Brent_Campbell's Blog

    It is hard to believe that one in three children are overweight.  The series I am currently working on, following a family through the Brenner FIT program, has really opened my eyes.  Not so much to their situation inparticular, but just to the idea that so many children aren't exercising like they once did and they are eating things that even someone who does work out can't manage to burn off.   

     I remember the days of p.e. in elementary school, running on the playground, doing games that were more exercise than skill, so what happened?  I am not saying I was the smallest child, but it seems to me when I visit schools they aren't playing like I did.  Somewhere in the shuffle to improve our schools, have we forgot about one of the most basic of needs ...good solid playtime.  I know families are busier now, computers and television (yes I said tv) take away from children's time to exercise or in their minds just play . The identity of fast food has changed too.  For my sister and I, it was a once in a while treat, not an everyday meal.  It just seems keeping children healthy is so hard now, many families have given up trying.

    If you haven't watched part one of the Brenner FIT program, that aired last night, do! Part two is tonight and we will continue to follow the Smiths through the entire year long program.  It's interesting that doctors in the Piedmont decided to take a stand against childhood obesity.  The FIT program is detailed, exact and very impressive, but it is not something that changes children overnight. They don't focus so much on weight, but more on lifestyle, habits, and small changes.  So many small things can be changed and in the end the difference they make combined is huge. 

      The family we are profiling, is fantastic.  Fun loving, caring, kind and most of all committed to becoming healthier.  They want to make a change and lead lives that won't lead to health problems for their daughter down the road.  I commend them for that, for trying and being willing to open their doors to our cameras.  Showing the challenges to the entire Piedmont isn't easy, but they are doing it so hopefully some other families will see that there is help out there.    

  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the story and the Brenner FIT program.  Also if you know of any other unique programs aimed at bettering children's lives, programs with healthier lifestyle goals at their core, let me know!  I would love to let the Piedmont know about them too!    

 

 

  

"The most tragic case I have seen in many, many years."  Those are the words I heard an attorney representing 21 year old Dakota Doster say as he wrapped up his case in court today.  I have to agree. As the family of 14 year old Terion Frazier wailed in sorrow, it was emotionally draining to listen to the court proceedings.  The man pleading guilty to shooting someone he called a friend was soft spoken and obviously frightened for his future.  Doster's attorney told the court,  Terion and he liked to play videogames often. As I listened it was hard not to see the scene in my mind, two "buddies" playing a game talking trash as one begins to edge the other one out.  It's a scene I am sure many have lived time and time again. But what I couldn't grasp, is before that game, finding a gun and carrying into a friends house and suddenly puling the trigger.  Why?  Did Dakota not realize it was loaded? Did he think it wouldn't really fire?  Did he think it was a toy? Did he understand what having a gun with him and pulling the trigger really meant?  Did he know the gun's power? Those are questions the court did not answer today.  Ones I would never attempt to answer. Questions I am sure Terion's mother will ask many times over. Answers that only Dakota has and will continue to ponder as he spends the next 14 to 18 years behind bars.

   As I wrap up coverage on this story I walk away pondering those questions too.  Seeing two families, two friends, and dozens of lives torn apart by one moment is not easy to witness.  What was great to see was a hurting mother, who now is making a plea to other teens.  Using her pain, to share some advice. Messages many teens should likely hear so their mother isn't put through such a nightmare. In tears,  Lakenya Frazier asked teens to put down the guns.  She says, If you find one  give it to an adult.  Respect its power and never think its a toy.  Understand a gun's power  because in one split second misused and misunderstood, a gun can change and end lives forever. I think many would argue, that's solid advice in a world where it seems senseless deaths and robberies at the mercy of a gun lead our newscasts everyday.  

"The most tragic case I have ever seen." A young man pleading guilty, accepting the blame and the punishment for an afternoon with his friend. An afternoon that may not have happened had a gun never been found.  Two buddies who probably could have never guessed their videogame that March afternoon, would end one year later with one buried and one going to jail for several years to come.   

        

I must admit, I am a little confused by this entire gas situation.  It just seems never ending.  Like many people, I made a choice last year to get rid of my larger SUV and down size.  Here it is one year later and I am paying about the same for gas because the prices have continued to climb.   Understanding gas pricing is confusing at best.  I try to read up on it every time I do a story like our "Winston-Salem Over Budget" story today. Once again, I am still challenged in figuring it all out and just like every other time, I still have one question. Why don't we have more alternatives? 

