Oregon Media Insiders

Remember Melissa Mills? What ever happened to her? I heard a few stories that she is in charge of the winery in Gaston over in Yamhill County? Is that true?

and Dan Christopher? What happened to him?

I didn't see it myself, but at ifish.net Bill Monroe is reporting that KATU killed Grant McOmie's sendoff piece:

It was, as I understand it, a four-minute complilation of his 22 years of stories and memories meant to wrap up his presence there. ...

[W]ord from above was that it was "not approved content." or something like that.

More at Monroe's OLive blog:

McOmie said once again he's puzzled, since the news is out and the station has taken flak from all sides since the announcement last week.

"It wasn't anything controversial at all," he said. "Just 22 years of good memories boiled into a few minutes to say goodbye."

To his credit, McOmie turned down a fishing trip in the morning because he's working with a station photographer on one last assignment that he told them he would produce.

He's not very optimistic, though, that it will air either. His last day is Wednesday.

"I think in their eyes I'm done," he said. "I promised them I'd do it and I will...I can't wait for Thursday to get here. I'm all done being sad and baffled. Just looking forward to Thursday."

*shaking head* This business.

I got this in email:

I didn't do the photo hack, and as it happens, I'm watching KATU right this minute. But I think there are a few pissed-off people out there...

WWeek is reporting that KATU sports gal Katy Brown is in talks with Rose City Radio to do a sports show on 95.5. We've heard rumors of Jammin' flipping to sports for a while now. If these new rumors are true, Brown would be paired with former KFXX guy and Columbian sportswriter Ken Vance:

Neither would confirm they’re doing the new show, but neither denied it. “KATU is the only place I’m employed right now,” Brown says. Vance, now a reporter at The Reflector in Battle Ground, Wash., referred Murmurs to McNamara, who didn’t return a call.

Geez, KATU, last person out, turn out the lights or something...

The news is all here, on her blog:

http://jewel-images.com/blog/?p=311

My wife really likes Julia's reporting and anchoring. I think she's fine, too, but if she'd rather trade her mic for a still camera, then we wish her the best. I guess.

According to her personal blog (http://puginthepearl.blogspot.com) it appears that she's heading to NYC to attend grad school at Columbia.

Update by Lynn: Anita herself weighs in, confirming in the comments.

Bill Monroe at ifish.net is reporting that KATU has let longtime outdoors reporter Grant McOmie go:

Grant McOmie, the region's television outdoor icon for 22 years, has been fired. I wish there were a better way to put it, but the new station management gave him until May 1.

They've told him they don't see enough interest in the outdoors and environmental issues around here.

I'll check on details to follow, but that's about what I know for now.

"Not enough interest in the outdoors and environmental issues"? In Portland by-God Oregon?! Now, I'm not saying I know for a fact, but the outstanding snippet for me as to the reason? "Outdoor icon for 22 years."

Okay... I'm busting out in excitement - Brian Wood debuted along with the new set and some graphics package modifications today at the First At 4 Newscast!

First off, my first impressions of Brian Wood are pretty good. He doesn't seem nervous nor has he faltered on a sentence yet. I think he'll be a great addition to the KATU lineup.

Sent the following e-mail to KATU: Why has Derek Sciba picture been taken down from the website?

Here is the answer I got back: Derek has moved on from KATU. We'll miss him, but wish him nothing but the best. Thanks for taking time to write!

So this begs the question: where did he go and was it his idea to go?