Reporting on reporting: 2008

Monday, May 19, 2008

Hurry up and wait...

Today, I covered my first ever homecoming. 300 out of 1,000 Marines and sailors came home from Iraq, it was the largest group from 2/8 to arrive at one time.

Photographer Randy Davey and I arrived at Camp Lejeune around 2 p.m., to meet the Public Affairs Officer at the gate at 2:15 for a 2:30-3p.m. arrival. At 3:15, we were told that it would be about an hour, hour and a half. ... I returned to the office at 6p.m., to type the article up quickly, and get to the 7 p.m. Onslow County Board of Commissioners meeting.

While I would be completely full of it if I said I was not aggravated this afternoon, homecomings are a beautiful thing. You have fathers, wives, daughters, sons, girlfriends, boyfriends, parents and children all waiting to see a loved one, some of which are meeting daddy for the first time. Over 30 children were born while their father was away, but Maj Rob Peterson said it right, a newborn is better than a death in the family.

Despite my sunburn, hydration and nicotine fit, even I was elated when the buses pulled up. It was a beautiful sight, one I am sure many families look forward to.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Catching up on lost time...

It's been a long time...

So, it's been a long time. Hopefully, now that school is out I will blog more often. I make no promises, but I do have great intentions. I promise.

The last 24 hours have been the most exhilirating of my seven years in journalism so far. Last night shortly before this time, I was just getting back from the magistrate's office. I was planning on going home early. Little did I know, that simply was not in the cards. Instead, Cyndi Brown, my fabulous editor, told me that a hurricane had touched down in Belgrade -- right before the Onslow County line. So, I went from my desk to my car.

I drove in the pouring down rain, with my hands clenched. If both hands were not on the wheel, I had a cigarette in one. Sometimes a cell phone. I could not reach where the tornado struck because the road was closed. A tree had fallen across the highway. So, I turned my car around and went back to the office, where I proceeded to call everyone from the Sheriff to Emergency Management. There were six injuries, all minor, but an awful lot of damage. That was the front page of today's edition.

Last night, it was estimated that there were 15 to 20 structures damaged, including one variety store that was positively demolished.

This morning, I woke up early. Well, early given the adrenaline I had last night. I was at the scene by 8:40 a.m. When I got there, I began walking down Swansboro-Belgrade Ext. Road. The damage was amazing, in a non scary way. When Timmi Toler arrived on the scene (she's an AMAZING columnist/feature writer/overall guru at The Daily News), we worked seperately. She talked to the owner of the store, while I talked to a man whose race car was picked up out of a field and placed between two buildings. She talked to a man whose son went to training for the National Guard on Friday, while I talked to two neighbors who both watched the tornado come towards them. She talked to a man whose trailer flipped while him, his wife and daughter weere in it, while I parked the car on the side of the road and walked to meet her. However, I got the photo that immediately went on the Web site with the initial story.

Within three hours, we had every single word of a 55 inch story that has been online since about 2 p.m., as well as will be in the print edition of The Daily News.

Hearing those people's stories, seeing the destruction, dodging fallen wires and stepping over puddles... THAT is what makes journalism worthwhile.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

a month later

Again, it's been a while. Life has been crazy types of busy, between work and classes and the gym and tanning, free time is rare. I love my job. Which is a good thing since my life is virtually nonexistant outside of it. haha. Anyways, here's everything since the last time:

March 16: Shelter provides more than a bed

March 16: HCMS takes top prize in Onslow battle

March 13: Making history profitable

March 13: Homeless shelter cites needs for donations

March 13: Returning the favor (Max magazine)

March 12: Society plans annual day of empowerment

March 10: Drawing like a magnet

March 10: JHS grad focus of Lifetime movie

March 10: Program teaches students the IT factor

March 8: Pupils make their next move

March 7: More than doctors on call

March 7: Stars shine on child care center

March 6: Onslow Schools considers technical center

March 4: Students smile at Seuss' stories

March 3: Student artistry sings

March 3: Not so confidential

March 2: Business booming at annual expo

March 2: Collins, Aragona differ on manager situation

March 2 BREAKING NEWS: Cafe's missing parrot returns home

March 1 Breaking News:

