It's hard to deny that we live in a world where health issues seem to be increasingly common. From allergies that baffle doctors to chronic pain that never seems to go away, it's no secret that many individuals struggle to maintain good health. Respiratory issues, reproductive complications, and other conditions add to the mix, making it clear that we're all susceptible to some kind of malady.
Unfortunately, many modern doctors still believe that throwing pills at the problem or scheduling surgery is the best way to provide long-term relief. While certain serious conditions can warrant such extreme treatments, a large percentage of Americans are looking for something far less harmful and much more holistic. They're looking high and low for a reliable, well-studied solution that doesn't require time off work or sketchy pain medications.
At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, one of the most effective and exciting treatments we've seen work for such patients is acupuncture in Sea Bright, NJ - a modern take on an ancient treatment that has been used for thousands of years.
If you're new to holistic healing, acupuncture may seem intimidating. You might be wondering how needles pressed into your skin could possibly make you feel better. Wouldn't someone pushing a needle into your back be painful? As it turns out, acupuncture is far from painful and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after treatments for chronic pain and for regulating issues relating to:
In fact, acupuncture has been studied and practiced for over 2,500 years and, more recently, has been researched and supported by many scientific studies. While acupuncture may not be a "miracle" treatment for every type of pain or condition, it has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of issues, from depression and allergies to morning sickness and cramps.
Acupuncture is a therapy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that aims to balance the body's energy, called qi, which flows through pathways called meridians. This balance is crucial for overall wellness, as disruptions to qi can lead to health concerns. According to TCM, inserting small stainless-steel needles into specific points called acupoints along the meridians can help rebalance the flow of qi and restore overall health.
These acupoints are believed to release certain chemicals when stimulated, which can trigger an immune response and promote physiological homeostasis. Recent research suggests that this therapy may help alleviate symptoms of various health ailments.
In fact, the National Institute of Health conducted a survey on complementary health approaches, revealing that acupuncture usage in the United States has increased by 50 percent between 2002 and 2012. As of 2012, 6.4 percent of American adults have reported using acupuncture as a form of treatment.
One of the most common questions from new patients interested in acupuncture typically revolves around whether it really works or whether it's all "new age" malarky. We get it - for most folks, the thought of inserting stainless-steel needles into one's back, arms, or neck sounds loony. However, with the ever-increasing popularity of acupuncture in New Jersey and other locations, numerous studies centering on acupuncture's effectiveness have taken place.
Extensive research has been conducted on the effectiveness of acupuncture for various conditions. A February 2022 analysis published in the BMJ, which evaluated over 2,000 scientific reviews of acupuncture therapies, revealed that acupuncture's efficacy is strongest for:
Additionally, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acupuncture is most effective for pain relief in cases of chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and tension headaches. Additionally, a review of 11 clinical trials found that acupuncture may also alleviate symptoms associated with cancer treatment, as noted by the NIH.
When meeting with your acupuncturist for the first time, they will discuss your condition with you before conducting a physical examination to identify areas of your body that might respond to acupuncture. The needles used in acupuncture are incredibly thin, sterile, and disposable, with your acupuncturist inserting them at different depths ranging from a fraction of an inch to several inches.
Acupuncture needles are less painful than medical needles used for vaccines or blood draws. This is because acupuncture needles are thinner and solid, not hollow. During the treatment, you may experience some muscle sensations like dull aches or tingling.
Your practitioner will ask you to report any deep heaviness or numbness, which are positive signs that the treatment is working. Depending on the condition you're treating and the supplemental treatments you're undergoing, like physical therapy, acupuncture needles will remain in place for several minutes or up to 30 minutes.
Once your first acupuncture treatment is finished, it's normal to feel extra relaxed and calm. For that reason, some patients like to arrange for a ride home after their first or second session. With that said, you shouldn't experience much pain at all, and it's quite possible for you to return to work after acupuncture.
This is another common question that we get at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness. The simple answer is, "It depends." While we understand that that's not a satisfying answer for some, it's important to understand that every patient is different. Everyone has different bodies and, by proxy, different bodily conditions and issues that need to be addressed.
