Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
In no particular order, here’s some of what went down at Asheville television, radio, newspaper and social media outlets in 2010:
-Kracher rocks: Popular WLOS television anchor and reporter Frank Kracher returned to the TV boxes in June. Kracher and WLOS probably reach more people with their news than any other outlet in town, so this was a big move.
Kracher left Asheville five years ago to go to work for an ABC affiliate in Syracuse. While there, Kracher suffered a severe head injury that just about killed him. He returned to Asheville about two years ago, and has been hanging out since. It’s great to see Kracher talking to me on the TV box again.
-WCQS hire: Jody Evans joined WCQS in July as executive director of Asheville’s popular public radio station. It was the first change in leadership at the station in 18 years. With a killer resume and big-time experience in public radio around the U.S., look for Evans to take hold and strengthen the station’s community-based programming, open up a WCQS conference room to public events and grow the station’s finances.
-WNC Magazine leadership change: Eric Seeger, the editor of WNC Magazine, announced his departure from the ubiquitous glossy back in September. Seeger led the magazine since it came to town about three years ago. Seeger said in leaving that he wanted to spend more time with his family. Former Asheville Citizen-Times editor Rita Larkin, the magazine’s managing editor, has taken Seeger’s place.
-Mountain Xpress moves: At Mountain Xpress, Asheville’s spunky alternative newsweekly, Managing Editor Jon Elliston, reporter Brian Postelle and yours truly all departed in the span of a couple of months over the summer. Elliston said he was leaving to write a book, though he continues to freelance for Xpress. Postelle took a job as a social media maven for the city of Asheville, and I returned to whence I came, the Citizen-Times. Xpress has seen a number of personnel changes since (one of which I’ll get to in a minute) and continues to churn out ad-packed issues (and it’s biggest-ever editions of the Best of WNC).
-The Michael Muller effect: Xpress hired Michael Muller, a former local political consultant, in the spring as a full-time reporter, and he wasted no time in establishing himself as one of the most unique, controversial and compelling media figures in Asheville. With a seemingly non-stop presence on Twitter, his insightful political reporting and his sharp sense of humor, Muller became a must-read/must-see. But it didn’t last. Muller announced his departure from Xpress in November. He said he was – wait for it – going to write a book.
-URTV changes: Asheville’s community media outlet known as URTV changed its name and tweaked its mission after controversy over its management. The WNC Community Media Center is attempting to make a go of it, but its board said earlier this year it may have to shut down if it doesn’t receive more funding.
-Twitter decorum: As more and more people flocked to social media this year, Asheville saw several high-profile clashes between Twitter personalities, and engaged in a lot of discussion about what’s the polite and proper use of social media for media types, in particular. Lots of great debate, and probably lots more to come.
-Odds and ends: Iwanna, the weekly packed with local classifieds, closed its press in Asheville and its top manager, Jeff Green, was laid off and moved on to publisher of the Winston-Salem Journal; Local Edge Radio hosts Blake Butler and Lesley Groetsch sat in for a nationally syndicated liberal talk radio host and were heard in more than 30 markets around the U.S.; Verve magazine changed from a glossy to high-quality newsprint and moved to a monthly print schedule; Gannett, the corporate parent of the Citizen-Times, announced another round of U.S.-wide layoffs, which resulted in two people losing their jobs in Asheville; the Citizen-Times printed its first-ever all-pink newspaper to raise awareness of the ravages of breast cancer; Citizen-Times editor Phil Fernandez announced his departure to go to work for the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper in Bristol, Va.; 60 Second Parent launched a new parenting magazine in Asheville; New Life Journal, a green living mag, shut down.;
Russa, that would be the bathroom of the cupcake shop on Pack Square. Beware….
Just where is that bathroom that Jon is standing in? Would be a tragedy for one to be sitting on the toilet and someone randomly come up the stairs and interrupt them. Could scare the ____ out of them.
soap opera, indeed!
doing good, Lena – thanks for asking, and thanks for reading the bloggie!
Small correction:
the Western North Carolina Community Media Center _is_ making a go at it, and has enough money to operate (although, of course, every penny helps.)
sounds like a media soap opera!! 🙂 hope you're well, ash!