CAROLYN DONALDSON
Anchor for WTAJ NEWS at 5/Co-Anchor WTAJ NEWS AT  6 and WTAJ NEWS AT 11. 

Carolyn feels that she is fortunate in that her position as a WTAJ NEWS anchor on WTAJ allows her to reach out as a public personality and to serve her community both professionally and personally. Carolyn began her anchoring duties in December 1995, later moving to WTAJ NEWS THIS MORNING and WTAJ NEWS AT NOON. She also serves as Parenting Reporter and writes the weekly "Monday's Child" segment featuring a Little Brother/Little Sister story.

Carolyn was born in Toledo, Ohio, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan in 1982 with a B.A. in Theatre-Speech Communications and Business Administration. She began her television career at WTAJ-TV in 1982 as Weather Anchor. She also worked at WBTV, the CBS affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina before her return to WTAJ NEWS in September 1995.
 
Both she and her husband Robert believe strongly in "giving back to the community." Carolyn is active in many non-profit organizations including the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Blair County where she recently became a Big Sister herself to Shaina; the Hollidaysburg Area YMCA, the Keystone Chapter of the March of Dimes, the Altoona Symphony Orchestra and Ladies Guild Organization, the Altoona Community Theatre, Easter Seals Central PA, Friends of the Hollidaysburg Free Public Library, The Central PA Humane Society and the Hollidaysburg Area Women's Club.   She's also very involved with  church activities at St. Michael’s Catholic Church where she serves as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and Vacation Bible School Teacher. 
 
In April 1999, Carolyn was pleased to receive the YWCA Tribute to Women award in the Business and Professional category.  Then in September 2000, the Blair-Bedford Central Labor Council honored Carolyn with their Humanitarian of the Year Award.  The Blair County Chamber of Commerce honored her with the Athena Award in 2003. She and Videographer Patricia Gates have recently been nominated for an Emmy for their Special Series Investigative Report:  “On Patrol”. 
 
Carolyn's husband, Robert, is Chief Executive Officer for W.S. Lee and Sons, Inc, a Duncansville-based foodservice distributor.
 
When she's not busy running or volunteering for a cause, Carolyn can be found watching theatrical, dance or other artistic productions. She and Robert are the proud parents of Elisabeth and Sarah. The Donaldson's reside in Hollidaysburg with their Central PA Humane Society alum cat Oscar. To contact Carolyn via email click here .



JOHN CLAY
Anchor for WTAJ NEWS at 5:30/Co-Anchor WTAJ NEWS AT  6 and WTAJ NEWS AT 11. 

John joined the WTAJ NEWS family in 1998 as a reporter in State College. In 2000 he became the Centre County Bureau Chief and in 2005 he took over anchor duties in Altoona. While at WTAJ News, John has earned awards from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association for spot news and enterprise reporting.

John's broadcasting career began in high school when he volunteered to work at a public TV station in Bemidji, Minnesota. In 1989 he joined the U.S. Navy and worked for five years as a reporter and anchor. After military journalism school he took assignments in Portugal and Italy. John says his years in the Navy were some of the most exciting and challenging times of his life. This is where he picked up a love for travel and culture.  In 1994 John started a degree program at the Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia Missouri. While at school, he worked at an NBC affiliate and NPR affiliate. In 1998, John graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Broadcast News.

John's large, extended family is spread out all over the world, particularly in Germany. His immediate family lives in the states of Washington and North Carolina. One of the things that drew John to Central Pennsylvania was a love of the outdoors. He enjoys hiking, mountain biking, all types of skiing, and racquet sports. He also enjoys hunting and fishing.

John is actively involved in a yearly film festival in State College. He volunteers with charities that include the Diabetes Association, Arthritis Foundation and American Cancer Society. He has taught a broadcast course for the Penn State College of Communications. One of his favorite pastimes is watching good movies. Some of his favorites include Pulp Fiction, Caddyshack, and Saving Private Ryan. John is certainly an animal lover and can often be found throwing the tennis ball for his yellow lab, Navy. Send John an email with your news story idea.



AMY MEARKLE
Co-Anchor WTAJ NEWS THIS MORNING and WTAJNEWS AT NOON

Amy is a Bedford County native who was raised on a family dairy farm. Amy is a 1994 graduate of Everett Area High School, and attended Elizabethtown College graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. Her concentration is in broadcast journalism and she has a minor in Public Administration.

After college Amy headed south to the CBS affiliate WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, Virginia. She worked first as a production assistant and then moved in to the newsroom as an associate producer helping to prepare newscasts. In 1999, Amy came back to Bedford County to be the first Bedford County Reporter for WTAJ.  Later that year she also anchored the Saturday morning newscast.  In March of 2001 she was promoted to be one of the co-anchors of  WTAJ NEWS THIS MORNING.  Amy feels that working at WTAJ has given her the chance to give a little bit back to the community that has given so much to her over the years. Amy enjoys the "people" side of news. She says, "I love getting to share the special things "everyday" people do because they are the true "news makers". We are just a mirror to reflect those stories to others."  While getting up at 3AM is sometimes a little rough, Amy says she loves the morning news atmosphere. "It gives us a chance to bring people up to date on what is happening in the world around them, and have some fun as well.  Many people ask how we can be so awake that early?  Teasing each other and having fun is a good caffeine boost."

