Bee Sting Free

So occasionally, reporters do stories involving bees, which often requires getting up close and personal with a hive of bees. Otherwise, it is kind of difficult to put together a story about bees (for tv) if there aren't any bees.
Today, it was my turn. An Abilene family keeps having a bee problem outside their home, and it's gotten so bad that the bees even started getting inside. They contacted me in hopes of talking about their mistakes, trying to get rid of the bees (that so many people make-as would I) and how a bee keeper is the only way to take care of a bee infestation.
Of course, when the beekeeper and myself showed up the home in South Abilene, the bees were gone. The family says within 45 minutes, a swarm of thousands were buzzing outside their home (and then like that they were gone). I learned from the bee keeper today, that this is the business of bees. They travel from hive to hive and that they are very territorial, hence why they sting. The stinging only comes as a result when the insects feel that their Queen is threatened. Visting with an Abilene bee keeper, I learned a lot about the nature of bees. It's pretty fascinating...even the family with the infested home, thinks so.
As the bee keeper is about to leave the house to go on another bee call, he notices in the distance (across the street) the enormous hive. He pointed it out to us and said it was the same swarm at the Abilene residence. So over to the hive we went. I tried to keep my safe distance because as much as I am all for good video, I wasn't looking forward to getting stung.
Fortunately, the bee keeper, Melvin Williams was generous enough to get right up to the hive with my video camera to show you the bees hard at work. Then he returned my camera, and got to work. I can tell you this much, I do not envy the responsibilities of a bee keeper. Truthfully, I was in awe of how brave he was (and how unconcerned he was about getting stung). Within moments, he captured the majority of the hive, which included the Queen...packing it in his container to take back to his place of observation. The remaining thousands of bees went everywhere, even circled around my head and another nearby man. This man helped swat the bee from my head, which then attracted the bee to him, but fortunately we both got away from the scene sting-free. I guess you'd call that pretty lucky...getting that close to bees.

Role Reversal

What many of you don't get to see is all of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, here at KRBC. For the most part, I don't even get to see it, which is why I decided to learn about it through a little assignment of mine. Morgan Bond and I decided to take on the production booth (as the Director and Audio Operator). KRBC's "real" Director is Ruth Cost (who is awesome) and Audio Operator is Pamela Langford (and she too is awesome). Those two gals decided to give the anchor desk a whirl.


The video you're about to see is silly and not meant to be taken seriously. However, after trying to understand all that Ruth and Pamela do, I can truthfully say I have a new appreciation for their jobs. As you will see in this video, we all did a little bit of acting (to reflect each others identities here at KRBC). The little bit of sass that you see is all in good fun and we really are like one, big, happy family.


Hope you enjoy our sillyness and can kind of get the idea of what it takes to put on a newscast. P.S. I think I'll be sticking to my job as well.

Icecream Truck Comes to KRBC/KTAB

Is our boss cool or what? Every day at 2:30, the News Department meets to discuss the stories of the day and in the middle of the meeting, our boss starts telling us to go outside. And there was the ice cream truck! : ) Talk about a nice surprise.


We just completed Sweeps (rating-time), which means we've been working extremely hard to bring unique and investigative stories to our usual local coverage (not that we don't always work hard), but basically there's a little less time to breath during Sweeps months. Now, we're back to breathing and even eating ice cream!


Apparently, our boss must be proud of us, by treating us all ice cream. Thanks boss. Great surprise.

P.F. Changs in Abilene

P.F. Changs is in Abilene. Okay, maybe not the restaurant...but you can still enjoy a variety of their cuisines here in the Key City. The other day I was grocery shopping at the United on South 14th and in the freezer section of pre-packaged means, the P.F. Changs label caught my eye. I can't recall how many different types of meals they offered, but there were at least a hand full. I bought the Shrimp Lo mein to try and it was delicious (definitely restaurant quality). So for those of you that drive to Fort Worth to go to P.F. Changs, you might be happy to know that you can still enjoy one of their meals and in the comfort of your own home! : ) I'm not sure if the other local supermarkets carry the P.F. Changs brand or not.

