The Green Valley News & Sun received an honorable mention in the 2009 Suburban Newspapers of America general newspaper excellence category.

The judges noted that the paper is “full of helpful service articles,” the typography is “clear and easy to read,” the ads “are easy to navigate,” and that there were “arresting images on every front page.”

The newspaper was honored in the non-dailies, 10,001-22,500 circulation category. Pam Mox is the publisher of the Green Valley News, The Sahuarita Sun and co-publisher of the Santa Cruz Valley Sun.

The Maryland Independent won first place, followed by the Longboat (Fla.) Observer and the Calvert Recorder in Prince Frederick, Md. The Bolingbrook Sun in Aurora, Ill., also received an honorable mention.

SNA is a non-profit trade association comprised of more than 2,000 suburban and community newspapers in the United States and Canada.