Schools Can Post Speed Limit Signs -WOWO News Said So

One can excuse sloppiness, one can even explain spelling and grammar mistakes. What one has trouble understanding is how someone, writing a news story from a press release, can still manage to misunderstand the subject matter and confuse the listener. 

The news story is fairly accurate, but the headline says the school is posting the new speed limit signs. Uh, no. 

Here's a hint: Schools do not have the authority to change speed limits and/or post enforcement sign. Schools educate kids, governmental bodies, including the Indiana Department of Transportation, are tasked and legally authorized to install speed limit signs. 

The WOWO newsroom needs to spend a little more time with the news, and less time with the hairspray and lip gloss. 

CEDARVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO POST NEW, LOWER SP...

Cedarville Elementary School to Post New, Lower Speed Limit Signs
Created by kmiller on 10/29/2013 10:39:52 AM

---

ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WOWO): The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced that tomorrow, two "40 MPH WHEN FLASHING" school speed limit signs will be installed on SR 1 near Cedarville Elementary School, on Hardisty Road, west of Leo-Cedarville. The signs will designate an enforced speed limit of 40 mph when flashing, between 8:15 A.M. and 9:15 A.M. and then between 3:15 P.M. and 4:15 P.M. during the week. All other times, the posted speed limit will be 50 mph. The sign installations come after concerns from parents, Cedarville Elementary administration, and East Allen County Schools administration.

The Maven Accepts Your Challenge!

The email to the Maven said "go ahead, pick any news story. I dare you to find just one fXXing error. You dumb bastard". Oh, apparently the memo regarding "the use of company assets and email accounts to personally respond to bloggers and the media" has been rescinded, or someone out there on the south end of town has gone off the Reservation. 

Either way, the Maven will accept that challenge. The Maven's comments are in BLUE. Here goes....

NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION LEADS TO THE ARREST OF TW...

Narcotics Investigation Leads to the Arrest of Two Men 
Created by kblakeslee on 10/4/2013 4:15:39 PM

---

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): On Friday, the Fort Wayne Police Department along with several drug task force teams served a search warrant that led to the arrests of two men.

(your missing a comma after "department" and after "teams") Error #1

The warrant was served at a home on Southpark Avenue after police received a tip that someone from the residence was using methamphetamine.

(Southpark Avenue does not exist in Fort Wayne or Allen County. did you mean South Park Drive? beats the hell out of me) Error #2

During the search, drug paraphernalia related to methamphetamine use was found and two men were also found at the home and taken into custody. 

(during THE search, which search was that? only one search was performed, so the copy should read "during a search".) Error #3

(the last part of the sentence is a run-on) Error #4)

David Snow was arrested for Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Possession of Paraphernalia, False Informing and two outstanding warrants. Snow had no bond.

(Snow had no bond is not an accurate statement and is presented in the wrong tense. Snow was held without bond is correct) Error #5

Tyler Bobay was arrested for Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia.  Bobay’s charges had a $3,250.00 bond.

(again, with the bond? say that Bobay's bond was set at ......) Error #6

The investigation is currently ongoing.

(while not an error per se, the word "ongoing" is a cliche, a crutch that can irritate listeners. why not just say the investigation continues?)

Return

Media Never Disappoints

Fort Wayne media has little content and very little quality control. The Maven does not feel a need to explain. Even grade school children can see the issue. Media, apparently, does not care how they look. 

News That's Not New

They call it "news" because it's new. So when the Maven received the WOWO tweet with the headline "Homicides on the rise in FW", the Maven's reaction was "no kidding". 

One would have to be living under a rock not to realize that the body count is reaching record levels. This is not news. 
Why WOWO and "our partners at 21Alive" would put an effort into a story like this is questionable, but the answer is clear. Someone at the Fort Wayne Police Department put out a press release, and our intrepid Fort Wayne media took little time in polishing it into a "news" story. At best it's filler or just another exercise in journalistic masturbation. 

When the high-priced WOWO consultant emplored the staff to "relate to the obvious", the Maven is pretty sure this is not what he meant. 

Find the story here:
http://wowo.com/ArticleDisplay/tabid/74/ArticleId/16796/Homicides-on-the-Rise-in-Fort-Wayne.aspx