Best Local TV News Anchor
Sonny Dixon, WTOC
This former politician is never far away from his folksy roots.
Editors’ Pick: Paul Rea, WSAV
Best Local TV Sports Anchor
Rick Snow, WTOC
His sunny personality and credible demeanor makes you want to stay up late to watch private school hoops highlights. Quite a feat.
Editors’ Pick: Rick Snow
Best Local TV Meteorologist
Pat Prokop, WTOC
Insouciantly stares down approaching high-pressure fronts just like Val Kilmer stared down that dude he shot in that awesome scene at the end of Tombstone.
Editors’ Pick: Pat Prokop
Hottest Local TV Personality
Paula Deen
We were kinda pushing the babe-a-licious thing with this category, as opposed to sheer popularity. But hey, Paula’s a babe too, so it’s all good.
Editors’ Pick: WJCL’s Jennifer Beale
Best Local Columnist
Jane Fishman
Formerly with the Morning News, Fishman has graced the pages of Connect Savannah for several years now.
Editors’ Pick: The one that works for the least money
Best Local Blogger
Jim Morekis
Savannah “Blogfather” and Connect Savannah editor blogs at connectsavannah.com/index.php/blogs/jimmorekis/ with a focus on politics and local weirdness.
Editors’ Pick: Betsy Yates at www.excruciatinglynormal.com
Best Local Website
Savannah Morning News website is overhauled and now out of beta.
Editors’ Pick: www.savannahunderground.com
Best Local Radio Station
97.3 KISS FM
This Top 40 station, a Clear Channel property, wrests a close win from perennial winner Q105.3 FM.
Editors’ Pick: FM 91.1 Public Radio, except when the fund drives are on
Best Local Radio Personalities
Dixon & Dooley, Kix 96
Jim & Dutch bring the continuous country favorites at this Cumulus station.
Editors’ Pick: Orlando Montoya, FM 91
Best Talk Radio Station
WTKS 1290 AM
Home of Bill Edwards, Rush Limbaugh and Neil Boortz. Tune to the right of your AM dial — get it?
Editors’ Pick: ESPN Sports Talk 1130 AM
Best Local TV Commercial
O.C. Welch
As detailed in the latest True Hollywood Stories on E!, young Chip Welch has matured from the spritely child-star of those classic spots from the acknowledged Golden Era of O.C. Welch Commercials, that magical time in broadcasting still mentioned in hushed tones alongside the accomplishments of Lucille Ball and Johnny Carson. But through the trials and tribulations of stardom, Chip still retains the poignant yet hopeful, almost Shakespearean gravitas as he delivers that immortal final line echoing through the ages — a simple three-word mantra striding Western civilization’s cultural and political zeitgeist like a veritable colossus: “God Bless America.”
Editors’ Pick: “Crossing Over,” by SCAD students Laura Kessler and Irene Jeanotte for the Chevy Super Bowl ad challenge
This article appears in May 23-30, 2007.