As the Altoona Mirror's beat reporter for northern Blair County, I'm always open to story ideas, especially interesting people worth profiling for our Monday Spotlight features.
After 7 years of reporting, and mostly in this beat, I'm well aware of the usual Tyrone events and happenings. But that's a double edged sword, because it's easy then to miss other things that might warrant news coverage.
I've found over the years that many people - my family included - assume omniscience comes with the job. This happens especially when it comes to spot news. Just because a bus full of nuns crashes into a nitroglycerin tanker truck driven by escaped convicts at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave and 11th Street doesn't mean we news reporters will know its happening. Can't carry the scanner everywhere.
But even if it doesn't involve fireballs, twisted metal or handcuffs, please don't hesitate to let me know - either by phone,946-7446, or by e-mail, gbock@altoonamirror.com.
I'm also seeking people to interview for more stories like the one I wrote about recovering heroin addict Rich Dennis (and I expect at least one jab about this from Harlow). It's a subject that's been tough to crack because of the stigma that goes along with drug addiction. Still, I'm hopeful more people will be willing to talk about the subject and the impact drug abuse has had on their lives and the people in them - and how they manage the day to day struggles, what sobered them up and how getting off drugs has changed their lives.
P.S. The Hoagie Wars is not a suitable story idea.
Greg Bock, staff writer for the Altoona Mirror
gathering ideas for news stories
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Harlow
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Greg,
Why would I jab you about writing a story about Rich Dennis.
Too bad he wasn't truthful with you about his story, but you reported the story as he told it to you.
I hate the way drugs have taken over the lives of many people. It is a good story if they make a comeback, but I would rather see a story about someone who does it right. The Cary Simpsons and Harry Sicklers of Tyrone. They did it right.
My question is where is our generation of Cary and Harry? When you find that, there is a great story.
Harlow
Why would I jab you about writing a story about Rich Dennis.
Too bad he wasn't truthful with you about his story, but you reported the story as he told it to you.
I hate the way drugs have taken over the lives of many people. It is a good story if they make a comeback, but I would rather see a story about someone who does it right. The Cary Simpsons and Harry Sicklers of Tyrone. They did it right.
My question is where is our generation of Cary and Harry? When you find that, there is a great story.
Harlow
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NotFromTyrone
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disneyqn71
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Altoona Mirror
Hey Greg-
Just curious if you know approximately how many Altoona Mirror's are in circulation daily? How many patrons have daily subscriptions vs. weekends only?
I am aware that you can purchase a copy of the mirror in State College, but wondering what the furthest city/town I could find a copy of the Altoona Mirror in?
On a personal note, I think someone missed the opportunity to cover a story that is close to my heart and I am not talking about hoagies.
I am talking about autism and the Walk that was held at the Curve months ago to raise money and awareness.
Just curious if you know approximately how many Altoona Mirror's are in circulation daily? How many patrons have daily subscriptions vs. weekends only?
I am aware that you can purchase a copy of the mirror in State College, but wondering what the furthest city/town I could find a copy of the Altoona Mirror in?
On a personal note, I think someone missed the opportunity to cover a story that is close to my heart and I am not talking about hoagies.
I am talking about autism and the Walk that was held at the Curve months ago to raise money and awareness.
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Meaux
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- If Mike has 13 apples, and gives six to Jane, how many does he have left?: 13
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- Allegheny Chorale...we start again on Sept 11 and always enjoy a little ink
- the people who organize the outdoor movies...I've never been but it seems like a great family activity and someone is doing the legwork to make that happen
- young business owners (and how self-employed is an option in a no-new-industries world)...C&L Lawncare, Mike Walk Photography, the dance studio, etc
- where did the sign come from that is on old 220 before the paper mill bridge (the one announcing that the road curves) and what litiginous entity made that necessary after 100 yrs!
- the people who organize the outdoor movies...I've never been but it seems like a great family activity and someone is doing the legwork to make that happen
- young business owners (and how self-employed is an option in a no-new-industries world)...C&L Lawncare, Mike Walk Photography, the dance studio, etc
- where did the sign come from that is on old 220 before the paper mill bridge (the one announcing that the road curves) and what litiginous entity made that necessary after 100 yrs!
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150thBucktailCo.I
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- If Mike has 13 apples, and gives six to Jane, how many does he have left?: 13
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You want to do a story on Autism, you should find out how much the Managed Care that is being implemented in Blair county and forced upon the families of autistic children are completely screwing up the work of TSS, Behavior Specialists, and Mobile Therapists who are dedicated to working with these children.
It is coming to a point where Managed Care and the Blair County Mental Health Dept. are manipulating, ignoring, and/or losing data about these children's behaviors, and not following or overriding the children's personal or agency's psychologist's or psychiatrist's prescriptions.
