GRAND RAPIDS, MI - WOOD TV8 meteorologist Laura Velasquez is leaving West Michigan and heading west. The two met in Portage, Michigan. Lansing residents love the easy-to-understand, informative, and entertaining weather forecasts by meteorologist Blake Harms, especially the fun facts. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. You can view the photographs that were taken at Emilys wedding, which took place on October 2nd, on her official Instagram account. Static.COOKIE_BANNER_CAPABLE = true; It looks like no more morning Wood for a Huntsville station. Emily is leaving the channel because the environmental consultant role that she held previously on a part-time basis has been expanded to a full-time capacity, and she will no longer have sufficient time to concentrate on her duties at Wood TV 8. Meteorologist Reporter News Anchor Commercial Announcer Presenter Student Worker. Watching Emily's broadcast right now. "It brings tears to my eyes," said James, who had two years remaining on his contract before deciding to retire early. Ellen Bacca came to WOOD-TV in 2014 and has won two Emmy awards in her time there. 4,487 talking about this. Not to replace Bill but to replace Emily. He and Meteorologist Ellen Bacca were live on the air warning viewers of thedanger that was unfolding in the area. Ellens average salary is $ 76,569 per year. Emily Schuitema will officially be leaving Wood TV8. Her Instagram account has been verified by Instagram, and she currently has more than 1900 followers and 115 posts. Good Luck Emily!! Ginger is married to his longtime boyfriend and fiancee, Ben Aaron since 2014. . The Grand Rapids-area native, a 2004 graduate of Jenison High School, is moving to Denver. Ellen Bacca, a graduate of Portage Northern High School, returns to West Michigan from North Carolina, where she most recently reported on Hurricane Arthur for WCTI-TV in the coastal city of New Bern. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. On the social media platform Instagram, the journalist can be found under the handle @emilyschuitema. . Wood is the 11th on air talent to leave WAAY since Heartland Media bought the station in May. WROC-TV's . Ellen Bacca is a popular American meteorologist. I have been fortunate enough to work alongside him and to learn from him over the past seven years. "He never seemed to take joy in calamity. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Sioux City residents have mixed emotions as Katie Nickolaou is leaving KMEG. by Barry Sanders Mon Apr 25, 2022 1:17 pm, Post Questions for MW / Board Announcements, New Age Radio (Streaming / Podcasting / Satellite / HD), Getting Connected (or Cutting the Cord! Some of them can't believe I'm leaving. Ellen happily married her husband Mark Lytle who serves as a pilot, woodworker, actor, and MASH fan. 177.11.54.165 A 2008 graduate of Central Michigan University, Velasquez reported the weather for News Central 34 at CMU, which served Mount Pleasant and its surrounding area. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The potential Friday storm would be a fitting way for James to leave the newsroom, McGettigan said. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Here's a satellite pic. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. 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Media consultants have formatted weather telecaasts so they have the same cookie-cuter approach nationwide, he said. She made the announcement on her work Facebook page. Emily Schuitema, a meteorologist, has reported that nothing untoward has occurred, but she has resigned from her position as a journalist at Wood TV 8 and will now be working as an environmental consultant for Stantec. "He's a real class act," Matthews said. In his new role, Steffen will remain a a key member of Storm Team 8. "It's more formula," James said. "He's never been a flashy guy. The information concerning if Ellen and his husband Mark have children is currently under the radar. by Honolulublue4life Sun Apr 24, 2022 1:26 pm, Post Ellen stands at a height of 5 ft 4 in (Approx 1.6m). If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. It turns out that 13WHAM's Glenn Johnson isn't the only longtime Rochester meteorologist signing off the air for good on Thursday. Bacca is the first female Chief Meteorologist in West Michigan. Terri DeBoer is an American meteorologist who serves WOOD as a morning and midday meteorologist. Woods, who has been with WJZ for . Bacca earned her bachelor's degree in meteorology in 2010 from Valparaiso University in Indiana. _taboola.push({flush: true}); Let's learn more about the meteorologist and why she left the channel. . Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Some of them said they became interested in the weather and hadn't before. Independence Day Friday, July 4 is her final day at the TV station she grew up watching. Always capable and professional in her work, that genuine presence appears to be taking her someplace else. "I'm a little bit nervous, but excited about the possibilities in the future," James said. On the social media platform Instagram, the journalist can be found under the handle @emilyschuitema. On her Instagram posts, which also include pictures from her wedding, she has received some wonderful comments from other users. One of Underwoods most memorable moments came when he covered six tornadoes that touched down in West Michigan on the afternoon of Aug. 20, 2016. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Her departure comes two months after anchor Erin Dacy left the station after 24 years. // To add more quotations, continue with the WOOD TV8, owned by Lin Television Corporation, serving Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, is the 39th largest TV market in the United States, serving more than 734,000 viewers. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The team of meteorologists at this station is unmatched and I am honored and determined to uphold that Storm Team 8 legacy of integrity and excellence. Meteorologist Clear Channel Radio . The wedding photographer did an excellent job of capturing the most important day of her life, which can be seen in the stunning photographs that she chose to have taken. It has been 3 weeks now. "They didn't want viewers saying, 'Did you watch Woods' weather?'" They use the same catch phrases.". The station is excited to announce the hiring of Meteorologist Blake Harms.. Emily's speech pattern sounds much more natural now. Recently, Ellen was chosen as one of the only broadcast meteorologists in the nation to participate in the National Severe Storms Laboratory Hazardous Weather Testbed study to experiment with the next generation of tornado and severe storm warnings. Remember He became the morning meteorologist for "Good Day" in October 2003. James began his weather career as an observer for the Air Force. My last day on-air is tomorrow (thread). 