I remember him, he was always really good at what he did. I have had severe depression a few of times in my life. Produced by Mooj Zadie , Luke Vander Ploeg and Clare Toeniskoetter. To date, police have not yet provided evidence of those Molotov cocktails and dozens of witnesses have told KTVU that no one was causing imminent danger to police at 7:45 p.m. that night, 15 minutes before curfew, when police threw tear gas into the crowd. Zehnder was 87 and second youngest of four brothers, all still alive. From there he was hired at KTVU, which at that time was an underdog independent station in Oakland, going up against the bigger stations in San Francisco KPIX, KRON and KGO. Heres a quick look at some of the people we can expect to see more of in the coming days and weeks: Julie Haener, a Danville resident, goes way back with KTVU viewers. Fred Zehnder, the news director at KTVU for decades, died after being hit by a truck while walking in Alameda. To me it seems like Haener, who has been sleepwalking through the news for at least the last year, perked up and seemed to be trying harder last night after Frank departed.Just an observation. And I wouldn't rule out Ms. Corral attending, either. With Mary Wilson and Rikki Novetsky. He is getting old and maybe time for early retirement. January 6, 2013. I used to pretend he was my father. Was it throwing the shoe at Ibaez (urban mythnever happened, and I am ex-KTVU and in the know) or trashing his car and smashing in all the windows (did really happen, not an urban myth).Why they hell did they keep her? TO THIS DAY, I STILL GET ASKED, "how's George Watson doing?"No news is good news. He talks to me here at 415 Media, his first public interview in over two . He was great. "She had such a wild & wonderful personality. Licensed to Oakland, California, the station has been owned by Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises since 1964, making it the largest Fox affiliate by market size that is not owned. He also did not want a memorial service. Watson will write and report five- minute Sunday-night feature segments on "The 10 O'Clock News" as part of the station's "My Twentieth Century" retrospective series. He started at KTVU as a reporter in 2011 and shifted to anchoring in 2018. The source told me the producer said "Frank looked haggard." Don. Frank was definitely impaired last night. Frederick Eugene Zehnder was born March 5, 1934, in Lakeport, where he grew up on a dairy farm run by his father, Joe Zehnder, and where the milking was done by Fred and his three brothers. Would be great to see some of his more recent reporting. George was an excellent anchor. He also had the pleasure of being on hand for a couple Warriors championship parades. He has filled in this week alongside Holmes. What happened on first day of CHP drug dealing crackdown in S.F. Click this link to see pics of George on his 60th birthday. He was speaking more slowly than normal, and he was mispronouncing and slurring some words. Great to report he's living in Scottsdale and enjoying retired life, sober and tranquil many years and sounding very much the same as he did when he was an anchor at KTVU. Once promoted, he showed a brilliance not only in personnel decisions but also in conceiving and launching the popular standing features Segment Two and My 20th Century.. No RL, he's a GREAT GUY, and one I admired all my years in Bay Area media. As a news reader, he's average and somewhat stiff, but his health is more important. George is a solid reporter and anchor. Theyd been planning a reunion for July 9 in Sacramento. I was tempted to make a George Watson joke, but(Jessica Savitch too). We all need help at some point.I personally am too embarrassed to ask for help currently.Severe depression going on 4 years now. "Leslie Griffith was a consummate professional," wrote KTVU reporter Greg Liggins. I'm the cameraman that worked with George. Watson's transgressions are in full display and at times it's a frustrating, sad and equally compelling segment. Once after my divorce, which I asked for by the way. He was a calming and a guiding influence. Related Articles Johnny Depp was surprise difficult on set of comeback film, reports say, Coronation organizers wonder if Prince Harry will be a no-show, report says, Summer movies 2023: 21 reasons you should be eager to return to theaters, Tucker Carlson: How early rejection by hippie San Francisco mom made him shameless, Harriette Cole: My friend's mom didn't recognize me at my job, and she was very rude. I am going to honor him when I share my story. At the start of the 11 PM news, Julie Haener said "Frank is off tonight". Im soooo happy to see you back anchoring the news! one reader wrote. Asked if Somerville was sick, Haener replied: No hes doing well taking a little time for