The Pee Dee

The Week Passes By When You're Busy

I must say it has been a very busy few days here in the Pee Dee and at WMBF.

Tuesday I had the opportunity to travel to Marlboro County and meet with the Sheriff's Office there. It was a pleasure meeting with Sheriff Knight and his staff. While in Marlboro County, I also was able to meet some of the people in Bennettsville as they were holding an open vote dealing with the proposed Mega Dump. It's quite the controversy in the county and most people would like to see it NOT come to town, according to the final count of votes.

The day also took me to Darlington County for the run-off election for Sheriff. I've never had the chance to be at an election headquarters as the votes come in, and must say it was a good experience. Wayne Byrd won the primary for Darlington County Sheriff.

Wednesday I spent the better part of the day riding around with the Florence Police Department. The officers there were nice enough to give me a tour of Florence. I learned alot about the different areas of the city, which I never thought were here. It's always good to know ahead of time where things are before you're called out to cover a story there.

Wednesday also took me to Dillon County after an early morning shooting left a five year old with a bullet wound to the face. When I arrived in Dillon, I met with the Sheriff and his team to learn more about what happened. Chief Pernell told me that they had made an arrest in the case earlier that afternoon. I then went out to the apartment complex where it happened and talked with neighbors. They said the boy was expected to be ok, but was still at the hospital and in surgery. My prayers go out to him and his family. Before leaving Dillon County, I went out and collected some video of the club on 501 that burned to the ground just recently. The Dillon County Sheriff's Office along with SLED are still investigating the fire.

As for today, Thursday (which I still think is Wednesday), I traveled to the beach where I met with the staff of WMBF for training. It's always nice to see my co-workers.

And since I'm still full from lunch, it's just my opinion, if you ever make it to the beach, check out Croissants. It's a wonderful restaurant with some mouth-watering deserts.

Lindsay Housaman | lhousaman@wmbfnews.com

BUSY BUSY Monday

It was surely a busy Monday for me. I started off the day saying, "Hey, I'm going to Marlboro County to meet the folks up there." Well I do work in television news which means DON'T MAKE PLANS, THEY'LL GET CHANGED. And they did.

First I went down to our local bus station because they will be running a new route from Florence to Myrtle Beach. I wanted to know when this would begin, and it's tomorrow at 11am. You'll be able to find me there getting all the video of the first passengers to take the ride from Florence to the Beach.

Then after that I was a little hungry, so decided it was an early lunch for me. Nope!

A fire was blazing in the Patriot Place Apartments, which are located by Francis Marion University. So I jumped in my car (Ted the Tic Tac) and got to the scene as the firemen were extinguishing the flames. And it just happened that I also followed a Sheriff's Deputy into the complex. So an investigation was about to begin. According to the Sheriff's Office there was more than a fire that occurred in that home, but a stabbing as well. The suspect in the stabbing and possibly the fire ended up in Kershaw County, but Florence County Deputies were on the trail and are headed up there right now to arrest him and bring him back.

There are a few sad things in this story, but what really hits home, is that there were two children involved. Can you only imagine being under the ages of seven years old and possibly witnessing your mom getting stabbed and then a fire in your home. My heart goes out to the victim and her children.

The rest of my afternoon involved calling what felt like everyone in Darlington, Florence, and Marlboro Counties. Well, not really everyone. But I have set my day up for tomorrow and it's going to be a long one. I will be in all the counties listed above tomorrow.

The morning will begin at the bus station in Florence and the departure of a bus at 11am headed to the beach for the first time. Then I'll hop up to Marlboro County where I will meet with Sheriff Knight and his staff. From there I'll head to some polls to see what's going on with a hot subject, the proposed mega dump. After a few hours in Marlboro County it's back to Florence where I'll meet and greet with the Florence Police Department. My last trip of the day will be on US-52 to Darlington. Darlington County will be at the polls voting and the question will be, who's the next sheriff? It's a lot but I can do it.

You can rely on WMBF and myself to bring you all the live, local and late breaking news from the Pee Dee.