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. On Instagram, Schuitema shared a video in which she can be seen kissing her fiance while they are at their wedding. Teaching college-level forecasting is a possibility, as is forensics meteorology. "Probably not all 116 inches of snow," she said. Its not worth it in any aspect for most and I dont blame the many whove come to that conclusion. Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk covers arts and entertainment for MLive and The Grand Rapids Press. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Actually, they love the entire 6 News morning team. James carved out a TV career on his own terms, said WOOD-TV Sports Director Jack Doles. Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk | jkaczmarczyk@mlive.com, WOOD TV8 meteorologist leaving West Michigan to go west. function showQuotation(){document.write(Quotation[whichQuotation]);} Therefore, Ellen has accumulated a decent fortune over the years she has worked. Kelly Smith Grand Rapids, MI. During her internship with Storm Team 8, journalist Schuitema got her first taste of broadcast meteorology and gained valuable experience. Arik Ancelin: Is He Dead Or Alive? Though she'll miss West Michigan's beaches, she's looking forward to life in the Rocky Mountains. pic.twitter.com/PWamb4zQK7 Kyle Underwood (@wx8) December 22, 2018. Meteorologist Ellen Bacca, a Kalamazoo-area native, is joining WOOD TV8 as the newest member of Storm Team 8. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Katie is also the creator of Fandom Forecast, a project she started to bring together her love of pop culture and weather forecasting. 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As youngster, Bacca formed a "storm chasing" club that met on her elementary school playground. Related: Local TV and Radio personalities tackle the Fifth Third River Bank Run. He eventually moved to the evening newscasts to work alongside Storm Team 8 Chief Meteorologist Bill Steffen. The interactive program teaches kids about all things severe weather with hands-on experiences. Bill Steffen is a legacy man at one of the most respected legacy stations in the country, Bacca said. I am ecstatic to be called Chief of such an outstanding power-house team.. WOOD TV Adds Another Meteorologist GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) WOOD TV8's team of meteorologists is expanding to be the largest in West Michigan. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) WOOD TV8's team of meteorologists is expanding to be the largest in West Michigan. "I wanted to stay in a 'weather' market somewhere where the weather is challenging," she said. Velasquez joined WOOD TV8 in May 2007 as an intern and became an employee in August. Contact She is a graduate of Portage Northern High School. "We'll have to see what kind of role that ends up playing that day," she said. And he's not ruling out returning to broadcasting somewhere down the road. An avid runner who ran her first Chicago Marathon in October 2011, Velasquez said she'll miss almost everything about Grand Rapids. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt that day. She is a woman of average height. "He hangs over the data as it comes in and takes it very seriously.". "It's the station I grew up watching, visited several times during middle school and high school, and then interned at," she said. Ginger Zee is a Meteorologist, Journalist for ABC. // Do not change anything below this line We know her passion for the weather and her love for West Michigan will make her a great addition to Storm Team 8.. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) WOOD TV8 is pleased to announce the transition of Storm Team 8s Chief Meteorologist role to Ellen Bacca. Theres no more carrot at the end of the stick and they all seem to be coming to that conclusion. One can also catch Ellen out at the beach on Thursdays for the seasonal Beach and Boating forecast. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. After 40 years of TV weather, WOOD-TV's Craig James, right, will hand the chief meteorologist baton to longtime friend and co-worker, Bill Steffen. Bacca will take over as the main meteorologist at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays. All rights reserved (About Us). Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Mike Woods is a renowned American meteorologist currently working as the weekend meteorologist and "Good Day New York" feature reporter for Fox 5 NY since joining the station in. Quotation[9] = "'FTVLive.com Scooped Everyone With News' - About.com "; "There was something about him, when he started to talk about the weather, you could tell he really knew what he was talking about," said Hogan, now a city councilman in Claremont, Fla. "That really was a major reason we moved front and center with the audience. It will be a couple of weeks before it hits me that I'm not going to work anymore. Jennifer Lopez has been part of the WSB-TV family since August 2021. by Trophyhead Sun Apr 24, 2022 11:59 am, Post "Forecasting is going to be different at first, but I'm ready and looking forward to it," Velasquez said. by inmyopinion Sun Apr 24, 2022 7:46 pm, Post The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Meteorological training and knowledge of a region's weather patterns are important, Steffen said, but the commitment James brought to the job set him apart from the pack. Quotation[0] = "'Mr. Reality Tv Personality; Mike Woods Bio, Age, Wife, Family, Fox 5, Net Worth, Salary. Us @2023 FTVLive LLC Heather is now taking her investigative skills outside Michigan. GRAND RAPIDS, MI WOOD TV8 meteorologist Laura Velasquez is leaving West Michigan and heading west. They studied in the same high school. I have some breaking (personal) news: Im leaving @WOODTV. A native of Ohio, she came to West Michigan in December 2012. . "Many of them say they grew up with me. var Quotation=new Array() // do not change this! James said he has received more than 100 comments on his blog at woodtv.com. Morning meteorologist at 13 ON YOUR SIDE in Grand Rapids, MI. // ============================================== The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. // ====================================== After 6 1/2 years, WAAY Anchor Meredith Wood announced Friday was her last day as morning and noon anchor at the Heartland owned ABC affiliate in Huntsville. On October 2, Emily Schuitema and Zachary Pawloski exchanged vows and became husband and wife. Quotation[7] = "'FTVLive Delivers some of the TV World's Biggest Scoops' - Tonawanda News "; Full Profile. Later on, Ellen earned her bachelors degree in meteorology in 2010 from Valparaiso University in Indiana. Traveling with his wife, Marcie, is his high on his list. Tv8 as the main meteorologist at 13 on YOUR SIDE in Grand Rapids Press believe I 'm going., 'Did you watch Woods ' weather? ' have the same approach... Catch Ellen out at the TV station she grew up watching James out... 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