Rich Mates "retires" from Scranton Times

Terry Bonifanti gives Times reporter Rich Mates a stupid sendoff, one not benefitting such a talented and well-respected reporter. She deserves something just as bad.

Local TV sports guys go to Orange Bowl

Meanwhile, the news budgets shivel and die.... "Jim Coles, Jason Knapp and Sid Michaels will celebrate the new year in a warm, sunny climate." Another sad example of what passes for journalism in the Citizens' Voice.

Judge-elect Munley: being a WYOU talking head got me elected

Out of the judge's mouth: “That was a big reason why I think I got such a big vote for judge,” Thomas Munley said. “I had the identity. Everywhere I went, people knew who I was.”

Ch-ch-changes at WNEP

Lou Abitabilo gets a promotion. Read on:

http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=NYT&script=411&layout=-6&item_id=798624

The New York Times Company Broadcast Media Group Announces Appointments
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 22, 2005--The New York Times Company Broadcast Media Group today announced appointments at two of its properties. The announcement was made by Robert Eoff, president, Broadcast Media Group. The appointments are effective January 1 and include:

Lou Abitabilo, vice president and general sales manager at WNEP in Scranton, Penn., will become the executive vice president and station manager. He will report to Lou Kirchen, president and general manager of WNEP and divisional vice president of the Broadcast Media Group.

[...]

"I'm pleased to recognize the tremendous accomplishments and years of service to our Broadcast Media Group that Lou and Wes have contributed," said Mr. Eoff. "As we extend our broadcast reach they will remain instrumental to the success of our Group."

Mr. Abitabilo joined WNEP in 2001. Previously he worked in multiple television positions in New York City, including director of sales for WNBC, executive vice president at Bohbot Communications, vice president and general sales manger for programming at WNYW/FOX 5, director for national sales at FoxNet, and regional vice president for citysearch.com. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Baruch College in 1972.

Sexy as defined by WNEP's Julie Sidoni

Hey - she's the one who agreed to the interview.


http://www.timesleader.com/mld/weekender/entertainment/13466370.htm

Some like it hot, some are hot
NEPA’s sexiest people tell us what pushes their buttons
The Weekender, Dec. 21, 2005
By Alan K. Stout and Leslie Martin

[...]

Julie Marie Sidoni
Age: 27
Occupation: Anchor/reporter at WNEP-TV
Hometown: St. Marys, Pennsylvania

What, in your opinion, defines sexy, or makes someone sexy?

Confidence, for sure. Everybody has attributes and positives. Knowing what they are and how to be confident about them is definitely sexy. And being able to laugh, not taking yourself too seriously – that ‘s a bigggie. Nobody’s that important in the grand scheme of things.

What do you find unattractive in a person, or un-sexy?

Looks-wise? Sexy to me is a little more clean-cut. I’m not really into guys with hair that’s longer than mine. Personality-wise, un-sexy is someone whose attempt at humor comes at the expense of someone else.

Who do you find sexy?

Pierce Brosnan (no explanation needed there), Sting (the songs alone melt me, but the black leather pants aren’t bad either), Diana Krall (such a beautiful woman and the greatest husky jazz voice ever.)

Times goes "big time" when reporter appears as MSNBC talking head

Is it really newsworthy, in 2005, when someone is interviewed on TV? And what kind of "family friend" goes on national television to talk about his "friend's" family problems?

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2185&dept_id=415898&newsid=15791429

By Terry Bonifanti
The Times-Tribune
Dec. 21, 2005

Monitoring Michael from Electric City

It’s a long way from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch to Scranton, but Times-Tribune staff writer and MSNBC analyst Stacy Brown still manages to keep close tabs on the King of Pop’s trials and tribulations. Stacy, a Jackson family friend and author of “Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask,” shared his insights on the Gloved One’s latest woes with MSNBC viewers Tuesday morning.

Appearing via satellite from NBC affiliate WBRE-TV’s Wilkes-Barre studios, Stacy was asked by MSNBC’s Randy Meier and Amy Robach about a report that Debbie Rowe, Mr. Jackson’s ex-wife, filed legal papers accusing the singer of abducting their two children and taking them to Bahrain.

“Debbie has been all over the map on this. One minute, she wants custody; the next minute, she doesn’t. ... You just don’t know where Debbie’s coming from, from time to time,” he told MSNBC.

Not a minute too soon, the Electric City's Wendy Butler leaves the building

Electric City is awful, and Wendy Butler is a moron. There can be no debate of those two facts for anyone who has ever climbed beyond the mountains the surround Scranton. So read her last bit of self-absorbed tripe before she wastes oxygen and pledge money down the road at WVIA.