Whidbey News-Times editorial and advertising staff members took home 25 awards in this year’s Washington Newspaper Publishers Association’s Washington Better Newspaper Contest.

The contest drew entries from 78 community newspapers, both dailies and weeklies, in Washington state. The News-Times competes against other newspapers in the second-to-highest circulation category.

Reporter Justin Burnett scooped up six awards for reporting and photography.

Burnett’s story, “Mayor walks out of store with ‘sign of protest,’” was named first place in the category Best News Story (Short). Burnett’s “Navy search and rescue: Nobody does it better,” won third place as the Best General Feature Story (Short).

When it comes to shooting photos, Burnett won first and third place in Spot News Photo for “Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue” and “Emergency responders.” He won first place in General News Photo for the Navy homecoming photograph, “VAQ 133 Lt. Cmdr. Ariel Klein.” He also won second place in General News Photo for “Prisoners in the Oak Harbor jail.”

Assistant Editor Jessie Stensland again won first place in the Best Government Reporting category for the story “Commissioners lose battle for Navy lobbying.” She also won third place for Best Crime and Court Story for “Emerson sues Dean over flyer in election.”

Reporter Katie McVicker won first and third place awards for Best Education Story. “CSI: Coupeville gives kids a clue” took first and “ACLU hits OHHS cell phone policy” won third place.

Editor Jim Larsen won again in the Best Humorous Column category.

The news team of Jim Larsen, Justin Burnett and Jenny Manning won third place Comprehensive Coverage of a Single Issue or Series for stories and editorials that began with the story “Council runs afoul of Open Public Meetings Act.”

The advertising department was 13 awards in a range of categories.

The staff members won second place in Tourism/Community Guide Special Sections for the special section “Whidbey Island Almanac 2011” and third place in Topical/Non-Tourism Special Sections for “Home & Garden Fall 2010.”

Sarah Felger and Leslie Vance won first place for Best ‘Special Promotion’ Single Ad for Single for “Two Day Pearl Event: Gerald’s Jewelry.”

Michelle Wolfensparger, Holly Rinne, Sarah Felger and Robyn Bainbridge won third place for Multiple-Advertiser Ad (1-2 full pages) for “Clip or Click.”

Lee Ann White, Ginny Tomasko, Michelle Wolfensparger and Holly Rinne won third place in Use of One Spot Color for “Coupeville Red Ticket Event.”

Vicki Beardemphl and Leslie Vance won first place in Most Original Idea for “Blade Chevrolet.”

Michelle Wolfensparger and Terri Tinker won second place in Most Original Idea for “The Jewelry Gallery knows.”

Sarah Felger and Holly Rinne won third place in Humor in Advertising “Don’t Count On The Luck ‘O The Irish.”

Michelle Wolfensparger and Holly Rinne won first place for Best Advertising Insert – for “Regency On Whidbey.”

Michelle Wolfensparger and KC Pohtilla won first place in Best Special Section Cover for the “Whidbey Island Almanac 2011.”

Terri Tinker and Ginny Tomasko won first place in Best Online Ad “Deadliest Catch Wallpaper Web Ad.”

Sarah Felger and Michelle Wolfensparger won second place in Best Online Ad for “Oak Bowl Web Animated.

Sarah Felger and Michelle Wolfensparger won third place in Best Online Ad for “Casual House Web Banner Ad.”

The winning entries can be seen at www.whidbeynewstimes.com.