HomeMy WebLinkAboutKBTX Timeline ARTS PREVIEW: OPAS Gets Outside the Box for 2007 Season
, 4,
•
......
_ _ __ _
, i.., . ., , ., ...
. ,
., , ....
,...
,,
. ..,
R�,. .'
. ,...
. .. , .,.
_.,.. :„...„„.„,...„. _ _ „..
. , , .
,..
A
_ „.,,,,,z7,..,..„,,,- „,,, „,,„„„„„_,...„ :.''",- - — ...,,, ,,,, , „„„ , .,,,,,, .":::-: 1--;,,, ',:”- ' :',' - ' - ':'r .- -:°'- - -- 44 t..' . ' .
r_I
1 \ / _ ,
! D r _ i \ . .
. . . ..:, , „.
.,... _. ,
I
i
EiD \ .„ , , i ' W
fir rw4 ,i,
mi: mROU
, „ „„„
=I ., . , , gri * Wr , , ' . i Itill
P
, , , A L i i 111 L: It D i 4os, vALLEy
T . ‘„,,,,, ,, . , s
l e , . f r f, . 0 ,, 4 , I i
' i ; a i 1 �� a i�
• t
1�A ', b ail /, f t ‘
., • • r'i it i i',1 !/ rt
e" ty
•
1 � ; .��►'
s
, :1-31 I,. s t SIMPLE SUMMER
.... _
..,-- GETAWAYS PART 1
..,_ ,
communitVl by Kelli Levey
Sundays. In early III &All 19 8 became
, N news director
1 i (at 19 years old).
- . When I left the
station tati in July
— s � � of 1996 it was a
different world.
We were doing
$ ,• : - five newscasts a
" day, and our staff had grown tremendously.
"
1v_
I went to work for a
`� ...
�_ _ --
No corporate training firm that
prepared people for media interviews and
presentations. In January, I started Crucial
Communications Group, LLC, in Cypress,
focusing on crisis communications and high -
stakes, high - profile issues. My wife is Melody.
IchTX 3 Our kids are (L -R) Natalie (10), Garrett (8)
and Russell (10). The twins were born just
before I left KBTX.
TONY & LAURA CORNETT
Laura started at KBTX in 1990, moving here
50 YEARS O SIGHTS _ from a job in Corpus
, ;. Christi. Tony started
AND SOUNDS AROUND T H E his broadcasting
career here in 1992
l (his first assignment
b RAZOS i mass murder in
' Somerville). They
Q ver its 50 -year history KBTX -TV to its loo: "The People You Know, the News
has become more than a voice in You Trust." KBTX -TV married, had two
the living room. It's part of the Wright and the BTX -TV staff are busy children, and left in
fabric of this community, both documenting organizing a host of anniversary activities for the summer of 1998 for Topeka, Kansas.
and delving into the details of news - making the weekend of May 26 including the return `^' • In University Park area of
events. But its employees hope it goes deeper of several celebrity "alumni" guest anchors, O r Da1las,whereTonydevelops
than that. including the anchor couple Laura and Tony and builds single - family subdivisions and
"Our job is to cover the news, but I would Cornett. Nostalgia buffs can pick up a copy Laura volunteers and sometimes substitute
hope in some way we can actually influence of a KBTX -TV anniversary calendar from the teaches at their daughters' school, leads
positively life in this community," says station that is filled with historic photographs a Bible study and is involved in the local
Mike Wright, general manager since 2003. and in June the station will produce a special "Moms in Touch" group. Alexandra, 10, is
"I think you're always underappreciated anniversary edition of the annual hurricane into ballet and piano while Chloe, 9, plays
in your homeland, your hometown, but I tracking calendar that includes weather soccer and piano and is in Brownies. Tony has
feel good about what we're doing and I'm anchors from years past. walked both girls to school nearly every day
always pleased when we make a difference in As part of looking back as the station since they started.
