Local television news is popular in our region.Other observationsAnchor team

It's fast-paced, prolific, and an easy way to receive news.

But perhaps above all, it's profoundly mutable. Forever changing.

Blue Ridge Communications TV13, a PENCOR Services Inc. company, has been keeping northeastern Pennsylvanians in touch with through local television news coverage since 1988.  And if there's been one common denominator during each of those 30 years, it's been the success in meeting demands of a changing news cycle and the evolution of news content.

The challenge to bring local television news to area residents began in a simpler time when subject matter was more benign.

Kim Bell, BRC13 general manager, is a 29-year employee who can attest to the changing face of local news.

In fact, in her inaugural on-air report, the daily news was rooted in something as innocent as tree roots.

"My first story on my first day at work was about a tree with roots that were growing into the street. It happened up in Summit Hill," she said, adding that such a topic likely wouldn't be covered in a TV news report today.

Long-term employees at BRC-TV13 can reflect on similar changes, each a behind-the-scenes revelation that illustrates changing times.

Frank Stanek of Summit Hill is chief engineer and has been aboard TV13 since day one.

"We went from typewriters and paper to everything computerized," he said.  "We also went from analog to digital and then high definition."

Tom MacIntire of Tannersville is chief videographer and supervisor of the Monroe County division.

He points out the reality of today's fast turn-around of content and how cell phones and other communication devices play a role in delivering the product.

"The biggest change is the immediacy of the news, how much faster everything has become. Back in the day, everything had to be done manually, in real time. The fastest thing we had was a pager. Now everything is instantaneous."

As a result, he says, response to emergencies has greatly expanded across the board.

"Back then, when I would get to an assignment, there were very few others there. We'd arrive before police, medics or firemen. Now, there are lots of professionals on scene and other media."

Coincidentally, MacIntire provided insight for this story via a telephone interview while on his honeymoon in Spain.

Donna Kistler of Orefield is a 30-year employee and former news director, continuing to work part-time. She said the news- gathering process and the people who do it have changed dramatically through the years.

"Editing was all mechanical then. Now it's all digital. Back then, we didn't have special effects. And our set was built by hand, in-studio, by our people. We didn't have a lot of people. There were one or two. Today we have six or seven.  And the people hired today are younger. They're out of college where they're trained in it. Originally, we had very few people covering the large area. Everybody at the studio chipped in for news. For instance, I ran the truck for 13 years. I drove it and directed things like sports and parades."

George Roberts was hired one day one to be anchor for the newscast.

He cites advances in technology and changes in society as catalysts for change in the industry.

"Today we depend on computers, Internet and technology to do our jobs. We didn't have those things back then and the community we serve today is different. Stories are more diverse today and even more bizarre in some ways because of what people do. The social norms changed, along with the influx of people into the community," said Roberts.

Marie Johns of Moore Township also anchors the news. She vividly recalls the early days when the station was new and so was she. News reporting was an uphill battle, she said, because the faces and the TV station itself were unknown to locals.

"I was 21 years old when I started as a reporter," said Johns. "The news was only a year old. It was a struggle in the beginning to get people to even talk to us. Joe Boyle (of the Times News) took me under his wing and he was patient with explaining things to me."

But it's now 2018 and those "olden" days are gone. In fact, according to research, co-anchors Johns and Roberts might well be the longest-running news anchor team in the nation.

Stanek said a key to BRC13's success is the television audience, loyal and supportive.

"Our viewership has been good to us. A lot of people who started watching us in the beginning are still with us."

 BRC13, with its studio at 936 Elm St., Lehighton, also provides viewers with sports and weather, along with a full array of local programming.

Marlyn Kissner, executive director, Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, said the entire crew is an asset to the area.

“The professional, forward-thinking and dynamic staff are a true pleasure to work with, and we look forward to another awesome 30 years. Congratulations, BRC13...you rock!"

BRC13’s 30th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting Celebration is set for Thursday, May 31, at 5:30 p.m. in the Lehighton studio.

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Caption 1 (group cupcake): The entire team at BRC-TV13 takes a moment to enjoy a cupcakes in honor of the 30th anniversary of the station's local news coverage. ZACK BOOTH/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS

Caption 2 (original 5): The original five members of BRC-TV13's news team pause at the Lehighton studio with PENCOR Services Inc. CEO Fred Reinhard to reflect on challenges and successes. Front left: Donna Kistler, George Roberts, Reinhard and Tom MacIntire. Rear: Frank Stanek and Andy Lesisko. ZACK BOOTH/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS

Caption 3 (Fred & Kim): Fred Reinhard, PENCOR Services Inc. chief executive officer and Kim Bell, BRC-TV13 general manager. ZACK BOOTH/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS