Sound Publishing’s weekly newspapers serving South King County communities won big at the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association (WNPA) awards in Bellingham on Oct. 8.

In the 2022 Better Newspaper Contest, 48 participating newspapers submitted 231 advertising entries, 1,166 news entries and 280 photography entries, among other divisions, for judges’ consideration. The contest was judged by the South Dakota Press Association.

The Auburn Reporter newspaper took home second place in the Group 4 General Excellence category, a coveted award by all local weekly newspapers. This honor is awarded to Auburn Reporter Publisher Carol Greiling, Sales Representative Laura Theimer, Editorial Director Andy Hobbs and Reporters Robert Whale and Henry Stewart-Wood.

Robert Whale’s “Whale’s Tales” columns scored first place in the General Interest Columns category.

Stewart-Wood won first place in the News Story (Long) category with his coverage of Auburn Police Officer Jeffrey Nelson’s upcoming murder trial and his discipline record.

In the Health/Medical Story category, Cameron Sheppard placed second with his story about 12-year-old Kaloni Bolton, who suffered a severe asthma attack and died waiting for care at a busy medical clinic, and the family’s demands for accountability.

In Business News, Stewart-Wood placed third with a story on Return Home, Washington’s largest “terramation” or human composting company, which has operated in Auburn since June 2021.

For advertising, Tracy Long and Laura Theimer placed third for the Community Guide section for the Auburn Residents Guide 2022.

The WNPA is an organization that advocates for community newspapers in Washington state, freedom of the press and open government. The association is dedicated to helping members advance editorial excellence, financial viability, professional development, and a high standard of publication quality and community leadership.