Click here to read more and see who won best Sportscaster, Morning News Show, Hot Local Celebrity, and more.

Watchdog

Readers' choice: Dave Lieber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Critic's choice: Don Young

The old phrase "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog" applies perfectly to community activist Don Young, a small guy with a lot of fight in him. Young has been looking over the shoulder of the gas drillers in Tarrant County since they first arrived, constantly letting news media and the public know what's going on. He's tireless in his efforts to protect Fort Worth from the negative impacts of urban drilling. The town could use more like him.

Thing Tarrant County Needs

Critic's choice: Late-night pizza

OK, there are more serious things this county needs, like better roads and a ban on Tasers and an entertainment district for young people. But dammit, why can't we get a good slice of pizza at 3 a.m. on a Friday night? Other big cities do it, and last we checked Fort Worth is a big city. Please, isn't there some entrepreneur who could figure out how to make a profit on late-night pies? We'd promise to show up frequently.

TV Journalist

Readers' choice (Anchor or Reporter): Deborah Ferguson, KXAS/Channel 5

Critic's choice (Anchor): Brendan Higgins, Channel 5

Over the last few years, we've watched as sleepy-eyed Channel 5 anchor Brendan Higgins slimmed down and turned his hair into a short, silvery spike that would suit a Philip K. Dick anti-hero. He's now comfortably ensconced in Channel 5's highly rated morning show, where his rumpled, groggy persona fits perfectly. Happily, he's sacrificed none of his self-deprecating snarkiness. Call him the James Spader of North Texas news.

Critic's choice (Reporter): Scott Friedman,  Channel 5

Investigative reporter and occasional anchor Scott Friedman has been with Channel 5 a little over three years now. He arrived in Fort Worth having already done award-winning work on topics like the Iraq war, wounded soldiers' overseas care, and the 2004 presidential election. This summer he distinguished himself covering the woes of the airline industry, water wastage during the North Texas drought, and the unpleasant local side effects of home foreclosures. Friedman always comes across as serious without the parodic edge that seeps into the delivery of so many TV reporters.

Radio Personality

Readers' choice: Kidd Kraddick, KISS/ 106.1-FM

Critic's choice: Amit, KTCK/1310-AM The Ticket

For the record, Amit is not his real name, nor is he an employee of The Ticket. He does, however, have spot-on Hot Sports Opinions, and he shares them often, in an Indian accent. We assume this is because he's Indian, but even if he's not, it's a damned funny bit, especially given the sitar music that's always queued up when he starts a spiel. Amit's calls tee up great moments in sports commentary - and comedy gold.

Weathercaster

Readers' choice: Pete Delkus, WFAA/Channel 8

Critic's choice: Evan Andrews, KDFW/Channel 4

In addition to the regulation charts and graphs, the early-morning weatherman usually includes a helpful timeframe for upcoming weather changes. Not the vague "showers in the afternoon" variety, but "showers likely after 2 p.m." or "clearing by 4 p.m." That helps a lot in planning the day. And he's usually right.

Hottest Local Celebrity (Male)

Readers' choice: Tony Romo

Critic's choice: Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead

His good looks are on the rugged side, but in his mid-40s, Fort Worth's current chief can still turn some heads. So nice that staying fit is part of the job. And humility has its own charm, of course: Halstead started out making excuses and sounding defensive after the Rainbow Lounge incident, but when evidence showed officers had been in the wrong, he backtracked convincingly. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that a cop beat him up when he was 19. Ah, there's more allure: a man with a past.

Hottest Local Celebrity (Female)

Readers' choice: Janine Turner

Critic's choice: Ashley Melnick

A former Miss Grapevine, this transplanted Yankee is making a go of a career in mainstream music and definitely has the looks to take her far: athletic body, lush and long black hair, strong jawline, smoky almond-shaped eyes, and a knowing smile. (Think: Roselyn Sanchez.) And Melnick's voice is as smooth as her skin. Visit www.myspace.com/ashleymelnick.

Sportscaster

Readers' choice: Dale Hansen, Channel 8

Critic's choice: Joe Trahan, Channel 8

Joe does all the right things, from stand-ups at ball games to occasionally anchoring to putting up with Cowboy Marty B's film studies. But we give this award to Joe for another reason: He's had to put up with three years of all that Dale Hansen nonsense. That's some sports TV hall-of-fame cred right there.

Traffic Reporter

Readers' choice: Tammy Dombeck, Channel 5

Critic's choice: Tammy Dombeck

Tammy Dombeck is the grande dame of "gridlock busters" in North Texas, although that's an awful weighty title for such a light-hearted person. She's been doing the traffic shtick at NBC-5 for almost a decade; before that she worked in radio as a news and traffic reporter. Besides the morning drive-time reports, she blogs and does an entertainment report. Last year, she even inspired a character in a Hip Pocket play ("Sammi Zoomdeck"). Roll on, Tammy.

Old Guy

Readers' choice: Steve Murrin

Critic's choice: Jack Borden

Borden was baptized in the Trinity River in 1908. Since then, he hasn't missed a step. From working in cornfields to sleuthing for the FBI to serving as mayor of Weatherford, Borden has reinvented himself continually. At 101, he still works in his real estate and probate law office five days a week. His tenacity earned him the title of America's Outstanding Oldest Worker for 2009. He should also be an inspiration for those of us wishing to retire in our 30s - as long as we're planning three or four more careers after that.