Lew Ruggiero with a old model TV camera. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Fact-checking and verifying claims about the first paramedics in the U.S., who invented VapoRub, Jackie Robinson in the MLB and more. Kent Dana. Copyright 2023 Distractify. He always felt like local TV news provided a connection to the community that was unlike anything else, said Joe Dana. Around 10 years old he found his niche as an actor at the Phoenix Little Theatre in downtown Phoenix, now called the Phoenix Theatre Company. Perhaps most mortifying: She was one of the "chicks at 6," along with Heidi Foglesong at Channel 3 in the early '90s, when the two served as co-anchors. The 26-year-old suspect allegedly stabbed his roommate to death. Hes connected to the community; after all, hes an Arizona native whose father, Joe Dana, was a Phoenix media personality from the 30s to the 50s (KPNX anchor Joe Dana, Kents son, shares the name). Kent wasnt particularly athletic and used to tell the story of the year he tried playing little league baseball. He moved back to Alabama in 2017 to work with ABC 33/40 to spend more time with his family, according to the stations obituary. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Here's How Many Guns Were Sold In Arizona Last Month, Shop The Phoenix Farmers Market Like A Pro, Info Here, Girl Gang Garage Empowering And Training Women To Work On Cars. Police and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Officer are investigating the death of a man while in custody of police Saturday night. Ayear later, she reflected on her decision: "I wonder how did I ever stay up until 10 p.m. and look perky?" I never wouldve become who I am without Kent.. Subscribe to the weekly movies newsletter. The local TV news icon leaves behind his wife Janet of 42 years, their two children, and four children from his first marriage. McLaughlin said Dana's advice is something he still thinks about. . US crosses 250,000 coronavirus deaths. MORE AZCENTRAL ON SOCIAL:Facebook|Twitter|Instagram|Pinterest. 2023 at 12:12 PM MST | . That's what Foglesong is like. Discussing the day's top sports stories from roster moves in the NFL for the Bengals to a big trade for the Rangers in the NHL. For me I was so proud to have my brother in my own high school, Reed said. Eventually, he wound up collecting 12 Emmys for a sterlingcareer in broadcast journalism. Christopher is survived by his wife, Laura, and three sons. She was partnered withClose, who wasnt pleased with the idea (I didnt want her on the set, he recalledyears later). It was more meaningful for him because it was his home.". I took control of my future and ended the professional toxicity which was bleeding into every aspect of my life. To the younger generation of the broadcast community, I want to tell you this. Family and friends honor the legacy of former 12 News anchor Kent Dana during a Celebration of Life ceremony this morning. But Linda Alvarez, who filled the anchor chair at Channel 12 (coincidence?) This totally subjective list contains 10 of the most memorable anchors in Phoenix TV history. During the 1940s and 50s, Phoenix was still developing an identity. Somehow, Close simultaneously reassured viewers at home and the gunman that everything would be OK. Unflappable and cool he even getshold of the man's gun Close handled the frightening incident with compassion and a surprising mastery: Was he trained in crisis intervention? AASK would tell us they would get hundreds of phone calls after a story aired and maybe it wouldnt work for that child, but it would develop a relationship for parents to adopt someone else.. In Phoenix and across the Valley, an outpouring ofcondolencesfrom former readers andformercolleaguesfilled social media. Dana is a member of the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame, won several Emmy awards and received the Rocky Mountain Emmy Governor's Award in 2018. Close? Then there was the other group, those who enjoyed listening to him to talk (he was dubbed "velvet-voiced"by one Phoenix publication) and sighing about his prematurely silver mane of hair: "Why did hedyehis gorgeous gray hair that dumb blond color?" And so was Kent. "For my dad it was just amusing that people saw him in that light," Joe Dana said. I figure when it's all over, it's all over.". There seemed to be two trains of thought about Cameron Harper, Channel 3's main man for a nine-year stretch. She is blonde, gorgeous and a former beauty queen; in fact, she was the first Arizonan to hold the Miss USA title. But he will likely best be known as a fixture on the anchor desk during an era that local television news dominated ratings. Fans, friendsshare memories of Phoenix TV anchor, Kris Pickel stays positive after leaving Arizona's Family, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Cody has worked as an anchor on the NBC affiliate's morning. On weekends, Kent and his friends participated in a rite of passage for Phoenix-area teens that lasted decades: cruising Central Avenue and hanging out at the Bobs Big Boy. He went on: The bottom line is I made this decision myself. Initially a sportscaster, Curtis moved to the anchor desk during his second run at Channel 12, and