Miller Visit

I enjoyed my visit to Miller Elementary School. I spoke to students who are learning about different careers. The students did a great job reading a 2-minute fun newscast in the classroom. The third graders read stories about their school getting money from the Governor for a swimming pool, a new restaurant opening, and a concert announcement for Hannah Montana.

The students also enjoyed meeting one of our videojournalists, Keith Hatten. Keith let them look through the viewfinder of the camera and answer questions. They were very impressed to hear Keith met President Barack Obama, during a campaign visit to Lafayette.

Meet our new weather man

WLFI announced today that Chad Evans will be our new evening meteorologist. He will take over for Mike Prangley, when Mike moves to Florida next month. Stay tuned to more information on when you'll meet Chad on the air.

Here is his bio from our LIN-TV sister station, WTHI, Terre Haute.

While studying Meteorology/Climatology & Physical Geography at Indiana State University, Chad was an intern at WTHI in the spring & summer of 2003. While at Indiana State, he worked in the Indiana State University Climate Laboratory & did COOP observation work for the National Weather Service Indianapolis. He was also active in the Indiana State Meteorological Society.
A former FFA & 4-H member, Chad has spent most of his life involved in agriculture & is the former District & Section Star Agribusinessman in addition to his State & National FFA degrees. Chad worked for one year at WEHT-TV in Evansville, before moving to Terre Haute.
Chad loves nature & the outdoors. He currently resides in the city of Terre Haute in Vigo County where he enjoys working in his greenhouse & raising & selling everything from watermelons & cantaloupes to sweet corn, green beans & tomatoes in the summer. “There is just something about working in the soil-it brings a certain peace & satisfaction that is hard to equal. I will always have gardening & agriculture in my blood,” he explains.

Vinton Visit

Students at Vinton Elementary School are ready for spring and want warmer weather. I spoke with third grade classes at Vinton today about my job as a news reporter. They also enjoyed reading a newscast filled with fun news. The stories included information about a visit from Jeff Gordon, the star of iCarly, and the Governor giving the school a grant for an indoor swimming pool. The children were great. Thanks for the handshakes and hugs!

Prangley's News

WLFI's chief meteorologist Mike Prangley will soon be leaving the station after ten years of excellent weather reporting. Mike's last day will be May 1. He is moving to Florida to allow his wife to pursue a career advancement.

"This is an unexpected move," said Prangley, "I couldn't have asked for a better TV station to work for over the last 10 years. But, this is a great opportunity for my family."
Many at the station will miss Mike Prangley's positive presence and great work.
"We will miss Mike's passion for forecasting and making our community a better place. He has worked around the clock to keep us alert and safe. Also, Mike has volunteered many hours for community events and school talks," said Chris Morisse, WLFI's news director.
WLFI is in the process of interviewing qualified broadcast meteorologists to replace Mike Prangley.

Mike has been like a brother to me. We have been through so much through the years we have worked together. Mike has done so much in the community, including the MDA telethon, Habitat for Humanity Building, March of Dimes walk, school visits and more. We'll talk more about Mike's departure when it gets closer to his last day.

Recycle old cell phones

What can you do with an old cell phone? Recycle it! WLFI and Cellular Express are collecting outdated cell phones. I didn't realize this, but the circuit boards in cell phones contain many toxins that can be very harmful to the environment.
Several people brought in phones to be recycled at the Cellular Express office on State Road 38 East on Saturday.
President George Owens told us for this particular program, they are sending the phones into a company called Pace Butler. They will go through and evaluate the phones and they'll cut a check to the Miller Association for Parents for Miller School and that will help fund convocations and field trips and teacher supplemental needs.
If you missed the event on Saturday and have a few phones you'd like to get rid of, drop them off Cellular Express.

Murdock Visit

I want to thank the third grade students at Murdock Elementary School for having me visit their classrooms today. Donna Maloy from Learning For Life asked me to speak to the children about careers in broadcasting. Some of the students had an opportunity to present the news to the class. The headlines included money from the Governor for a swimming pool and a visit from race car driver Jeff Gordon. Our pseudo newscast also included a forecast calling for 10 inches of snow. But, I think the kids are ready for warmer weather!

More flooding concerns

When highway crews declare a road is closed, there's a good reason. That's what some drivers discovered along State Road 43 (North River Road) this week. The driver went around the barricades and ended up stranded in flood waters. Guadelupe Martinez, of Hammond, had to be rescued. Then, he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driver. Late yesterday, Calvin Woods from West Lafayette, was driving to his job when police say he drove around the sign, tried to stop when he saw the water, but ended up sliding in. Woods was ticketed for disregarding the signs.
We will constantly update viewers on the river levels and flooding conditions. This morning I drove by the Granville Bridge. Although there was a little water on the road, highway crews were re-opening it. Be careful out there. There are still many other roads that are closed or have water on them.

Flooding

This part of the state is experiencing some of the worst flooding since January 2008. Hundreds of homes are impacted by the high water. We have an aerial view of the flooded areas around the Oakdale and Norway dams. (thanks to our sister station, WISH-TV). We have crews in different areas including Buffalo, Remington, Carroll County and northern Tippecanoe County.

Our hearts go out to the many people who have spent the past year rebuilding after the floods in 2008. The owners of the Riverside Restaurant in Monticello were flooded twice last year. There is water now up the building's front door.

Reading Carnival

A cold, windy Sunday turned out to be a perfect day to be inside for the Purdue Mortar Board's first ever Reading Carnival. Members had the youngsters laughing and playing games before the program began in Tarkington Hall. Then, I had them gather around a chair to listen to 'Sneetches.' Then, I got them moving again while reading the 'Foot Book.'

The program also included tales from Doyne Carson from the Storytellers' guild and visitors from the Columbian Park Zoo.

Purdue's Mortar Board sponsored the event to collect books and raise donations to benefit foster children through the Books for Youth initiative. A competition is now underway for all Purdue clubs, fraternities, and sororities. The organization that collects the most books will receive an authentic NFL football, compliments of the Indianapolis Colts, a letter of congratulations, and a visit from the Colts Super Bowl trophy. This year's goal is to collect 12-thousand books from March 9th through April 15th.

Read Across America

Today is Read Across America Day, which helps celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday. Several people were asked to read to students at Woodland Elementary School. Niccole Caan and I read to students in the afternoon. I read my favorite Dr. Seuss book, "Sneetches." I also read "What Was I Scared Of?" The students were quick to understand the message that Dr. Seuss was trying to get across to his readers--that people should not treat others differently if they look different. The children asked lots of good questions. I told them my favorite music was country and I've been riding horses since I was five years old. Some of the children insisted on shaking my hand when I told them the most famous person I met was Barack Obama.