Pat Ciarrocchi at KYW 30 Years

Pat Ciarrocchi celebrates 30 years at KYW-TV's CBS-3. Her broadcast career began at WAMS radio in Wilmington DE in 1974 where she remained for the next five years. By 1979, it was time for a new challenge--to television that is. She went to WHAG-TV in Hagerstown Maryland where she served as a producer, reporter & anchor until her arrival in Philadelphia some three years later. Pat grew the morning's "KYW-3 Today" morning newscast from a thirty minute broadcast to a two hour show. She transferred to the 5:30 newscast in 1988 to co-anchor "Eyewitness News" with Jerry Penacoli. She was anhor for a year of "Evening Magazine" and has anchored the noon newscast off and on over the years and continues today--"Talk Philly", with fellow broadcaster Uke Washington. Below is a link to a clip I found on YOUTUBE from 1988 as she bid farewell to the dawn patrol with the late Gary Geers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC0WMuH80iY

CHECK OUT THE LAST "EVENING MAGAZINE" on KYW-TV. Pat co-anchored with Ray Murray the last year.Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUQ6QcR9TkI
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mgdXnJcY7U

Local Blurbs

News from KYW's CBS-3 is the departure of Investigative reporter, Jim Osman. He and the station were unable to come to terms on a new contract and he made the decision to pursue other opportunities.
At WCAU's NBC-10, morning anchor Terry Ruggles hits the streets beginning Monday. Management made the decision to relegate Ruggles back to "reporter" status and to promote weekend anchor, Stacey Stauffer.
Across the street at PVI's "Action News", reporter Sarah Bloomquist returned to the air this week following her maternity leave and we said goodbye to long-time reporter Cathy Gandolfo who retired.

FOX 29's John Bolaris Given the Heave-Ho

Dan Gross reports today on philly.com that FOX 29 meteorologist John Bolaris has been given his walking papers. Bolaris was suspended last month over an interview he did with Playboy magazine. The formal word is "both parties have agreed to part ways". This very well may be Bolaris' swan song for Philadelphia TV news. He began in this market at WCAU's NBC 10 until he departed for New York's WCBS where he was eventually let go. The position is now open until management makes their next move.

Changes on the Horizon for FOX-29 Weather

TV Spy's Merrill Knox reports on a new arrival for FOX 29's "Weather Authority". Caitlin Roth, a Philadelphia native, worked at Accuweather prior to her stint at NBC affiliate WOWT-TV. Plans for Roth are for covering the weekend shifts taking the place of the departing Sally Ann Mosey.
Mosey, a former WPVI alum, recently endured contract negotiations and agreed to take a pay cut. However, according to reports, Mosey decided to hit the pavement when a request for additional "paid time off" was denied.
Things seem to still be up in the air for the outcome of John Bolaris' situation with the station. Bolaris, who is the Chief Meteorologist, has been suspended "indefinitely" because of a recent interview Bolaris did with Playboy magazine. The situation is now in the hands of attorneys.

Departures at 6 ABC & CBS-3

WPVI-TV recently announced the retirement of long-timer Cathy Gandolfo. She joined the station in 1975 and moved up from writer to reporter two years later. By 1978, she was named New Jersey correspondent. Gandolfo leaves the airwaves at the end of this year.
Meanwhile, across the city at KYW's CBS-3, Dave Huddleston tweeted this past Sunday that he's leaving Philadelphia for a new job in Alanta at station WSB-TV. Huddleston arrived in Philadelphia back in 2002 when he worked at FOX 29's "FOX 29 News". He was let go and moved on to CBS 3 in November 2008 as the new weekend co-anchor of "Eyewitness News". Three months later, he launched the new 10:00 p.m. newscast on sister station, CW 57. Huddleston will anchor on WSB's "Action News" beginning in January.

WPHL-17 "Eye Opener"

WPHL-TV announced a newcomer to the morning TV newscape is on the horizon. Coming the end of October is "Eye Opener", a two hour morning news/features show that will compete with news on the other four stations which include KYW, WPVI, WCAU & FOX29. Eye Opener will air weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and include news, weather, consumer and entertainment/feature type segments. Also, traffic will be provided by Tango Traffic. Reports will be provided by five one-man-band types which means each person will be soley responsible for their report from interview, taping and editing their piece. With such a small staff I cannot believe this show will be much competition for the existing "big four" as far as covering breaking news. Reports indicate this show will focus more on features than news.

Steve Schwaid Making His Mark at FOX29

UPDATE TO JULY '11 POST: According to Philly.com's Marnie Hall, News Director Steve Schwaid has begun the revamp process at FOX29 by cancelling the popular Friday night segment, "Mob Talk", with Dave Schratweiser. Word is the plan is to return the newscasts to hard news and abandon the unpopular "interview, conjecture, opinionated" style ordered by former News Director Kingsley Smith which sent the newscasts and staff morale into a downward spiral. Smith left the station after 3-1/2 years for KTTV in Los Angeles. Check out Hall's video column HERE.
JULY 12, 2011 POST:
Former NBC10 News Director, Steve Schwaid, returns to Philadelphia to take the same post at WTXF FOX29. The position also includes the title of "Vice President" in addition to News Director, a post Schwaid will begin in August. Schwaid was News Director across town at WCAU and responsible for the station nipping the heels of WPVI's 11 p.m. news rating as well as introducing the EARTHWATCH brand and bringing weather into the lead of most newscasts. Schwaid joins fellow alums Dave Schratweiser and John Bolaris. Schwaid comes to Philadelphia from his post as News Director at Atlanta's CBS station, WGNX. Read the story of Schwaid's return HERE.
There's also some interesting reading on Steve's blog, though, it hasn't been updated since March 28th. Check it out HERE.