The Washington Newspaper Publishers Association announced its winners for the 2016 Washington Better Newspaper Contest in Wenatchee, Washington. The Islands’ Sounder and Journal of the San Juans took home 44 awards including general excellence. This year, the entries were judged by the New York Press Association.

General excellence, first place, group one: Journal of the San Juans

General excellence, third place, group one: Islands’ Sounder

Feature writer of the year, second place: Colleen Smith Armstrong

Both papers won the following awards for special sections:

First place for Weddings in the San Juans: Mandi Johnson, Cali Bagby, Shane Watson, Colleen Smith Armstrong

Second place for The Book of the San Juan Islands: Mandi Johnson, Cali Bagby, Shane Watson, Colleen Smith Armstrong

Third place for Springtide Visitors Guide: Mandi Johnson, Cali Bagby, Shane Watson, Colleen Smith Armstrong, Heather Spaulding

Third place for special section cover Health and Wellness: Johanna Buxton

First place for special section cover Home and Garden: Johanna Buxton

Journal of the San Juans awards

Second place, health and medical story, “Death is no longer hush hush”: Leslie Kelly

Third place, health and medical story, “The holiday season, grief and loss”: Leslie Kelly

Second place, education story, “Students discover good news about pollutants”: Leslie Kelly

Third place, front page design – Sept. 30: Cali Bagby

First place, feature page design, “Shakespeare”: Kat Sherman

Second place, feature page design, “Seal”: Kat Sherman and Cali Bagby

Third place, page design, “Lavender scones”: Kat Sherman

First place, sports feature, “Punching like a girl”: Courtney Oldwyn

Third place, education story, “Little Vet School – Big Dreams”: Courtney Oldwyn

Third place, story on the arts, “Ai Wei Wei”: Heather Spaulding

First place, personality profile – short, “Vouri 20 years”: Heather Spaulding

Second place, personality profile – short, “Priest with spirit”: Anna V. Smith

Second place, lifestyle feature, “Inside Passage”: Emily Greenberg

First place, feature story – short, “A powerful love”: Cali Bagby

Second place, editorial, “Ferries should support local riders”: Cali Bagby

Third place, environmental, “Trash talk”: Heather Spaulding

Second place, business feature, “Canaan the wonder dog”: Anna V. Smith

First place, advertising, use of process color smaller than ½ page, “The Place”: Shane Watson