BEST OF WNC
media
Water system saga: Most Important Local News Story
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orking in local media is all about trying to connect with readers, viewers and listeners. And this year’s poll results helped reveal some of the people, outlets and stories that kept people most informed and interested. Once again, longtime Asheville Citizen-Times writer John boyle won in the Local Print Reporter category for his funny “Answer Man” columns, as well as those that drive community debate on weightier subjects, such as the recent controversies surrounding the Asheville Police Department. “It is gratifying to know I’m connecting with WNC readers, and they seem to appreciate what I’m doing,” he says. An anchor/reporter at WLOS News 13 for three decades, Darcel Grimes responded to her win in the Local TV Personality/ Announcer category with similar appreciation. “I am so thankful to the people of Western North Carolina for inviting me into their homes for so many years,” she says. “It is always rewarding to know that you are connecting with your viewers.” On the radio waves, WNCW 88.7 proved to be your favorite station, though KISS Country’s eddie foxx earned approval as the top Local Radio Personality. 38
BEST OF WNC
auGuSt 7 - auGuSt 13, 2013
beStofwnc.com
In online media, the Ashvegas site (run by Citizen-Times staffer Jason Sandford) won big, praised as Best Local Blog and Website. The honor of being your favorite Social Media Personality went to What Should AVL Call Me. The mystery woman/man behind the brand insists on anonymity, but wins followers with a playful attitude on Twitter (@wsavlcallme) and a Tumblr site that pokes fun at Asheville eccentricities. In terms of stories, voters seem to have conflicting feelings about a state proposal to transfer control of the local water system from the city of Asheville to the Metropolitan Sewage District. As the measure sits in legal limbo, you simultaneously find it to be one of the most important local news stories, one of the most overreported and one of the most under-reported stories. Good luck to the editors trying to make sense of that. Meanwhile, voters showed love to several Xpress staffers, including alli marshall, who won Best Local Print Arts Reporter for the third year in a row and max cooper, who won first place in the Local News Photographer or Photojournalist category after only a couple of years on the job. David forbes, Ken Hanke and I also earned accolades. Thank you! — Jake Frankel