Feb. 28: Getting an early jump on career choices

Feb. 27: Boards discuss soaring school needs:

Feb. 26: Looking for a few active elderly folks

Feb. 25: Plan will shift sewage

Feb. 23: Brig program helps the wounded

Feb. 21: Lessons to sink their teeth into

Feb. 20: Onslow, Carteret school systems respond to beef recall

Feb. 20: Red tape can deny some lottery players

Feb. 19: School suspension tallies mixed

Feb. 18: A recipe for success

Feb. 18: School projects countywide

Feb. 16: A government lesson up close

Feb. 14: School districts approved

Feb. 14: Clyde Erwin Elementary granted magnet school status

Feb. 14: Delivering songs from the heart

Feb. 11: A showcase of opportunities in high school

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Catching up and such

So, I've realized that in the midst of working and taking classes, I forget about this blog quite a bit. I am hoping to get better about it, but if I do not until May I apologize. The truth is, some days I am too tired to think straight while on other days I am bound and determined that I am going to work, work on classes and go out and do the things a 21-year-old woman should. Today is one of those days.

I clocked in at 7:30 this morning and spent an hour at the Career Technical Education Showcase, wrote the story and began working on the business story for next week again. This article is a monster already and I still have another interview to go. (Generally, a news story ranges from 20 to 25 inches, and rarely push 30. a business story can be 30 to 35. Mine is currently 54.) Needless to say after tomorrow's interview I will be adding to it and then slashing. Luckily it isn't due until Friday so I have plenty of time to work through the kinks. But to my defense it is hard to keep an article within guidelines when you have over 10 pages of typed notes. Yes, typed. This is my first week functioning with a tape recorder, so I have abused it. But it is paying off, because I love being able to go back and listen if I have a question.

Anyways, so I worked on that monster of an article and set my appointments up for tomorrow and clocked out so I could hit the books for a while before I go to the school board meeting tonight. I love hearing about the area schools and what has changed since I was in them. I love being able to share all the great things they do with the readers, however I worry about the reaction that will come from the community if I have to cover anything negative about the schools.

You see, I am a local. I was born here and I was raised here. With the exception of college, I have spent all but two years in Jacksonville, N.C. I have heard on more than one occasion from other locals that they enjoy hearing the good things as many who are not locals solely focus on the negative. While I can understand why that can be frustrating to the locals (and have been frustrated by it more than once myself), reporters write about the stories that are going on. So if people want to see more positive, there needs to be more positive. There needs to be more positive any way since most people focus on the negative, whether they are reporters or not.

On that note, British Lit is calling and since I have to leave for the meeting in about an hour, it's time to hit it. Check out the links.

Jan. 27: Freshman Academy program gets cash
http://www.jdnews.com/news/school_54665___article.html/aarp_freshman.html

Jan. 27: Fire department gets grant for gear
http://www.jdnews.com/news/fire_54683___article.html/department_rouse.html

Jan. 27: The groove of global learning
http://www.jdnews.com/news/teachers_54684___article.html/warde_school.html

Jan. 27: Wellness Day gives advice to those who attend
http://www.jdnews.com/news/wellness_54693___article.html/teacher_program.html

Jan. 30: Applewhite meets obligation
http://www.jdnews.com/news/applewhite_54733___article.html/wilson_others.html

Feb. 1: Honor comes as a surprise
http://www.jdnews.com/news/king_54771___article.html/community_corps.html

Feb. 3: Butcher? Baker? Candlestick Maker?
http://www.jdnews.com/news/career_54820___article.html/day_careers.html

Feb. 3: Pizza, party trays rule today
http://www.jdnews.com/news/data_54817___article.html/headline_specified.html

Feb. 5: Math classes over the phone (Front page)
http://www.jdnews.com/news/students_54853___article.html/project_high.html

Feb. 5: New Wal-Mart draws customers to neighbors
http://www.jdnews.com/news/wal_54858___article.html/mart_business.html

Feb. 6: TV pilot being filmed at Onslow Raceway
http://www.jdnews.com/news/adams_54868___article.html/car_going.html

