Sandra Cole

[genlock]

The long-time evening anchor has worked at 13News for 17 years.

HUNTINGTON -- Friday, it was announced that WOWK-TV long-time anchor Sandra Cole has decided not to renew her contract that expires in October and will pursue other opportunities.

The announcement was issued in a news release Friday afternoon, while Cole was on vacation with family.

"Sandra has been a part of our community for 17 years...and we will miss her," said Vice-President Larry Cottrill. "We wish her the best in the next chapter of her life."

Cole is currently the anchor for 13News at 6, 7 & 11.

Station representatives said she will return from vacation on Wednesday.and will anchor at 13News until October.

[---]

I read this report, heard Scott announce it at 6, and read the Charleston Gazette report. 13 issued a 3-sentence press release today for the announcement. They seem to be taking their steps and choosing their words very carefully. The staff was asked not to comment on the subject. From what I am seeing, this seems to be a nasty break-up.

[Scott Reppert]

...3-sentence press release...a nasty break-up.

In the words of Greg Kihn, "They don't write 'em like that anymore"...

[oldtvman2]

don't expect to Sandra on the air again at wowk. when someone is leaving they are watched while they clean out their desk and then escorted out the door and the door codes are then changed. They would never allow them back on the air in fear that the person would tell the real reason that they were leaving. I have seen this happen many times and had to learn new door codes.

[---]

don't expect to Sandra on the air again at wowk. when someone is leaving they are watched while they clean out their desk and then escorted out the door and the door codes are then changed. They would never allow them back on the air in fear that the person would tell the real reason that they were leaving. I have seen this happen many times and had to learn new door codes.

When I read the press release and then saw how carefully they seemed to have prepared Scott's script, I began thinking Sandra will definitely be out before October. They may give her the rest of August or a little bit of September to give time for Scott to move in to her timeslots or for a new anchor to be hired. Also, it seems more reasonable for them to can her before her contract runs out rather than the day it does run out. That is how it always happens nationally (Katie Couric ended her broadcast with about 3 weeks left on her contract). Sandra will probably announce her departure date when she returns next week. Hopefully she will decide to expose the reason she's being dropped. I think it's Bray's effort to cut down on anchors. When Jack Kane's co-anchor left, they decided he could do the newscast by himself. They probably think there is no reason to have two evening anchors.

[tvchick]

don't expect to Sandra on the air again at wowk. when someone is leaving they are watched while they clean out their desk and then escorted out the door and the door codes are then changed. They would never allow them back on the air in fear that the person would tell the real reason that they were leaving. I have seen this happen many times and had to learn new door codes.

Yes, when there's a sign posted on the door that says "Call for new door code" the first thing you ask is "Who got fired?" But it really depends on how Sandra is leaving as to whether she will be back on the air. If it's her doing, then they're more likely to keep her on. If being pushed out, doubt she'll finish out her time. She'll probably come in one day and find out the night before was her last newscast.

[genlock]

Are her kids out of high school and off to college yet?
This situation may be her own plan, not that of Bray Cary.