has proved to be a solid, stabilizing presence, always pairing well with different partners (a task not as easy as it looks). He won the fight against Phoenix to put up his own Super Bowl signs. Cody, a graduate of Arizona State University'sWalter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, started at 12 News in 2016. That transcended his personal life and went into the way he did his job. Weather Anchor/Reporter. in the '70s and '80s, received similar criticism during her run. Investigations | 12news.com I-Team Investigations Renovations gone wrong: Valley customers owed millions after botched jobs The man is not listed as the owner of the companies he represents. One time a fan wanted an autograph but had nothing for Dana to sign, so he wrote his name on the back of a piece of pizza. Jack Holder, dies at age 101. But West persevered, becoming the kind of media celebrity you dont see much anymore in the local-TV world. Example video title will go here for this video. Our hearts go out to his friends and family in Arizona, and Alabama," ABC15 anchorSteve Irvin said on Facebook. "He didnt have an ego.". He retired from the business in 2011. A collection of stories highlighting those who are changing the lives of students. He was just a little more willing to gamble in life, Reed said. "He was so humble. "He was lovable.". All live newscasts, weather coverage, breaking news and special reports are available on 12 News+. We are grateful for Ryans contributions to Team 12 and wish him all the best.". 12News went out with a counting team in Phoenix and talked with people who spent the night in the bitter cold weather. This at a time when local anchors had a lot of power. Despite the changes, some things have never, ever changed. If you ran into Dana in person, youd probably have the urge to run up, give him a hug and engage in small talk. Kents easy-going, resilient attitude set the tone at home as well. They don't ever intrude on you. Please select a region to stay informed on the latest local news via news12.com. What TV journalists learned working from home, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Renovations gone wrong: Valley customers owed millions after botched jobs. For the series which was a partnership with Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK) Dana profiled children in the foster system, bringing attention to their plight and to adoption in general. Tolleson group home stabbing raises questions. My father once turned down a very lucrative contract to move to Los Angeles because he thought that wasnt the best environment. This channel is currently unavailable for viewing on our website. The Bronx Brooklyn Connecticut Hudson Valley Long Island New Jersey Westchester. Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! We always came first in his life and that made a difference, he said. From crossing guards to educators and bus drivers, a look at the everyday heroes. What are you waiting for? And Im not that funny, said Jineane LEcuyer, who worked with Kent from 1986-to 1999. He credits Dana with helping him find the confidence to pursue the network job. The celebration of life will be streamed on 12News.com and. February 13, 2017. "I think he always felt like local TV news was a very unique way to connect the community, to bring people together. She was named the Valleys most trusted anchor in a 1990Phoenix Gazettepoll, even beating out (gasp!) "Our deepest sympathy is shared with Christopher's loving family and close friends," his co-workers at ABC 33/40 wrote in a statement. In a 2019 profile of Kent Dana, the Arizona Republic called him "one of the most popular local news anchors in Phoenix TV history," and noted that he still was recognized regularly around town. 'I ought to get fired more often':Kris Pickel stays positive after leaving Arizona's Family. When she played Maria in a Phoenix Theatre production of The Sound of Music, she broke box office records. I could make a joke about anything and Kent thought it was hysterical. Now think about that he had taken over Bill Closes reign as the top news anchor in the Valley, and heres this Iowa kid that came over from Palm Springs, a tiny market, and he believed in me from day one, McLaughlin said. "I was lucky to get on board," she. On the topic of his father, Joe said, "I just think his. "AASK would tell us they would get hundreds of phone calls after a story aired and maybe it wouldn't work for that child, but it would develop a relationship for parents to adopt someone else.". After the first awkward moments, he warmed to his role like a veteran and turned in a capital performance. