"I really appreciate the staff at KPTV and their ability to understand the importance of what we are doing. This coverage will be different from what people are accustomed to seeing."- Tim King Salem-News.com
(SALEM) - Internet Photojournalist/Reporter Tim King of Salem-News.com will embark for Afghanistan November 8th. While there, Tim will be embedded with the 41st Combat Brigade of the Oregon National Guard at Camp Phoenix at Kabul, Afghanistan. Reports will be posted here on Salem-News.com over the next several weeks, and now the Portland area will also be able to catch Tim's "Dispatches from Afghanistan" on local TV.
It was announced Monday that Tim's reports will be seen exclusively in Portland on KPTV FOX-12. The development means more Oregonians who want to see the reports on television will have that chance. The reports will feature the daily life of Oregon's soldiers at war in Afghanistan.
FOX-12 News Director Patrick McCreery says the station expects to air at least three of King's reports each week, while Salem-News.com will air up to seven. The two organizations will work together to bring as much information as possible forward on Oregon troops with an emphasis on daily events and the various missions that the soldiers are tasked with.
Tim says his television camera and equipment are getting tuned up by FOX-12 engineers in these final days before beginning the assignment, "I really appreciate the people at KPTV and their ability to understand the importance of what we are doing. This coverage will be different from what people are accustomed to seeing."
Salem-News.com reports will be posted by Tim up to seven days a week when possible. In addition to FOX-12 in Portland, other Oregon residents can look for Tim's reports on KVAL in Eugene, KBND in Bend and KOBI in Medford. Tim's radio reports will be heard on Salem's KSND FM Radio.
Tim King previously worked as a Salem-based reporter in Salem for Portland, Oregon ABC affiliate KATU Channel-2 News. Early this year, Tim separated from that position to become exclusively dedicated to Salem-News.com. Since then, viewership grew from a few hundred a day to several thousand unique visitors per day, and Salem-News.com became part of the Google national news feed at the beginning of last summer.
Salem-News.com would like to remind our visitors that this is a locally owned news organization that is going far out on a limb in order to bring people this coverage. Sponsorship of Tim's reports on Salem-News.com is very affordable with enormous exposure, and the reports will be archived complete with sponsors.
If you would like to join the others listed below who have assisted through contributions, there is still plenty of need. Help the effort to bring home the stories of Oregon soldiers. Please send a check to:
Salem-News.com Afghan Mission
P.O. Box 5137
Salem, Oregon 97304
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"SUPPORT GROUP"
Salem Police provided body armor, military rainproof clothing and other small materials from their SWAT team that will make a big difference for Tim's level of safety.
Eola Hils Winery hosted a winetasting fundraiser on October 13th. Special thanks goes to Eric Rogers, visit Eola Hills at eolahills.com
McDonalds Restaurants of Salem provided $1,100 toward the trip to Afghanistan. We hardly know how to thank them enough, but we know this is one organization that sees the value of bringing the stories of our Oregon soldiers home.
Nopps Jewelry and Art provided a kevlar military issue helmet with a value of $250. This is greatly appreciated! You can visit their site: www.nopps.com
Eric Mason of Salem provided $100 toward Tim's trip to Afghanistan. Eric and Tim formerly worked together at Portland, Oregon's ABC station.
Jesse Anderson of Lincoln City provided funds to help, as did Dan and Marti Motley of Salem.
One of Salem's most courageous families, David and Arlene Banks, provided $100 toward Tim's trip.
Another pair of Salem heroes, Scott Smith and Margaret Sanner, provided funds to assist with Tim's Afghanistan trip.
Roger Yost and Alessandro's Ristorante have provided generous assistance for the Afghanistan coverage.
Camo and Gear Military Surplus in Salem contributed a pair of new military issue boots that will be ideal for use in Afghanistan.
Other supporters wish not to be named, but we appreciate them greatly, and each and every contribution makes a big difference.
THANK YOU ALL.
We will release more details on Tim’s itinerary, timeline, and other information as departure time nears.
We will continue to keep you updated on the people and organizations that support Oregon troops and are making Dispatches from Afghanistan possible.
Other organizations and individuals that are helping us are listed below, If you are interested in supporting the upcoming Salem-News.com assignment in Afghanistan, email us at:
bonnie@salem-news.com
Thank you to these Silent Auction contributors:
Extreme Velocity Paintball, donated a paintball gun and a sweatshirt
Beads a Million, donated several jewelry pieces
SLAB, donated a selection of handmade soaps and holder
Oak Knoll Golf Course, donated 2 18-hole games & a cart
Best Lil Roadhouse, donated 4 miniature golf games
Los Baez, donated dinner for 2
EZ Orchards, donated a set of homemade jams
Adams Ribs Smokehouse, donated dinner for 2
Willamette Queen, donated dinner cruise for 2
Thailand Restaurant, donated dinner for 3
Lela Kelly, custom tiled mirror
Tina Miller, WB DVD collections
FOX-12 Will Run Salem-News Reports From AfghanistanSalem-News.com