Going Greene

Morning meteorologist Kelly Greene has been promoted to a position at our sister station, WANE, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Friday is her last day with us. While this is a positive move for Kelly, I am sure many people will miss her.
Kelly started as our weekend weather person four years ago, then was promoted to the morning shift. She was named our employee of the year last year. Kelly has a positive attitude, works hard, and is willing to help others. She has helped lead tours of the studio, talks to various groups, and helps raise funds for Riley Children's Hospital. She also did the Polar Bear Plunge in February to raise money for the Public Schools Foundation of Tippecanoe County.
It's hard to say good-by to someone like Kelly, who has been so great to work with. She will be missed, but never forgotten!

Rupert's Ride

Rupert Boneham was one of our guests today on the noon news. Most of us know him from Survivor, the reality television show. He was on the show in 2004 and returned for the Survivor: All Stars. He won one million dollars on Survivor: America's Tribal Council, which was a special episode of Survivor: All-Stars; the prize was awarded after a nationwide popular vote in which Boneham received 85% of the votes cast.

Rupert was in the studio today promoting Rupert's Ride on Saturday in Lafayette. Registration for the motorcycle ride is from 10-noon at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 3208 South 18th Street in Lafayette. Bikes will go out at noon. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served. In addition there will be a band in the evening. All proceeds will benefit Rupert's Kids. That's a foundation that helps at-risk children. http://www.rupertskids.org/

If you want to meet Rupert, he told us he plans to be at the Lafayette event.

Shoe Bandit

There is a rash of thefts reported in the small Montgomery County community of Waveland. What is so bizarre is what is being taken and where the stolen merchandise ends up. Dozens of shoes (sandals, work boots, crocs, men's basketball shoes and women's running shoes) were taken from porches during the night. The footwear ends up near the fire department. There is not much evidence to go on. But, many people in town have finally spotted the 'shoe bandit.' Residents say the culprit is a small beagle dog. Even the town marshal caught the canine with a boot in his mouth. Another resident said she spotted bandit with a shoe nestled between his legs as he was sunning himself in front of the fire department. The whole town is buzzing about the beagle bandit, but so far, no one has caught him. One person theorized that the dog was part Dalmatian and wanted to ride on the fire truck. Hope you enjoy the story. It aired at 6:00 Tuesday and should be posted on our website too.

Distinguished Hoosier

Congratulations to John Mitchell of Lafayette for being presented a Distinguished Hoosier Award. State Representative Sheila Klinker recently presented the Governor's award to John. It reads, "Indiana treasures individuals who give their time and talents out of a sense of responsibility, commitment and concern for others." John is known for collecting money for the MDA. Even though he is disabled, John has personally raised hundreds of dollars for Jerry's Kids.
I know many families will be busy this Labor Day weekend, but don't forget to tune in for the telethon Sunday night (August 31) through Monday evening (September 1). WLFI will be broadcasting live from the Stewart Center at Purdue. Niccole and Jeff will be the emcees on Sunday evening. Seth and Alyssa will be your hosts in the morning. Mike Prangley and I will be trying to get the phones to ring from about noon until 6:30p.m. Tune in and make a pledge.

Hike With Your Hound

This little girl has a condition that causes frequent seizures. 4 year old Addy Demaray is trying to get a seizure alert dog. I spoke with her mother Megan during our noon news program. (This is Addy's grandmother who is holding her off camera) During Wednesday's Hike with your Hound, a group will collecting donations for Addy to get the dog and training.

Registration for Hike With Your Hound starts at 5:45pm Wednesday at the purple shelter at Columbian Park. The walk starts at 6:00pm. There will be more than a dozen vendors with different types of information for pet owners. Then, at 7:30pm there will be best trick and costume contests. Our own Mike Prangley will be among the judges.

Back to School

It's back to school time. Where did the summer go? While I wish summer break would last another week or two, other families are excited about the start of classes. We have lots of new faces this year. We have a new school bus driver, teachers, and classmates.

The TSC is continuing to grow. Enrollment is up by more than 200 students. I remember sitting through several meetings several years ago where the school board and members of the public discussed the possibility of a third high school. I think the debate will start again, as enrollment at McCutcheon and Harrison High Schools continues to grow.

UNICOM reunion

Those were the days.....

I enjoyed walking down memory lane this weekend with some friends from Western Illinois University. Students in UNICOM, the student television broadcasting program, held a reunion on campus. We toured the building that once housed our classes, production facilities and studio.

I started out as a sports anchor my sophomore year. I admit I knew nothing about golf back then. In fact, I changed some scores because I couldn't believe a 51 beat a 54! My junior and senior year, I had the opportunity to anchor a half hour weekly newscast. That was back in the days when we typed our scripts on typewriters and presented the news in front of a black curtain.

WIU now has awesome broadcasting facilities. They have a teleprompter, a nice looking news desk, an area for sports and weather, and the latest technology.

I was also impressed with new radio stations. But I couldn't find an album or a turntable......

MDA telethon approaching

WLFI, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and many other organizations are gearing up for the annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. In the weeks before the fundraiser, we want to introduce you to some families who depend on the MDA.

I met Nicholas Blackford and his family this week. Nicholas is 11 years old and lives in Crawfordsville. Before his 8th birthday, Nicholas' parents took him to the doctor because they noticed he was having trouble climbing and getting in and out of cars. A test revealed he had Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. There is no cure. His mother, Tabatha, said doctors expect Nicholas to need his wheelchair all the time when he is in his early teens. He just uses the wheelchair now when he gets tired or to get from class to class. The disease could take his life in his 20's.

The MDA has sent Nicholas to camp the last few years. He enjoyed telling me about tee peeing the cabins. Donations made during the telethon help send children, like Nicholas, to camp. It's a great experience for the children. They get to take part in fun activities with kids who all have neuromuscular diseases.

We hope you'll be watching the telethon August 31st and September 1st and consider making a donation.