WNEP-TV Biographies
Newswatch 16 Anchor Nolan Johannas joined WNEP-TV in January 1982 after 16 years at WKBW-TV in Buffalo, New York.
Nolan was born and raised in Wausau, Wisconsin. He graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and received his masters degree in Radio Television Communications from Syracuse University.
After spending five years reporting news in Syracuse, Nolan moved to Buffalo where he was weekend news anchor. Over a sixteen year span, he worked as a "consumer" reporter, solving problems for citizens and documenting cases for news reports, then he moved into public affairs programing, producing and anchoring documentaries and community related programs.
Nolan has three children. His daughter Karen graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, PA and the State University of New York Medical School in Buffalo. His son David is an engineering graduate of Lehigh University and Nolan's youngest son, Steven is a 1990 graduate of Syracuse University.
Nolan and his wife live in Roaring Brook Township in Lackawanna County. They both enjoy gardening and have adopted many cats, dogs, and birds. They also enjoy outdoor activities all four seasons.
Newswatch 16 Anchor Marisa Burke, a native of Central Pennsylvania, was born and raised in Danville, Pennsylvania. She graduated in 1982 from Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio and Television Communications.
Ever since Marisa was a waitress in high school, she was interested in people and curious about what was happening. When she became involved with the high school and college newspapers, she gained an even deeper interest in news. As television developed into the most important outlet for late-breaking news, she realized how vital news is in peoples lives.
Marisa began her broadcasting career in June of 1980, as an anchor, reporter, and producer for WHLM AM/FM radio in Bloomsburg. Later that summer, Marisa accepted a position as street reporter for WSLS-TV in Roanoke, Virginia and worked there for two years. She was quickly promoted to weekend anchor/producer and then to weekday co-anchor of the 6 and 11 pm newscasts.
Marisa joined WNEP-TV in April 1984 as an anchor/reporter of the morning and midday newscasts. In 1990, she was promoted to her current position as co-anchor of Newswatch 16 at 6 and 11 pm.
Newswatch 16 Anchor Jill Garrett was born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania. She currently works as co-anchor of Newswatch 16 at 5 and producer and anchor of Newswatch 16 at 10 on Fox 38. Jill came to WNEP-TV in August of 1990 after working as an anchor/reporter in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jill also worked in in Albany, New York from 1980 - 1983. She began her career at a Texas TV station where she worked as an assignment editor, photographer, and weekend weather anchor. Jill is a graduate of Meyers High School in Wilkes-Barre and currently lives in Wilkes-Barre.
Newswatch 16 Anchor and Field Reporter Jeff Scott joined the Newswatch 16 team in April 1990. Jeff was born and raised in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. He graduated from Temple University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio-Television-Film.
Jeff started his career in radio news in Dover, Delaware and then moved on to Atlantic City, New Jersey. He began his television news career in Clarksburg, West Virginia and then moved on to Savannah, Georgia prior to his position at WNEP-TV.
When not in the anchor's chair, viewers may catch Jeff out on the street covering stories from their hometown. Jeff resides in Lackawanna County. In his spare time he enjoys the beach, eating out, and dance music.
Susan Houseman is the morning anchor and noon anchor/producer at WNEP-TV in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. She joined the Newswatch 16 team in June 1990. Houseman first worked as a general assignment reporter and the weekend anchor. In April 1994 she was promoted to the morning and noon anchor positions. Houseman also participates in the Geisinger Medical Center's Children's Miracle Network Telethon in June and the Saint Joseph's Center Telethon in the summer.
Houseman graduated from Penn State in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Her first job was as a news broadcaster for a radio station in southern New Jersey. Houseman got her first job in television in 1987 as an assignment editor at WMGM-TV in Atlantic City/Wildwood. In 1990 she was promoted to a reporter, and eventually to the weekend anchor position.
Houseman was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Bucks County. She attended Council Rock High School and was editor of the student newspaper. Houseman also worked as a stringer reporter for the "Ocean City Sentinel Ledger" in Ocean City, New Jersey during her summers off from college.
John Kosich is the morning co-anchor at WNEP-TV. He was born and raised in Philadelphia where he also attended Temple University. John joined the Newswatch 16 team in May of 1994 as a general assignment reporter but was soon promoted to the anchor seat next to Susan Houseman in the morning and he was given his own more relaxed newscast starting at 5:30 am weekdays.
Before arriving at WNEP-TV, John worked as a news anchor in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Ironically he was hired in Atlantic city in 1990 to replace anchor Susan Houseman who was leaving for WNEP-TV.
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Chief Meteorologist Tom Clark joined the Newswatch 16 team in the Fall of 1981. Tom graduated from Penn State University. He received an Associate Degree in Science from Delaware County Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from Penn State University.
"I became seriously interested in the weather in the 6th grade. I suppose it began with my childhood fear of thunderstorms which turned into fascination. I began collecting books and articles about the weather and constructed my own backyard weather station. I've always enjoyed watching instruments respond to changes in the weather.
"I was born and raised in Drexel Hill, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia and graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1970.
