web1_GRAY.jpg

Teacher charged with DUI heading to higher court

police-report.png

Our Opinion: Combine police departments throughout Luzerne County to improve public safety

<p>As reporters, our job is to report accurately and without bias, often as a fly on the wall, careful not to interject ourselves into a story.</p><p>On a recent Friday night, as Nick Ouellette, principal of Graham Academy, saw me at a candlelight vigil for autism, I&#8217;m sure he was very well aware of this.</p><p>Carrying a candle, he walked past me and hesitated for a moment, then turned and simply handed me the candle.</p><p>It was an unexpected move, and I clumsily took the candle, looking down into its flame.</p><p>I was a bit overwhelmed to be included in the service that honored those with autism and those who loved them.</p><p>I thought about how important it is to share your light with others.</p><p>As everyone gathered, sharing the light from their candles, a rosy glow overtook the beautiful rotunda of our county courthouse, emphasizing that we can sometimes do together what we can never do alone.</p><p>In an instant, I had dried a tear that fell from my face, stood up as erectly as I could, and again began taking notes, paying attention to detail, working with our photographer to get the best shot.</p><p>It was a &#8220;beyond amazing event,&#8221; and I hope I was able to highlight all the pertinent voices: parents very committed to their children, children and adults struggling with autism, county officials who supported awareness.</p><p>I was truly impressed as a young man with autism stoodd at the podium of the rotunda, eloquently sharing his plans to attend college next year.</p><p>I was also impressed with a parent who likened autism to basketball, emphasizing the many games to be played before you ever get to the final.</p><p>Most impressive, was a preschooler with autism who I met in the parking lot and who talked me out of one of the ducks that decorate the windshield of my car.</p><p>&#8220;I want the one that looks like a pirate,&#8221; he had said.</p><p>It was my pleasure see his smile when I handed him the small toy.</p><p>The event underscored the importance of area residents willing to tell their stories to help others, their willingness to become transparent so that others can benefit from their experiences.</p><p>There are times in my job as a reporter, I&#8217;m asked to do difficult things: report on a murder, witness the loss of a beloved pet at a fire, ask a hard question. I embrace that part of my job.</p><p>Hearing the words &#8220;shots fired&#8221; on the scanner instantly has me grabbing my keys and running down the hall, adrenaline coursing through my veins.</p><p>Some of my proudest moments have been running down that hall willing to try my best to get the story to our readers.</p><p>But my job often provides opportunity for me to tell people&#8217;s stories, to provide information on resources, to better understand others.</p><p>It is at those times, I am grateful for your willingness to share your light with me.</p><p>For some reason, as I was cleaning out my car today (often necessary as a reporter, mother, loaner of my car to teenagers), I realized I still had the candle. As I scooped yesterday&#8217;s coffee cups, old notes and a 2015 calendar from the inside of the car, I almost threw the candle away. Then I stopped.</p><p>Instead, I carried that candle into my house and put it in a special drawer containing memorable items.</p><p>After all, you never know when you&#8217;ll need a little extra light.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Gibbons.cmyk_.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Beyond the Byline Geri Gibbons </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Gibbons.cmyk_.jpg</photo0><caption0>Beyond the Byline Geri Gibbons </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_candle_faa201642517552544.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">A candle saved from an autism awareness vigil. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_candle_faa201642517552544.jpg</photo1><caption1>A candle saved from an autism awareness vigil. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Beyond the Byline: Be quick to share your light