During your initial consultation at our office, your licensed acupuncturist will go over your needs and goals as it relates to acupuncture therapy. Once your therapist has a good sense of the scope of your needs, they can give you a loose idea of how many sessions you'll need.
Generally speaking, most patients have appointments once a week. Others may require more or less frequent sessions. It's important to note that the full benefits of acupuncture may not be immediately evident after the first or even the second session. It's common for normal patients to undergo up to five treatments to realize the full benefits of acupuncture.
There's no question that acupuncture is more popular than ever as a non-invasive, non-addictive way to reclaim balance and well-being. But what types of conditions can this traditional therapy help alleviate in the modern world? Advances in acupuncture techniques and applications have resulted in some very promising benefits.
Did you know that regular acupuncture treatments can help reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis? In May 2017, a meta-analysis was published, which studied approximately 18,000 patients with chronic pain, such as low back, neck, and shoulder pain, knee OA, and headache or migraine. The analysis found that the benefits of acupuncture therapy in reducing pain lasted for more than 12 months.
That's wonderful news for athletes and other people who push their bodies daily to accomplish goals or bring home money for rent and bills. In fact, many medical experts consider acupuncture as a viable option for managing chronic pain in conjunction with traditional methods like physical therapy and chiropractic care. The idea behind this approach is that acupuncture may trigger the body's natural healing response to alleviate pain.
When a licensed acupuncturist in New Jersey inserts an acupuncture needle, it penetrates your fascia, a connective tissue that wraps around your organs and muscles. Like a slight tickle on your arm, your body realizes that something is happening and responds by delivering lymph fluid, blood, and other important nutrients to speed up healing in affected areas like your knees, back, neck, joints, and more.
If you're like other people who suffer from migraines, you know that once one of them hits, it can be next to impossible to function properly throughout the day. Fortunately, acupuncture in Sea Bright, NJ may be a viable solution if you have to endure migraines often.
A study conducted in 2009 by the Center for Complementary Medicine at the University of Munich analyzed 11 studies involving 2,137 patients who received acupuncture treatment for chronic tension-type headaches. The researchers concluded that acupuncture could be an effective non-pharmacological solution for frequent headaches.
The study compared the effects of acupuncture sessions with sham acupuncture and no treatment at all. Both groups that received acupuncture treatment, whether needles were placed randomly or strategically, reported a reduction in headache symptoms, while the control group reported no change. The group that received real acupuncture treatment also reported a decrease in the number of headache days and intensity of pain in a follow-up survey.
For individuals who struggle with insomnia and other sleep disturbances, acupuncture is a promising therapy. Although sedatives are commonly prescribed for insomnia, long-term use can lead to negative side effects such as dependence and excessive drowsiness.
A study conducted on 72 participants and published in Sleep Medicine in 2017 found that individuals who received acupuncture three times a week for four weeks experienced significant improvements in sleep quality and anxiety compared to those who received sham acupuncture.
Similarly, a review of 30 randomized, controlled trials found that acupuncture was more effective in improving sleep quality and daytime functioning than sham acupuncture.
While many patients choose acupuncture as a way to avoid surgery altogether, those who need surgery also use it for improved recovery. Because, at the end of the day, recovering from surgery is no easy feat. Patients may experience various symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain around the incision, restlessness, sleep troubles, constipation, and sore throat.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, healthcare providers may use acupuncture as a way to alleviate some of these symptoms and help with healing. A study published in Integrative Cancer Therapies in January 2017 involving 172 participants found that patients who received acupuncture after surgery reported significant improvements in sleep, anxiety, pain, fatigue, nausea, and drowsiness.
Did you know that supplementing physical therapy with acupuncture and vice versa can have profoundly beneficial effects for patients in New Jersey and across the country? If you're like most, chances are you didn't.
The truth is that acupuncture and physical therapy have both been proven effective in reducing pain and inflammation. While many people view them as separate methods, combining the two modalities can produce a synergistic effect that enhances pain relief and delivers long-lasting benefits to patients.
