Do I eat, breathe, dream, and live work all the time?
Yes and no.
If I see a good story idea or news happening, heck yes.
I try to gather the info for a possible story idea or call in the 'breaking news' as it is happening.
And I am always looking!
But, that said, there has to be 'my time.' I have to take time off in order to revive, re-energize, and replenish.
Sometimes it is hard though. For example, I recently drove by Van Aken and Lee Road in Shaker Heights. Each time I drive this route I recall the Penny Chang case. 15-year-old Penny Chang was gunned down back on March 16, 1999 by her alleged stalker/former boyfriend, Scott Strothers. It became a MAJOR profile case for a number of reasons.
First, it happened feet away from the Shaker Heights Police Department --most of the officers heard the gunshots. Then, it brought light to the whole 'stalking' issue. Many Ohio Legislators joined forces to strengthen the Ohio Stalking Laws. And, in the sadness of losing this bright young girl, another trial occurred when the family sued the Clinic. One of their therapists had been treating Strothers in the days leading up to this tragedy. The Clinic won that round.
I remember hearing and seeing Penny's ambulance drive right by my house.
A normal stroll out on the east side brings back all of these memories.
Or heading back just a few years I recollect a double tragedy day every time I travel in Euclid, Ohio near the high school, the police station, and even along I-90.
You can't help to remember the death of Officer George Brentar seeing they have a street and plaza named after him.
October 10, 2007 will remain with me forever. That was the day of the SuccessTech Academy shooting right across from our station. We became a small part of the story as we could not readily get into work until speaking to police and allowing them to direct us in....and then we opened our station to officials so they could hold their briefings....and every news agency was parked in our front yard doing live shots for days.
But that's not the only awful occurrence of the day. That evening, a horrendous call came over the scanners that an officer had been in a serious accident in Euclid. Ultimately Officer Brentar's car erupted into flames and he died in the accident/fire.
I can't help but think back to that day every time I see the street named after this hero.
Even when I am sitting at home with my fuzzy slippers and hot tea trying to decompress and decide to channel surf, I can't hide from the news.
I'm fascinated by the show "Crime 360."
A episode which recently aired was shot in Cleveland and focused on the murder of Carlos Rodriguez, father of two. Once they started explaining where it was, what happened, I was sucked in to the program.
I remembered the crime as if it was yesterday. When they showed the suspect's mug shot, WOW! I remember the Cleveland Police emailing over the picture of Matthew Salazar once he was pegged a suspect and taken into custody.
I just find it so interesting every single step the officers take to tackle a case. And, as they continue to put together each piece of their puzzle, they 'throw us a bone' little by little.
On big cases, the officials will feed the new desk, the media, little nuggets as they become available and as it is proper to release them so as not to jeopardize their case.
Every day we'd get a new update --whether it be a weapon was found, more witnesses were being interviewed, the coroner determined the cause of death, or whatever.
In this instance, Detective Mike Smith and Detective Walley Everett were featured. Seeing them time and time again working stories and now seeing them on tv tickled me.
I'm also always intrigued by the full team of investigators, every step taken, how they pound the pavement, and the folks featured on tv that we actually speak with--Dr. Joseph Felo at the Coroner's Office was one of the contacts we used to speak with who was featured in this particular story.
Being connected to the television news business since the mid 80's brings lots of memories, a long rich history and can't help but trigger various memorable stories as I travel through each day.
Showing posts with label assignment editor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label assignment editor. Show all posts
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A day of heroes
My overachieving tendencies coupled with dozens of other quirks propel me if not enable me to excel in the news business--as an assignment editor, writer, broadcaster, thinker, and communicator.
Not knowing what will happen but being able to roll with any curve ball drives me through each day.
When I woke up Monday morning, I knew I was in store for a busy, history-making day as President Barack Obama criss-crossed Northeast Ohio.
If you did not believe this ideology before, I suggest you re-think your thinking.
One person DOES make a difference.
Monday morning, I had no idea that three people would make a world of difference in my travels and a dent in the history books.
Just look at Natoma Canfield.
50-year-old Natoma Canfield from Medina, Ohio wrote President Obama a letter sharing her health problems, her health care concerns, you could say, giving him a piece of her mind!
