I was heading to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for another story around noon when my longtime colleague Vanessa Coria called with a tip from a source of hers that this was going on right now.

We rushed out to the scene, I ran into a contact of mine on the scene and we got more information and quickly got on the air reporting the story.

About 15 minutes after we finished reporting the story live, I could here a faint but distinct whirring sound. A competeing station's helicopter slowly emerged from the clouds. They clearly had seen my liveshot and rushed out to the story.

Certainly, I keep things into perspective that someone appears to have lost their life in a horrible way, and I feel for that person, their family, and the construction workers who found the body.

Today's events did remind me however, how well the 13 News team works together to bring you the latest information, not only first, but factually correct.

I recently celebrated my 4th anniversary with WVEC, and love the time I've spent here growing as a journalist alongside people like Vanessa, Regina, David, and Sandra. Today stood as a reminder that we really are a team you know, and one you can count on.

"Surely, you can't be serious?"
"I am serious, and don't call me Shirley!"
-Airplane 1980

I now only have two weeks and some change left in my oh-so-fashionable walking cast. Thank heavens.

When the boot finally comes off, I look forward to buying new shoes, because I've been seriously wearing down the left ones.

Thanks to everyone who has been so sweet and discreetly concealed their laughter when they've caught me hobbling down the street. Soon, you'll be able to laugh at me not for my gait and stormtrooper foot, but just because I'm tripping and falling as usual.

Wednesday afternoon, we at 13News rolled into a form of selfless team coverage I've never experienced before.

At 5 p.m., 13News photographer Andy Grossman and I were shooting "b-roll" (or cover video) for a story we were assigned to cover at a meeting with Governor Tim Kaine. That's when we got the call from Brandon Foster-Gray at the 13News assignment desk. Our newsroom had received a tip that someone had gone on a shooting rampage on Inverness Drive in Virginia Beach. He told Andy and I to hop to it and get to the scene.

It turns out we were less than a mile away from the scene. When we pulled onto Boggs Drive, the scene was to say the least -- chaotic. SWAT team members pulling on protective gear and grabbing high-powered weaponry.

As Beach police were getting the scene secured, 13News was doing the same.

On the other side of the Thalia Gardens complex, 13News investigator Wayne Carter along with 13News photographer Andrew Tawes were setting up their live shot. Moments later, 13News photographer Trista Hutson and 13News reporter Patrick Terpstra pulled up in another live truck on Boggs. And if that wasn't enough manpower enough, 13News investigator Lindsey Roberts and 13News photographer Andy Franklin (apparently to be a photographer here your name has to be Andy or Andrew) showed up.

While Wayne and I were the faces delivering facts and information on this story to you at home -- Patrick and Lindsey were helping us gather as much as we could about the unfolding situation at Thalia Gardens.

Our photography staff was working exceptionally hard -- setting up live shots, shooting video and interviews and generally working their tails to the bone. They did all this without taking a break to sit down and eat dinner or even use the restroom.

Andy Grossman and myself were the exceptions Wednesday night -- we were working our regular 2:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. shifts. Everybody else -- was what we call a dayside crew -- they typically come in at 9 a.m. and get off at 6:30 p.m. -- and Wednesday night they all made incredible sacrifices (missing quality time with spouses and newborn children, and even missing a concert) to stay in Virginia Beach and make sure you, the viewer, had as much as information as possible. That is dedication.

I want to personally thank everyone: Andy G., Patrick, Andy F., Lindsey, Wayne, Andrew and Trista for all of their outstanding work out there. It was truly inspiring to see what team coverage really means when it's done properly.

A side note: an extra special thanks to Lindsey and Andy Franklin for fetching food for their weary and hungry colleagues.

At first glance, some said, what's the big deal? Well think about it. Teachers are struggling with smaller budgets, school systems are looking for ways to give teachers raises, and buy better books to better prepare our children for school. Yet, the schools are continuing to become victims of pranks, pranks that cost taxpayers money.