Physical therapists work with patients of all ages and abilities, from children to elderly adults, to help them overcome physical limitations and improve their quality of life. At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, our physical therapists help treat a wide range of conditions, from neck pain and spinal cord injuries to back pain and arthritis.
To effectively reduce pain and treat tissue injury, a combination of acupuncture and physical therapy can be very helpful. Acupuncture helps to reduce inflammation and release muscle tightness and trigger points, allowing the patient to better receive manual therapy or exercise-based physical therapy techniques. In doing so, acupuncture can actually create a window of time that allows your body to respond better to other treatments at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, such as physical therapy and chiropractic care.
There are many benefits of combining physical therapy with acupuncture in Sea Bright, NJ, including the following:
You may be wondering, "Are there any studies showing these benefits?" As it turns out, there are many. One such study, published on the NIH's website, was conducted on patients suffering from frozen shoulder.
Patients who received acupuncture experienced a significant reduction in pain, while those who underwent physical therapy saw an improvement in range of motion. However, the best outcome was observed in patients who received a combination of both treatments, with reduced pain, increased their range of motion, and improved quality of life. This study highlights the potential benefits of using acupuncture and physical therapy as complementary treatments for frozen shoulder.
It makes sense, then, that people from all walks of life are combining acupuncture with chiropractic treatments at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, including:
At New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, our doctors, practitioners, occupational therapists, and physical therapist specialize in a range of therapies and treatments. Much like physical therapy and acupuncture, combining chiropractic care with acupuncture therapy gives patients a new way to reclaim their mobility, reduce chronic pain, and maintain a healthy quality of life.
Chiropractic care and acupuncture in Sea Bright, NJ are natural healing practices that don't rely on drugs to improve the body's health. They focus on correcting imbalances in the body's structural and supportive systems, promoting natural healing, and ultimately leading to better health. These practices have a proven track record of helping patients improve their quality of life and overcome physical difficulties.
Integrating chiropractic and acupuncture as a dual-modality treatment offers the most efficient solution for removing blockages from the body, promoting balance, and accelerating healing. Rather than using these treatments sequentially, a combined approach allows for maximum benefits at one time.
Chiropractic targets subluxations in the nervous system through manual adjustments, facilitating the central nervous system to promote healing, while acupuncture removes blockages that may hinder the body's internal balance. Together, these treatments work synergistically to optimize energy flow and restore harmony in the body.
When our physical well-being becomes imbalanced, and our innate healing mechanisms are compromised, illnesses can manifest. The integration of acupuncture and chiropractic practices can effectively address a wide range of health conditions that they individually target, such as:
Curious if combining chiropractic care or physical therapy with acupuncture is right for your body? The best way to find out is to make an appointment at our sports rehab clinic in New Jersey. Once our team of medical professionals has a chance to evaluate your conditions, we can explore the best options to provide the most relief in the shortest amount of time possible.
New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness consists of a team of athletic trainers, chiropractors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other professionals. We're very proud and passionate about caring for our patients, many of whom are suffering from debilitating conditions like back and neck pain, plantar fasciitis, sports-related injuries, and more. If you're trying to get on the road to pain relief and recovery, acupuncture may be the non-surgical solution you need to reclaim your life. Contact our office today to learn whether this exciting treatment is right for you.
732-526-2497MONMOUTH COUNTY — To honor the memory and sacrifice of the 9/11 first responders, New Jersey American Water announced today the recipients of its 2023 Volunteer Fire and EMS Grant Program.This year, 19 volunteer fire and EMS departments located within the company’s service areas have been chosen to receive grants, totaling over $43,000, which will be used to support initiatives, training and/or the purchase of upgraded equipment to help the responders better protect themse...
MONMOUTH COUNTY — To honor the memory and sacrifice of the 9/11 first responders, New Jersey American Water announced today the recipients of its 2023 Volunteer Fire and EMS Grant Program.
This year, 19 volunteer fire and EMS departments located within the company’s service areas have been chosen to receive grants, totaling over $43,000, which will be used to support initiatives, training and/or the purchase of upgraded equipment to help the responders better protect themselves and the communities they serve.
