at the Atunyote Golf Club, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 in Vernon.

Photo of the day: Oct. 2

DAVE LONDRES / Observer-Dispatch
Proctor's Walkery Mills shakes off a defender while running the ball during his teams game against Corcoran in Syracuse, Friday, October 2, 2009.

Photo of the day: Oct. 1

MICHAEL LAPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
John Senden reacts after missing a birdie putt on the 9th hole during the first round of the Turning Stone Resort Championship at the Atunyote Golf Club, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009 in Vernon.

Photo of the day: Sept 30

MICHAEL LAPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
A child swings the club and almost hits Notah Begay III, right, with the club accidently during lessons with Golf Pro Notah Begay III, Parker McLachlin, and Jeev M. Singh at the Golf Training Center at Turning Stone Resort in the golf dome within the sportsplex , Wednesday, September 30, 2009 in Oneida.

Photo of the day: Sept 29

NICOLE L. CVETNIC / Observer-Dispatch
Caddie for Billy Mayfair, Todd Montoya clears balls from a practice green during a practice round for the 2009 Turning Stone Resort Championship at the Atunyote Golf Club, Tuesday, September 29, 2009 in Vernon.

Photo of the day: Sept 28

WILLIAM P. CANNON / Observer-Dispatch
Loved ones hug and cry Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in front of the home of Kristin and Joseph Longo in Deerfield, New York where Joseph Longo, a Utica Police investigator, confessed to killing his wife shortly before dying from self-inflicted injuries.

Photo of the day: Sept 27

DAVE LONDRES / Observer-Dispatch
Brittany Agan, 15, finishes the Utica Roadrunners Falling Leaves Road Race as her Oneida High School cross country teammates, left to right, Devan McLain, 16, Kayla Happle, 15, and Larissa Mitchell, 16, cheer her on, Sunday, September 27, 2009.

Photo of the day: Sept 25

NICOLE L. CVETNIC / Observer-Dispatch
Trish Keil of Utica hugs her aunt June Czeck, also of Utica, after Keil read a letter to Bruce Bush during a memorial service at the Nunn & McGrath Funeral Directors Myslinski Funeral Home, Friday, September 25, 2009 in Utica. Bush perished in the 102 James Street fire last weekend.

Photo of the day: Sept 26

MICHAEL LAPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
Poland's Jack Potasiewicz stretches before running in the Howard Rubin event race during the 67th Annual E.J. Herrmann Cross-Country Invitational at Proctor Park on Culver Avenue, Saturday, September 26, 2009 in Utica.

Photo of the day: Sept 24

WILLIAM P. CANNON / Observer-Dispatch
Sue Wolanin gestures toward the building she and her husband own as Utica firefighters battle a fire Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, at Color Ad Sign Corp. on Lansing Street in Utica after heavy flames and smoke were reported around 5:52 p.m.