Everett
A regional newspaper received 39 accolades, including 18 top honors, at the 2026 Better Newspaper Contest hosted by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association.
The competition evaluated work published from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. Entries were assessed against other publications with circulation figures of 7,500 or higher.
Representatives accepted the awards during the organization's annual convention held Saturday in Everett.
A list of the awards follows:
Sports Writer of the Year First Place Joe Pohoryles
Photographer of the Year First Place Olivia Vanni
News Story Long First Place Jenna Peterson: Snohomish County contractor shutters, leaving dozens of unpaid customers
News Story Short Second Place Eliza Aronson: Why scientists search for fish eggs
Breaking News Story Third Place Randy Diamond: The final Frontier
Health or Medical Story Third Place Jenna Peterson: Providence Everett to end hospitalist contract with Optum
Business News Story First Place Randy Diamond: Paine Field welcomes its first Frontier flight Second Place Randy Diamond: El Sid opens at APEX Everett
Education Story First Place Will Geschke: Student journalists share others voices
Government Story Third Place Will Geschke, Randy Diamond: Delays, empty storefronts frustrate riverfront residents
Crime Court Story First Place Jenna Millikan: Man sentenced for stomping death of Everett woman
Social Issue Story First Place Will Geschke: Planning for Casino Roads future
Election Story First Place Will Geschke: Family throws $489k into Everett school board races
Sports News Story Second Place Joe Pohoryles: Special players, special times
News of the Weird First Place Andrea Brown: RIP Poppy: Lake Stevens renter finds missing ashes in garage
General Feature Story Long First Place Taylor Scott Richmond: Two years of hell: Former student and her mom speak out Second Place Taylor Scott Richmond: A mothers addiction journey comes full circle Third Place Jenna Millikan: Im going to die: Two childhood friends recount hourslong ordeal on Mt. Baker
General Feature Story Short Second Place Randy Diamond: Edmonds College restaurant is unique find
Lifestyle Feature Story Second Place Janice Podsada: Everett firefighters turn on the burner, fire up the grill Third Place Andrea Brown, Janice Podsada: Twisp with a twist: Road-tripping to the Methow Valley, Take the North Cascades Scenic Highway, do the Cascade Loop
Animal Feature Story Third Place Jenna Millikan: Former abandoned dog has new name and new home
History Feature Story First Place Taylor Scott Richmond: A story worth telling: SnoCo did it before Woodstock Second Place Taylor Scott Richmond: A gigantic inferno: Local vet recalls warship collision
Arts Feature or Story First Place Jenna Peterson: Edmonds artist to hold final exhibition Third Place Janice Podsada: Tribute bands take center stage
Sports Feature Story Second Place Joe Pohoryles: The Ramon Way: Arlington runner wins state title Third Place Joe Pohoryles: Tupua overcomes family turmoil at track and field championships
Sports Personality Profile First Place Aaron Coe: Everett fire captain to climb for cure Second Place Aaron Coe: Joe Marsh, longtime Arlington girls basketball coach, dies at 57 Third Place Joe Pohoryles: Turning the Page: Lake Stevens track coach set to retire
Comprehensive Coverage Single Writer First Place Jenna Peterson: Flock Safety coverage
TROH Editors Announce Annual Journalism Award Winners
The Real Olympic Herald editorial board has finalized the selection of winners for its annual journalism awards, recognizing excellence across multiple categories including comprehensive coverage, editorial writing, and photography.
In the comprehensive coverage category, the top honor went to a team of multiple writers for their extensive reporting on the Flock camera system. The winning entry included a series of articles detailing Mountlake Terrace’s decision to approve the technology despite local opposition. The coverage also examined federal records indicating that national agencies had accessed local Flock camera networks. Additionally, the series covered legal developments, including a judge’s ruling that Flock footage constitutes a public record and a motion’s denial to exempt the video from the Public Records Act. The series concluded with reporting on Lynnwood’s vote to terminate its contract with the vendor.
The second-place award in the comprehensive coverage category was presented to Will Geschke and Jenna Peterson for their reporting on LifeWise and Everett Public Schools. Their work tracked the mixed reactions to an off-campus Bible program in Everett. The series documented representatives from the program threatening legal action against the school district, the subsequent support from parents for the district, and the eventual lawsuit filed by LifeWise regarding district policies.
In the editorial category, Jon Bauer claimed the first-place prize with a piece titled "Stick with rules for Bible class." This editorial also secured the first-place award in the broader Editorial Pages division.
Olivia Vanni dominated the photographic categories, claiming first place in both the Photo Essay and Breaking News Photo divisions. Her essay, "Rising waters remain a threat," won the top prize in the photo essay category. In the breaking news photo competition, she was awarded first place for an image depicting record floods displacing county residents. Vanni also placed second in the photo essay category with a piece titled "A sweet victory party," which showed Snohomish County Seahawks fans celebrating a Super Bowl championship in Seattle. She earned third place in the sports feature photo category for a photograph of the Lake Stevens girls wrestling team winning the 4A State Championship.
Jenna Peterson can be reached at 425-339-3486 or by email at jenna.peterson@a regional outlet.com. She is also active on X under the handle @jennarpetersonn.