EVERETT — The North Kitsap Herald won 14 awards, including first places for special section cover design, feature writing and photography, 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 Herald, circulation 12,700, competed against other newspapers in Group IV, the highest circulation category. 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 Special Section Cover, “North Kitsap Almanac 2011,” Dan McDougall.

First place: Best General Feature Story – Long, “Made with love,” Erin Jennings.

First place: Best General Feature Story – Short, “A kiss and a wag,” Erin Jennings.

First place: General News Photo – B/W or Color, “Off and running,” Brad Camp.

Second place: Most Original Ad Idea, “Poulsbo Village,” Dan McDougall and Frank Portello.

Second place: Best Personality Profile – Short, “Ringing for Change,” Erin Jennings.

Second place: Best Online Photo Gallery or Slide Show, “A canoe journey by land,” Tad Sooter.

Third place: Use of Process Color in a Full Page Ad, “In the true spirit of the holiday season …,” Dan McDougall and Victoria McDonald.

Third place: Tourism/Community Guide, “North Kitsap Almanac 2011,” Staff.

Third place: Best News Story – Short, “Teens mourned / Friends say crash victims were like ‘brothers to the end’,” Kipp Robertson.

Third place: Best Personality Profile – Short, “Strength and determination: Dyslexia was no deterrent for best-selling author,” Erin Jennings.

Third place: Best Blog, “Canoe Journey Journal,” Tad Sooter.

Third place: Best Online Photo Gallery or Slide Show, “Garage creations vie for glory in Hansville Coaster Games,” Brad Camp.

Third place: Color Photo Essay, “Fir flies at Old Mill Days,” Brad Camp.

Other newspapers in the Kitsap News Group, a division of Sound Publishing Co., won awards as well.

The Bainbridge Island Review won first place for Comprehensive Coverage of an Issue, second place for Best Story on the Arts, and second place for Best Web Site.

The Central Kitsap Reporter won first place for Multiple-Advertiser Ad – 1-2 full pages; and first place for Use of Process Color- 1/2 Pg. or Larger.

The Port Orchard Independent won first place awards for Tourism/Community Guide Special Sections, Special Events/Festivals Special Sections, Best Crime and Court Story, and Best Editorial. The Independent also won second place awards for Best Front Page Design and Use of Clip Art in Ad, and third place awards for Best Sports Feature and Best General Interest Column. The Independent’s Chris Chancellor was a finalist for Sportswriter of the Year.