Freezing Freeland.

This girl, Alicia Weaver was killed about a month ago in Hazelton. I went out to Freeland with Jim and Mike to report on the guy who allegedly shot her. Ben Westbrook was the guy who police think shot and killed her. Jim and I went to cover in in Freeland where it was about 50 below zero! We waited pretty much all day in and out of the police station waiting for Ben and the DA's to do interviews. It was a longgg day to say the least! It was interesting though to see how the procedures go.

Raining cats and dogs!

Today was a freak out at the station! If there is a inch of rain then the world is ending! That is how it felt today in the station. This picture was sent in today of just one of the many areas in that got flooded today. I ended up staying in to help answer the phones. It was crazy to hear everyone call in to cancel school and after school activities. It was a good experience to help out!

Hot Hot Hot!!!

 Today I went with Jim and Nick to report on a big fire that happened about an hour away. What makes this fire so different is that most of these homes are connected so it makes it more difficult to put out. Four houses  were effected. Twelve people came out homeless. Having to cover a fire one should always look for the fire chief.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

A day at the station

Today was an easy day at the station. I sat up at the assignment desk and helped answer phones and watched Dave do his thing. I forgot how busy it gets here! I'm always out with the reporters and I was a little rusty answering the phones...but i'd say after the 10th call I was back in action!

My first robbery!

Tonight was the first. I went with Keith to White Haven where the PNC bank got robbed. Since I've been at the station I never covered a robbery before. Of course it was raining and 3 hours later we finally got sounds but I LOVEEEE IT! After that we went to Wilkes-barre where a gas station also got robbed. Tonight was just full of bad stuff! I learned that patience is a virtue!

What an amazing experience to witness!

This is Dale Kridlo...He was apart of the U.S army were he died Nov.7th while serving his country. They had a huge ceremony held in West Pittston. What an amazing experience! I was able to be there while they did a parade of motorcycles, cop cars, firemen, and other soldiers to celebrate his life. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. I love being apart of this station!

I should of listened to my spanish teacher.

I was in Hazleton today with a new reporter Jim and one of my favorite photographers Mike. There was a murder that happened in the area. And I found out that the neighborhood we were going to was mostly Spanish....and that I would of been a big help ifffff I actually listened to my Spanish teacher. It was very interesting to see an investigation in place. I really like doing trial and court stories. I learned a lot of how to interview!

It's all about the Vet's!

I was in Honesdale tonight to watch the troops march down main street and into central park. I got to interview Vet's and families as well for the first time...children...which was pretty difficult to get some sound bites from but we got it! It was very interesting to see everyone come together to help support the troops!

I love this job!

I got to go to the Federal courthouse today! A man who was a big business man of Luzern county got probation after lying on the stand about a past case. GOD I LOVE COURT! After that I got to meet for the first time Senator R.Casey and P.Toomey...how cool is that! I love how I am meeting so many interesting people. We did an interview with them about their new plans as senate. VERY INTERESTING!

Oh! Hey, home town!

I was back in my home town where we got to visit the Destin Animal shelter. They are holding a rabies clinic this weekend to raise awareness for people in the county. Two cases of rabies were found in the area and they want to make sure everyone is updated on this topic. Trish, Mike and I got to go to Triple W Stables where we got to shoot scenery's of horses and learn a little bit about what they do at the stables. Today was FUN! I LOVE HONESDALE!

Helping out.

Tonight I went with Bill to Mid-Valley school district to cover a volleyball tournament to help raise money and awareness to cancer. One of their teachers Ann Coffey died of cancer and they held this game in her memory. WHAT A TURN OUT!

It's never a dull day

Today was suppose to be an easy day....but never the less we got fires on top of fires in Lackawanna County. I went out with Trish and Mike to cover an embezzling story and ended up with burning buildings...go figure!

Politics Shomlitics!

Today we cover politics! It just so happens that I love election time...NOT! I have no idea about this whole politics thing...I try to understand but I can never grasp it all. But today I have to suck it up and answer some phones and get some stats in for the station. It is a awesome opportunity for me to see behind the scenes in the news room!

Getting the good stuff!

I went out with Mike and Trish to the community center and was able to see feed a family for Thanksgiving! I was also able to do a stand-up because we had some extra time! After that we went to the new IMAX theater in Scranton! They were doing $2 tickets and free popcorn and the money went to special  foundations! I have to say it was awesome to see! I feel like I'm starting to do well with my stand-ups! It only took me a couple times to get my intro done. Today was a good day! 

Trail - or - Treats!

This was by far the best 2 days of my life! What you are looking at is the outside of the hotel where we were hosting Trails-or-Treats! Trails-or-Treats is a program for kids and adults with disabilities to trick or treat in a safe environment. I was able to interact with everyone by reading stories and handing out balloons and candy! What an amazing experience for me! I was also able to meet the guys from the sales department and really get to know what we call the "other"side of the building. 

Money money money moneyyy money!

Not enough time or money is always the problem. Well that was both of the cases here in Carbon County. The Turnpike is under construction and is now being put on hold because of permits and wetlands...the town is not to thrilled about that because it was already supposed to be done...now they are thinking 2012.   

