I’d like to offer my perspective on the story about Gabby’s mom receiving bankruptcy protection a few months before her family stood (and stands) to cash in on millions of dollars in endorsement deals from the Olympics. People mistakenly believe WAVY generated this story. We did not. It was reported by the Associated Press; and because it came across the AP wire, newspapers and television stations in Virginia and across the country ran it. Ours was one of them.

I know there are many people who want nothing to tarnish an otherwise feel-good story. But the complete story is not entirely feel-good; if we don’t tell you this fact when we know it to be the truth we would not be responsibly doing our job. I suspect that other news outlets ran the AP story for the same reason. We stand behind our decision to run it. We would have no justification for keeping it from you, just as we didn’t hide any one of the numerous positive stories on Gabby’s accomplishments leading up to and during the Olympics. We celebrated her wins (in one story, we wrote: “Gabby…touched the hearts of millions with her winning routines and golden smiles”). We told those stories. Now a story comes along that is not positive, yet gives a more complete picture and some viewers ask us to apologize for reporting it?

Consider this: if a news outlet knew something about a story and was withholding it from you, wouldn’t you wonder why? And wouldn’t you wonder what else it was withholding from you? The media is often accused of slanting the news, leaving out things,  or manipulating the viewer to think or feel a certain way. Here, the exact opposite happened. And because we gave you as complete a story as we know it, you get to decide how much weight, if any, to give to the story. Would you feel differently about the story if you were one of the creditors who was owed money? As I’ve read some of these Facebook comments, I wonder how people would have reacted had they been given only the positive aspects of the story, only later to learn that the whole truth includes some negatives. Would they feel duped? I can assure you we will always try to tell you the truth, as completely as we can, even if it’s unpopular, even if it doesn’t jive with the feel-good image some viewers insist we make the story out to be.

I am not trying to sway anyone’s opinion, nor change anyone’s mind. Just giving my perspective.

Jim Gilchriest

News Director

WAVY/WVBT

As long as you have a smart phone or tablet, basically anything that allows you to access WAVY.com on the go, you can now watch WAVY video LIVE. Our live video stream is now available via these devices. We currently stream all of our M-F newscasts as well as the weekend morning show. In between shows, you’ll be able to view a live Super Doppler 10 radar shot or our tower cam, maybe traffic cameras, who knows?

So, spread the word.

Click here for a quick link to download WAVY.com to your mobile device.

I had the privilege of speaking to preschoolers at Watkins Early Childhood Center in Newport News.  One of the teachers, Jennifer Cooper,  invited me to talk with the kids about different aspects of my job as a reporter/anchor here at WAVY-TV.

Let's Raise Our Hands Together!

The kids were really excited to get involved in learning how to report in and anchor a newscast!

I Get to Work With My Friends!

They learned that I’m great friends  with everyone I work with, like WAVY morning show anchor, Kerri Furey! They loved to hear that you can have fun at work and “play” with your friends!

It's Time to Become Reporters!

“Are you ready to be reporters?!” I asked the kids. “Let’s go!”  I gave the kids the topic of our (pretend) story for the day:

A bear escaped from the zoo!

As a reporter, you have to ask questions and boy did the kids have some great questions!  They asked:

What kind of bear is it?

How old is the bear?

What does it like to do?

What does it like to eat?

What is its name?

…and when all of those great questions were answered, we “helped” find Bamboo, the baby Panda, and return him to the zoo!

We Found the Panda!

The kids learned how great it feels to be able to help people every day!  It was a great school visit and we’re already planning another for next year!

Thanks to Watkins Early Childhood Center!

In one of our recent Hometown Hot Spots segments, I had the privilege of meeting the one and only groundhog (woodchuck) you can see up close and personal in Hampton Roads!  The groundhog lives on the land of the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News.

Groundhog Getting His Picture Taken

As my photographer, LV, and I learned, groundhogs aren’t exactly the easiest animal to shoot video of! He wanted to run everywhere (and so did the groundhog)!

I like to call the picture to the right my “Simba” picture.  You know…from the Lion King when Simba is held up for all of the animals to see?! I never thought a groundhog could look so regal!

This adorable animal starred in the VA Living Museum’s “Groundhog Night.”  There were activities and games for kids and their parents and of course, everyone got to see the star of the show eat and mingle with the crowd!

It’s just one of many fun and educational events the VA Living Museum has on a regular basis.

