Ow, the jaws

"A man was hospitalized after firefighters used the jaws of life to get him out of his car early Christmas morning. "

I know, I know, using "after" does not mean "Using the jaws of life led to the man being hospitalized." But in my view, lazy writing can lead to mis-messaging.

Stragglers Strangling

[protest against Shell ship "Fennica," arctic drilling]

"...So the ship has passed the St. Johns Bridge, but there are still some strangler kayaks out there..."

[and later]  "...the ship is now well on its way up the river..."  [I know we are just being picky, but the ship is going downriver.  If it wants to get the the Pacific Ocean, it works better that way.]

New Updates

"We'll keep you informed of new updates as they happen."  [as opposed to old updates; KOIN-6 TV}

Car uses crosswalk

"Pedestrian struck by car crossing crosswalk in Gresham"

When I think about it, this is technically correct, in that the car was crossing through the crosswalk. But it feels awkward, like the car was using the crosswalk, right?

Gasp, a deputy faces arson charges

"Linn County man accused of threatening mother, deputy also faces arson charges, police say"

Okay, so I know what the headline writer MEANT to say. But I shouldn't have to read the headline twice, right?

Another example of violating the old guideline for headlines: no more than eight words.

Might I suggest: Man threatens mother, deputy; now faces arson charges

Sports tattoos

"...has a history of violence and sports tattoos across his face and neck." [Oregonian, 10/14/2013]

Maybe it's just me, because I am really really tired. And my ongoing excuse is I think I left my brain in ICU -- subject of another blogsite. But my first thought was "This guy, a Gypsy Joker has a history of wearing sports tattoos? Blazers and Seahawks?"

The CDC staff are sick?

Foster Farms salmonella-tainted chicken: CDC calls back staff, many hospitalized 

Admit it, you thought the same thing I did, right? The CDC is calling back staff, of whom many are hospitalized. Or became hospitalized after the call back. Or something... 

News from the dead?

Margaret Thatcher passed away, and we heard the message repeated several times. Then comes a lead-in, "Here is Susie Reporter from London with the latest updates."  Really? Is she un-dead now?

KATU really needs to get their act together

"Wal-Mart fined $16 million in California for illegally dumping pharmaceuticals."  The anchor (Angelica) repeatedly said Wal-Mart. BUT the video is a shot of a Walgreens store. My brain was aching because the audio and video didn't match!
I was obviously in the camp that Wal-Mart was the culprit.  They had, after all, been fined two years ago for dumping hazardous waste in California ($27 million fine).
But no, it was Walgreen's that was caught this time.

Inappropriate violations

Reporter from KATU, regarding the hockey team's fines and sanctions:

The Winterhawks are in the penalty box for inappropriate violations of player benefits.

But gosh, I wanted to hear the rest of the story detailing which violations would be appropriate.

Non-reporter but TV c4^p

[TV commercial]:
"Hurry in because this limited time offer won't last long."

Redundancy (again!)

Mt. Angel man dies in fatal crash near Silverton

[From the Statesman-Journal, Saturday November 3, 2012.   The headline writer is just trying to be helpful, so you don't think a man died in a non-fatal crash.]

 

Another redundancy was a TV reporter, "...and you have to see this firsthand with your own eyes to really understand the extent..."  As opposed to seeing it secondhand with your own eyes? Or firsthand through someone else's eyes?

Happy cars

[At the re-opening of the West Linn / Oregon City Arch Bridge]
...and the cars you can see are enjoying it this morning.

Well we want happy cars, don't we? 

Even spell check would catch it

It's no secret that I think the local newspaper is crap. (There's a reason its nickname is the Urinal.) Here's an error that even an elementary school student would be able to spot: An article title that read...

"Oregon manufacturing could be boost economy"

Source: www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012120708022

Kid (early teens) at the bus stop: "Do either of you have money so I can ride up to 99th in Hazel Dell?" I offer him a single-trip ticket. "Uh, no, I can't take your pass. I mean, I need the cash."

Sugar high in beverages

[This is the headline in our local paper, The Columbian.  Really? Sugar has a high content of the ingredient called 'beverages'?  My first instinct, I think, would be to create the headline as "Beverages high in sugar".]

Too many headline words again

Portland Playhouse in Northeast Portland to appeal right to put on plays to city council

Oh, no, the Playhouse doesn't have the right to play to the city council?!? [Shortened: Portland Playhouse appeals right to put on plays.]

Trees lining trees

Admittedly I can mix up words, too! This is from a weatherwoman.

"The decorative pear trees are just exploding in pollens now. They're used in neighbors to - uh - lines the trees in landscaping..."

Where?

Providence Portland cardiology nurses plan free event to highlight women's heart risks in Northeast Portland

[Are the risks in Northeast Portland higher than elsewhere? Also note the headline violates the '8-word rule.']

Don't spit into the wind

"The key to this fire is battling the very strong winds."

(How's that working out for you?)