Deja Vu

WOW! That's all I can say right now. This has been the first chance I have had to come up for air.

No matter how slow or busy the shift before me may have been never dictates how my stint will unfold.

Usually if the shift before me has been slow, that's when I say --WATCH OUT!

I had not even logged on the computer yet when I experienced deja vu.

1 year ago (not the date) but the same circumstances --Friday...end of February....the day before the Auto Show opened.....and we were doing our entire 7pm show out at the I-X Center for an Auto Show Preview. Tragedy struck when Officer Derek Owens was shot and killed in the line of duty.

Today --Friday...end of February....the day before the Auto Show begins and we are pretty much locked into doing most of our 7pm show out at the I-X Center for an Auto Show Preview. Another officer shot. This time, a Fairview Park officer shot after pursuing an armed and dangerous fleeing bank robber.

The Fairview Park officer was treated and released for his gunshot wound.

But, for me, quite eerie. What are the chances?

It is always awful to hear that an officer, emergency personnel, or safety personnel have been injured or shot.

The timbre on the scanners changes. You know what happened by the tone even if the verbiage has not clearly stated the obvious.

Well, that is what happened today. Shortly after 3pm, talk of a North Olmsted bank robbery quickly escalated as shots rang out and the officer as well as the suspect had been hit.

The circumstances for the Fairview Park Officer did not mimic last year's turn of events. However, someone did lose their life in this exchange.

At this writing, the investigation remains open and in its preliminary stages. Stay with Channel 3 News and wkyc.com for the latest developments on this breaking news story.

I'm still stunned at the similar occurrences on this fateful date, and mouth wide open, will be shaking my head all night long.

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Harvest for Hunger

The 2009 Harvest for Hunger Campaign kicks off Friday, February 27 and may be one of the most crucial campaigns ever in light of today's economic windfalls.

This year's event takes place at Tower City Center at the grand staircase in the heart of downtown Cleveland Friday beginning at 11am. Join the 2009 co-chairs Terrance C. Z. Egger of the Plain Dealer and Fred Nance of Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey L.L.P. Mayor Frank Jackson, and County Commissioners Jimmy Dimora, Tim Hagan, and Peter Lawson Jones should be on hand to share their thoughts on why this program is essential to Northeast Ohio's hunger relief ventures.

Believe it or not, Harvest for Hunger has been touted as one of the largest hunger relief efforts in the nation.

You can make a donation or drop off food at your local food pantry.

Many local grocery stores band together and make it quite easy to help this cause. While you are shopping for yourself or your family, you can remember those less fortunate who can not. In the check out line, you can make a dollar, 5 dollar or ten dollar donation added to your tab.

Most local television, radio, and newspapers get the word out on this state-wide project to gain as much attention as possible in giving assistance to those who need it most and to those who HELP those in need such as the local food pantries.

There are many charities out there. I've touched on this before. As many people blanket the earth is as many charities present in our world. Some never touch our lives. But, I bet that every person reading this entry knows someone down on their luck. Maybe they've been laid off or fired, lost their house in a foreclosure case, can't really afford the rising utility bills, gas for the car, or have charged their credit cards to the max to pay for essentials.

I'm sure Clevelanders will shine through yet again. We always do!

The great thing about Harvest for Hunger is that the money stays here, and helps our neighbors and friends.

I know we each have our favorite charities. I wanted to make Harvest for Hunger this week's Hidden Gem to get the word out. Clevelanders need to come through to help Harvest for Hunger beat last year's tally and achieve this year's goal of 2.7 million dollars.

Honestly, we never know when WE will be that someone turning for help at a local food bank, a hot meal program, or an area shelter. Just think about it....

Never promise anything

I learned it as a news assistant so many years ago and still stress it today: NEVER promise ANYTHING!

It's a good rule to live by, even out of a newsroom.

Today is a perfect day to exhibit this mantra.

In the afternoon meeting, the story cards were dealt out to each reporter and camera man.

What everyone started out on quickly changed when we got the call from the Chief's Office that there had been four arrested in connection with the tragic double shooting over the weekend at East 12th and Chester.

Switching gears-- and fast! We had lady luck on our side as crews were actually IN the places they needed to be without even knowing it!

The transition went off without a hitch.

A big thank you goes out to the room including, Dan Stadler, Dick Russ, Chris Tye, Chris Kunz, Dave Summers, Craig Roberson, Carl Bachtel, Dan Medsker, Julie Ocepek, intern Jeff Kinder, and editor Matt Hein for their great joint effort at getting this breaking news on the air.