Amy's most memorable news story (so far), was working at the "Miracle at Quecreek Mine".  "That is one of those once in a lifetime stories.  Hearing first hand that all of those brave men survived and passing along that good news is a night and a feeling I will never forget."  Amy helped to develop the Keystone Kitchen segment of WTAJ NEWS THIS MORNING. "We are always looking for fun-loving cooks and great recipes. So if you have some, contact us. The segment is a lot of fun and very easy to do!"

In her spare time, Amy enjoys taking long walks with her chocolate lab Bailey. Her favorite pastimes include working out, playing golf, shopping, reading, going to country music concerts, traveling with friends and spending time with her family. She also enjoys painting walls and redecorating rooms.  Through work, Amy also volunteers time helping many community organizations with various fund raising efforts. Email Amy here .



PATRICK SCHURR
Co-Anchor WTAJ NEWS THIS MORNING and WTAJ NEWS AT NOON

Patrick has been part of the WTAJ NEWS team since November 1999. His career began at WOAY-TV, the ABC affiliate in southern West Virginia. After just a few months there, Patrick joined WVVA-TV, the NBC affiliate for that area, as the station's Raleigh County Newsroom reporter.

He spent his first few years at WTAJ-TV as a reporter before being promoted to anchor. While he's covered numerous events important to folks who live in Central Pennsylvania he reluctantly recalls covering the crash of Flight 93 in Shanksville on September 11th his proudest moment.  "I was one of the first reporters on the scene and on the air that morning.  We, as a team, had outstanding and practically non-stop coverage for two days straight," Patrick says. "Yet, that day and that event were so tragic, so profound and so life-shattering that I hope I never cover a story like that again."

Patrick was born in Pittsburgh, but grew up in Kettering, Ohio. He graduated Cum Laude from Ohio University's Scripps School of Journalism in 1998 and credits OU's professors and advisers at the radio and television stations with giving him a solid foundation to begin his career. In his spare time, Patrick enjoys skiing in the winter, golfing in the summer and working on house projects year-round. You may occasionally catch him daydreaming of lounging beneath a Caribbean island palm tree while listening to a Jimmy Buffett tune.

Patrick says he's glad to call this area home, where he can be near his relatives and root for his beloved Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins. He and his wife, Andrea, welcomed their first child, Aidan, on September 13, 2007. They live in Duncansville with their dog, Bella. Patrick also says he's been fortunate to get involved with the community by coaching youth soccer and, through WTAJ, volunteering with groups like the Children's Miracle Network, American Cancer Society and Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania. Email Patrick here .



CHARLOTTE AMES
WTAJ NEWS HEALTH REPORTER

Charlotte has been reporting on medical subjects for more than a decade. Earlier in her career at WTAJ NEWS, she reported on politics, crime, child abuse, and just about every other subject WTAJ NEWS has covered. She also has served as  Weekend and Morning anchors. Before coming to WTAJ-TV, Charlotte was a radio news director and disc jockey. Charlotte has a B.A. in Journalism and a Certificate in Broadcasting from Penn State University.

Charlotte is married to 30th District State Senator John Eichelberger, who represents Bedford, Blair, Huntingdon, Fulton counties and a small part of Mifflin county.  Her stepson Johnny attends George Mason University, where he's majoring in Political Science.   The family has two Airedale Terriers: Rascal and Keano are all shelter dogs. Charlotte met John while covering President George Bush's visit to Penn State. She is originally from our area having grown up in Irvona, Clearfield County. Her community activities include serving on the Blair County Library Board and the Altoona Food Bank Board. Charlotte's hobbies include reading, genealogy, and listening to Celtic music. She's also the organist at two area churches. Email Charlotte here .






KEVIN FLANIGAN
ASSIGNMENT REPORTER/BUSINESS NEWS

Kevin Flanigan has been with WTAJ-TV for almost 20 years. Kevin is currently a General Assignment Reporter based in Blair County and covers Business News from across the viewing area. In addition to his work at WTAJ-TV, Kevin has worked as a  reporter for news services in Washington, D.C. and  with broadcast stations in Charleston, South Carolina and Columbus, Ohio.

Kevin grew up in Detroit, Michigan and attended Wayne State University where he got a Fine Arts degree in Speech/Communications.  He attended Ohio State University where he earned a Masters degree in Journalism. Kevin and his wife Linda live in the Llyswen neighborhood of Altoona and are the proud parents of John, a Junior High Student.  Outside of work, Kevin's interests include Tennis, Bicycling and Home Repairs.  If you have a New Business story or other news idea, email Kevin here .