The solution Managed Care seems to be preaching is less therapy time... and more medication. Sounds like the old ADD and ADHD times back in the 90's, doesn't it? Don't like a child's behavior.. dope the kid up. Now, Managed Care is starting to drastically cutting theraputic hours with these children.
Parents with autistic children are becoming outraged, as are those who have chosen to work and teach these children. However, the county and Managed Care don't want to listen to either the parents or the staff of the mental health and autism agencies.
There's a story for you to dig into. If you want more info, PM me.
It is coming to a point where Managed Care and the Blair County Mental Health Dept. are manipulating, ignoring, and/or losing data about these children's behaviors, and not following or overriding the children's personal or agency's psychologist's or psychiatrist's prescriptions.
The solution Managed Care seems to be preaching is less therapy time... and more medication. Sounds like the old ADD and ADHD times back in the 90's, doesn't it? Don't like a child's behavior.. dope the kid up. Now, Managed Care is starting to drastically cutting theraputic hours with these children.
Parents with autistic children are becoming outraged, as are those who have chosen to work and teach these children. However, the county and Managed Care don't want to listen to either the parents or the staff of the mental health and autism agencies.
There's a story for you to dig into. If you want more info, PM me.
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disneyqn71
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news
Totally agree Bucktail!!
Having my own issues as we speak with managed care.
I still don't have a clear understanding as to why my husband's private insurance does not cover such services. Makes no sense to me. No doubt that the children suffer when services cease due to unapproved "units" by managed care. Extremely frustrating. Maybe this warrants a new topic of discussion. 1 out of 150 children are being diagnosed with some disorder in the autistic spectrum.
Back to thread...Greg....are you there? Do you have any answers about # of papers in cirrculation?
Having my own issues as we speak with managed care.
I still don't have a clear understanding as to why my husband's private insurance does not cover such services. Makes no sense to me. No doubt that the children suffer when services cease due to unapproved "units" by managed care. Extremely frustrating. Maybe this warrants a new topic of discussion. 1 out of 150 children are being diagnosed with some disorder in the autistic spectrum.
Back to thread...Greg....are you there? Do you have any answers about # of papers in cirrculation?
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akindergartenmom
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150thBucktailCo.I
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Does the Altoona Mirror do any investigative reporting, seriously? I can't ever remember the Mirror doing any article where they would have to probe deeply into something and possibly rattle some cages.
Come to think of it, I can't recall WTAJ doing anything like that either. On a rare occassion, WJAC might do something like that. I think their story on the 422 Home Sales was the last time they did something like that.
But in all honesty, the only 2 news sources I know of that have a history and willingness to dig for indepth stories and report on them are WWCP (Fox 8 )/WATM (ABC 12) and WRTA (1240 AM) in Altoona. Just as one example, they both really dug deep and went after former and current area legislators following the legislative pay raise, per-diems, and bonuses.
Come to think of it, I can't recall WTAJ doing anything like that either. On a rare occassion, WJAC might do something like that. I think their story on the 422 Home Sales was the last time they did something like that.
But in all honesty, the only 2 news sources I know of that have a history and willingness to dig for indepth stories and report on them are WWCP (Fox 8 )/WATM (ABC 12) and WRTA (1240 AM) in Altoona. Just as one example, they both really dug deep and went after former and current area legislators following the legislative pay raise, per-diems, and bonuses.
Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming.
As for not seeing investigative reporting in the Mirror, you must have missed Jay Young's monster on vacant houses in Altoona. I seem to remember it leading to that city's council to address the problem.
As for other stories, there was my own story shedding light on the fact John Gilliland gave a DEP employee a free land lot in one of his new developments (Gilliland was found by DEP to have let a honey dipper empty his trucks on property he was marketing for housing).
Then there was the very popular story out of Huntingdon County I wrote that got a convicted sex offender freed from jail. He had an IQ of 70 and had long since served his sentence, but was left in jail because the parole department didn't know what to do next.
And then there was the story Mark Leberfinger and I did about specific cases in Blair County where illegal immigrants were ignored by Immigration Customs Enforcement, including one guy ICE agents signed out of Blair County Prison for a immigration hearing in Pittsburgh. Problem was, when they finished the hearing, instead of returning him to BCP (where he had awaited the outcome of his criminal proceedings), the agents turned him loose in Pittsburgh.
So yes, we do investigative stories.
As for a teacher strike in Tyrone. My experience tells me, the threat of a strike is a common bargaining chip - albeit not one that's thrown around lightly...usually.
I guess you'll just have to keep reading the Altoona Mirror to find out.
As for not seeing investigative reporting in the Mirror, you must have missed Jay Young's monster on vacant houses in Altoona. I seem to remember it leading to that city's council to address the problem.
