JST DRV service announcements

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the “JST DRV” initiative by the Central PA Chamber of Commerce, which aims to crack down on distracted driving by using cool thumb bands and a catchy slogan.

The kids in the Building Leaders for the Susquehanna Valley helped with the initiative and they made public service announcements to launch the program featuring themselves and some other local faces.

Here are the results.

This first one is an explanation of the JST DRV philosophy, featuring BLSV advisor Jess Shaffer and his Jeep:

The next is a “pull over” featuring a real PSP Trooper:

Pretty cool stuff, especially for high school kids just trying to make a difference.

‘After Deadline’ comes alive once more!

Yesterday, we at the Daily Item re-launched an old favorite: the daily video segment known as “Daily Item After Deadline.”

It stars reporters Francis Scarcella and Rick Dandes. I’m the executive producer.

It kind of a twist on the “newsroom reveals its budget for the next day” trend.

Here’s where you can watch the first episode.

The daily segment will feature all of the day’s major headlines, as well as include some cool features like special guests, on-the-street reporting and weather segments as time goes on.

It will be posted at dailyitem.com each day at around 5 to 6 p.m., depending on how the day’s going – for example today it was up after 6, wince it was a super busy day in the newsroom.

Hopefully you’ll be tuning in each day, and we’d love to hear from you what you think and would like to see! Let us know on our Facebook page!

Below are some still shots from behind-the-scenes of the first day of production, showing Francis, Rick and Dave Hilliard working the camera:

Should we watch?: Kevin Ware and Youtube

Yesterday, my family and I were having a bit of a disagreement.

I’m a curious person, it’s probably why I’m in the media. Also, as such I tend to want to see everything.

Enter the horrific injury suffered by Kevin Ware this weekend.

The Louisville player completely snapped his leg during the Duke game in the middle of play.

ABCNews blurred out his leg when they aired a repeat on World News Tonight Monday night.

Naturally, I went to Youtube and watched. But, my mom and sister didn’t think it was appropriate.

I think that’s what Youtube was invented for: seeing repeats of strange, freak accidents or sports replays.

And this injury was graphic, especially in the video below, when they slo-mow it.

Here’s the video below, but I’m asking what you think: is it inappropriate to rewatch clips of injuries? Was ABC right to blur it?

What is it about Internet memes?!

Remember the Susquehanna football players that got in trouble for making a Harlem Shake video?

Well, they are no longer alone.

30 Michigan high school students were suspended over two videos (one of which is apparently so bad it was removed from Youtube) showing their version of the Harlem Shake.

Here’s the NY Daily News story, it has the video.

So now I ask: What is it with these memes that makes them so irresistible that students will make stupid decisions like this?

Obviously bringing a duck into a classroom and grinding people isn’t a great idea for a group of high schoolers – so why do it? Is it poor role models? Violence on TV? What??!

I think the answer is kind of obvious.

Kids have always done stupid stuff before – but go back 5 years and we didn’t have cell phones that took video and Youtube wasn’t a big thing.

So nowawdays, all of that nonsense is caught on camera and displayed using keywords for all to see.

My only plea to these students is this: If you must make a Harlem Shake video – I don’t recommend it – do it at home and don’t post it online. Keep it to yourself and make sure your friends do the same.

You’ll thank me later.

What do you think? Is this just young stupidity or is it something more sinister?

Shamokin arrest video

Shamokin police had a press conference to discuss the arrest of a 21-year-old Shamokin man for a Monday night fire.

Here’s chief Griffiths talking about how they found the defendant at the scene:

The video is also posted at dailyitem.com along with our coverage. Check it out.

Police are still investigating the other fires in Shamokin – and while they aren’t ruling Neidlinger out, they aren’t naming him as a suspect either.

Tractor square dancing – yee haw?

Yesterday, I got to talk about tractor square dancing.

It may sound…..odd…. but then I saw a video of the group – the Middle Creek Tractor Swingers – and it looked pretty cool. That video is available with the article.

So I looked up some other tractor square dancing routines, and actually became quite impressed with what I saw. For your viewing pleasure, here’s some of my favorites:

Optimism amongst rubble

What struck me talking to John Ravert about the fire in his music studio over the weekend was that he was very positive.

He chose not to react with anger and sadness, rather, he celebrated the fact that everyone made it out OK and that his main house remained intact. It was very moving.

The damage was very extensive. Ravert collects and restores old pianos and nickelodeons, many of which were in the studio.

Here’s a video of CCN’s “In Your Neighborhood” showcasing Ravert’s collection in February”

Here’s some after photos:

Video: Tree shaker

One of the cool things about my job is that I get to learn new things every day.

For example, my family has used an artificial tree for a long time now, so I never knew what happened once you picked out a real tree to buy.

Now I know – and it involves a cool tree shaking machine [Ignore the background chatter]:

This occurred at McClellan’s Tree Farm in Middleburg – I’m assuming to shake out the loose needles and other things that can get stuck in a tree.

Very cool stuff.

Which do you prefer – real or artificial trees? Let me know in the comments!

When people aren’t happy to see you doing your job

If there’s one thing you have to get used to as a reporter it’s this: People generally don’t like it when you do your job.

I’m not trying to get into a deep psychological “we’re watchdogs of government” speeches – it’s just a fact that people don’t think very highly of reporters and you’re going to get snapped at or hear comments about “the media.”

Heck, sometimes they’re from my mother and boyfriend.

This sentiment was on full display this week when John McCain snapped at a reporter who pressed him about why he wasn’t at a briefing on the Benghazi situation, something he’s been very vocal about.

Slate.com has this video:

I can understand his aggravation.

But really, the CNN reporter was just doing his job. If he hadn’t asked, he would’ve been in trouble – just like anybody else who fails to do their work properly.

You see reporters are just like everybody else; we’re all just trying to do our jobs the best we can.

Don’t miss this: Cow stomach objects video

Don’t miss this video describing two of the most interesting – and at the same time disgusting – things I have ever held in my hands.

It happened at the recent agriculture-themed meeting of the Greater Susquehanna Chamber of Commerce.

Each table at the meeting had some farm tools or objects we all had to identify in a fun little game. Table 7, apparently had quite the conversation pieces.

Here they are:

Love it.