TEN YEARS OF EL PASO TV NEWS (1976-1986)

Author's note: The following article was published in the June 1986 edition of El Paso Magazine. The story was written as an insider's perspective of the many changes in El Paso TV news between 1976 and 1986. Rapid advances in technology and changes in news gathering practices during the period helped usher in a new era of improved local news coverage that lasted well into the 2000s. Since then, the development of digital technology and the advent of the Internet have brought further improvements in the scope and quality of local TV news.

By Roy Ortega

A viewer long ago described El Paso TV news as "Tiny Town TV." That viewer today would find it difficult to make a distinction between El Paso TV news and TV news in any major city in the country. El Paso TV news
has undergone more changes for the better in the last ten years than in any other period in its history. Gone are the days of noisy film cameras and klakety klak teletype machines replaced by the latest state-of-the-art news gathering technology. Also gone are the "rip and read" artists replaced by seasoned, well-trained professional TV journalists.

It wasn't until the mid 1970's that El Paso television news began to earn some long-awaited respectability. Prior to 1976, all three local network affiliates, KDBC-TV (Channel 4), KVIA-TV (Channel 13), and KTSM-TV (Channel 9) presented news broadcasts that were adequate for the time, but all seemed to lack journalistic quality and style. Twenty-three-year news veteran John Garmon recalls, "Newspaper reporters didn't seem to consider TV reporters real journalists. We were referred to as 'electronic journalists' and the reference was usually followed by a sneer." Garmon says he knew local TV news had to prove itself journalistically before it could earn the respect it deserved.

"Gathering TV news in the mid-1970s was becoming quite a challenge," said KDBC-TV News Director/Operations Manager Bill Mitchell. "Newsrooms relied on 16mm film to tell a news story, but getting the film on the six o'clock news was something short of a miracle sometimes. Early deadlines were needed in order to shoot a story, process the film, write a script, edit the film and load the studio projector. The procedure meant that by the time the story aired, it was nearly half a day old. 

Garmon, a former KTSM-TV news director, remembers a time when all three stations sent their film to Tike Slaughters photographic studios on Missouri Street to be processed. Three hours later, the film would be returned to each editor only to find the wrong film had been delivered. "We'd end up with channel 4 or 13's film and they'd end up with ours. There would be a mad scramble by all three TV stations to get their film back in time for the newscast. It was a real mess."

On occasion, Slaughter's processing machine would break down while news film was being processed destroying someone's newscast before it got on the air. It wasn't long before all three TV stations purchased their own film processing equipment. 

KDBC-TV News Set
1976

"It was about this time that station owners realized that a lot of money could be made in news," explains KDBC's Bill Mitchell. "With larger news budgets, we broke new ground." Mitchell says larger staffs enabled news departments to do a better job of covering local news. Larger, more attractive studio sets were built. More cameras and editing equipment were purchased. All three TV stations began investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in their news departments. The competition for the ratings dollar began to intensify, the result was a noticeable improvement in the way television news was covered and delivered.

The ever-present fear of being sued for libel also precipitated the move to hire experienced reporters. "We chose people who had already broken someone else's equipment... and who had made their learning mistakes elsewhere," said Mitchell. Prior to this period, it was not at all uncommon to see poorly written copy that fell on the verge of outright libel. Veteran KVIA-TV newsman Gary Warner remembers a story that aired on his station that sent shudders through the ranks of management. Due to a grammatical error, the story clearly named an innocent person as a suspect in a burglary case. Says Warner, "the error was noticed after it got on the air, obviously too late to do anything about it. Luckily, no one ever raised a stink about the story." Most veteran news watchers would agree that it was a miracle that no one ever sued for libel.

KDBC-TV News Team
1977

The late 1970's saw local television news become more viewer-oriented. Aside from reporting the news events of the day, the three local channels began devoting their time and resources to subjects of particular interest to viewers. Former KDBC-TV investigative reporter Cynthia Neu points out that this type of specialty reporting helped bring much credibility to local TV news. "TV news in El Paso had been considered a joke," states Neu who came to TV with a ten-year background in newspaper reporting. "I was hired because of my ability as a journalist and because of my strong contacts in the community," she says. That's something Bill Mitchell admits was sorely lacking in local television news reporting at the time.

