The Islands’ Sounder won 10 awards, including first place for best editorial, best environmental story, best crime story, and best online ad in the 2011 Washington Better Newspaper Contest.

The awards were presented Oct. 7 at an awards dinner during the 124th annual Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Convention, at the Holiday Inn Downtown Everett.

The Sounder, circulation 3000, competed against other newspapers in Group I and II. The newspapers were judged on work produced from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011. The contest drew 2,523 entries from 78 community newspapers; entries were judged by members of the Texas Press Association.

First place: Best Environmental Story, “Back from the Gulf,” Colleen Smith Armstrong

First place: Best Crime and Court Story, “I told him I would send him to flight school … but I guess he couldn’t wait,” Colleen Smith Armstrong

First place: Best Editorial, “Prosecutor pay raise comes at a bad time,” Colleen Smith Armstrong

First place: Best Online Ad, “Ready for winter driving?” Jim Sullivan

Second place: Best News Story (short), “Is small-scale wind power welcome in San Juan County?” Meredith M. Griffith

Third place: Best Lifestyle/Culture Special Sections, “Women in Business,” Colleen Smith Armstrong, Meredith M. Griffith, Jim Sullivan, Cathi Brewer

Third place: Best News Story (long), “Too many deer, not enough land, says study,” Colleen Smith Armstrong

Third place: Best Health or Medical Story, “Baby on Board,” Colleen Smith Armstrong

Third place: Best Environmental Story, “Litter bug,” Colleen Smith Armstrong

Third place: Best Feature Page Design, “Dazzling: Preview Orcas Center’s upcoming season of music, theatre, and more,” Colleen Smith Armstrong