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“Safety is paramount at New Jersey American Water. That is why we are proud to continuously support the everyday heroes that keep our communities safe through our Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Grant Program year after year,” said Mark Iannarella, Director of Health and Safety, New Jersey American Water and former volunteer firefighter, Pennsauken Fire Department. “These brave men and women work selflessly and tirelessly to safeguard our communities, and we hope these funds will make that task a bit easier.”
This year’s grants will be used in various ways by each department including purchasing gas meters, hoses, emergency lights, and other rescue equipment, as well as important training courses and tools.
The 2023 Volunteer Firefighter and EMS grant recipients from Monmouth County include: • Eatontown Fire Department.• Little Silver Volunteer Emergency Medical Services.• Long Branch Fire Department.• Monmouth Beach Fire Company.• Sea Bright Fire Rescue.
Recipients of the grant have been notified by New Jersey American Water, and the company will present checks this week to departments in attendance at the 2023 New Jersey State Fireman’s Association Convention in Wildwood, Friday, Sept. 15.
Since launching the grant program in 2011, New Jersey American Water has awarded 290 grants totaling more than $351,000 to 154 local volunteer fire departments and emergency response units throughout its service areas.
More information about New Jersey American Water’s Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Grant Program can be found online at www.newjerseyamwater.com/community.
About New Jersey American WaterNew Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.8 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
A whole lotta love and a whole lotta of rock and roll at DRIFTHOUSE by David Burke on Wednesday, July 26 with Black Dog, NJ’s #1 Led Zeppelin tribute band. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include the show and complimentary passed hors d’oeuvres. (Al a carte dinner service from 4-7:30.) (732) 530-9760 Tickets online here....
A whole lotta love and a whole lotta of rock and roll at DRIFTHOUSE by David Burke on Wednesday, July 26 with Black Dog, NJ’s #1 Led Zeppelin tribute band.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include the show and complimentary passed hors d’oeuvres. (Al a carte dinner service from 4-7:30.) (732) 530-9760 Tickets online here.
Executive Chef Toni Charmello, a Zeppelin fan - has assembled some themed hors d’oeuvres to be served throughout the special event such as: The Ocean, pretzel crusted crab cakes; The Rover - Traditional Franks In A Blanket, Spicy Mustard; Four Sticks, bruschetta with tomato & basil; Dancing Days, chicken skewers, and much more!
DRIFTHOUSE bartenders, also “Zeppelectics”, have concocted some signature cocktails too, such as Dazed and Confused with Tres Agave Tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, cream of coconut, coconut flake rim and lime wedge; Stairway to Heaven with Legrand Kentucky Bourbon, angostura bitters, fresh lemon juice, muddled strawberry, ginger beer and simple syrup.
Chef Charmello will keep the kitchen open with a special menu filled with Led Zeppelin song named dishes including Heartbreaker, clothesline bacon; No Quarter, DRIFTHOUSE burger; Over the Hills and Far Away, rigatoni; and Whole Lotta Love, crispy calamari and plenty more selections.
“We’ve held special events at DRIFTHOUSE before and they were sell-outs,” said co-owner William Stavola. “It’s clear our fans want great food, drinks and to dance the night away to music by our state’s amazing talented artists like Black Dog. So, we’re going to give them what they want. Led Zeppelin’s music lives on through this band. We all love rock and roll including Chef David Burke. It’s time to get the led out.”
“All Zeppelin all the time,” said Rob Malave, lead singer about his band Black Dog. “We all loved Zeppelin and found each other and have been together for 23 years. We are looking forward to our debut south of the Driscoll Bridge at the Jersey Shore. Don’t miss the show it’s going to be super night for all the Zeppelectics!”
The members of the band include Malave, who also plays harmonica, Dan Toto, guitar; Jeff Mott, bass guitar, keyboards and mandolin. According to Maleve, Black Dog pays tribute to the mighty Led Zeppelin with an extensive catalogue of songs comprised of classic masterpieces like "Dazed and Confused", "Heartbreaker", and "Stairway to Heaven", as well as the lesser known B-sides.
