Sunday, September 28, 2008

My talk was horrible

On Friday night, Brother Ward (the first counselor in the bishopric) called and asked if I would give a talk today. The topic: Sustaining church leaders. I usually don't write out a talk, but just write out topics I want to talk about. I found a great article on lds.org about ways you can sustain your leaders. I centered my talk around that. Before getting into that, I shared to church leaders who meant a lot to me - Joseph Smith and Gordon B. Hinckley. Then I shared the points from the article, and closed with encouraging everyone to go to conference. I was nervous, and had a little sweat building up on my forehead. I was glad when it was over.

Another story from Florence is making national news. A 21-year-old Florence woman went missing in Knoxville, TN a week ago. Today investigators found a body. It is a really sad story. I interviewed her teacher and senior classmate last week. Here is an update about the story:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=5900975&page=1

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Court Update

The court hearing has been delayed. For some reason the video of the fight was MISSING. The trial has been moved to October 17 at 11 AM. It was very strange being in the same room with the people I did the story with. I was so ready for it to be over.

In other news . . . if you hadn't heard a foot was found in the front yard of a families home here in the Shoals. I had an exclusive interview with the family who found it yesterday. Today forensic tests came back . . . and it was a BEAR FOOT! There are no bears in this area, so it is very interesting.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Josh goes to court

Tomorrow I testify in my first-ever court case. It starts at 9 in the morning. If you remember back . . . on June 11, I was doing a story about neighbors upset about tall grass. I caught a neighbor beating up the other neighbor. It was all on tape. Now I have to testify to what I saw. It should be interesting. The family involved was not happy when I showed the assault on TV. I will give you an update after court.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Josh's professional photo shoot











On Friday, I did a great story about Tommy Arthur with Mary John Davis. Her sister, Virginia Webb, was also there. She is a professional photographer from Chattanooga, TN. During our interview she kept taking pictures. She just sent me some, they turned out great! This is a snapshot in what I do everyday. I hope you like them!



Sunday, September 21, 2008

I shook an APOSTLE'S hand today

Today was a special day. Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, came and spoke at our stake conference today. It was held at the Tupelo High School Auditorium in Tupelo, MS. After his talk, I went up and shook his hand. It's not every day you get to meet an apostle. He bore testimony of Christ, and reminded us that Christ is our foundation.

Friday, September 19, 2008

NEW Tommy Arthur Story

Today I did another JOSH AULT EXCLUSIVE! It was another story on the Tommy Arthur case. For you that don't remember, he is a man from here that is on death row for killing a man back in 1982.

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a woman who went to high school with Arthur. She saw my story about the letter I got from him. She is very interested in the case, and has been researching why DNA testing wasn't done on his case. It is a great story. I hope you enjoy!

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=9042356&nav=menu62_6_2_5

Josh finally has a LITTLE BROTHER!

If you didn't know I have signed up to be a BIG BROTHER with the North Alabama Big Brother/Big Sister Program. I am part of the lunch buddies program. I eat lunch and help a at-risk kid with school work once a week.

On Thursday, I met my little brother. His name is Brian. He is 6-years-old and is a first grader at Weeden Elementary in Florence, AL. He is a cool kid. I was lucky. His dad is on the East Coast with some sort of mental condition. His mom is raising three kids alone. He doesn't have a male figure in his life.

I was really nervous to meet him, but we got a long great. Before lunch, we played Connect Four, rolled around a soccer ball. Lunch was good. He was a very popular kid at the lunch table. All the other kids were jealous he had a Big Brother. We had grilled cheese and vegetable soup. It was fun sitting in a cafeteria again.

If you have some extra time, I would really encourage you to look into the program. They are always in need of volunteers. In a few weeks, I will be doing some stories for WAFF, so you will get to meet Brian.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Josh LIVE in Huntsville

I had to fill for a reporter on Sunday in Huntsville. It was my first time to report in there. Right before we were to go on at 10, the scanner said SHOOTING. The weekend photographer was out on another assignment so they said, "Josh, go get it!" I don't know my way around Huntsville, and asked if this was a safe area. They said they didn't know. It turned out good . . . another Josh Ault EXCLUSIVE . . . check out the link:

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=8969002&nav=menu62_1_2

Friday, September 5, 2008

I forgot about my blog

It has been a busy week . . . and I forget to blog. Here is a quick summary of the week.

YSA Labor Day Extravaganza
On Sunday, I decided to invited all the YSA over to my house for a party. I made a flyer and handed it out. On Monday, I spent over $100 on food and stuff for the party. When the time arrived for the party . . . only one person showed up. Then a hour and a half later one more person came. It turned out to be a dud. I was able to share some of the food I bought with the family that lives above me . . . I think they felt bad for me, so they invited me over for dinner. If anyone wants chips and salsa . . . you are welcome to come by!

Swimmer
Everyday this week I have gone to the YMCA and swam. I didn't go Monday because it was closed. I am doing good with my goal to workout everyday . . . my problem is my diet - too many hot pockets and IBC rootbeers

Missing Canoers
This morning I was called at 5 AM to do a story in Bankhead National Forest in Winston County. That is over a hour from here. 2 men from Moulton, AL went missing over night after going on a canoe trip with their dog. I meet up with the family, and got some interviews. Around 7, they were found! I was the ONLY reporter there, so I got an EXCLUSIVE. Plus, I got to leave early from work because I came in so early.

This weekend is going to be busy . . . I have to fill in for the weekend reporter on Sunday. I have to work from 2 PM to 10:30 in Huntsville. It will be my first time to report from there. It should be an experience.

Hope everyone survived Hurricane Gustav! Have a great weekend!