himself and should be back soon!. CPRA Executive Director John Alden said that discipline was also ordered in these cases, which range from failure to supervise, excessive use of force, failure to accept complaints and Miranda violations, to name a few. He sold subscriptions and took in news items dead cows and broken-down milk trucks on the family phone line. She later took over the 10 p.m. news spot co-anchoring with Dennis Richmond. More feared than adulated, though I always liked him and looked forward to his newsroom chats. Since then, he has helped launch the weekend editions of Mornings on 2, co-anchoring with Claudine Wong. ", Watson's re-entry into the workplace was easier than he had expected, he says. I'm just glad at the end of the day there is no smoke over the cubicle and I haven't shut down the station. She replaced Elaine Corral on the Ten O'clock News in 1998, becoming a staple on the program as Dennis Richmond's co-anchor. Hopeless. TV Streaming | george watson ktvu where is he now. Western Bride 26/05/2022. PDF st Annual NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED george watson ktvu where is he now I'm not sure how I missed all the drama or where all the years have gone but I remember George very well on KTVU and had no idea this was his story. Holmes has a strong social media presence, with 34,000 followers on Facebook and 14,000 followers on Twitter, where she claims to forever be in pursuit of a good story and fabulous shoes.. Jasmine Gaffett suffered these bruises at a May 29, 2020 George Floyd protest in Oakland. ), Best part about the Leslie/Mark (short man) story is that she was upset at losing him (refer back to short comment), LIVE AND DIRECT FROM SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONE, GEORGE WATSON IS ON THE PHONE. "He (Somerville) looked drunk. Amen, Rich. KTVUs The Ten O Clock News long has been the Bay Areas highest-rated newscast. After being off the air for more than nine weeks, Frank Somerville returned to KTVUs The Ten OClock News Wednesday night without addressing his unusual and lengthy absence. Zehnder also hired or nurtured weather reporter Bill Martin and sports anchor Mark Ibanez, whom hed seen on TV while on vacation in Tahoe. A drug company abandoned a treatment for bubble boy disease. After a 5-year fight, this little California girl is about to get it "The hardest thing to deal with -- this is going to sound silly -- the computer system is the most difficult thing I'm dealing with right now. Thanks for posting this video, Rich, and for the update. I hear George is doing fine --as best that can be expected --but the former Bay Area/KTVU anchor/reporter has a long road to hoe. KTVUs Frank Somerville to take a break after bizarre newscast behavior Andre Senior is a relative newcomer to KTVU, having arrived in 2018 after anchoring and reporting in Hampton, Virginia and Tampa Bay, Florida. Unfortunately her subsequent marriage to ski racer Bill Shaw ended in divorce. Betty and family Margaret are sorry for your lost.but remember he is in a better place god is holding him now ,our prayers are whith you all. Frank Somerville , KTVU 5, 6, and 10 p.m. anchor. Long investigative pieces that only air occasionally? 1994 KTVU flashback of George Watson drunk on the air Brian Hackney!}. During the Loma Prieta earthquake, we had no power and had to do our newscast in the parking lot. Over the years, Savidge has contributed to KTVUs coverage of several major stories, including the Napa earthquake and the Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa area. Another source who watched the program was more blunt. At that time I thought professional help and it did help. Reply Delete Get well soon, Frank. Police, by law and court order, must use de-escalation techniques first, before deploying such harmful, although less-lethal, agents and tools. Calls to Somerville and Fox spokesperson Victoria Gurrieri Thursday morning were not returned. They've let better people go. I am hoping he stays sober and maybe if a local news station takes a chance on him they can use his considerable talents. Fred still had his great laugh and was as engaged as ever in journalism and in life, said Sandobil, now a communications consultant in Alameda. It's heartening to hear that he is well and sober. Nor Leslie. I thought it was a big deal when I started working with her and Dennis. It's nice here in Arizona even when it gets baked," Watson tells me. A native of Jamaica, he grew up in Miami. He started the Scotts Valley News at the kitchen table and ran off 50 copies of his one-page weekly, which he reported, wrote, edited, printed and delivered on his bike, an 8-mile round trip. In 2008, he received a highly publicized promotion when he was named the co-anchor of the stations 