News 18 Archives
Friday 09th of May 2008 
Eau Claire, WI
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WQOW TV :: Eau Claire, WI
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 Picture Of The Week
Don Sobotta of Eau Claire took this picture south of town on Monday. Send your pictures to pictures@wqow.com.
Lisa Patrow
News Director/News Anchor

Lisa Patrow is the News Director for WQOW and also anchors Live at Five weekdays.

Born and raised in the Chippewa Valley, Lisa has been involved in all aspects of news gathering and reporting since she was a teen. Her first job came to her in high school when she landed a job at WWIB-FM.

While still in college, she began working part-time for Phillips Broadcasting in Menomonie as a news director and morning anchor. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire in 1995 with a double major in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science, she took on full time duties for Phillips when it moved to Eau Claire.

After six and a half years with the radio station, she decided to make the jump to television and joined the News 18 staff in October of 2000. She started out as the six and 10 p.m. anchor before becoming News Director in 2003.

Lisa has won numerous awards for broadcast excellence including 27 awards from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. She is also a correspondent for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Lisa is married and has one son. She enjoys fishing and camping with her family.

Contact Lisa at lpatrow@wqow.com
Jerry Gallagher
News Anchor

Jerry Gallagher co-anchors News 18 at 6:00 and 10:00. He joined the News 18 team in 2002 after spending four years in Sioux City, Iowa. Jerry was a reporter, weekend anchor and main anchor during his tenure at KCAU-TV.

He was born in Strawberry Point, Iowa and later moved to Storm Lake, Iowa. Jerry comes from a big family with a broad journalism background. He's the youngest of eight kids and at one time, was one of four Gallagher boys who worked at the Storm Lake Times newspaper.

Jerry graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1998 with a degree in electronic media. He met his wife, Kelly, at UNI. They were married in 2001 near Prairie du Chien. Kelly is an elementary teacher in the Eau Claire School District. They have two children, Reece and Maddie. Jerry, Kelly, Reece and Maddie love spending time at home with their dog, "Buddy." They also spend a lot of time watching sports together, especially anything that includes the Packers or Cubs.
Jamie Paige
News Anchor

Jamie Paige co-anchors News 18 at 6:00 and 10:00. She joined the News 18 team in February 2004 as the Daybreak producer.

Jamie has lived in the Midwest for most of her life. She was born and raised in Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Jamie started her college career at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, and then moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota. Jamie graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism.

In the fall of 1998 Jamie joined the armed forces. She signed up with the 133rd Airlift Wing in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jamie started her career with the Minnesota Air National Guard in the medical field and after two years working with the medical squadron moved to public affairs. She worked as a staff writer for the Trauma Tribune where she received several awards. Jamie also led the Health and Wellness program on base and received a national award from the Air Force. Among Jamie's most fond experiences in the guard was working in Japan, and in Alaska.

Jamie enjoys spending time with her family in Minneapolis. The youngest love of Jamie's life is her 5 year old brother Izaiah who was adopted by her parents several years ago. Jamie also says life just wouldn't be the same without her older (by 11 months) sister Robbie.

Jamie enjoys running, reading and traveling.
Doug Michaels
Meteorologist

Doug Michaels leads the News-18 Forecast Team. Doug was born and raised in Detroit, MI, and obtained an undergrad degree in History from the University of Michigan in 1998. He discovered, though, that weather forecasting was his passion. After taking a short break from school, he moved to Colorado and enrolled in the Meteorology program at the Metropolitan State College of Denver. Doug interned at KRDO (ABC) in Colorado Springs, and KUSA (NBC) in Denver, where he worked with some of the best Meteorologists in Colorado. During his final year at Metro College, Doug was hired as a student research assistant at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO, and as the weekend weather anchor at KGWN (CBS) in Cheyenne, WY.

Some of the activities that Doug enjoyed while living in the Mile High City included rafting, attending concerts, sporting events, and storm chasing. According to Doug, "Chasing in the high plains is great. There is nothing more gratifying than forecasting where a supercell will develop, then going out and watching it go up right in front of you." Doug is excited about the opportunity to enjoy all that western Wisconsin has to offer.
Bob Bradovich
Sports Director

Bob Bradovich has had the opportunity to cover many big events since joining the News 18 team in 1996, including Super Bowls XXXI and XXXII, the 1999 and 2000 Rose Bowls, as well as the 2006 NCAA Frozen Four. Bob is also very visible during the the month of March each year, as one of the play-by-play announcers for the WIAA hockey and basketball state tournament telecasts. Bob's work has been recognized by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association with Merit Awards in 2003 and 2004 in the best sports reporting category, as well as a 1997 Merit Award for use of the medium. Bob was also a co-recipient of the 2005-06 Tom Butler Award, given annually by the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to an individual or individuals who have provided outstanding media coverage to WIAC athletics.


Bob's broadcast experience includes stops in Mason City, Iowa, where he was the weekend sports anchor at KIMT-TV, as well as WNNE-TV in White River Junction, Vermont, where he worked as a reporter/videographer in both news and sports. While attending graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bob interned in the sports department at WKOW-TV, a sister station of WQOW 18.