      It is almost unbelievable, perhaps unaccepatble to think we can build massive skyscrapers, transplant human hearts, even grow new human organs (right here in Winston-Salem), yet we can not come up with a better way to fuel cars and trucks?  Who is to blame for the lack of alternative fuel funding and alternative fuel research? Do the very companies that profit off of my weekly visits to the pump control the lack of alternative options?  I wonder and find it hard to believe that somewhere out there, someone doesn't have a better, cheaper, more environmentally friendly way to fuel the things we depend on.  Let's face it, like most Americans, I like my car.  I likely won't ever do without it.   It's the gas bill I hate!

 

  

I must admit, today's story falls in the most unusal catagory. The "things you don't see very often" file.  When photographer Kenny and I arrived in Boone at the site of the new Watauga County High School right in the middle of 94 acres of land sat a handful of what was obviously open graves. Each one had been carefully marked and entered.  The remains were slowly and meticulously being placed into much smaller plastic vaults.  It  seemed almost sacreligious in some ways to stand and watch.  As the shovels moved dirt, slowly the outline of a coffin emerged, in a few cases the shape of a skeleton or unrecognizable parts of a human body.  Out of respect we did not show you those images but I can say having seen it, it's something I won't soon forget. Something the Hartley family, who's loved ones we were being uncovered, never wanted to have to remember.

As each grave was documented the remains were removed as the Hartley family gave their ok. Taking pictures and writing down what was inside, the Hartley's were not taking anything away from the graves but perhaps a glance, and from time to time a picture, of their 200 year old relatives.  Their names forgotten or wiped away when the grave markers disappeared years ago.  This was land that was sold to many people over the years, land the family never assumed would be developed.  While they all knew the graveyard was somewhere around, until the threat of development, they didn't know how much history was buried there.

Since the Hartley's don't own the land, they now have no choice but to watch as their loved ones peaceful rest is disturbed.  Some tears are being shed, but admitted to us, schools are important and land in Watauga County is at a premium. For that reason, there is no legal fight,  Tthe Hartley's hate the school system saw the land as perfect as their ancestors did years ago.  Now all they can do is work to recover the names, the stories, the history that was buried here and suddenly brought back to life by the needs of the future.

 I wondered as we wrapped up the shoot will we see more of this?  Are large graveyards going to be moved/condensed in other places because so much land is needed for development? Is land at such a premium now that it's too valuable to just be a resting place?  

 

 

One of the toughest things about this job, is hearing bad news about someone you've grown to care about, perhaps feel like you know really well.  Unfortunately I have some bad news to share with many of you who were touched by our story about premature babies and the great work being done at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.  Jackson Rooks, the premature baby boy featured in our story, died late yesterday.  After weeks of fighting infections and blood pressure problems, his small body could not handle any more.  I am confident doctors did all they could, but its still hard for everyone.  I can't imagine the grief and emotion the family is feeling because they have given endless hours and much heart to such a short life. We saw it in the short time we spent with Amy and David, Jackson's parents.  They were so strong and positive.  They were amazing role models for parents who have challenges before them. 

  The family says thank you to all who prayed and I say thank you for all the heart felt responses. Because our viewers care, our stories are strong and meaningful.  The story of baby Jackson is one I won't soon forget. To send your well wishes go to our message boards.  My condolences to Jackon's family.  

Have you ever seen a baby that will fit in the palm of your hand?  It's an amazing sight.  One I first experienced while shooting our story in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Brenner Children's Hospital.  All I can say is WOW!  Such small babies, such big battles ahead of them.  I've said it before and I will say it again, perhaps the most fun part of doing a story like this is walking away feeling lucky.  Feeling good about what I'm sharing with all of you. 

I was presented this idea by a loyal viewer after we did a story on the " Bubble Boy" in Yadkin County.  A few mothers who've been down the same road as Jackson and his family wanted someone to share a glimpse of the nursery and the professionals that saved their children's life.  While in no way could we capture all the things going on in that part of the hospital, all of the people, all of the technology, all the amazing things, what we wanted to do with the story was give people a feeling of pride knowing they had something so advanced right here in our backyard.  I hope that's what you saw.

As you probably saw, Jackson is a strong little guy, but he still has some battles to fight. Say a prayer for his family and all the others that are sitting by those tiny beds everyday watching, waiting and hoping for these small miracles to pull through!  Say a prayer for those who work so hard to save them. 

Thank you to those opened my eyes and alerted me to this story, thank you to those who watched it ! As always if you have any story ideas, let me know!  I will try my best to get to them! 

 

 

 

    Our story today is a mix of emotions. Many in the Piedmont continue to know the name Michael Hayes, nearly 20 years after his shooting spree and his not guilty by reason of insanity verdict.   

      Anger, disgust, and fear is still felt on the part of the families whose loved ones were taken away during Michael Hayes shooting spree in 1988. But in talking with those at Dorthea Dix they feel confident and obviously compassionate about their work in trying to heal the mentally ill.  Two very different yet understandable sides.

