There was also a front-page news item about his death. Title not meant as any sign of disrespect, just a piece of retro bay area broadcasting history. Maybe he can come back to KTVU some day even if doing special reports part time. I'm sure current management heard that as a slap in the face. Armstrong, who was deputy chief at the time, also said that the June 1, 2020, protest got out of hand. Hope Frank gets the help he deserves. Johnny Depp was surprise difficult on set of comeback film, reports say, Coronation organizers wonder if Prince Harry will be a no-show, report says, Summer movies 2023: 21 reasons you should be eager to return to theaters, Tucker Carlson: How early rejection by hippie San Francisco mom made him shameless, Harriette Cole: My friend's mom didn't recognize me at my job, and she was very rude. You're in our thoughts. In 2008, he received a highly publicized promotion when he was named the co-anchor of the station's 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts, replacing Bay Area . Several years ago George Watson worked for KTVU-2 in Oakland. I miss George Watson on the nightly news. Jerry Springer, former Cincinnati mayor and talk show host, dead at 79, A drug company abandoned a treatment for bubble boy disease. After a 5-year fight, this little California girl is about to get it, Former Jackass star Bam Margera turns himself in; denies assaulting younger brother, Henry Winkler advises find a passion and stick with it, no matter the stage of life, Review: Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love is an old-school special for an old-school talent. He was intoxicated. Fred just liked to do the real work of putting out a newspaper, the nuts and bolts of it, said Jim Knowles, managing editor of the San Leandro Times. ", UPDATE 10: 28 AM PT: I just received a text from Somerville: "I took the wrong meds last night. Buy Photos. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! One day at a time. Click this link to see pics of George on his 60th birthday. His life is changed now, relatively stable and on an ordinary course. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Watson has politely turned down several nedia interview requests. Griffith . TV Streaming | Thanks Rich and George - so glad to hear he is enjoying life. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! For the last year, civil rights attorneys and some city leaders have called out the police behavior, saying that officers violated city policy and a court order, prohibiting them from using tear gas and fire off specialty munitions as there was no proof of imminent danger, among other things. Big shift in weather is headed to California. needs these 5 sites to thrive so the city can recover. The Cliff House was once a colossal Victorian mansion that met a Californias historic snowpack remains massive. Producing that show was a dream job. I'm the cameraman that worked with George. Might want to ask your spies if I'm right. He arrived at KTVU in 2005 as a general assignment reporter. Let's forget Fred, we came here to buy him not to praise him, seems to be the mantra of current (mis)management. Calls to Somerville and Fox spokesperson Victoria Gurrieri Thursday morning were not returned. He arrived at KTVU in 2005 as a general assignment reporter. I used to watch him on KTVU (when it had a great news department)and really appreciated his special features reports. He always had faith in his people, and we always had faith in his judgment.. But that's . And it appears that many viewers are willing to cut him some slack. A family member told KTVU that Griffith died "from the effects of Lyme Disease since she was bitten by a tick while living in Oregon in 2015.". All the best, George! Hope he can get some help. He also had the pleasure of being on hand for a couple Warriors championship parades. On July 1, the San Leandro Times came out, with the usual uncredited grunt work that Zehnder always contributed. Fred was one of the few people in broadcasting who had the courage to hire the cosmetically challenged, including me, said Randy Shandobil, another Zehnder hire and longtime political editor, who retired 10 years ago. He wasn't missed. Leslie performed journalism the right way, focused on the story. Protesters yelled at police and someone was seen throwing a water bottle over the barricade, but dozens of witnesses told KTVU that the crowd was not violent. G Watson was that hard-working and effective at KTVU. Hope he can get some help . One month ago, Sandobil took Zehnder out to lunch just to thank him for hiring him and bringing him along, 40 years later. With Mary Wilson and Rikki Novetsky. ", Liggins added: "She was professional, engaging, and adored by her audience. More feared than adulated, though I always liked him and looked forward to his newsroom chats. She stood up for me on occasion too. Sad for Frank. He also put out the garbage, pulled weeds around the offices, typed wedding announcements and calendar items, took pictures and did every job that goes into getting free publications into circulation. RIP, Leslie.". Also, how come KGO-TV Channel 7 doesn't have Melanie Woodrow on