ARLINGTON For the tenth consecutive year, The Arlington Times has been named one of the best non-daily newspapers, for its circulation size, in the state by the Washington Newspapers Publishers Association in its annual Better Newspaper Contest.
The Times brought home the second-place General Excellence Award in Circulation Group 1 (for newspapers with circulations up to 2,600), from the WNPAs annual conference in Yakima Oct. 5. The Times sister publication, The Marysville Globe, received the first-place General Excellence Award for Circulation Group I. Staff members from The Times also received seven awards in the news, photography and advertising divisions of the annual contest.
In naming The Times the second-best newspaper in the state for its circulation size, judges said Great news content and coverage, Great editorial writing, and about the ads, Wow! Some great design, good dominant elements, beautiful use of black, white and gray to add depth.
Receiving the second-place General Excellence Award, along with the many other awards, serves as an example of the long-standing commitment to quality community journalism embraced by the entire staff at The Arlington Times, said Managing Editor Scott Frank. Judges for the General Excellence Award critique all aspects of the newspaper including news writing, editorial pages, photography, graphics, design, advertising and printing. We compete against a number of very good newspapers so it takes a total team effort from staff members in all departments to earn this prestigious award.
In the Photography Division, Times Editor Sarah Arney earned a third-place award for Color Feature Photo.
In the News Division, Arney received a third-place award for Best Agriculture Story (Country Charm cows shipped to Idaho) and a second-place award for Best Feature Page or Section. News Reporter Kirk Boxleitner brought home a pair of second-place awards for Best Environmental Story (Protecting endangered species) and Best General Feature Story (Marine returns from Iraq).
In the Advertising Division, Beth Opel garnered a first-place award for Promotion of Newspaper and former staff member Margi Hartnett earned a first-place award for Best Institutional Ad.
Every week I see how much time and effort the staff puts into each issue of the newspaper. I want to personally congratulate each of them as these awards are well deserved and reflect on their commitment to this newspaper and the community it serves, said Frank.

The Arlington Times

General Excellence Award
Circulation Group I
Second Place
The Arlington Times

Photography Division
Color Feature Photo
(Group I)
Third Place
Sarah Arney

News Division
Best General Feature Story (short)
(Group I)
Second Place
Kirk Boxleitner

Best Environmental Story
(Group I)
Second Place
Kirk Boxleitner
Best Agricultural Story
(Group I)
Third Place
Sarah Arney

Best Feature Page or Section
(Groups I & II)
Second Place
Sarah Arney

Advertising Division
Promotion of Newspaper
(Group I)
First Place
Beth Opel

Institutional Ad
(Group I)
First Place
Margi Hartnett