I’ve been involved in two stories this week that have had a major viewer impact.

The first, the train derailment in Wauseon, was a story where viewers depended on us for information on their safety — and seeing this comment when I returned to the station made me feel like we accomplished that:

“Thank you fox news! You are the only news station that bothered to cover more than 10 seconds of this news event. The information you provided was very important to the residents of Wauseon.”

We were first on the air with the story — live at the scene — gave the important information, and didn’t beat it into the ground. When we had new information, we went back on the air. Otherwise, we were posting new information on foxtoledo.com.

But I’m not taking the credit — the teamwork of Craig Picklesimer, the photographer/live truck operator who safetly set up everything in a matter of minutes, producer Brian Krupp who tore apart his show so we could do multiple updates, web producer Tim Andrassy who took my frantic, quick phone calls with updates every few minutes, and the rest of the team back at the studio allowed us to cover this event as breaking news should be covered.

Then, Saturday night, as we learned more about three missing boys in Lenawee County, we had a discussion: if we ran the photos before each commercial, would it be perceived as we intended or as sensationalism?

This comment on foxtoledo.com confirmed our decision was understood:

“I live in Morenci, and I for one would like to commend FOX Toledo for your coverage. You have had the most, and the most up to date info. I’m watching the 10 o’clock newscast, and have seen the boys photos 3 times. That shows that you have a heart. Thank you.”

So we’re doing the same thing on FOX Toledo News @ 10 tonight.

It’s been long said that television’s a one-way medium — we talk to you and, unless you take the time to find our phone number, you don’t talk to us (and, let me tell you, the majority of people that seem to take the time are those who want to curse at us about programming decisions).

The internet should have changed that immediately — but it seems like it’s taking a bit longer. We’re still getting used to reading comments and using them in our decision-making and, like most things online, much of the comments are negative.

With that in mind, having the chance to read supportive comments from viewers who feel we’re doing news the way it should be done? It’s quite the feeling.

Photo by Jay Schell/WTOL

I’m hoping to send a letter soon to the mayor, police chief and fire chief of Wauseon, thanking them for their skill in handling a major media event the night of the train derailment.

We were immediately moved to a staging area — not blocks away from the scene, but (safely) right in front of it. And we weren’t ignored by the safety officials, who could have blown us off and said they were too busy — they spoke to us every chance they had.

It’s the best example of emergency crew-media interaction I’ve seen — well, ever. Kudos.

My wonderful boss, FOX Toledo News Director Steve France, only asked a simple task of Sharia Davis: water his plants.

Now, they’re dead.

Good job, Sharia.

(This is what you get for letting your stuff overlap on to my desk!)

“If you smoke, don’t do it in bed — and definitely don’t do it if you’re on oxygen or there’s oxygen in the house.”

As this line played through the speakers of my edit bay — part of my story today — chief photojournalist Frank Rao asked me, “Do you really have to say that? Isn’t it common sense?”

I wish it was.

I remember shooting a story a winter or two ago where an older gentleman had been dramatically rescued from his burning house. He wouldn’t talk on camera but, as he rolled his window further down to answer that question, I realized he was sitting in his car. Smoking a cigarette. Wearing a nasal cannula giving him pure oxygen.

I slowly backed away and, after reaching a safe distance, began shaking my head.

At my other job, we’ve been treating patients complaining about trouble breathing only to find ourselves asking a family member (or even the patient) to put out the cigarette.

::deep sigh::

I recognize the fact that, being a non-smoker, I can’t understand the addiction people deal with — and the challenge of trying to quit.

Putting your long-term health in jeopardy is one thing; possibly avoiding an explosion a la a Wyle E. Coyote experiment gone wrong seems like common sense.

Yet, somehow, it’s not.

And that’s why we have to say it on TV.

My mom rescued this hawk a short while ago — taking it to Nature’s Nursery for rehabilitation.

Before she could get it in the cage, it had its talon through her wrist.

Thankfully, no such problem for its release — and that one is my favorite picture.

As I watched several instalments of the original “Halloween” movies last week,  I couldn’t help but laugh at the fake news reporters doing Hollywood-scripted breaking news live shots alerting the public about Michael Myers.

I wondered how I would handle it if I ever have to cover a story as frightening as that (an escaped patient from a psychiatric hospital running around randomly killing people on Halloween night, for those of you not familiar with the plot).

While Sunday’s triple homicide, according to Ottawa County’s sheriff, wasn’t random — nor did the deputies think it put the general public in danger — I’ll admit, there was an extra, creepy feeling that sunk into my stomach as I drove down Route 2 toward the crime scene.

I’d much rather laugh at fake news reports on TV than actually have to report on something that has the makings of a horror movie.

How’d we get to this point? We’re a little over a week away from Halloween and I don’t even have my costume…

That said, we did get a chance to carve pumpkins…

Two random thoughts this morning…

1. If you want us to cover your event, the top of your press release should look just like this:

Date:
Time:
Location: (this one should include the full address, not just the name of the place)

Then go into how ever much detail you’d like in explaining your event.

2. If you’re having a press conference, remember to inform the press.

::deep sigh::

It feels good to get that off my chest. Thanks for listening.

…and it’s my brother’s fault. I swear.

He and my good friend Matt were planning to go out on the Maumee River for a few hours, borrowing another friend’s pair of kayaks.

Having the day off, I invited myself along. Minor detail? I didn’t have a kayak.

At this point, I tell you my brother should be a salesman. Within 15 minutes of leaving to go to the store, we had the surprisingly large plastic boat on the top of his truck. Talk about an impulse buy.

In reality, I’d been looking at buying one for quite some time but never really got close to pulling the trigger. That said, I’m glad I did. We spent two hours on the river, bouncing between Perrysburg and Maumee, finding fish, turtles, ducks and plenty of spiders (before I ventured under the dangling tree limbs, my brother conveniently forgot to mention that’s their favorite spot to hang out).

It was, strangely, a sobering experience. Being able to float along the river, thinking of those who crossed it to battle near Fort Meigs, those who used boats to trade and hunt along the banks of this beautiful, or those who built the old-old-Maumee-Perrysburg Bridge. It’s a natural treasure rich with history we’re so lucky to have in our area.

Growing up in Perrysburg, I’ve been everywhere in town — Fort Meigs, 577 Foundation and several other historical-slash-educational destinations.

But there’s something different in exploring your town’s history on your own — and I discovered yesterday, that’s well worth the impulse buy.