their website under Newsteam? Emmy Award-winning TV journalist Leslie Griffith, who most . KTVU, virtual channel 2 (digital channel 44), is the Fox-affiliated television station serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Aug 2001 - Mar 20042 years 8 months. I look at my success as being nurtured and guided by Fred Zehnder, said Richmond, who cried when he got the news of Zehnders death at his home in Grass Valley. I remember him, he was always really good at what he did. 0. Was a regular KTVU News viewer back in the days when George worked at the station, and I always really liked his work. While there, he was introduced to broadcasting through a part-time job at a Eureka radio station. HmmmmmFrank SomervillePam MooreVeronica De La CruzThis crap is spreading like a wild fire!!! Sad. Viewers news may remember her as she spent more than two decades anchoring the 10 p.m. news alongside veteran anchor Dennis Richmond. But the call led to a job offer as a maintenance man at the center, which led to his sobriety. Related Articles "He (Somerville) looked drunk. It seems apparent that, even at a time when athletes and celebrities are connecting with the public by opening up about their personal struggles, both Somerville and KTVU have chosen at least so far to ignore the incident, move on and take a business-as-usual approach. He's still in mourning over the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks.". He looked awful and sounded worse. Finlayson is one of those remarkable people who always falls up. He needs to find a new line of work which suits him better. One year after Oakland police used tear gas to break up a large crowd ahead of a citywide curfew, the top brass remained mum on why the department resorted to that level of force. Updated by the minute, our Dallas Cowboys NFL Tracker: News and views and moves inside The Star and around the league . Just KTVU Channel 2. by | Jun 10, 2022 | 1050 main street paterson, nj | 159th aviation regiment patch | Jun 10, 2022 | 1050 main street paterson, nj | 159th aviation regiment patch Published by at 07/06/2022. In a now famous NBC "Dateline" story, Watson talks about his bout with the bottle. Fred Zehnder, longtime KTVU news director, dies at 87 after being hit by a car in Alameda. Get well soon, Frank. The Bay Area knows the story. OAKLAND, Calif. - Oakland police officers have been disciplined following the deployment of tear gas and other less-than-lethal projectiles at last summer's George Floyd protests, KTVU has learned. Former longtime KTVU anchor and reporter Leslie Griffith has died. By the time he hit Clearlake Union High School, he was working as a copy boy for the Lake County Bee. Produced by Mooj Zadie , Luke Vander Ploeg and Clare Toeniskoetter. He was speaking more slowly than normal, and he was mispronouncing and slurring some words. He just worked.. He started as a feature writer in the People section, which was anchored by Herb Caen's column, and has written about people ever since. For decades he lived in an in-law unit behind the home of close friends Howard and Claudette Morrison, who ended up working with him at his papers. He refused to let it end in Game 7, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. TV Streaming | Male talent seems to bog that station. Maybe she's oldsteam? UPDATE, 8: 31 AM PT: A source tells me Somerville was asked to leave after the first segment. Part-time? Franklin (Fox Sports Net), Leslie Griffith (KTVU), Mark Ibanez (KTVU), Deanne Moenster (KTVU), Tom Pellack (Fox Sports Net), Steve Shlisky (KTVU), George Watson (KTVU), and Rita Williams (KTVU). Don. In March, Somerville missed over two weeks from KTVU and told me that he was battling an alcohol-abuse issue and that he spent some time at a North Bay recovery center. She replaced Elaine Corral on the Ten O'clock News in 1998, becoming a staple on the program as Dennis Richmond's co-anchor. Tickets for the event are $85, with a $10 . Barbaa Rogers cried on the air announcing it, As a recovering Alcoholic (30 years sober) I know how difficult it is to reach sobriety. Did he use a different name on air? Political chaos has erupted in this Peninsula city over one issue: Housing, Flower Moon, a lunar eclipse and a meteor shower unfold this week, Oakland teachers set to strike starting Thursday. I have since rebuild my life. Watson also didn't realize how much the segment would have on his life later, even the more than twenty years later. Asked if Somerville was sick, Haener replied: No hes doing well taking a little time for himself and should be back soon!. In that sendoff staffers talk about how great things were back then, with Randy Shandobil saying "If you like us at all now, it's because of Fred." I remember seeing him on a program a few years ago that was about his life. TV Streaming | You did what he told you because you loved him and didnt want to let him down, Shandobil said. In the two-plus months since, Somerville has not publicly addressed the situation and KTVU management has barely acknowledged it. The 54-year-old newsman says he had been in and out of 12-step programs for many years. I'm shaken. He has filled in this week