'We still have a dream'
Today was my last day at the Press. It was such a great experience and I learned so much. I can't imagine a better way to start my professional career as a reporter.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Two front-pagers in one day!
Maple Leaf turns colors at last
I'd like to comment that I do have her on my recorder stating that "something as simple as a DUI can send you back and you lose your whole life."
Cd'A hits the lanes
My last day is Friday, I can't believe I'm almost done...
I'd like to comment that I do have her on my recorder stating that "something as simple as a DUI can send you back and you lose your whole life."
Cd'A hits the lanes
My last day is Friday, I can't believe I'm almost done...
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Article and column
Idaho housing starts
Column printed on Saturday:
Move brings life lessons
By AMANDA WINTERS
I’ve learned many things since moving to Coeur d’Alene this June. I’ve learned that I bounce around like popcorn every time I hear a gun go off. I’ve learned new terminology like “Idabillie” and “Calibagger.” I’ve learned to never leave my iPod on the passenger seat of my car on a hot day (it died). But the most important thing I’ve learned stems from a late-afternoon drive my boyfriend and I took last Friday.
We decided to take the White Pines Scenic Byway and loop back to Coeur d’Alene. The weather was pleasant, warm and mostly sunny, but after we drove through St. Maries it all changed.
Suddenly the sky looked angry and ugly. Wind started to pick up and that’s when it started: My first major lightning storm.
As a native of northwest Washington, I’ve seen lightning storms before, but nothing like that. Ours consist of 30 minutes of rain, loud thunder and an occasional strike of lightning.
We continued toward the storm. Since the wind was blowing strong, I thought we could drive through the storm easily and avoid it following us if we were to turn around. I thought wrong.
At one point, it occurred to us that the car was made out of metal, which is a conductor of electricity, and maybe we shouldn’t be in it. I later read an online article by Air Force Meteorologist William P. Roeder, that metal cars are actually safe to be in as long as you keep the windows rolled up and don’t mess with electronic equipment.
We didn’t know that, so we pulled off the road in the middle of an empty field with a lonely tree standing nearby. I later read, in the same article, that empty fields and lonely trees are to be avoided at all costs.
After the rain started pouring down on us, we pressed on. As we drove, I could see the air turn blue with the electricity of the lightning strikes.
Nearing Potlatch, I thought it was over. There hadn’t been lightning for a few miles and the rain stopped. Once we started up U.S. 95 it began again. Lightning was everywhere, constantly. I’d never seen anything like it before. It was exhilarating and terrifying.
Then we almost ran out of gas. The National Ag Safety Database states gas lines should be avoided during a lightning storm. Again, we had no idea so he filled up the car in Plummer as I stood outside and took video of the storm.
North of Plummer the rain started. It was so heavy the road wasn’t visible at times, and the lightning was blinding on top of that so driving was nearly impossible. I finally put my face in my hands, unable to watch anymore.
We made it home safe at last, I rushed into the house, straight to my computer, where I looked up lightning safety. Then I learned I had done everything wrong and was continuing to disobey the rules by being on the computer (during a lightning storm all electronics should be unplugged).
From that experience, I learned to always check the weather before going out and to do the opposite of what I did if I ever again find myself trapped in a never-ending lightning storm.
Column printed on Saturday:
Move brings life lessons
By AMANDA WINTERS
I’ve learned many things since moving to Coeur d’Alene this June. I’ve learned that I bounce around like popcorn every time I hear a gun go off. I’ve learned new terminology like “Idabillie” and “Calibagger.” I’ve learned to never leave my iPod on the passenger seat of my car on a hot day (it died). But the most important thing I’ve learned stems from a late-afternoon drive my boyfriend and I took last Friday.
We decided to take the White Pines Scenic Byway and loop back to Coeur d’Alene. The weather was pleasant, warm and mostly sunny, but after we drove through St. Maries it all changed.
Suddenly the sky looked angry and ugly. Wind started to pick up and that’s when it started: My first major lightning storm.
As a native of northwest Washington, I’ve seen lightning storms before, but nothing like that. Ours consist of 30 minutes of rain, loud thunder and an occasional strike of lightning.
We continued toward the storm. Since the wind was blowing strong, I thought we could drive through the storm easily and avoid it following us if we were to turn around. I thought wrong.
