AASFE named the top 10 features sections Sept. 24 at its annual conference in Portland. In alphabetical order, here's what the judges said:

In alphabetical order

Charlotte Observer

The Charlotte Observer's sections have good sense of community and cover a good range of topics from fashion to local arts to food. Several of the features include online elements including online slide shows and videos. The writing is fresh and the section design is solid. The inside pages are nicely organized and inviting.

Edmonton Journal

Variety is the watchword for the Journal's pages. Some pages seem like magazine covers, with no stories at all, while others seem designed specifically to showcase the good writing. The diverse cover designs, use of alternative story forms, and creative graphic touches all are executed well. Inside pages, too, including the stylish double trucks, show care, rewarding the reader for opening the section.

Kansas City Star

At a time of cost-cutting and downsizing, the impulse to play it safe

can be strong. Don't tell that to The Kansas City Star. The features

section wins the award for most successful risk-taking. Bold

presentation. Imaginative ideas. Lively writing. Section after section

comes across as strongly rooted in place. Readers see themselves in the

pages of these sections and connect with stories -- in print and online

--  in meaningful and powerful ways.

Lincoln Journal Star

The Lincoln Journal Star uses creative, fresh approaches to tell local stories. The section takes one topic each day and explores all angles of it for a local audience. We were particularly impressed with the section front that focused on the Lincoln Marathon and told the story through graphics, a Q&A and lists, as well as a feature story. We appreciate how the section editors decide to focus on one topic for each section and then throw all their resources at that topic and give it a local flavor.

Minneapolis Star Tribune

The Star Tribune pages show a strong local and regional signature and sense of identity.  The covers showcase dramatic photography, creative use of color and special effects, and a variety of writing styles, including key contributions from readers. The pages have a well-edited feel, with catchy short headlines, captions that pay off, and writing that suggests positive writer-editor collaboration.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The diversity and spirit of this section seem aimed at reflecting a dynamic community and market. A range of  "cool stuff," as one judge called it, brings special energy to the pages: creative graphics, imaginative use of double trucks, clever headlines and head formats, and multiple and inviting elements and entry points. Overall, the Sun-Sentinel offers a fresh blend of engaging graphics and high-quality writing.

St. Petersburg Times

The St. Petersburg Times features sections strike the right balance

between writing and design. Engaging photography and illustrations draw

you in, and the writing -- crisp and clear -- keeps you there. The

sections convey a strong sense of place and mission. They also give you

the impression that a wise editor's hand is at work.

St. Paul Pioneer Press

The St. Paul Pioneer Press sections demonstrate a sense of fun and creativity, along with strong reader interactivity. We were particularly impressed with the "Land of 10,000 Look A Likes" photo page and the "Match the eco-friendly Hollywood stars to their chosen cause" quiz. The content and writing are strong throughout the section and the section front offers readers several points of entry.

Washington Post

You read The Washington Post features section, and this becomes clear:

The staff puts a premium on originality and storytelling. While the

sections of many papers did some things right -- a clever centerpiece,

an amusing column -- the Washington Post hit all the notes. It's

surprising, witty, risk-taking. Stories are generated off the news. Writing is polished, right down to the deck on a food story. Weekly sections rise to the challenge of being useful without becoming banal. The result: You feel rewarded and eager to return tomorrow.

Wilmington Star-News

This paper performs far above its weight class, starting with its abundance of well-written local copy, from columns to features to reviews. Wire copy is used innovatively to create special lists and other effects. Design is clean and attractive, with a variety of small touches and appealing entry points. Not only do pages look bright and interesting, but readers can select from an exceptionally broad and varied menu of content.

Congratulations to the winners in this year's American Association of Sunday and Features Editors' Excellence-in-Feature-Writing Contest.

The winners will be honored at a luncheon during this year's conference , which takes place Sept. 23-26 in Portland, Ore.

Those planning to attend can take advantage of the discounted early bird registration that runs through Wednesday, July 22.

Download a PDF of this list here.

Division 1 (up to 90,000)

MULTIMEDIA INNOVATION

First: Kathy Lu, The Roanoke Times

Second: Kathy Lu, The Roanoke Times

Third: Liz Barry, The (Lynchburg) News and Advance

BEST READER INTERACTIVE

First: Suzy Leonard, Florida Today

GENERAL FEATURE

First: Tracey O'Shaughnessy, Republican-American

Second: Brett Buckner, Anniston Star

Third: Julia O'Malley, Anchorage Daily News

Honorable Mention: Erinn Hutkin, Roanoke Times

NARRATIVE FEATURE

First: James Carlson, Topeka Capital-Journal

Second: Roy Wenzl, The Wichita Eagle

Third: Richard Hanner, Lodi News-Sentinel

Honorable Mention: Jennifer Vogelsong, York Daily Record/Sunday News

SHORT FEATURE

First: Colleen Kenney, Lincoln Journal Star

Second: Colleen Kenney, Lincoln Journal Star

Third: Bill Hutchinson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Honorable Mention: David Filkins, Times Union

FEATURE SPECIALTY REPORTING

First: Beth Macy, Roanoke Times

Second: Gary White, The Ledger

Third: Colleen Kenney, Lincoln Star Journal

Honorable Mention: Carrie MacMillan, Republican-American

GENERAL COMMENTARY

First: Mike Argento, York Daily Record/Sunday News

Second: Cindy Lange-Kubick, Lincoln Journal Star

Third: Carrie MacMillan, Republican-American

HEADLINE WRITING

First: Mandy McCue, The State Journal-Register

Second: Meg Burton, Cape Cod Times

Third: Susan Jennings, York Daily Record/Sunday News

A & E COMMENTARY

First: Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald Tribune

Second: Kevin Wingert, Wyoming Tribune Eagle

Third: Ralph Berrier Jr., The Roanoke Times

Honorable Mention: Tracey O'Shaughnessy, Republican-American

A & E FEATURE

First: Colleen Kenney, Lincoln Journal Star

Second: Cindy Lange-Kubick, Lincoln Journal Star

Third: Bob Keyes, Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram

Honorable Mention: Brett Buckner, Anniston Star

Division 2 (90,001 to 199,999)