PS... If you see me driving by WAVE and say HI!

Lindsay Housaman | lhousaman@wmbfnews.com

A New Home for Shelter Animals

Let me begin with telling you what a HUGE animal lover I am, that is if you haven't noticed already in my biography. Growing up, my family and I have always headed to the shelter to look for future pets, which is where I found my two current kitties. So you can imagine I am a supporter for anything we can do to give them better living conditions until they find homes.

Friday the Florence County Animal Shelter, along with county council, and citizens held a ground breaking ceremony for a new facility that will provide more for dogs and cats. Over the last year more than eight thousand dogs and cats have come through the Florence County Animal Shelter. That number is more than double the number five years ago. With more than one hundred animals filtering through each week, there is a huge need for more cages and pins. But it's not just the added space needed. The animals right now don't have air conditioning or heating, but in about eight or ten months they will. The expansion doesn't stop there. The new shelter will even have a surgery room where the animals will be able to get spayed and neutered, which will help control population.

My two cents... think about adoption for your next pet.

The day also took me to Redbone Alley for lunch with Florence County Sheriff Kenny Boone and Janis Munnerlyn with Crime Stoppers. The restaurant was awesome and the company was even better. It is always great to learn more about the actions taken to eliminate crime in the Pee Dee.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Lindsay Housaman | lhousaman@wmbfnews.com

A Busy Day in Florence

Hello. Hello. I must say 'Hump Day' seems like Monday with everything I've had to do today.

The morning began a little before 9am. I was getting everything in order with what I wanted to get accomplished for the day before calling in for the morning meeting with the rest of the news crew at WMBF. I tell you, my list of things took up two pages of a legal pad.

A huge topic right now in Florence is who's going to be Mayor; and since I hadn't talked to the two candidates in a few days I decided to give them a jingle. Both talked about going to Columbia this weekend to meet in front of the Democratic Party at their headquarters. This after Mayor Frank Willis protested the current election situation. Stephen Wukela says he feels very good about our chances of upholding the election results. These results place him just one vote ahead of Willis. As Stephen Wukela and I continued talking he told me that lots of people have called him and said, Wukela, we were that one vote. He agrees because every single vote counts and can make a difference. As for Mayor Frank Willis, he is very hopeful the democratic party will see fit to rule in our favor Saturday and approve a re-vote. Willis also told me that he wants people to know, "Don't ever not vote. Don't ever think your vote doesn't count." He says that he's had citizens come up to him and say Mr. Willis I didn't vote and had no idea that the election would end up this close. Peoples votes do count.

The rest of my morning I spent playing on the editing system getting all my file video together that's already been shot. I also spent a good amount of time on the phone scheduling interviews.

Not to forget I got a surprise today. Sheriff Boone stopped by to say 'Hello' and chat about upcoming events. You know you never expect the Sheriff to walk through the door of your office, unannounced, for anything that could possibly be good. I didn't think about that until later, but never-the-less I'm a well behaved, hard working citizen, so why would I need to worry. A little humor on this 'Hump Day'.

AND DID YOU FEEL THE OUTDOORS TODAY FLORENCE?? It was AWESOME. The temperature cooled down. Something that excites me. It's hard to be all dressed up, hair done, and make-up perfect in the heat. It doesn't stay that way long. Hopefully the temperatures will just keep cool and we'll be in for a great summer.

Remember the station for all your live, local and late breaking news is WMBF!

Lindsay Housaman | lhousaman@wmbfnews.com

A Day of Training

Monday mornings are usually dreaded and the countdown begins to the weekend. This isn't the case for me.

I spent the day at the WMBF station in Myrtle Beach learning the ins and outs of the editing system we use to put together all the video viewers will see in a newscast. I might sound like a nerd saying this but, I find learning the short-cuts and how an editing program works interesting.

