The Journal of the San Juan Islands received 13 awards at the 121st annual Washington Newspaper Publishers Association convention, Thursday through Saturday at the Red Lion Hotel-Yakima Center.
The Journal won second place for community service — its eighth community service award since 2001 — for its reporting on, and advocacy for, efforts to reduce the use of Styrofoam on San Juan Island.
Other awards:
— First: Best Ad Campaign for Single Advertiser, Banana Belt front page banner (Ron Bates, Rebecca Cook, Michael D’Abrosca).
— First: Best Breaking News Story, “Agents descend on Decatur” (Richard Walker).
— First: Best Editorial, “It’s about respect” (Richard Walker).
— First: Best Overall Feature Page or Section, “Art of Compassion” (James Krall).
— First: Best Sports Feature, “Biggest mile” (James Krall).
— First: Best Sports Photo, Action, Black and White, “F.H. clings to 21-14 win” (Scott Rasmussen).
— First: Short Personality Profile, “Leaving footprints” (James Krall).
— Second: Best Overall Page or Section (James Krall).
— Second: Best Use of Graphics, “Summer’s over … back to school” (James Krall).
— Second: Short Personality Profile, “The Contender” (Scott Rasmussen).
— Third: Best Breaking News Story, “Five hurt in tent collapse” (James Krall).
— Third: Best Single Page Typography and Design, Jan. 23, 2008 front page (Richard Walker).
In the Community Service category, The Journal has been recognized since 2001 for its comparative study of growth in Nantucket, Mass., and San Juan County; reporting on senior health care issues in the community; its donation of 106 years of historical newspapers to the San Juan Historical Society; its assistance in establishing a benefit account for workers displaced in the May 9, 2002 fire; its call to arms to complete the Family Resource Center building; its reporting on and advocacy for charter government; and its support and advocacy for the San Juan Anti-Litter Initiative.
The Journal received awards for General Excellence from WNPA in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Its Classified section won second place in national judging sponsored by Suburban Newspapers of America. The Journal has also received awards for column writing from the Washington Press Association, and editorial writing and newspaper design from the Society of Professional Journalists Western Washington chapter.
The Journal, which also publishes SanJuanJournal.com, Springtide magazine, The Book of the San Juan Islands and other publications, competes annually in the WNPA’s Better Newspaper Contest. Its division includes newspapers with circulation of 2,501 to 5,000.
Winners of the 2008 contest were chosen from a total of 2,837 entries submitted by 80 member newspapers. The Louisiana Press Association judged WNPA’s contest this year.
WNPA was founded in 1887, two years before Washington was admitted to the Union. It represents 114 community newspapers across Washington state. It promotes open government, defends the First Amendment, sponsors the state’s annual Better Newspaper Contest and offers continuing education for publishers and staff members.