At one point, it occurred to us that the car was made out of metal, which is a conductor of electricity, and maybe we shouldn’t be in it. I later read an online article by Air Force Meteorologist William P. Roeder, that metal cars are actually safe to be in as long as you keep the windows rolled up and don’t mess with electronic equipment.
We didn’t know that, so we pulled off the road in the middle of an empty field with a lonely tree standing nearby. I later read, in the same article, that empty fields and lonely trees are to be avoided at all costs.
After the rain started pouring down on us, we pressed on. As we drove, I could see the air turn blue with the electricity of the lightning strikes.
Nearing Potlatch, I thought it was over. There hadn’t been lightning for a few miles and the rain stopped. Once we started up U.S. 95 it began again. Lightning was everywhere, constantly. I’d never seen anything like it before. It was exhilarating and terrifying.
Then we almost ran out of gas. The National Ag Safety Database states gas lines should be avoided during a lightning storm. Again, we had no idea so he filled up the car in Plummer as I stood outside and took video of the storm.
North of Plummer the rain started. It was so heavy the road wasn’t visible at times, and the lightning was blinding on top of that so driving was nearly impossible. I finally put my face in my hands, unable to watch anymore.
We made it home safe at last, I rushed into the house, straight to my computer, where I looked up lightning safety. Then I learned I had done everything wrong and was continuing to disobey the rules by being on the computer (during a lightning storm all electronics should be unplugged).
From that experience, I learned to always check the weather before going out and to do the opposite of what I did if I ever again find myself trapped in a never-ending lightning storm.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Two new articles
One-man mansion
In pursuit of organic farming
In reference to the comment made by Rachael Jensen stating that they were not going to house teenage foster kids but were instead going to organize a program for low-income high school juniors, I understood from the interview that they intended to do both.
In pursuit of organic farming
In reference to the comment made by Rachael Jensen stating that they were not going to house teenage foster kids but were instead going to organize a program for low-income high school juniors, I understood from the interview that they intended to do both.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Another first
Friends, family say goodbye to Felton
This was the first funeral I've ever covered and the first article I've written about somebody who died. I know what a sympathetic and sentimental person I am, which made me worry about whether or not I'd be able to hold up. There were moments (specifically during the soundslide show, those always get me) where I teared up and had to remind myself to be professional. I really wanted the article to portray the love and respect these people had for Felton, and to make him feel real. So many times I've read articles about people who had died and found them to be flat and lifeless.
I was extremely surprised and pleased when the managing editor came to my desk today and told me he thought I did an excellent job on the article. Not only that, but he said that if they had a need for another reporter when I graduate, he would be happy to hire me. I think that was one of the biggest compliments I've ever received.
This was the first funeral I've ever covered and the first article I've written about somebody who died. I know what a sympathetic and sentimental person I am, which made me worry about whether or not I'd be able to hold up. There were moments (specifically during the soundslide show, those always get me) where I teared up and had to remind myself to be professional. I really wanted the article to portray the love and respect these people had for Felton, and to make him feel real. So many times I've read articles about people who had died and found them to be flat and lifeless.
I was extremely surprised and pleased when the managing editor came to my desk today and told me he thought I did an excellent job on the article. Not only that, but he said that if they had a need for another reporter when I graduate, he would be happy to hire me. I think that was one of the biggest compliments I've ever received.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Challenging article
For these military recruiters, it really is about family
This article was difficult to write because I was unsure what angle to take and didn't have a large amount of concise, direct quotes. It was good practice in carving a story.
This article was difficult to write because I was unsure what angle to take and didn't have a large amount of concise, direct quotes. It was good practice in carving a story.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Suicide in Idaho
This story was challenging in that there were so many numbers involved. I had to try and find a way to make it so people's eyes wouldn't glaze over after the first sentence.
I had to largely go off a press release because so many people were on vacation and couldn't be reached for information. I don't like going off press releases because I feel like as a reporter I should be doing my own leg work. Anyway, here it is.
Groups work to reduce suicide
I had to largely go off a press release because so many people were on vacation and couldn't be reached for information. I don't like going off press releases because I feel like as a reporter I should be doing my own leg work. Anyway, here it is.
Groups work to reduce suicide
Friday, August 1, 2008
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