Earlier in the day, a local restaurateur contacted the news desk about coming out to his Mardi Gras party being held during Downtown Dining week. I cover it every Shrove Tuesday. However, I knew better not to promise anything. I put it on my agenda and hoped to have a crew eventually to send over there...


A little dicier situation lay ahead. One of my managers pulled some strings for us to go live at 6pm and 7pm at another downtown locale. Breaking news blew those plans out of the water.

In fairness to the business who welcomed us with open arms, we still wanted to shoot video of their establishment for their accommodating nature. After the craziness died down, I sent a free cameraman back over there to shoot video for the 11pm show. There are times we can't even do this much for stories we must vacate.


I've said it before and I'll say it again, NEVER PROMISE ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!


Now, before the next emergency hits, I'm gonna get back to my peas in a bag, salad in a Styrofoam cup, and fettuccini alfredo with 0g Trans fat in a cardboard vessel.

First on Facebook

It appears that the other local television stations are finally jumping on the Facebook bandwagon enveloped with this social media phenomenon.

Honestly, Channel 3 has been on Facebook for many months now, if not almost a year.

Most of our personnel, off camera as well as on camera, and their families have been 'friending' viewers at lightning speed.

Our producers and other staffers (including yours truly) have been doing daily teases promoting what's coming up in each of our live news broadcasts.

We share previews for upcoming sweeps stories, investigations, Prime time Network favorites, polls, live chats, and so much more.

We've gotten feedback, story ideas, and background for breaking news stories within Facebook messages.

We BROKE a story last Thursday on Facebook minutes before posting it on wkyc.com. 7pm Producer Jon Adkins first unveiled the chimp attack woman arriving in Cleveland en route to the Cleveland Clinic EXCLUSIVELY on our Facebook page in a video release....

You don't have to wait for the 6pm, 7pm, or 11pm news anymore. We'll get you the story every which way we can-FIRST. But know that the most comprehensive and in depth coverage will always be on wkyc.com and on our live broadcasts throughout the day and evening.

The challenge comes now in staying ahead of the curve. We've been leading the pack the entire time and will continue coming up with unique, interesting ventures to entertain and inform you, our customers, as well as keeping a leg up on the competition on Facebook and all of our other social media, electronic, and broadcast venues.

Rest assured, you can always count on us to Report the Facts, Respect the Truth (first!).

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Sorry for the delay, friends, on this week's Hidden Gem.

We were pounding the pavement with EXCLUSIVE breaking news Thursday on the Chimp attack woman arriving in Cleveland (we were the only station to get the woman and her medical staff arriving at Burke Lakefront Airport and then rushing off to the Cleveland Clinic). As if that was not enough, we had an arrest in the LCCC arson fire and potential for a winter wonderland! These items put me a tad bit behind.


Today's Hidden Gem: Goodyear, Arizona --Indians Spring Training Camp

This week's Hidden Gem is going out on the road. We are embarking on what appears to be an extremely exciting Cleveland Indians' Baseball Season! I've got a great feeling about this year. My guys have gathered at their new spring training home in Arizona and are days away from the official start when we hear 'Play Ball!'

The Indians are no strangers to Arizona. Before the Tribe's 16-year stint in Winter Haven, FLA, they trained in Arizona from 1947-1992.

I've not been to Goodyear this year. It is being touted as a state-of-the-art facility being built for our Tribe (and the Cincinnati Reds) which will not only be a ballpark but have shops, office space, restaurants, hotel facilities--an all encompassing recreation complex. It may not be exactly like it, but my first vision was a complex similar to Wide World of Sports where the Braves play. Always the center with a hubbub of activity!

First, the breathtaking Arizona landscape will get you every time. Add in Cleveland Indians Baseball and it's a combination made in Heaven!

Only about 20 miles from Phoenix, close to civilization.

I've read there are 57 acres on the north and 185 acres on the south which will house a 10,000 seat ballpark among other facilities.

The entire project is expected to hit the 108 million dollar mark. If that alone does not prove that Mr. Dolan and his staff are grooming for a pennant-winning team, nothing will.

Along with spankin' brand new digs, you'd guess the fees would go up a bit. Some of the ticket prices mirror Progressive Field costs. I have not heard the range of prices for the food concessions, but have been told the selection should please everyone. They profess to have a full menu ranging from the traditional hot dog and burger to peanuts, shrimp, nachos, pizza, Polish and Italian sausage and even breaded pickles! And get this, you may be miles away from Cleveland, Ohio but will feel as if you are in Ohio City when you quench your thirst (for those over 21 please) with a Great Lakes Brewery beer!

The only other drawback I'm hearing about is that fan accessibility or close proximity is not as enticing as before. That's a little disappointing.


