Staff photographer Jacqueline Ramseyer won first place in the feature photo category for an Aug. 4 photo in the Cupertino Courier.

Cartoonist Steven DeCinzo took second place for his June 10, 2004, cartoon that ran in the Almaden Resident and a certificate of achievement for the Aug. 11 Cupertino Courier cartoon.

According to the newspaper association's website, "The Better Newspapers Contest is an annual newsroom competition that is sponsored by CNPA for the purpose of recognizing the most outstanding journalistic achievements published by daily and weekly California newspapers in one calendar year."

Awards were given out at a luncheon on July 9.

Other winners from the Silicon Valley Community Newspapers group were:

Certificate of achievement, photo essay--"Say Cheese" by Erin Day, Sept. 30, Almaden Resident;

Certificate of achievement, feature story--"Shipping Out" by Stephanie Condon, Aug. 5., Almaden Resident;

Certificate of achievement, editorial comment--"Spending $51,500 on mayor's State of the City speech a questionable decision" by Gregory Watkins, March 4, 2004, Rose Garden Resident;

Second place, writing--"Close Encounters" by Moryt Milo, Nov. 10, Campbell Reporter;

Second place, columns--Moryt Milo, Campbell Reporter;

Certificate of achievement, special issue--Heritage Theatre, Feb. 11, 2004, Campbell Reporter;

Certificate of achievement, feature story--"Pawty Time" by Amy Wicks, June 23, 2004, Willow Glen Resident;

Second place, feature photo--"Spirited Athletes" by George Sakkestad, Jan. 21, 2004, Saratoga News;

Certificate of achievement, photo essay--"Horse Play" by George Sakkestad and Vicki Thompson, Oct. 6, Saratoga News;

First place, photo essay--"Why Ask Y" by Vicki Thompson, Sept. 29, Los Gatos Weekly-Times;

Second place, photo essay--"Some Like It Hot" by George Sakkestad, Sept. 15, Los Gatos Weekly-Times;

Certificate of achievement, feature photo--"Praying on one leg" by George Sakkestad, June 9, Los Gatos Weekly-Times.