News13 News Team
News
- Ashlea Surles
- Darcel Grimes
- Emma Wright
- Evan Donovan
- Frank Fraboni
- Frank Kracher
- Holly Headrick
- Ingrid Allstaedt
- Jeff Augram
- John Le
- Kimberly Allison
- Larry Blunt
- Mario Boone
- Megan Schiering
- Mike Mason
- Rex Hodge
- Sherrill Barber
- Tammy Watford
- Victoria Dunkle
Ashlea Surles - Multimedia Journalist
ASHLEA SURLES joined the WLOS News Team in October 2012 as the Rutherford bureau reporter, covering Rutherford, Polk and McDowell counties. She comes to News 13 from WDAM in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she worked as a reporter.
Her highlights there include an investigation into homeless tent cities surrounding the city and talking with the folks living there, and investigating the history behind America's only nuclear test site East of the Rocky Mountains.
Prior to WDAM Ashlea worked at NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and NBC News Washington as a digital journalist producing pieces for the web.
Before NBC, she was a reporter for The Jordan Times, in Amman, Jordan, a desk assistant at the PBS NewsHour, and a production assistant at WJBK in Detroit.
Ashlea graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in history.
In her free time, Ashlea loves to be outdoors exploring Western North Carolina with her mutt Ernie.
She enjoys fishing, hiking, reading, golfing, cooking (or trying to) and throwing a mean Frisbee.
Darcel Grimes - Anchor
DARCEL GRIMES is the anchor of News 13 at 5, 6 and 11pm, as well as News 13 on My 40 at 10 pm.
She has spent almost three decades as an Anchor/Reporter here in Western North Carolina.
In 1981, Darcel accepted a job at WLOS as the night side reporter, co-anchor of the 11pm Monday through Friday newscast, and host of a Saturday news magazine show, known as "Mainstreet". In January of 1983, WLOS management asked Darcel to co-anchor the 6pm newscast as well as the 11pm.
Darcel has become a familiar face in hundreds of thousands of households in North and South Carolina.While Darcel loves anchoring, she has a passion for reporting. Her Health reports which ranged from the heart wrenching stories of kids and cancer to the medical breakthrough of invitro fertilization have won awards.
Her special reports from Israel, "The Holy Land", raised money for local charities. When Good Morning America came to Asheville, Darcel represented WLOS with an insightful report on Acid Fog, followed by a question and answer with Charlie Gibson. In her years with the station, she has also covered a political convention, a Presidential Inauguration, the visits of Prince Charles, Presidential Candidate Barack Obama and Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin.
Darcel began her career as an anchor/reporter at an all news radio station in Jackson, Mississippi. As a child, growing up in Washington, D.C., she dreamed of becoming a journalist. Little did she know her dream would take her so far from the people she loves and the place she called home.
"I think the hardest decision I ever made was to leave Washington and move to Mississippi. But I did." And for Darcel, the move paid off. She spent six months at the radio station in Jackson, before landing a job as a reporter at a television station in Tupelo, Mississippi. After a month on the job, the News Director asked her to fill in for the 10pm anchor, and Darcel has been a news anchor ever since. As an anchor and reporter in Mississippi, Darcel covered civil rights protests, the reapportionment of the Mississippi Legislature, and the Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan.
Darcel is married. She and her husband have two sons. When asked her formula for success, she answers, "hard work, perseverance and prayer."
Emma Wright - Reporter
EMMA WRIGHT is thrilled to be living and working in the mountains of Western North Carolina. She came to Asheville from Upstate New York where she was an Anchor and Reporter at WKTV in Utica. While there, Emma was recognized by the Syracuse Press Club and New York State Broadcasters. She graduated from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. Emma enjoys running and traveling. If you have a story idea, please email Emma at the address below or follow her on twitter.
Evan Donovan - Reporter
EVAN DONOVAN grew up in Raleigh and worked at News 14 Carolina in Fayetteville before joining the News 13 team. You can find him in our Greenville bureau, covering the Upstate.
Evan brings a wealth of experience in the business world to his role at News 13. He started out of college as a trader at a prestigious hedge fund, and then managed an ATM installation business in London for five years. But he always knew his true calling was journalism. He pursued that dream when he moved back to the US after a brief stint in Australia. Evan began his broadcasting career in radio, first on a rock station morning show and then as a producer and on-air voice in sports radio before moving over to television news.