What are the chances that her letter would make its way to the President of the United States? But it did. And the next thing you know, President Obama is on his way to Northeast Ohio pushing his health care reform bill, using Natoma Canfield as a perfect example of WHY his idea should be accepted and passed.
Unfortunately, Canfield took ill and was at The Cleveland Clinic. Fortunately, her sister got a chance to speak for her, share her sister's story, and introduce the President.
Natoma Canfield --Monday's first hero who, regardless what happens, proved that one person can make a difference and no one should ever give up the fight or feel insignificant.
Enter President Barack Obama.
To many, he is a hero, a welcome change.
Regardless of your political preferences, he is the President of the United States and deserves the respect that office holds.
The fact that he acknowledged Natoma, her issues, and came to Cleveland to let the country know he IS listening and trying to do the right thing, makes him Monday's second hero.
As an assignment editor, a presidential visit day consists of chaos, long hours, dealing with the networks --CNN, NBC, NewsChannel, taking in feeds, sending out feeds, making sure all of the crews are strategically placed everywhere they should be until the President of the United States safely exits your city.
And, Monday's visit went off without a hitch.
We made it and were just counting down the hours until the end of the shift with a shroud of exhaustion hovering when the unthinkable happened.
Shortly before 11 p.m., yet again chaos erupted as a call came over for an officer shot in Elyria, Ohio. You can not drag your feet. You have to mobilize immediately without even thinking.
That's what I did. I immediately dispatched my crew in a truck, told the producer, and started writing a story for our website.
There were bits and pieces coming across the scanners so I honed in on whatever they were going to allow, which at this point, was not much.
At news time, we had a live shot, video already back in house, and broke in a few times as new information became available during the show.
When an officer is shot, there is never much information readily available, but we did know that one person had been killed and was laying under a sheet in the middle of the street. We knew another person, presumably the officer, had been transported to the hospital.
Unfortunately, after the news, we were informed that the Officer had died.
As of this writing, this story continues to unfold with many unanswered questions.
However, whomever the Elyria officer is, he is truly Monday's third hero serving his country, his city, his President to the fullest, by sacrificing his very life. I'm sure in the coming days we will find out more about this great man.
These three people all proved, in their own unique ways, that each person does make a difference. Ordinary people can become heroes and change the world. Natoma Canfield, President Barack Obama, and the Elyria Officer are all heroes to me.
Not knowing what will happen but being able to roll with any curve ball drives me through each day.
When I woke up Monday morning, I knew I was in store for a busy, history-making day as President Barack Obama criss-crossed Northeast Ohio.
If you did not believe this ideology before, I suggest you re-think your thinking.
One person DOES make a difference.
Monday morning, I had no idea that three people would make a world of difference in my travels and a dent in the history books.
Just look at Natoma Canfield.
50-year-old Natoma Canfield from Medina, Ohio wrote President Obama a letter sharing her health problems, her health care concerns, you could say, giving him a piece of her mind!
What are the chances that her letter would make its way to the President of the United States? But it did. And the next thing you know, President Obama is on his way to Northeast Ohio pushing his health care reform bill, using Natoma Canfield as a perfect example of WHY his idea should be accepted and passed.
Unfortunately, Canfield took ill and was at The Cleveland Clinic. Fortunately, her sister got a chance to speak for her, share her sister's story, and introduce the President.
Natoma Canfield --Monday's first hero who, regardless what happens, proved that one person can make a difference and no one should ever give up the fight or feel insignificant.
Enter President Barack Obama.
To many, he is a hero, a welcome change.
Regardless of your political preferences, he is the President of the United States and deserves the respect that office holds.
The fact that he acknowledged Natoma, her issues, and came to Cleveland to let the country know he IS listening and trying to do the right thing, makes him Monday's second hero.
As an assignment editor, a presidential visit day consists of chaos, long hours, dealing with the networks --CNN, NBC, NewsChannel, taking in feeds, sending out feeds, making sure all of the crews are strategically placed everywhere they should be until the President of the United States safely exits your city.
And, Monday's visit went off without a hitch.
