Lightning

The Nightcam (Scott Rates) and I are stuck in a lightning storm.
(I've had to go to the bathroom since noon)
Ahhhhhhh!

Homeless Kids

The number of homeless kids in central Florida is expected to increase by ten percent next year.

That means there will be close to 10,000 kids sleeping in cars, motels, homeless shelters, etc.

Today I had the honor of telling Jayde Wiley's story.

She's only nine-years-old, and already she went from living in a car, to a motel, and now, a house.

Check out my story here. 

                                         

One of the organizations that is helping kids in Seminole County is Families in Transition. 

"...missed but never forgotten"

Just saw this KSAT tribute to Jessica.
The sports reporter, Larry Ramirez, couldn't hold back tears as he talked about making Jessica an honorary member of their sports department.

 Jessica Ghawi scholarship fund 
Below is information released by Jessica's family:

Help Us Build Futures from Tragedy On July 20th, a gunman entered the Century 16 Movie Theaters in Aurora, Colorado and began firing. The aftermath, 12 dead and over 70 injured.
Jessica Ghawi, aka @JessicaRedField was one of those victims.
Jessica was an aspiring sports broadcaster who moved to Colorado only a year before to pursue her dream of a career in sports journalism.
We ask that you help us kick start the Official Jessica Redfield Sports Journalism Scholarship Fund.
Jessica was an avid blogger and tweeter, and we hope we can show how powerful social media can be during times of tragedy.
Why This Cause?
Jessica worked several jobs in order to keep going to school here in Denver, and worked as many intern positions with the different teams and media stations to prepare for a career that was cut way too short.
Jessica had moved to Aurora only a month ago in order save money to help keep chasing her dream of being a sports broadcaster.
The Jessica RedField Sports Journalism Fund will be seed money for the scholarship to help send another upcoming young sports talent to study journalism.
This is the official fund on behalf of Jessica's Family. Her brother Jordan Ghawi, and her mother Sandy Phillips.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't donate to the fund, please assist Jessica's cause by sharing this message on every social media platform you can. Let's show the power of social media for a great cause.
Thank You

 Click here to donate.

Video of Jessica I found on her brother's blog. 

Jordan Ghawi describes his sister's last moments, information given to him from the friend who was sitting beside her.

Jessica and Brent were seated in the middle portion of the theatre when a device was thrown into the theatre that produced a “hissing” sound. The theatre than began to fill with smoke which is when patrons began to move from their seats. At that time, shots were fired. Brent and Jessica immediately dropped to a prone position for cover. Jessica advised multiple times for someone to call 911, which Brent immediately attempted to do. Brent then heard Jessica scream and noticed that she was struck by a round in the leg. Brent, began holding pressure on the wound and attempted to calm Jessica. It was at this time that Brent took a round to his lower extremities. While still administering first aid, Brent noticed that Jessica was no longer screaming. He advised that he looked over to Jessica and saw what appeared to be an entry wound to her head. He further stated that Jessica presented with agonal respirations. Brent then took what may have been his only chance to escape the line of fire and exited the structure where he then contacted my mother. Brent’s actions are nothing but heroic. The veracity of any other statements not issued by myself or Peter Burns should be questioned.

Spider Scare

                                              
So I'm making my bed this morning, and I see a GIANT SPIDER creep from behind my curtains and proceed to shimmy across my wall.
I'm shocked, paralyzed with fear.
I run to the kitchen, grab a bottle of 409 and a frying pan.
The spider is now doing laps around my bedroom.
I wait for him to stop.
I muster up the courage, extend my arm, and start spraying.
Spider falls to the ground.
"Yes! Got em!"
I run to grab my vacuum, only to come back and see the spider dancing on my walls, stronger than ever!
This happens again-- I wait for him to stop moving, shield myself with the frying pan, spray, etc..
AND THE THING REFUSES TO DIE.
I start to panic.
I run outside in my pajamas, find an old man cleaning his car, and convince him to help.
The spider has now made his way to my living room.
The good samaritan grabs my swiffer, and the spider is dead within five minutes.

I'm a bit shaken by this spider incident.
I have a big fear of spiders, (my former co-workers at TV20 pulled this spider prank on me and I almost died).

I just called a spider expert in town, asking if I should be concerned.
-Did the thing lay eggs in my apartment?
- Should I set up spider traps?

Basically the woman said there's nothing you can do to prevent spiders from coming in your home, (there's no such thing as spider traps).

If you see them, you have to kill them right there.
They become a problem when it rains a lot, so make sure you  keep your doors closed!

@JessicaRedfield

Excerpt from "A Run of Thoughts"
Posted June 5, 2012

I was shown how fragile life was on Saturday. I saw the terror on bystanders’ faces. I saw the victims of a senseless crime. I saw lives change. I was reminded that we don’t know when or where our time on Earth will end. When or where we will breathe our last breath. For one man, it was in the middle of a busy food court on a Saturday evening.
I say all the time that every moment we have to live our life is a blessing. So often I have found myself taking it for granted. Every hug from a family member. Every laugh we share with friends. Even the times of solitude are all blessings. Every second of every day is a gift. After Saturday evening, I know I truly understand how blessed I am for each second I am given.

Obama in Orlando

The president is coming to town!
Click here to see my story that aired at 7 tonight, "Parking preps for Obama's visit."
I was fortunate enough to work with Chuck Moffat today, an incredibly talented photographer and veteran at local 6. 

It's official...

I guess this means they're letting me stay: clickorlando.com

Weekend Nights

It's been a long and crazy Saturday/Sunday but Jim (my photographer for the weekend) and I made it through thank God!
Check out one of our stories here.
Ps: I have a stye on my eye. Jim says he's excited he won't be hearing me complain about it tomorrow because he's off.

Birthday Boy!

It's my little brother's 14th birthday!
My older brother Willy is driving down from Maryland. It's the first time since my pappou's funeral that we'll all be together.
Im so grateful I have today and tomorrow off!

Spray fan

My mom got me a spray fan for work.
Haven't used one of these since PS133 field trips...

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th from my desk :)

Jonathan Jackson

Awesome:

Swan attack

Okay so maybe I'm being a little dramatic about the whole thing, but a giant mama-swan nearly bit my hand off!
I was kneeling down beside Lake Eola, getting an artsy shot of a black swan, when I feel a hard pinch on my wrist.
I look to my right, and towering over me is a GIANT WHITE SWAN, ready to take my eyes out!
I scream, causing a scene of course.

Check out my story: Lake Eola swans on a no-carb diet

I learned a valuable lesson today.... always be on guard-- even when surrounded by pretty white swans.