Watch Out for Deer

We did a story today on Good Morning Cleveland about car crashes involving deer. The story basically said November is the deadliest month for these types of accidents. A report by The Highway Loss Data Institute ranks Ohio number four, for the most deadly crashes over the last 15 years. I saw three deer on my way in to work this morning. They were standing in a group off the side of I-90. Then, about four miles down the highway I saw another deer but this one was dead–obviously hit by a car. I’m always fearful this time of  year when I’m driving in the dark that a deer will dart out in front of my car. I’ve known people to buy a those special deer whistles that are supposed to scare the deer away but I’m not so sure they work. Fortunately, I have never been in a crash with a deer but I’ve come close. What about you? Have you ever been in this type of crash? And what about those deer whistles? Do they work? I’d love to know what you think.

Kimberly Gill

Media Bias?

Our web poll question today on newsnet5 asks “Do you think the media favors one candidate more than the other candidate for President?”  As I write, more than 600 people have responded and 83 percent responded “Yes.” 

I would guess that the people who responded yes to this question assume that we, in the media, lean left.  It’s not a new label that comes with being in the media – but it’s not as evident inside the building as the public might imagine.

For example, there are no meetings here at WEWS where people sit down and try to figure out how we can promote Barack Obama more than John McCain.  It doesn’t happen and it never will happen.  In fact, in our daily morning meeting, we are very aware of the fact that we need to give equal time to each candidate.

It’s part of our jobs, being in this business, to keep our own personal opinions, OFF the air.  Our job is to deliver the facts, equally. 

I’m one of the lucky ones in this business in that I don’t find myself leaning strongly to either side of the aisle.  While there are people in the media who do have strong opinions – they should not express them over the air or in print.

My guess is that the things that jump out to viewers/listeners/readers are the things that contradict their own personal beliefs.  If we run a positive story about something that John McCain did, and you’re for Barack Obama, you’re more likely to notice it than a positive story we do about Obama – it’s human nature. 

While the label of the media leaning left is not likely to go away anytime soon – in many cases, it should.  Here at the local level of news, there is no agenda. 

Thoughts?  Drop me an e-mail at kenworthy@newsnet5.com

Pete

Weekend Plans

Hi everybody! Happy Friday. I hope you have a great weekend planned. I plan to see a movie (I’m not sure which one) and do some community service. Here’s the event I’ll be hosting tomorrow. It’s the 20th annual gala and fundraiser for Mt. Pleasant NOW. Mt. Pleasant NOW is basically a community organization that’s working to revitalize the Kinsman Corridor in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of Cleveland. The event begins at 6pm Saturday at the Marriott Hotel in Beachwood. If you’d like more information you can contact the organization at 216-751-0023. There will be a silent auction and live entertainment. If you come out, be sure to come up and say hi! I hope you have a great weekend!

Kimberly

 

Teen Driving

If you’re a parent, no matter what age your kids, you worry about them.  Hearing about the two dead teenagers in Grafton makes me cringe.  None of my 3 kids are old enough to drive but I dread the day when they are of legal driving age.

One of our photographers told me that he used to clip out newspaper articles that showed accidents involving teens or other tragedies that could have been avoided.  I thought it was an interesting way to show kids that they are not invincible.

Are there other ways to help reach teens?

Let me know what you think.

Pete – kenworthy@newsnet5.com

Where Do You Text?

We were talking a lot this morning on Good Morning Cleveland about places people text message. A new survey by a Texas company says 77% of people text while driving. I happen to be one of the people in this category. As much as I hate to admit it. I do occasionally text while driving.  Apparently this isn’t the weirdest place that people text. According to this study people send text messages while in the bathroom, during weddings and even funerals. Maybe the weirdest place for me was in church a few Sunday’s ago. My sister sent me a text and I wrote back letting her know that I was in church and I’d call her after services were over. After I read this new study today I asked God to forgive me for texing in church. I very easily could have waited but in this society of always wanting information now and fast– waiting is tough. I’d like to hear from you. What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever sent a text message? Or just send me your overall thoughts on text messaging. I’d love to hear what you think.

Early Voting?

A week or so ago, a campaign volunteer came to my home and started asking me questions about which candidate I would be voting for in the upcoming presidential election.  While I didn’t find that too bothersome as I know what a battleground Ohio is every four years, I did find it curious that the volunteer would be pushing for early voting.

It seemed as though the volunteer was finished with her little chat, but before she walked away, she asked, “Will you be voting early?”  To which I replied, “No, I prefer to vote on election day.”

Later, I started to think more about why I prefer to vote on November 4th – after all, many people have taken advantage of Ohio’s voting laws and cast their ballots already.  But here’s my thought – if you’re able to vote on November 4th, why not wait?  Even if you’ve already made up your mind about the candidates, isn’t there always a possibility that something could come out to change your mind?

