Former Channel 3 Reporter/Anchor Struck With Catastrophic Brain Aneurysm

Cory Thompson and Lisa Colagrossi at WKYC in 1994

UPDATE: Lisa Colagrossi passed away Friday evening. More: http://nyp.st/1BYknA
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Sad news to report on this Friday for those of us who fondly remember working with former Channel 3 Reporter/Anchor Lisa Colagrossi.

She suffered a brain aneurysm and massive heart attack Thursday morning after covering a fire in Queens, New York, while reporting for WABC-TV where she has worked since 2001.

The New York Daily News is reporting doctors say Colagrossi is unlikely to recover from her illness and is currently on life support at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center’s neurological ICU.

At WKYC, Lisa was teamed up with Jim Hooley when the weekend morning news launched and was an anchor with Cory Thompson on the weekend evening shift as well.

Colagrossi, 49, was born and raised in Strongsville and besides working at WKYC and WABC, she worked at WKMG-TV/Orlando.

Our thoughts are with her husband Todd, two children and extended family during this most difficult time.

Channel 3 Crew Saves Dog Trapped on Lake Erie

Channel 3 crews have rescued a dog that has been stuck on the ice north of Bay Village, Ohio, on Lake Erie for more than a day.

Coast Guard crews had said it was too difficult for an air mission, but WKYC partnered up with local company Air1Airboats to take a trip out onto the ice with Channel 3 reporter Mike O'Mara and cameraman George Payamgis to look for the dog

The Coast Guard and Bay Village Fire and Rescue attempted to rescue the dog Thursday but it ran from them.

Concerned residents say they'd been watching the dog, likely a young black Lab for days.

Local animal lovers, including Friendship Animal Protective League Executive Director Greg Willey and Lorain police officer Rick Broz were on hand to assist.

Click on the video below to watch the rescue:

4th Annual APL Fur-Get-Me-Not Telethon This Friday On WKYC

Join Channel 3 News and the Cleveland Animal Protective League for WKYC's Fur-Get-Me-Not-Telethon to raise money for the animals at the Cleveland APL.

On Friday, March 20th, from 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Cleveland Animal Protective League will be live on Channel 3 air every half-hour with stories that showcase the diverse and meaningful work the Cleveland APL does to rescue, heal, nurture, adopt and advocate for the animals in need in our community.

In honor of this special and exciting event, the Cleveland APL is extending adoption hours and reducing our adoption fees. On Friday, March 20th, 2015, the APL will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., and select adult cats (1 year and over) will be available for adoption for only $3. (Regular adoption fees are $45 for cats.)

"We're thrilled and honored that WKYC Channel 3 has chosen to spotlight the work we do for animals," says Sharon Harvey, President & CEO of the Cleveland APL. "Every year, we help thousands of animals that are homeless, injured, ill, abandoned, neglected, or abused. We hope Greater Clevelanders will tune in to learn more about the animals at the APL and how they can help. And if you have room in your heart and home, stop by the shelter to meet our special animals and help in the best way possible—adopt love!"

Please call the APL at 216-771-4616 with any questions about adopting an animal in need.

WKYC Launches New Literacy Initiative Wednesday

WKYC and Third Federal are kicking off a new community initiative, the #WeReadHere campaign, to encourage parents to spend 20 minutes a day reading with their children.

Take a look at a few images that have been shared with WKYC! (READ MORE)

UPLOAD: Share your selfie here

MOBILE USERS: Share pics here

The initiative, which launched on World Read Aloud Day, March 4, urges parents to post "reading selfies" on social media using the #WeReadHere hashtag.

More than a one-day event, the campaign will continue through the spring and summer and will provide rewards to randomly selected families who post pictures showing that they have made reading a habit. Twice a week, a sampling of "reading selfies" posted by viewers will be shown on the air during WKYC news programs.

Beyond the selfies, the campaign also spotlights other ways to support literacy efforts in Northeast Ohio. These include:

Greater Cleveland Volunteers is collecting new and gently used books for K-3 students this week. You can drop books off through Friday, March 6, 9 am-4:30 pm, at the Greater Cleveland Volunteers office, 4415 Euclid Ave., Suite 200, Cleveland.

Also Cuyahoga County Public Library is seeking volunteers for its 123 READ program, which brings first and second grade students who are at risk of failing the third grade reading guarantee into the library for one-on-one reading tutoring with trained volunteers.

This popular program, held at the Warrensville Heights, Garfield Heights, Brooklyn and Maple Heights branches, is seeking tutors because it currently has a waiting list of children. To sign up, go to www.BVUvolunteers.org

Dana Nagel Joins WKYC as Director of Sales

Dana Nagel

Former Channel 3 Local Sales Manager Returns

“I’m pleased to announce that Dana Nagel will be returning to Channel 3 as Director of Sales,” announced WKYC President and GM Micki Byrnes. “Dana was WKYC’s Local Sales Manager from 1994 to 2010 when she left to work as the Director of Media and Digital Sales for the Cleveland Browns.”

“I am incredibly excited to be returning to WKYC in this new role,” stated Dana.

“With two seasons at the Browns and two years as the Senior Regional Marketing Director for Tier 10 Marketing handling the American Honda account, Dana brings a unique global view of the Cleveland DMA to all aspects of buying and selling,” remarked Byrnes.

Ms. Nagel will be leading the management team of Local Sales Managers Cory Jackson and Michael Albrecht, National Sales Manager Rita Cavanaugh, Digital Sales Manager Justin Gutschmidt, Director of Research and Strategy Dan Baylog and New Business Development Manager Kim DeCredico.

“I’m confident that Dana’s team, including the best Account Executives and support staff in the region, will continue to lead the market in developing custom strategies and creative solutions for our clients,” continued Byrnes.

“I’m coming home and I couldn’t be happier. I know the station, I know the market and I know together we can continue to position WKYC as the leader in content engagement and customer loyalty,” remarked Dana.

Ms. Nagel graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Telecommunications/ Advertising. She and her family currently reside in Strongsville.