Another specialty reporter was Marce Galaviz who became known as KVIA-TV's colorful consumer advocate.
Galaviz says, "TV news in El Paso began to get a lot of viewer attention when it began to get involved with people in the community. More people get ripped-off for five dollars than those who get ripped-off for fifty. We pointed that out."

No other single factor contributed more to the transformation of local TV news than the advent of ENG ... Electronic News Gathering. Small, handheld portable video cameras and recording appearance in El Paso in late 1978. ENG not only made news gathering much simpler, but it also greatly enhanced the quality of news pictures on the air. Grainy, low quality 16mm film began to make way for sharp, crystal-clear images of the day's news events. The biggest advantage of ENG was the ability to videotape a news event and instantly play it back on the air. 

KTSM-TV's Jeff Gates, one of the first to get a video camera in his newsroom, observes,
"ENG was exciting ... it made covering the news a lot of fun." Most everyone in the industry welcomed
ENG with enthusiasm, however, there were a few reporters who quite didn't warm up to it right away. 

KDBC-TV's Lucy Tipton recalls, "For me it was a nightmare ... all those buttons, switches and lights were

Howell Eurich, KDBC-TV

intimidating." Tipton says that after years of editing 16mm film, videotape was hard to get used to.

By 1981, all three El Paso network affiliates had made the transition to ENG, an expensive but worthwhile endeavor. The average cost of a video camera complete with recording equipment and accessories was between $25,000 and $30,000. Editing machines and other related equipment pushed the cost even higher. It is difficult to estimate how much money each station has spent equipping its newsroom with ENG, but KVIA-TV Chief Engineer Jack Wilkinson puts the initial figure at a quarter of a million dollars. He says that figure has likely doubled in the last few years as stations renew and update the equipment. Wilkinson points to a rapidly changing technology that often renders newly purchased equipment obsolete before it is put into place. He says TV stations will be forced to continue spending hefty sums of money in order to keep up with the changing technology.

The 1980's brought El Paso TV news into the age of live-from-the-scene news reporting. Although the capability to transmit live pictures from the scene of news events had existed for years, it wasn't until this period that the local TV newsrooms began regularly using live ENG in their broadcasts.
Viewers became familiar with "9-Alive" and the "Live Eagle-Eye."

Reporting live from a news event required a slightly different approach to TV journalism. KTSM-TV reporter

KDBC TV, El Paso

Tom Thorpe, who specializes in live reporting, states. " You have to change your reporting style. Not only do you report what has happened, you report what is happening now." Thorpe says live television news reporting has enabled a reporter to bring the absolute latest information to the viewer. It also provides a unique challenge for the reporter who must be exceptionally alert, particularly when things go wrong. There's very little a reporter can do when someone walks in front of the camera during a live broadcast or when something technical malfunctions.

Ever since live ENG came into wide use in El Paso, viewers have seen such drastic live pictures as the immediate aftermath of a natural gas explosion in central El Paso that destroyed several homes and caused numerous injuries, a sniper incident along the river levee in which a border patrolman was seriously wounded and the aftermath of a plane crash on Mt. Franklin. Local television news has become perhaps the most important source of immediate information during a breaking news story. "It's almost like radio," observes KINT-TV News Director Javier Sanchez. "Look how fast we can get the story on the air ... newspapers can't do that."

The biggest winner in the local TV news game is the viewer. The heightened competition between the stations has resulted in a far better-quality news product than ten years ago. Says KDBC-TV's Bill Mitchell, "there's only one thing that can happen ... viewers win." KVIA-TV's Dan Krieger echoes that view. "Local viewers rely heavily on us to find out what is going on in El Paso ... we have to be concerned about local coverage to serve the community." That means doing a good job of covering local news and competing more aggressively for the audience, With the establishment of another major TV news department in town (Spanish language KINTTV), viewers can expect to see a much higher level of professionalism in their news presentations.

What lies ahead for local television news technologically and journalistically may prove to be even more exciting. 

RCA TK-76 cameras were
among the first ENG cameras
in El Paso. 

