sentences:  When "The Observer" and the afternoon "Charlotte News" merged news staffs in 1983, Oppel became editor of both newspapers until the "News"s demise in 1985.Oppel was given the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of South Florida in 1979, and received the 1987 Ben Bradlee Editor of the Year Award from the National Press Association.Oppel is married to Carol Van Aken Oppel, a licensed lay preacher in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.