Bellevue’s television magazine, took first place in this year’s National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) government programming awards competition.

The honor, in the magazine format series category for cities equivalent to Bellevue in size, follows a second-place finish last year and first-place awards in 2006 and 2007.

One segment on boating safety scored the top honor in the public safety category, and two other “It’s Your City” features (about the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center and the Dream Hoops Basketball program) received honorable mention.

“It’s Your City” is a monthly magazine show featuring Bellevue’s services and programs. The show is produced under the direction of Tim Waters, city communications director; John Burwell, multimedia program manager; Robin Steel Haaseth, executive producer/host; David Bruckner, producer/director; and David Richardson, editor.

The show airs several times each month on Bellevue Television (Channel 21), and can be seen anytime on the city’s website, at www.bellevuewa.gov/bellevue_tv.htm. Bellevue TV also features City Council meetings and arts, cultural and educational programming.

The city operates Channel 21 in partnership with Bellevue College, sharing the costs of a state-of-the-art studio facility. Student crews provide staffing support, while gaining hands-on training.