someone's life." heads into the future, we asked some of Fondest memories: We had a pretty good
While many see the station as a training the personalities from throughout KBTX's run and it was a lot of fun. It was a thrill,
ground for larger markets, Wright says the history to share memories and offer updates and there was always something going on
longevity of key staff members is high. "That on where they are now. This is their story,
— covering Bonfire and Friday night football
doesn't mean we won't make shifts in who written largely in their own words:
covers what but our core team is consistent, — those things that come along with being in
and we try to stick by our core values of JEFF L. bRAU N a perpetually youthful town. When we were
providing a quality product that has some Started at KBTX in December of 1980 as there, we felt like we were part of something
real meaning to it," he says. "And what we the one - man -band weekend news guy. Went really special.
have here is a culture you can't force — it's out and covered stories, shot the video and RO N CROZIER
either a family atmosphere or it's not. Ours edited and wrote everything, then anchored
definitely is." That helps the station live up the newscast at 10 p.m. on Saturdays and At KBTX December 1982 to December 1990,
May 2007 /Inslte 17
— •—
communityim
Harry Gillam was the first General Manager of KBTX. He held
the position until his death in 1986. He is shown at the station's
"new" newsdesk in the early Eighties.
gr 4 J6 4 —
EITX T
' i w ' il k
3 •
1957 '''' --- ---- ..
, _.., it*
On May 22, the community's first television station begins broadcasting as KBTX-
TV from a four -room brick building at the station's current location on East 29th
Street (at the time, a dead -end dirt road surrounded by pasture land). Owner Brazos •
Broadcasting Inc. included investors from Brazos County and Waco.
assistant sports director and lucky enough to have the baseball and basketball.
sports director. Also served, c , ,` time to be the kind of Fondest memories: A short period of time
briefly, as the host of "Brazos Daddy I always thought where it seemed like everybody was having
Valley This Morning" when ' ' daddies should be. I'm babies at the same time; wearing knit ties and
they expanded the show to still involved with sports, wide lapel jackets; when we got the live van
an hour in 1992. this time as an official and could do remotes — the first live remote
N ow: Director of Community with the College Station we did in sports was when Bryan and Consol
Relations for Twin City Chapter of TASO (Texas played at Kyle Field, and we had Merrill Green
Mission. I've been fortunate enough and Association of Sports Officials) in football, and Roy Kokemoor on live at 6 p.m. and did
cl hen Old World Craftsmanship
Yl o matter and New Technology Merge...
=� y • Each piece custom made
IOW YO U i ""� : r just for you
• .," ;- --,. • Heirloom quality,
stack I t ... I competitive pricing
• Repair and
9 y „ .
Restoration
Service
•
Everyday I S Ism
Mothers Day
cco
1
; y
Illi ustom Jewelers
3rd Floor Compass Bank Building
„
College Station 979 764 -8558
3525 -G Longmire Drive ' www.bescojewelers.com
College Station
"entiai skincare • spa
Bu the sift she will love 979.693.2600 Custom Design
Gift Cards and Memberships are available. Please Galt for more information. S pecialists for over.2r �l'd S
18 InsitO /May 2007
. ,....
:,
, ..,
-.
ii .
_ 1 1 7.7 ,.
1960
I % 1 Billie Jean Barrow and Ed Teer interview Robert
t • 4 Kennedy at the KBTX studio.
r
1
T u
P 1960 11
D ;, „ „, A microwave dish is added to the tower. A ,,
/�w -T, hand- written daily log of microwave tower °;..
�� checks has been kept by station personnel `'''
;' r since the station went online in 1957.
c°”„ (I -r) Ulman McMullen, Bill Harrison and Charles
Coleman monitor election results during the Sixties.
our 10 p.m. segment from on top of Kyle CHARLIE HALDEMAN
Field. The whole Jackie Sherrill episode; and imagine. I was also working in radio at the
Started in January 1998 time and left KBTX in early '99 because
Coach Tom Chandler autographing a baseball J ry 998 as
for my daughters (Kristie, left and Melissa); a part -time video editor I was promoted to program director at
on the morning show, the radio station (KORA). I came back in
getting to sit down and interview Tom Landry y
reporter 2001 as a re and stayed until 2004.
