Heroes Help Northeast Ohio on 10/20/11: How You Can Help!

Entering its fourth year, Heroes Help Northeast Ohio is the largest one day drive aimed at helping Coats for Kids, the Salvation Army, and the Cleveland Foodbank.

This year's event will be held on Thursday, October 20, from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in front of the WKYC Digital Broadcast Center, 1333 Lakeside Avenue in Downtown Cleveland.

WKYC staffers will be on hand all day to collect items right outside our building.

In addition to collecting food, WKYC will also be collecting new or gently worn coats for our "Coats for Kids" campaign held each year with our radio partners. Plus, we'll accept holiday gifts for the Salvation Army. You can also make a cash donation during the drive as well.

Food items most in need include the "super six."  Those items are:

• beef stew
• canned soup
• canned vegetables
• boxed cereal
• peanut butter
• tuna fish

Please encourage your kids' schools or neighborhood schools to take part as well. You can collect items between now and October 20 and then turn them in the day of our drive.

Together we can help make a difference in our community.

"America's Got Talent" Announces Regional Casting Calls

NBC’s top-rated summer series “America’s Got Talent” will begin its nationwide search for season seven contestants with auditions beginning in New York (October 8 and 9), St. Louis (October 22 and 23) and in Washington, D.C. (November 5 and 6).

The search continues in Tampa, Fla. (November 12 and 13), Anaheim, Calif. (December 10 and 11), Austin, Texas (January 14 and 15), Charlotte, N.C. (February 4 and 5) and San Francisco (January 25 and 26).

The “America’s Got Talent” auditions are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for performers across the country to showcase their talents in 90 seconds to series’ producers in the hopes of being able to take the stage in front of the judges. Every type of performer is welcome - including musicians, dance crews, magicians, contortionists, comedians, singers, jugglers, animal acts and everything in between – all of whom want to perform for America’s votes and the coveted $1 million prize.

Details for the open auditions are below:

NEW YORK
Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9
Registration: 8 a.m.– 7 p.m
Location: Jacob Javits Center
655 West 34th Street, New York, N.Y. 10001

ST. LOUIS
Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23
Registration: 8 a.m.– 7 p.m
Location: St. Louis Convention Center
701 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, Mo. 63101

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6
Registration: 8 a.m.– 7 p.m
Location: Washington, D.C. Convention Center
801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

TAMPA (Fla.)
Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, November 12
Registration: 8 a.m.– 7 p.m
Location: Tampa Bay Convention Center
333 S. Franklin Street
Tampa, Fla. 33602

ANAHEIM (Calif.)
Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11
Registration: 8 a.m.– 7 p.m
Location: Anaheim Convention Center
800 W. Katella Ave
Anaheim, Calif. 92802

AUSTIN (Texas)
Saturday, January 14 and Sunday, January 15
Registration: 8 a.m.– 7 p.m
Location: Austin Convention Center
500 East Cesar Chavez Street
Austin, Texas 78701

CHARLOTTE (N.C.)
Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5
Registration: 8 a.m.– 7 p.m
Location: Charlotte Convention Center
501 South College Street
Charlotte, N.C. 28202

Open to talent of any age, “America’s Got Talent” offers a unique chance for anyone who has dreamed of performing his or her talent on a national stage. Additional cities may be added for auditions. For all the latest information and to pre-register, go to www.AGTauditions.com.

Season six winner Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. – a Sinatra-like crooner from Logan, W.V. – beat out thousands of acts, including finalists POPLYFE, the Silhouettes and Team iLuminate to take home the coveted $1 million grand prize. The win changed his life, as he is now able focus on his dream of becoming a singer. Murphy recently took to a larger stage and sang the national anthem at the West Virginia versus LSU college football game and will be headlining the upcoming “America’s Got Talent Live” show in Las Vegas.

The fifth season’s “America’s Got Talent” winner -- Mississippi-bred Michael Grimm -- charmed millions of viewers as he parlayed his substantial singer-songwriter appeal into a first-place finish, a $1 million prize, and the headline spot on the first-ever national “America’s Got Talent Tour,” which visited major cities throughout the U.S. in Fall 2010. Grimm has signed to Epic Records, who released his major-label self-titled debut album this past spring. He is currently on tour opening for Stevie Nicks.

Season five's runner-up Jackie Evancho, an 11-year-old soprano prodigy who auditioned for the series through YouTube, recently released her debut album “Dream with Me,” which was certified gold after only four weeks of release. Evancho is currently on a sold-out U.S. tour and Syco/Columbia Records recently released the DVD of “Dream with Me Live -- Great Performances PBS Special" in September.

Season two winner Terry Fator – a ventriloquist from Dallas, Texas – achieved his lifelong dream when he was crowned the second season champion. After the win, he went on to sign a five-year $100 million-dollar deal to headline at the Mirage in Las Vegas.

Following weeks of intense competition and awe-inspiring performances, the winner and fan favorites from this season will perform in a special three-night engagement in Las Vegas on October 28, October 29 and October 30 in the famous 4,500 seat Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The two-hour live event will be hosted by Jerry Springer and include an all-star roster of the country’s most dynamic “America’s Got Talent” entertainers.

There will also be a special guest appearance by the 2011 “Australia’s Got Talent” winner, whose album has already gone gold, 14 year old Jack Vidgen. Tickets to “America’s Got Talent Live,” presented by AEG Live, are on sale now and can be purchased via http://agt.aeglive.com.

"America's Got Talent,” hosted by Nick Cannon, stars Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan as the panel of celebrity judges. The series is a true celebration of the American spirit, featuring a colorful array of aspiring stars, including singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians and ventriloquists, all vying for their chance to strut and perform on stage hoping to win America's hearts – and the $1 million prize.

For more information, please visit nbc.com/americas-got-talent/, twitter.com/nbcagt and facebook.com/nbcagt.

Channel 3 Presents "The Cutting Edge: Beating Breast and Prostate Cancer" on 10/8/11

It’s a simple word….but it changes your life forever. Cancer.

Almost five million Americans are currently battling breast or prostate cancer, and those numbers are expected to rise. The most powerful weapon in this war is knowledge.

In an hour-long primetime special on Saturday, October 8th, at 8 pm, you’ll see the latest procedures, medical trials, and alternative therapies.

Plus you’ll learn how innovative new treatments are saving lives without sacrificing quality of life. Surgeons and oncologists from the nation’s top hospitals share their knowledge and their hopes for these breakthrough regimens.

There will also be a simultaneous live online chat on wkyc.com/cuttingedge produced by MedCity Media. The chat will include doctors and medical experts who will respond to viewer’s questions and experiences as they watch the show.

WKYC News will produce a companion series of targeted news stories October 5th, 6th and 7th at 11 pm. The stories will focus on local medical advances, the latest 3D mammogram technology available here in Cleveland, and how long-term cancer survivors are inspiring those newly diagnosed.

Cutting Edge; Beating Breast and Prostate Cancer is the second of three prime-time health specials being produced and aired by the Gannett Broadcast division for their stations across the country.

The third special, Cutting Edge; Attacking Heart Disease, will air on Wednesday, October 26th at 8pm.

Press Club Honors WKYC Reporter Tom Beres and Others

Tom Beres

Updated: 10/28/11

The Press Club of Cleveland will honor Fox 8 photojournalist Herb Thomas, WKYC's Tom Beres, and four others at its 2011 Chuck Heaton Award to be presented at the Club's annual Journalism Hall of Fame Awards Dinner and Induction Ceremony.

They will be honored October 28 at at LaCentre, 25777 Detroit Road, in Westlake. Thomas will receive the Chuck Heaton Award. The others will be inducted into the Press Club of Cleveland Hall of Fame.

