It's a bird, it's a plane, it IS a plane making an emergency landing

For the last 2 days, it's clear that it is Labor Day Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio and the Air Show is right around the corner.

Mid-week before Labor Day Weekend, the planes which will be performing in the Air Show begin arriving.

What a sight not only to see but to hear.

As I sit at the news assignment desk, I don't even have to see anything but just hearing the planes zooming around as if they are feet away is a thrill.

I can not say it enough, I love living in this city and all it has to offer.

Seeing the Air Show at Burke Lakefront Airport each Labor Day Weekend is a great treat for young and old alike.

An absolutely great vantage point to watch the Air Show is our very own third floor porch. Best seat in the house and we don't have to pay a thing!

But tonight, we had a different, exciting twist, which fortunately ended happily.

As we were doing a weather bump live shot from our porch off of the back of the wkyc building, Videographer Mark Smilor saw a plane come in for a landing and then loads of fire trucks head for the location of the landing.

He immediately called the news desk. I immediately dispatched a crew (George Payamgis) down to Burke Lakefront Airport as well as reporter Paul Thomas. Then I called the control room to tell them what was happening if they did not already know. I told the producer to keep their eye on Mark's shot.

Our sigac operator dialed in one of our traffic cameras to see what they could see.

And as luck would have it, wkyc was airing the Indians' Game so the Blimp was up in the friendly skies.

The blimp caught the entire thing in the STO control room.

Now, even though technology today is phenomenal, it still took a little doing to get what was captured by the Blimp in one control room over to the other control room. I believe we had to make a dub before we could get anything on our air.

As luck would have it, Paul Thomas also ran into someone who caught the event on video as well. He allowed us to use his amateur video.

It's amazing how things sometime come together and how a number of individuals must work together to piece together a breaking news story.

Fortunately, the pilot was not injured and landed the plane safely. The plane sustained some damage because the wheels were not down during his landing.

I had a new employee on the desk who was able to see first hand during her first week how 'spot news' happens and how you must react to it and pull everything together.

When we had a lull, I explained to her what I did, who I called, who I communicated to, and how to handle a situation such as we just had.

And the great thing about this: No one had it on their websites all night long, no Twitter, no Facebook.

The 10pm competition did not have the story.

One other station at 11pm regrouped and added a VO into their show after ours aired.

It's nice when everything comes together and falls into place!

Perfect ending to a tremendous week and wonderful start to a holiday weekend!

Demjanjuk's Deportation

The never-ending story... and I say that with no disrespect, just stating a fact.

In my recollection, there are really no other local stories lasting as long with so many twists and turns, garnering such international interest as the John Demjanjuk story--other than maybe 'missing people' stories (such as Tiffany Papesh, Amy Mihaljevic, Gina DeJesus, Amanda Berry).

Demjanjuk's story began over thirty years ago, and though it is far from over, reached another turning point milestone Monday.

Mr. Demjanjuk boarded a plane with his 'escorts' consisting of Federal Agents and medical personnel Monday evening at Burke Lakefront Airport. By 720pm, he had taken off more than likely never to see Northeast Ohio and his home in Seven Hills again.

He arrived in Germany early this morning and is just waiting for the next chapter of his life to begin...Demjanjuk sat in his wheelchair receiving oxygen as the arrest warrant was read to him.

89-year-old Demjanjuk has been accused of being an accessory to murder for over 29,000 people as a Nazi camp guard in Poland.


I can honestly say that I have worked with the three men in town who know everything about this case, have dissected it, and have shared remarkable stories over the years.

I have had the distinct honor to have worked with Ted Henry, Paul Orlousky, and Dick Russ.

I in no way want to slight any other reporters and anchors in town who have covered this story. But, in my opinion, Ted, Orlo and Dick continue to be the authorities, the go-to guys.

This story is far from over.

It may be closer to nearing the end, but it still has some life.

Honestly, I haven't a clue as to how this will finish out and don't even want to make an educated guess. I do know for a fact that Channel 3 News and wkyc.com will continue following this story and providing the latest, most up-to-date details with our customers.

Stay tuned........

That year it was Tim White

Many of you probably already have heard the news....

On hiatus or not...I had to pop on the nearest computer and share the following:

http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=98751


Once I speak with my friend, I'll share more.


I do want to impart a quick story which sums it all up. My Uncle Johnny, who has since passed, was in the Air Force. He knew my Mother's love of the air, the military, and the like. Many years ago, he gave her a poster of the US Air Force Thunderbirds. At a local air show, Mom took the poster in hopes of getting it signed by whomever was on site down at Burke Lakefront Airport. The PR person took the poster and promised it would be signed by whomever was on location.

I promised a short story.

Mom never got the poster back, signed or unsigned.

When I was sharing the story with Tim White, he seemed genuinely concerned. Next thing I know, shortly before Christmas, Tim White had gotten a USAF Thunderbirds Poster, had it framed and personally signed by the current Thunderbirds at the time addressed to my Mother.

Someone always makes Mom cry on Christmas. That year it was Tim White.