BREMERTON — The Bremerton Patriot and Central Kitsap Reporter won 12 awards in the 2016 Better Newspaper Contest sponsored by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association.

The awards were presented at the association’s annual convention, Oct. 14-16 in Wenatchee.

In addition to the newspapers’ awards, Richard Walker, Sound Publishing’s managing editor in Kitsap, received the Feature Writer of the Year award for stories written for the North Kitsap Herald. Bob Smith, editor of the group’s Bremerton and Port Orchard offices, was a Feature Writer of the Year runner-up for stories written for the Port Orchard Independent. Former publisher Lori Maxim, who now works for Morris Multimedia in Georgia, received the Miles Turnbull Master Editor Publisher Award.

All told, Sound Publishing’s Kitsap News Group won 73 awards. The Kitsap News Group includes the Bainbridge Island Review, Bremerton Patriot, Central Kitsap Reporter, North Kitsap Herald and Port Orchard Independent.

Washington’s newspapers entered 2,142 in six divisions, representing work done from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016. Entries were judged by members of the New York Press Association.

The Bremerton Patriot won the following awards.
First place
— Best Education Story: Peter O’Cain, “From the bottom.”

Second place
— Spot News Photo: Peter O’Cain, “Manette fire displaces 16.”

— Use of Process Color 1⁄2 Page or Larger: Johanna Buxton, Jessica Martindale, “All About Transmissions & Automotive.”

Third place
— Ad Campaign for Single Advertiser (B/W or Color): Mark Gillespie, Kelsey Thomas, John Rodriguez, Johanna Buxton, “Clear Creek RV Center — Trips on a Tank.”

The Central Kitsap Reporter won the following awards.
First place
— Best News Story – Long: Chris Tucker, “Satanists’ presence riles up crowd at football game.”

— Color Feature Photo: Chris Tucker, “Sparkling nighttime view of Seattle from Central Kitsap.”

— Use of Process Color in a Full Page Ad: Bryon Kempf, Jessica Martindale, “Seaport Salon Spa — Thanks for voting us No. 1.”

— Use of Process Color 1⁄2 Page or Larger: John Rodriguez, Bill McDonald, “Peninsula Paint — Grand Opening.”

Second place
— News of the Weird: Chris Tucker, “Shoplifter tells deputies Jesus told him to steal energy drink.”

Third place
— Special Sections/Festivals: Staff, “Kitsap County Fair.”

— Best Education Story: Chris Tucker, “$220 million sought for major CK schools upgrade.”

— Color Feature Photo: Chris Tucker, “Pumpkin Picasso.”