Evan graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Commerce. When he's not working, Evan enjoys playing sports, trying new local eateries,and hoping that his beloved Cubs will actually win a World Series one day.
Frank Fraboni - Anchor/Reporter
FRANK FRABONI comes to WLOS from Greensboro, North Carolina, where he has lived and worked for the past 10 years. Before moving to the mountains, he was employed at WLOS' sister stations, WXLV and WUPN where he anchored the evening newscasts.
Frank first moved to North Carolina in 1983, landing a position as a reporter and anchor for Park Broadcasting's legendary WNCT-TV in Greenville. His story assignments included President Ronald Reagan's visit to Camp LeJeune after the Beirut bombing, deadly hurricanes and tornado's and the annual ritual of the tobacco market. He then moved to Winson-Salem as a bureau chief for WXII-TV, covering everything from wildfires in the mountains to KKR's $31 billon takeover of RJR Nabisco, the largest commercial buyout in American history at the time.
His career then took him to Tampa, Florida where he anchored weekends for WFLA-TV before moving across town to anchor mornings at WFTS-TV, a brand new ABC affiliate owned by Scripps Howard Broadcasting, right across the street from the Buccaneer's Tampa Stadium. It was here that he interviewed such notable figures at New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, Former Vice President Al Gore, and ABC's Charles Gibson and Joan Lunden
After 8 years in the sunshine state, Frank returned to North Carolina, the place he's raised his four children and called home for more than 16 years. Upon his return, he replaced long time broadcaster Lee Kinard as the evening anchor at WFMY-TV before joining Sinclair Broadcasting in Winston-Salem.
Frank's award winning career spans more than 20 years with honors for his reporting and anchoring. Frank began his broadcasting career at his hometown station WGMF in Watkins Glen, New York at the age of 16. There, he mentored under a retired writer from the Reuters' news service. He went on to study broadcasting and journalism at SUNY College in Buffalo. During an internship, Frank worked undercover with an investigative reporter at WIVB-TV. Their work resulted in several honors, including UPI's Best Investigation Award for a story that captured New York Telephone workers routinely drinking on the job. Frank went on to receive awards for Best Newscast from the Associated Press in Greenville and Best Feature from The Society of Professional Journalists in Tampa where he documented the plight of the homeless by living for three days on Tampa's city streets.
Frank spends most of his free time with his wife Sara and their four children traveling and visiting family in Eastern North Carolina. He enjoys volunteering at the children's schools and staying active in the community. He's an active member of his catholic church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Frank is an avid outdoors man and loves boating, skiing, fishing and camping.
"North Carolina is our home," according to Frank. I've lived up and down the east coast and there's nowhere else I'd rather be. The people are warm and friendly and nothing beats a Carolina blue sky."
Frank Kracher - Anchor/Reporter
FRANK KRACHER is a familiar face to WLOS viewers all around Western North Carolina. Frank returns to the News 13 anchor desk on weekends at six oclock and eleven oclock . You will also be able to see him out reporting weeknights. Frank first joined WLOS-TV in 1998 as an anchor and soon added Managing Editor to his duties. After seven years with the News 13 team, he decided to expand his professional career to become News Director and Main Anchor at WTVH-TV in Syracuse, New York.
Frank started his 30-year broadcasting career in the small town of Austin, Minnesota - where he did it all - anchoring, reporting, shooting and editing his own stories, he even tried some sportscasting. From there he moved on to Cincinnati, San Francisco, Seattle, followed by our Wonderful Land Of Sky.
Frank is the recipient of many honors, including the George Foster Peabody award, for excellence in reporting of the 1989 San Francisco earthquake.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University and was born and raised in snowy Chicago. He prefers our relatively milder mountain winters.
Frank and his wife " artist Barbara Fisher - make their home in the historic Montford community of Asheville. Their daughter Melissa - a North Carolina State graduate - lives in Brooklyn, New York and works in the fashion industry.
Over the years Frank has been involved in a variety of community activities including the Women At Risk jail diversion program, the Eliada Home orphanage and assistance for troubled families, Project Access providing affordable health care for the needy and promotion of the Asheville YMCA. Frank says, Returning to the mountains is a dream come true. The News 13 family and our family of viewers have always provided me a warm welcome that is much appreciated. Its good to be home.