"My first job out of college was preparing and airing daily weather reports for radio stations throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania.
"I currently write a weekly weather column for my local hometown newspaper, "The Mountaintop Eagle." My other interests in life include gardening, model railroading, model planes, and watching my daughter Kristin grow up."
Noreen Clark, wife of Chief Meteorologist Tom Clark, joined Newswatch 16 in November 1982.
Noreen graduated from SUNY College, Buffalo, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science. She has also pursued graduate credits at Penn State University. "After four years of college, I decided I wanted to be a Meteorologist. I taught Earth Science for over three years in New York State and Maryland. After attending Penn State University, I worked for over two years as a Satellite Meteorologist for the government outside Washington D.C."
Noreen served as a member of a group of meteorologists who estimated rainfall for flash flood warnings. She has also tested the method to estimate snowfalls from satellite pictures.
Noreen was born in Rochester and grew up in Dansville, New York, graduating from Dansville Central High School. "In my spare time, I enjoy gardening and interior decorating."
Mark Sowers joined the Newswatch 16 team in June 1992.
Mark graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. "I decided I wanted to be a Meteorologist during the 8th grade; however I did not want to appear on television. It wasn't until my internship with Tom Clark that I decided that television might be fun after all. It didn't take me long to get over my stage fright."
Mark grew up in Columbia, Maryland, exactly halfway between Baltimore and Washington. He moved to Pennsylvania while attending Penn State University in State College.
WNEP-TV 16 is Mark's first job out of college. He started a college internship at Newswatch 16 during his junior year - the summer of '91 and after that he substituted on the weekends. After graduation Mark joined the Newswatch 16 team full time.
In his spare time, Mark likes to swim, read, watch Star Trek, and play on his computer. He is a co-creator of the WNEP-TV message board on America Online and the creater of the WNEP-TV Web Site.
Joseph Snedeker joined the Newswatch 16 team in June 1993.
Joe graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science (Meteorology emphasis).
"As a child, my mom kept buying me science kits. One of them was a weather station. I have been hooked on weather ever since!
"I was born in Simpson, Pennsylvania (Lackawanna County) and graduated from Carbondale Area High School. I have lived in Lackawanna County all my life.
"I currently teach Earth Science and Meteorology classes in the Carbondale Area High School and have taught since 1989."
Joe is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Environmental Science/Biology at East Stroudsburg University. "In my spare time, I design T-shirts and I also enjoy cycling."
Sports Director Tim Karlson joined the Newswatch 16 team on July 4, 1983. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Karlson attended Career Academy School of Broadcasting in Washington D.C.
As a kid, Tim always wanted to be in radio. He began building wireless transmitters and "broadcasted" radio shows in his home when he was ten years old.
Before joining WNEP-TV, Tim worked as a radio personality for WSCR in Scranton in 1971. He also worked at WARM in Avoca as a drive time radio announcer from 1974 - 1982. It wasn't until 1982 that he began his television broadcasting career as a weekend weatherman for WBRE. He then joined the Newswatch 16 team as the weekend sports anchor. In April of 1986, Tim was promoted to Sports Director. Tim has many interests. Among them are Golf - the finest points of baseball, bowling, and eating good food!
Newswatch 16 Sports Anchor Tom Tidey joined the Newswatch 16 team in April of 1991. Tom grew up in Shamokin and graduated from Shamokin Area High School. Tom received his Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting/Public Relations from Mansfield University.
When asked how he first became interested in Broadcasting, he replied, "My high school had a great audio/visual department. I started fooling around with play-by-play during high school basketball games using the school's equipment."
Just out of college, Tom started his career as a Disc Jockey at WSIL-AM in Shamokin. A year later he became a sports producer/reporter for WNEP-TV. He left WNEP-TV for three years to anchor on the weekends in Fort Meyers, Florida.
He came back home and is now a familiar face on the anchor desk as the evening sports anchor. In his spare time, Tom enjoys bass fishing, jogging, reading, and golfing.
Newswatch 16 Sports anchor and Reporter, J. Kristopher, joined the Newswatch 16 team in 1969 and is one of WNEP's veteran employees.
J. Kristopher was born and raised in the Wyoming Valley and graduated from Swoyersville High School. He then pursued his studies and graduated from Kings College and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and English.
J. Kristopher started his career in radio. He worked at area stations WILK and WSCR. He then switched over to television and took a position here at WNEP-TV. J. Kristopher has been involved in other capacities since joining Newswatch 16. He serves as co-host for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon and Children's Miracle Network Telethon which air live on WNEP-TV each year.
J. Kristopher resides in Luzerne county with his wife. In his spare time, he enjoys Biblical studies.
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Pennsylvania Outdoor Life co-host Don Jacobs (Jake) joined the WNEP-TV team in 1982 right after college graduation. He graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a degree in Speech Communication and Theater.
While in college, Jake started an internship at WNEP-TV in the summer if 1982. Throughout his internship, he learned to appreciate and love television and news. He responded, "I guess you could call it being in the right place at the right time. I graduated from college on a Friday. The same day my internship ended, a full time position opened up. I started my television career the next Monday afternoon."
