Several current and former Sequim Gazette staffers took home honors from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, with awards announced at the WNPAs annual convention in Chelan in October.

The Washington Newspaper Publishing Association represents about 130 community newspapers in Washington. The annual contest recognizes excellence in editorial, advertising, photography, special sections, online work and service to communities by members of WNPA, with honors awarded to staff in four circulation groups.

Editor Michael Dashiell earned a first place in the Best Sports Feature category (Group 3) for “Working wonders from the wrestling mat” and second place in the same division for “No Ordinary Joe.”

He also earned first place in Best Feature Page Design (Groups 3 and 4) for “Finding the ultimate reef,” first place in Best Humorous Column or Blog (Groups 1-4) for “Editor’s Corner” and first place in Black/White Sports Photo-Action/Feature (Groups 3-4) for “Pirate Plunder.”

Dashiell was awarded third place in Black/White Feature Photo (Groups 1-4) for “Bailey’s Solo” and third place in Black/White Sports Photo-Action/Feature (Groups 3-4) for “Sequim for the block.”

Special Sections editor Patricia Morrison Coate took home first place in the Best Story on the Arts category (Group 3) for “Art on the arm.” She also took home two awards for Living on the Peninsula publications — a second place in Topical/Non-Tourism Special Sections and third place in Lifestyle/Culture Special Sections (both Group 3 awards).

Reporter Matthew Nash earned a second place award for Black/White Feature Photo (Groups 1-4) for “Lean Into It” and a third place award in the Best News Story-Short category for “Historical skull found on Diamond Point.”

Former Gazette reporter Mark Couhig earned a second place award in the Best Comprehensive Coverage division (Group 3) for “OMC Foundation under fire” and third place in Best Business News Story (Groups 3 and 4) for “Venues under pressure.”

Jay Cline, former Gazette production department staffer/photographer, earned first place in Color Pictorial photo (Groups 3 and 4) for “Branching Out” and second place in Color Sports Photo-Action (Group 3) for “A Leg Up on the Competition.”

Former Gazette staffer Ross Coyle of the Kent Reporter earned second place in Best Personality Profile-Short (Group 4) for “Heart, home for others” and two Group 4 photography awards: first place in Color Portrait (“What’s all the buzz?”) and third place in Color Sports Photo-Action (“Floored”).

Former Gazette staffer Robert Whale of the Auburn Reporter took first place in Best Government Reporting (Group 4) for “Auburn’s Parking Puzzle.”

A full list of contest winners is at www.wnpa.com.