We made it and were just counting down the hours until the end of the shift with a shroud of exhaustion hovering when the unthinkable happened.
Shortly before 11 p.m., yet again chaos erupted as a call came over for an officer shot in Elyria, Ohio. You can not drag your feet. You have to mobilize immediately without even thinking.
That's what I did. I immediately dispatched my crew in a truck, told the producer, and started writing a story for our website.
There were bits and pieces coming across the scanners so I honed in on whatever they were going to allow, which at this point, was not much.
At news time, we had a live shot, video already back in house, and broke in a few times as new information became available during the show.
When an officer is shot, there is never much information readily available, but we did know that one person had been killed and was laying under a sheet in the middle of the street. We knew another person, presumably the officer, had been transported to the hospital.
Unfortunately, after the news, we were informed that the Officer had died.
As of this writing, this story continues to unfold with many unanswered questions.
However, whomever the Elyria officer is, he is truly Monday's third hero serving his country, his city, his President to the fullest, by sacrificing his very life. I'm sure in the coming days we will find out more about this great man.
These three people all proved, in their own unique ways, that each person does make a difference. Ordinary people can become heroes and change the world. Natoma Canfield, President Barack Obama, and the Elyria Officer are all heroes to me.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Bittersweet inception of a story
Herb Score's passing saddens me on many fronts.
Mr. Score and his wife Nancy were two of the nicest people who ever walked this earth.
Mr. Score forever will be characterized as a Cleveland Indians' pitching legend and broadcasting icon.
Mr. Score's devout faith was true inspiration to all.
I did not want to see him pass, yet knew he was suffering and had been through very rough times over the last few years.
As an assignment editor, you always want to break the big story. When it revolves around this delicate subject matter, many bittersweet feelings cloud your vision and your thinking.
I'm not going to take full credit for this story. However, I must say I got the ball rolling and stayed on top of it from its inception to its tragic ending.
I had one heck of a source. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My source has been keeping me in the loop on Mr. Score for years. However back on October 27th, my source called me with daunting information I really did not want to hear. Mr. Score was in Fairview Hospital not doing well. I received the call off the clock. I immediately called and emailed the appropriate people with the information. I had total faith in my source --110 percent sure of everything they were telling me.
The initial call made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and sent chills down my spine. This was the day before the Feast of St. Jude, Herb's favorite Saint. Herb prayed to St Jude the day he was struck in the eye with a baseball. He prayed asking St. Jude to spare his sight, and he did.
That initial information started the process. Dick Russ, who had done stories with Herb in the past, began writing .....and pulling file video. Dick contacted a few of his contacts who were able to get us a bit more video of Herb in action to augment our story. News Editor extraordinaire, Matt Hein, also began pulling video. Matt is a huge fan of Cleveland, baseball, the Indians and knew dates and times off the top of his head of video he wanted to include in a story, in preparation for that fateful day.
Every couple days, I was getting updates and would relay to the appropriate people.
I brought in my copy of Terry Cashman's song, 'The Ballad of Herb Score' which Matt used throughout our tribute piece...with permission from Mr. Terry Cashman himself.
Matt and Dick were almost done with a 'look back' piece when I got the news that Mr. Score returned home.
Dick Russ' writing, a masterpiece. Matt's editing brought tears to my eyes. Matt showed me the story which left me speechless. What a talent and great asset to Channel 3.
Finally, Tuesday morning I got the call I hoped I'd never get. Mr. Herb Score had passed away. Again, I immediately called the station and emailed the appropriate folks in the newsroom. I checked all other websites to see if the news had been broken anywhere else. When I checked, it had not. I was fairly confident we were the only ones with the info, at least with a little head start before the Cleveland Indians' put out their statements, and the funeral home sent out their releases and the Indians sent out famous audio calls of Mr. Score as play-by-play announcer...
We were able to air our Herb Score tribute story starting on our Noon News. You could tell the other stations were scrambling.
I posted a timely story on this work blog including the calling hours and funeral arrangements before other stations distributed the information.
Though this story is quite sad and close to my heart being a huge baseball fan, Cleveland Indians fan, and faith-filled person, this is what an assignment editor does.