       While hospital officials could not talk specifically about Hayes, we were able to confirm through his employer, his role in the "Reintegration Through Work" Program.  A theraputic program that allows mentally ill patients of all backgrounds the opportunity to obtain a job and reintegrate themselves back into society.  Doctors say the patients have years of counseling, have been found not to be of any threat, and deserve the chance to complete the healing process. One of the last steps is getting a job, holding responsibility. Federal law protects the patients privacy, employers often don't know why the person is in the program, co-workers don't know their past. Doctors say that's all in an effort to help them heal, a right all patients have.

    But those that have been touched by these people, people like Michael Hayes are outraged to learn mental patients are allowed to work in the community, allowed to drive themselves to and from the hospital, allowed to interact with people who know nothing about their past. Family members feel Michael and patients like him do not deserve to be in such a program.  After the Virginia Tech shootings, many worry about the judgements of our mental health system. 

  Bottom line, any human can understand the anger and fear pointed toward Michael.  I certainly understand the family's feelings. But with that said, anyone who has been around the truely mentally ill knows they don't choose their condition and do deserve a chance to be healed. As a reporter, keeping the balance on this one...was tough!

   What do you think? How do you feel?  If you were a customer at Hayes' store, how comfortable would you feel knowing what he did?  Do those who've been charged with such violent crimes deserve to be released back into society?  What about the mentally ill, do they deserve a chance to heal? Do you think mental illness can be healed? Did Michael deserve to be let go from his job?   

    Let me know what your feelings are....it's a tough one!

 

  

 

As North Carolina pushes a 33 percent cut in funding for Community Services used by patients classified with a mental illness, I wonder just how many people in the Piedmont does this really affect?  As we shot our story with 5 year old Parker Monday, I watched first hand what his sessions with his Community Services Therapist really mean.  Like his mother says, it lieterally gives him the abiltiy to talk.  It means the words like I love you, which she didn't hear until he was almost 4, are there. The therapist spent time with Parker using specialized methods to help bring out and perfect the most basic of skills. They are skills many of us take for granted, but for Parker major accomplishments that can mean the difference in future independence.  It was truely heartwrenching to watch his excitment as he spoke, as he learned. You can't help but wonder where he would be without this therapis.  I think its fair to say without this therapy Parker would not be able to express himself, to ask for things he wanted, tell his parents if something was bothering him, and much more.  It was interesting to me that state officials want to cut this therapy.  I understand the state's concerns about misuse of funds, but I wonder what others think about cutting the funds across the board so drastically?  Should there be a better system of checks and balances? What can we do to ensure these funds are used properly instead of taken away all together?  What do others think about North Carolina lumping Autism funding (Community Service  Funding) in the same pool of money as funding for substance abuse programs? 

     Its a tough debate. I think we all want to eliminate waste from the system, stop people from abusing funds, but where do you draw the line? Is taking away therapy that many families can't afford otherwise the answer?               

 

 

It seems like almost every week I read or watch stories about someone in a position of trust and power being accused of using the internet to lure children into sexual situations. Including the story of Jefferson Middle school teacher Robert Watson in Forsyth County this week, I can count at least 4 times in 4 years people just in my area have been accused and faced a judge over this very thing. Everytime I begin these stories, go to these press conferences and hear these charges I can't help but wonder what's to blame? Why does it seem so many stories are coming out now? Has the invention of the internet and constant, anonymous communication spawned more criminal activity or has it actually helped catch those who would have done it regardless? Did things like this happen this often, this much before the internet? Has the internet enabled sexual predators or has it just brought them to light because law enforcement can track them?

What I do know is I am not a fan of these types of stories. Everytime be it a teacher, a minister, a police officer or a school coach, I feel sorry for the hundreds of others in those positions that do a good job, that don't abuse their power, that are making a difference. I feel like their light gets dimmed, their good works overshadowed by allegations that one of their own isn't who they thought.

The internet is a powerful and useful tool, but in situtations like this is it helping or hurting? I'd be interested to hear what you think!

I think one of the things that makes FOX8 so unique, is we are one big family. I see it everyday in the newsroom and only hope those of you who trust us to give you the most accurate, complete information we can, feel the same.

Having been here almost 8 years now, this is a place unlike any other newsroom. These are real people. There are no big egos, no attitudes, there are only genuine people who care about making a difference, making sure through both newscasts and now the web, we can give you all you need and more. I know what your thinking, wow he's tooting is own horn here, but I'm not. I'm tooting my colleague's horn because you deserve to know. I thought you might be interested to hear from someone "on the inside" who really knows the faces you see everyday, who really knows how incredible they are.