Holly Headrick - Anchor
HOLLY HEADRICK is a native of Western North Carolina. Now people in the mountains can wake up to Holly as she anchors News 13 Weekday Mornings.
Holly also knows her way around the newsroom as she had worked as a producer and assignment editor at WLOS before going on-air.
She returned to the mountains after reporting at WWAY-TV in Wilmington, NC. During her time there, she received the Associated Press Rookie of the Year award in 2001.
Holly is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill where she earned a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. She was also recognized as an award winning journalist while in school by the Society of Professional journalists and Hearst Foundation.
Holly grew up watching News 13 and is excited to be a part of WLOS. She has worked with local law enforcement agencies on her Fugitive Files segment, which has helped collar dozens of accused criminals.
In her spare time, Holly enjoys spending time with her family and friends and snowboarding, and traveling.
Ingrid Allstaedt - Anchor/Reporter
INGRID ALLSTAEDT was raised in WNC and is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina Asheville with a Bachelors degree in Mass Communication. During her college career, she was a dedicated member of UNCA's cross country and track teams. A summer internship with News 13 solidified her dreams of reporting the news. She even returned as an Associate Producer with News 13 her senior year.
Ingrid worked at a TV station in Eugene, Oregon wearing many hats, including reporter and weather anchor before returning to the mountains. When a position became available at News 13, she jumped at the chance to work as a reporter at her home town station. Ingrid has truly missed the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and is elated to be back home with her family and friends.
Send her an email with a story idea, or to just say "Hi!"
Jason Boyer - Chief Meteorologist
JASON BOYER is News 13's Chief Meteorologist.
A familiar face to Western North Carolina, he served as the Weekend Meteorologist for WLOS in 2002 and 2003.
Jason was born and raised in the small town of Highland, Illinois and graduated with a degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of Illinois in 1998. He also holds an American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval.
His first television experience came in the Tri-cities market of Johnson City, TN, where he worked as a Weekend Meteorologist. After his time in Asheville, he went on to serve as the Morning Meteorologist for WTVC in Chattanooga, TN.
For the past five years, Jason has been forecasting the weather for KWGN in Denver, Colorado. At "Channel 2", Jason was responsible for all aspects of the weather coverage as he produced and delivered the morning and midday weather casts Mondays through Fridays. It was in Denver that Jason earned an Associated Press award for Best Weather Forecast.
For the past eleven years, Jason has been extremely fortunate to forecast the weather in some of the most extreme mountain climates and looks forward to the many challenges that forecasting weather for Western North Carolina will bring. In 2010, Jason was awarded 'Best Weather' by the North Carolina Associated Press for his work covering Hurricane Earl. He is so grateful to be back in Asheville and is very excited to become involved in the community.
When he is not working, Jason loves to play the guitar. He also enjoys spending time outdoors running and biking with his wife Sandi and their Golden Retriever, Holly and Bassett Hound, Sophie.
Jason and his wife Sandi celebrated the birth of their son Hudson in December, 2011. Jason says fatherhood has been the most wonderful experience of his life.
Jay Siltzer - Anchor/Reporter
JAY SILTZER, News 13 morning anchor, joined WLOS in 1999. He is in his 23rd year in the news business. After co-anchoring morning news for News 13, Jay provides health stories for News 13 at 5 p.m.
Also a meteorologist, Jay completed the Broadcast Meteorology Program at Mississippi State University. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society and holds the AMS Seal of Approval for Television and the AMS Seal of Approval for Radio. Friends call him "Stormy" because outdoor conditions are often at their worst when he fills in at the weather desk.
A 1989 cum laude graduate of Lander University with a bachelor's degree in political science, Jay previously worked as a reporter for WVLT-TV in Knoxville, TN; WJHL-TV in Johnson City, TN; and The Index-Journal newspaper in Greenwood, SC.
Since joining News 13, Jay has followed the oldest-ever Tarheel voter to the polls, covered the capture of Eric Rudolph, and witnessed the execution of a death-row inmate. Jay's work in 2000 earned him a first-place Associated Press award for general news reporting.
