The Extended Dennis O'Donnell Mystery Continues; KPIX Still Silent; Cover-Up at 855 Battery And Beyond; Friends Contribute to BS Meter; Lies, Lies, Lies; Chronicle/Merc Asleep at Wheel

ABOUT A MONTH AGO TODAY, roughly late July, I was schmoozing with a prominent KPIX air personality; it was an innocent discussion mostly about nothing. Then in the late stages of the chit-chat, the person said the talk at the station was "where is Dennis O'Donnell?" --O'Donnell, the PIX Sports anchor had been away (at the time) for more tahn two weeks and was not back at the desk. The individual said quite forcefully, "that's not like Dennis."

Before that innocent text session, I wasn't even mildly aware of O'Donnell's situation. I don't watch PIX's newscasts (unless I have to) and thought to myself maybe he simply extended his vacation and was gearing up for 49ers games--the pre-season package of exhibitions that PIX has the rights to and for which O'Donnel covers; he does the pre and post game shows and interviews from the field. Later, I would find out O'Donnell not only missed ALL the 49ers' contests but his anchor duties at PIX's 855 Battery studios. He is still ABSENT as of today (Monday).

Even then, I wasn't interested. I had been working on numerous stories and really thought the DOD status would resolve itself and he'd (Dennis) be back. Besides which, nobody was really concerned about his whereabouts, especially viewers because while O'Donnell is a fixture in Bay Area TV News, he's hardly an iconic figure. But major personality? Yes. And so, as his situation has not changed and his status never really been explained, even quietly, I began to wonder aloud myself, like the PIX person told me, "where's Dennis?"

I agreed.

So I began to make calls and e-mail people. Nobody seemed to know (or really care); one day, I reached out (e-mail) to O'Donnell's bud and PIX's weekend sports anchor, Vern Glenn. I asked Glenn about Dennis. Specifically, I asked Glenn if he knew where Dennis was and if he knew, but didn't want to talk, that's cool, I get it. And if he simply didn't know, also, fine, could he just say so. "I just want the truth," I told Glenn, who proceedly to tell me, "Oh, he's on vacation, that's all." I then told Glenn, I didn't believe that because he never misses 49ers games and his own friends at PIX were all concerned. Glenn insisted it was vacation, nothing else.

That was three weeks ago. And still, no Dennis O'Donnell, not at the last 49ers game (vs. Raiders) and not at the sports desk. And everyone at PIX, even those initially curious and concerned, suddenly TIGHT-LIPPED and showing utter indiffernce. It's bizarre. It's crazy. It's unusual. And it stinks to high heaven. And when it reaches the level to where his own co-workers are suddenly lying for him and covering up, then it's really even bigger than it first appeared.

It's now apparent O'Donnell has some sort of serious health issue. He's taken a LOA (leave) but PIX refuses to say anything. They have to honor his privacy rights but viewers are left out in the dark because he's not even acknowledged at PIX anymore. Do his fellow anchors say his status? Like even "Dennis is away from the desk."? No. He's been gone well over a month. Has the Chronicle or Merc said a word? Written anything about his MIA status? Not a word. Nothing.

I said here a week ago that I (415 Media) would be covering this all because it's a legitimate news story. That although Dennis O'Donnell has a right to privacy, he's also a public person and therefore, is subject to scrutiny because of his status. It's not always cheery and it could be un-pleasant but it is newsworthy and those of us that believe in that edict will carry on even if the Chronicle is brain dead.

I will be on this story as those of you that come her expect that. As you should.