In 2003, Bob took on some additional responsibilities as an associate lecturer for two courses in the department of Communication and Journalism at UW-Eau Claire.

Sports have been a big part of Bob's life. He was a three-sport athlete (baseball, basketball, cross country) at Chisholm High School in northern Minnesota, where he was also co-valedictorian of his graduating class. Bob attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and was a three-year baseball letterwinner for the Knights.

Bob still stays active in athletics. In the summer, you can find him playing baseball with the Menomonie Grey Eagles, or else on one of the Chippewa Valley's many golf courses or bike trails. Year-round, he's a regular at the Eau Claire YMCA, either on the basketball court or in the weight room.

Bob says he's lucky to have combined his passion for sports with his career--he still can't believe he gets paid to watch sports on TV and in person. He says the best part of his job is the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people from all walks of life. Bob remains a big sports fan, and lists Camp Randall Stadium, Lambeau Field, Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and the old Boston Garden as his favorite venues.
Cassy Clark
Anchor

Cassy Clark joined News 18 as a full time reporter in December of 2006 and is currently the Daybreak Anchor. Prior to joining the WQOW family, she worked as an intern and fill-in assignment editor at KARE-TV in Minneapolis. She also interned at KEYC-TV in Mankato, Minnesota and KDWB-FM in Minneapolis.

Cassy graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of St. Thomas in December of 2006. She earned a double major in broadcast journalism and public relations with a minor in political science.

Cassy is originally from Minnesota, but says she’s now happy to call Eau Claire home. However, she still remains an avid fan of Minnesota sports, but admits Wisconsin sports are beginning to grow on her. She’s excited to learn more about the Chippewa Valley and the people that live here.

If you have a story idea, please e-mail her at cclark@wqow.com.
LeAnn Lombardo
Meteorologist

LeAnn Lombardo joined the News 18 staff in March of 2006 doing weekend weather and reporting during the week. In August of 2006, she became the Daybreak Meteorologist.

A native of western Wisconsin, LeAnn grew up on a large dairy farm in Clear Lake. After working as a computer analyst for many years, she knew there was something else she wanted to do, something she always loved... weather! It seemed like fate when a Twin Cities meteorologist came to her son’s school for a presentation. She talked with him about her interest in weather and jumped at the chance to visit his station when invited... and so there it all began.

She completed her schooling at Mississippi State University and has been granted the AMS (American Meteorology Society) seal of approval for high technical competence and sound delivery of weather information to the general public.

Previous to working at News 18, LeAnn delivered the weekend forecast at KAAL-TV in Austin, MN and daily forecasts at WPGR radio in Clear Lake, WI.

When not at work, LeAnn loves spending time with her family, playing volleyball, Friday night fish fries, working out and shopping.
Nick Grunseth
Weekend Meteorologist

Nick Grunseth joined the News 18 Team in September 2007 as the weekend Meteorologist. You will also see him reporting news on the weekdays.

Nick grew up in a small town in western Wisconsin and became a loyal News 18 viewer. His first interest in weather came during the landfall of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and since, he has looked forward to watching local television weather reports, especially during severe weather outbreaks in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

After graduating from high school in 2003, Nick headed to UW-Madison to pursue his degree in Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences, graduating in May 2007. During his time in college, he interned simultaneously at WAOW-TV in Wausau and WISN-TV in Milwaukee, learning the many techniques of weather broadcasting. Nick says that interning at two different television stations at the same time helped him understand how to relate to viewers.

"Milwaukee and Wausau are two very different cities with viewers who have very different lifestyles. With my growing up in the Chippewa Valley and the experience I've gained from my internships, I look forward to meeting and devoting my time to the people of western Wisconsin."

Following his college career, Nick worked a short time for a private forecasting company, producing live and recorded forecasts for clients and radio stations.

When Nick is not forecasting the weather or reporting, he enjoys all kinds of outdoor sports and activities. You may also find him out chasing storms in western Wisconsin, or dressed in his cardinal and white, prepared to cheer on the Badgers wherever they go.

Please e-mail Nick your weather question at ngrunseth@wqow.com.
Bill Port
Weekend Sports Anchor

Bill Port joined News 18 full-time in August, 2007 as the weekend sports anchor. He got his first television experience as an intern in the news department at WQOW during the summer of 2005. The following summer, Bill once again interned at News 18 in the sports department. Immediately following his internship, he began working as a part-time sports photographer.

Bill graduated from Eisenhower High School in New Berlin, Wisconsin in 2002 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for one-year. In 2003, he transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and will be graduating in December with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Sports have been part of Bill’s life for as long as he can remember. Since the age of 5, he has played many sports, his favorites being football, baseball, soccer, and roller-hockey. When he isn’t working, Bill enjoys watching movies, playing volleyball, and going tubing down the Chippewa River. One fun fact about Bill is that he loves the sport of bobsledding, as well. He enjoys visiting Milwaukee whenever he can to see his family, and also says he loves to travel to California to visit his brother whenever he gets the chance.