Not to mention if you think back to when you were in elementary school, how would you feel if someone smashed a window at your school. It's unsettling and just plain wrong and not necessarily the lesson teachers should have to teach.

WC

I remember walking into the newsroom and our former Chief Investigator Doug Aronson told me how he too stumbled into town and never left. People were laughing, joking, cracking jokes on the boss, and not rolling their eyes. It clearly seemed like a family.
Later, I had dinner in Downtown Norfolk with the upper management of the station, two gentlemen I never met in my life. Well, one gave me a hug, and the other patted my back and welcomed me like an old friend.

I was instantly hooked. I planned to stay here just two years and then make a move to another larger city

Four years later, here I sit. It's not just WVEC, but all of Hampton Roads. Tomorrow is my 30th birthday, and I mentioned it on the air briefly, well I've gotten calls and even a cookie bouquet delivered to work. I really didn't expect anything of the sort, and have been reminded why I love living here so much. There really is a certain Spirit about Hampton Roads, one I'm honored to have experienced and enjoyed for the past few years.

Well today I'm covering the murder of a woman over the weekend in Virginia Beach, I was so pleased and surprised to walk up to door after door where people not only knew their neighbor but knew her name, her significant other, and her family.

This is not a quiet suburban, but not far from Town Center, and a neighborhood with many small townhomes, usually where you find many single people. Still, they knew, loved, and cared for one another, it was a refreshing find I wanted to share with you.

13News producer Pearl Fyderek has accused me of using this blog to list my various injuries -- so in keeping with that tradition....

I'll spare you the gory (and painful) details, but I broke my big toe on Sunday. Not pleasant. The injury and lengthy ER visit kept me from working Sunday, and Monday and Tuesday are my days off -- so Wednesday was my first day back on the job.

Even hobbling around on crutches, I was bound and determined to do my job. (It certainly beats the pants off of sitting around watching daytime television) Everything was going well until 13News photographer Pierre Simmons and I arrived at the Virginia Beach jail for our interview with Lisa Bradley. I had to tackle stairs and it a looooong way to walk from the jail entrance to the interview room. There were a few tense moments (and one groan going up the stairs) -- but I managed.

The real challenge came later in the evening, as Pierre and I were trying to figure out how I'd do my live shot. Normally, reporters stand in front of the camera. I was able to stand up, but only using crutches -- two accessories I wasn't eager to show off on air. It was Pierre to the rescue. He came up with the ingenious idea of pulling a chair out of our microwave/satellite truck, sitting me and my busted toe in it and just lowering the camera.

Pierre's plan worked brilliantly. I was able to do my job without revealing my injury to everyone at home (really, that's what a blog is for) -- all without worrying about falling over and winding up in more excruciating pain.

As of Thursday afternoon, I've been seperated from the evil crutches by an orthopedic surgeon and am now wearing an oh-so-fashionable walking boot (They are all the rage right now at the Paris couture shows). So, tonight, you won't see the crutches (and hopefully never will).

I am, however, beginning to believe what Pearl likes to say, "Andria, we need to put you in a plastic bubble so you can't get hurt."

As a television reporter, I've developed somewhat of a thick skin. I'm used to doors being slammed in my face, having hideous names thrown in my direction and generally being the last person anyone wants to see.

So, when someone is kind to me out on assignment, to say the least, I'm a bit taken aback.

I've been blessed by the kindness of strangers a few times in the past few months. On December 27th, 13News photographer Jason Walsh and I were in Newport News covering the story of a firetruck that had gotten into a wreck, and wound up inside a grocery store.

It was (I believe) a historic day for rainfall on the peninsula. During our live shot for 13News at Noon -- Jason and I were soaked to the bone -- the kind of wet that permeates every layer of clothing. It was raining so hard that the meteorolgist that day (I believe it was Julie Wilcox) mentioned our liveshot during her early weather forecast in the show. I fully expected to see elephants and giraffes marching two by two up Wickham Avenue headed for Noah's Ark.