                                                                   

Money is another issue in Carbon County because of the lack of the budget they are talking about letting go 3 police officers so they can regain there money back. The towns people are NOT happy about that and would rather raise their taxes than risk their safety!

Travel has become my middle name!

   Travel around the world is my new theme! I went with Trish and Mike to Scranton -> Dunmore ->Dimock. From paving road ways to drilling gas and oil lines.I'm learning so much about interview skills and stand-ups. Today I also found out I get to do trail of treats!!!! But more about that later!

To catch....a story.

These boys you are looking at committed a hate crime in Shenandoah....Today I met up with Sara at the federal courthouse in Scranton to cover the rest of the story. We sat in the court room and watched the two boys cry why they were found guilty. The family and friends were all in tears. After the court room, we waited outside for everyone to come out....of course it was raining...it wouldn't be a Thursday night without rain. But how cool to be apart of this! I love working trials!

In my home town!

Hello fall foliage! I went out with free lancer Barry today to cover downtown Honesdale. Today was awesome because I got to cover my home town! We went around to the local shops and did a few interviews with store owners and with people shopping on this gorgeous day! I did some interviews and I was very happy with how it came out! We also went out to Rickard's cider mill where we got some footage of them making fresh cider! What a beautiful day!

Helping people.

Today was all about helping this little girl out....Gracee a girl in the area is disabled and during the day someone came along and took her stroller that helped her travel to school and other destinations. Peggy and I went to their families home to make sure the word got out to find this stroller....Did I mention that this stroller was $5,000!...YEAH!





After that story we went over to White Haven welcome center where they help people with disabilities. They were holding a concert.

Catchin my fresh...

CRAZY....CRAZY...CRAZY!.....Today was a very long day...John and I went to the "projects" today in Scranton to cover a robbery...then tracked our way to Mercy hospital to cover a story concerning the sale of the hospital. When I came back to the station...Dave our investigator wanted me to go under cover with him to cover a story about selling LEGAL marijuana....now that was interesting...I guess just call me Nancey Drew! HA!

High Waters Anyone?

Water damages, schools closing, blocked streets, Dams overflowed...all of these major problems are what Keith and I witnessed when covering Pine grove. About an hour and a half away the county was under major flooding effects. We witnessed people pumping out gallons of water from their basements. It was a mess...our station covered the story that we got 4-9inches of water...The kids were loving it though...no school and puddle fights. Keith and I on the other hand, were stuck in the down pours every 5 mins. Sometime I wonder if they put me on the "good stories" aka...."dangerous scenes"...BUT I LOVE IT!Oh and P.S when I got home that night...after covering flood stories for 5 hours....My own home basement got flooded....no sleep and no basement....awesome!

A Bloody Mess!

This is Randall Rushing...I was about 5 feet away from him this afternoon...he has been on trial the past few days and today I finally got to see what was going on behind close doors! Randall was the guy who was involved in the triple homicide that happened in Scranton 2years ago. Today they interviewed the guys he was with the night before and the day after the murders. They also interviewed the coroner and the blood annalist. I got to see the pictures and tools used in the murder. What a bloody mess!

2 Hours of Fun!

This is Blanchard Church of Crist....I went with John and Mike to this church today to cover a story about a trip that John went on last year....where they went? They went to...Haiti...John and Keith went last year to help after the hurricane. The pastor was in the area so John decided to go and see him to get updated on whats going on....and to maybe plan another trip to Haiti.....ehh 2 hours in the car....but what a great story!

My first package!!!

This is Keith....he has A LOT OF PATIENCE!! I walked into the newsroom and was pretty much thrown into the car with the photographer(aka Keith) and was sent out to Carbon County where we covered a story at the communication center.

This is a picture of the communication center in carbon county. They open their doors once a year to the public to show them how they use there technology and respond to the victims. I interviewed some of the agencies here and ended up putting a VO-SOT together for the 10 and 11 o'clock news....When we got back to the station Keith helped me put together a package together for my own personal files...let's just say Keith is a saint!

Being a loud mouth finally paid off!

I got to do my first stand up today!....well "tried" to do my first stand up...it was a little rough around the edges but all and all it was a good experience!!!!!


       Stand up- usualy a reporter on camera giving an overview on the story.

Later on we got to do a on foot chase with a bus driver that was accused of playing the "tickel" game with children on a bus. Once again we were at the courthouse pretty much all day covering this story.

We then went into scranton and covered a story about counterfit money. A guy was used a 100 dollar bill and went to 4 different stores and used this bill to get stuff...this 100 dollar bill was marker safe and looked real!But soon a man that owned a ice cream shop realized that it was fake. Scary right?!Today was a busy day!!!!!

Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do!

Today I went with Trish and Mike to the federal courthouse to cover a story involving a guy that excepted bribe money. Once again I got to see a perp walk! I got to sit inside a federal courthouse room....NOW THAT'S JUDGE JUDY! I wrote down some words that the judge used that I really didn't understand. I later asked Mike what they were about so I knew for next time.

