Aug 7, 2008 | 11:10 AM
Category:
Entertainment
Yesterday was my last day as a FOX 2 Webtern. I learned more than I ever thought I would. Not only did I learn about web production, I learned about journalism and the inner workings of the news business. I learned that the reporters are more than people that read the news they really care about our community. I learned that the people you don't see are the wheels that keep it all moving. They never treated me like an intern. They shared ideas with me and allowed me to give input as well.
For occasions like this, I keep a list of quotes so that I will never forget the experience.
"I'm all about the news."
"Wow, You figured that out on your first day?"
"What did you put in those cookies."
"Drop your thongs for the troops."
"I had to get there before the sweaty guy."
"My front end and my back end are down."
"What goodies are back here?"
"This isn't like KMOX."
"Coffee is like Scotch, it smells better than it tastes."
"I'm not the weather girl, i'm a meteorologist."
"Breaking News!"
"What are you doing with kids?"
"She tried to hit me with the camera."
"You're good at computers, Right?"
"I was going to propose marriage to your mom."
"They drank the kool-aid."
"I think she's mad at me."
"Mmm, grape vodka."
"I wasn't always married."
"Ew, he stuck his tongue out!"
"This isn't an urban legend, Right?"
"You don't have to convince me to go to an Irish Pub."
"Not Good-bye, See you later"
"Thanks for everything FOX 2! "- April
Jul 17, 2008 | 11:26 AM
Category:
Entertainment
HUG ME PILLOW
The caption reads:
“The perfect snuggling companion, the Hug Me pillow provides comfort as well as piece of mind.” –hmmm piece of mind.
As if an intruder might come in while you are sleeping and be fooled by this half-torso arm pillow.
I am wondering why they went through the trouble to add a fake hand. Maybe that’s the piece of mind!
Check out this rating:
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
Keeps me company! Jun 7, 2006
By Anonymous from Alaska
I bought this pillow to keep my company on nights when my husband, a correspondent for the Trans-Alaskan News Network, was out of town. The pillow exceeded even my wildest expectations. I'm told the pillow was modeled after Brad Pitt, and I believe it! When I first nestled against the soft, but firm chest of my new "husband" I slept better than I ever had before. Now I don't mind when my husband goes out of town!
Whoa, she said Brad Pitt. I mean, why even get married when there’s the Hug Me Pillow?! lol
Check out this pillow for yourself, it’s even on sale! http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hug-Me-Pillow/1
676854/product.html
What do you think about this pillow?
Jul 17, 2008 | 10:51 AM
Category:
Traffic
The other day I was on my way to the station and I decided to take the street way. I was in Webster Groves headed toward Big Bend. I noticed traffic was slowing. This happens on this particular road because it’s a two lane road and people sometimes hold up traffic a little bit to make left turns. I am used to it so I know what to expect.
My side of the road has come to a complete stop and I have time to look into the oncoming traffic in the opposite lane. I notice a young lady driving a little too fast for this road. She’s coming up the hill so she can’t really see what’s at the top, which happens to be a truck stopped trying to make a left turn.
I should wave at her and get her attention…maybe she’ll see me and slow down.
No wait, maybe I’ll make it worse and distract her.
Wait, she’s on her cell phone, she’s already distracted.
It happened so fast.
BOOM!
It was a disturbing thing to witness. There was no noticeable damage to the truck, but the front end of her little car was smashed in and steaming. The truck driver was out of the car trying to talk to her. I say trying because through the entire episode she never put her phone down. She still had her phone to her ear, now crying into it.
As my lane of traffic started moving, I saw a Webster Groves squad car swoop in on the scene.
I am compelled to write about this in light of the recent pile-up that killed two people.
This accident could have been avoided in two ways, by slowing down and following a personal rule to pull over to use your cell-phone.
The pile-up from the other day could have also been avoided.
It’s all fun and games until you smash into a truck…or kill people. Geez
Jun 14, 2008 | 3:56 PM
Category:
Faith
While helping my mom organize her yard sale, I found an old bible.
My Great-Great Grandmother gave the bible to my Great Grandmother in 1899.
My Grandfather's oldest sister, Helen, took ownership of the bible when my Great-Grandmother died at a the age of 30 in 1918.
My Great-Grandfather died a few years later and my Grandfather was given the bible by his oldest sister Helen.