I have my minor in art, which is an odd minor for a Broadcast Journalism major, but I find it very helpful with how I approach my job. It helps me to look at things differently. For example, when shooting video I always think of how a different angle or lighting can change a shot and make it more fun and interesting for the viewer. But it doesn't stop there. Once I get on the computer to edit my work, I will again think of how a certain edit between shots, or transition can help tell the story better. Not to forget that I love computers and editing programs; hence the reason I enjoy learning more about the software systems.

Tuesday will entitle another day of training, but it will be a day of learning all the cool things like funky edits, sounds etc.

Well that's a little bit about what's going on with me and WMBF. I am excited to be polishing my skills so I can get the viewers of the Pee Dee the best news and material, but I will be excited come Wednesday to be able to get back on the streets of the Pee Dee finding out all the latest information and news, and meeting new faces.

To see how WMBF is getting ready and counting down to the launch on 8-8-08 log onto www.wmbfnews.com.

Lindsay Housaman | lhousaman@wmbfnews.com

The Roads of Florence Cty and Where They Lead

If you were out and about on the roads in Florence County today you might have seen me pass you once or twice. I hit the roads to meet and greet with the different towns and cities in Florence County.

My first stop, after getting lost in the middle of no-where South Carolina, was Lake City. While there, I visited with the Chamber of Commerce, Lake City Police Department, Lake City Fire Department and others who work for the city. I must say I had a warm welcome and want to say thank you for it.

My travels also took me to the town of Olanta, where I met two of the three men who patrol the streets of the town. It might be a small town with a small police department, but from what I gather, the men are always busy at work.

Once closer to Florence I took a quick stop in Timmonsville.

It was a day of driving, meeting new faces, and collecting file video.

That's one great thing about my job, you never know what each day may bring.

And not to forget the water-cooler subject today in Florence, the voting results in the race for mayor. Wukela just squeaked by Mayor Willis in the primary elections Monday. This race may just be the closest right now in our state, but definitely our region. Tomorrow the Florence County Elections Commission will meet to discuss what's next in figuring out if a possible re-count is necessary.

As always you can contact me at lhousaman@wmbfnews.com, and don't forget to visit www.wmbfnews.com for the latest on our launch. 

Lindsay Housaman | lhousaman@wmbfnews.com

Meeting the People of Florence

The weekend is drawing near. Happy Friday to all.

Just wanted to let everyone in on yesterday and what the plans are for today.

Thursday I had the opportunity, alongside WMBF GM, Ted Fortenberry, to meet the members of the Rotary Club of Florence West. Ted introduced our station giving some background information about the Florence-Myrtle Beach Market, talked about the building process, the new talent for the station, goals, and the list goes on. And hey, I even learned a few new things in the process. I must say, "Thank you" to all the members who gave us such a warm welcome.

Thursday also included a trip to Effingham to meet and greet with the Florence County Sheriff's Office. As a news reporter it's always important to have a great relationship with those in law enforcement. And I must say I had a wonderful time meeting Sheriff Boone and his staff.

As for today, Friday, I will be back out on the streets of Florence meeting more faces in my community, which will include the West Florence Fire Department.

Well again if you have any questions, comments, ideas you would like to share please email me at lhousaman@wmbfnews.com. Also don't forget all the latest on our launch can be found at www.wmbfnews.com.

Lindsay Housaman | lhousaman@wmbfnews.com

Hello Florence, Let Me Introduce Myself...

Hello Florence and surrounding cities and towns. I would like to take this time to introduce myself. My name is Lindsay Housaman and I am the new "news person" in town. I am proud to say I will be reporting for WMBF-TV right here in Florence.

After growing up in the Lowcountry and attending the University of South Carolina, I decided to head out to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. I was a News Reporter in Grand Junction, CO before returning back to the South and to the Pee Dee. I must say the memories and way of life here in the South never gets out of your blood.

I am really excited to be here and to meet all the people of this area. As a reporter I say, "Everyone has a story, and I'm here to tell it." So please feel free to send me an email anytime with any thoughts you may have. My email address is lhousaman@wmbfnews.com. And don't forget to check out the station website at www.wmbfnews.com for all the latest on our much anticipated launch.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Lindsay Housaman | lhousaman@wmbfnews.com