Whidbey News Group staff shined during the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association’s annual Washington Better Newspaper Contest.

The Whidbey News-Times placed third place in General Excellence and received many more individual honors. The recipients were announced during the annual convention, held this past weekend in Chelan.

The contest draws more than 2,300 entries from approximately 120 newspapers from across the state.

“The BNC awards are judged by peers and recognize the high quality of work and professionalism that goes into community newspapers,” said Whidbey News Group Publisher and Executive Editor Keven R. Graves.

“Ultimately, it’s our entire team that makes our Whidbey newspapers among the very best in the Washington state. I’m privileged to work with such an amazing group of people.”

News-Times co-editor Jessie Stensland earned first-place awards in Best Breaking News for the story “Coupeville deputy arrested and held on $30,000 bail;” in Best Crime and Court for “Double murderer gets 100 years;” in Best Government Reporting for “Mighty oak felled;” and News of the Weird for “Woman accused of tattooing man by force.”

Stensland also won second-place awards in Best News Story, Long for “Will City Council election serve as referendum on mayor?” and in Investigative Reporting for “Woman says she was assaulted in workplace.”

In addition, Stensland won a third-place photography award in the Spot News category for the photo on the story “Courtroom scuffle precedes verdict.”

Former News-Times reporter Justin Burnett, now editor of the South Whidbey Record, won a first-place photography award in Spot News for “Cause of morning blaze undetermined.”

Burnett also won second place in Color Portrait for the photo, “Feeding his fascination.”

News-Times reporter Janis Reid won second-place in the Best Environmental Story category for “Ala Spit Drownings.”

Reid won third place in Best Health and Medical Story for “New Tricare rules rankle local retirees.”

Graves received a third-place award in Best Front Page Design for the Sept. 21, 2013 edition.

In handing the Whidbey News-Times the General Excellence award, a judge noted that the paper packs in a lot of news and provides a satisfying variety in its coverage.

“Clear headlines and good leads make this a paper that’s easy to read — and also interesting to read,” a judge wrote.

“I discovered a lot of straightforward news coverage as well as features that have an emotional or community connection.”

The News-Times’ sister newspapers, the South Whidbey Record and The Whidbey Examiner also took home awards for General Excellence. The Record, edited by Burnett, took third in its circulation category and The Examiner, co-edited by Stensland and Megan Hansen, claimed first place in its circulation division.

In addition, staff members at the South Whidbey Record won 12 individual awards in advertising, news and photography.