Conjoined Twins

Isn’t this story incredible?  Conjoined twins - separated and reportedly doing well in Pittsburgh.  It always makes me wonder how many other medical miracles are happening all over the country and world that we don’t always hear about.  We’re been covering the Lee girls because they’re from Cleveland, but it’s likely that there are plenty of incredible medical stories out there that we know nothing about.  I love them and can’t get enough of them.

If you know about one locally, let me know in the comment box below, or e-mail me at kenworthy@newsnet5.com

Pete

Buffalo Connection

Before coming to work here at WEWS, I spent four years at WKBW in Buffalo as the morning anchor there.  The people there and friends outside of work were immediately on my mind this morning when I learned about the tragic plane crash in Clarence Center – just outside of Buffalo.

My first thought as I walked into the newsroom this morning and saw “Plane Crash in Buffalo” on the TV – and then later seeing Clarence Center – was that the area where the plane crashed is one of the most upscale of the Buffalo suburbs.  Professional athletes live there – the richest of the rich. 

I then started thinking about my old newsroom in Buffalo.  What must be happening there at 4am?  Glancing across our newsroom, I saw a monitor that was tuned to the ABC affiliate in Buffalo (my old station) and I saw the main anchor team (Keith Radford and Joanna Pasceri) still broadcasting live!  They had apparently been on the air since 11pm Thursday night.  Pasceri and I had spent 2+ years anchoring the morning news together and I thought to myself – she’s a perfect person to be anchoring this type of news – a consummate professional.  I thought about how tired they must be while I watched for a moment.

Then, I began thinking about the fact that I would surely know someone who knew someone on the plane.  Buffalo is such a tight-knit city that it seems like wherever you go, you run into people who already know each other.  Inevitably, I’ll hear a story in the coming days.  A friend of mine from college already contacted me to say that a former colleague of his was on the plane.

That’s when the news becomes reality for many people.  When you can actually put a face to the story.  When it’s not just 50 people killed in a plane – when you actually know someone or know someone who knew someone.  The story is tragic either way – but it becomes real when you can actually identify with it.

While it is horrible that 50 people were killed, it is a miracle that 2 of the 3 people inside the home that was hit, actually survived.  The stories that lie ahead are sure to be sad.  I don’t look forward to hearing them.  Here’s hoping something is learned from whatever caused this tragedy.

Thoughts?  Please leave them in the comment box below or e-mail me at kenworthy@newsnet5.com

Pete

Weather Observations

Temperatures are in the upper 50’s today which sure is a relief from temperatures below zero. It’s been a rough year so far as we almost broke a record for snow fall in January. It was the first time in my life that I’ve ever felt temperatures so cold. I’m often asked if the weather has been hard to adjust to moving to Cleveland from South Carolina. The answer is YES but not totally in a bad way. Believe it or not, I enjoy the snow tremendously. It’s the cold and cloudy days that are hard to take and they seem to last forever. It’s been great to experience all four seasons. I think Fall is my favorite though Summer is nice too it just seems short. In South Carolina it’s either 100 degrees in the shade or just a little chilly. Today is a nice day in Cleveland. Even though the sun isn’t shining temperatures will be near 60 degrees. We’re expecting snow before weeks end so I guess the saying is true that if you don’t like the weather wait a few minutes and it will change.

Kimberly Gill

Splash Landing

As I watch Diane and Robin on “Good Morning America” talk to the crew of flight 1549 – and the passengers who were on board on that day that the plane splashed into the Hudson River, I have tears in my eyes.  How incredible is this story?

We have now seen incredible pictures and audio tapes of the event.  Now, we see text messages that were hastily sent to loved ones as the plane was going down.  Many of the passengers thought they were going to die.  They all owe their lives to Captain Sully.  And while they all say as much, he’s as humble as they come – not taking an ounce of credit for saving lives – instead, attributing it all to training.

We’ve also now heard about how some of the passengers appreciate life more now than they did before the landing.  Why does it always take something like this?  I’m as guilty as the next person but it’s true that we take things for granted and when a tragedy takes place, we appreciate everyday things and people much more.  I wish I could always have that appreciation but I know that it always tends to fade with time.

Here’s hoping it doesn’t.  What an incredible story all of the people on flight 1549 have to tell.  To me, it’s like seeing Niagara Falls, I can’t ever get enough of it and it’s always incredible.

Any thoughts?  Post them in the comment box below.  Be sure to check out our new GMC page at newsnet5.com as well: http://www.newsnet5.com/gmc/index.html