When he's not working, Jay often shares his experience as a two-time cancer survivor with school, civic, and church groups. Jay and his wife, Kelly, live in Henderson County with their son, Malachi. They are members of Mills River United Methodist Church and share their home with Caper, a destructive tabby cat.
Jeff Augram - Traffic
JEFF AUGRAM - Jeff Augram has spent most of his life in the Asheville area and has been involved in the emergency services field since becoming a volunteer fire fighter in 1974. From there, he worked for two years with EMS before moving to the mountains. Once he came to the mountains, Jeff was hired by the City of Asheville as a Public Safety Officer for the Airport. That is when he went through Basic Law Enforcement Training and became state certified as a police officer.
Jeff became Asheville's first traffic reporter in March 21, 1988 during the upgrading of the old cross town expressway to meet interstate standards (what is now I 240) on radio stations WWNC-AM and WKSF-FM during AM and PM drive times. Jeff patrolled the area in a vehicle equipped with 5 different two way radios and responded direct to incidents when they occurred, reporting on traffic conditions via cellular technology. He was proud to serve in this capacity for 23 years and has earned awards from the Asheville Police Department as well as the Cellular Telephone Industry Association.
Jeff worked his way through the ranks of Public Safety and currently serves as Chief of Public Safety for the Asheville Regional Airport and is responsible for their Police and Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting services.
Jeff is married to Robin, who works for the Highway Patrol and enjoys spending time with her and her son, Branson McCoy. They live in Fairview with their two black labs and a cat that thinks he owns them. Jeff is active in his church and serves on the board of directors for the Fairview Fire Department. Jeff is excited to bring his knowledge of our area roadways along with the high tech benefits of Total Traffic and is honored to become part of the News 13 morning team.
John Le - Reporter
JOHN LE prides himself on being a mountain storyteller. He approaches each assignment with a combination of creativity and compassion.
Over the years, John's most memorable interviews include actor Ben Affleck, entertainer Donnie Osmond, fruit-slamming comedian Gallagher, Jeff Foxworthy, Phyllis Diller, the Smothers Brothers, Joe Pesci, Whitman Mayo (Grady from "Sanford and Son"), and fitness guru Richard Simmons.
But the everyday people of Western North Carolina are the stories he enjoys most... subjects who reveal everything from tearful emotion to humor.
"Each piece is a journey that I learn something from," says John, who came to News 13 in 1996. Those daily "journeys" have been recognized by organizations throughout the region.
He's earned 6 Southeast Regional Emmy Awards, including "Best Writer" three years in a row. The Radio Television Digital News Association named him North Carolina "Reporter of the year" three times(2007, 2009, 2010). John's also received six awards from the NC Associated Press (two for best news writer). In 2011, John won a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Writing.
John shares those honors with News 13's fine photography staff and the people who share their stories each night.
John's lovely wife Alicia grew up in Brevard. They have a son Korey, who's a rising young tennis star! Two dogs and a cat round out the Le family.
He is originally from Orange County in sunny Southern California, where he majored in Broadcast Journalism at Cal State Northridge. His humble beginnings included a memorable stint as a reporter in Fayetteville, Arkansas, at ABC affiliate KHOG (yep, he called it "the pig").
Back in the day, John teamed up on community college news productions with Will Ferrell. Ferrell eventually became a famous comedian on "Saturday Night Live" and movies.
Julie Wunder - Meteorologist
JULIE WUNDER joined the News 13 Weather Team in September 2003 and is proud to call Asheville home. You can regularly catch her weather reports during the weekday morning and noon newscasts.
Whether giving the weather reports from the field or studio, Julie prides herself in delivering accurate information with a smile. Recently she launched a new travel series called "One Day Wunders." She's already swam with whale sharks, zip lined, and crawled through caves! Keep watching to see what she will do and where she will go next-- taking you along on these excited one day trips. Julie also attempts to cook in the Carolina Kitchen and uses her role on television to help find homes for animals. She dedicates time to volunteer with local animal advocate groups including, Asheville Humane Society, Animals Compassion Network, Blue Ridge Humane Society, and Sarge and Friends Animal Rescue foundation. Yearly she is the Honorary Chairperson and Host of many local fundraisers.