The Chuck Heaton Award honors an individual who best exemplifies the qualities of Hall of Fame reporter Chuck Heaton, a long-time sports writer and columnist at The Plain Dealer.

Heaton, who passed away in February 2008, was known for his lifelong dedication to journalism, his fairness, his concern for community and helping others.

The Hall of Fame inductees to be honored are WKYC's Beres, The Plain Dealer's Tom Feran and Philip Morris, NBC News' Kelly O'Donnell, and Bob Paynter, Principal, of Investigative Communications.

Beres has served as a general assignment reporter for WKYC TV3 since July, 1979, and was promoted to senior political reporter in May of 1998.

In 1989, he won a local Emmy for Investigative Reporting for his coverage of ticket abuse by Cleveland police officers.

In 1984, he accepted the award for "Best Broadcast Writing" from the Ohio Associated Press. He is a graduate of Westlake High School and Northwestern University and holds a bachelor degree and a Masters in broadcast journalism.

Beres serves on the Board of Camp Ho Mita Koda, a camp for diabetic children, and the local chapter of AFTRA.

With more than 30 years at WJW TV-FOX 8, Thomas has worked in numerous capacities, from maintenance and set building, director of print operations, studio camera crew to photojournalist and news videographer. Herb created and produced the TV8 sign-off programs "Meditation" and "Celebration."

He was the creative force, photographer and co-producer of the public affairs series "Neighborhood." He was featured on the Big Chuck and Little John Show in the portrayals of "Soul Man and Mr. Mean." He also toured with the O'Jays as a percussionist and is founder and president of the performing arts choir "Prayer Warriors."

Previous Heaton Award winners include Terry Pluto and Margaret Bernstein of The Plain Dealer and John Telich of WJW FOX 8.

Click on the video to go behind the scenes at the ceremony on 10/28/11:

WKYC Officially Launches DealChicken on Tuesday

Click picture to sign up now!

WKYC today announced it launched DealChicken, a unique daily deals site, as part of a larger rollout by Gannett Co., Inc, WKYC’s parent company, to more than 50 markets across the U.S. by the end of 2011.

More than just another daily deal site, DealChicken merchants benefit from WKYC’s long-established presence in Cleveland. WKYC’s deep local connections to, and understanding of, the Cleveland community will help DealChicken effectively serve both merchants and consumers and build long-term relationships that last beyond a single daily deal.

DealChicken has already been highly successful in building brand awareness and delivering a loyal following of repeat customers for local merchants in Phoenix, where the service launched in September 2010. Additionally, merchants have the opportunity to promote their local deal and business through online and television advertising with WKYC.

“As a part of the Cleveland community for more than 60 years, WKYC is committed to the long-term growth and success of the merchants we do business with," said General Manager Brooke Spectorsky "DealChicken provides another way to promote our great local businesses and all they have to offer with consumers.

DealChicken representatives understand the neighborhoods and blocks where Cleveland consumers live, work and shop better than anyone else. Deals are specially selected for Clevelanders by Clevelanders to deliver unique deals and experiences that help them discover the very best of our city from local restaurants to local adventure tours and getaways.”

Consumers can sign up now to receive future DealChicken Cleveland daily deals by visiting dealchicken.com. Local merchants interested in partnering with DealChicken on daily deals should also visit the web site. Merchants determine how many people must agree to purchase the deal in order for it to “hatch.” Revenue is shared between the merchant and DealChicken.

Sign up for the best deals available: http://www.dealchicken.com/cleveland-oh

Director's Cut Alert: Gannett Chairman And CEO To Take Medical Leave Of Absence

Craig Dubow, Gannett Chairman/CEO

McLean, VA – Gannett Co., Inc. announced today that chairman and chief executive officer Craig A. Dubow will take a leave of absence to address continuing issues relating to prior medical conditions.