Jake spent eight years in charge of the Assignment Desk in the newsroom. Much to his surprise, he was approached one day by WNEP-TV's General Manager and offered the position of Producer for Pennsylvania Outdoor Life. Being an avid outdoorsman, he took the job without hesitation. After three years of producing the only local outdoor show in the area, his position was changed once again. This time he was offered a chair on the set as co-host for Pennsylvania Outdoor Life. In the words of Jake, "You might say it's a dream come true."
When Jake is not working on Pennsylvania Outdoor Life, he is busy following his other interests. He loves spending time with his wife and two children. Together, they enjoy picnics, camping, amusement parks, coloring with crayons, watching videos and many other family-oriented activities.
During the hunting seasons, he spends a lot of time with his father. Together, they enjoy trout fishing, bass fishing, and just about every hunting sport in the state.
His main goal in life is to spend as much quality time with his family while still enjoying the great outdoors. "Who knows, I may be hunting and fishing with my daughters in the future. The choice will be theirs of course."
Jake was born in West Pittston, Luzerne County and graduated from Wyoming Area High School. He has lived in northeastern Pennsylvania all his life.
Pennsylvania Outdoor life co-host Stan Sowa, a native of northeastern Pennsylvania, joined the WNEP-TV team in 1982. He was born and raised in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania and graduated in 1957 from Nanticoke High School. He then pursued studies at Penn State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering.
Stan was always interested in the great outdoors. He served as a deputy wildlife conservation officer for 28 years and wildlife photographer. He has been an outdoor writer for over 20 years and a columnist for many local newspapers and had a burning desire to see the great outdoors features on television.
His first jobs out of college were with the Division of Land Management and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. He is a member of the PA Outdoor Writers Association, an organization of professional writers, broadcasters, and artists whose specialty is the outdoors. He is also a member of The Outdoor Writers Association of America.
Mike Stevens joined the Newswatch 16 team in 1983. He is a native of Northeastern Pennsylvania, born in Kingston and attended King's College. Before his position at WNEP-TV, Mike worked at several radio stations in northeastern Pennsylvania and several television stations around the country.
Mike actually began his television broadcasting career at WNEP-TV in 1975 as a general assignment reporter. After three years he was assigned to an "On the Road" feature position in 1978. In this series Mike travels throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania to bring the Newswatch 16 viewers a "taste" of the life in our region. He left WNEP in 1979 and returned in 1983. He continues to do this feature. Mike regularly writes a newspaper column and has recently published three (soon to be four) books in his series "Life in the Slow Lane". They are collections of short stories and are available in bookstores throughout the region. In his spare time, Mike enjoys photography, fishing, reading, traveling, and writing for personal enjoyment. He resides in Lackawanna County with his wife and two children.
Newswatch 16 News Director, Frank Andrews, joined the Newswatch 16 team in 1981. He graduated from the University of Scranton and Antietam College and Graduate School in Maryland. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English and a Masters of Arts and Doctor of Ministry degree in Theology.
When asked how he first got interested in news, he replied, "I grew up across the street from a radio station and visited there often! One day I got on the air...and the rest is history!" Coincidentally, Frank started his career as a radio disk jockey and later became a radio news director.
Frank has been involved in many capacities since joining Newswatch 16. He served as producer, reporter, anchor, host for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon , Children's Miracle Network Telethon, and St. Joe's Festival. He was promoted to News Director in 1993. Frank has received more than one hundred awards, certificates, plaques, and commendations from community groups he has spoken to or worked with.
Frank and his wife have five children. He and his family reside in Scranton, Lackawanna County.
Jack Ruland, Chief Pilot for Skycam 16, joined the Newswatch 16 team in August 1979. Jack is a native of northeastern Pennsylvania and has lived here all his life. He was born in Clarks Green and attended Abington High School which we know today as Abington Heights.
Jack attended Keystone Junior College. His first job out of college was with the US Navy Flight School - pilot USMC. He has also worked as a contractor. Flying a helicopter has always been part of Jack's life and career. Prior to joining WNEP-TV as pilot for Skycam 16, Jack spent his time flying a helicopter for a local businessman. In his spare time, Jack enjoys golf, wood working and spectating at air shows.
The legendary Miss Judy (Lois Burns) has evolved in many positions over the years at WNEP-TV. Many of us grew up with Miss Judy on the set of Hatchy Milatchy. Today Miss Judy is the host of WNEP-TV's Children First Specials.
Miss Judy originally joined the WNEP-TV team in 1963 and stayed until 1970. She then rejoined WNEP-TV in 1975. She graduated from College Misericordia and holds her degree in Math and Science.
Miss Judy has served as host for Hatchy Milatchy, co-host for the Children's Miracle Network Telethon and St. Joe's Festival, and host for WNEP-TV's Children First Programs.
Miss Judy has lived in northeastern Pennsylvania all her life. She was born and grew up in Pittston and graduated from what is now known as Seton Catholic High School. In her spare time, Miss Judy likes to play golf (although she claims she is a poor golfer), enjoys traveling, and likes to spend time in her garden.