Siege in Mumbai

Good morning.  The mayhem in India continues and it is hitting closer to home.  Two women from central Virginia were apparently among the hostages killed.  A Wilmington synogogue is planning prayers tonight for the hostages killed in an attack on the Jewish Center in Mumbai.  Reporter Max Winitz is following those developments for us and we’ll be counting on NBC’s resources for our coverage of the situation as it unfolds.

Reporter Joe Keiley is headed to Fort Fisher for a story on the impending temporary shutdown of the Fort Fisher Ferry.  And anchor Jon Evans is headed downtown tonight for the lighting of the Christmas tree on the waterfront.

We’ll also be previewing tomorrow’s Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach and sports anchor Bob Bonner is on top of tonight’s handful of high school football playoff games.  Also, ECU has a home game this afternoon so Bob should have highlights of that.

We’ve got a group of Tiger Scouts visiting the station this afternoon and that should be one of the highlights of the day.

As for the Shopocalypse!…anchor Kim Ratcliff was at Best Buy at dawn this morning as the crowds surged in.  Her story on that experience is in the final editing stages right now.  That’s where we stand this morning.  Have a good Friday…

Jim

Defrost

If you’re reading this and not defrosting your turkey, you may be in deep trouble.

While Tom thaws out, we’ll keep you updated on what’s going on around the region.  Frankly, not a whole lot at this point in the day.

Reporter Joe Keiley is headed to the airport to check out their new family friendly check in line.   Reporter Claire Simms is heading to the stores to do a preview of what’s new and different for the Friday sales.

Reporter Max WInitz is checking on the Christmas tree supply and following up on a Silver Alert involving a missing Wilmington man.

We’re also making plans for tomorrow’s coverage.  It is traditionally, along with New Year’s Day, about the slowest news day of the year.

If you have tips or suggestions (not about the turkey..can’t help you there), email them to me at jhanchett@wect.com

Obama at Lunchtime

Good morning.  Barack Obama names his core group of economic advisors at noon today.  We’ll be carrying that announcement live.  I’m anchoring the noon newscast which may get quite truncated by the Obama announcement.

Reporter Laura Sinacori is headed over to the funeral home for the service for Myia Shepherd, the woman killed in the crash on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge last week.

Reporter Gavin Johnson is head to Pender County.  He’s working up a story on turkey manure and why not everybody wants to smell it.  He’s also checking in with a woman who is tending for dozens of baby squirrels.  Gavin just got off the phone, make it 42 squirrels.  That’s nuts.  (sorry..won’t say that on the air).

Reporter Claire Simms is working on a couple of holiday shopping-related stories.  And one of our photographers is just getting back from Cape Fear Academy where students have put together a monumental effort to feed the hungry.

That’s a look at the day ahead here.

As for what’s going on over at the Star News…here’s Si Cantwell’s blog..

http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news09

Sick of the Weather

It’s a sick day today for scores of children.  Strep throat is apparently sweeping through local schools with the victims packing into pediatricians’ offices.  New Hanover High School’s football team has been hit hard with about 8 players in jeopardy of missing out on tonight’s game.

Reporter Joe Keiley is on the strep patrol for us.   Joe has just shot some pictures at hair salon in downtown Wilmington that was badly vandalized overnight.  We’re trying to get that on our noon newscast.

Sports anchor Bob Bonner is on the football beat, of course.  Both Hoggard and New Hanover play at home tonight so Bob will have his hands full.

We’ve got a couple other stories in the works but it’s too early to say much about them.  Hope you can spend most of the day indoors.  It’s raw out there…

Jim

Heading to Tampa

Just heard the scanner traffic from the airport.  Allegiant’s first flight to Tampa/St. Pete has taken off from ILM.  We sent reporter Laura Sinacori flying out the door to document the first trip and I can’t say for sure whether she got there in time to do it.

Also on today’s news agenda, reporter Gavin Johnson is at a Carolina Beach diner getting reaction to today’s Great American Smokeout and then he’ll head over to the UNCW women’s basketball game at noon.  It’s a special day for hundreds of elementary school children who are attending the game and enjoying other activities with UNCW athletes.

We’re also working on a follow-up to yesterday’s crash on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.  The mother of the victim just graciously sent us a photo of the victim and you should find that in another spot on this site.

Later tonight, the New Hanover County School Board meets for a redistricting session and to reveal their latest map.  Reporter Claire Simms will be on top of that in the evening newscasts.

