Interns wrapping up their stints

We had a good group of interns this quarter.

We had Lauren, Courtney, Emily, and Sierra.

I worked the most with and more closely with Sierra.

Interns, when you get to know them, can be just like family --a younger sister or brother, even a child (for those of us who are 'older').

Being an intern myself way back when, I welcomed the help and advice my mentors gave me. Ironically, many of my mentors turned out to be fellow employees at different points during my career.

The first person I met at WEWS as an intern was a producer at the time, Corrie Harding. And low and behold, the first person who greeted me when I began working at WKYC was my pal, Corrie Harding, a Channel 3 producer.

As an intern you are given opportunities you may never get again.

As an intern at WEWS, I worked on their Live on Five show and then in their editing department. One of my most memorable experiences as a Live on Five intern was the day we had Richard Simmons AND Jim J. Bullock in studio as guests. Just picture the energy and craziness bouncing off those walls. It was tremendous! And as an editing intern, just an intern, I was allowed to feed the Live on Five show. If you know what you are doing, they let you do as much as you can/want!

Gradually over the last few weeks, our interns have wrapped up their terms, finished their final projects, gotten their tapes in order, and have said their good byes.

This week, Sierra waves her last hurrah. In a few weeks, young Emily does the same.

We say it all the time, but really mean it. We encourage our interns, our friends, to keep in touch and tell us how and what they are doing. Anyone in this newsroom would be more than willing to offer advice, help, or even give recommendations for those interns who excelled.

I know I've said it before but will continue saying it for as long as I live. One of my all time favorite interns, if not my fave, is Mark Zinni. We've kept in touch over the years and now he has come back home. He's a reporter at Fox 8. What a joy to see him develop over the years and come into his own. I am so proud of how well he has done and blush when he tells me that I played a role in his success.

I wish the best for all of our interns! Congratulations and only good luck my friends!

Dr. Yazeed Essa gets life in prison

The Yazeed Essa case appears to be a 'complex text book case,' much more interesting than most, depicting what it takes and how long is necessary to bring about justice.

I say 'text book' not because it was an open and shut case at first but because this case will be used for years to come in law schools all over the country.

I find it hard to talk about this particular case because I went to high school with Rosie's sister, Deanna.

I feel if I start analyzing the case, I may sound cold. And I definitely do not want to sound impersonal --especially to the family. Yet, if I don't discuss it at all in this blog, I will ignore documenting one of the most fascinating Cuyahoga County cases of all time.

From the very beginning when Dr. Essa plotted to poison Rosie and make it appear as an accident, one realized this case would have many twists and turns.

Once it was established Rosie's death was murder and Dr. Essa fled the country, everyone started scratching their heads and wondering what would be uncovered next.

I am not going to rehash the last five years. We all know what happened.

Suffice it to say this high profile case intrigued everyone.

I have a friend who popped into a Medina County restaurant the day Dr. Essa was sentenced. He said normally there may be a few of the regulars on hand. However, this day the place was packed. When he asked the owner what was happening, he said, 'The Essa sentencing case is on' and went back to viewing the event with the masses.

Bottom line: Dr. Yazeed Essa was sentenced to life in prison with the chance for parole after 20 years --under the law.


I'm sure Dr. Essa will appeal. He never addressed the family, the judge, nor the court, as instructed by his lawyers. But, for the first time ever, he showed emotion, and I believe it was real.


Though the case may be closed for now, what the family has encountered and will have to endure for the rest of their lives will never be over.

The DiPuccio family exemplifies one of the strongest, most faith-filled, tight-knit family's I have ever witnessed.

I can not even imagine where they've gotten the strength to carry themselves over the last 5 years.

They are all true inspirations who I personally will remember often, especially when I myself am facing adversity.

Nothing I've faced thus far, including the death of my Mom (and you all know Mom's death is still a nightmare for me), has been as awful as losing a daughter, a mother, a sibling and friend the way the DiPuccio family lost Rosie.


Besides being a prominent court case, this case teaches many life lessons.

Dr. Essa's actions changed a family and their future forever. In one second their history vacillated toward a different direction. Nothing will ever be the same for the DiPuccio family.

Life goes on. I've learned that with Mom. But, it appears, that their life goals now may take a new route: taking care of Rosie's children, making sure they know how wonderful their mother was, and in 20 years, making sure there is no way in hell Yazeed Essa gets out of prison.


Another lesson learned is to be aware. When a friend tells us something's not right, listen to them just as Rosie's best friend listened to her about the medicine Yazeed forced Rosie to take just before she got into her car.


Hold your family and close friends near and dear to your heart every day for you never know when they'll be gone. Tell them you love them and allow yourself to be loved.


Live life as if it were your last.


And never forget Rosie DiPuccio.

Amazing News Day

The consummate news day.

We all had an inkling the verdict would come back for Dr. Essa today. But you can never be too sure.


Around 1:15pm the jury came back with their verdict. Dr. Yazeed Essa was found guilty for murdering his wife Rosemarie. He poisoned her with cyanide causing her to crash her car and ultimately die.


Every day we followed this story and I saw fresh video from the courtroom, my heart just broke into many pieces. I went to high school with Rosemarie's sister Deanna and seeing how she and her family were so devastated was an awful sight.



Quite a unique case. Usually when we cover court cases, any type, the members of the jury rarely want to speak with the media. Today, all the jurors gathered for a press conference and were greeted by cheers for their efforts.


Nothing will ever take the place of Rosie but it's a comfort for the family to get closure on this case.



If that was not enough, Josh Cribbs had been planning a 5pm press conference at the I-X Center. We were in place in plenty of time. However, late Friday afternoon the Browns sent out an advisory that they, too, were holding a news conference. I live for these types of days. Had to do some re-arranging and cancel using one of our studio cameras to send a photog out, but this is a big story.


We were at Browns Camp, the I-X Center and had everything sports needed on this story.


I follow Josh Cribbs on Twitter and later in the evening he thanked all of his fans for their undying support. Great to watch these stories also come to a conclusion on Twitter.


Adding fuel to the fire, Judge Gaul's bailiff called before newstime and said there was a verdict in the Perk Park shooting trial. Again, had to shift some assignments but got a crew over to the Justice Center.


It took longer than expected for this verdict. My cameraman kept texting me updates. Finally, during Channel 3 News at 7pm, he texted me all of the information. It's amazing how I can pass on the information to the producer and within seconds we are adding a 'breaking news' story with Monica reading on air what I had just relayed. "Broadcast News" at its best!


What was more amazing is before the story aired on tv, I shared the information with our 7pm LIVE web chatters and with Twitter folks. Quite exciting!



But wait, there's more!



The Indians were on TV this afternoon and blew by the Reds 9-2. Go Tribe! Ironically, Thursday the Indians and wkyc big bosses were nice enough to host breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all of us. It was a combination 'the Olympics are over, congrats on a great ratings period and welcome baseball season' celebration! The Indians brought Stadium hotdogs, ketchup, mustard, popcorn, and dessert! What a great kickoff for Indians Spring Training baseball!!!

The Cavs were home against the Pistons on 'let's break a world record by all wearing our Snuggies in the Q' night...and believe it or not, the Cavs fans DID break the record !!!

But quite a scare when Rodney Stuckey of the Pistons collapsed from a possible seizure. It was during a time out and he was sitting on the chair when he keeled over. They worked on him for a while as the Cavs and Pistons joined together in prayer. Finally, they took him off the court and transported him to the Cleveland Clinic where he is being treated. Danny Ferry reported to the crew broadcasting the game that Stuckey was in stable condition.




What a way to end the week. This weekend has come just in time.



Have a great weekend everyone!