Taking the long view from the Oregon coast in August of 2024, a year that is now behind us.
Here we are at the very beginning of 2025, a year that would have sounded like science fiction when we were young. Might as well reflect a little on this blog.
With occasional breaks of a few days, I have been publishing hh-today since early in 2013. The name of the site had its origin in DH-Today, a short daily video feature I did as editor of the Albany Democrat-Herald before the paper and I parted company in September 2012.
What’s the point of hh-today? It’s not usually news, as you already know. Instead, most of the time the content is prompted by what I see around Albany. Sometimes it’s also about what interests me in other Oregon places, like the coast, where I also occasionally hang out.
I try to go on a bicycle ride every day. And from a bike, you tend to see stuff that you miss while driving around and keeping your eyes on the road, as you should.
What I see from a bike is mostly mundane and hardly ever newsworthy in the traditional sense. But if it interests me, or if I have a question about it, then it’s fodder for a story here.
Also of interest to me is local government, especially in relation to land use, so some of the content of this site is about that.
I’ve been reporting on things since 1963, when I worked for a short time at a little UHF television station in San Bernardino, Calif. The call letters were KCHU. “Kachoo,” we called it, naturally.
(Besides reporting and producing news footage, my job at KCHU included acting as floor manager for a teenage dance show and preparing shaving-cream pies that a clown would get in her face during a program for kids. Ah, memories!)
After that, I spent 48 years reporting the news and writing editorials at newspapers, the first couple of years in Los Angeles and then in Oregon.
Now starts another year of reporting and commenting here on stuff that interests me. If it interests you too, I invite you to keep checking this site. (hh)
I also recall your erudite commentaries on the OPB show…
Thank you for your reports/stories. Since moving to Albany in 2015 you’ve are a excellent source of information (and entertainment) for and about our community.
I want to see the 1963 dance show…..
Not sure on the dancing, but the clown may have been Hobo Kelly?
https://uhfhistory.com/articles/kchu.html
I had not remembered that, but you are right, as I confirmed by reading a history of KCHU, Channel 18. The clown was Sally Baker, the wife of station manager Walt Baker. She appeared as “Hobo Kelly.” She also was the weather girl and did an afternoon program for women. KCHU didn’t last long, and Hobo Kelly moved her children’s program to television stations in Los Angeles. Thanks for reminding me of her.
Thank you for all you do. I remember your thoughful commentary on the TV show.
I thoroughly enjoy your hh reports. I do not like or understand why some folks are so rude with their comments. Keep up the good work Hasso.
Thank you for your reporting Hasso! I check your site multiple times every day! Keep up the exceptional reporting!
Thanks, Hasso. Have a good year. Hope you continue to comment on things that hinge on the news side of things. We need that. The D-H is getting thinner and thinner regarding local news.
Hasso thank you so much for your great reporting and keeping us informed on our community’s happenings. Very much appreciated.
Thank you, Hasso on being the integral part of reporting all the newsworthy events you find out there for us to enjoy, and having the ability to comment here! Kudos and a Happy New Year to you and your family!
A lot of people no longer follow the mainstream media. Myself included. I find your reporting both honest and refreshing. Thank you.
Happy New Year Hasso and thanks for many years of reading both the editorials in the DH but also your continuing information on line..
Happy New Year, Hasso. I moved to Albany less than a year ago and your website was suggested to me. I find it interesting and entertaining. A great way to find out what goes on in this city. Checking for a new report is one of the first things I do in the morning.
Hasso, I really appreciate your site and am honored to tell people that I was your co-worker for 22 years at the Democrat-Herald. btw, I’m sorry I didn’t get to Kim’s retirement party before you left; it was fun connecting with a number of former D-H’ers.
Happy New Year Hasso. I enjoy reading your reports and often get local news here before I see in the online paper or other sources. I used to watch your daily videos when you worked for the Democrat-Herald. You’d be out there every day rain or shine.
Nice going Hasso. As a former Valley journalist, I enjoy your posts and include them in my daily news diet. Best wishes for 2025.
Dear Hasso,
I read your articles to my husband and he enjoys them too.
Hasso – you are an excellent source of local news and great photos/videos. And for that I am very grateful!
Whew… I was worried this was going to be a retirement announcement… thank goodness it is not… you would be greatly missed!
I read your articles daily and find entertaining, and factual!
Happy New Year Hasso!
Hasso- I am an avid reader and get better, more applicable and quality local news from you then I could ever hope to get elsewhere. Thank you so much and keep it up! Albany appreciates you.
Hasso
Enjoy your writing and perspective from a co-biker. Keep it up
By the way, i think readers would be interested in the # miles on the bike for 2024
Great pic by ocean
Hasso: Always look forward to your reports. Keeps me in touch with my Albany past, together with informative updates on the present.
We love reading your reporting. Keep up the great work!!
By the way as of dec 23 Lehigh playground is still not complete.
I’m shocked to see all sorts of things like ladders shovels etc only guarded by weak danger tape….