alongside Holmes. I told my wife I bet KTVU pulls him off the air at the commercial break, which they did. I don't remember my 20's. She was a real psycho-lady. Or follow her on Twitter @ljfernandez, Evan Sernoffsky is an investigative reporter for KTVU. He had his last drink on Oct. 6, 1996, after a phone call to his former rehab center. He knows what his vulnerabilites are, and attempts to deal with this truth. He and Leslie Griffith worked well together, and it is great to see her lovely self in those pictures. George Watson does not know this. For eight years, he held two full-time jobs, one in TV and one in print. > Also, how come KGO-TV Channel 7 doesn't have > Melanie Woodrow on their website under> Newsteam? Maybe if McCormick feels good enough, he might come down from Oregon. "It was not a lightbulb, burning-bush experience," he says. (She finished the May 30 newscast alone after Somerville disappeared from the desk, without explanation, 15 minutes into the program). KTVUs Frank Somerville to take a break after bizarre newscast behavior Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Always thought the O'Brien guy was the one adulated. You're a GREAT MAN, George, we all love you. Emmy Award-winning TV journalist Leslie Griffith, who most notably anchored the Ten O'clock News on KTVU Channel 2, died at the age of 66 on Aug. 10 in Lake Chapala, Mexico, where she had home, KTVU reported. The Press-Enterprise. Was at KNTV last I remember. He said that these findings and discipline are private under the police officer bill of rights. Somewhere along the line, George either got help or knew he just had to pull himself out of the situation. At the start of the 11 PM news, Julie Haener said "Frank is off tonight". Watson said Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong will hold a news conference this week to explain more. She has been at the station since 1997 and was on the desk the night Bay Area news icon (and Somervilles predecessor) Dennis Richmond tearfully signed off in 2008. Since then, he has helped launch the weekend editions of "Mornings on 2," co-anchoring with Claudine Wong. It was created in 1984 by KTVU reporter George Watson, and produced by Don McCuaig. George is a solid reporter and anchor. A police transparency law, SB 1421, which took effect in January 2019, mandates the release of information to the public if officers cause great bodily injury. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), H-1B: Feds want criminal charges over application fraud for Silicon Valleys favorite visa, KTVUs Frank Somerville to take a break after bizarre newscast behavior. Dear Abby: Am I overreacting to my European daughter-in-law's behavior? Fred would not have wanted that.. Once promoted, he showed a brilliance not only in personnel decisions but also in conceiving and launching the popular standing features Segment Two and My 20th Century.. "I feel good, awesome actually. Fred still had his great laugh and was as engaged as ever in journalism and in life, said Sandobil, now a communications consultant in Alameda. You were a bright shining start in a dark, dark world. Griffith, probably not. He was speaking more slowly than normal, and he was mispronouncing and slurring some words. I don't know if that's true or just folklore.I wish the best for this man. We had wanted to do it sooner, but Fred delayed the whole thing because of his work with the paper, said Isabelle Zehnder, a sister-in-law, who confirmed his death. One of the biggest stories he ever worked was the trial of George Zimmerman, the man who shot and killed Trayvon Martin. "It was not a call for help; I made the phone call initially to ask for money," he says. At that time I thought professional help and it did help. Mike Mibach grew up in the Bay Area and attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco (Class of 94) and College of Marin. Always liked George Watson, hope he's doing well Wow, Suzanne Saunders Shaw was his girlfriend! Is she still working there? 2023 FOX Television Stations, High Stakes: Sports Betting in California, Man frustrated by Oakland sideshow gets attacked by crowd, 'War on the Poor': Rally to remember Banko Brown victim of SF Walgreens shooting, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao unveils her first budget amid historic deficit, Oakland teachers announce strike Thursday if no agreement reached by then, Oakland's teachers are still negotiating with OUSD, Chinese immigrants remembered as backbone of building transcontinental railroad, Rally held to remember Banko Brown D.A. Sadly, it looked like he was drunk. He refused to let it end in Game 7, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Would be great to see some of his more recent reporting. I have a feeling they decided to limit the coverage of Fred's good old days, and there's been no follow up about a memorial, or more info on the alledged drunk driver, since. He was a great reporter ! It was not a splashy story, said Knowles, the managing editor. Frank was definitely impaired last night. ", At his lowest point, Watson was homeless, destitute and near death, he says. GEORGE WATSON OBITUARY. Suzanne was George's