The Bellevue Reporter was well-represented at the 2009 Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Better Newspaper Contest in Olympia last weekend. Four members of the editorial department, both past and present, earned recognition in this year’s competition.

The awards were as follows, with all stories published in the Bellevue Reporter unless otherwise noted:

FIRST PLACE

• Chad Coleman – Best Photo Essay/Picture Page: “Learning the way of the kayak” (Mercer Island Reporter)

• Chad Coleman – Best Sports Photo, Action, Color: “Obstructed” (Mercer Island Reporter)

• Joshua Adam Hicks – Best Lifestyle Feature Story: “Bothell photographer doing special work” (Bothell-Kenmore Reporter)

• Joel Willits – Sportswriter of the Year

• Joel Willits – Best Breaking News Story: “Bellevue bruised, battered”

• Joel Willits – Best Sports News Story: “Bellevue delivers”

• Joel Willits – Best Online Breaking News: “Team bus flips on I-5”

SECOND PLACE

• Chad Coleman – Best Sports Photo, Action, Color: “Spring golf” (Mercer Island Reporter)

• Chad Coleman – Best News Photo, Color: “Ouch!” (Mercer Island Reporter)

• Joshua Adam Hicks – Best General Feature Story: “Following his footsteps”

THIRD PLACE

• Joshua Adam Hicks – Best General Feature Story: “Learning the notes of love”

• Joshua Adam Hicks – Best Comprehensive Coverage of Single Issue: “East Link/light rail

• Joshua Adam Hicks – Best News of the Weird: “Bellevue Police find remains…”

• Carrie Wood – Best News Story: “His last day of life”

• Joel Willits – Best Other Internet Feature: Live game coverage

The Bellevue Reporter and Bothell-Kenmore Reporter are Group IV newspapers, which must have a circulation over 12,000.

The Mercer Island Reporter has a circulation of 4,306, making it a Group II newspaper.