TWG client and former Columbia reporter Jerrita Patterson back in the mix

Photo Credit: Jerrita Patterson/Facebook

Congratulations to reporter Jerrita Patterson on her move to Huntsville, Alabama!  "When one door closes, another door opens," said Patterson of her new opportunity.  She joined the WHNT News 19 team on September 27, 2010 after spending two years at WACH FOX News in Columbia, South Carolina.

Distracted Driving on the Job

Photo: Ed Brown

I received a Tweet this afternoon from Consumer Reports about the 2010 Distracted Driving Summit taking place in Washington D.C. involving government leaders, industry executives and safety experts.  Their goal, according to Consumer Reports, is to develop policies designed to limit dangerous distractions.

I don't think anyone would disagree that distracted driving is not just dangerous, it's deadly.  The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that distracted driving resulted in more than 5,400 deaths and 448,000 injuries.  If that's not the slap in the face we all need to put the cell phones, PDAs, mascara brushes and hair combs away while rolling down while rushing off to work, school or wherever, I don't know what it will take.  And, I say that knowing-- full well-- that I am guilty of doing everything from trying to pull something out of the rear console or eating, to talking on the phone or texting all while driving.  I know, I know--- STUPID!  I need to sign that pledge Oprah promotes.

Covering Funerals: What's Appropriate

The caskets of Devean Duley and Ja'van Duley arrive for funeral services in Orangeburg, SC.
(Photo Credit: Mary Ann Chastain/The Associated Press)

I received a phone call on Thursday from a television reporter in Columbia, South Carolina who wanted to ask my opinion on using some pictures that her videographer shot during their assignment. They were covering the visitation for Devean and Ja’van Duley, two toddlers allegedly killed by their mother and disposed of in the Edisto River in Orangeburg County.

The reporter informed me that they had video of the boys in their caksets while family members and others paid respects at the funeral home. Some of the video clearly showed the boys from various angles, some of them being close-up shots. The reporter’s question was, “would it be appropriate to use the video?”