The Stavola family have owned and operated the Driftwood Cabana Club where DRIFTHOUSE is located since 1957. They opened their restaurant under another name to the public in the main part of the club in September 2012, one month before Hurricane Sandy struck the shore and destroyed nearly 80 percent of the buildings in Sea Bright. Determined to reopen as quickly as possible to get their employees back to work, the Stavola family was the second business to open in the seaside town after the devastation using their own commercial generator for power. DRIFTHOUSE was the first of David Burke Hospitality Management’s collection of nine unique New Jersey restaurants, also powered through, pivoted and remained open during the pandemic. The full-service restaurant open year-round clearly has staying power and today is a Jersey Shore landmark.
DRIFTHOUSE by David Burke celebrated its fifth anniversary with a whole new look and revamped seafood-focused menu at this year-round, full-service restaurant, mere steps from the beach. The restaurant has a trendy, new brighter maritime decor and new artwork, new black wooden tables and upgraded lighting resulting in a hipper, more casual look.
DRIFTHOUSE by David Burke is open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday 4-10 p.m. and Sunday 4-9 p.m. There is an outdoor dining deck for the summer and Fall. The private Gallery Room is available for social and business events with views of the ocean, and the Jersey Shore’s singular authentic wood-burning fireplace. DRIFTHOUSE, the only oceanfront restaurant in Sea Bright, is located in the Driftwood Cabana Club.
There had to be a first, right?Somebody's always the first of the season to be rescued. In 2024, it looks like that luck goes to this grey little seal pup who was found along New Jersey's coastline in early January. The experts at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine say this little beauty isn't more than a baby.According to a recent Facebook post, the MMSC has revealed the first seal needing to be rescued from NJ...
There had to be a first, right?
Somebody's always the first of the season to be rescued. In 2024, it looks like that luck goes to this grey little seal pup who was found along New Jersey's coastline in early January. The experts at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine say this little beauty isn't more than a baby.
According to a recent Facebook post, the MMSC has revealed the first seal needing to be rescued from NJ's beaches this year. It's a boy! He's super cute, too. They say that at the time of rescue, he hadn't even completely shed his Lanugo yet. "Lanugo" is what is referred to as a seal's birthing coat. The have it for a few weeks post-birth, but usually are rid of it by the time they officially enter the juvenile stage of development.
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In the pictures they posted, you can see the lanugo on this precious boy's tiny flippers!
If you're wondering what happened for him to need rescuing in the first place, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center says that he had been beached for a few hours, but once it was clear that he had no interest in returning to the water, they knew something was wrong.
At the time of intake on January 12th, the pup appeared to the professionals to be about a month or so old. Because he was so thin, they're assuming he didn't learn how to properly hunt for himself. They're assuming he came down to Jersey from Maine, a popular breeding ground, and having not eaten much, was too weak to resume his water journey.
This little guy is extremely lucky. After being examined, it was determined that the journey from up north caused the grey seal pup to shed pounds that he wound up back at his birth weight.
After being cared for at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine for a few days, it's clear that he's doing much better. They say he's even put on a few pounds.
We're rooting for you, buddy! Isn't he so cute??
Here's a pro-tip for you: if you see a stranded seal, don't try to approach it! Especially if you have your dog with you...
HOBOKEN, New Jersey (WABC) -- The rain made a mess in Hoboken as Madison Street as it was flooded by the intense rain and turned into a lake.Drivers were still trying to get through and risk getting their vehicles stalled in water that covered the hoods of some cars.Several parked cars never stood a chance and are stalled where they last stopped. One resident went the wrong way to avoid the flooded roads. In Hoboken, several garden apartments were filled with floodwater and had to be pumped out. Local officials are prepared for...
HOBOKEN, New Jersey (WABC) -- The rain made a mess in Hoboken as Madison Street as it was flooded by the intense rain and turned into a lake.
Drivers were still trying to get through and risk getting their vehicles stalled in water that covered the hoods of some cars.