Despite a scattering of viewers, local TV news will respond much more to viewer interests. KDBC-TV's Bill Mitchell says viewers in the future will have a wider choice of information sources, but he says,

"viewers will still have to come back to local TV to find out what is happening in their community." The demand for more local news will likely increase, forcing stations to make a greater commitment. Some local markets across the country have extended their newscasts to an hour or longer, but local news directors have not felt a need in El Paso. That could very well change as the demand for more local news increases. In that eventuality, KVIA-TV News Director Dan Kreiger foresees mini-newsrooms scattered around the city each linked by micro-wave, each contributing live stories from their area. A new generation of satellite technology will make it possible for local stations to set up their own live transmitting equipment anywhere in the country, or the world for that matter. 

Some of this technology is already in use but not generally available to stations in smaller markets like El Paso primarily because of the cost. El Paso stations will likely take advantage of the cheaper cost of satellite technology to set up full-time news bureaus in Austin and Washington, D.C.

El Paso television news has grown up. El Paso, a thriving international city of half a million has deserved better and those of us who took part in the transformation couldn't be any prouder.

Roy Ortega

El Paso Magazine

June, 1986

Roy Ortega may be reached at rortega54@elp.rr.com

My Grandfather Hipolito Ramos

By Roy Ortega

Hipolito Ramos

I never knew either of my grandfathers. Both died long before I was born and I often wondered if my life might have been further enriched by the stories of their exploits and adventure. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas in the 1950s and 1960s, I was mostly curious about my maternal grandfather Hipolito Ramos. My mother spoke lovingly of him but always in quiet and somber tones. I don't recall ever hearing his name mentioned at family gatherings. My cousins, who in my childhood numbered in the dozens, knew little or nothing about him either. Even my grandmother, abuelita Cirila Huerta Ramos, spoke very little of him. In our proper Mexican American family, children were rarely allowed to initiate conversations with adults unless prompted.

Details of Hipolito's character, personality and demeanor seemed to have been held in quiet reverence. He was listed in government and documents as a laborer. But members of his extended family on both sides of the U.S. and Mexico border were known to be well-established in business and community.

Hipolito Ramos was born in 1897 and died in 1943 at the age of 46. His grave is located in Monclova, Mexico.

The grave of Hipolito Ramos

Hipolito's father was Marcelino Ramos who was born in 1867 and died in 1912 at the age of 45. Hipolito was 15-years old when his father died. His mother was Maria Ynes Barrera who was born in 1879.

According to family members and immigration documents, Hipolito was sent to live with his uncle Pedro Ramos Bueno who had migrated to San Antonio, Texas in 1913. The 1920 U.S. Census shows the family resided at 425 S. Pecos in San Antonio. Hipolito and Cirila Huerta were married on January 7, 1922, at the home of close relatives at 413 Oak St. in San Antonio.

The 1930 U.S. Census

By 1930, the U.S. Census showed that Hipolito and Cirila lived at 608 S. Pinto (rear) in San Antonio with their five children - Eliel, Raquel, David (Arturo), Omega and Rebecca. Pedro (Pitin), Elisa and Noemi were born later. The home on Pinto St. was owned by Pedro Ramos Bueno, who by then had established a grocery store called La Patria. Two small houses were located in the rear of the property. Pedro's niece Elisa Ramos lived in one of the houses and the other was used as a family shelter for other members of the family.

Pedro Ramos Bueno
raised Hipolito

Immigration documents show that Hipolito, Cirila and their children returned to Mexico sometime in the early 1940s. One family account described a concern that the older boys who were nearing military draft age would be sent to fight the war in Europe.

Sadly, Hipolito died in Monclova, Mexico in 1943 at the age of 46. The circumstances of his death are unclear. Cirila and the children made their way to the border town of Piedras Negras while they waited to finalize their immigration status. They later returned to the U.S. and settled in various parts of San Antonio.

Abuelita Cirila passed away in 1989.