In 2008, Julie won an EMMY for her weather reporting. She holds both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association Seal of Approval for her weather casts. Also, two of her weather stories have been honored with awards from the Radio Television News Directors Association of the Carolinas. She also has a Florida AP award. In 2003, the Save-a-Pet organization of Georgia awarded Julie for her efforts.
Julie graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications and Minors in Dance and Political Science. She holds a Certificate of Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University. Additionally, she is a member of the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. She has also been an adjunct professor for the Broadcast Meteorology class at UNCA.
Before coming to Asheville, Julie was the Chief Weather Anchor at WGXA in Macon, Georgia. While in Macon, Julie also worked for WPGA. Julie has also had jobs in both radio and TV in Gainesville, Florida. Julie grew up in Orlando, Florida, and spent time working at Walt Disney World. She danced in parades and played Mickey's best friend, Pluto. In her free time Julie enjoys running, traveling, and watching Florida football. You may even catch her running (slowly) in a local race. She is the dog mom of an adorable long-haired dachshund named Rhett.
Karen Wynne - Meteorologist
KAREN WYNNE is News 13's Weekend Meteorologist and a Reporter focusing on environmental issues.
Before coming to WLOS, Karen was part of an award winning weather team at News 13's sister station in Charleston, West Virginia. She was named Best Weather caster by the West Virginia Associated Press in 2006.
Her weather casts have the seal of approval from both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association. She appreciates the challenges of forecasting weather in mountainous regions.
Since coming to Western North Carolina, Karen has been moved by the beauty of the mountains and the friendly people who live here. Karen, her husband and daughter enjoy all that the area has to offer.
Kimberly Allison - Traffic
KIMBERLY ALLISON is part of the News 13 On-Time Traffic team. She joined News 13 in 2010 as a Newscast Producer. In addition to being a Traffic Reporter, she also serves as the Digital Content Producer.
Kimberly came to Asheville from Sarasota, FL where she worked as the Executive Producer of a non-profit educational children's program. She graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in broadcast journalism and psychology. She also studied at the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism graduate school.
Her passion for journalism started when she was a little girl growing up in the Sunshine State. When Florida would get hit by a tropical storm or hurricane, Kimberly would grab her video camera and head to the beach. She would do mock weather reports in the middle of the storm with her dad filming. Needless to say, they made for some pretty funny home videos.
When Kimberly is not working, she likes to spend her time hiking with her fiance Ryan and their dog Sidney. They love to explore the beauty of Western North Carolina by climbing waterfalls, tubing the French Broad River, walking the ground of the Biltmore Estate and tasting what Beer City USA has to offer. Even though she is a Miami Hurricane at heart, she still loves to cheer on the UNC Tar Heels.
Larry Blunt - Anchor
LARRY BLUNT joined WLOS in 2005 as Anchor of News 13 at 6pm and 11pm, Monday through Friday. His popular Person of the Week features inspirational people who make a difference in the community. He has exposed loopholes in state regulations to protect homeowners and spurred efforts to improve quality of life in the community for the less fortunate. Of the hundreds of people and events he's covered over the years, Larry's all-time favorite is an easy pick. Conversation with My Son' is a candid, heartfelt interview with Army Capt. Nicholas Blunt who was home briefly on leave from the war before returning to Iraq. "Even though the story aired years ago I still have people coming up to me and asking how Nick is doing! That story connected with a lot of people. This is a very caring community."
Over the past 25 years, Larry has worked as an Anchor/Reporter in Denver, Kansas City, Oklahoma City and Greenville, SC. He has covered everything from the Oklahoma City Bombing and Columbine High School Massacre, to a cat named "Psycho" that would not come down from a tree for four days and a man who spent 50 years earning a living by pretending to be a Cherokee Chief on a reservation. Larry's investigative reporting has helped viewers recover thousands of dollars from scams, exposed misuse of taxpayers' money, and led to confrontations with a reputed Mafia Boss in Kansas City and the Church of Scientology in Los Angeles.
Larry's work has been recognized with dozens of state, regional and national awards including EMMYs, National Headliner, Society of Professional Journalists and Associated Press. He is a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Friends of the Smokies. Larry and his wife Jan have four (grown) children. Hes a graduate of Purdue Univ. at Fort Wayne, a U.S. Navy veteran and a tribally, federally recognized member of the Cherokee Nation.Larry's also a native "Okie from Muskogee"! (for those who remember the song)
Luke Notestine - Sports Anchor
LUKE NOTESTINE joined the News 13 staff in January of 2013. He is thrilled to cover sports throughout Western North Carolina.