wife. I will keep you informed of any information I obtain. Dear Abby: Am I overreacting to my European daughter-in-law's behavior? Well, have to say I never heard of Zehnder till now. If you see this, thank you George. George Watson, former KTVU (Channel 2) weekend news anchor whose struggle with alcoholism cost him his job six years ago, was rehired as a reporter and writer last month. Photo Sharing; About SmugMug; Browse Photos; Prints & Gifts Zehnder was 87 and second youngest of four brothers, all still alive. I'm just glad at the end of the day there is no smoke over the cubicle and I haven't shut down the station. Though station management has said it will welcome Somervilles return when he is ready, in the interim KTVU must scramble to fill the void left by one of the Bay Areas most visible journalists a man who co-anchored the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts. Andre Senior is a relative newcomer to KTVU, having arrived in 2018 after anchoring and reporting in Hampton, Virginia and Tampa Bay, Florida. It's heartening to hear that he is well and sober. People get sick while working, all the time. He was an excellent writer and speaker. "George is a great writer with a strong knowledge and interest in local history," said KTVU News Director Andrew . Over the years, Savidge has contributed to KTVUs coverage of several major stories, including the Napa earthquake and the Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa area. Categories . Drunk on TV?A viewer could have been killed with this carelessness.Have you all gone mad? It seems odd. He held a news conference at the time saying that people were throwing rocks at police and "preparing Molotov cocktails.". They were big shoes to fill! I thought I was going to get fired when I had him back to do My 20th Century at KTVU. Somervile did not appearr on the 6 PM newscast. The nine-time Emmy Award-winning Griffith worked at KTVU for 20 years from 1986 to 2006 beginning as a reporter and as co-anchor, with George Watson, for the station's 10 p.m. weekend newscast.For several years in the 1990s, she anchored that weekend broadcast by herself, doing the same as well for a weekend early evening edition. Zehnder also hired or nurtured weather reporter Bill Martin and sports anchor Mark Ibanez, whom hed seen on TV while on vacation in Tahoe. Amy Graff is the news editor for SFGATE. He was great. Western Bride 26/05/2022. One final lapse crossed the line and that one signaled George's exit from Channel 2. January 6, 2013. Johnny Depp was surprise difficult on set of comeback film, reports say, Coronation organizers wonder if Prince Harry will be a no-show, report says, Summer movies 2023: 21 reasons you should be eager to return to theaters, Tucker Carlson: How early rejection by hippie San Francisco mom made him shameless, Harriette Cole: My friend's mom didn't recognize me at my job, and she was very rude. George Watson is safe and sane. Henry Winkler advises find a passion and stick with it, no matter the stage of life By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Jerry Springer, former Cincinnati mayor and talk show host, dead at 79 Loved watching when KTVU news still held the bar that other stations tried to match. To me, at that stage in my life, it was kind of a blur." Holmes has a strong social media presence, with 34,000 followers on Facebook and 14,000 followers on Twitter, where she claims to forever be in pursuit of a good story and fabulous shoes.. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than others. He was a calming and a guiding influence. But he had a profound impact on me as a child. We all need help at some point.I personally am too embarrassed to ask for help currently.Severe depression going on 4 years now. With Frank Somerville away, who will KTVU turn to? The source told me the producer said "Frank looked haggard." Dozens of protesters have alleged in at least two federal lawsuits that they suffered bruising and even temporary blindness as a result of getting hit with toxic chemical agents and the equivalent of rubber bullets during at least two protests last summer, on May 29 and June 1, 2020. (That role was reserved for Andrew Finlayson, who was Zehnder's successor. He returned to KTVU News a short time after. declines to files charges against armed Walgreens guard, Shocking details revealed during 'Doomsday mom' Lori Vallow's murder trial: Live updates, Barbie debuts Anna May Wong doll for AAPI Heritage Month. It's time KTVU makes a permanent change on their main anchor desk. I watched the show, he was having a hard time delivering the words, slurring a few words. The film blends the status of the (then) current-day BART system with looks at the amazing transit systems that existed . Here are their demands, Downtown S.F. I watched him for years. ", Frank Somerville finally returns to KTVU: Are, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), H-1B: Feds want criminal charges over application fraud for Silicon Valleys favorite visa. KTVUs The Ten O Clock News long has been the Bay Areas highest-rated newscast. Always in our thoughts George! He is 17 years removed from working as a