moved to the production P
at an FCA dinner and Mary Lou Retton after
she won the gold at the Olympics; putting on department as a studio When I left, I was the 5 p.m. anchor and
camera operator, audio assignments editor.
a golf tournament for Special Olympics and operator, and just about
meeting all those tremendous kids. anything else N o A . An anchor and news
you can \ Y �/ director for KXII -TV,
CRYSTAL PARK PLAZA
2700 EARL RUDDER FREEWAY SOUTH
H IGHWAY 6 BYPASS • COLLEGE STATION, TX
Crystal Park Plaza is the premier Class A Office Building in
College Station. Situated in a highly- visible location on 1
Earl Rudder Freeway, Crystal Park Plaza is just minutes 1
from the Central Business District, College Station Medical
Center, and Texas A&M University.
Crystal Park Plaza features newly- remodeled common areas,
:1 an onsite delicatessen, and spectacular views from tenant
spaces. Suites available from 910 to 12,000 SE. Superior
LI ease -of- access to North 6 Southbound Highway 6 011
RYSTAL
For More Information: / _ R
CLINT D. SCHROFF, CCIM
CLINTOCLARKEWYNDHAM.COM • CELL (979) 229 -4384 LAZ f � ^
, 3608 E. 29TH ST, SUITE 100 • BRYAN, TX 77802
FAX (979) 846 -1461 • PHONE (979 846 -4384
1
Ma 20Q7 /Insite 19
it ____
community) Impact
W ..
r ' Y i' r '
. ( . _
l� ,
- ,. In 1969, Ila Fae Dent helped her husband Robert escape from 'r , ' '
a Texas pre - release prison facility. During their flight, they s Y. ..
overpowered and kidnapped Texas Department of Public Safety
19 63 trooper Kenneth Crone, holding him hostage during a slow- 1973
moving caravan of up to 150 DPS vehicles, along with reporters
Reporter Bob Huffaker was covering the in cars and helicopters and hundreds of curious bystanders, Gil Gillam operates the first
1 story when Lee Harvey Oswald was shot that passed through Port Arthur, Houston, Navasota, and finally color camera used at the
and his voice is audible on footage of that Wheelock, near Bryan. At Ila Fae's mother's house, the situation station. Before that, Polaroid
famous event. Huffaker went on to write grew tense, with Crone held at gunpoint. The FBI agent and photographs were used for still
a book about the events surrounding the county sheriff shot and killed Robert. The trooper was uninjured. art on the set. Mike Fleming is
shooting of Oswald. Ila Fae spent five months in prison. She died in 1992. at the sports desk.
a CBS affiliate in Sherman. The entire expecting a second little girl in early May. Club Rodeo, Jon Boaz and Joe Brown and I
evening anchor team there is composed Fondest memories: Spending a lot all had to ride a loaned horse up and down
of former KBTX employees: David Reed of time in the live truck with countless the arena around some barrels. When it came
worked in sports in the late 90's, Steve photographers, reporters, etc. The people my turn, I took the horse out for a trot... and
Lallore worked in weather in the mid 80's I worked with at KBTX are probably my realized the saddle was coming loose from
and Maureen Kane worked in production fondest memory. They became life -long the horse! I held on as long as I could, but
and news around 2002 -03. friends. I still keep up with many of my finally, I fell off before the saddle did. The
Haldeman and his wife have a 3- year -old former colleagues. They're family. whole thing was caught on tape and ran on
daughter who was born in Bryan, and are One year at the Bryan Breakfast Lions our newscasts for the next day or two.
/njqy t he smile o our dreams.. .
._
y
Dr. Tamie Erratt and her staff at Brazos
`'alley Dental Arts invite you to experience the
quality of care and personal attention they provide
their patients. Dr. Erratt known to her patients as
die dentist tii a gentle touch, provides a range
of cosmetic, specialized and dental services in a
relaxed environment.