But, let's not get ahead of ourselves before its total completion.

All that really matters is that baseball season has arrived. We soon will be hearing the soothing sounds of the crack of the bat or a ball swishing into the catcher's mitt.

If you want to have a fun and exciting Spring and Summer, perk up and keep on top of the happenings down in Goodyear, Arizona over the coming weeks and then keep the fever rolling as the Indians kick off their home season on April 10th at Progressive Field.

The Indians will be a part of another history-making milestone when they play the New York Yankees on April 16th in the Yankees' home opener at their new stadium.

It's a sign of great things to come.

So catch the fever, and you too, will see why Goodyear, Arizona and the Cleveland Indians' Spring Training Camp is this week's Hidden Gem!

Be a believer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you faithful followers and Facebook fans!

I am 22 days shy of my one year anniversary of writing 'Swing by and spray.'

I can not wait for that milestone to arrive. I must thank all of my faithful readers, regular followers, periodic visitors or those just stumblin' by on their travels elsewhere --NOW!

Thank you, thank you, thank you all from the bottom of my heart, right now!

I've said this before. I created my two blogs (Swing by and spray & Grand Slam kinda day) for many reasons, the top two being:

• To share details from an interesting job in a crazy business with those willing to listen


• To fine tune my 'English major' creative writing skills because of my love of writing (you just never know when a 'fall back' profession will be needed later in life)

Though just short of my anniversary, I have reached another milestone--50 Facebook NetworkedBlogs followers! Unbelievable!

Sometimes I over-analyze situations. However, the way I see it, this scenario is a perfect example of a few 'lessons learned.' It takes one person at a time to make something happen. Each person is just as important as the next. And none of us can accomplish anything alone. We need each other. The next lesson I've learned is you never know who is watching you or reading your compositions. Sometimes a scary thought I guess, but a motivation to be the best always! And some of the bloggers have quite interesting blogs themselves which are great reads on my part enlightening my world about something I may have not known before!

I have to be honest, I've been blown away time and time again, not only by the folks who have signed up to follow my blog on Facebook, but by numerous comments I've received from readers.

I recently received a wonderful comment on the story I wrote about Lydia Esparra's departure. When I read through the entire comment and saw that it came from the Chairman and Co-Founder of the Puerto Rican Culture Committee, I was humbled and felt as if I had done something right that day!

I've received comments from current and former co-workers to people I've never even met.

One such entry came from a stranger who reinforced that anyone can stumble upon your creations. The man, though I had never met him, was familiar. I had seen his name before and read HIS stuff! He's a Cleveland based writer/editor who has had his works in over 70 publications. And for him to say I can write, I am on his 'A List' and he will come back to my site--quite an honor!

When thinking about who in the cyberworld may be visiting my little portion and the effect my words may have on someone else, I'm reminded of the life-altering letter I received from the daughter of a former Cleveland Indian. Whether that young woman knows it or not, she changed my world forever and I will always be indebted to her.

So, for those of you who don't think you make a difference, you do! For those of you who have lofty dreams, go for them! Anything is possible, as I have seen with my own eyes in my Facebook followers and upcoming blog anniversary milestone!

If you are on Facebook, pop onto the Channel 3 page and become a fan! We're nearing a milestone there as well approaching 1,000 fans!! If you have not 'stumbled' upon my blog pages, take a minute to look them over! I'd love to hear what you think and get your feedback. It will only make me better!!!!!!

Video sharing partnership announced

Though the Video Sharing Partnership just announced between WKYC and WOIO does not take full effect for a few days, there was a slight glimmer and 'tease' if you will of things to come last Friday as WOIO, WKYC, and WGRZ banded together in coverage of the Buffalo, New York plane crash.

WOIO's chopper flew to Buffalo to assist WGRZ as well as a number of other agencies including WKYC in the most comprehensive coverage of this tragedy.

WKYC sent its Satellite Truck to assist in WGRZ's coverage of this immense storyline, which will continue for many days to come.

Then, management from both WKYC and WOIO made the announcement on the Video Sharing Partnership plan which is being introduced this week between both stations.

For more details on this venture, PLEASE CLICK HERE!!!


Stay with Channel 3 News and wkyc.com as we continue new undertakings to bring you the most comprehensive newscasts, more local news, sports and weather, up-to-the-minute information and video on stories affecting you and your family, and the latest multi-media platforms allowing you to get your news of the day pretty much anyway and anywhere you can! (computer, cell, blackberry, facebook, you name it!).

As always, however you get your news from us, we will continue to 'Report the Facts and Respect the Truth!'