On assignment

Driving Dangerously

It is the Labor Day weekend, time for getting together with family and friends and having a great time.  The long weekend combined with BBQ's and partying sometimes leads to people driving drunk.  I'm amazed at how many people don't decided to grab a cab or have a designated driver.  There are campaigns to stop it and law enforcement out in full force, but as I was driving late at night over the weekend I counted 15 people who were swerving all over the road and speeding past me recklessly or just driving dangerously. It's kind of scary.  So if anyone reads my blog, this isn't another commercial, just a reminder to stay safe, have fun and take a cab.

Tie me in a pretzel, why don’t cha?

A crisp, dry biscuit, usually in the form of a knot or stick. Yep, that's how I felt after my first "power yoga" class...a big knot.

Sometimes I need a little relaxation after an intense week at work. So I joined the American Athletic Club and went to my first yoga class this weekend. I couldn’t wait for something to calm my body and soul.

We started out with some pretty simple moves like the “downward dog” and the “half boat”.  If you’ve taken a yoga class before you probably recognize these terms. For one you’re on your palms and feet, and the other you’re on your back.

Then we moved on to what’s called the “airplane”….It was challenging but nothing too strenuous. At the next level things started getting a little doughy. We had to bend our left leg and balance it on our right quad…I thought okay I can probably do this. But that wasn’t the end of it. We then had to twist to the left and point one arm down and one arm up.

The instructor warned us to stay in the previous pose if we couldn’t do this. I was already shaking at this point so she didn’t have to tell me twice! I stayed right there and figured most everyone else would too.

Nah…A woman in front of me was already twisting. Not only did she twist on one leg but she continued to shift all her body weight on one arm too! How did she do that?

I was so in awe, I asked her after the class. She had been doing yoga for 20 years…

What an inspiration…Theoretically, if I plan far enough ahead, I could be as flexible as her by the time I hit my 40's. But you know? I just don’t think my limbs coil like that…at least not yet. This gives me a goal to shoot for and It would be cool to twist like a pretzel! But for right now I’ll just stick to the ones I can eat!

Tayleigh Davis | Tayleighdavis@wmbfnews.com

Newsbreak!

I love my job, but as anyone in this industry will tell you, it really tires you out.

That's what short trips are for. This weekend, I'll be heading home to see my family in Delaware. I haven't seen most of my family since moving here in May. It's also my pop's 60th birthday, so what better weekend to go home than Labor Day weekend?

I'll have off this Monday, so I'll see you at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm this coming Tuesday. Have a safe holiday weekend. And remember that police are stepping up their DUI checkpoints, so be smart!

Best,

Greg Argos | gargos@wmbfnews.com

Confetti? I’d rather see something really change.

You know what struck me as I watched Obama’s speech last night? The quantity of money wasted. Wasted. I’m a sucker for a good show. I love lights, action, and the works. Don’t get me wrong. I know we, American people, are drawn to big shows. I mean, seriously, drive down 17-Bypass. Look at how over the top our attractions are. I get it.

BUT…big BUT.

When it comes to politics…cut the fat. Is there any need for pyrotechnics? Really? Does that help win a war…help end world hunger…help clean up New Orleans? What about 15,000 tons of confetti? Honestly, spend that campaign money on something like… a flight to Myrtle Beach International and shake my hand. That is what should win votes my friends.  It shouldn’t come to down to some emotional response to really cool fireworks and confetti falling for the sky.

Don’t get me wrong. I also can’t find it in me to respect a politician who spends more money on shoes than I’ve spent on all the clothes in my closet. This silly spending is a problem on both sides.

Want to know my solution?  Shoot straight with me. Don’t fill my hands with posters and flags. Please don't ask me to wear a button. Put some money into something that makes a difference…not that pollutes landfills or cost an alligator his life for your feet.

Rebecca Ryan | rryan@wmbfnews.com

3 weeks of work, but lots of fun!

Today marks the 21st day we've been on the air.  While we've all worked our tails off, bringing you 27 hours of local news a week, I think what makes this newsroom really work from the managers all the way to the part timers (click on pics below) is that we all know when to be serious, but know not to take ourselves too seriously.  Especially my co-anchor Danner Evans and Chief Meteorologist Rob Hatchell.  I'm so lucky to be working alongside such a polished team.  We're very devoted to our work, but we all realize life without a laugh here and there, life well, simply wouldn't be as fulfilling.  We don't often get to show much of our personality on air, because we want to make sure you're getting the news, weather and sports, before any fluff. But if you see us outside of work, please come say hello and tell us what you like or don't like about our coverage. Oh yeah, bring a joke along too, did I mention we like those? :)

 

Letting the Bed Bugs Bite

After working hard all day, I climbed into my bed last night for some much anticipated sleep.  I was so proud that I had managed to get into bed at a decent hour.  I happily set my alarm clock, turned off my lamp, and curled into my comfortable bed.

I was in a deep sleep----when all of a sudden I felt a tingling on my arm.  I opened my eyes, and to my dismay, saw a GIGANTIC roach crawling up my arm towards my face. 

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK" was the noise that came out of my mouth and surely woke my neighbors.

I immediately grabbed my shoe and started swatting.  With each swat of the shoe, I yelled "die" in a chanting like tone.  "Die, die, die, die."  I am not sure from where this impulse came.

One thing I am sure of?   

              Bed Bugs Beware.

Laura Thomas | lthomas@wmbfnews.com

What we're covering August 29, 2008

Good morning from WMBF News.

