Over the last week, we've had some interesting happenings in the newsroom and on the news desk which I'd like to encapsulate in one entry and share it as my 'News desk nuggets!'
*Long time General Sales Manager Tom Humpage has left wkyc for greener pastures and a new adventure as General Manager of WGME-TV in Portland, Maine. Tom was a great mentor to me personally. He will be missed. He had two stints at wkyc --11 years the first time and then 6 years when he came back.
*One of my interns, Sarah Cuiksa, finished her stay with Channel 3 last week and, she too, will be sorely missed. What a dream. Besides being just a gem of a person, you could tell her to do something but once and the next time, she had it down. She was my right arm when she worked with me logging the competition, answering phones, helping research, making calls and doing what we all do on the desk --just about EVERYTHING!!! I wish Sarah well and told her to keep in touch and visit when she gets back into town.
*We STILL get mail for former co-workers. Just this week, I've gotten mail for former anchor Tim White, and former reporters Vic Gideon, Bill Safos and Kate Lurie (a blast from my far far past back in the old building.). I will try and find out for a future entry how all of these folks are doing.
*And two of our shining stars in the newsroom will be inducted into the Press Club of Cleveland's Journalism Hall of Fame this October. Sports Anchor & radio voice of the Cleveland Browns Jim Donovan along with Managing Editor/Reporter-Anchor Dick Russ will join the esteemed ranks with former investigative reporter Paul Sciria, Regina Brett of the Plain Dealer, and William Wynne, former PD photographer. Former Cleveland Press and PD reporter Walt Bogdanich and PD Editorial Director Elizabeth Sullivan round out the group.
Congratulations to all of the honorees!!!
Showing posts with label dick russ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dick russ. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
From pulling teeth to kicking butt!
Let me preface this post by saying this blog is about life in a newsroom on a news desk. Hopefully interesting and entertaining and truthful to everyone and anyone who chooses to read it.
Everyday can not be sunshine and roses and dancing and singing.
No one's job, life, or surroundings are like that 24/7.
So as not to get ambushed by anyone saying, "there goes Danielle with a salty attitude!" For the record, having a salty attitude is not in my vocabulary nor in my actions.
I LOVE what I do, where I do it and frankly give 200 percent every single minute of every single day whether anyone wants to truly admit how much I contribute or not!
I report the facts and respect the truth.
And honestly, the start of today's work day was like pulling teeth. I don't want to lie to you. I kept a smile on my face and my chin up and morale in the newsroom buzzing along! I was humming and singing! But, let me set the stage. At least a dozen times, I had to 'find' someone. Trying to 'locate' staff members took away from my first 2 hours doing what I really needed to do.
Now, normally when I come to work, I come to work --to work!
Thank God I had Sarah the intern. She was able to log the competition, answer phones and type up fact sheets while I tracked down those trying to elude the desk!
So, yes, I won't lie. The 1st couple hours were a bit exasperating.
But, with my attitude and take charge mentality, I was not gonna let that get me down one bit. We kicked a little booty.
Mobilized crews as best we could on the best stories of the day.
Honestly, having an intern for part of my shift, I was able to assist the web folks on attaching video to the web and writing stories throughout my entire shift. Great feeling!
Then, Dick Russ, being the Fugitive of the Week guru, received the big call that the Mansfield sex offender who took 4-year-old Haylee had been caught in San Diego. We were all over this story. We were in contact with San Diego. Dick Russ wrote the web story from home. And CNN managed to get a sat truck to the press conference with U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, which we took in live for our news broadcasts...great start to, what should prove to be, a big story over the next few days!
We always strive to get more than the competition and that little niche that others may not effort. We were able to get some good video for Sports Anchor extraordinaire, Jim Donovan, of Asdrubal Cabrera playing for the Akron Aeros as well as Aaron Laffey pitching for Akron. It's those little stories and added effort that puts us a step ahead of the others.....Comparing Jim's sportscast to all the other stations --no comparison!
And then Senior Political Reporter, Tom Beres, and his crew Mark Smilor were all over the Recall Election of Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic. Web Reporter Kim Wendel was updating the web as fast as Tom was calling in the results.....
A great team effort from everyone Tuesday! And, it showed in the live broadcast.
Again, when the day does not begin on a good note, never let it get you down. I find it always works itself out and usually winds up being one heck of a blockbuster day!!!
Everyday can not be sunshine and roses and dancing and singing.
No one's job, life, or surroundings are like that 24/7.
So as not to get ambushed by anyone saying, "there goes Danielle with a salty attitude!" For the record, having a salty attitude is not in my vocabulary nor in my actions.
I LOVE what I do, where I do it and frankly give 200 percent every single minute of every single day whether anyone wants to truly admit how much I contribute or not!
I report the facts and respect the truth.
And honestly, the start of today's work day was like pulling teeth. I don't want to lie to you. I kept a smile on my face and my chin up and morale in the newsroom buzzing along! I was humming and singing! But, let me set the stage. At least a dozen times, I had to 'find' someone. Trying to 'locate' staff members took away from my first 2 hours doing what I really needed to do.
Now, normally when I come to work, I come to work --to work!
