(23 entries)

Judges: Jim Simon and Kathleen Triesch Saul, Seattle Times
Simon, social issues editor for the Seattle Times, is a former writer for the magazine's Sunday magazine and has won several national awards for his reporting on public lands issues. Triesch Saul is the paper's food writer for the Seattle Times and its former investigative/projects editor.

First Place
PAUL RUBIN
Phoenix New Times
"Olden Opportunity"
"Terrifc job of getting the main character to open up about a delicate subject. The details really enrich a story that defies a lot of stereotypes about this kind of relationship."

Second Place
LEO BANKS
Phoenix New Times
"A Madam, A Mystery, A Murder"
"Good descriptive writing that vividly captures a unique place and time in the Old West. Engaging example of how newspapers can bring history to its readers."

Third Place
DEWEY WEBB
Phoenix New Times
"Wordstock Nation"
"Nice portrayal of the weird world of some very obsessed people. A fetish for scrabble is one fetish I never imagined existed."

Honorable Mention
PETER ALESHIRE
Phoenix Magazine
"Crying Wolf"
"Evocative, fresh writing blended with solid reporting on one of the most emotional environmental battles in the West."