Luke comes to News 13 from his hometown of Dayton, Ohio where he was an award winning journalist for WKEF/WRGT, the ABC/FOX affiliates. He worked as a Sports Anchor/Reporter in Dayton for nearly five years. During his time in Ohio, Luke covered the Ohio State Buckeyes, Dayton Flyers, Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals.
Luke is no stranger to the Tar Heel State. In 2004 he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication.
When Luke is not working, you can find him eating his favorite foods, working off the calories in the gym, playing golf and soccer, or dominating his friends and family in Ping Pong (the real life version and on Nintendo Wii). Feel free to say hello to Luke if you see him around town.
Mario Boone - Multimedia Journalist
MARIO BOONE is a North Carolina native who is happy to be working in his home state. He joins News 13 from the CBS affiliate in Knoxville, TN where he served as the Cops and Courts Beat reporter. One of his most high profile stories was the trial of David Kernell, convicted of hacking former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's email account.
After graduating Hillside High in Durham, Mario studied broadcast journalism at the prestigious Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. Since graduating with a B.A. degree Mario has reported in several TV markets including Myrtle Beach, Shreveport, and Savannah. Mario also freelanced at CNN headquarters in Atlanta as an assignment coordinator on the Regional and By Request desks.
To the surprise of most, Mario is also a former Georgia state law enforcement officer. He spent nearly 5 years supervising violent felons including tracking and arresting fugitives and testifying in Superior Court.
His most exciting professional challenge: learning how to shoot and qualifying with a Glock .40 semi-auto weapon and covering the federal sex trafficking trial of cult leader Tony Alamo.
Megan Schiering - Reporter
MEGAN SCHIERING joined the WLOS news team in March of 2010 as a weekday morning reporter.
She comes to News 13 from KATC in Lafayette, Louisiana. For two years Megan served as the night-side reporter. Prior to working at KATC, Megan was a part of the news team at the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati, Ohio. She started as a production assistant and quickly moved up to assistant sports producer. While sports is a passion of Megan's, she decided to make the switch to news. It was at WLWT that Megan was able to start her reporting career.
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native graduated from Hanover College in 2005 with a Degree in Communications. While at Hanover, Megan played softball, soccer, and was a member of the Student Broadcasting Association and Phi Mu Sorority.
Megan is thrilled to have the opportunity to work and live in Asheville. She looks forward to experiencing everything the mountains have to offer.
Mike Mason - Reporter
MIKE MASON is an Investigative Reporter at WLOS News 13. He's passionate about going in-depth to get to the bottom of an issue and finding a resolution. He has a proven track record of being an advocate for viewers. His investigations have led to new laws and regulations.
Mike has been recognized with some of the most prestigious awards in the television industry, including Columbia University's Alfred I. DuPont Award in 2005. His accolades also include Emmys and National and Regional Edward R. Murrows, along with recognition from the Investigative Reporters & Editors, Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Mike is a Vermont native but moved to Miami to attend art school. He received his art degree and went on to study journalism at Saint Thomas University in Miami, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree. Mike has worked at stations in Florida, New York and Mississippi.
In his spare time, Mike enjoys hiking, canoeing, photography, kayaking, art, bike riding, the gym and spending time with his two small dogs, Suki and Gunner.
Rex Hodge - Reporter
REX HODGE is thrilled to join WLOS-TV as the station's bureau reporter in Waynesville and to make the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina home.
Rex started his career in television news in the early '80's after growing up in Connecticut and graduating from Emerson College in Boston . He followed opportunities that took him to stations across the country including Virginia , Missouri , Pennsylvania, and Florida. Most recently he anchored the evening news for the ABC affiliate in Tallahassee.
While anchoring and reporting for the University of Missouri-owned, KOMU-TV, he earned his Masters degree in Journalism and reported and produced a special program on Native Americans that won a national Emmy Award. He also traveled to war-torn Bosnia shooting and reporting a series of stories that went on to win a noted documentary festival. For his producing and hosting of a public affairs show in Virginia, he won a prestigious Telly award as well.
