The Islands’ Sounder has won awards in the News and General Excellence divisions of the state Better Newspaper Contest, an annual competition presented by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association.

Two of the winning staff members: editor Colleen Smith Armstrong and staff reporter Meredith M. Griffith.

Meanwhile, Sounder sister paper The Journal of the San Juan Islands has won awards in the news, special sections and Web divisions.

The awards will be presented at the Better Newspaper Contest Awards Dinner on Oct. 1 at the Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel.

The Washington Better Newspaper Contest draws more than 2,800 entries from about 80 member newspapers. Winners are selected by members of another state’s press association.

Newspapers are grouped by circulation to compete against their peers, and receive certificates for first-, second- and third-place winners in most categories. Trophies are presented to the Feature Writer, News Writer, Photographer and Sportswriter of the Year. Winners of Community Service and General Excellence categories receive plaques.