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. The Phoenix journalist, 80, passed away on April 19, his son and News12 reporter Joe revealed. Published: 11:07 AM MST February 28, 2023. Channel 12 anchor Vanessa Ruiz created a stir on social media a couple of years agofor saying words such as Mesa and Casa Grande the way a native Spanish speaker would pronounce them. I don't mind it. The end of her marriage was reported in the press. As an elementary student, he recalled walking to school with his brothers and sisters through a dairy field where Park Central mall now sits. So it's fitting that she has the last word. We had an incredible fit. She's funny, whip-smart and bilingual to boot. For instance, his son Joe said, At Channel 5 they called him The Pope. They just considered him the one you go to.. People are really nice about it, too. Joe Dana said his father was bemused by the attention his job brought him. Distractify is a registered trademark. Judge outlines fixes to poor health care in Arizona prisons. Jineane Ford and Kent Dana anchored together for 12 News. At the time, their meetingwas cast as a potential conflict of interest. An old 12 News logo seen at the beginning of a newscast. He had an irresistible chuckle, which we loved., Dana had a fabulously descriptive vocabulary, Flood said, some of which is probably too urbane for a newspaper story.. From Kent Dana to Bill Close and Patti Kirkpatrick, here's a look back at some of the best local newscasters to grace metro Phoenix screens since the 1970s. Lew Ruggiero, an Emmy-winning journalist, was a 12 News reporter for nearly 27 years. Elliot, who has been a CBS daytime anchor for about a year, had first shocked . Channel 7 Eyewitness News Reporter Lisa Colagrossi Dies at 49 . May his memory be for blessing.". Kent played a role in The Remarkable Mr. PennyPacker and was awarded Best Child Actor for the year. The Phoenix journalist, 80, passed away on April 19, his son and News12 reporter Joe revealed. Kent also acknowledged his wife Janets sacrifice, being married to someone with such a unique job for three decades. It was like he almost couldnt believe he was anchoring the news. RENOWNED news anchor Kent Dana has died after battling an infection following a broken hip. Chris Burrous, a popular Los Angeles television news reporter and anchor, died after being found unresponsive in a hotel room, Glendale police said. Dana, 80, worked at three. Hoover police received a call around 8a.m. of a person down, found Sign and pronounced him dead, according to Czeskleba. Heres one way to contrastDana andClose. She co-anchored the morning show. Think of it this way: IfClose reported it, you knew it had to be true. "Kent remained humble in spite of being put on a pedestal by so many," she said. In 2005, he anchored for CBS 5 for another five years before retiring. He Died at Age 45 By Leila Kozma Jun. KPNX-TV, also known as 12 News and . Phoenix 'Breakfast Bitch' restaurant owner sentenced to 51 months in federal prison. Dial 2-1-1 at any time to reach the free 2-1-1 Arizona information and referral service and connect with free resources available locally throughout the state. "I think a lot of people view Kent as a figure kind of larger than life," Shumway said. That quality led to an infamous 1982 incident. Showing up for them and ensuring their well-being was his priority. He worked with our reporting staff on a daily basis, but also worked behind the scenes with the I-Team and with news managers on coverage of major events," his colleagues at ABC 33/40 wrote. Judge Roslyn Silver outlined the changes she plans to impose on the Arizona Department of Corrections to remedy its constitutional violations of prisoners rights. Maureen Kyle spoke with an expert on how to help teens. Digital recording vastly changed how TV stations operate. "Chris was a tremendous leader in our newsroom. Mar 12. Kevin Durant, Monty Williams speak about Durant's expected debut for Phoenix Suns vs. Hornets tonight, Body found by ADOT worker near I-10 in Buckeye, Winter storm updates: ADOT advises against traveling in 'extreme weather conditions', Nieve para el norte de Arizona y lluvia en el valle debido a la tormenta invernal, Mesa family who adopted 5 children honors Kent Dana, Grant Woods, close friend of Sen. John McCain and former Arizona attorney general, dies at 67, Arizona Sen. John McCain, 81, dies after battling brain tumor. Dana, one of the most popular anchors in Phoenix news history, was 80. Award-winning investigations and consumer reporting that helps Arizonans recover hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. So it was constant banter. 2023 www.azcentral.com. The stories brought out Kents inner child as he would banter and laugh with kids. We can only hope to carry on his legacy. When he was 5 years old, Kent won the Mr. Theres a reason he was the most beloved anchor of his time, Lin Sue Flood, who worked with Dana at 12 News, said. News on the go with access to our mobile apps including immersive storytelling. She was a constantly engaging presence, and not afraid to show her emotions. He came back to Phoenix in 2006. It's a shame viewers didn't get to see more of her, but props for putting herself first. Subscribe today. 2 Phoenix anchor Kent Dana has died at age of 80 Credit: COURTESY OF DANA FAMILY 2 Not so withFoglesong, who stepped away from the news desk in 1993 at her own accord. "All of us who had the pleasure of working with him, and calling him our friend, are shocked and devastated by the news of his passing. He often slipped away from the newsroom between evening newscasts to catch his children in ball games, dance recitals and school performances, even if he could only stay for a few minutes. 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