Roy Ortega may be reached at rortega54@elp.rr.com

Hipolito Ramos and Cirila Huerta 
married on January 7, 1922
in San Antonio, Texas 

Wedding announcement
Hipolito and Cirila

Cirila and her grown children in later years

The Ortega Journey to the New World

By Roy Ortega 

After many months of inquiry, I was able to pinpoint the exact location in Spain where members of my Ortega ancestors lived before departing for Mexico (New Spain) sometime in the early 1700s. The reasons why they left Spain and under what circumstances remains the subject of my ongoing genealogical search. I have also identified the names of many of my ancestors who lived during this time period.

Robledo, Albacete, Spain

Robledo, Albacete, Spain

The place determined to be our ancestral home village is named Robledo, Albacete, Spain, located in the south-central mountains of the country. Church records in the village reveal that Fernando de Ortega was born there in 1700. He was married to Maria Lopez Romera, born in 1705. Records show the couple was married at the Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion Church on October 2, 1724. One of their sons was Antonio de Ortega who was born in 1729. He married Lucia Villegas who was born in 1735.

Journey to the New World

Robledo, Albacete, Spain

At some point during this period, Antonio left Spain and settled in what is now Villa del Refugio, Zacatecas, Mexico. When they arrived, Mexico was under Spanish colonial rule.

Froilan Ortega

Literally tens of thousands of Spanish men and women made their trek from Europe to the new world to participate in various roles under the vast and burgeoning Spanish Empire. It was not until 1821 that Mexico gained its independence from Spain.

Ortega Family in New Spain

The first Ortega to be born in New Spain (Mexico) was Candelario Ortega, according to church records. His birth year is listed in Catholic records as 1797. Candelario lived until 1860.

Higinio Ortega

Candelario Ortega 
Birth Record About
1797

This information was gathered, verified and matched through records accessed from various resources. I am grateful for the fine research conducted by one of our distant relatives in California, Leticia Ortega. She is a descendant of Higinio Ortega, brother of Froilan Ortega.

Froilan is my grandfather who brought his family to the U.S. from Zacatecas, Mexico in 1925 and settled in Iowa.

Of course, there is still much to explore, and we will certainly pass it along. I hope this information is both interesting and educational.

Roy Ortega may be reached at rortega54@elp.rr.com

Additional information:

The 100-year Legacy of An American Immigrant Family

By Roy Ortega 

When my grandparents immigrated to the United States from Mexico in May of 1925, they carried little more than hope in their hearts. Froilan and Dolores Ortega could never have dreamed that, a hundred years later, their footsteps would echo through generations, shaping a legacy that still blooms in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Immeasurable Contributions 

In the last century, descendants of Froilan and Dolores have participated in every aspect of American life. All have excelled in their respective endeavors. They have done more than their share in building and
defending America. Today, Ortega family members include health professionals, law experts, educators, entertainment, media and communications specialists and numerous other vocations and professions. Quite notable is the large number of family members who served with honor and distinction in our country's military services, from World War II through the most recent world conflicts.

A Lasting Legacy 

Immigration is the foundation on which this nation is built. It is my hope that the faulty notion of immigrants as criminals and an insufferable drain on America's soul can somehow be dispelled with facts and the realization that immigrants are truly an indispensable part of American life. The legacy they leave behind continues to shape the ideals and values of our community for generations to come.

 The number of direct descendants of Froilan and Dolores Ortega is currently estimated to be more than 400 (living) and growing. 

The list below is by no means conclusive. There are many other family members with equally impressive backgrounds and accomplishments who are not mentioned in this article. Included in this list are young members of the newest generation whose future contributions will undoubtedly keep the family legacy alive long after the immigration debate comes to an end.

The List

-Luis V. Ortega, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Army, World War II Combat Veteran, Purple Heart recipient. (1925-1987)

John R. Ortega

-Salvador V. Ortega, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Army, World War II Veteran. (1927-2007)

-John R. Ortega, Compton, California. U.S. Marine. Korean War Veteran. Civil Rights Attorney. Clients include the United Farm Workers Union. (1935-2007)

Ramona Ortega 

-Ramona Ortega Liston, Ph.D., Phoenix, Arizona. College professor. Author. Harvard University graduate. Served in the President George H.W. Bush Administration.