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts, replacing Bay Area icon Dennis Richmond. at KTVU (Mann was one of the station's first hires), O'Brien and Zehnder brought in newcomer Leslie Griffith to join veteran KTVU reporter George Watson on the weekend anchor desk. She joined KTVU in 1986 as a weekend reporter and anchor, and with her alto voice and steadfast reporting, she worked her way up to become an influential force in Bay Area journalism, the East Bay Times reported. I can't remember the last time I saw her on air. George Watson is safe and sane. I've often heard than most American Indians have a very low tolerance for it. Male talent seems to bog that station. That liquid person can cause permanent damage to the brain; hence the addiction is harder than ever to overcome, though we do read about successes.Saunders-Shaw ended up being a pretty good news executive. wine startup leaves customers with thousands of Steph Curry adds to his Warriors legend by lighting up Kings for 50. How much will be revealed is yet to be determined. I was stunned. Abrupt closure of S.F. Leslie Griffith resigns at KTVU - East Bay Times Watson has politely turned down several nedia interview requests. In March, Somerville missed over two weeks from KTVU and told me that he was battling an alcohol-abuse issue and that he spent some time at a North Bay recovery center. I'm sure that was a subtle F.U. And let us know who else besides Griffith might have ended up on the wrong side of Zehnder's life. Did he use a different name on air? TV Streaming | He held a news conference at the time saying that people were throwing rocks at police and "preparing Molotov cocktails.". One month ago, Sandobil took Zehnder out to lunch just to thank him for hiring him and bringing him along, 40 years later. Thanks for linking that gallery! Former Jackass star Bam Margera turns himself in; denies assaulting younger brother Covered the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks in New York City . ;-). The film blends the status of the (then) current-day BART system with looks at the amazing transit systems that existed . Born in Texas, Griffith started her journalism career as a newspaper reporter for the Associated Press and Denver Post. I miss George Watson on the nightly news. Sam Whiting has been a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle since 1988. I remember watching him in the 90s on KTVU, the years with Elaine Coral and Leslie Griffith when they still work for KTVU. One year after Oakland police used tear gas to break up a large crowd ahead of a citywide curfew, the top brass remained mum on why the department resorted to that level of force. Emmy Award-winning TV journalist Leslie Griffith, who most notably anchored the Ten O'clock News on KTVU Channel 2, died at the age of 66 on Aug. 10 in Lake Chapala, Mexico, where she had home, KTVU reported. He looked off last night. At the start of the 11 PM news, Julie Haener said "Frank is off tonight". Some people are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than others. 415 Media Exclusive: A Conversation with George Watson; Former KTVU Updated by the minute, our Dallas Cowboys NFL Tracker: News and views and moves inside The Star and around the league . Somerville, 63, has been at KTVU since 1991. It seems apparent that, even at a time when athletes and celebrities are connecting with the public by opening up about their personal struggles, both Somerville and KTVU have chosen at least so far to ignore the incident, move on and take a business-as-usual approach. Aug 2001 - Mar 20042 years 8 months. At that time I did not seek professional help due to finances. But he also had a remarkable middle career as news director and on-air talent scout for KTVU in Oakland. Sadly, it looked like he was drunk. I told my wife I bet KTVU pulls him off the air at the commercial break, which they did. This is the department's first acknowledgment that there were missteps taken during last summer's protests over the death of George Floyd. I'm shaken. Co-anchor Julie Haener broadcast the rest of the newscast solo and didn't explain Somerville's absence nor even acknowledge it. He mainly anchors in the mornings, but expect to see more of him in the evening hours. Always thought the O'Brien guy was the one adulated. In a now famous NBC "Dateline" story, Watson talks about his bout with the bottle. ", Frank Somerville finally returns to KTVU: Are, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), H-1B: Feds want criminal charges over application fraud for Silicon Valleys favorite visa. Starting in 1978, he had a 22-year run at the TV station, where he put together the anchor team of Dennis Richmond and Barbara Simpson, whom Zehnder later replaced with Elaine Corral, Leslie Griffith and Julie Haener, all during Richmonds 20 years as an anchor. 