It's also one of the reasons why takes such a special interest in kids and loves getting in that ABC 33/40 Jeep Storm Chaser and traveling all over the state to speak to elementary-school students about the weather. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. "A reasonable overall budget for living in this city is about US$1,100 or US$1,200 per month, including rent of US$500.". "I've been married for 38 years. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Officer James Jenkins Spann. During the 1973 Brent tornado and the 1974 Superoutbreak, he assisted in the transmission of information. He said: "What Im doing is texting my wife to be sure shes in the shelter.". Spann is blissfully married to her darling wife, Karen Spann. End of Watch Thursday, June 17, 1954. He actually published a book, "All You Can Do Is Pray" on the ten year anniversary in order to preserve the day, including everything from the insides of working in a weather office to the untold stories of the victims. One of my favorite (Country Boy Eddie) memories was in March 1993, when I had to host his program during a generational blizzard, Spann tweeted. Kathleen Peddicord. I played the long version to give me a chance to settle down because I was so nervous. But despite the scare, Spann still focused his comments on other residents who are stuck in even more unfortunate situations. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. "He was a salesman, so he traveled a lot and wasn't home all that much," Spann says. And that work ethic came about because my father left. Or fastest delivery Thu, Jan 19 . This is very unusual with an EF3 tornado, and many homes in their neighborhood lost their second floors. "Life doesn't get any better than that.". It is a blessing. Abilene Police Department, Texas. James Spann Was Destined to be Alabama's Weather Man. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. Spann today paid tribute to Burns on Twitter. - Courtesy North West Alabamian. The 2011 tornado still weighs heavily on Spann, not just because of the damage it caused to the city where he grew up, but because of the high number of deaths from the storms. ", James Spann poses with a group of students following a speaking engagement at the Alberta School of Performing Arts in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com). Its bad.". Call 0915 010 817. While on the air, Spann's home was in the path of an E-3 tornado with his wife inside. Alabama is no stranger to severe weather, and I wanted to ask James how the April 2011 outbreak impacted him and his family, as well as the impacts of the recent tornadoes in March. 8,223. He said: "What Im doing is texting my wife to be sure shes in the shelter.". Then, one day in the fall of 1963, when Spann was in the second grade, Max Spann walked out on his son and his wife and never came back. An only child, James Max Spann Jr. was born in Huntsville and his family moved to Athens when he was a toddler. He worked for a variety of radio stations as a news anchor and weatherman such as WSFA /Channel . After finishing fifth grade at Verner Elementary, he transferred to Eastwood Junior High School. He is the news editor at Saturday Down South and across all Saturday Football brands. However, it's clear that day had lifetime impacts on James. James's passion for protecting people is evident - which is why he visits schools every day! His first childhood memories, though, are from his early years growing up in Greenville, in Butler County. "While we lost many trees, the home is intact and we will be not have to 'rebuild'(sic).". Call us at (858) 263-7716. 5.0 out of 5 stars 1. That day was a "generational event" as he called it, and noted that there are not many days like that in your career. Though he admits this is not the healthiest, he does make time for quick five-minute naps throughout the day and is able to get more sleep on the weekends. It turned out that number was way too low, Spann told AL.com in 2013. James Spann ( Full name James Max Spann Jr) is an American meteorologist and podcast host. "If I didn't go to Tuscaloosa, I wouldn't be doing weather," he says. He has published an autobiography, "Weathering Life." NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) James Michael Spann, a man serving a life sentence for the 1993 murder of a teenage girl, was denied parole on Wednesday. James Spann pulls off Tuscaloosas Hargrove Road and turns onto an old, familiar street. Weve had obviously some shingle damage, but the house is intact, its OK.", "My ask is that you consider helping those that are homeless tonight, that have lost their homes. Follow on, Paul Finebaum addresses the defensive coordinator candidate that would satisfy Crimson Tide fans, Micah DeBose, 2025 4-star OT, announces SEC commitment, Deion Sanders draws rave reviews from fans on social media after appearing on MNF ManningCast, Rapid Reaction: Back-to-back! In this article, we'll dive into everything we know about James Spann the Weatherman. James spent his early childhood in Greenville, a small town in southern Alabama, and though this part of his journey will not be shared in today's blog, I think it's something many will resonate with. New model motorbikes Once you bought a motorbike at James Hanoi Motorbike, you will have a shop at South Vietnam that is ready to buy yours Experienced staff. "I was quiet, had no social skills. "He moved us into a really nice house in Greenville. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. James Spann has covered severe weather in Alabama since the 1970s. Throughout any given day, Spann, the longtime meteorologist for ABC 33/40, could be communicating with more than 1 million of his combined followers on Twitter and Facebook, preparing weather reports for upcoming broadcasts, co-hosting his weekly "WeatherBrains" podcast or driving to the one or two schools per day he still visits. ALABAMA has been ravaged by a series of several deadly tornadoes, toppling trees, destroying homes, and cutting off power supplies across the state. Since then, James has been working for ABC 33/40. That was the hardest part.". ", James Spann visiting Haleyville Elementary in March 2020. Spann went before the parole board for the first time in 2018. It's been a great, great family journey.". This is a portrait of James Spann's father, James Max Spann Sr., as a young man. "Oh man, I almost passed out," he recalls. He was on the air for 37 years. Text Size:side effects of wearing incorrect glasses nh state police logs 2021. T-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more, designed and sold by independent artists around the world. Manual; Automatic; Semi-automatic; Sales. He has worked in journalism since 1978 and is most recognized for his work on WBMA-LD. I am so saddened to hear of the death of Birmingham TV legend Country Boy Eddie. (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life"). He became one of Montgomerys youngest chief weathermen at the age of 23. He and his wife make time for quality talks in the morning before he leaves for the day, and they also eat dinner together after the 6:00 PM newscast (as long as there isn't active weather in the area). He has published an autobiography, "Weathering Life." (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life") NEW! And I dont take it for granted.". James is an AMS certified meteorologist based in Birmingham at ABC 33/40. He joined ABC 33/40 one month after the station signed on the air in the fall of 1996. Moreover, in Demopolis, Alabama, he co-owned a tiny AM-FM radio station with Dave Baird. He let James come to the NWS office to watch him work, and most importantly, he was always an encourager. The future is really bright, James forecasts (pun intended). His sole purpose in life is to mitigate loss of life during inclement weather. Burns' show ran from the late 1950s until the early 1990s. This time, hes home for good. I didn't like those guys. The call letters, WBBR, stood for Black Bear Radio, in honor of the school mascot. James Spann passed away on December 24, 2018 at the age of 64 in Phoenix, Arizona. At his church, Greenville Baptist Church, he recalls some of the older men talking openly about their contempt for black people. Spann said that through writing a book about his life, he hopes he can encourage other people by reminding them that despite setbacks he had early in his life, he was able to find the life he wanted. "He really is who you see on TV, but I think there is even more of a depth there that others dont see," Ladun said. Home; Rentals. Nothing has ever topped that. James Spann wedded to surge instructor, Karen Spann on June 6, 1981. James is the Chairman of the Board of Grandview Medical Center, and is a member of the University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences Board of Visitors. Simultaneously, he enrolled at Mississippi State University in a meteorology program. The couple share two children, James and Ryan. Though some might think it's silly for an "older" person to be on these platforms, if he can reach someone there who would never watch them on TV, to let them know that a severe threat is imminent, then it's 100% worth it to him. James E. Spann ORANGEBURG -- Mr. James E. Spann, 80, of 1386 Bellville Road, Orangeburg, passed Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at the Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg. To him, that will be decided by other people. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. He's . "And it was the most marvelous experience because there were black people in there, the mean guys were gone, and one of my best friends from childhood is the mayor, a guy named Dexter McLendon. Get this The Vancouver Sun page for free from Friday, June 6, 2003 ih- . His father died just a couple of years later, and Spann spread his ashes at the family gravesite in Industry, a little community back home in Butler County. Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204. Georgia destroys TCU to repeat as national champs, Rapid Reaction: LSU dominates Purdue in short-handed Citrus Bowl wipeout, Rapid Reaction: Mississippi State swings its sword, wins ReliaQuest Bowl on last-second field goal, Rapid Reaction: Unreal! Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable ( MSNBC and CNBC Primetime ). Here's how to deal with finances before, during and - if needed - after marriage. He was the 33rd individual in the United States to be designated as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist by the American Meteorological Society. View our online Press Pack. In addition, James was asked to join WAPI (NBC 13) in Birmingham as the principal weather anchor. those that have relatives who lost their lives, that are in the hospital tonight. James Spann reflects on April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak, As Alabama's most recognizable TV weatherman, James Spann takes it personally. High quality James Spann-inspired gifts and merchandise. Click a location below to find James more easily. By then, Spann was 37, and his father was in declining health, impaired by a condition known as alcohol dementia, brought on by years of alcohol abuse. he wondered. However, it was not until after the tornadoes that tore through Tuscaloosa and many parts of Alabama on April 27, 2011, that he decided it was time to write everything down. About Saturday Down South | Ethics and Editorial Standards | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Other Conferences: Big Ten | ACC | Pac-12, A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 14 SEC football teams. Dad served APD 32 years before retiring. Mrs. Spann died on Dec. 9, 2018, at 86. A weatherman without a station, he returned to radio when he and a couple of old friends -- Tom Stipe, the longtime producer of the Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network, and Dave Baird, whom Spann had known since their days together at WTBC in Tuscaloosa -- bought an AM-FM combination in Demopolis, in Marengo County. The couple share two children, James and Ryan. I've done network TV. He was on TV for ten hours on April 8, 1998, during a tornado warning for western Jefferson County. "Obviously our landscaping is going to be a lot different now. Fortunately he and his wife have a severe weather plan in place, and she was in their safe place when it struck. "They all looked the same -- black suits, black ties and these glasses with black rims," Spann remembers. He also became a writer who specialized in weather-related topics. After 23 years at ABC 33/40, hes not planning on going anywhere else. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. There is massive importance to integrity. Alabama meteorologist James Spann was broadcasting live when severe weather struck his own home. He earned his first ham radio license at the age of 14, and holds an extra class license. This book, the first in a series, will address that through adventures with Benny (a bear) and Chipper (a dog). Pam Huff, who first began working alongside Spann at WVTM in 1980 and later at 33/40 where they have worked together ever since, credits Spann with reinventing the way weather was covered in Alabama. In all, James has been a television weather . "That had never been done in the market before, and everyone has followed suit ever since.". It's imperative for meteorologists to understand that you are working with different types of people, different backgrounds, different socioeconomic groups and develop a way to reach all of them. Not long after his father left them, Spann and his mother moved to her family's home in Ashville, in St. Clair County, but they came back to Greenville a year later. Report: James Krause Revealed as Agent for Offshore Book, Hailed as MMA 'Insider Trading'. J.B. is my mentor, and the main reason I am a professional meteorologist today. About three years ago, on his way back from Mobile on a Sunday morning, Spann also went back to revisit his old church, Greenville Baptist Church. James Spanns book, Weathering Life, is available in paperback for $19.95 and as an e-book for $17.95 at jamesspannbook.com. "You could get on the air and you could communicate with people in other parts of the country and the world with a little wire on your roof," he says. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. He and his family moved to Greenville, Butler County, when he was a child, according to his biography. by richard keech, steven keech, et al. "And the other good thing about it, I'm very motivated not to be like him," he adds. James earned the NWA as well as AMS seals of approval upon his graduation. All rights reserved. "Thank goodness for these men, these men who stepped up to fill the gap in my life," Spann says. 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