Last year, KNX thinned their ranks. Hard hit were the street reporters. Long time Inland Empire voice Myrna Roberts, Todd Leitz,
Vitas Safronicas and others were let go. And days later, KNX spots would say "With more reporters in the air, and on the ground,
this is KNX newsradio!" Well guess what. Within weeks, the massive wildfires struck. All day and into the night, they relied on ONE
on the scene reporter-newbie Claudia Peschiutta. But the best part was "reports" from listeners on cellphones. Including a High Schooler
talking about evacuating... Caught short-handed, KNX used some on air talent in the field, and even called in contract reporter from San
Diego, Tom Reopelle. As of now, however, they are back up to strength with 9 reporters.
Easter Sunday earthquake- went outside and checked the house for damage. Tuned in our EAS station KOGO. After learning the quake was
from Mexicali area, I tuned in 850, 940, 990, and 1050-all were off the air. Stations with no quake news-KECR,KFMB,KCBQ,KNSN,KLSD.
Back to KOGO. Working from home Cliff Albert was on the air until Yuhas arrived. KOGO, did the same as KNX- using its listeners as "reporters"
with some info from the USGS website. Yuhas was clearly not up to the task. Halting words, constantly apologizing, he was outclassed
by some callers on-air presence. Phil Farrar unavailable for medical reasons, was AWOL. Some local info from Monica Zech and Maurice Luque(?)
helped.
What's the reason I'm bringing this up? KOGO , our EAS station, had virtually NO qualified staff available to handle emergencies, especially
that weekend. If Cliff would have been out of town, what would we have had for news? Yuhas and a board operator are all Clear Channel
have on duty?? San Diego deserves better.
Big121
Vitas Safronicas and others were let go. And days later, KNX spots would say "With more reporters in the air, and on the ground,
this is KNX newsradio!" Well guess what. Within weeks, the massive wildfires struck. All day and into the night, they relied on ONE
on the scene reporter-newbie Claudia Peschiutta. But the best part was "reports" from listeners on cellphones. Including a High Schooler
talking about evacuating... Caught short-handed, KNX used some on air talent in the field, and even called in contract reporter from San
Diego, Tom Reopelle. As of now, however, they are back up to strength with 9 reporters.
Easter Sunday earthquake- went outside and checked the house for damage. Tuned in our EAS station KOGO. After learning the quake was
from Mexicali area, I tuned in 850, 940, 990, and 1050-all were off the air. Stations with no quake news-KECR,KFMB,KCBQ,KNSN,KLSD.
Back to KOGO. Working from home Cliff Albert was on the air until Yuhas arrived. KOGO, did the same as KNX- using its listeners as "reporters"
with some info from the USGS website. Yuhas was clearly not up to the task. Halting words, constantly apologizing, he was outclassed
by some callers on-air presence. Phil Farrar unavailable for medical reasons, was AWOL. Some local info from Monica Zech and Maurice Luque(?)
helped.
What's the reason I'm bringing this up? KOGO , our EAS station, had virtually NO qualified staff available to handle emergencies, especially
that weekend. If Cliff would have been out of town, what would we have had for news? Yuhas and a board operator are all Clear Channel
have on duty?? San Diego deserves better.
Big121