ANDREW CAPASSO
REPORTER/WEEKEND ANCHOR

Andrew Capasso is a General Assignment Reporter in WTAJ's State College Newsroom.  He first came to WTAJ in August 2007 as a reporter in the Clearfield County Newsroom. In December, he moved to State College and also began anchoring the weekends.

He comes to Central Pennsylvania from KTVM in Southwest Montana. While at KTVM, Andrew started as a Bureau Reporter at the station's Butte Newsroom.

Andrew began his career in his home state of Connecticut, where he was an Assignment Editor at WVIT, the NBC Station in West Hartford.

Andrew graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT. In his spare time Andrew enjoys talking about his days in Butte and hanging out with three pets: Butte, Berkeley, and Becky. Email Andrew with Centre County story ideas here .




SMITHA RAO
GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER

Smitha Rao is happy to call central Pennsylvania her new home. Smitha comes to the WTAJ News Team from the FOX affiliate in Binghamton, NY. There she was a General Assignment Reporter. She extensively covered the historic floods in the area, as well as the story of convicted cop killer Bucky Phillips. Some of Smitha’s most notable interviews were with New York governor Eliot Spitzer, Israeli Vice-Prime Minister Shimon Peres and actor Mario Lopez.

Smitha started her career in journalism as an Associate Producer at WCNC in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. During her time at Syracuse, she had several internships, most notably at the FOX News Channel in New York. There she had a chance to work with some of her favorite journalists including anchor Shepard Smith. She also shadowed reporters in the field. Her most memorable experience was going with a reporter to the “Anchorman” movie premiere in New York. She also had a chance to see how reporters handle breaking news situations.

In her free time, Smitha enjoys working out, reading, spending time with her family and friends and traveling. She is looking forward to getting to know central Pennsylvania. If you see her out, don’t hesitate to say hello. And if you have a story idea, feel free to e-mail Smitha at rao@wtajtv.com .


SEAN DREHER
GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER

Sean Dreher is the Cambria County Reporter for WTAJ NEWS. Although he joined the WTAJ team in January of 2008, Sean has been covering news in central Pennsylvania since 2006.  Prior to joining WTAJ, he was a reporter and weekend anchor at WATM and WWCP.

Throughout his time in the region, Sean has reported on a variety of stories.  He's covered a number of high profile murder trials, followed noteworthy political campaigns, and even traveled to Mississippi with a group of mission workers to document their rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina.

Sean graduated cum laude from Clarion University with a degree in Communications.  While in school he worked as a reporter and anchor for WCUB, that area's only locally produced newscast.  During his senior year, Sean interned at KDKA TV in Pittsburgh, where he reported and worked on the assignment desk.

A Pittsburgh native, Sean is happy to be working so close to home.  In his free time he can be found reading, watching movies, abusing his DVR, and cheering on the black and gold. Have a story idea? Send Sean your idea here .


ERIN CALANDRA
GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER

Erin Calandra joined the WTAJ News team in December 2007. Prior to coming to WTAJ Erin produced and reported for KERO TV in Bakersfield, California.

As a State College native, Erin is very happy to be back home with her friends and family. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor's degree in Communications and a minor in English.

Erin covers Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson counties from our DuBois Bureau office. When she's not digging up a news story, you can find her out spending time with family, working out or planning her wedding. If you have a news tip, give her a call or email her here .




TONY DEGOL
WTAJ NEWS DIRECTOR

Tony DeGol is the News Director at WTAJ-TV.  He manages the day-to-day operations of the newsroom and its nearly 40 employees. Tony was hired in 1992 and has produced the morning, Noon, 6:00pm and 11:00pm newscasts. He served as Executive Producer from 2000-2004.
 
Tony is an Altoona native and is very active in the community. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Blair County United Way. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the American Cancer Society Blair Unit and chairs that agency's Marketing Committee.  Tony is also a part-time lecturer of Communications at Penn State Altoona, where he also serves on the school's Communications Advisory Board. He is a member of "GRYP" -- a young professionals group with the Blair County Chamber of Commerce.

Tony graduated from Bishop Guilfoyle High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Penn State University.  While at Penn State, Tony was a reporter and editor at The Daily Collegian. He was also a freelance reporter at the Altoona Mirror.  Like most news directors, Tony is a current events/political junkie. He loves the outdoors and is a regular at the gym. Email Tony with your news idea or story.



JODY GILL
ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
 
He began as a part-time photojournalist in September 1983 and became a full-time news photojournalist in August 1986. Jody trained to become the SKYLINK satellite truck operator in November 1996. In September 2000 Jody was promoted to Assignment Editor.
 
A 1983 Tyrone High graduate and Tyrone native, Jody currently resides in Altoona with his wife Kristen. He thoroughly enjoys the many people and places his job offers, and in his spare time he enjoys many different leisure activities to include traveling, community volunteering, and playing with the family dogs Stanley and Gator. Email Jody with your news idea or story.