OLYMPIA — The Port Orchard Independent won 10 news and editorial awards — including community service and general excellence — in the 2017 Better Newspaper Contest presented by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association.

The Independent also won six awards in the advertising and special sections divisions, including first for Community Service for the “United Way of Kitsap Golf Classic.”

The awards were presented Oct. 13 at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia, at the association’s 130th annual convention. WNPA represents about 100 community newspapers in Washington state.

Bob Smith, editor of the Independent and regional editor for Kitsap News Group, was named state Feature Writer of the Year by the association.

The Independent won second place for Community Service for its multi-story series examining homelessness in South Kitsap County, its causes and possible solutions. The newspaper also placed second for General Excellence, the third consecutive year it has finished in the top three spots.

The newspaper 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 — the Independent, Central Kitsap Reporter (and the Bremerton Patriot, which was folded into the CKR earlier this year), North Kitsap Herald and Bainbridge Island Review, won 74 awards, including three community service awards and three general excellence awards.

Awards for news and advertising entries won by the Port Orchard Independent:

First place, Feature Writer of the Year: Bob Smith

First place, Community Service: Port Orchard Independent, Kelsey Thomas and Rich Peterson, “United Way of Kitsap Golf Classic.”

First place, Comprehensive Cover of a Single Issue or Series: Bob Smith, “Tight Housing Market.”

First place, Best Personality Profile, Long: Sara Miller, “Anne Kennedy: Beautiful Reflections.”

First place, Best Single Ad for Single Advertiser, Promoting a Sale or Event – 1/2-page or larger: Kelsey Thomas and Rich Peterson, “The Deck Store.”

First place, Most Effective Use of Small Space – B/W or Color: Kelsey Thomas and Ariel Naumann, “Los Agaves Mexican Food.”

First place, Use of Process Color – 1/2-page or larger: Kelsey Thomas and Ariel Naumann, “Keeping It Local.”

Second place, Community Service Award: Bob Smith and Terryl Asla, “Homelessness in Kitsap County.”

Second place, General Excellence: Staff, Port Orchard Independent.

Second place, Best Editorial: Bob Smith, “City Council Drives Home Message.”

Second place, Color Portrait (Human or Animal): Carrie Griffis, “Wildlife in Pastels.”

Second place, Color Sports Photo – Action: Lee Maples, “A Tangle Under the Basket.”

Second place, Best Branding Ad, Single Ad for Single Advertiser: Kelsey Thomas and Ariel Naumann, “Root Cellar.”

Third place, Best Lifestyle Feature Story: Bob Smith, “Vlist’s Motor is Purring like a Dream.”

Third place, Best Personality Profile, Long: Bob Smith, “Two Old Geezers.”

Third place, Best Special Section Cover: John Rodriguez, “The Northwest Chronicle.”