Several parked cars never stood a chance and are stalled where they last stopped. One resident went the wrong way to avoid the flooded roads. In Hoboken, several garden apartments were filled with floodwater and had to be pumped out. Local officials are prepared for more heavy rain on Friday evening.
RELATED | Record rainfall swamps New York City and the Tri-State area
Hoboken is prone to flooding and that is why a State of Emergency was declared Friday morning. Mayor Rhavi Bhalla urged residents to stay inside because conditions were expected to get worse on Friday evening.
Hoboken officials say they have had no injuries so far - but there have been two rescues. The fire department has been on at least 21 calls to pump out basements.
RELATED | How much rain fell in the Tri-State Area
Governor Murphy has been aware of the flooding problem in both North and Central Jersey. He declared a State of Emergency for all 21 counties in the state.
The torrential rain swept across the Jersey Shore and left several major roads flooded and impassable. The rainwater piled up on highways as visibility dropped. In Sea Bright, residents watched the Shrewsbury River as the tide got higher and higher.
Monica Pizzolato delivers for Instacart - her customer on Friday is at the end of Navesink Drive in Monmouth Beach where the street is flooded and blocked with a stranded SUV.
"I just hit her up and said that somebody's stuck and I don't know what to do now, so I have her food in my truck. This is bad. This is - it's been bad. It's bad," Pizzolato said.
The pounding surf is grinding down at the beaches. Beach erosion was made far worse after days of stormy weather - and it won't get better for several hours, according to Monmouth County Sherriff Shaun Golden.
"We expect it to worsen throughout the evening, as well, as more rain comes down. And we have those tidal changes, so the water is just unable to flow out and drain like it normally would," Golden said.
ALSO READ | 2 popular spots in Queens sinking faster than rest of NYC, study finds
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SEA BRIGHT, N.J. -- Beachgoers enjoyed the sun and surf this Memorial Day Weekend.The rip current risk was high Monday, because of a low pressure system to the south and winds rolling in off the water to the east.CBS2's Vanessa Murdock was in Sea Bright, New Jersey, where it was bright but breezy. She found sparkling sun, warm sand and rough surf driven by whipping winds that stood American flags at attention.Kathr...
SEA BRIGHT, N.J. -- Beachgoers enjoyed the sun and surf this Memorial Day Weekend.
The rip current risk was high Monday, because of a low pressure system to the south and winds rolling in off the water to the east.
CBS2's Vanessa Murdock was in Sea Bright, New Jersey, where it was bright but breezy. She found sparkling sun, warm sand and rough surf driven by whipping winds that stood American flags at attention.
Kathryn Martin and Sarah Potts kept watch over beach access.
"Still got a good crowd on the beach, definitely a good crowd," Martin said.
"Are you surprised to see as many people out there as there are?" Murdock asked.
"For as windy as it is, yes," Potts replied.
Four-year-old Jameson braved the wind head-on, digging holes big enough for the little guy to fit in but have trouble getting out of.
"Making sandcastles and digging," he said.
In the surf, there was no one -- for good reason. Lifeguards swapped out yellow flags for red, indicating a high risk of rip currents on a day so many hoped to enjoy the water.
"It's a little windy, but we're doing our best. We brought our beach sweatshirts," said Jocelyn Marx, of Tinton Falls.
Sheets chimed along the Shrewsbury River at Carriage House Marina, where owner Lance Cunningham had a busy spring of launching 150 boats.
"I'm sitting here relaxing. I worked in the garden for two, three hours this morning. No emergency haul-outs for boats today," he said. "It's warm, it's sunny, it's gorgeous out. Sea Bright -- beautiful place."
A beautiful place to celebrate and remember. Michael Mayer thinks of his father who served in the Army this Memorial Day.
"Instead of the saying, 'Happy Memorial Day," the best thing to probably say to someone is, 'Have a meaningful Memorial Day,'" said his wife Virginia Castillo.
Vanessa Murdock joined the CBS 2 Weather Team in October 2011 as the weekend morning meteorologist and weekday reporter.