Remembering the life of an Abilene Police Officer

Tragedy falls over Abilene today, as an honorable police officer was killed in the line of duty. Officer Rodney Holder was trying to stop a speeder, and was hit by another vehicle, while on his motorcycle.
Officer Holder protected the citizens of Abilene since 1982. Since 2005, he was a part of APD's traffic division, as a motorcycle cop.
Abilene police witness horrific tragedies within their line of work, but we cannot even imagine what it must have been like for Holder's fellow officers to witness one of their own.
Having worked with many Abilene police officers in my career, even other employees from the department, I feel so sorry for the pain they must be feeling. My heart sincerely goes out to the friends, family, and of course the department during this time of grieving.
After talking to several of Holder's fellow officers today, nobody had anything but positive things to say about him.
I'd love to hear from others in the community about the memories they've shared with Officer Rodney Holder.

Vampires in Abilene?

I have to admit I am a little "behind the times" in the Vampire craze, both in the TV series and in the movies. I am talking about "Twilight," "New Moon," and "True Blood."

Unfortunately, I haven't read the Vampire books. I usually love to read things before seeing them on the big screen. But, I figured since I was so behind, I'd skip the books and watch the flicks. After watching, Twilight, I was instantly hooked. The story is so creative and I envy the author for being able to think it all up. Edward is an amazing character, and because of that it was difficult not to be intrigued by him (and to have a somewhat crush on a Vampire character).
There were some creepy parts to the film. Just to name one, when Edward watched her while she was sleeping...I don't know about anyone else, but I wouldn't like anyone watching me sleep.

For you Twilight lovers out there, I am sure you are just as anxious as me for the the third movie to come out. Are you for Bella getting bit by Edward and becoming a Vampire? I am mixed about it. Her family would be devastated, but it would be awful if Edward wasn't able to control his urge and resorted to biting her. I think it would make for a much happier ending if she chose her ending, rather than having it determined for her. And then of course, that brings up the argument of her only being a teenager in High School. And perhaps, the most frustrating part of all, that if they (Edward and Bella) chose to keep things the way that they are...she would one day die and he would go on living forever.

Now to the TV series, "True Blood." These shows were also very creative, but a lot more gruesome, vulgar, and explicit than the Twilight movies. Yet, they still kept my attention. What I love about True Blood is how easy it is to connect with the characters of the town, where everything takes place. It's full of characters that I feel are honest to how people would react if Vampires did exist. I think it is genius how the film writer invented fake blood to tide Vampires over from drinking (ultimately killing humans) for human blood and ultimately allowing the two species to coexist.

While these Vampire stories have proven to be successful, I am most curious what people of the Big Country think of them? Think it's a great way to use our imaginations or silly to think of coexisting with Vampires?

That's Not News!

"That's not news," and "It must be a slow news day," two of my least favorite phrases that I've heard from time to time as a news reporter in Abilene.

The first phrase, "That's not news," makes me laugh because in most circumstances the person that says this is usually hiding something. On several occasions, we'll (as a News Department) get calls in from viewers that are either witnesses, customers, patients, etc. that see or hear something going on in the community. As a journalist, it is my responsibility to check up on it. Granted, in some instances it turns out to be nothing, but in others it can turn out to be a big something.
When we seek out information about something, it is not our goal to shine someone or something in a negative light. We never gain anything from that. It is our job, as Abilene's news to bring viewers information that reflects what is or isn't going on in the Abilene community.

The other one, "It must be a slow news day!" On the outside, it would appear that some newscasts are filled with more crime events, rather then other current events happening around town, whereas some days, there may be little crime reports and more political stories, etc. This is what I love about the News business. You never really know what you're going to get. On most work days, I dig and develop my own stories after talking to my sources here in Abilene, and try to create a story that shows and tells you about it. And then on other days, we have to react to whatever is going on (ie a fire, a riot, or a drug bust).
Back to the phrase,"It must be a slow news day," I have also heard this from people when they don't want a story to be done on whatever it is that is happening or happened. Especially, when people decline to do an interview about it or don't want to give up any information, in my eyes it makes them look guilty. Is there something that they are hiding? People, businesses, and yes (journalists included) make mistakes, but in my mind not owning up to them is the worst.

For the most part, people in Abilene have been more then willing to do interviews or give information, regardless of the circumstance (and I for one, am very appreciative of that). I have found that people tend to be more open and honest here, then other places I have visited. But, with all jobs...there are just some things you come across that bug ya. Don't get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their views and opinions and I respect that. My opinion on "That's not News," is that's not true. If the story is reflective of something happening in Abilene, "It's News." And "It must be a slow news day," well...there really is no such thing. Again, in most cases we really have no control of the stories that happen in Abilene, it is just our job to find them and bring you the facts.