What an unexpectedly weird morning we had today!
As I drove to work early this morning from Freeport, I noticed just a hint of frost on the roads. Didnt really think much of it.
Soon after I walked into the office, News Editor Jim Winter was telling me that sports reporter John McNally had heard about a rollover car accident on the scanner at around 5:30 a.m.
Then the scanner started its chorus of beeps and whoops that seemed to go nonstop for the next hour or so.
Rollover accident No. 2 was called in.
Then a third.
Then a fourth.
Obviously that sheen of frost on the roads was a bit heavier in the northern part of Green County, where most of the accidents were occuring.
Unfortunately from a news business perspective, the accidents were far enough away from the Times office that we decided we wouldnt have enough time to get a photographer on the scene before the accident was cleaned up.
But we did get a story posted online around 8 a.m. that reported the four accident sites and gave information about two local roads being temporarily closed. It was first venture into posting breaking news on our new Web site.
Which leads me to some questions. What are your expectations for Times coverage online of events such as accidents and fires online? Do you look for information as it happens? Do you want to see photos? Is coverage of accidents and fires really that important?
As will be the case in a number of areas online, your input is important and will help shape how we approach coverage. So feel free to let me know by posting a comment below.
Thanks!
As I drove to work early this morning from Freeport, I noticed just a hint of frost on the roads. Didnt really think much of it.
Soon after I walked into the office, News Editor Jim Winter was telling me that sports reporter John McNally had heard about a rollover car accident on the scanner at around 5:30 a.m.
Then the scanner started its chorus of beeps and whoops that seemed to go nonstop for the next hour or so.
Rollover accident No. 2 was called in.
Then a third.
Then a fourth.
Obviously that sheen of frost on the roads was a bit heavier in the northern part of Green County, where most of the accidents were occuring.
Unfortunately from a news business perspective, the accidents were far enough away from the Times office that we decided we wouldnt have enough time to get a photographer on the scene before the accident was cleaned up.
But we did get a story posted online around 8 a.m. that reported the four accident sites and gave information about two local roads being temporarily closed. It was first venture into posting breaking news on our new Web site.
Which leads me to some questions. What are your expectations for Times coverage online of events such as accidents and fires online? Do you look for information as it happens? Do you want to see photos? Is coverage of accidents and fires really that important?
As will be the case in a number of areas online, your input is important and will help shape how we approach coverage. So feel free to let me know by posting a comment below.
Thanks!
