Monday, October 18, 2010

Farewell to Monica Hernandez


























Well, she is gone. I'm supposed to think of something eloquent to say but I can't. I just helped Monica Hernandez finish packing, loading up the truck as she left for New Orleans where she will now work at WWL. Its a great move up for her to a great station. There is no doubt she will shine and become a little star in the Crescent City.

All good things come to an end and having Monica Hernandez in Jackson is one of them. She simply brightened the day just by being herself. She's been my best friend for the last two years. Road trips to New Orleans, lunch or dinner several times a week, endless conversations, talking about journalism and Led Zeppelin for hours on end, she was truly a delight to be around. We'd go to Guadalupe just so she could speak Spanish with the owners. I'd have to literally drag her out of museums as she would become totally enamored with the art on display. It was always amusing to walk into a soiree with her and watch the jaws hit the ground when people saw her. Culture and class define Monica in the way it does women of past eras yet she is a free spirit, always ready for a new adventure.

Often we covered the same topics and it was always alot of fun to bounce what we thought of them off each other. I remember when she covered the Heather Spencer police reports. I got the reports, called her at 6:00 PM on a Friday, told her I had them. She came right over and read them while I cooked dinner. I'll never forget how horrified she was or the anger that appeared on her face. This was a reporter who really does care about the victims and thinks of them as something more than a headline. It didn't matter she wasn't on the clock or would not get paid overtime; what mattered to her was telling the story and helping someone who was no longer in this world. People meant something to Monica and in her opinion, they all had a story to tell.

Well, wish Monica luck as she makes her splash in the Big Easy. She will never have a shortage of stories to cover in that town. Best of wishes to you Monica and thank you for all the memories and times spent here in Jackson. You will be missed.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will miss her sweet face!

KaptKangaroo said...

So, I'm watching this thing called dancing with the stars...Monica could be on it.

OK, satisfied the post thread.

Now, got to know, does Palin's daughter wearing an ape suit, and emerging from the same ape suit into dance as human being mean she believes in the Bible or The Origin of Man?

I'd post the video, but I just saw it and am sure you all are able to find it on your own.

Anonymous said...

First, Wendy Suarez. Now, Monica Hernandez.

Kingfish, what are you doing to our fav newsladies that they are leaving town?! Those were both keepers!

You do seem to be the common denominater here. Why don't you befriend someone we WANT to get rid of?

Anonymous said...

WLBT should be ashamed to have let such beautiful, smart newscasters leave their station!

Kingfish said...

It was a step up for both of them.

Anonymous said...

Oh...I know...there's that old "do what's best for yourself" cliche. I say enough! Do what's best for meeeeeeeee! :)

Anyway, Monica, turn New O on it's ear, girl! Onward and upward, best of luck, and all that. You'll be missed back here.

Anonymous said...

Monica was greatly admired here by faithful viewers of WLBT. I wish her the very best!

Fred C. said...

We love Monica Hernandez in New Orleans. She is a beautiful person,and a great reporter. Fred C.


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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