We learned (and so did the kids!) the groundhog will eat nuts, carrots, and other veggies.  Be sure to head on out and pay the groundhog a visit! He might be a bit sleepy because I’m told this is his hibernation time, but you might get lucky!

As a local news reporter, I always hear people ask, “Can I get some good news for once? Why does everything have to be death and destruction?”

Well, on our morning show (WAVY News Sunrise and WAVY News Today), we’ve answered your call in a segment called Hometown Hot Spots.  The stories air every day in our 6:00 A.M. hour.

Today, my story is on an event being held at the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton called Space, Sports, and Sprockit.  It’s a special day for everyone and it honors Black History Month.

Take your kids! While they’re there, they’ll learn about why you can’t throw a curve ball on the moon and participate in helium balloon races.  At the same time, they’ll get to meet the following people (and robot):

Due to technical difficulties, WAVY.com is currently down. We are working to fix the problem as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

I witnessed it being given this past weekend. And, oh, what a feeling. Do you remember how cold it was Saturday morning? Well, the temperature in the 30′s, along with the time of day, were factors I just knew would keep down the numbers of teen volunteers my church needed in order to assist three of our seniors. Yes, I know teens are just busier these days – with athletics and other school and community stuff, but will still hoped the kids would make time for such a worthwhile cause. Two of the three seniors were in their 90′s and just don’t get around much anymore. We (co group leader Mario Mazzarella and volunteer mom Maria Negron) managed to coral 5 kids whose parents dropped them off at St. Vincent de Paul Church in downtown Newport News at 830 A-M. I worked with 16 year old CHUCK of Suffolk.  Layered up with 3 tops and a smile, we arrived at Mrs. Haskins’ 34th street house in less than 5 minutes. The front lawn was already raked but the back needed a little attention. My steel rake handle broke- how convenient.  But Chuck’s flexible plastic wide bodied tool was up to the challenge.

Teen Volunteer Chuck Jaggard giving a senior citizen the gift of his time.

He had his meager pile bagged in minutes. We’re done, right? Well, not quite. Mrs. Haskins just happened to mention how she hadn’t been able to get a couple of cracked storm door glass panes replaced with fresh glass. So, since we were done early with the leaves, I “volunteered” us for the job. Now, if you know anything about old wooden pane windows- changing the glass can be a “pain.” But, “I figured….”  Yeah, uhuh. Chuck, a typical 2-k teen with professional parents living in a newer suburban neighborhood, didn’t know the difference between a window pane and a pocket door.  But, he was game for the challenge.  So, we got busy:

Chuck installing window pane in a senior citizen's door.

Don R., the teacher, and Chuck the pane remover- scraped, cracked, chiseled, puttied and…. done! 2 HOURS LATER!  Hey! It was cold! And the fingers weren’t cooperating. Plus we had to run to the store to get the glass cut.  Bottom line- we got it done. And the smile on Mrs. Haskin’s face was well worth it.

Mrs. Pearlie Haskins thanking Chuck

What a great attitude this kid has. What a bad picture I took! Sorry, it was the cam, not me! Mom, Vanda and father, B-J, should be very proud of Chuck and his brother Brandon who also volunteered. Their church buddies Adriana Negron, Jack Nichting and Taylor Ferebee also gave their time on this cold December morning.  But they didn’t take any pictures. They said it wasn’t about that. Great! They got “it.”  And, yes, they also received “it.” 

Meanwhile, in Hampton… another group of volunteers was making the most of their Saturday at the annual “Able R Us” Christmas party at “The Alley” nightclub at New Market.  Every year for as long as I can remember, Jane Hobbs  and her motley crew of professionals and caring adults, host a pretty elaborate affair. It’s for hundreds of disabled adults, their family members and caregivers.

Patrons at the "Able R Us" party at the Alley

Mr and Mrs Santa @ The Able R Us party

Harold and Carol - two "clients" at the Able R Us party

The “Alley” club management provides the atmosphere, and dee-jays. Jane and crew serve up the food and drink… And SANTA,  of course,  provides the gifts… for ALL attendees. Jane has called on me for  -I -don’t-know- how-many- years-now, to just come and hang out with the very loyal WAVY TV fans. So, it’s automatic for me now -  first Saturday in December, 12 noon- The Able R Us Party -  BE THERE! I make it a point to either ”eyeball” or shake the hand of every “client” there. (And, no, I didn’t call in sick Monday) The love and broad smiles they give in return make it all worth it.  Thank you, Able R Us crew (and clients)  for the gift you’ve given to me. Merry Christmas!