TV Anchor-Reporter’s Termination Questioned From Aboveby, Jack Swint
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Well known TV news personality, Christine Habrle, was a familiar anchor-reporter for WCHS in Charleston, West Virginia, for many years. She was terminated recently, and the reason given by upper management doesn’t come close to what others we talked to believe actually occurred. In fact, the TV station owners praised her work as recently as August, 2008.
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Our source(s) say Habrle was terminated after she insisted on running the story on Kanawha County resident, Val Thomas, who had been pronounced dead in the hospital after several heart attacks and other complications that began on May 17, 2008, at approximately 1:30 am.
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The Miracle ?….
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According to then reporter Christine Habrle, Val Thomas' heart stopped, and there was a period of about 15-20 minutes when the woman had no oxygen and no pulse, but paramedics revived her, and she was taken to Thomas Memorial Hospital.
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When Thomas' heart stopped for a third time, the doctors told the family there was less than a 10% chance she would survive. At that time, her son Tim, gave the doctors permission to turn off the life support and everyone said their goodbyes. There was apparently another 10-20 minutes or so delay because of a question or an issue about organ donation. Rigor mortis had set in; her hands were stiff and hard, and her toes were curling back.
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When the nurse started to turn the respirator off and take the tubes out, he looked down at Ms Thomas and said, "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Thomas" and again told the family that there was no pulse, but Val Thomas suddenly came back to life. She addressed the nurse saying, "That's all right, honey." Her son, Tim, says that family and friends were in the waiting room the entire time praying and worshiping and asking God for a miracle.
When the doctors told them that there was only a 10 percent chance of survival, the family states that they "turned her over to Jesus" and that is when the miracle happened. According to the attending physicians, “we have no real explanation.” She was then transferred to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, but not before WV doctors had the last word on the extent of her possible miracle. “Val Thomas has undergone a heart catheterization and the results show no blockages or damage.”
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At no time did Christine interject her own thoughts or beliefs into the story. And, at the time, she had not realized that both she and Mrs. Thomas are members of the same church, Maranatha Fellowship located in St. Albans, WV.
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Reportedly, WCHS management agreed to the story, but wanted the “miracle” angle cut out and left lying on the editing floor. Habrle allegedly stood her ground and went with the full version of the story that does reflect the impression that everyone involved, including Habrle and several other news staff employees, believed it could be true.
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One WCHS employee who had to remain anonymous said, not long after that story, Christine was “on her way out the door.” Management allegedly began a campaign to document and build a case to be able to terminate her if need be. In fact, here is the “anonymous” explanation we received as to corporates explanation on her termination….
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According to WCHS ?…
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"Christine was fired because she has filed multiple frivolous lawsuits against WCHS; she was constantly late for work, created a hostile and combative work environment, and was lazy. It's sad that someone bought into her delusional lies about why she was fired. Talk to her co-workers who had to deal with her for so many years.”
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We researched current and past lawsuits filed in both Kanawha County and the US District Court and found no civil actions filed by Christine Habrle. Not yet anyway. We asked for any comments from any of her former co-workers on their professional work relations with Christine, since we were encouraged to by WCHS. We assured them their names would not be used. Two people responded. The first person’s comments suggest that person was either complaining about Christine, or bragging.
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"How can she call herself a "devout Christian?” She's had multiple sex partners in the last 24 months. I should know... I'm one of them." Another co-worker who thought we were just looking for dirt wrote…. “Sorry I can't help you out. I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with Christine, and I wish her the best.”
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The story, and alleged miracle that occurred to Val Thomas quickly spread across the state, country and even the world. Doctors could not professionally explain what happened and Christians from every corner of the globe wanted to believe divine intervention came between life and death, then life again.
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According to Val Thomas, “I know God has something in store for me, another purpose. I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure he’ll tell me.” One Maranatha Fellowship church member says, Pastor James Wright believes one of their parishioners has received nothing less than a miracle, and the entire congregation is blessed and most likely in awe of what God has shown them all.
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When we asked several non-media local citizens who have been associated with Christine in both her private, and professional life, we were told this: “Christine was always professional in her appearance and demeanor whenever we talked which was usually about city affairs. Her questions were balanced, and so was her reporting. In addition to Christine's professionalism, I could tell that she was a Christian because of how she conducted herself. Something special was just there. I felt it. I knew it.
