We don't stuff our own ballot box, we swear. Instead, it was you, trusty readers, who gave Xpress a big pat on the back this year. Our own (not-so-cranky) Ken Hanke took top honors for best local arts writer and placed in the columnist, journalist and best Xpress feature categories as well. Other Xpress writers, including Connie Bostic, Cecil Bothwell, Alli Marshall and Brian Sarzynski, also earned your votes.

When it comes to other newspapers, you named the Asheville Citizen-Times' Susan Reinhardt your favorite columnist (as did voters in other years) and gave a nod to C-T reporter Paul Clark. And you made it clear that when you're done reading your weekly issue of Xpress, you like to pick up the Asheville Disclaimer, the Asheville Global Report and WNC Woman, in that order.

In broadcast media, WLOS-ers took all three spots in the TV-reporter category. And when it comes to radio, there's no doubt you like your stations public-minded, turning the dial to longtime local NPR affiliates and a relative newcomer, the nonprofit WPVM.

The local news story you're most sick of, of course, is the Water Agreement, about which there's been a flood of debate and little actual agreement. Rest assured, readers, that if Xpress staff could vote, we'd choose that one too.

-- Jon Elliston

Local arts writer

1. Ken Hanke -- Hall of fame

Xpress film critic

2. Alli Marshall

Xpress reporter

3. (Tie) Connie Bostic

Xpress contributor

3. Constance Richards

Asheville Citizen-Times contributor

Local columnist

1. Susan Reinhardt

Asheville Citizen-Times columnist

2. Ken Hanke

Xpress film critic

3. Cecil Bothwell

Xpress reporter

Local print journalist

1. Cecil Bothwell

Xpress reporter

2. Brian Sarzynski

Xpress reporter

3. (Tie) Ken Hanke

Xpress film critic

3. Paul Clark

Asheville Citizen-Times reporter

Local radio DJ

1. Uncle Dave -- Hall of fame

Host of Dead Air, WNCW 88.7 FM

2. Martin Anderson

Music Director/Announcer, WNCW 88.7 FM

3. Pat Ryan

DJ, WOXL 96.5 FM

Local radio show

1. Mornings with Ken & Tammy

WOXL 96.5 FM

2. Dead Air

WNCW 88.7 FM

3. Take A Stand with Matt Mittan

WWNC 570 AM

Local Radio Station

1. 88.7 WNCW

2. 88.1 WCQS

3. 103.5 WPVM

Local TV Reporter

1. Darcel Grimes -- Hall of Fame

Anchor for WLOS TV-13

2. John Le

Reporter for WLOS TV-13

3. Charu Kumarhia

Reporter for WLOS TV-13

Local News You're Sick Of

1. Water Agreement

2. WLOS

3. The Point with Mark Hyman on WLOS

Most Underreported Story

1. Downtown development & gentrification

2. Bush & Iraq War

3. Pollution & Environment

Free Newspaper Other Than Xpress

1. Asheville Disclaimer

2. Asheville Global Report

3. WNC Woman

Best Feature in Xpress

1. News Of The Weird -- Hall of fame

2. Cranky Hanke Movie Reviews

3. Clubland

Worst Feature In Xpress

1. Personals

2. Horoscope

3. Ads