As for other stories, there was my own story shedding light on the fact John Gilliland gave a DEP employee a free land lot in one of his new developments (Gilliland was found by DEP to have let a honey dipper empty his trucks on property he was marketing for housing).
Then there was the very popular story out of Huntingdon County I wrote that got a convicted sex offender freed from jail. He had an IQ of 70 and had long since served his sentence, but was left in jail because the parole department didn't know what to do next.
And then there was the story Mark Leberfinger and I did about specific cases in Blair County where illegal immigrants were ignored by Immigration Customs Enforcement, including one guy ICE agents signed out of Blair County Prison for a immigration hearing in Pittsburgh. Problem was, when they finished the hearing, instead of returning him to BCP (where he had awaited the outcome of his criminal proceedings), the agents turned him loose in Pittsburgh.
So yes, we do investigative stories.
As for a teacher strike in Tyrone. My experience tells me, the threat of a strike is a common bargaining chip - albeit not one that's thrown around lightly...usually.
I guess you'll just have to keep reading the Altoona Mirror to find out.
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scoutmom
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AMEN!!!! :thumb:150thBucktailCo.I wrote:You want to do a story on Autism, you should find out how much the Managed Care that is being implemented in Blair county and forced upon the families of autistic children are completely screwing up the work of TSS, Behavior Specialists, and Mobile Therapists who are dedicated to working with these children.
It is coming to a point where Managed Care and the Blair County Mental Health Dept. are manipulating, ignoring, and/or losing data about these children's behaviors, and not following or overriding the children's personal or agency's psychologist's or psychiatrist's prescriptions.
The solution Managed Care seems to be preaching is less therapy time... and more medication. Sounds like the old ADD and ADHD times back in the 90's, doesn't it? Don't like a child's behavior.. dope the kid up. Now, Managed Care is starting to drastically cutting theraputic hours with these children.
Parents with autistic children are becoming outraged, as are those who have chosen to work and teach these children. However, the county and Managed Care don't want to listen to either the parents or the staff of the mental health and autism agencies.
There's a story for you to dig into. If you want more info, PM me.
My son has Asperger's Syndrom which is a form of autism and his hours were cut drastically!!! Autistic kids do not cope well with changes and this one is so huge that it may not be a very good school year for him without a TSS to help direct him and keep him on task.
To bad our health insurance wouldn't cover these services needed. Then we could tell managed care where to go!! :mob:
stop and take time to smell the flowers
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150thBucktailCo.I
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Thanks for the examples, Greg, and I do stand corrected.
Now, send someone out there on that autism issue.
SCOUTMOM,
My suggestion with you and all the other parents of children whose theraputic services are being cut by (mis)Managed Care is to keep pounding away at (mis)Managed Care, the county MH/MR offices, and your state representative and senator (Stern and Eich). Even contact Rep. Dennis O'Brien, who is Speaker of the House of Representatives.
jstern@pahousegop.com
http://senatoreichelberger.com/
dobrien@speakerobrien.com <-- Speaker of the House Denny O'Brien who has an autistic child and is an vocal advocate for autism.
Please look at his website for his background and Autism links towards the bottom. http://www.repobrien.com/
Austism Speaks should also be contacted.
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Also, keep going after the local media to expose this story. I know that the Altoona Mirror (not just on here) has been or is in the process of being contacted, as is WTAJ, WWCP, and WJAC in an effort to gain attention to this devastating development in regards to care for autism.
(mis)Managed Care's supposed theory of medicating autistic children rather than provide steady and constant therapy is a complete and utter farce. And for the county to implement it and support it is an even larger travesty.
Now, send someone out there on that autism issue.
SCOUTMOM,
My suggestion with you and all the other parents of children whose theraputic services are being cut by (mis)Managed Care is to keep pounding away at (mis)Managed Care, the county MH/MR offices, and your state representative and senator (Stern and Eich). Even contact Rep. Dennis O'Brien, who is Speaker of the House of Representatives.
jstern@pahousegop.com
http://senatoreichelberger.com/
dobrien@speakerobrien.com <-- Speaker of the House Denny O'Brien who has an autistic child and is an vocal advocate for autism.
Please look at his website for his background and Autism links towards the bottom. http://www.repobrien.com/
Austism Speaks should also be contacted.
---------------------------------------------
Also, keep going after the local media to expose this story. I know that the Altoona Mirror (not just on here) has been or is in the process of being contacted, as is WTAJ, WWCP, and WJAC in an effort to gain attention to this devastating development in regards to care for autism.
(mis)Managed Care's supposed theory of medicating autistic children rather than provide steady and constant therapy is a complete and utter farce. And for the county to implement it and support it is an even larger travesty.