reporter/anchor at the CBS affiliate in Phoenix. Toshua Sears was injured after getting tear gassed at an Oakland youth rally in honor of George Floyd on June 1, 2020. His story on the Pan Am Clippers, planes that flew from San Francisco to China from 1935 to 1946, airs this Sunday. A slightly more up to date update on George. Zehnder walked there from home and refused a ride back to his place, preferring to walk, as always. Chuck Barney is the TV critic and columnist for the Bay Area News Group. "Sad news," KTVU reporter Sal Castaneda wrote on Twitter. I'm delighted and happy that Watson has turned his life around. He started at KTVU as a reporter in 2011 and shifted to anchoring in 2018. Despite the acknowledgment, the contents of those reports and what discipline was meted out, and to whom, were not revealed. I've often heard than most American Indians have a very low tolerance for it. The motorist, identified as Michael Williams, 30, of Hayward, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Oh, well. Kevin O'Brien was the station manager, Zehnder's boss. Unfortunately, he is not the only Bay Area news anchor with a substance abuse/alcohol problem Doug Murphy, KPIX 5 died in a house fire at his home in Lafayette in 2005, Dec. 4th. Have you never heard of diarrhea? Everybody could depend on him.. You can email her at agraff@sfgate.com. Frank Somerville, a veteran TV newscaster suspended from KTVU following a dispute over coverage of the Gabby Petito homicide case, said Tuesday that he believes he is not returning to the station . Watched the KTVU newscasts when George worked there, and I miss his work and on-air presence. Covered the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks in New York City . We got Mike Mabach, Andre Senior, Frank Malicoat to take over his spot. To date, police have not yet provided evidence of those Molotov cocktails and dozens of witnesses have told KTVU that no one was causing imminent danger to police at 7:45 p.m. that night, 15 minutes before curfew, when police threw tear gas into the crowd. I really appreciated and enjoyed George's on-air work and presence. Don, to take its toll at the news studio at Jack London Square. Courtesy KTVU. She currently anchors the 4 and 7 p.m. news at KTVU, but has filled in for Somerville several times already this week. Last time in 2007 and 2008, the economic downturn hit me hard, I was working on commission only, and my business disappeared in a matter of weeks, because I was too late to face reality I also lost my condo. At Lakeport Union Elementary, he fell under the spell of a teacher who had been a news reporter, and she encouraged him. And the department's own policyplaces special restrictions on the use of dangerous weapons such as flashbangs and tear gas precisely because those breaking the law might be mixed with peaceful passersby, along with legal observers and journalists. Somerville, 63, has been at KTVU since 1991. Separately, the civilian-led Oakland Police Commission's "Community Police Review Agency," which has its own investigative arm, found numerous sustained findings of policy violations stemming from last summer's protests. I have thought about you often and held positive thoughts for you. A segment that continues to be one of Dateline's most-watched programs--the segment aired in 1996, right when Watson left KTVU. "I'm loving retired life, really have left that stage of my life." CPRA Executive Director John Alden said that discipline was also ordered in these cases, which range from failure to supervise, excessive use of force, failure to accept complaints and Miranda violations, to name a few. Fred Zehnder, the news director at KTVU for decades, died after being hit by a truck while walking in Alameda. Betty and family Margaret are sorry for your lost.but remember he is in a better place god is holding him now ,our prayers are whith you all. Frank Somerville , KTVU 5, 6, and 10 p.m. anchor. I used to watch him on KTVU (when it had a great news department)and really appreciated his special features reports. Emmy Award-winning TV journalist Leslie Griffith joined KTVU in 1986. George Watson is safe and sane. > It's time KTVU makes a permanent change on> their main anchor desk.They don't have much male talent they could bring in. Oh stop!He was drunk.Stop enabling him and make him get help. Starting in 1978, he had a 22-year run at the TV station, where he put together the anchor team of Dennis Richmond and Barbara Simpson, whom Zehnder later replaced with Elaine Corral, Leslie Griffith and Julie Haener, all during Richmonds 20 years as an anchor. They're not like another Bay Area station, that has a mediocrity [*cough-cough* Ken Bastida! Nice entry, Rich. He was already 12 years into his career when he was drafted into the Army, upon his graduation from Humboldt State, at age 22. Reply Delete Bay Area Transit (1984) is a locally-made documentary about the history of transit in Oakland and the Bay Area. When Zehnder wasnt working he was walking, and it was while out making his nightly round of his central Alameda neighborhood on the night of June 27 that Zehnder was hit by a raised pickup truck in an intersection.