SANTA CRUZ — Not only did Chip Scheuer know news in Santa Cruz County, often he knew it before anyone else.
His face wasn’t on television and his byline wasn’t in the newspaper, but his work was seen every day.
When television news videographer Scheuer had his camera and microphone in hand and a blaring police scanner nearby, he was ready for anything — especially the adrenaline-driven excitement of breaking news.
"He beat me to crime scenes," said sheriff’s deputy Kim Allyn. "If there was a way in, he’d find it no matter what it took. The guy got in and got his pictures."
Now, after 14 years as a news videographer for the local FOX and CBS affiliates KCBA and KION (formerly KMST and KCCN), Scheuer, 47, has turned off the camera and scanner and said goodbye to the job and the community.
The scavenger hunt for daily news stories, he said, is over.
His last day at the television station was Wednesday. Soon he’s headed to San Francisco for new opportunities.
"I’ve really explored every nook and cranny in this county," Scheuer said. "I just need a new challenge."
| Scheuer moved to Santa Cruz from San Jose in 1980. He came here because, as a rebellious teen, the city was his destination when he "ditched" high school classes. |
It was that job that whetted Sheuer’s enthusiasm for news and life in Santa Cruz. He stayed at the Pajaronian for almost 10 years and had given his notice to quit when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck in 1989. Scheuer stayed with the newspaper to cover the earthquake, but within months the television stations were looking for a new videographer to cover this area.
Scheuer was ideal for the job despite never before having held a video camera and not knowing how to edit tape.
He knew news and that was enough.
Some of Scheuer’s favorite news stories through the years include the Oakland Hills fire in 1991, the Los Angeles riots in 1992 and anything local that involved law enforcement.
For Scheuer, his job was all about getting the "killer exclusive" and that’s the mark he’s left behind with co-workers and competitors.
"It’s really cool to hear bits and pieces on the scanner and figure out something big is happening," he said. "Once the camera hits my shoulder, I’m a happy camper."
Wes Sims, a reporter and anchor at KION who has worked as Scheuer’s partner in the Santa Cruz bureau for much of the past 14 years, said he’ll greatly miss his bad jokes and sometimes ornery attitude.
The television station can hire a new videographer, but teaching what Scheuer knew by instinct is another story.
"I can’t imagine our TV stations without Chip working Santa Cruz," said John Freeman, an anchor at KCBA and former news director. "But I guess we’ll have to get used to it."
Contact Shanna McCord at smccord@santacruzsentinel.com.