We've started working on the arrest of 16 people who were former employees of Better Brands. We learned from Assistant Solicitor Jimmy Richardson, II that these folks turned themselves in pending arrest warrants and have been taken to J. Reuben Long Detention Center where they will have a bond hearing this afternoon. We are planning on going to court this afternoon and will have a report coming up starting at 4.

In the Pee Dee this morning, Lindsay Housaman is following a number of stories. We have learned that a 4th person has been arrested in connection with the death of Willie May Hayes. After the body of the 69-year-old Hayes was discovered in Florence County Wednesday morning, police charged a 14-year-old boy, in addition to two other suspects, for her murder. On Thursday, investigators began looking for a second juvenile. According to Florence Police Chief Anson Shells, that boy has been arrested and is in police custody.

Also in the Pee Dee, we've learned of a fight that broke out last night at the football game between Lake City and Wilson. We have very little information at this hour, but we know some folks were taken to the hospital.

In Horry County, police are looking for who shot two people last night at a nightclub last night. Police say two white males were shot in the parking lot of the Dog House Raw Bar and Grill at 9814 N. Kings Hwy. in Myrtle Beach around 3:30 a.m. The suspect fled in a green Chevy Sedan before before police arrived on the scene.

Live Local Late Breaking developments all day on WMBFNews.com and I hope you'll join us at 4.

Kyle

Kyle Grainger | Kgrainger@wmbfnews.com

Another Litter Left

We got a viewer email this evening in the WMBF newsroom.  It's from a guy who found yet another litter of puppies. This time in the woods in Florence.  I'll let you read what he wrote us:

My name is Donny Chandler & I wasn't sure who to contact about this, but I was hoping that maybe you could possibly use this story to help raise awareness for the Florence Area Humane Society. Two weeks ago me & my mother found a litter of 6 puppies that we think are about 2 months old. They had been abandoned/left to die in a wooded area not too far from our home. We were so shocked to find them in such bad condition & to begin with we were thinking we wouldn't be able to catch them all or do anything to help them. It took us about 2 hours in the pouring rain & running through the woods to catch all 6, but were we able finally get them all home. After getting them home, we were able to clean them up, feed them & get them in a warm dry area. It was so upsetting to see how bad them had been treated, but with God's help we were able to get them all back to a good weight & feeling like a puppy should; happy & carefree! I & and my mother are just so happy that we found them & were able to get them back to good health. If I had it my way I would have loved to keep all 6, but that would have been just too much. So against our will we contacted the Florence Area Humane Society & there were able to take all 6 of them. I know that they will be able to care for them a lot better than we could & I'm hoping that they will all find good homes & soon. The Humane Society asks that when they take a animal for adoption that the person who brings the pet in contribute $20 to cover their  shots & de-worming. Me & my mother gave $150 just to make sure that they would be well cared for & to help about with any others as well. As I write this I don't know what was the hardest...catching them, taking care of them or having to let them go today after having them for these past two weeks! I'll be the first to admit that I get attached to animals & it upsets me to see them mistreated, but I'm also happy that we were able to help them. So I just wanted someone there to know what people like me & my mother are willing to do to help save animals. I have enclosed a few pictures of them & I hope your able to see them cause they really are adorable. Thank you for your time & maybe you could use this story to help raise awareness of animal abuse &  show how the Florence Area Humane Society is trying to help animals have a second chance! Donny

I applaud Donny.  Thank you for going the extra mile -- even donating money to the Florence Humane Society to make sure the puppies continue to get taken care of.  I would once again like to appeal to common sense.  If there is an animal you cannot take care of -- be it one or 11 -- drop it off at the area shelter.  Do not leave it or toss it.  It's heartbreaking.  Oh, and if you're looking for a new four legged member of your family -- go check out the puppies Danny and his mother saved.

From AM to PM

Incase anyone's noticed, I've made the switch this week from the morning show to nightside.  I basically went from sleeping during the day and waking up around midnight to go into work...to now going to bed around 2 AM.  It's quite a change for me, a change I'm still adjusting to in more ways than one.  But no matter who gets moved around, all the reporters here are working their butts off (I do mean that) to keep you covered.  So keep watching your LIVE, LOCAL, LATE BREAKING station for all your latest news.

Nikki Gaskins| ngaskins@wmbfnews.com

What we're covering August 28, 2008

Good morning from WMBF News.

Developing news right now out of North Myrtle Beach. Police there say they are investigating a suspicious death.

Police are on Hillside Drive in North Myrtle Beach. Horry County Coroner Robert Edge says he will be performing an autopsy. North Myrtle Beach Public Information Officer Nicole Aiello says the death is suspicious.

Overnight a 3rd Coastal Carolina University football player was arrested, this time charged with DUI. Officials with the North Myrtle Beach Police told WMBF News they arrested Scott Fambrough at 2:30 a.m. Thursday. According to police, officers responded to a black SUV driving erratically. They say Fambrough had a strong smell of alcohol and his eyes were unfocused and his speech was slurred. Live reports and reaction from Coastal tonight starting at 4.

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic Ocean. This is the 8th tropical storm of the Atlantic season and had top sustained winds near 40 mph. The WMBF storm team is tracking the storm's every move and will have the latest forecast track starting at 4 and at the hurricane center on WMBFNews.com.

We hope you'll join us.

Kyle

Kyle Grainger | kgrainger@wmbfnews.com