Combining his love for sports with his career is something Bill has always wanted to do, and enjoys being able to do so in the Chippewa Valley.

To contact Bill, send an email to bport@wqow.com.
Krista Hostetler
Anchor/Producer

Krista Hostetler joined the News 18 team in July 2007 as the Live at Five producer. In September 2007 she began as the fill-in anchor for Live at Five.

Prior to joining the News 18 team, Krista was employed at QCTV-15 – a local cable station in Champlin, MN where she had her own movie review show, MovieWise. She produced and anchored the show. She also did some reporting for QC’s outdoors show.

Krista was born in Anoka, Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota in December 2006 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. During her college career, she did weekly on-air news updates at the university’s radio station, Radio K. She also produced and anchored for the university’s student run television program, University Report.

During her last semester in college, Krista interned at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis. She assisted reporters and anchors with their daily schedules. One of her greatest experiences there was running out on the Minnesota Twins baseball field to assist a reporter and being able to interview the players during their playoff celebration.

Krista enjoys spending time with her big Greek family, going to the beach, spending sunny days on the lake, staying active and traveling.

Feel free to contact Krista at khostetler@wqow.com
Adam Stapel
Reporter

Adam Stapel joined the News 18 team in March of 2006 and is currently a news reporter. Adam has worked in many positions for the station. He has interned in the sports department, worked on the floor crew, and produced the News 18 Daybreak show.

Adam was born in Marinette, WI and moved to the Chippewa Valley in 2002 to attend the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He graduated with honors in May of 2006 with a major in broadcast journalism. While at UW-Eau Claire, Adam was the president of the university's chapter for the Society of Professional Journalists and was the SPJ Outstanding Graduate.

Sports have always been a large part of Adam's life. He was a varsity athlete for baseball and basketball at Marinette High School in northeastern Wisconsin, where he was also valedictorian of his graduating class.

Adam continues to stay involved with sports by spending his free time watching and playing sports. He can be found on various basketball and volleyball courts throughout the city of Eau Claire. Adam also spends time on the numerous golf courses in the area. When not playing sports, Adam takes time out to read novels, attend live concerts and play the saxophone and piano.
Bill Osmulski
Reporter

Bill reports nightly for the 10 PM Report. Although he covers a wide range of topics, he tends to focus on politics, education and energy. Everyday Bill strives to bring his viewers something extra, often engaging in extensive research and investigation to get to the root of the story. Also, as an infantryman in the Wisconsin National Guard, you can expect insightful coverage of military and veterans issues that affect our service members and their families.

Prior to coming to News 18 in 2006, Bill was the sports editor for CBS-58 in Milwaukee, where he helped secure an Associated Press award for sports reporting. Bill is also a proud graduate of Marquette University. Although accustomed to city life, Bill is greatly enjoying his home in a quieter, more scenic part of the state, taking in all the Chippewa Valley has to offer.
Steve Betchkal
Photographer

Steve Betchkal joined the News 18 team in February of 2006 and is currently the Chief Photographer. He has been taping news and life in the Chippewa Valley for 19 years. If you've watched TV news in northwestern Wisconsin, you've seen his work.

Steve believes that great video lies at the heart of TV news, and his commitment to telling stories with images and sound has won him 45 state, regional, and national awards for excellence in videography. "If it wasn't for video," he is fond of saying, "We'd call it radio."

Steve attended college at Indiana University, Lawrence University, and UW-La Crosse, and worked in 3 National Parks before earning his degree in biology at UW-Eau Claire. He is a lifelong naturalist and environmentalist, with interests ranging from star-gazing and dragonflywatching to ornithology. He loves to backpack and camp and has complied a bird list approaching 600 species in 41 U.S. states.

Steve is a published poet and author. He currently writes a "Bird Watch" column for the "Getting Out" section of the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, and has been published in other magazines including "Wisconsin West" and "Cabin Life". He also loves gardening and cooking, and believes that life is too short for bad movies.

Originally from Racine, WI, Steve moved to the Chippewa Valley in 1986 when his wife Julie was hired as a Special Ed Teacher. He has two sons, one attending UW- Madison, the other a junior at Memorial High. His dog, Chili, is the unofficial "greeter/animal Ambassador" of Eau Claire's Third Ward.

Got a story idea that's "made for TV"? Feel free to contact Steve at sbetchkal@wqow.com
Trent Artus
Daybreak Producer

Trent joined WQOW as the Daybreak morning producer in June 2006. Prior to that, he interned in the WQOW Sports Department. Trent grew up on a dairy farm in Edgar with his mother, step-father and three sisters. After graduating from Edgar High School in 2002, he attended UW-Marathon County for two years before transfering to UW-Eau Claire and graduating in August of 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in History. Trent enjoys grilling out, playing with his Jack Russell Terrier, Sophie, watching comedies and listening to music. The Doors and Led Zeppelin are two of his favorite bands. Trent is a big sports fan and lists baseball as his favorite. He is also an avid Brewers fan.
 
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