School Day

Good morning,

Reporter Gavin Johnson is on his way to Malpass School where class is in session as the students make up for the days they missed due to the bathroom fire.

Reporter Laura Sinacori is on her way to Columbus County for what should be an interesting story about a man with a bug invasion in his business.

Investigative reporter Casey Roman has a good story out of Brunswick County tonight and I’ll let her tell the rest of it on the news at 6.

If you’re an NFL coach, watch out.  One after another is getting fired this morning.   I assume John Fox is safe in Charlotte.

The Brogden Basketball Tournament continues at New Hanover High School this afternoon.  Our sports guys will be on that with Hoggard the only local school that still has a shot at a championship.

See you tonight..

Weird Friday

These work days that follow a holiday in the middle of the week always seem disjointed.   This one comes with plenty of news, though.

We’ve been working on updates on the high speed chase involving New Hanover County deputies, the nightclub fire in downtown Wilmington and a shooting outside a home in a neighborhood near UNCW.  Reporter Gavin Johnson is working on all of those stories for us.

Reporter Max Winitz is heading out to do a follow up to a story we broke last year the day after Christmas.  Last year, the county recycling bins were a mess, overflowing with boxes and trash.  We’re going to see how they’re doing this year.  The county vowed to improve the situation and we’ll see if they’ve done it.

Reporter Casey Roman is back from a story interviewing shoppers in the midst of holiday returns.  It sounds reasonably quiet out at the stores, though.  I’m beginning to think this is one of the holiday stories we reflexively do that has lost its significance.

That plus Food for Thought and you’ve got a first look at tonight’s newscasts.

Big Splash

The story of the day, so far, is unfolding in Bethesda, Maryland.

A water main broke, flooding a busy road and forcing authorities to rescue motorists.  The video is strong and you’ll see it beginning on the noon newscast coming up and again on WECT News at 5.

Don’t miss Casey Roman’s special report at 6 and 11 tonight on sexual predators.  She explains the thinking behind a new state law designed to keep our kids safe.  And then in a report airing tomorrow, Casey puts a new device to monitor offenders to the test.  Let’s just say it’s a technological work in progress.

We’re looking into an accident in Penderlea that killed a teenager.  And WECT General Manager Gary McNair offers his thoughts on UNCW’s proposed tuition hike and a tax hike some in Raleigh are pushing.  Safe to say, he doesn’t like tham.  His commentary airs tonight at 6.

See you then…

Jim

Still Working

This is one of those weeks when we in the news business get the feeling we’re still working while so many others have the week off.  It goes with the territory but it’s not the easiest part of this business for sure.

We’re working several interesting stories for the evening newscasts.

Reporter Gavin Johnson is on his way to Whiteville where we’ve received word the city has banned squirrel shooting.   The squirrels, no doubt, are rejoicing but there has to be a story behind that decision.

Reporter Lynda Figueredo is looking into the impact of the decision to make Front Street a two-way street in downtown Wilmington.  It’s been long enough, that we should have a good idea whether it has been a success.

We’ve received word the Coast Guard Cutter, the Diligence, is being delayed in its return to the city.  It is involved in a search effort near Charleston so its afternoon arrival has been put on hold.

That’s a start on this day…now if I can figure out how to do the rest of my Christmas shopping while also doing the news….

Thanks For the Memories

Here’s a look inside our newsroom on this Thursday morning:

Reporter Max Winitz will be going over to the airport this afternoon as Virgin Atlantic Airlines says..”Thanks For the Memories.”  One of their flights was diverted to ILM, inconveniencing several hundred international passenges and forcing them to spend an unplanned night in our fair city.  All survived.  Today, the airline says thanks to the airport for its hospitality.

Anchor Genevieve Barker is headed to Airlie Gardens tonight for live reports on the early evening newscasts about Enchanted Airlie.  You’ll get a look at the lights and a reminder that time to take in the show is running out fast.

Reporter Lynda Figueredo is back from a shopping trip.  She followed Wilmington police officers as they did their Santa Cop duties and her first report airs on the noon news.