It wasn't just pouring -- it was cold. As Jason and I were packing up our saturated equipment -- a kind woman came out from her front door with steaming hot mugs of green tea, telling us (as well as a crew from another station) to keep the mugs and just dry off.

The gift caught me off guard. To say the least -- I'm much more used to vitrolic reactions to my presence -- and not pity.

I've known since I moved to Hampton Roads that some of the nicest people in the States live here -- but that miserable December day I became a full believer in the kindness of strangers.

One of the greatest "gets" in our business is having a really interesting story, that people will certainly be talking about, and being the only one with it. You'll often hear us talk about exclusive stories, details, stories you will see only on 13 News.

I always work to bring exclusive stories to the table. I always get a tinge of excitement as the words exclusive would hit air, knowing that my competitors would be watching wondering what we had scooped them on this time.

Well, theres something else we've noticed. More people are getting their news in places other than on the air. Infact, you're online right now reading this, and likely you often get your news online. More people I meet in the grocery store are telling me "I don't have time to watch the news, I'm sorry." rather then the usual "We watch you every night!" So, we are adapting with the times and pledging to bring you breaking news online on wvec.com. We want to be your source for news, wherever you prefer to receive it.
We'll send e-mails to your work or blackberry the minute we confirm a story, it's our way of staying with the times.

Now, you'll get it, as we get it, but so will our competitors. It means I won't get that tinge of excitement as much when I hear that word "exclusive" on the air. This old dog doesn't like not hearing it as much. But as someone who does carry their blackberry around all day -- and loves surfing the net. I embrace it.

As my grandfather used to say, "Times are a'changin" and this old dog is changing with them.

I broke my story today on wvec.com, only to hear the competition read my story online and were scrambling to catch up. Of course when the clock strikes 6pm we'll both have it. But that's ok --- hopefully you saw it here first!

P.S. Notice I'm blogging more these days --- see, I can adopt to the technology changes. Now if only someone can explain to me this ipod craze???

Many times my day is a waiting game of waiting for the material I've uncovered to be confirmed and able to report on the air. I have to say I can't think of a better place to sit and wait then the courthouse in Virginia Beach. If you're a people watcher you will find the benches out front an amazing vantage point for real life entertainment.

You see everything from the excitement of a couple getting married or a teenager getting his license to the pain on someone's face who's sitting in a trial where a loved one is accused of a crime where they face serious consequences.

You'll see every walk of life going to contest a traffic ticket. I find it most amusing when there's a guy struggling to tuck his shirt in his pants, or a girl letting her hair down, both trying to impress the judge. If you stay long enough you'll watch that shirt tail pop back out -- or the woman pull off her shirt jacke and throw her hair back in a pony tail as they leave.

It truly is an interesting way to spend a few minutes of your day. So if you find yourself with some time to kill on a nice day, grab one of the benches out front. Be sure to come say hi to the reporter with his ear to a cellphone, his lap filled with police documents, and his eye on the woman walking into the courtroom trying to stuff a rubber chicken into their purse. (true story!)

This week a woman came home to find me walking down her driveway -- my photographer taking pictures in her block. The woman's husband was robbed at gunpoint earlier in the week. She flipped out, was a little nervous, why were the news people bothering her?

Well, she gave me a chance to explain why we wanted to talk to her and before long I had her laughing and joking. For a brief second in a very stressful week, she had her first smile and eventually her first laugh.

Many things we do are so very serious, especially in this business, and never would I take lightly someone's pain and hurt. But sometimes a laugh does you all the good in the world.

Today, I'm working a story regarding a prostitution ring in a quiet neighborhood in kempsville. While interviewing people today we were chased by a huge goose which lives in the area. He feels like the block is his home and well he didn't like us there. I wasn't sure I'd win him over. We dodged goose poop, and avoided him most of the day. So when we sat down in the newsvan to put together our story it hit me, this goose is part of the neighborhood, he belongs in the story.
My photographer looked at me funny, I mean after all this is an investigative story, I worked hard on all day, arguing with sources, trying to uncover search warrants, being the big bad investigative reporter --- why would you throw a goose in the middle of that?
Well, why not? I think we often forget to step back from the hard work we put in, take a deep breath, and well, look at things from an outsiders perspective.
In about 15 minutes on 13 News at 5:30pm I'll reveal the information we uncovered, and tell you about the organized crime police believe was taking place in this quiet calm neighborhood where a goose named Gossler also lives.

