I have experience with writing for video and social media posts.
During my time at Baystate Health, I have written articles for internal communications, the external website, and newsletters. While writing these articles, I made a particular effort to create rich content that followed best SEO practices.
The article, Why you shouldn’t wear gloves to the grocery store, was hyperlinked in a newsletter and had a 70% open rate.
Here, you will find three examples of pieces I have written for the television station, WCAX.
SHELBURNE, Vt. The Shelburne Police Department has been taking steps to build a better relationship with the people they serve and boost morale within the department.
For decades, the department in the basement of the Shelburne Town Offices has felt dark and dingy.
Sgt. Josh Flore said 12 officers shared two computers and two telephones in a small room. Although the officers were not all on duty at once, it became difficult when they were working on the same case.
“You’re fighting to try to find a place to work,” Sgt. Flore said.
Officers are now pitching together to overhaul their work space.
“It brings moral up. You feel like you’re not working in a dungeon,” Sgt. Flore said.
The department said in order to serve the outside community better, it needs to take care of its smaller, internal community. Officers have turned their former work-out space into the new patrol room, where everyone gets their own work station.
The department also expanded the locker room, adding new lighting and flooring. Officers hauled in bigger, 400 pound lockers themselves, which can now store all of their gear.
In the dispatch center, they have new consoles. The touch screens make their jobs much easier.
“They have the ability to adjust the lighting down to what works for them,” Sgt. Flore said.
Even the little things, like a new lighting system, matter when you work long, stressful hours. Things like new badges, new wall decals, paint to cover up chips, and a new cruiser bring the department a renewed pride.
“It’s just not a bunch of cops sitting in a building. We’re actually out doing things,” Officer Cole Charbonneau said.
As they builds up their internal community, police are also expanding their digital outreach. Officer Charbonneau said creating an Instagram account has helped them show the human side of their work.
“You’re going to see us out on the road, or you’re going to see us on your phone or your computer,” Officer Cole Charbonneau said.
Because at this department, success is not based on number of arrests made or cases solved. It’s about taking care of officers and the relationships being built with everyday people.
“I’m a dad. There’s other dads that work here. You know, that we’re not just a uniform. we’re not just a stuffed shirt,” Sgt. Flore said.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) There have been multiple change-ups over the last few months to the WVMT radio morning show lineup.
Vox AM/FM bought WVMT last year, but the retirement of a classic political duo has had them searching for replacements.
Burlington City Council President Kurt Wright and DJ Marcus Certa will be taking over the airwaves, which was once the stomping ground of Charlie and Ernie.
The duo talked politics on the radio for more than 20 years until they retired in December. That’s when Vox replaced them with Pete Belair and Sarah Mitiguy, known for the show, “Pete and Sarah in the Morning.”
“We had chatted with them about it, and some of the people on the staff when we purchased the station felt that they could do it,” said Ken Barlow, Vox’s owner.
The show was not what listeners were used to, and the company let the hosts go on Friday.
“We don’t hold them responsible or anything. They gave it a really good shot,” Barlow said.
“I have just great respect for Pete and Sarah, and I wish them all the best,” Wright said.
Wright had been a guest on their show in a segment called “Coffee with Kurt.”
Barlow said Wright, known as being a moderate Republican, is a better fit.
“He knows the political scene very well, you know, not only in the Chittenden County area but also throughout the state, because he was in the Legislature,” Barlow said.
Certa, an experienced radio DJ, brings a more left-wing perspective.
Barlow said “The Morning Drive with Marcus and Kurt” will bring the show back to its roots.
“We hope everyone gives us a listen and gives us a chance,” Wright said.
The show will run Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. starting on March 4.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) Families over the weekend hitched a ride on the Jingle Bell Express, ready for a Christmas adventure.
The train ran between Burlington and Charlotte, making five trips in two days.
Aboard the train, people sang carols, hung out with special guests like Donald Duck and read Christmas stories. Santa left most of his reindeer at the station and hopped on board to find out what toys to get the passengers.
The children enjoyed cookies and time with family.
“It will almost bring you to tears because they’re smiling and they’re grinning from ear to ear. And they’re having a great time,” Conductor Steve Shover said.
Shover helped start the Jingle Bell Express six years ago to raise money for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Burlington.
The $25 donation helps cover a family’s two-night stay when their children are treated at the hospital. The actual cost of staying at the Ronald McDonald House is about $80, but families are only asked to pay $10. Sometimes, that charge can be too much of a financial burden. For the last two years, the organization tried to raise $100,000 through the Jingle Bell Express fundraiser.
“But when you only have ‘X’ amount of tickets to sell, it’s kind of hard to get to that goal,” Shover said.
Having sponsors certainly helps, but the fundraising has fallen short both years.
But there’s always next Christmas season.
Neliana Ferraro 