Thank God I had Sarah the intern. She was able to log the competition, answer phones and type up fact sheets while I tracked down those trying to elude the desk!
So, yes, I won't lie. The 1st couple hours were a bit exasperating.
But, with my attitude and take charge mentality, I was not gonna let that get me down one bit. We kicked a little booty.
Mobilized crews as best we could on the best stories of the day.
Honestly, having an intern for part of my shift, I was able to assist the web folks on attaching video to the web and writing stories throughout my entire shift. Great feeling!
Then, Dick Russ, being the Fugitive of the Week guru, received the big call that the Mansfield sex offender who took 4-year-old Haylee had been caught in San Diego. We were all over this story. We were in contact with San Diego. Dick Russ wrote the web story from home. And CNN managed to get a sat truck to the press conference with U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, which we took in live for our news broadcasts...great start to, what should prove to be, a big story over the next few days!
We always strive to get more than the competition and that little niche that others may not effort. We were able to get some good video for Sports Anchor extraordinaire, Jim Donovan, of Asdrubal Cabrera playing for the Akron Aeros as well as Aaron Laffey pitching for Akron. It's those little stories and added effort that puts us a step ahead of the others.....Comparing Jim's sportscast to all the other stations --no comparison!
And then Senior Political Reporter, Tom Beres, and his crew Mark Smilor were all over the Recall Election of Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic. Web Reporter Kim Wendel was updating the web as fast as Tom was calling in the results.....
A great team effort from everyone Tuesday! And, it showed in the live broadcast.
Again, when the day does not begin on a good note, never let it get you down. I find it always works itself out and usually winds up being one heck of a blockbuster day!!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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........
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........
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...
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Cleveland Indians' baseball icon dead at 75
(photo Courtesy: wkyc and wkyc.com)
Whether you are a baseball fan or not, you've probably heard of and listened to Herb Score.
75-year-old Herb Score passed away today at his home in Rocky River after battling various illnesses and set backs over the last few years.
Mr. Score became a legendary pitcher with the Cleveland Indians from 1955 to 1959. But his ties to the Cleveland Indians' Organization did not end when he set aside his pitching glove. If you listened to the Tribe games on your local radio dial, you were serenaded by his vivid and one-of-a-kind play-by-play game announcing from 1963 to 1997.
He was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1998.
In 2006, Score was inducted into the Cleveland Indians' Hall of Fame.
For those of you who do not follow the game of baseball, more than likely you have heard of his baseball injury which may have cut his baseball career short. On May 7 in 1957 Score was struck in the face by a ball hit by Gil McDougald of the New York Yankees. Score suffered numerous broken bones in his facial area. Score, a very religious man, prayed to his favorite Saint, St. Jude., while laying on the mound bleeding. Score regained his 20/20 vision and did name his daughter Judy after his favorite Saint. However, he was never quite the same after the accident and eventually retired.
Herb Score continued to be a positive force in the world of baseball, with the Cleveland Indians, in northeast Ohio, and with the local Catholic Community. He was very involved with his church, St. Christopher's, in Rocky River. A side note: my family would travel around to see the Indians' in various cities. Each Sunday morning, no matter which city we were in, we'd go to the local Catholic Church for Mass before attending the game. You'd always see Herb Score attending Sunday Mass giving praise to his God.
The Cleveland Indians and Busch Funeral Homes have released funeral arrangements.
Visitation will be Friday, November 14, 2008 from 1-3pm and then 6-9pm at Busch Funeral Home located at 21369 Center Ridge Road in Fairview Park, Ohio. The website for Busch Funeral Homes is http://www.buschfuneral.com.
The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 10:30am at St. Christopher's Catholic Church located at 20141 Detroit Road, Rocky River, Ohio. Interment will be at Lakewood Park Cemetery located at 22025 Detroit Road, Rocky River, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Cornerstone of Hope
5905 Brecksville Road
Independence, Ohio 44131
OR
Cleveland Indians Charities
c/o Cleveland Indians Community Outreach Dept
2401 Ontario Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
For a wonderful piece on Herb Score's career written by wkyc reporter and managing editor Dick Russ and edited by wkyc editor Matt Hein, please click onto the wkyc.com link.
A true legend...a class act...our heartfelt prayers go out to your wife Nancy, your children and family. You will be missed, Mr. Score.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Breaking news where you are!
This almost NEVER happens!
Breaking news where you are!
Ironically, that very situation occurred Friday afternoon.
Reporter Dick Russ and his videographer George Payamgis were heading out to a 'feature-type' piece in the Parma area (tune in at 7pm and 11pm for the scoop!!)....
(picture courtesy videographer George Payamgis)Lisa was tuned into the crazy scanners about a robbery in Parma --right where Dick was headed.
I started answering viewer tip calls about a robbery in Parma --right where Dick was headed!
We got two stories for the price of one, and both of them were pretty darn good.
Dick and George were on site at the Parma KFC robbery while police were combing the area, while they found their 2 suspects and took them into custody and recovered the weapon and discarded clothes as well.
(photo courtesy videographer George Payamgis)For more information, tune in to our news broadcasts Friday night or log onto wkyc.com!
Job well done!
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