I’m sure the people who voted were quite sure of their selections and it’s not likely that anything in the next couple of weeks will change those thoughts – but I’m waiting – just in case.

Pete – kenworthy@newsnet5.com

Red Light Cameras

One of the most read stories on Newsnet5.com today is about a new red-light camera in Cleveland. If you haven’t heard, it’s located at Lakeshore Boulevard and East 159th Street. It’s been up for a few days issuing warnings, but tickets will start on October 30th.  Red-light cameras are something I’m familiar with. I hate to admit it but I’ve had a couple of tickets. I have what some people call a lead foot. I know all too well the feeling of opening that letter and seeing three little photographs of your car speeding through an intersection. The shots are pretty good too. They go wide, medium and tight on the licence plate. The feeling gets worse when you see the amount you have to pay is $100 dollars and you’re wonding how you’re going to fit it into your budget. I’m happy to say I’ve learned my lesson. It’s been nearly six months since I had a ticket. What are your thoughts on red-light cameras? I’d love to hear from you. Until then, slow down and drive safely.

Kimberly Gill

Cold Start To The Week

It was cold this morning. I was close to turning on the heat in my house but I changed my mind after I thought of how it would make my gas bill higher. I decided instead to put extra blankets on my bed. The cold weather reminds me that I need to begin getting geared up for winter. My Grandmother was nice enough to send me three winter coats last year. It’s amazing that I didn’t even have a good winter coat before moving to Cleveland last year. You can get by without having a heavy coat in South Carolina. It’s impossible not to have a good winter coat in Cleveland. Good Morning Cleveland Meteorologist Jason Nicholas said there were a few places that started out in the upper 20’s this morning. Good thing there’s no precipitation. Otherwise, we’d be talking about snow. Are you ready for colder weather? 

Kimberly Gill

Who’s fair for the public eye?

Recently, we’ve heard plenty of talk from both presidential candidates and national media outlets about Holland, Ohio’s, Joe the Plumber.  Joe spoke to Senator Barack Obama at a recent rally, and that meeting became substance for both Obama and Senator McCain at their final debate.  It’s what happened after the debate that comes into question.

Does Joe Wurzelbacher deserve to have his entire life dissected by both local and national media? 

Some reports have Wurzelbacher there as part of the McCain campaign, while others indicate that Joe was acting on his own.  Either way, is he now fair game?

Actors and actresses know what they’re getting into.  Professional athletes must accept being publicly criticized when they take the field, court or ice.  We, in television, know that criticism, comes with the  territory.  But Joe the Plumber?

Let’s assume, for sake of argument, that Joe merely asked Senator Obama some questions about his platform.  Let’s assume that he wasn’t “placed” at that rally.  Does that make him available to have his entire background looked at?  Whether or not he paid his taxes on time?  Cameras on his front lawn?

One could argue that if you don’t want to get caught up in the public eye – stay out of the public eye.  Reports now indicate that Joe may have wished that he did.  One thing nobody knows about Joe – who gets his vote!

Let me know what you think.  kenworthy@newsnet5.com

Pete

Historic Time?

It’s always hard to think about which times will be remembered in this country and which ones won’t – but this very moment is a time that will be talked about for generations.  Think about the major events that are taking place right now:

• An economic crash that hasn’t been seen in almost 80 years.
• An election that includes both an African-American candidate and a female candidate – one of whom will win in November.

History books are literally being re-written for kids who are going through school right now.  Isn’t it funny that we can be living it and not even think about it until years later?

I remember where I was during certain historic times in my life. 

I remember my parents waking me up to watch the end of the Phillies winning the World Series in 1980 (it was historic in Philly!)

I remember a year later, watching the video tape over and over again of President Reagan being shot.  I was watching it on a little TV in my parents’ bedroom.

I remember in 1987 – I think I was actually home sick from school when Pennsylvania State Treasurer, Budd Dwyer, shot himself on television.  I was 15 years old but I’ll never forget seeing that while sitting in my family room.

1993 – I’ll never forget sitting in a room at The College of Wooster, watching the Phillies lose to the Blue Jays in the World Series (this one will hurt for awhile).

I’m certainly not the only one who knows where I was that awful morning of September 11, 2001.  I was working as Sports Director at KWTX-TV in Waco, Texas.   My mom called to wake me up to tell me to turn on the TV.  I didn’t turn it off for four days.  I wasn’t needed at work as we weren’t doing sports coverage.  I remember that it was four days straight because I remember when my wife and I said out loud to each other that we needed to turn it off as it was incredibly depressing to watch.

Sometime in the last couple months or in the next month or so may stand out to others in this same way.  Was is when Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination?  Was it when John McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate?

I’d be ineterested to hear your thoughts.  Post a comment here or drop me a line at kenworthy@newsnet5.com

Pete