Whether its teeth cleaning. a check up or cosmetic
restoration with state of the art equipment and
over 75 years of combined experience, De Erratt t ` ai
and her staff are ready to provide you not only a
beautiful smile, but a healthy smile.
Visit Dr. Tamie Erratt for the smile of your
dreams - conveniently located in Bryan near Jose's.
Ask about our new one -stop crown procedure! Dr. Tamie Erratt, D.D.S.
3832 S. Texas Avenue • Bryan
;'979) 8=16 -3101 • bvdentalart.s.com
20 Insite /May 2007
.011.1.
r La etisul /L00Z Lew
, dao;imapeaeuape•mmm - I£L0.9LL•666 •aauaaa331P 3o prom e• • •Xurapsay wally •,fepiiaana uo ?s ?n ano peal sanien azagm
ZO8LL 'sexaJ'uekig aiiuuoog TOZ£
i; 700HDs xaoavirvasud Z091703 y ;saMg ;nos ail; u! sloogas {ro ;easdaad aigezisap
;sour alp jo auo q }►M faiieA so zsag ail; ap ?noad o; uo[sin ano speal - aan ;ina aig?suodsaa
AlArla I3%J Nall V pus'saaznosaz pasnao; `uo ? ;eaedaad adaiioa - sanien aaoa ano jo uo ? ;enpina XI ?ep aqZ
AaiieA sozezg ail; u! . due a/Hun;uautuoz?nua us pu ?3 II?MM not('ziurapeay uaiiy ;y
•aauaaa3j!p 3o plaoM a sa)isur uo ? ;sanpa s,pl ?qa anoif zoj ;uauruoz?nua 145!a ail; du?pu ?d
•S,LN' Uf1.LS 2If1O ONIHDV'I1 NI dq,LS .LS2II3 dH.L SI S,LN3Uf1.LS 2I11O ONIMON?I `AIAI3UVDV NT'I'IV IV
C A
' r 0- - ' a 4
1.11113V3 aavxO aNZ'suaaNVS sw f 1 ` , -°
�L�
„ pup! a 3o auo s! euue ;ex al!' ;uapn ;s d>
I I •saamsue a uu o as ado aom a
>-- qi P 3 ; yi 1 M
F dui ;iaana ;noge suo�rsan6 jo lo! a seise ails
II ;alp ail; m
dui pue sieurue jo amp dame; sanoi ails
ill
•ssaaaa pue q;eua ale s;aa(gns a;uone3 1 H
,
I ,� i �� '
I( .' Teal o; sanoi euue ;e�„
1
1
Aw'Iad3d N YIiV iv x 'Aavxw (INZ : VN IN VIVN
gUUaAO) `aaaaodaa . ,..`° •aogaue „aurzugujAr ep L> Pus zaasodaa pus qa ?m paaizom j aidoad . ". - ."
saaods u se (lzomaau u �OOZ �inf ZOOZ zaquraadaS pa3izo� ail j :Xiouraur asapuod
uorsrnaiaauo?aru9ap I
CM]I�>I] Ifl I 1 ] J VGN M1 •uoisno
g� ?g IIu Iuuorauu '. J/', FI U ..11 UU�AI .JY l�Y�l u? ci Ogd `3121..31 is
.B as zo asrauns aaoa funk as ?doiozoaaaua • A A
33N-C[}{ 3 i p q •MON
saiaoix‘ 'stop aazga ` sunk ar p? uana•••uraga anaas oa z0u014 u gans
■ ga ?m suiiuu UT and . _ - . • .. sunk ar puu `uoasnoH zop apai 1 uagm our 03 900Z oa �COOZ wog
fa fu uo • s azua ra a ano durznod nos fur a as?oi0zoaaaur uoou /S'u?uaoyg .. ,
1 .1 SOOZ S Ni : O ti a. g q I P il
anon
smagaar qo-j pa ?uaey�i / V ` • • •szamarn ag1, •pansas I saamarn inpga ?up 043 .JOZZI] I S'AVZI1
.
