Year in Review

As the year comes to a close, it is time to look back at some of the events that made news in 2008. What do you think are some of the top stories of the year? I think the presidential candidates campaigning through our area has to be among the top stories. We had visits from Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Other important stories, historic flooding, the fatal bus crash in Cass Counties, and the child left at the Frankfort Wal-Mart. I also think the economy was a stop story. I don't think many of us will forget paying more than $4.00 a gallon for gas! Our end of the year show will air at 7:30p.m. Wednesday and again 12:30p.m. on New Year's Day. Best wishes to everyone in 2009!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you are enjoying the holidays. If you were too busy rushing around buying gifts and preparing food to enjoy some of the scenery, I highly recommend the lights on Greenview Drive in Battle Ground. The lights are synchronized to music. The kids love it. For more information on the display go to: http://www.christmasongreenview.com/home.html
The owners take donations. The money is given to a different charity each year.
Thank you also to Faith Baptist Church for putting on its annual Living Nativity. The display gets better every year.

Whether it's a Hannah Montana guitar or a Clone trooper helmet, I hope you get the gift you were hoping for this season.

Ice Storm

Some areas to our north received up to an inch of ice overnight. There are more than 10,000 people without power in White, Carroll, and Benton counties. In the Lafayette area, drivers had to slowly cross the US 231 bridge over the Wabash River. High water signs are posted on the bridge. The passing lane had standing water and large chunks of ice.

Christmas break started early for many children. The Tippecanoe School Corporation and other districts are closed today. Stay tuned for more updates on road conditions and power outages. Drive careful!

This is only a test...

Digital television is here, and the old system of broadcasting will go away on February 17th.
Tonight, viewers will have the chance to test their TV's to make sure they are ready for the change. Cable customers won't need to do anything to continue receiving News Channel 18.
Those who watch W-L-F-I through an antenna may need a converter box or new T-V.

At 7:30p.m., if the program goes away and you see the message, the T-V is NOT ready for the digital switch. During that time, you can call the number on the screen for personal help from a panel of experts that will guide you through the transition. People who still see regular programming won't need to do anything, and are ready.

Helen Magazine

Helen Magazine features an article about the four female anchors here at WLFI-TV. Laura Kirtley, Alyssa Rossomme, Niccole Caan and I were interviewed by Sharon Martin. Art Director Susan Woodson and photographer Vince Walter had fun with out photo shoot in an downtown alley.

Helen Magazine is available at Pay Less grocery stores, as well as various shops and offices throughout the Lafayette area. I hope you will enjoy learning some behind-the-scenes information about the reporters, as well as our fearless leader, News Director Chris Morisse. It is also available on line. But at last check, it had not been updated.

http://www.helenmagazine.com/index.asp

Shop With A Cop

Police officers from West Lafayette, Lafayette, and Tippecanoe County took part in this year's Shop with a Cop Saturday at the Wal-Mart on State Road 26 East. About 25 children were treated with breakfast and a shopping spree. A couple dispatchers, Officer Lowe and I had fun helping a family of six. I shopped with Isaac, a student at Glen Acres school. He picked out a clone trooper talking helmet, a Star Wars movie, and some clothes for school. The family appreciated the help, which made it all worthwhile.

The L-Town Hour

The L-town hour is a daily program on WSHY, 1410 AM. From 3:00p.m.-4:00p.m. Jeff Holmes and Matt Wilson talk about different topics around town. They also bring in different guests to add some commentary. The station is located at 9th and Main.

Jeff Smith and I have both been on the show now. It was a neat experience. It reminded me of my radio days. I moved to Lafayette almost 21 years ago to work at WASK radio. I enjoyed being part of a news team and learning the ropes from some talented broadcast veterans, like Amy Halter, Max Showalter, Kim Wood, Gary Michaels, Dave Roberts, Don Pratt and others.

Lafayette Christmas Parade

The Lafayette - West Lafayette Christmas parade continues to be one of the state's largest holiday parades. Hundreds of people bundled up along the parade route. I thought attendance was down this year. It may have had something to do with the temperatures. Still, I think a lot of people had fun, including our WLFI family.

Coats for Kids

Some children will be heading to school in warmer coats today after the annual Coats for Kids distribution Saturday at the Community and Family Resource Center in Lafayette. The event was supposed to start at 10:00a.m. But, there were people waiting in line outside the building as early as 6:00a.m. CFRC opened the doors to let people in out of the cold and started people through the process by 9:30a.m.

More than 700 donated coats were cleaned by Hudlow's, then given away to families in need. The event included many volunteers from News Channel 18 including Stephanie Davis, Mike Prangley, Niccole Caan. My son, friend Alice Morales, and I helped with hats. There were piles of hats--all shapes and colors. But less than two hours later, there were only a few left.

Donations of coats, hats, gloves, shoes and other items can still be made through December 10th. Drop off locations include WLFI-TV and all Hudlow locations. Coats will be distributed as needed through CFRC or at the organization's annual Christmas dinner.

Holiday Happenings

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The snow has helped, along with all the holiday lights that are going up throughout the community. Don't forget the Lafayette Christmas parade. It starts at 2:00p.m. Sunday in downtown Lafayette. One of the best places to watch the parade is along Main Street. Watch for the WLFI news team. I think we are entry number 8.

One of the brightest light displays is near Rossville. Calvin Cottrell has been wowing spectators with his light display for more than 30 years. It's located at 3113 W, 800 North, in Clinton County. The display is on Sunday-Thursday, 6:00 P.M-10:00 P.M and Friday & Saturday,

6:00 P.M.-11:00 P.M.

Poinsettia Open House

Our noon guest today gave us a preview of the annual poinsettia open house. It will be held from 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Sunday at the Purdue Horticulture Greenhouse potting room. Roberto Lopez told us there will be more than 95 varieties on display. But, you cannot purchase the poinsettias, but there will be a drawing to win some of the newest cultivars. People will be asked to fill our a survey to help breeders identify which varieties people like best. The one above is called 'Iced Punch.'