Jim Fitzpatrick jumps to LTV, named as news director

Jim Fitzpatrick, who left MCTV's Sault Ste. Marie operation on Friday, has been named as news director of LTVNews.com.

LTV is planning to launch an Internet television news service on October 1.

The new company is not affiliated with SooToday.com and will compete with us for both news and advertising revenue.

Fitzpatrick was one of nine appointments announced this morning by LTV.

In addition to his news director duties, Fitzpatrick will also be presenting news, sports and special events, together with Louanne Young.

The final member of the presentation team will be LTV president Craig Huckerby, who will do three weather forecasts a day.

Other appointments announced today:

- Angela Pezzotti, Vice President and Production Coordinator

- Jere Devlin, Secretary/Treasurer and Cameraman - Michael Magee, General Manager/Sales Manager

- Moira Huckerby Creative Writer/Account Executive - Carrie Walls, Graphic Producer

- Eddie Hernando, Salesman

The following is the full text of an announcement made by the company:

**************************************************************** LTVNews.COM announces on-screen presentation and reporting talent as well as support staff

Familiar faces, local experience and community knowledge are the basis for a new internet service coming to Sault Ste. Marie October 1.

Today LTVNEWS.COM announces its presentation team:

Craig Huckerby, weather Jim Fitzpatrick, news, sports and special events Louanne Young, news, sports and special events

Huckerby, who is also President, LTVNEWS.COM Ltd., says, "Our presentation team, combined with our other staff of production and administrative personnel, puts almost 100 years of media experience in one place to serve Sault Ste Marie residents. In addition to that expertise, all of our staff know the local groups, issues and people. It’s that community knowledge that will be reflected on our website."

Jim Fitzpatrick, formerly of MCTV, is also News Director for LTVNEWS.COM and says, "I'm excited by the challenge ahead. I've seen many changes in the television industry in the Sault and beyond and I believe LTVNews.com is the future of broadcasting. It's great to be joining a team of innovators. "I'm confident LTVNews.com will bring to our community what it wants in local TV. We intend on being the video voice of the city, something Sault Ste. Marie has gone without for the past two years."

Fitzpatrick has over 20 years of television experience as a reporter and photo journalist and is well-known in the community for his objective and thorough reporting.

LouAnne Young is also highly regarded in the community and is known for her 11 years with commercial television here when it did local feature interviews known as Local Look. In addition to her community interview features, her experience includes news writing, editing and lead anchor presentation. She brings 19 years of radio and television broadcasting background to LTVNEWS.COM

She says, "I’m looking forward to renewing contact with those I’ve had opportunity to interview over the years and bring back that local information to the community. Giving access back to the community is a key part of what we’re all about at LTVNEWS.COM."

Craig Huckerby will be doing weather presentations with a focus on the local area. He says, "At LTVNEWS.COM we’ll provide the most accurate forecast we can with weather alerts and warnings. There will be three 'weathercasts' a day plus any warnings issued by Environment Canada. We will stay on top of weather developments better than any other media in town.

"When it comes to weather in the Sault and Algoma, storms can develop in a matter of minutes, we'll be able to monitor this and report it as fast as we can."

Huckerby has over 20 years of broadcast television experience including duties as Senior News Producer/Director, Creative Producer/Director as well as weather forecast presenter.

In addition to the three lead hosts, LTVNEWS.COM also announces the following staffing appointments: Angela Pezzotti, Vice President and Production Coordinator; Jere Devlin, Secretary/Treasurer and Cameraman; Michael Magee, General Manager/Sales Manager; Moira Huckerby Creative Writer/Account Executive; Carrie Walls, Graphic Producer; Eddie Hernando, Salesman.

LTVNEWS.COM will use the newest technologies in video streaming without a need for a downloaded player by the viewer.

The viewer will just have to click and watch.

LTVNEWS.COM is a television news service that has been adapted for delivery over the internet.

LTVNEWS.COM has offices at 93 Pilgrim Street where renovations are being completed for studio, editing, administrative and sales offices.

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