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At no time did Christine interject her own thoughts or beliefs into the story. And, at the time, she had not realized that both she and Mrs. Thomas are members of the same church, Maranatha Fellowship located in St. Albans, WV.
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Reportedly, WCHS management agreed to the story, but wanted the “miracle” angle cut out and left lying on the editing floor. Habrle allegedly stood her ground and went with the full version of the story that does reflect the impression that everyone involved, including Habrle and several other news staff employees, believed it could be true.
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One WCHS employee who had to remain anonymous said, not long after that story, Christine was “on her way out the door.” Management allegedly began a campaign to document and build a case to be able to terminate her if need be. In fact, here is the “anonymous” explanation we received as to corporates explanation on her termination….
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According to WCHS ?…
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"Christine was fired because she has filed multiple frivolous lawsuits against WCHS; she was constantly late for work, created a hostile and combative work environment, and was lazy. It's sad that someone bought into her delusional lies about why she was fired. Talk to her co-workers who had to deal with her for so many years.”
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We researched current and past lawsuits filed in both Kanawha County and the US District Court and found no civil actions filed by Christine Habrle. Not yet anyway. We asked for any comments from any of her former co-workers on their professional work relations with Christine, since we were encouraged to by WCHS. We assured them their names would not be used. Two people responded. The first person’s comments suggest that person was either complaining about Christine, or bragging.
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"How can she call herself a "devout Christian?” She's had multiple sex partners in the last 24 months. I should know... I'm one of them." Another co-worker who thought we were just looking for dirt wrote…. “Sorry I can't help you out. I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with Christine, and I wish her the best.”
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The story, and alleged miracle that occurred to Val Thomas quickly spread across the state, country and even the world. Doctors could not professionally explain what happened and Christians from every corner of the globe wanted to believe divine intervention came between life and death, then life again.
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According to Val Thomas, “I know God has something in store for me, another purpose. I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure he’ll tell me.” One Maranatha Fellowship church member says, Pastor James Wright believes one of their parishioners has received nothing less than a miracle, and the entire congregation is blessed and most likely in awe of what God has shown them all.
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When we asked several non-media local citizens who have been associated with Christine in both her private, and professional life, we were told this: “Christine was always professional in her appearance and demeanor whenever we talked which was usually about city affairs. Her questions were balanced, and so was her reporting. In addition to Christine's professionalism, I could tell that she was a Christian because of how she conducted herself. Something special was just there. I felt it. I knew it.
We never talked about it, but I knew that she had a deep faith in Jesus Christ. I admire her for taking a stand. I know there is something better coming her way. She will be blessed abundantly.” According to Wanda Carney, “I was shocked to see Kristine let go by channel 8. I have worked with her for many years now and have enjoyed our stories together. She was always professional and was able to become very comfortable with the people she was reporting about. I always enjoyed her weekend anchoring and will miss her. She was a great investigative reporter.”
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In Closing,
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Something is not right with WCHS management’s assessment and reason for terminating Christine Habrle. On one side they say she was “fired because she has filed multiple frivolous lawsuits against WCHS; she was constantly late for work, created a hostile and combative work environment, and was lazy.”
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But, just 3 months ago, in August, 2008, this same WCHS top management was singing her praises after Christine won an “Emmy” for her work on a special segment titled “Reconstructing Rachel.” One statement contradicts the other!!
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Read what they said…. Click on blue link.
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http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/0808/080814_4150ae08.shtml
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Val Thomas Story... Click on blue link.
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http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/0805/080521_41d512f9.shtml
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End Of Story
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In Closing,
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Something is not right with WCHS management’s assessment and reason for terminating Christine Habrle. On one side they say she was “fired because she has filed multiple frivolous lawsuits against WCHS; she was constantly late for work, created a hostile and combative work environment, and was lazy.”
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But, just 3 months ago, in August, 2008, this same WCHS top management was singing her praises after Christine won an “Emmy” for her work on a special segment titled “Reconstructing Rachel.” One statement contradicts the other!!
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Read what they said…. Click on blue link.
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http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/0808/080814_4150ae08.shtml
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Val Thomas Story... Click on blue link.
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http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/0805/080521_41d512f9.shtml
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End Of Story
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Jack Swint-Publisher
West Virginia News
E-Mail: WestVirginiaNews@gmail.com
Website: http://WVNewsOnline.com
Twitter: @WVNewsOnline
LinkedIn: Jack Swint
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