Times/News editor Eric Mathison has been named first place winner for best humorous columns in the 2006 Better Newspaper Contest, sponsored by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association.

Mathison was judged on three columns dealing with Burien's heyday including a suggested song lyric for Burien, pampered pets and his 40th Highline High School reunion.

The contest judge commented, "Author's use of humor in everyday occurrences is extremely effective. All three entries very strong and complete."

The columns are posted on www.highlinetimes.com.

Mathison started as a Times/News reporter in March 2000 and became editor that September.

Photographer/Reporter Seth Bynum of the Times/News' sister paper, the Federal Way News, won one first-place award and two second-place awards.

Another Robinson newspaper, the Monroe Monitor, garnered 13 awards.