Etna R. Ortega

-Etna R. Ortega, San Antonio, Texas. City of San Antonio Administrator, Real Estate professional.   

-Marisa Landsberger Oakes, Tampa, Florida. Physical Therapist. Clients include President George H.W. Bush.

Marisa Landsberger 
Oakes

-Troy Hunt, The Villages, Florida. Retired. U.S. Army Airborne.

-Ruben Ortega, San Antonio, Texas. U.S. Navy. Retired. Noted artist and muralist.

-Ray Ortega, Chicago, Illinois, Financial Planner.

-Victor Martinez, San Antonio, Texas, military veteran.

Ephraim Banda

-Ephraim Banda, Cleveland, Ohio. NFL Safeties Coach, Cleveland Browns.

-Guadalupe O. Mireles, Somerset, Texas. U.S. Army, Vietnam Veteran. Purple Heart recipient.

-Mark Ortega, Phoenix, Arizona. Musician, singer, entertainer. 

-David Ortega, Sr., Scottsdale, Arizona. Retired Administrator, State of Iowa.

-Nicholas Flores, San Antonio, Texas. U.S. Army, Combat Veteran, Operation Iraqi Freedom. High School Band Director.

Nicholas Flores

-Jason Mireles, San Antonio, Texas. U.S. Army Combat Veteran, Operation Iraqi Freedom.

-James A. Ortega, El Paso, Texas. U.S. Army veteran. EMT. Crisis Intervention Specialist, El Paso Police Dept.

-Evan A. Ortega, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Board Administrator, Regulations and Licensing Dept., State of New Mexico.

-Debra Riedesel, Cumming, Iowa. Retired Registered Dietician.

-Benjamin Proscelle, San Antonio, Texas. Science Teacher and Coach, San Antonio ISD. 

-Edis Knoop, Colorado Springs, Colorado. U.S. Air Force. High School English Teacher, Librarian. 

-Eloy Martinez, San Antonio, Texas. Transportation Services.

Andrew Mauricio

-Andrew Mauricio, San Antonio, Texas. HEB Grocery Company. Diversity Champion.

-Carmen Lott, San Antonio, Texas. Registered Nurse. Community health professional.

-David Ortega, Des Moines, Iowa. Businessman, Ortega's Tacos, LLC. 

-Richard Ortega, Palmdale, California. Retired Engineer, Northrop Corp.

-Ryan Daniel Flagg, Austin, Texas. Aspiring actor. Incoming freshman at Texas State University. 

Ryan Daniel Flagg

-Alissa Ortega, Cedar Falls, Iowa. 5th and 6th Grade Band Director, Cedar Falls Community School District.

-Ty Ortega, Northfield, Illinois. Athlete. Champion hockey player. 

Maxx Manzano

-Adam Keller, San Antonio, Texas. IT Specialist.

-Maxx Manzano, San Antonio, Texas. Accomplished musician, talented guitarist.

Author's note: This narrative was written largely in support of, and in solidarity with, the millions of immigrants currently under siege in America. It is intended to show that the many positive contributions made by immigrants and their families cannot be discounted or dismissed. Sadly, the true value of an immigrant is often misunderstood or unappreciated until much later.  In reality, immigrants are overwhelmingly good, decent, hard-working people who wish to live in peace and harmony with their neighbors. In the last 100-years, members of the Ortega family have proven that immigrants truly deserve a rightful place in American society.

A complete history of the Ortega Family can be found at: The Ortega Blog: The Life of Mamá Grande

Roy Ortega may be reached at rortega54@elp.rr.com All comments are welcome.

Drawn to The Water's Edge

 By Roy Ortega

The deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River in Central Texas got me thinking about why humans insist on living close to the water's edge despite the inherent dangers and inconveniences. For them, the appeal of living on or near the water is worth the occasional threat of disaster. 

Thalassophobia

But many people have a deep fear of living anywhere close to a significant body of water. Experts have a name for it: Thalassophobia, which is a stronger phobia than aquaphobia, a simple fear of water. In my case, it is not a phobia but rather a mild anxiety. I simply don't like being close to rivers, lakes, bays and oceans. It is one of the reasons why I choose to live in the desert far away from the nearest ocean shore. 