1 Indeed, Watson had a serious back issue; had to have surgery (he's now ok) but working would cause a great deal of hardship. Bay Area Transit (1984) is a locally-made documentary about the history of transit in Oakland and the Bay Area. while a far more talented anchor toils away in the background {*cough-cough* Brian Hackney! It remains to be seen whether Oakland police consider the injuries suffered during last summer's protests as rising to that level. He wasnt like the idea that people have of a publisher sitting behind a big desk smoking cigars. Unfortunately, he is not the only Bay Area news anchor with a substance abuse/alcohol problem Doug Murphy, KPIX 5 died in a house fire at his home in Lafayette in 2005, Dec. 4th. Related Articles Well, have to say I never heard of Zehnder till now. TV Streaming | "It was not a call for help; I made the phone call initially to ask for money," he says. Have you never heard of diarrhea? Sadly, it looked like he was drunk. 2023 FOX Television Stations, High Stakes: Sports Betting in California. He was intoxicated. KTVU fired him too !! He looked off last night. But behind the scenes, negotiations were under way on a departure settlement. Watson, George D. 68 Aug. 09, 1944 Jan. 01, 2013 Public viewing will be on Tuesday Jan. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m., at Terry Family Funeral Home. For the last year, civil rights attorneys and some city leaders have called out the police behavior, saying that officers violated city policy and a court order, prohibiting them from using tear gas and fire off specialty munitions as there was no proof of imminent danger, among other things. "I would quit drinking only in order to keep my job, but I always started again because that was never the right reason to quit," Watson says. It includes footage of legendary transit historians Harre Demoro and Ted Wurm.. Unfortunately, he let booze control his life and he lost everything ! She has been at the station since 1997 and was on the desk the night Bay Area news icon (and Somervilles predecessor) Dennis Richmond tearfully signed off in 2008. You're in our thoughts. Part-time? Surprised that he was working so recently - I don't see any online mention he was a reporter / anchor at KPHO .- the CBS affil in Phoenix. Jerry Springer, former Cincinnati mayor and talk show host, dead at 79, A drug company abandoned a treatment for bubble boy disease. After a 5-year fight, this little California girl is about to get it, Former Jackass star Bam Margera turns himself in; denies assaulting younger brother, Henry Winkler advises find a passion and stick with it, no matter the stage of life, Review: Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love is an old-school special for an old-school talent. Everyday I couldn't wait to see him on the news. He wasn't missed. He's still in mourning over the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks. The Bay Area knows the story. Not sure what you mean by "Fox 2 branding" but "Fox 2" as a concept didn't exist during the Zehnder era, so why would it be an element? A news anchor was visibly intoxicated on the air. Watson also didn't realize how much the segment would have on his life later, even the more than twenty years later. Let's forget Fred, we came here to buy him not to praise him, seems to be the mantra of current (mis)management. Real No-BS professionals. Longtime KTVU anchor Leslie Griffith dies - SFGATE Leslie Griffith, Longtime KTVU Channel 2 Anchor/Reporter, Filmmaker His voice and presence was so incredibly comforting to me. I used to watch him on KTVU (when it had a great news department)and really appreciated his special features reports. He is 17 years removed from working as a reporter/anchor at the CBS affiliate in Phoenix. SAN FRANCISCO It's bizarre when someone calls me out with a sickening comment. declines to files charges against armed Walgreens guard, Shocking details revealed during 'Doomsday mom' Lori Vallow's murder trial: Live updates, Barbie debuts Anna May Wong doll for AAPI Heritage Month. He was still drinking then and wanted to get sober. Watson and his wife plan to attend the memorial service for Zehnder when it takes place. Great to report he's living in Scottsdale and enjoying retired life, sober and tranquil many years and sounding very much the same as he did when he was an anchor at KTVU. The rest of the nation did too. by | Jun 10, 2022 | 1050 main street paterson, nj | 159th aviation regiment patch | Jun 10, 2022 | 1050 main street paterson, nj | 159th aviation regiment patch UPDATE, 8: 31 AM PT: A source tells me Somerville was asked to leave after the first segment. Hope he can get some help . I'm sure current management heard that as a slap in the face. The old, lame sleeping pill excuse. It's