The staff of the Bothell/Kenmore Reporter was honored with multiple journalism awards during the annual Washington Newspaper Publisher Association awards gala on Friday in Wenatchee, Wash.

Former staff writer Aaron Kunkler won first place for Best Environmental Story for a two-part series published by the Reporter Newspaper group, headlined: “The steady decline of salmon runs to Lake Washington | Part I and II.”

Former staff writer TJ Martinell won first place for Best Sports News Story for an article published by the Kirkland Reporter in September 2015, headlined: “Former JHS students involved in assault playing football again, one in Kirkland“

Martinell and regional editor Matt Phelps won second place for Best Breaking News Story for an article published in the Kirkland Reporter, headlined: “Beloved Kirkland resident, former LWSD employee found dead in house fire“

And Phelps won third place for Best Feature Photo for the 7 Hills of Kirkland photo that ran on the cover of the Kirkland Reporter on May 29, 2015.

The WNPA awards contest covers all Washington state weekly newspapers.