I hope you'll enjoy the humor he adds, and appreciate the hard work we put in to uncover the story of the crime police suspect is happening here.

WC

Today, as we do many times I was working on multiple potential stories, driving around from place to place, trying to find the most informative and interesting story to tell you by 5pm. As is often the case, there is no time for the traditional "lunch break". I'm usually calling sources, and working the phones while munching on a turkey sandwich or a Paradise Point Smoothie (with no banana!) Well, today my photographer suggested we stop at a certain fast food restaurant. I said, sure! Why not.

I got a temporary flashback of being a kid when mom would offer to bring me to those wonderful places of drive thru windows -- kiddie playgrounds --- and a little toy with your meal. I was excited to go and get my not so healthy splurge of the day.

Well, I walked in to place my order and was greated by someone who clearly wasn't having a good day, taking my selection of combo meals was not something she was happy to be doing. I went to get my drink, and well the place was a little . I just didn't get a good feeling. I realize I was having fast food and not filet mignon, but I tried to remember the point in my life where fast food didn't become as exciting as it used to be.

I admit I still jump for joy having certain fast food favorites. Today my photographer did get a toy for his 3 year old daughter. I got to play with it first too ;-) I have had some great experiences at some fast foot restaurants, but others just leave me not feeling so happy.

To borrow a line from my friend, I just wish I could supersize the service rather then the food.

A few hours ago, my photographer and I were talking to people in the neighborhood, getting their thoughts on the fact that this was happening. It's also an opportunity to inform the people who live in the immediate area of what is happening in their neighborhood.

Most people we met thanked for for either helping to spread the word about something they were already very worried about or thanked us for informing them of something happening in their neighborhood.

Part of our pledge to you is to "Protect You" through information. How many times have you heard that "knowledge is power"? I personally believe in that statement, and in covering potential danger in a neighborhood is our way of helping arm you with the information you need to make decisions for yourself. I have two very close female friends who live where this peeper/flasher is targeting people. I would NEVER tell them to stay inside, that they are now unsafe. However, some people take that reaction but that is just their choice.

Why am I ranting so?

Well, in interviewing people today I stopped a man and his wife and asked their opinion and thoughts on our story, if they had seen anything unusual, if they were worried, and how this news would impact their lives. The man looked at me squarely and laughed. He said. "Do you want to know what I think? Well, i think this is a media scare tactic to get more viewers."

I didn't quite know how to respond.

Yes, we are a business, and yes 13 News is the most watched evening news in Hampton Roads. Of course we care about viewers, we do want you to watch. But I took it a little personally to hear that this man thought we were trying to frighten you into watching.

Yes, many of the things we report on are troubling, they are scary, but we cover them to inform you, to provide you with local news, right down to your neighborhood. We feel its our responsibility to inform you and give you the knowledge to make smart decisions. I'm not here to scare you.

Sadly enough, it is a business, and yes we do air certain stories based on what we believe our viewers want to see. We all say we hate seeing "bad stories" on the news. But the sad truth of the matter is, when we don't cover crime, or those so-called "bad stories" no one watches. We see our competitors ratings rise and ours fall. If we ignored that, we'd all be out of a job, it is a business. However, our mission is always to inform, to provide information and let you choose how to handle it. We do cover crime but always ask ourselves how the story is relevant to all our viewers, we try to make the information we provide not just something to make you stop and look at the TV, but information you can take away and add to your life to make your world a little safer.

I hope if you feel we're just out here scaring you, this provides a little insight into why we cover the stories we do.

I invite you all to weigh in and tell me your thoughts, after all, we are here to serve you. I welcome your feedback.

I have to run... the news van is loaded up... and live coverage awaits.