time KTVU makes a permanent change on their main anchor desk. > It's time KTVU makes a permanent change on> their main anchor desk.They don't have much male talent they could bring in. ", At his lowest point, Watson was homeless, destitute and near death, he says. His story on the Pan Am Clippers, planes that flew from San Francisco to China from 1935 to 1946, airs this Sunday. Ask Amy: I put a security camera in my room, and what I saw was creepy, Ask Amy: My fiancee's family says I'm not invited, and she's going without me, The dad whose wife and child were among 5 killed by a neighbor in Texas describes how the massacre unfolded, 'Total dominance': Steph Curry breaks NBA Game 7 record, leads Warriors over Kings, Dear Abby: The reason her fiance hid his phone was something she never guessed, Mortgage fees to rise for buyers with high credit scores, fall for those with lower scores, Kurtenbach: Steph Curry built the Warriors dynasty. It shows a sympathetic person, Watson, in his most darkest days. Even Corral's predecessor, one-time KSFO talker Barbara Simpson, admitted to being saddened, possibly attending as well.Fowler, Roth, Kauf, Bruno, can see all of them coming. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Welcome back.. And the department's own policyplaces special restrictions on the use of dangerous weapons such as flashbangs and tear gas precisely because those breaking the law might be mixed with peaceful passersby, along with legal observers and journalists. Frank's on-air situation on 5/30, and his "explanation," was Savitch-esque and very sad. The years rolled on and the alcohol continued to flow. All the best, George! Can I say that I was just absolutely shocked by that video? It was not a splashy story, said Knowles, the managing editor. Sad. . I love this man and I don't even know him. Ex-news anchor back at KTVU as writer, reporter - SFGATE George Watson is safe and sane. George Watson, former KTVU (Channel 2) weekend news anchor whose struggle with alcoholism cost him his job six years ago, was rehired as a reporter and writer last month. Then, he disappeared. Walter Cronkite famously had a bug and had to ask for a blanket to wrap around himself after delivering a newscast while so afflicted. You can email her at agraff@sfgate.com. Viewers news may remember her as she spent more than two decades anchoring the 10 p.m. news alongside veteran anchor Dennis Richmond. Always in our thoughts George! Heather Holmes, a Texas native, has been at KTVU since 2006, when she started as a weekend anchor. TV Streaming | TV Streaming | Email Lisa atlisa.fernandez@foxtv.comor call her at510-874-0139. It was about his brothers John, 93, of Modesto; Bob, 91, of Sacramento; and Dave, 72, of Kelso, Wash. All three survive him, along with sister-in-law Isabelle Zehnder, seven nephews and one niece. Categories . Amy Graff is the news editor for SFGATE. We got Mike Mabach, Andre Senior, Frank Malicoat to take over his spot. Several years ago George Watson worked for KTVU-2 in Oakland. I will keep you informed of any information I obtain. Oakland police officers disciplined following deployment - KTVU FOX 2 Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. I am hoping he stays sober and maybe if a local news station takes a chance on him they can use his considerable talents. He returned to KTVU News a short time after. (She finished the May 30 newscast alone after Somerville disappeared from the desk, without explanation, 15 minutes into the program). "When I first watched it, I had no idea it would be as impactful as it was. I don't remember my 20's. Somerville, 63, has a reputation for making frequent and heartfelt Facebook entries (He has more than 560,000 followers). TV Streaming | Fred Zehnder, longtime KTVU news director, dies at 87 after being hit by a car in Alameda. Hope he can get some help. Emmy Award-winning TV journalist Leslie Griffith joined KTVU in 1986. Henry Winkler advises find a passion and stick with it, no matter the stage of life The Cliff House was once a colossal Victorian mansion that met a Californias historic snowpack remains massive. I watched the show, he was having a hard time delivering the words, slurring a few words. He had his last drink on Oct. 6, 1996, after a phone call to his former rehab center. By the time he hit Clearlake Union High School, he was working as a copy boy for the Lake County Bee. He really needs help. He also picked up items by listening in on the 18 neighbors who shared a party line. Published by at 07/06/2022. When there's a bit of hope, all of a sudden, darkness emerges. He knows what his vulnerabilites are, and attempts to deal with this truth. Watson's first report will be on the Marin Shipyards and can be seen Sunday.
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