I’m taking tomorrow off to do my own shopping.   Blog at you on Monday…

Fire Help

Another reminder today of  just how generous are our neighbors in this corner of the state.  Our report yesterday about a family in Leland left homeless after their Christmas tree caught fire has touched a chord.  They say they’re receiving many offers of help and reporter Max Winitz who did the original story is heading back to Wildflower Lane to do a follow up today.

A couple of major medical stories are in the works.  We’ll carry reports on the Cleveland hospital that says it has completed the first full-face transplant.  And reporter Claire Simms will be heading to New Hanover Regional Medical Center this afternoon to do a report on a new robot used in medical procedures.  We’re told she’ll actually get to test drive the robot…and I’m jealous.

Finally, the Salvation Army came with trucks this morning and removed the gazillion toys and bikes you donated for children.  It’s amazing to see the display of giving…especially when you can only imagine the moment when those gifts light up young faces.

But be assured they do..and it’s due to you.

Thank you.

Whole Lotta Shaking…

The world moved in South Carolina this morning.   We’ve got word of a minor earthquake and should have video in house by mid-afternoon from our sister stations in Charleston, Columbia and Myrtle Beach.

Plenty of news around here.  Reporter Lynda Figueredo is on a round up of drug dealers in Brunswick County with dozens of arrests expected.

Reporter Gavin Johnson is turning a neat feature story about a local jewelry store that has hid presents..real jewels…and it’s finders-keepers.

We’ve also just gotten word that the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is sending a team of deputies to help out with the presidential inauguration.  We’re trying to set up an interview with Sheriff Causey to learn more about that.

And don’t miss GM Gary McNair’s commentary tonight.  It’s on the kertuffle over Christmas/holidays.

Now isn’t kertuffle a great word?

Clear Start

Good morning.   Our WECT Internet wizard, Derek Arrington, has helped me negotiate our new blogging mechanism so I can actually see what I’m writing.  Okay, I’m not exactly Mr. Techno.

Wish I had more news to pass along but we’re off to a slow Monday morning, typical for this time of year.  Reporter Lynda Figueredo is at Malpass School where the students are back in class for the first time since one of their classmates set fire to a bathroom.

Reporter Gavin Johnson is working on several stories,  none of them headline-makers.  He’s at Wrightsville Beach where the fire department now has oxygen masks for dogs.  He’s also tracking a meeting today by the New Hanover County Commissioners.  When anchor Jon Evans gets in this afternoon, our plan is to have him check in with the Postal Service on what is traditionally the busiest mailing day of the year.

Which reminds me…gotta get those Christmas cards out…wish Derek could help with that.

Jim

Back in the Saddle

Good morning,

I’ve been off for a couple days but return to a busy news day.  Reporter Max Winitz is in Whiteville where police are shopping with some children to make sure they have a good Christmas.

Photographer Ryan Koresko is at the new Topsail HIgh School.  YOu’ll see some of the first pictures from that new facility today on the news at noon…which, by the way, I’m anchoring today.

Reporter Joe Keiley is at the Wilson’s auction today as that longtime Wilmington restaurant goes on the block.

And, of course, we’re watching the auto bailout give and take in Washington.

Look for sports director Bob Bonner’s preview tonight of the East Bladen High School football title game tomorrow.

I’m still trying to untangle our new blog mechanism here so I apologize if any of this is garbled…

Jim

Help Wanted

Good morning.   Wilmington City Council tonight fills the vacancy that resulted from Jason Thompson’s election to the County Commission.  It’s one of the few job openings we’ve heard about lately.  Unfortunately, there’s no pay and not much in the way of benefits and a lot of night meetings.  Dozens of people want the job and WECT reporter Max Winitz and reporter Claire Simms are double teaming our coverage of tonight’s selection.

Max is also working on a story we’ll break tonight on the news at five and six about a confrontation that’s gone to court.  It’s interesting stuff.

Reporter Gavin Johnson is at UNCW for the annual Good Friends luncheon and fundraiser.

We’re also following the crazy stuff in Chicago with the governor of Illinois in federal custody.

I’m still having trouble with our new blog format so this is a brief and probably technically incorrect posting.  I have much to learn.

Jim