The AE gets a story and does not let go until the very end. The AE follows through until there is nothing more to get.
Again, I'm saddened at Tuesday's news. But I am blessed and fortunate to have been able to contribute SO MUCH to and on this breaking news story....and allow my station to have the time to put together such a wonderfully moving tribute, very well deserved, to a true baseball legend and amazing human being!
There is no doubt in my mind Mr. Herb Score is perched atop the pitching mound once again, having the time of his life striking out the likes of Shoeless Joe Jackson, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Mickey Mantle...
Mr. Score and his wife Nancy were two of the nicest people who ever walked this earth.
Mr. Score forever will be characterized as a Cleveland Indians' pitching legend and broadcasting icon.
Mr. Score's devout faith was true inspiration to all.
I did not want to see him pass, yet knew he was suffering and had been through very rough times over the last few years.
As an assignment editor, you always want to break the big story. When it revolves around this delicate subject matter, many bittersweet feelings cloud your vision and your thinking.
I'm not going to take full credit for this story. However, I must say I got the ball rolling and stayed on top of it from its inception to its tragic ending.
I had one heck of a source. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My source has been keeping me in the loop on Mr. Score for years. However back on October 27th, my source called me with daunting information I really did not want to hear. Mr. Score was in Fairview Hospital not doing well. I received the call off the clock. I immediately called and emailed the appropriate people with the information. I had total faith in my source --110 percent sure of everything they were telling me.
The initial call made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and sent chills down my spine. This was the day before the Feast of St. Jude, Herb's favorite Saint. Herb prayed to St Jude the day he was struck in the eye with a baseball. He prayed asking St. Jude to spare his sight, and he did.
That initial information started the process. Dick Russ, who had done stories with Herb in the past, began writing .....and pulling file video. Dick contacted a few of his contacts who were able to get us a bit more video of Herb in action to augment our story. News Editor extraordinaire, Matt Hein, also began pulling video. Matt is a huge fan of Cleveland, baseball, the Indians and knew dates and times off the top of his head of video he wanted to include in a story, in preparation for that fateful day.
Every couple days, I was getting updates and would relay to the appropriate people.
I brought in my copy of Terry Cashman's song, 'The Ballad of Herb Score' which Matt used throughout our tribute piece...with permission from Mr. Terry Cashman himself.
Matt and Dick were almost done with a 'look back' piece when I got the news that Mr. Score returned home.
Dick Russ' writing, a masterpiece. Matt's editing brought tears to my eyes. Matt showed me the story which left me speechless. What a talent and great asset to Channel 3.
Finally, Tuesday morning I got the call I hoped I'd never get. Mr. Herb Score had passed away. Again, I immediately called the station and emailed the appropriate folks in the newsroom. I checked all other websites to see if the news had been broken anywhere else. When I checked, it had not. I was fairly confident we were the only ones with the info, at least with a little head start before the Cleveland Indians' put out their statements, and the funeral home sent out their releases and the Indians sent out famous audio calls of Mr. Score as play-by-play announcer...
We were able to air our Herb Score tribute story starting on our Noon News. You could tell the other stations were scrambling.
I posted a timely story on this work blog including the calling hours and funeral arrangements before other stations distributed the information.
Though this story is quite sad and close to my heart being a huge baseball fan, Cleveland Indians fan, and faith-filled person, this is what an assignment editor does.
The AE gets a story and does not let go until the very end. The AE follows through until there is nothing more to get.
Again, I'm saddened at Tuesday's news. But I am blessed and fortunate to have been able to contribute SO MUCH to and on this breaking news story....and allow my station to have the time to put together such a wonderfully moving tribute, very well deserved, to a true baseball legend and amazing human being!
There is no doubt in my mind Mr. Herb Score is perched atop the pitching mound once again, having the time of his life striking out the likes of Shoeless Joe Jackson, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Mickey Mantle...
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Now, THIS is a vintage AE shift
This has been a W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L week!
Not too many cooks stirring the broth!
Afternoon editorial meetings have been short, sweet, to the point and VERY productive.
