Growing up in Johnstown, one often heard natives opine that we were about 10 years behind the times.
Frequently, the observation was made by way of lamenting our backwardness.
But, in truth, sometimes this distance from society’s leading edge was a blessing. Example: Our family structures remained stronger longer than those of the nation at large.
We had less crime.
Our cost of living was lower.
We had the sort of economy in which a worker with a strong back and work ethic could make a living that could support a family.
School districts were effective.
Our local media, from newspapers, to television, to radio did an excellent job of reporting happenings in Greater Johnstown.
Fast-forward to 2024 and we’ve caught up – alas — to the negative trends writ large..
Family units here increasingly are splintered.
Crime is up, even if you ignore the large segment of mayhem that goes unreported.
The cost of living, particularly when it comes to buying a single-family residence, is inexplicably higher for an area with an aging population and low median income.
Well-paying jobs for those of limited skills are few.
Our major school district is a basket case.
And the local media, well, that, too, is a shadow of things past.
I was lamenting this with a former member of a local media recently, he being a former radio and television reporter and anchor. Our careers had overlapped for an extend period when I worked for the local newspaper.
Back then, the newspaper’s editorial stance mirrored the community. It was a well-edited, accurate read.
These days, it’s full-Woke leftist editorial policy and on the few days when I actually look at the paper, the product is anorexic both in terms of pages and local content.
I similarly try to avoid the local TV news, but it never fails to amaze when I do view it.
Not that long ago, the wife wanted details on a fire in the Hornerstown section of Johnstown. She tried to get it from the so-called Johnstown TV station, one whose studios are less than a mile from my Southmont home, but thinks State College and Centre County are its priorities. Predictably, specifics were lacking on the local station’s fire report with the usual explanation that authorities wouldn’t give them more details.
As the former fellow media member and I noted, commit journalism and find out!
The Altoona-based station did have the details, things such as the victim’s name.
Just today, my inbox had an email with a link to more local TV hilarity that had showed up on social media.
In that video, the anchor, all bright and smiley, told us “today is Monday, the 26th” and gave her name. Presumably she got her name correct, but she did soon realize (a voice from the director in her earpiece?) that her time references were wrong and did note that it actually was the 17th and clearly she didn’t know what day it was or the weather, so she threw it to the weather girl.
Said weather personage also pointed out to the confused one it was Friday, not Monday. Cue the giggling.
If this is what you’re looking for when it comes to local television news, have at it.
For the rest of us, we will pine for the days when anchors knew the date and day of the week.
On the plus side, maybe the anchor has a future as a Joe Biden impersonator.
Sam Ross Jr's site 