Where to start.....how about with the "voice" of the newsroom. Neill McNeill is the consumate newsman. With a great eye for detail and accuracy, this is a man that is compassionate about his responsibilities and always striving to make sure we tell the entire story. But more than that, Neill is a father and a family man with very strong values. A voice of reason, common sense that you can trust, that is Neill. He's a great leader in our newsroom and someone we all look to for advice.

Julie Luck, one of my dearest friends in the world. While I could talk about her for days, (and no she's not paying me too) not only is she beautiful on the outside, but on the inside. She is a fun loving, live life to the fullest person. You may not know, but Julie and I worked together in Myrtle Beach. So while I know a lot about this former beauty queen and cheerleader, what I can tell you is she is soo much more than a pretty face with a big smile. She is smart, caring, truthful and always has something positive to say....and she loves sushi! On days when the emotion of my stories has gotten to me, or just the everyday pressures seem tough, Julie can make me smile. Her infectious personality and charm is an incredible quality, that few people possess. If you ask me, those of us here in the Piedmont are "Luck"y she's part of our family. Look for her at the sushi bar...she'll make you laugh too!

Talk about infectious smiles, Cindy Farmer has just that. What a wonderful woman! She is the most sincere, happy person I know. I think her demeanor says something about her. She loves life! Everyone knows Cindy and Cindy knows just about everyone. This lady doesn't forget much and she cares about everyone. I have anchored with her many times, and let me tell you it's tough to get up at 3am for the morning show. While she too will tell you she has to have her(pot of)coffee, Cindy still has more energy at 5am than any human should ever have, but that's exactly what Cindy is..a bundle of positive energy! You want someone that's got a huge heart, and an equally as big personality...it's Cindy.

I'll tell you more in the coming weeks. Our family is big! So as we say in tv land...stay tuned..or maybe I should now say..."keep clicking" on myfoxwghp!

My story today about the new smoking lounge coming to Winston-Salem got me thinking. Maybe it shows my age, but I can remember when you didn't come to downtown Winston-Salem for anything. I know I'm not alone. When I came to FOX 7 years ago, there was hardly anything downtown. But they say things are cyclical and I'm starting to believe that's true.

Recently my 82 year old spunky grandmother was telling me of the days when Winston-Salem was the place to be. She moved to town to buy shoes, hip clothes and live amongest the who's who. That was a scene that still hasn't come full circle, but it's starting to. The smoking lounge we told you about on tonight's news is just fuel to the once again raging fire.

If you haven't been downtown in a while check it out. Mellow Mushroom, Camel City Cafe, Speakeasy Jazz, Cat's Corner, Recreation Billards, Club 411, Downtown Thai, Downtown Deli, Bistro 420, Foothills Brewery, Sin Coffee and so much more is now just on Fourth Street. Not to mention the coffee shops, great soul food at Sweet Potatoes and the art galleries that are alive and well near 6th and Trade. Instead of no place, I now have several to go in downtown.

While I personally don't smoke, and will likely not be in the new smoking lounge, what I do know is I am glad downtown is "smoking". If you haven't come, come back. The circle is coming around and I am willing to bet, there are some people like my grandmother who are moving back because it's quickly becoming the "cool" place to be all over again.

I spent some time over the weekend in Boone/Blowing Rock. I tell you, after going to school at App. State I do love it there, but once you are removed from the college world for a few years and you go back to our beautiful mountains, you really begin to see just how lucky we are to live in the Piedmont. We are close to it all.

The smell of the air in Blowing Rock is the first thing to hit you. It really is undescribable, the beauty of the wild flowers along the Blue Ridge Parkway is magnificent. Maybe I'm getting older, maybe I'm starting to enjoy the simpler things in life, but if you haven't really spent time enjoying the beauty we have in what is really our own back yard, you're missing out. My friend and I started our afternoon hiking inside Linville Gorge. Just take Highway 105 to Linville, then once you pass the Grandfather Mountain sign, take the next left onto Rosebourgh Road and follow it all the way to the end. The Timberline Trail in Lost Cove is beautiful. A little challenging at times, you'll work up sweat, but the waterfalls and wonderful canyons the water carves out of the mountainside is worth the visit. Don't worry, you don't need an SUV, or fancy backpack to navigate this trail, but I would take some water and maybe a snack. Walking the entire trail will take about 3 hours. After that, I recommend dinner at one of the small restaurants along Blowing Rock's main street. The Six Pence English pub is great! Then maybe a stroll at dusk around nearby Bass Lake before will work up appetite for dessert.

It is a simple afternoon trip but one that will make you feel lucky to live so close to something so amazing. It's one heck of a "backyard" we have. Have fun! Let me know what you think of the trail!