Interview With Senator Seth Harp

April 10, 2009

By David Spunt
Reporter

Over the past decade, many of you watching tonight have come to know him as your state senator.

Seth Harp, the Republican senator from Midland, Georgia announced this week he will not seek re-election.

For all of you Harp fans, don’t worry. He’s not leaving public office. In fact he’s taking a higher profile job with the state.

He tells us he’s running for State Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner, a position currently held by John Oxendine, who is running for governor.

Harp has been involved in politics a lot of his life. He’s been a strong advocate for education while in the senate.

I caught up with him at his office in Columbus this afternoon. Harp plans on kicking off an official campaign within the next week.

He says he needs to get paperwork in order before he “officially” kicks off the campaign.

Impressions from Augusta

April 07, 2009

By Phil Scoggins
Anchor

My first trip to the Masters was in 1975.  I was working for a radio station in Athens, Georgia and several members of the staff were privileged to take in a practice round.  I was astounded by the sheer beauty of the place.  I used to work at Callaway Gardens.  Augusta National reminded me of spring at Callaway when the azaleas are at their peak.  The course was like a lush carpet, and I’m not just referring to the greens.  It would be neat to walk the course barefooted. Besides the beauty I was also struck by the abilities of the professional golfers.  I had never seen professional golf before except on TV.  Their accuracy was pin-high deadly. 
    Thirty-four years later my earliest impressions of Augusta National were reaffirmed.  Nature’s beauty had simply matured.  The harsh winds were the only distraction.  I accompanied Sports Director Shawn Skillman.  We both took a camera and tripod and set out to conquer the course with our videotapes.  Over the course of the day we were able to interview five former Masters champions:  Ian Woosnam, Fuzzy Zoeller, Mike Weir, Larry Mize and defending champion Trevor Immelman.  All were gracious to grant us an interview which made our jobs so much easier. 

    No Masters would be complete without a Tiger Woods moment.  I was standing outside the players’ locker room when a sportscaster standing beside me hollered to his cameraman to aim at the exit door.  Tiger was coming out.  I grabbed my camera and followed him to the practice green which was suddenly engulfed in a mass of humanity.  I carved out a shooting space over a lady’s shoulder and rolled on Tiger’s initial practice strokes.  He started by using one hand on the putter and hitting golf balls into the cup from about five feet away.  Maybe I need to try that. 
    As a videographer you are always keeping a keen eye out for special moments that you’re lucky enough to capture on tape.  One such moment happened near the first tee.  A little girl about two years old with curly, long blond hair had a child’s putter and was running in circles around a post holding the gallery rope.  She was oblivious to what was going on around her, and she was giggling like a caddy who’s golfer had just made an eagle.  She was precious!  Can you tell I have a granddaughter? 

    Another memorable moment happened while I was trudging up the 17th fairway chasing Larry Mize, the 1987 Masters champion from Columbus.  I heard someone call out, “Hey Phil, need some help?“  It was Mark Immelman, the golf coach at Columbus State University.  He offered to carry my tripod for me.  At that point in the day my shoulders were most grateful.  He told me he had been working with Larry on his swing over the last year which was a nice tidbit of sports news I did not know.  Mark stuck with me all the way to the clubhouse.  He not only knows how to give you advice on your golf grip.  He makes a good grip (that’s what we in the business call someone who helps us tote our gear). 
    Another impression that sticks with you about Augusta National is the sudden, animated roar from the gallery that echoes out of the pines around the 16th green.  As is tradition on practice day, the golfers hit their tee shots on 16, then move down to the edge of the pond and thrill the crowd skipping golf balls across the water onto the green.  I heard several of these roars while conducting interviews.  It made me wonder what I had just missed.

    While at the tournament I wanted to do my own reminiscing.  Shawn was kind enough to indulge me.  I went to four different spots on the course and recalled magnificent golf shots that had occurred there over the years.  I started on the 17th green where Jack Nicklaus rolled in a birdie putt in 1986 on his way to winning his sixth green jacket.  Jack thrust his putter into the air in a rare exhibit of emotion when the ball dropped.  That was a classic memory for me.  Then it was over to the 11th green where Larry Mize chipped in to beat Greg Norman in a playoff in 1987.  There hasn’t been a more dramatic shot to win the Masters in my opinion.  The 16th green was the site of one of the most memorable shots in Masters history.  It was Tiger’s remarkable chip shot that was methodically aimed well above the pin.  The ball then followed the contour of the green and made a bee line for the cup, coming to a complete stop on the lip before dramatically tumbling in for a birdie.  My last stop on memory lane was in Amen Corner, hole number 12.  The year was 1980.  Tom Weiskopf put five consecutive balls into Rae’s Creek on his way to a score of 13 on the par 3.
    I am 56 years old.  This morning when I woke up my body was rebelling for all the abuse it took hauling camera gear Monday.  But if given the opportunity to head back to Augusta next April, you can bet I’ll want my name on one of the media credentials (though I’ll probably toss in a tube of Ben Gay).   

In the Field April 6, 2009

April 06, 2009

By Jennifer Serda
Anchor

News 3 is chipping in to raise awareness for autism.

Tiffany Simmons, Kelly O’Connell, David Spunt, and I all served up pancakes this Saturday at the Applebee’s on Airport Thruway for the Muscogee County Autism Support Group.

(Group shot)

The News 3 group woke up bright and early Saturday and for two and a half hours worked in food service for the first time. Kelly and Tiffany served while I manned the coffee pots.

(Kelly and Tiffany waiting for orders)

David was the social butterfly;

(David chatting it up with Reggie Richards)

but did pick up a few plates…

(David at work)

Here are some quick facts about autism according to the Autism Hope Center:
- Autism is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and aids combined
- Autism is four times more likely to be diagnosed in boys than girls
- Autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as one year of age

It was a great experience and opened my eyes to an industry I have never worked in before. I really enjoyed learning what it takes to work in the food industry but happy to be back in the newsroom.

In the Field April 3, 2009

April 03, 2009

By Jennifer Serda
Anchor

Welcome to the WRBL “In the Field Blog!”

This blog is your behind-the-scenes ticket to what we encounter in the field while gathering local news stories for you and what goes on here at the station.

Just to get things started lets go behind the scene after the six o’clock newscast. Typically after the “on air” light goes off there is a post show meeting to talk about the highs and of course lows of a newscast.

(Phil Scoggins, Teresa Whitaker, and Meteorologist Bob Jeswald waiting for the post show meeting to start)

Afterwards we all retreat to our desks to wrap up the day work….

(Ashley Ball speaks with Tim Reid about his story on stolen explosives in Phenix City)

Or in Phil’s case figure out what’s for dinner!

(Phil on the phone with family figuring out the dinner menu)