It's funny, we are asked to bring multiple enterprising stories to the table, and we always do! I think we all bring innovative, exciting, and informative stories from where we live. We may not always sell them properly or they may not appeal to folks living in 'other' burbs. At least for me, I know the ideas I bring are viable because when I log the competition each night, I finally see my ideas materialize on the other stations 3, 5 or even 12 days later! In my heart of hearts, I know we had the idea first!
However, usually 3 out of 5 days when we walk in, a wire copy story or newspaper article or press release has been taped to one on my reporter's computers directing them to their day ahead! Even before we meet?!?! Most of the time, we don't necessarily believe the story is pertinent or interesting to the customers watching, but "you can't fight city hall!"
Not this week. So far, we have been able to do every single story we have desired. The shows have looked phenomenal! We have excelled at 'breaking news' stories because that's what we do!
Thursday was a 'vintage' Assignment Editor dream day!
From the minute I walked in, I knew it was going to be a challenging, yet satisfying day!
Literally moments after I sat down, a fellow co-worker called me with breaking news. There was a fatal fire in their neck of the woods and they wanted to make sure we knew about. Fortunately, we had the luxury to spring into action immediately. No waiting for crews to come back. No plethora of live shots already planned. I had the crews, I had the insight, I had the drive to kick a little booty.
I sent my reporter, his camera crew and a live truck out with the details. I then informed the producers and web what we had and that we were on top of it! The crews in the field really busted a move. Dave, Craig, and Randy blanketed this story by covering the nuts and bolts of the main story but also immediately getting the 911 call, amateur video of the fire shortly after it began, and all the updated details that were available...
A job well done!
Concurrently to the breaking news, the first faux pas of the day. I answer the phone "Good afternoon, Channel 3 News!" And on the other end I hear, "Good afternoon, this is the Senate!" Not that I am awestruck but definitely not expecting to hear from 'The Senate!' Well, slight miscommunication problem, but in the end it all worked out. We were supposed to be conducting a talk back with our senior political reporter Tom Beres and Sherrod Brown. Information did not get disseminated to everyone or to the proper people. I had not been told anything. You make it happen, you make it work, you don't have time to point fingers or discuss where the breakdown occurred because the clock is ticking. You just get the job done!
There was 'breaking news story' after 'breaking news story.' I thrive on days like these. Sadly, we had a juvenile shot in Maple Hts. Oftentimes as an assignment editor, it is very difficult getting information, especially depending on what time of day, the situation, and the temperament or mood of the police dispatcher you are bothering! Today was a dream day. I not only received information from my pal at the Coroner's Office BUT I actually had the Police OIC call me back with every single detail before our deadline! A win-win situation.
Another breaking news story that seemed viable--bomb squad called to The Best Inn on Brookpark Road. And when my crew arrived, there was a scene and something unfolding. We eventually got the details on this as well.
But wait, there's more. Later in the day, there was another bomb threat call. A suspicious package of sort at the Amherst Turnpike Rest Stop. Sure enough, not a bogus call. Confirmed and chock full of details. I was able to send a crew out to this story as well.
The only other faux pas of the day actually turned out to be a HUGE WIN! We had details that a Marine was coming home from Afghanistan. A number of people spoke to the people involved yet not a lot of details were left. I did not have the Marine's name, where exactly he lived, where he was coming home to, when he would be arriving or any background information?! I was not about to let this put a damper on our coverage.
I left a message for the woman who apparently had the answers to all of my questions. She did not call back. I sent my camera crew out to search high and low, nose around and get to the bottom of this. Finally, the woman called back and gleaned a bit more information. I relayed this to my crew in the field. From not even having enough information to cover a story, we ascertained enough details for a tv story, a web story, and a future follow up story in 2 weeks!
And to top it off, I was Web Girl! How I had the time, the energy and the swiftness to accomplish all of this and more, I am still trying to figure out?! I cranked out so many web stories, national, local, entertainment and health while attaching video to current existing local packages.
It all came together. It truly WAS a dream day for an assignment editor. At the end of the day I was exhausted but proud--proud of how we all worked as a team and pulled it all together and the product we shared with our customers, our viewers!
Not too many cooks stirring the broth!
Afternoon editorial meetings have been short, sweet, to the point and VERY productive.