MULTIMEDIA INNOVATION

First: Linda Scott, Austin American-Statesman

Second: Richard Sullivan, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard

Third: David Menconi, The (Raleigh) News & Observer

BEST READER INTERACTIVE

First: Jeff Reece, The Florida Times-Union
Second: Richard Sullivan, The (Syracuse) Post-Standard
Third: Robert Quigley, Austin American-Statesman

GENERAL FEATURE

First: Brad Buchholz, Austin American-Statesman

Second: Elizabeth Mullener, The Times-Picayune

Third: Carol Smith, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Honorable Mention: Sonya Padgett, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Honorable Mention: Elizabeth Leland, The Charlotte Observer

NARRATIVE FEATURE

First: Andrea Weigl, The News & Observer

Second: Lindsay Peterson, Tampa Tribune

Third: Mike Kilen, Des Moines Register

Honorable Mention: Marc Ramirez, Seattle Times

Honorable Mention: Carol Smith, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

SHORT FEATURE

First: Lon Wagner, The Virginian-Pilot

Second: Mike Lewis, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Third: Keith Spera, The Times Picayune

Honorable Mention: Matt Ehlers, (Raleigh) News and Observer

FEATURE SPECIALTY REPORTING

First: Abigail Goldman, Las Vegas Sun

Second: Elizabeth Simpson, The Virginian-Pilot

Third: Corrie MacLaggan, Austin American-Statesman

Honorable Mention: Betsy Hiel, Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Honorable Mention: Nick Sortal, Sun Sentinel

GENERAL COMMENTARY

First: John Kelso, Austin American-Statesman

Second: Robert Jamieson, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Third: Elizabeth Withey, Edmonton Journal

HEADLINE WRITING

First: John Paul McDonnall, Las Vegas Sun

Second: Matthew Crowley, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Third: Panfilo Garcia, Austin American-Statesman

A & E COMMENTARY

First: Brett Anderson, The Times-Picayune

Second: Todd Babiak, Edmonton Journal

Third: Jason Bracelin, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Honorable Mention: Keith Spera, The Times Picayune

Honorable Mention: Steve Bornfeld, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Honorable Mention: Craig D. Lindsey, (Raleigh) News & Observer

A & E FEATURE

First: Lon Wagner, The Virginian-Pilot

Second: Tim Blangger, The Morning Call

Third: Elizabeth Withey, The Edmonton Journal

Honorable Mention: Patrick Beach, Austin American-Statesman

Honorable Mention: Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune

Division 3 (more than 200,000)

BEST READER INTERACTIVE

First: Steve Paul, The Kansas City Star

Second: Allan Walton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Third: Amanda McGrath, The Washington Post/WashingtonPost.com

Honorable Mention: Mary Louise Schumacher and Beth Gilomen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

MULTIMEDIA INNOVATION

First: Mary Louise Schumacher, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Second: Sandra Clark, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Third: Elaine Ayala, San Antonio Express-News

GENERAL FEATURE

First: James A. Fussell, The Kansas City Star

Second: Colleen Mastony, Chicago Tribune

Third: Eric Adler, The Kansas City Star

NARRATIVE FEATURE

First: Les Carpenter, The Washington Post

Second: Lane DeGregory, St. Petersburg Times

Second: Moni Basu, Atlanta Journal Constitution

Third: Joanna Connors, Cleveland Plain Dealer

Honorable Mention: Wil Haygood, The Washington Post

Honorable Mention: Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

SHORT FEATURE

First: Ben Montgomery, St. Petersburg Times

Second: Jaimee Rose, The Arizona Republic

Third: Stephanie Hayes, St. Petersburg Times

Honorable Mention: Dionne Searcey, Wall Street Journal

FEATURE SPECIALTY REPORTING

First: Jeff Klinkenberg, St. Petersburg Times

Second: Christopher Muther, The Boston Globe

Third: Jaimee Rose, The Arizona Republic

Honorable Mention: Alison Cook, Houston Chronicle

GENERAL COMMENTARY

First: Jocelyn Noveck, The Associated Press

Second: Samantha Bennett, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Third: Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times Union

HEADLINE WRITING

First: Donna Peremes, The Washington Post

Second: Wendy Donahue, Chicago Tribune

Third: Rose Jacobius, The Washington Post

Honorable Mention: Brian Hershberg, Wall Street Journal

Honorable Mention: Peter Saenger, Wall Street Journal

Honorable Mention: David Sanford, Wall Street Journal

A & E COMMENTARY

First: Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post

Second: Julia Keller, Chicago Tribune

Third: Tom Maurstad, Dallas Morning News

A & E FEATURE

First: Robert Trussell, Kansas City Star

Second: John Fleming, St. Petersburg Times

Third: Jonathan Pitts, The Baltimore Sun

Honorable Mention: Tara Dooley, Houston Chronicle

Honorable Mention: Steve Paul, The Kansas City Star

The American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors announce the top 15 finalists for the 2009 Best Feature Section competition. The contest honors regularly scheduled feature sections that present lifestyle and arts and entertainment coverage with authority, utility, energy and wit.