d �x
eaae uolldaoaa puedxa 04 palenl1de •saliu613 Alaea GUI ul uo daw uv . salluanas plus aql ' °.;
sl aelllwsueal Mau e 171_ '100 11 0 • 0 4 -9 p!s laal 411619 wail las nnalnaalul 9111
04 xls x 04 11!nq sl Jamul aql ` 04e4S aaldw3 , -'
9114 410414 aaIIe1 A11 •solaea ul lsn6ny -plw ul _Jamul I ' r .i�, F. , ,,
4 - 00L` 4 e 114!M 6 uole `pallelsul sl euualue MaU y .', - e ►
''''''''' '''' - ' '-' ''''*,-.. E'961. i 07-
r .. '
` - zo - i li ( t i
��n
,y. • salluanas Alaea 9111 wcul Asap aa11leann aUL
'XIEIN 4e sales 6ulspJanpe <_
{ Li! �(epol sanulluoa aH 'W'8d sexal
le luapnls a a l!11M Wills 9 114 le r,„
uollanpoad ul pa )1aonn poaaea pp ' :- ..
t, 9L61 i' , c - i 1 g
,i a `. �I � °
a �
communitylmpact
�� ti , ; r.: 9 • • ,.-: ,. ,- ..,.. i
„ ,,,.: - , " 11111111‘.. News anchors Jeff Braun and Lisa Keys
sports John Oakey covered sports s 1992
in the early Nineties. Doppler radar technology comes to KBTX,
^� nn improving accuracy in weather forecasting.
Reporter Debbie Ramsey. APRIL 7, 1 992
A pipeline explosion in the Wesley community near Brenham killed three people,
* 7- a I A live "On The Road" broadcast injured 23 and did more than $6.5 million in damage. The blast was heard up to
4. ,, 1 with Sherry Williams, Tony 100 miles away and sent a ball of fire rolling through the area. Gas fumes from what
� Cornett and Bob French from authorities believe was an overloaded underground salt dome storage facility were
I a o the Nineties. ignited by a passing car. KBTX covers the event for local viewers.
I
college football, NASCAR and MLS. Owns a Meteorologist 1989 -2004. live here as long as possible." .
wedding /event floral design company called Left for KPRC in Houston; Fondest memory: Being allowed to think
"Fit for a Queen." worked at CNN 1997 -2005. outside the box, have a little fun, be creative.
Fondest memories: Showcasing the happy ,
' N Free -
The further up you get in broadcasting, the
dews stories and showing people that there
is such a thing as positive, feel -good news. O W • lancing as less fun you get to have. That I have missed.
Also, my time at Texas A&M, - especially weather anchor for WAGA- Other KBTX alumni include Rolando fi r.
being introduced (as Miss USA) at halftime TV FOX 5 in Atlanta; Santos, CNN International's senior vice
during the to game in 2001. doing stand -up comedy; p resident, international relations; and Troy c-
acting. "Probably one of the reasons I haven't Dungan, 31 -year news anchor at WFAA -TV
O R E LO N SIDNEY gotten another TV job is because I want to in Dallas -Fort Worth. i
OHN R WHAT IS A FULL SERVICE
AND ASSOCIATES STAFFING COMPANY?
Real Estate Services - Commercial • Land • Investment
FEATURE] PROPE3TY FOP LEASE
BRAZOS VALLEY BANK BUILDING One that offers:
Temporary Help Direct Hire
• NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDING ON THE GROWING SOUTH Evaluation Hire Professional Search
END OF COLLEGE STATION LOCATED AT GRAHAM RD AND Contract Staffing
HWY 6 WITH EXCELLENT VISBILITY AND ACCESS
• RETAIL AND OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE
One that Can Provide:
HR Audit
Express ePay (web based payroll service)
•
Employee Handbook Creation /Review
Safety Program
On -Site Training Workshops
Job Description Creation
Serving the Brazos Valley for 16 years.