Feb. 7: City permit required to sell pets along road
http://www.jdnews.com/news/animals_54881___article.html/permit_sell.html

Feb. 7: Pet adoptions still lagging
http://www.jdnews.com/news/animals_54882___article.html/animal_einsig.html

Feb. 7: After school program awarded $10,000 grant
http://www.jdnews.com/news/students_54885___article.html/davis_businesses.html

Feb. 8: Military growth key topic at State of Community event
http://www.jdnews.com/news/growth_54892___article.html/county_schools.html

Feb. 9: Business hosts events from pig pickings to weddings
http://www.jdnews.com/articles/panache_54936___article.html/clark_weddings.html

Feb. 10: Residents want rec center upgrades
http://www.jdnews.com/news/center_54960___article.html/recreation_area.html

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Why I love Jacksonville, NC

There are many reasons why I love Jacksonville, but today the main reason I do was proven over and over again. In Jacksonville, people come together as one despite whether they are civilian or military. When someone degrades the military, everyone riles together to show their support for the troops that allow people to support their views so freely.

I am the daughter of a Marine, the friend of many Marines, the niece of an Admiral and the "aunt" to quite a few military brats. I don't appreciate people degrading my family, as I am sure all military personnel and dependents can agree with. I certainly don't take kindly to anyone disgracing the American flag by dancing on it or wearing it, and I sure as hell don't appreciate signs that call the USMC "Marine Corpse" or "fags."

The Marine Corps, like any branch of the military, supports one another from the day of enlistment until the day that service member, whether active or not, dies and then they support that member's family. They cannot be judged on the acts of one or two of their family members. If they are to be judged, we should judge them on the acts of those Marines that help rebuild veteran's homes, volunteer throughout the community and help clean up Jacksonville.

Until the day we are all judged by the positives instead of the negatives, I don't want to hear a thing about the Marine Corps. Especially not anything that is thanking God for IEDs and their deaths.

Support our troops rally draws a crowd

People drive across state to celebrate military

Thursday, January 24, 2008

in the last month

So, I obviously haven't had time to blog lately. Classes began, so I've worked 40 plus hours the last few weeks on top of taking four classes. Needless to say, I've been exhausted but I absolutely love life. I was doing the editorial assistant job from Jan. 2 until yesterday on top of being the Onslow/Jacksonville reporter.

So, yesterday and today I took an early absence and came home to do homework. Yesterday I did Social Problems and the Family, then today I wrote my paper for Social Problems. I'm about to do British Lit then tomorrow's Algebra.

This weekend, Westboro Baptist Church comes to protest the "filthly lawless marine corps." There are two pro-military rallies as well, which I get to cover while Heather goes to the protest. I'm excited. It'll be busy for a weekend which works out great.

And on that note, it's time for dinner. I'll post again soon!

A month of catching up

Updated stories, obviously it's been a while:

Dec. 30: OMH launches health Web page

Jan. 1: Field of Greens and Good fortune

Jan. 2: Area motorists settle in for latest round of gas hikes

Jan. 3: New year includes new leaders for Salvation Army

Jan. 6: Public water access gets flowing for 60 residents

Jan. 7: Airport officials have fond feelings for 2007

Jan. 8: Children learn about the world

Jan. 9: Board hears proposal for Clyde Erwin

Jan. 9: ONWASA lays out plans for water

Jan. 9: Clyde Erwin pitched as possible magnet school

Jan. 10: Chamber hands out top honors

Jan. 12: A model for other middle schools

Jan. 13: Hospital stocking shingles vaccine

Jan. 13: Area shoppers will get another option with new Wal-Mart opening Wednesday

Jan. 14: Mother dies after stabbing

Jan. 15: ONWASA has water projects on tap

Jan. 15: ONWASA, base hook up

Jan . 15: Police: Man's attack on parents seems unprovoked

Jan. 15: Center: Reporting rape not easy

Jan. 17: Newest Wal-Mart opens for business

Jan. 19: 'Never should have happened'

Jan. 19: Wishing MLK a happy birthday

Jan. 19: 'She was just a wonderful person'

Jan. 21: Group seeking local stories

Jan. 24: Needed help for caregivers

Reporting on reporting