SIGNS OF LIFE—THAT IS, A BREAKING NEWS STORY—AT LBREPORT.COM
By Dave Wielenga
A pulse has been detected on the website of LBReport.com, which on Sunday began to emerge from a brief coma—publisher Bill Pearl called it a “hiatus”—in encouragingly characteristic fashion: that is, it broke a story.
Acting on an independent tip, LBReporter Sharon Katchen was first with news of the Long Beach Police Department’s second fatal shooting of a suspect in a week. Katchen, who was an award-winning reporter for KFWB-AM (980) when that station had an all-news format, is also Pearl’s wife—or “Mrs. LBReport.com,” as he refers to her professionally.
Meanwhile, Pearl continues a reassessment of the website, not only its format and focus but also how to better integrate its demands—which for 10 years have been 24/7—on his family life and health. Pearl cited both in a short on-line dispatch when he announced the LBReport.com hiatus.
“We’re not going away,” Pearl said Monday, repeating a comment he made when LBReport.com went dark Friday. “I meant that.”
3 Comments
I love LBReport, I really do, but the site would benefit greatly from a redesign.
“LBReporter Sharon Katchen was first with news of the Long Beach Police Department’s second fatal shooting of a suspect in a week. Katchen, who was an award-winning reporter for KFWB-AM (980) when that station had an all-news format, is also Pearl’s wife—or “Mrs. LBReport.com,” as he refers to her professionally.”
Did NOT know that. Pearl and his wife have a tenacious little website, great reporting. Too bad he apparently doesn’t want to, or can’t delegate a little more. There must be a few competent locals, especially semi-retired local journalists, who would be enthusiastic about carrying some of the load. Maybe that winds up being extra stress in and of itself.
I could be wrong, but in my opinion, that vile, boil-headed, moaning, thalidomide baby with the eternal vacant stare we call “The Press Telegram” should be confronted with more websites that actually report the news, rather than cater to special political interests of the burnouts the PT staff refers to as it’s “editors.”
Dear “Mr. and Mrs. LBReport.com”,
It’s no surprise that a rest is in order. Your ten years of dogged, dedicated, truthful story telling for the benefit of all of us has required sacrifices from you that we didn’t have to make.
Thank you! Be well, Bill and Sharon. Here’s to the future of LBReport.com!