Outside of work, Rex enjoys spending time with family and friends. You might also find him on the tennis courts, bike and running trails, golf courses or even dance floors.
Sherrill Barber - Reporter
SHERRILL BARBER is a Western North Carolina native and has worked with News 13 for more than 30 years. As a young reporter, he covered the first ever Bele Chere festival in 1978 in Asheville. Sherrill has extensively followed the career of Montreat evangelist Billy Graham. He traveled with Graham to crusades in Russia, Hong Kong, California, Florida, Texas and South Carolina. Sherill is also known for his reporting on environmental issues. He focuses on stories in Henderson and Transylvania Counties.
Before joining WLOS, Sherrill worked for WMSJ (WRGC) in Sylva, WISE-AM in Asheville and was an Adjunct Professor of Broadcast Journalism at UNCA.In 1982, Sherrill won AP's Enterprise Award for a special report on the proliferation of nuclear power.
Sherrill attended Brevard College and Western Carolina University. He is married with two children. He and his wife love living in the mountains. They appreciate all the area has to offer, including camping and hiking.When Sherrill is not reporting for WLOS, he also enjoys mountain biking, still photography, and playing the trombone with the brass choir at Central United Methodist Church in Asheville.
Stan Pamfilis - Sports Director
STAN PAMFILIS, Sports Director, first joined News 13 WLOS more than twenty years ago, in 1979.
Prior to anchoring the sports reports here at News 13, Stan wore many hats at WJHG-TV in Panama City, Florida. He was the Weatherman, News Anchor, Talk Show Host and Sports Director. During his career in Western North Carolina, Stan has also worked as the play-by-play announcer for Western Carolina University's Catamount football and basketball.
Born March 23rd in Atlanta, Georgia, Stan graduated from the University of Georgia.
Stan spends most of his spare time on the golf course but he also enjoys weightlifting, history and going to the movies.
Tammy Watford - Anchor
TAMMY WATFORD currently anchors the 5:00, 5:30 and 6:30 news programs, and is well known at schools across the mountains for her education stories called, "Never Stop Learning." Tammy enjoys learning from the students and teachers she meets in her daily reports. It's a hands-on series, meaning you can often find her digging in a garden, participating in a science experiment or getting involved in field day activities alongside the youngsters. Watch "Never Stop Learning" Monday's on News 13 at 6pm and Tuesdays through Thursdays on News 13 at 5pm.
Before moving to the mountains, Tammy worked at television stations in Alabama and Florida. After graduating from Troy State University, she landed her first job at WCFT in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Four years later the Do than, Alabama, native accepted a job in Tallahassee at WCTV-6. In 1993, she arrived in Asheville just ahead of the "Storm of the Century."
Tammy has won several awards in communications including the North Carolina Association of Educators' 2002 School Bell Award for excellence in coverage of education issues. She also received Associated Press Awards for Best Newscast in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Tammy also captured the AP's Best photographer award while working in Tuscaloosa.
Victoria Dunkle - Anchor/Reporter
VICTORIA DUNKLE anchors News 13 at Noon and you can see her live reports in our morning show Monday through Friday. Her duties include covering breaking news and community interest stories. Victoria also hosts a segment called 'Craft Corner' which showcases the artisans in our area.
Victoria is dedicated to supporting the community she and her family call home. In her time here, she has worked with several local organizations including Junior Achievement of Western North Carolina, where she served on the board for six years.Victoria is a Women's Ministry Speaker and blogger. She is also active with the Women's Ministry in her home church, Biltmore Baptist Church. She co-writes the Poiema Women's Bible Study and teaches the evening session.Victoria got her start in television news in Western Pennsylvania where she grew up. Her career took her to Traverse City and Lansing, Michigan and now to Asheville. She knew she wanted to be a journalist early in her life. Victoria has always found it interesting and challenging to bring information to people. The love of her job comes from uncovering news that will help people. She says, "If I can tell stories that improve lives, offer helpful tips,or put a smile on someone's face; I have done my job well."
In 2003, Victoria moved here with her husband, Dave. They have two terrific children. Her son and daughter keep her busy and are absolute blessings. She and her husband love to spend time with the kids exploring the beauty of the Mountains.
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