The WPVI reporter who was suspended two months ago for writing a journalism resource book without the station's permission has left WPVI.

By LAURA NACHMAN
Courier Times

For those of you who thought former WCAU news anchor Sharon Reed would never get a job in television again after her Internet scandal, you're almost right.

She's now in Cleveland. Reed will be the new 5 p.m. anchor for CBS/UPN affiliate WOIO beginning next week. Reed, who became "no longer an employee of WCAU" two months ago after tangling online with WCAU reporter Alicia Taylor, was hired by WOIO news director Leesa Dillon Faust, who worked with Reed here a couple of years ago.

Faust, a Philadelphia native who is the daughter of former WDAS and WHAT newsman Clay Dillon, said she was satisfied that Reed's troubles at WCAU are in the past. Also of note, former KYW news director Melissa Klinzing has also popped up at WOIO as an executive producer. Maybe they can start a Philadelphia west club with former Sixers Jumaine Jones and Tyrone Hill, who were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

ROSE, WPVI PART

Does Cleveland have room for Rose Tibayan? The WPVI reporter who was suspended two months ago for writing a journalism resource book without the station's permission has left WPVI. According to a press release, "WPVI-TV and reporter Rose Tibayan have announced an agreement under which Tibayan will end her ties with the station in order to devote her time to writing a 'how-to' career-building guide book for young television journalists and to pursue other broadcasting projects." The reporter was with "Action News" since 1998.

FASTER THAN LIGHTNING

WPVI weather anchor Cecily Tynan can predict more than snowstorms, as she forecast that her friend and training buddy Cassy Byrne would win last week's "Broad Street Run." Byrne, 36, a personal trainer from South Coventry in Montgomery County, was the female winner of the 10-mile race with a time of 55 minutes, 25 seconds.

The same day, Tynan won the Powerman Duathlon in Franklin, Tenn. - a 7.5 kilometer run, a 50 kilometer bike race, then another 7.5 kilometer run - in two hours and 27 minutes. Tynan, 33, has won her age group (30-35) in her last four races. With the victory, she qualified for the World Championships in Austria in August.

Hoping to compete in the 2003 Hawaiian Ironman triathalon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike race and 26 mile run), Tynan will enter the Wisconsin Ironman triathlon in September.

The seven-year veteran of WPVI exercises an average of 20-30 hours a week and is known as the "health food freak" at the station with snacks such as broccoli slaw. However, due to her early-morning hours, Tynan indulges in one vice - coffee. The 5'6", 119 lb. native of Connecticut, who was captain of her high school track team and competed on her college cross-country team, said she feels like she is in the best shape of her life.

SMERCONISH BACK IN FOLD

In radio news, 1210 AM WPHT and Bucks county native Michael Smerconish have "kissed and made up" as Smerconish returned to the air this week from 3-6 p.m. Smerconish left the station in November after tangling with management, but after a disastrous winter ratings period without him, WPHT brought the attorney/columnist/commentator back.

CLASS ACT

Add Kacy Gordon of Pennsbury High School to the list of the "Best of the Class of 2002" we printed last week. It will air on WPVI June 1 at 7 p.m.

More success for Philadelphia's Banyan Productions run by former KYW personality Ray Murray. TLC has ordered 60 new episodes of their hit series, "Trading Spaces," as well as another season of episodes of "A Wedding Story." How about an "Evening Magazine" dancers reunion special?

The new WCAU lifestyle show "10" is almost living up to its name as it has an eight share, which is an increase of two share points from last May. It has beaten lame-duck host Sally Jessy Raphael, who was lame before she was a lame duck every day in the May sweeps... WPHL publicist Jesse Cute reports that "The Powerpuff Girls" join the station lineup at the end of May, weekdays at 4:30.

Reach Laura Nachman at [email protected].

Thursday, May 16, 2002