— . - . ii*i intAgi,",..allik LI etre T. .•nommi-. . asiummiss
3828 S. COLLEGE AVENUE. • BRYAN , TX 77801 PERSONNEL SERVICES
VOICE (979) 268 -6840 • FAX (979) 268 - 6841 J79- 776 -4455 979 - 251 -8200
VVVVW.JOHNCLARK.COM • INFO @JOHNCLARK.COM
Bryan www.expresspersonnel.com Brenham
22 Insite /Ma 2007
ea a usui /coot A>;y'I
uope1S 0601103 - AeMAaed Ple 1061
WOO•s aap•MMM 00£9 (6L6)
.0 ptnoad 10 mad u8}lnsinul 'sopuopotp.tp fo pinog uroa}aaiuy 'aWnuWold ?Q
sW 13 'N Aoal 'ad
37:7711. 49 :-A
Al 5:092/9/ ,keg-p7729
NOH
ss•s•ss ""rl. s0sa+s*
8M all PUP Ndfl uaaMlaq Aaolslq s,uollels 041 uI lseappoaq
aabaaw a Jallp plum Senn >laoMlau MO all . >IaoMlau MO anll lsabuol all 'paPlolun (pa6eal all se sanol Oulu Jot panu1luoo pup
all to aiellliie up se (S08M0) =leis leil6lp a sagaunei MAN 'w ' 9 le an!' luaM lseappoaq Xl8X 'luaploul lell souls aalluoq u paMolle
90 o lou anal slela1110 Allsaanlun 1nq `saps( 06 pauueds uolllpeal all 50x01
Ails-lanlul all UIIM aweb Ileglool gZ . noN s,W'gy sexal 01 apnlaad p SP
6ulnlbsiluegl uo pal!u6l uaaq anal 01 seM aa!luoq leuo 1ppal all . saaglo
6u11spappoaq Ieaol ul LZ lseal 10 6uunful pup sluapnls anlaMl 6 ulllIN `6661 `81. aagwanoN uo
aauapaaxa ao1 spaeM J A114 anllnaasuoa bulwoW (pea pasdepoa sbol puesnogl Ieaanas 10 Noels aaliuoq all
Iu.i)IraP WuolelS 7 11o.�:.f %/
aaaU1 uoM 5014 lseappoaq Aopaw06 AVC9WV9 pap - 6661 `81 AON
all ' 1 4 1 saanlufl W8V sexal WOa1 anll 3199V
lseappoaq aa0ag 1!10 pup uosllM ugof palaunpl sl W00'XlB1i
`suosaed aw/0MQ `ilajna8 Ilaueo 0 ,t> 4f.s, 9661
900Z palapls sl Nan pond sozpae all of suo1lpuop gSea pup
saldels sbuuq 1pll anus pooj sall!Wed JOJ ppo ndd lenuuue
suol101s uo!S!na!al 1e1Ib!P lab 0l xoq .1@W/woo
ao uolslnalal Iei16Ip 0 anal 01 au0Aaana a01 aullpp0J 600Z
Aaenagad all 10 poage OH ui bullseapooaq sul6aq X18X slaodaa alnulw- all -ol -dn SJOMaln Ipaol 6uuq 01 030M woal slseapeoaq
L 0OZ `8z _ rl Dn X l8>1 a6als all 10 abpaanoa >laola- all -punoa papinoad ppoM a puma woal
sane p uasaadaa ei a � auea a unno i
H ll . pWU i
6u uan a iM a ua uoi phi sanu
1' U p U 18� U1 Ul p p l i I
lo neaan eaa a a ! abais uanbas ns p ue saniso dx ue swapaa
1 8 1 p d all q i q p 13 p i d
abu0la dlgsaauMo (Iuo `oaaogol `Ioloal'd 1 n0aane .5. all Aq a0als Jep -19 y'oaeM Rau punodwoa
SUOIiels 0141 `XI8N s,nq uolslnalal Aeap I aWJOO lu noV alaUl le pop oIM 9L 6uowe sum „'iagdoad 10011„ paWlelaoad
6661 -1105 all pu0 pas snolbyaa suOlpin0p 1101.08 all 10 aapeal `gsaao>{ p
661 `6111?Idy