That’s a fast look at the newsroom this morning.  Cold as it is here, sure wish I was on that plane winging south.

Jim

Stumped

As I write this, reporter Max Winitz is finding out the details of the hotel planned for downtown Wilmington.  We’ve been stumped up to now as to the particulars but Max will have them for the web and for the news at Midday.

Reporter Lynda Figueredo isn’t stumped but she is heading to Stump Sound.  Students from Hoggard High School are working on an environmental project there and Lynda will showcase their efforts although we’re not certain if we’ll be able to squeeze that story into tonight’s newscasts so it might this weekend.

I moderated a forum last night at the Cape Fear Museum about aquatic life.  One of the panelists, a UNCW professor, said Stump Sound oysters are the best.  I’ve never had one and will put that on my to-do list.

If you’re out and about this afternoon, head to the Wal-Mart at Monkey Junction.  I’ll be ringing the Salvation Army bell and helping with the kettle collection.   Then anchor Genevieve Barker will pick up the bell for our evening newscasts and will have live reports kettle-side.

Stay warm…

jim

Cold Wave

Good morning, hope you’re staying warm today.  Looks like it will be in the 20’s tonight and that’s pretty nippy for around here in November.

Reporter Gavin Johnson is working on some cold weather angles for the evening newscasts.  And we just received several calls from people who say it is snowing in the Burgaw area.  No accumulation, just light flakes.

Reporter Lynda Figueredo is following up on a report of a fatal fire at a mobile home in Shallotte.

We’re also following the search to fill a vacancy on Wilmington’s City Council.

And, if you read yesterday’s blog, I hinted at a story about a 6-year old hero.  We’ve tracked him down along with his family and together they’re going to tell their story in time for our newscasts this evening.  Claire Simms is on that one and it’s a real good story.

Keep the heat on…

Making Waves

Good Monday to you.  We’re working on several stories but the real action today is in our sports office.  We were the only local station at Topsail’s state championship soccer game yesterday and Bob Bonner is heading back to Raleigh tonight to document New Hanover High’s effort to win back the big trophy.

Kevin Hull will be in Wilmington anchoring at the sports desk and then heading over to UNCW for their game tonight against Troy. 

Reporter Laura Sinacori is back from a convenience store in Wilmington having troubles with customers passing phony money.  She says several other stores are also getting victimized by this crime.

Reporter Gavin Johnson is in Carolina Beach where beach towns, state agencies and environmentalists are meeting to hash out some of the issues affecting our waterways.

Anchor Jon Evans will be heading to the Golden Corral in Monkey Junction tonight.  It’s their annual free night for military veterans and they always get a big crowd for that.

And we’re working on a neat story involving a 6-year old hero.  I don’t want to say more than that until we get it pinned down but it will be worth watching tonight on the news at 5 and 6 if it turns.

That’s a first look at the day From the Newsroom.

To check out Si Cantwell’s blog at the Star News, go to http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news09

Foggy Friday

What a gloomy day!  I’m posting early this morning because I’m heading to Fit For Fun for “Community Helpers Day”.  That’s right, doubters, I’m a Community Helper!  In truth, not sure how I qualify next to the firefighters and police officers.  And, having done this before, I know the toddlers are there for the fire trucks, not the news dude.

Reporter Joe Keiley is headed to ILM to follow up on our report last night of the jetliner that had to make an emergency landing.

Reporter Max Winitz is working on a story we’ll break tonight at 5 and 6 on a plan that will have some Wilmington residents applauding…and others fearful.

Sports Director Bob Bonner will be dividing time between high school footbal tonight and the opening game in the UNCW basketball season.  It’s a good night for sports fans.

Gotta run to be a “helper”.  The comments section awaits for whatever jokes you may wish to offer to that…

Jim

Downpour

Splish splash, what a way to start the day.  Rain poetry not me forte.  Reporter Max Winitz has already been out on the flood beat and come back with some video of an overflowing retention pond and a whole lot of puddles.

Reporter Lynda Figueredo and photographer Fletcher Mangum are working on two reports airing tonight on unsolved murder cases in our area.  It’s powerful stuff and we’ll have a phone bank set up to allow anyone with knowledge about the cases to call in a tip.

Also on our evening newscasts, WECT General Manager Gary McNair offers his take on the government’s financial rescue plan.  There’s one part of it that really sticks in his craw.

Craw is a really good word.  Don’t forget the old saying, you have to craw before you can wal.

Keep smiling in the rain…