 Fun on the Water   

Growing up in Central and South Texas, recreation for my family almost always revolved around water activities such as boating, swimming, tubing, fishing and water skiing. I can name just about every popular vacation spot and weekend getaway from Austin to Corpus Christi and the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. I seem to be the exception when it comes to enjoying the sense of calm and serenity most people feel while near the water.  

In light of the still unfolding tragedy in and around Kerrville, Texas, I became curious about why humans are drawn to bodies of water despite the obvious dangers. While looking into this question, I came across a concept that scientists use to explain why humans are so deeply connected to water; It's known as biophilia, the innate connection that humans have to water. The water has always been a source for drinking, food and mobility. 

At the same time, the water has also been a place of horror, death and destruction. Hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, insects, snakes, mosquitoes and a variety of dangerous sea life have made living near water unappealing to some humans ever since prehistoric times. 

Paradise on the Shore

In modern times, humans have learned to adapt to life along the water's edge. For the most part, many of the problems and dangers of living near the shore have been solved, but not all.  

For many people, the beautiful views of the water provide a sense of peace and well-being. The gentle sound of waves and flowing water have been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health. That's why so many people are drawn to it.

But until we get a much better understanding of nature's tendency to occasionally unleash its fury and unless we learn better ways to prepare for it, we will continue to see more sadness and horrible loss of human life like we witnessed in Kerrville. 

Roy Ortega may be reached at rortega54@elp.rr.com. 

In Times of Crisis, the Truth Always Seems to Vanish

By Roy Ortega 

"The first casualty in war is truth." - Sen. Hiram Johnson (R), California, 1918

In a time of crisis, where do you go to hear the truth? Government leaders, most notably our current president, are some of the most prolific liars in the universe. Putting your trust in their words is mostly an exercise in frustration and futility. Much of our media are severely compromised by their allegiance to the bottom line, not the truth. Purveyors of honest, unbiased journalism are hard to find.

With a coming war that could easily spiral into a planet-ending nuclear conflagration, where can you go to find intelligent, truthful information that can help you make decisions about your own life?

Truth and Honesty Disappear

As I sit here writing these words, the U.S. is exchanging bomb-a-grams with one of its longest-existing world foes, the Islamic Republic of Iran. When the president of the United States stood before the American people to announce his "successful" bombing raid on Iran's nuclear facilities, I knew instinctively he was lying. Why? Because the objective, historical record shows he lies and lies a lot. Also, this president doesn't seem to understand that there is no such thing as "success" in war. War, by nature, is failure. True to form, the Iranians quickly responded by saying that the bombed facilities were largely undamaged and that their nuclear program is still intact. I don't know if the Iranians are lying or not, but there is a long history of strife and hostility between both countries that taints the veracity of both their claims.

So, Who is Telling the Truth?

As a former journalist who spent his fair share of time in the news trenches, my default position in a time of world and national crisis always tends to fall on the cynical side. That's a hard position for me because I am not a cynical person. I want to believe in the honesty and good nature of people, but experience has taught me to question everything that needs to be questioned.

History and Precedent

So, back to the main question I have raised: How do you know who is telling the truth about this ungodly war our country is about to wage?

My answer is this: Take the time to learn and understand history and precedent. Use your knowledge and understanding of the big picture of events before deciding if someone is offering truth or spitting total fabrication. Your learned perspective should be based on your ability to think critically. Seek multiple sources, especially those with a known history of honest journalism. Never take the word of a known liar.

Roy Ortega may be reached by email at rortega54@elp.rr.com

Links:

Where to find the truth? - Robert Reich

The More I Retreat from Religion, the More I Understand It

By Roy Ortega

I have spent most of my adult life trying to understand why religion exists. I haven't found many answers inside religion. Getting closer to religion has always led me to more questions. But the further I have stepped back from religion, the clearer I have understood why humans are drawn to it. 

I don't recommend everyone watch the following video. I'm not trying to change anyone's mind. I only offer it to show how I tend to view things. 

 Video: Why Religions Were Created

Roy Ortega may be reached at rortega54@elp.rr.com. All comments are welcome.