Tag Archives: NBC

Burbank Receives a Visit From the President — Again!

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The Presidential motorcade is lead by California Highway Patrol with over 50 officers, with the assistance of several other agencies.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The President of The United States of America stopped in Burbank for the 5th time since his Presidency to make an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

The President arrived via Marine One at Bob Hope Airport and was escorted by Presidential Motorcade via Hollywood Way to Alameda, to Catalina Street then to Warner and into studio property.  The escort, led by California Highway Patrol and was assisted by several agencies including Alhambra Police, Pasadena Police, L.A. County Sheriff, and Burbank Police.

After taping the Tonight Show the President departed back to Bob Hope Airport  via the same route, boarded Marine One and was headed to LAX to fly to Las Vegas, for a concert and then off to Florida to continue campaigning.

There were reports of motorists being delayed  while attempting to get across town.  Police blocked access to streets in the area of NBC and the airport for security reasons.  One Burbank resident, who works in Woodland Hills, reported  on Facebook that he had to wait for about an hour after getting off the freeway at Pass Ave. and being blocked from crossing Hollywood Way to get to his home on Ontario St. south of Verdugo Ave.  Others reported similar delays in simply getting across Hollywood Way.

First Lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to be in Southern California on Thursday, October 25.  She will be attending a fundraiser at the home of actor Will Smith in Calabasas in the morning, and making an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show that tapes in Hollywood in the afternoon.  It is not believed that she will be coming through Burbank.

Obama supporters gather near the entrance to NBC at Parkside Dr.and Catalina awaiting the President’s arrival. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

LA County Sheriff’s along with Police officers from Alhambra, Pasadena, and other agencies assisted Burbank Police with traffic and crowd control. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

President Barack Obama seated in the backseat arrives at NBC Studios via the Warner Blvd. entrance. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

 

Two People Seriously Injured By Drunk Driver In Front Of NBC

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A suspected drunk driver injured three people when she ran a red light Wednesday evening in front of the NBC Studios at Alameda and Olive Avenues.

Both cars received heavy damage in the Wednesday evening accident (Photo By Craig Sherwood)

Burbank Police and Fire Department personnel responded to the accident at 8:07 p.m.  Initial reports were that someone was trapped in one of the vehicles.  A fire truck company and an additional rescue ambulance were dispatched to assist at the scene.

According to police, the victims were heading westbound on Alameda Ave. in a 2001 green Ford Explorer, when the suspected drunk driver in a blue 1999 Jaguar going eastbound on Olive Ave., ran a red light. The 57 year-old driver of the Explorer saw the other car coming at him, but was unable to avoid the collision.  The Jaguar struck the Explorer nearly head-on.

The driver, from Venice, complained of pain to his left wrist, and would seek his own medical treatment.  One of his passengers, a 79 year-old woman, received lacerations to her mouth, and complained of chest pain.  She was transported to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. A 66 year-old man riding in the back seat of the Explorer received lacerations to his right eye area and upper lip, and spinal injuries to his neck.  He was transported to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center.

The driver of the Jaguar, Maritza Luciano, 40, of Burbank, received three broken ribs in the accident.  After being treated at the hospital, she was arrested for felony drunk driving, and is being held on $100,000 bail.

 

Channel 4 Names Todd Mokhtari as Vice President of News

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NBC4 Southern California today announced that Todd Mokhtari has been named vice president of news for the station. Mokhtari, who brings more than 20 years of broadcast television experience to the role, will report directly to Steve Carlston, president and general manager of NBC4 Southern California. Mokhtari begins his new post on June 11, 2012.

Todd Mokhtari

Mokhtari comes to NBC4 Southern California from KIRO-TV in Seattle. Since 2007, he served as news director and web manager, directing all news gathering operations, digital and social media strategies for the station. During his time there, he invigorated the social media team and deployed Facebook and Twitter tactics to increase followers, bringing the station to number one in social media engagement in the market. Under Mokhtari’s leadership, the station has enjoyed an upward trend in its ratings during the evening and mid-day newscasts.

In 2006, Mokhtari served as managing editor at NBC4 Southern California. In this role, he managed the day-to-day coverage and editorial direction of the news department.

“I am thrilled to welcome back Todd to the NBC4 team,” said Carlston. “Todd’s knowledge of the Southern California market, combined with his experience in producing high-quality content for broad audiences, will greatly contribute to our newscasts.”

“Returning to NBC4 Southern California at this time is a tremendous opportunity,” said Mokhtari. “The station is moving aggressively to differentiate itself through high-quality enterprise stories, and I am humbled to join NBC4’s highly respected news team in this role.”

From 2002 to 2006, he served as the assistant news director for the NBC owned and operated station, KNTV-San Jose. From 1997 to 2002, Mokhtari was the news director for the FOX affiliate in Seattle, KCPQ-TV. Known for his ability to navigate and motivate staff during transitions, he successfully led the KCPQ-TV news team to become more competitive in the marketplace.

Mokhtari began his career at NBC’s affiliate, KCRA-TV in Sacramento, CA. Starting as an intern, he quickly moved into a writer and producer position for the station’s morning newscast. Later, he produced the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts, which were consistently top-rated and considered the most respected in the region.

Mokhtari is a graduate of University of California, Davis. He holds degrees in Political Science and Rhetoric and Communications. An avid golfer and local traveler, he is married and has a five-year-old son