He was in World War II and carried this bible with him. There was a photo inside used as a bookmark encased in a thin copper frame. It's been all over the world.
I love old things, especially when I get to find out some family history that I wasn't aware of. I didn't know that my Grandfather was from Piedmont, MO.
My sister told me the census bureau would come to homes and check people's bibles to get a population count.
Jun 10, 2008 | 11:16 AM
Category:
News
I had the opportunity to ride along with Bonita Cornute to Bellville, Illinois. We are covering a hearing in the matter of Tiffany Hall. She is charged with five counts of first degree murder in the deaths of her friend Jimella Tunstall, her three children and her unborn child.
As I walk down the narrow hallway toward courtroom 409, I see three women sitting in the hard, blue plastic chairs along the wall. They appear to be uncomfortable. I sit three chairs down from them. Their quiet talking turns to whispers. I can hear them discussing the probable outcome of today's hearing. They hope this will be the last time they have to attend anything. They know she will be pleading guilty to all charges. The women are relatives of Jimella Tunstall, on her father's side of the family.
As the minutes pass, the hall begins to fill with detectives from East St. Louis and Illinois State Patrol. Family members and media also arrive. Anticipation is building as the clock ticks closer to 10:35 am.
The doors open and we all file in. The courtroom walls are covered in oak-colored wood paneling. There are four rows of red chairs that quickly fill with observers. More chairs are being brought in to accommodate people.
A small woman comes in with someone at her side supporting her weight. She is wearing a brown multi-colored print top, long pleated black skirt and her shoes are in her hand. Her eyes are swollen and she sits in the chair in front of me. She is the mother of Jimella Tunstall.
A large woman enters the room with a bailiff and two attorneys. She is wearing a big, yellow St. Clair county jumpsuit. Her hair is pulled back stretching her already enormous eyes into a surprised expression. She walks slowly with her hands cuffed in a device that has a padlock attached to it. She gazes across the entire courtroom into the rows of chairs. It seems like an eternity before she rounds the end of the table. I try to meet her eyes. When I finally get a chance, they are empty. She is Tiffany Hall.
The hearing begins on time. Judge Milton Wharton begins with the announcement of a plea agreement. In order to avoid the death penalty, Tiffany Hall will plead guilty on all charges and will receive natural life in prison, without the possibility of parole.
During the reading of all charges the mother of Jimella Tunstall plugs her ears with her fingers. I can't help but be distracted by the mother's emotion. Her carbon beaded necklace rolls up and down as her neck muscles tremble. She eventually is overcome with emotion and leaves the courtroom. She returns a few minutes later. Throughout the experience I am distracted by my own thoughts.
"How could she do this to her friend"
"Why did she take those children"
"I want to leave"
"I want to tell this mother how sorry I am"
"She is so much bigger than those kids"
"She is a monster"
I am overwhelmed by the details of the murders. I want to get up and go into the hall. This crime is senseless.
Tiffany Hall lured her friend to the basement of her mother's home. She hit her in the head rendering her unconscious, then bound her arms and legs. She carried her to a bathtub, took a sharp object and cut the baby from Jimella. She left Jimella Tunstall's body in an area of high weeds behind her mother's home. She admitted to plotting on her friend for sometime and to buying a nasal syringe and alcohol for the delivery.
The baby is lifeless upon delivery. She takes the baby to a state park and calls police. She claims someone raped her and caused her to deliver her baby. She refuses an exam from a doctor and a rape kit.
Three days later she goes to Jimella Tunstall's boyfriend's home who has her three kids. She admits to lying to him to get the kids by telling him that Jimella said to give her the kids and her car. She takes the children to the same bathtub that she murdered Jimella in and drowns all three children. She admits to having to coerce the oldest son by telling him it was time for his bath. She takes the children to her own apartment and puts their bodies in the washer and dryer.
When asked if she understands what natural life in prison means to her, she replies "I will never get out." That seems too good for her.
Judge Wharton goes down the list of charges and asks her how she pleas.
"Guilty," "Guilty," "Guilty," "Guilty," ..."Guilty."
Four life sentences + 60 years and the sentences will run concurrently. She is asked to give a statement and she declines.
I was a little dissatisfied with the outcome. I thought the family would be able to give a statement to her. It felt a bit unfinished.
This was a great opportunity. I learned that a news reporter has a tough job. They can't allow their emotions to overcome them. Bonita Cornute is a great reporter and quite the professional.
