The California Newspaper Publishers Association’s Better Newspapers Contest recently acknowledged eight AAN publications.

The association named Monterey County Weekly first in General Excellence, citing:

It’s lively, well written and well designed. The Editorial pages are interesting and non-conventional. This weekly is packed with listings and calendars but manages to look and read like a magazine.

The paper also took first place in its division for best environmental coverage for its reporting on methyl iodide.
San Francisco Bay Guardian took second in General Excellence, as well as two first place awards.

Palto Alto Weekly was a big winner, racking up 11 awards total in its division, including first place in seven categories. Sacramento News & Review took eight awards, with five in first place.

Seven awards went to North Coast Journal, with two in first place. SF Weekly took home five awards, including first place for Best Page Layout and Best Columns.

Other winners were Chico News & Review and San Luis Obispo New Times, which took three awards each.