Gracia C. Martore, president and chief operating officer, will serve as principal executive officer during his absence as she did during a prior medical leave in 2009.

Duncan M. McFarland, presiding director, said: “We wish Craig well during this difficult personal time. The Board has confidence in Gracia and our very capable management team to run the day to day operations of the Company, and we believe Gannett won’t miss a beat at this important juncture.”

“I believe Gannett is in very good hands as we continue to transform the Company and position it for a successful future,” said Dubow.

Gannett is the parent company of WKYC-TV.

Jim Donovan To Return To WKYC And Radio For Browns Opener

Jim Donovan

Jim Donovan has announced he will return to the radio airwaves in time for the Browns-Bengals game on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Cleveland Browns Stadium. He has been the radio voice of the Browns since the team returned in 1999.

He also will appear on the 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. news on WKYC-TV starting Monday, September 12.

Donovan has been absent from television and radio for more than three months after taking a medical leave of absence to treat leukemia.

Jim underwent a bone marrow transplant on June 7 at the Seidman Cancer Center.

Donovan, 55, was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in 2000.

Prior to undergoing the transplant, Donovan endured a grueling schedule of chemotherapy, yet managed to keep up with his demanding sports anchor and radio announcing positions.

Donovan made an appearance in Berea on Labor Day and was greeted with a warm reception from his media colleagues and members of the Browns public relations staff.

Jim announced his medical leave of absence to undergo the transplant on May 25. Fans across Northeast Ohio and the region showed their support by sending in well wishes via phone, email and cards.

Director's Cut Alert: Stephanie Coueignoux Joins Channel 3 News Team

Stephanie Coueginoux is joining the Channel 3 family as a Multimedia Journalist announced WKYC News Director Rita Andolsen on Thursday.

She will be joining the station from Central Florida News 13 in Orlando, Florida, where she was the primary night side reporter and a web content producer since 2006.

Stephanie Coueignoux, Courtesy: CFN, 13

Prior to moving to Florida, Stephanie worked at WJFW-TV/Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and KSTF-TV/Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and an anchor and reporter at both stations.

She started her career in broadcast journalism at WHDH, the NBC affiliate in Boston, as an intern and also did an internship at Newton News, a cable station in Newton, MA where she co-anchored and reported for a weekly cable news program.

Stephanie was born in France, although her family moved to Colorado, then California and Masssachusetts where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Wellesley College.

She is a member of the Asian American Journalist Association and the Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Her first day at WKYC will be in October.

Channel 3 Presents "The Cutting Edge" on 9/7/11 At 8 PM

Are you fighting fat but losing the battle? Millions of Americans are now clinically obese, and the numbers continue to grow. Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States.

So what’s the answer? Find out on the Cutting Edge: Fighting Fat airing Wednesday, September 7 from 8 to 9pm.

Whether you are 25 or 250 pounds overweight, medical experts agree it’s not necessarily the amount but what you eat that could make the difference in losing weight.

And for those considering bariatric surgery, there are new procedures being performed that are less invasive and more effective. Plus, learn what you can clip on your waistline to help whittle away the weight. You’ll meet experts from some of the country’s leading medical centers including Boston’s Children’s Hospital, Minnesota’s Healtheast and the Cleveland Clinic.

Cutting Edge: Fighting Fat explores the latest breakthroughs in battling the bulge and delivers a clear formula for success. There will also be a simultaneous live online chat on wkyc.com/cuttingedge produced by MedCity Media. The chat will include doctors and medical experts who will respond to viewer’s questions and experiences as they watch the show.

WKYC News will produce a companion series of targeted news stories next Tuesday through Friday at 11 pm. The stories will focus on local medical advances, how schools are changing their attitudes and their cafeterias, and cost efficient ways to buy healthy and nutritious food.

Cutting Edge; Fighting Fat is the first of three prime-time health specials being produced and aired by the Gannett Broadcast division for their stations across the country.

Click on the following video below for a preview of the show: