On Monday, I joined WAVY anchor/reporter Marielena Balouris for a courtroom sentencing at Portsmouth Judicial Center, just across the street. Due to a late change in the docket time, we missed the actual sentencing in the courtroom, but we were there in time to speak with the defense attorney as she walked out of the building. However, because we didn’t have footage from inside the courtroom, we had to gain some additional perspective on the story. Marielena reached out to the sister of the victim, who was still in the area and agreed to speak with us. It was an important lesson in flexibility as a reporter.
On Wednesday, the region saw more snow fall, but for the most part it only fell in the northern part of the viewing area. I was able to link up with veteran WAVY reporter Andy Fox and photographer Rob Rizzo for what turned out to be an incredible experience.
We arrived in Toano in search of snow, stopping at a gas station to assess the situation and make a gameplan. As soon as we were there, Andy noticed a man who seemed to be down on his luck, holding a sign indicating that he was trying to hitch a ride to Richmond. Andy stopped and talked to him, eventually finding out that his name was Keith and he was a Vietnam War veteran who had fallen on hard times after a bad divorce. Andy sensed a compelling perspective for his midday live shot, and we set up for the interview.
Andy got the basics of Keith’s story in the interview, and then tied that into his own weather reporting on current ground conditions (the snow ended up not accumulating on the roads at all). After his midday live shot, there was a bit of a lull until he was back on at 12:30. Around 12:15 or so, something amazing happened.
A gentleman who lived in the area pulled up to Keith and said that he had been channel-surfing and happened to stop on WAVY-TV 10 during Andy’s interview with Keith. He was touched, and because he happened to be just about to leave for his commute to Richmond, he decided to come by the gas station and pick Keith up.
Andy was understandably shocked and thrilled, and started calling Rob over to get some footage, but the good Samaritan was adamant that he did not want to be filmed or identified. Andy was able to get a quick reaction interview from Keith, which made for a great exchange. Rob got a good shot of the car driving away without giving away any identifying information.
The 12:30 live shot was just minutes away, so Rob quickly sent the footage over, and Andy delivered a great live hit to complete the television moment. It was poignant, emotional, and embodied the mission of 10 On Your Side – caring about the community and helping out the little guy.