It's funny, we are asked to bring multiple enterprising stories to the table, and we always do! I think we all bring innovative, exciting, and informative stories from where we live. We may not always sell them properly or they may not appeal to folks living in 'other' burbs. At least for me, I know the ideas I bring are viable because when I log the competition each night, I finally see my ideas materialize on the other stations 3, 5 or even 12 days later! In my heart of hearts, I know we had the idea first!
However, usually 3 out of 5 days when we walk in, a wire copy story or newspaper article or press release has been taped to one on my reporter's computers directing them to their day ahead! Even before we meet?!?! Most of the time, we don't necessarily believe the story is pertinent or interesting to the customers watching, but "you can't fight city hall!"
Not this week. So far, we have been able to do every single story we have desired. The shows have looked phenomenal! We have excelled at 'breaking news' stories because that's what we do!
Thursday was a 'vintage' Assignment Editor dream day!
From the minute I walked in, I knew it was going to be a challenging, yet satisfying day!
Literally moments after I sat down, a fellow co-worker called me with breaking news. There was a fatal fire in their neck of the woods and they wanted to make sure we knew about. Fortunately, we had the luxury to spring into action immediately. No waiting for crews to come back. No plethora of live shots already planned. I had the crews, I had the insight, I had the drive to kick a little booty.
I sent my reporter, his camera crew and a live truck out with the details. I then informed the producers and web what we had and that we were on top of it! The crews in the field really busted a move. Dave, Craig, and Randy blanketed this story by covering the nuts and bolts of the main story but also immediately getting the 911 call, amateur video of the fire shortly after it began, and all the updated details that were available...
A job well done!
Concurrently to the breaking news, the first faux pas of the day. I answer the phone "Good afternoon, Channel 3 News!" And on the other end I hear, "Good afternoon, this is the Senate!" Not that I am awestruck but definitely not expecting to hear from 'The Senate!' Well, slight miscommunication problem, but in the end it all worked out. We were supposed to be conducting a talk back with our senior political reporter Tom Beres and Sherrod Brown. Information did not get disseminated to everyone or to the proper people. I had not been told anything. You make it happen, you make it work, you don't have time to point fingers or discuss where the breakdown occurred because the clock is ticking. You just get the job done!
There was 'breaking news story' after 'breaking news story.' I thrive on days like these. Sadly, we had a juvenile shot in Maple Hts. Oftentimes as an assignment editor, it is very difficult getting information, especially depending on what time of day, the situation, and the temperament or mood of the police dispatcher you are bothering! Today was a dream day. I not only received information from my pal at the Coroner's Office BUT I actually had the Police OIC call me back with every single detail before our deadline! A win-win situation.
Another breaking news story that seemed viable--bomb squad called to The Best Inn on Brookpark Road. And when my crew arrived, there was a scene and something unfolding. We eventually got the details on this as well.
But wait, there's more. Later in the day, there was another bomb threat call. A suspicious package of sort at the Amherst Turnpike Rest Stop. Sure enough, not a bogus call. Confirmed and chock full of details. I was able to send a crew out to this story as well.
The only other faux pas of the day actually turned out to be a HUGE WIN! We had details that a Marine was coming home from Afghanistan. A number of people spoke to the people involved yet not a lot of details were left. I did not have the Marine's name, where exactly he lived, where he was coming home to, when he would be arriving or any background information?! I was not about to let this put a damper on our coverage.
I left a message for the woman who apparently had the answers to all of my questions. She did not call back. I sent my camera crew out to search high and low, nose around and get to the bottom of this. Finally, the woman called back and gleaned a bit more information. I relayed this to my crew in the field. From not even having enough information to cover a story, we ascertained enough details for a tv story, a web story, and a future follow up story in 2 weeks!
And to top it off, I was Web Girl! How I had the time, the energy and the swiftness to accomplish all of this and more, I am still trying to figure out?! I cranked out so many web stories, national, local, entertainment and health while attaching video to current existing local packages.
It all came together. It truly WAS a dream day for an assignment editor. At the end of the day I was exhausted but proud--proud of how we all worked as a team and pulled it all together and the product we shared with our customers, our viewers!
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