I came back to the news room later to relax for a little bit at the assignment desk. I was going back out with Trish and Mike to cover another story at the courthouse....I hope by the end of this experience, I'm am going to have tons of lawyer friends!

GRRR to LIVE trucks! -Day:7

The LIVE trucks are really starting to get to me over here! Completely cramping my style! The LIVE trucks do not have 3rd row seating therefore interns can't go. Which means I am not able to see all the juicy stuff!

Tonight was no different....There was a "lot of on the location" shoots and I had to stay back and answer phones. Thankfully, the phones were ringing off the hook! But hey,everyday is not going to be sweet like pie....right?! 

Patience, Patience, Patience. -Day:6

This was one of those days where persistence was a big deal! Like they all say..."Patience is a virtue"...right?

                                                                                                                                                                                   I went out with Jon and Nick(a new photographer for me) to South Gibson to cover a story involving drilling oil lines and how it effects the water wells. After driving up and down the same road trying to find houses that this effects and  then some how getting into scary parts, we finally got to interview a couple people to make our story. A headache later we got back to the station just in time to edit and air. I of course sat in on the 4 and 5'o'clock news casts.

Nick

Nerves 101-Day:4

I never know what to expect when I come into this station. Today was no different . I went with the night crew to the 2nd string quarterback house for the Pennstate team, we interviewed the proud family and got a shot of the family packing up the car and heading to the game.

We also went to Sean Payton's(the head coach to the New Orleans Saints)cousins house where I got to do my FIRST INTERVIEW by myself...I was sooo nervous!I interviewed Jim( his 1st cousin) about how they get ready for their games. After being out on the Field I came back to edit and watch the 10'o'clock news.

Getting to know the courthouse! -Day:5

Today I once again sat in the morning meeting, I got to go out with John and Mike to cover a murder story that happened 2 years ago. They were seeking the death penalty but the courts decided to charge him with life in prison. After that story we covered a story about parking meters not being used on a certian block....that was a joke....there is like 75meters put up in Scranton and not one person has put money in it....wait I take that back our reporter Peggy put in 50 cents..just because...haha When we got back to the station there was a tornado warning in local areas, so the phones were ringing off the hook and reporters were getting ready to do local live shots! It was great to see everybody in action!

Perp Walk-Day:3

Today was such a special day today! Ahhh I got to go outside and report with John(Left Photo)and his photographer  Mike(right photo). I got to witness my first perp walk..

Perp Walk-Wikipedia defines it as...an American slang term which refers to the police practice of intentionally parading an arrested suspect (or "perp", short for "perpetrator") through a public place so that the media may observe and record the event. The suspect is typically handcuffed or otherwise restrained, and is often dressed in prison garb.

We went around Scranton to cover a story involving a $123,000 scandal! After that I watched mike edit the piece and John air it. I sat in on the 5'o'clock news and got to see everyone in action, both live and not live. Even though it might have been a rough crazy day at the station...it was an amazing experience for me!

A proud experience- Day:2

Today was an amazing experience! When I got to WNEP, the 2:30 meeting was still going on. Dave(my boss at the assignment desk) allowed me to go with the reporter Peggy(the women in the picture) and her photographer Bill(in picture) to report on a story an hour away. I learned so much in the 4 hours with them than I would have in school for the year. We covered a story involving a high school that was a getting a very nice monetary gift! The way Peggy asked questions to the coaches and parents was amazing. She was very clear on what she needed to get out of the interview. I got to see how they shot pictures and videos. In the car ride, I asked them questions about how they got into the business and if they picked the right career. I have to say their answers were right to the point.....You have to love it and be ok with not making money.....that pretty much summed up there answers. After the car ride we got back to the station where I watched Bill edit the news piece while Peggy wrote her scrip. To see it all come together for the 10:00 news....was amazing! I was so proud to be a part of what just happened!

My First day at the station!

I got into WNEP at 9:00am sharp! They throw me right into the 9:30 meeting...I don't even think I met my advisor yet! I sat and watched the producers and reporters talk about what was going to happen during the day...everything was sooo confusing to me! There was many numbers,dates,names and times just getting thrown around! After 30mins of talking about deadlines and locations we ended the meeting. I got my ID badge and sat in on the assignment desk, Eileen saw that I was new and called me over to her desk....she is the women in charge of putting the stories on the Internet...how cool right!? She taught me how to put stories and videos in and how to quickly update them for breaking news! After learning that I went back to the assignment desk where I answered phones and learned how to listen to a police scanner!...Trust me if you are nosey this job is for you!...you hear all the news first! I then sat in on the 12:30 and 2:30 meetings. Today was a lot of information! Let's just say Advil and a glass of wine was much needed at the end of the day...but this is something I will never forget!

Today is the day!

Hi everyone...My name is Lindsey Wagner and Trust me my life could be made into a movie...what a perfect contestant to be a new blogger huh?! In my posts you are going to hear about my days at the news station. I am a senior at Marywood University and just like the rest of the students I have to complete an internship program before I graduate. I am a broadcasting student in hopes of one day hosting my own television show! So of course I decided to do my internship at the top television station in Scranton.....WNEP 16. When I heard back from them that I got the spot....I was extremely excited!