POULSBO — The North Kitsap Herald won 20 awards — including first places for page design, photography, reporting and Ad of the Year — in the 2017 Better Newspaper Contest presented by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association.

The awards were presented Oct. 13 at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia, at the association’s 130th annual convention.

The Herald was judged on work published from April 1, 2016 to March 31 this year; judging was done by members of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. Fifty-nine newspapers competed.

All told, the Kitsap News Group won 74 awards, including three community service awards and three general excellence awards. Bob Smith, a Kitsap News Group editor, was named Feature Writer of the Year.

“I continue to be extremely pleased with our outstanding team of news and marketing professionals,” Regional Publisher Terry R. Ward said. “It’s great to see them recognized for their excellent work serving our communities.”

Awards won by the Herald:

First place, Best Health or Medical Story: Terryl Asla, “CPR saved life of ex-Marine.”

First place, Best Business News Story: Sophie Bonomi, “Back rent vs. black mold.”

First place, Best Front Page Design: Mark Gillespie, March 31, 2017, Kitsap Weekly, “Taste Fresh.”

First place, Best Sports Page Design: Richard Walker and Sophie Bonomi, July 29, 2016, “A cultural, physical, spiritual experience.”

First place, Color Photo Essay: Sophie Bonomi, “Cyclists show grit in Twilight Crit.”

First place, Ad of the Year: Kelsey Thomas, John Rodriguez and Ariel Naumann, “Green Way Marijuana.”

First place, Promotion of Newspaper, Single House Ad: Mark Gillespie and Donna Etchey, “The Last Page of 2016.”

First place, Humor in Advertising: Mark Gillespie and Bill McDonald, “Dahlquist’s Fine Jewelry.”

Second place, Best Front Page Design: Mark Gillespie, Oct. 7, 2016, Kitsap Weekly, “Embrace.”

Second place, Best Sports Personality Profile: Sophie Bonomi, “Northwest mermaid takes the plunge.”

Second place, Use of Process Color (half page or larger): Mark Gillespie and Sharon Allen, “Blue Heron Jewelers.”

Second place, Most Original Idea: Mark Gillespie and Mary Mollahan, “Liberty Bay Auto Center, Gift of Shine.”

Second place, Special Events/Festivals Special Sections: Leslie Kelly and John Rodriguez, “Military Appreciation Day.”

Third place, Best Education Story: Sophie Bonomi, “Wolfle symphony will be performed at Benaroya.”

Third place, Comprehensive Coverage of an Issue: Terryl Asla and Sophie Bonomi, “The Story Behind Aluminum Overcast.”

Third place, Best Personality Profile (Short): Terryl Asla, “Missing Monday Mary.”

Third place, Most Original Idea: Mark Gillespie and Bill McDonald, “Coast Hardware.”

Third place, Use of Process Color (half page or larger): Mark Gillespie and Bill McDonald, “Sport Haus.”

Third place, Use of Process Color (smaller than half-page): Vanessa Calverley, “Barna & Co.”

Third place, Multi-Advertiser Ad (1-2 full pages): Mark Gillespie, John Rodriguez and Priscilla Wakefield, “Fall Sports.”