Channel 5's nationwide search to find a primary anchor to replace Anne Marie Tiernon is over. TV5 president and general manager Richard Dyer has chosen Sandra Ali, currently weekend evening anchor at WJBK Detroit. She joins evening co-anchor Dave Wagner on Aug. 9 and sounds like a fine addition to the staff.

Consider: She's a multiple award winner, including AP's 2002 Best Hard News Reporter and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters' 2003 Best Breaking News Reporter.

Big winners

A major round of applause for the 18 local recipients at last weekend's 40th annual Midwestern Regional Emmy Awards. They are:

• Paul Adler, WKRC, General News, "Racing to Danger."

• Laure Quinlivan and Philip Drechsler, WCPO, Investigative Reporting, "Archdiocese Investigation."

• Jesse Jones and Mike Miller, WLWT, Community Issues, "Cycle of Violence."

• Dave Wagner and Pat Story, WLWT, Sports Segments, "The Hit King/The Hit Prince."

• Jeff Hirsh and Jeff Barnhill, WKRC, Documentary Program, "Finding Family."

• Michael Freeman, WKRC, Promotional Announcement (non-news), "Grillin' with Tim."

• Eric Dietrich and Sheila Obermeyer, WCPO, Promotional Announcement (news), "Weather 2003."

• WLWT News Staff, Team Effort - News Event Coverage, "Watkins Workplace Shooting."

• Paul Adler, WKRC, Reporter - News, "Racing Through 2003."

• Brian Hamrick, WLWT, Reporter - News, composite.

• Dave Wagner, WLWT, Reporter - Sports, "The Hit Prince."

• Robert Krolage and Mark McDonald, WKRC, Editor.

Off to Phoenix

Reader Meg Linsley (and a batch of others) are wondering, "Where did (weather man) Bill Kelly go after he left Channel 19? It's not that I don't think Paul Horton (Kelly's morning replacement) isn't great, it's just that I'm curious."

Kelly is in Phoenix at KPNX, doing weather, feature reporting and community events. And that's a good thing for him because it's closer to home. He's a Michigan native, but he spent most of his life in Sacramento and went to college at California State University. He describes himself as "truly a West Coast guy."

Don't forget

A reminder for pet owners: Animal Planet's Pet Stars - the stupid pet tricks show that features surfing dogs and singing cats - will be looking for performing pets Saturday at Boone Woods park in Burlington.

Their visit is part of "Pet Fest," a fund-raiser for Friends of Shelter Inc. The all-day fest has a bunch of events - pet/owner look-alike contest, agility contest, walkathon - but the auditions and talent show are the centerpiece. Registration is 11 a.m., talent contest 1 p.m.

Batch of memories

Can somebody out there please give WCET a hand digging up some memories?

The station is in the research phase of a documentary about Music Hall - its history, architecture, the people and the events that figure into its long and busy life.

What it needs from you are pictures inside or outside the hall, programs or ticket stubs for the car shows, flower shows, boxing matches, skating extravaganzas, dance cards, artsy events.

Oh, and stories about your encounters with the place. All items will be returned.

Call Joanne Grueter (381-4033, Ext. 558) or visit www.cetconnect.org.

Payne watch

If you're wondering who those folk are on the back cover of this month's Reader's Digest - the one drawn by Cincinnatian Chris Payne as part of his ongoing exclusive deal with the magazine - wonder no more.

The piece titled "Wasted Lines" is intended to show two worlds colliding - the guy with his recycling bin and the woman with her gas guzzling Hummer. The guy, is "loosely based on me. I skinnied myself down and dorked myself up," says Payne. The woman in the drawing is his neighbor Amy Gase, whom he has used before.

Email jknippenberg@enquirer.com