This is not going to become a blog full of daily, lengthy defenses/explanations of our work at NewsChannel 21. But while I sit here with police scanner up, trying to help the night crew figure out just what’s going on in a pursuit/search/?? out Pronghorn/Powell Butte Highway way, it seems like a good time to state a few things “for the record.”
1. We, as did other media, offered extensive coverage of an unusual, tragic sequence of events in which a star Culver athlete ran from police at a Bend traffic stop and somehow suffered fatal injuries.
It was suggested we were calling him a hero when he set a bad example. I weighed in there, I’ll weigh in here. To some extent, this reminds me of the Tyler Eklund incident last year, when we didn’t lead the attention on that young man, we simply followed an emotional outpouring from the community. When hundreds show up at an impromptu candlelight vigil at the Culver High football stadium, something has struck a major-league nerve. Rumors are flying. We won’t report them, and will delete comment postings with them as soon as we can. Everyone has enough pain up there to need any more inflicted by those who abuse the anonymity.
To separate the way this young man lived from how he died is difficult, but must be done, no matter what the cause of death is found to be. The more that young people can be reminded that even the best among them make bad choices – and a single bad choice can lead to tragedy – the more the danger of further tragedies is lessened.
We will go wherever this story goes, painful as it may be, and are very thankful for a remarkably honest set of information and heartfelt revelations by coaches and family. It’s not an easy time to be on camera and share your deepest emotions. How could we not pay attention? How can anyone watch and not be moved?
2. We’re beta testing some new things at KTVZ.COM, and it always reminds me of the frustration of not being able to solve everyone’s technical problems. We’re working to fix the small typesize and other usability matters. Your patience is appreciated, input welcomed and venting – well, if you must.;-)
3. Some kindly point out typos – others have gone so far as to question our commitment to our craft. I pulled my hair out the other day when I realized that the spell-check that’s done when I finish and post an article only checks the headlines and captions! I have to run a manual, “click the icon” spell-check for the story itself to be checked! So from now on, I will, of course, and you’ll see fewer typos. I hope…;-)
Leave it to Barney 
Who called him a hero? A friend? Family member? Or KTVZ?
And why? Did he save some kids from a burning building or push an old lady out of the way of an oncoming car or something? Why was he called a hero?
I’m not questioning, just curious, because I didn’t read any of the stories on him or the comments on the stories.
Busy on breaking news or I’d answer longer – no, for being a strong role model, apparently – up until the sequence that took his life. Please go to KTVZ.COM and read the story, it’s still out front (but sliding down the home page due to newer news).
Some people don’t do “heroic things” to be called heroes. They just are someone lots of their teen friends look up to. Everyone has their own definition.
Having nothing to do with your story… but I had to laugh a little that one of the “possible related story” is “In praise of the younger man ..or.. am I a pervert?”. I just can’t answer that for ya Barney. 🙂
On a related note, you guys actually do a pretty good job. You’ll never make everyone happy so just make most people happy and consider it a job well done.
That darn ‘possible related story’ thing has some folks mad at Word Press. Oh well, what good does that do?;-)
NICE TO MEET YOU!!!