Former Channel 9 weatherman Neal Pascal is joining Channel 3 to handle weekend weather duties. He will be replacing weekend weatherman Brian Travers, whose contract is not being renewed.
And in another development at Channel 3, the station is reducing eight production positions.
WRCB TV's President and General Manager Tom Tolar said the reductions were due to automation and changes in the TV industry. He said there would be some layoffs, but some of the cuts would be handled by attrition.
Of the addition of Neal Pascal, who left Channel 9 after he faced federal mortgage fraud charges, Mr. Tolar said, “We are delighted to have Neal Pascal join the Eyewitness News team. Neal has more than 25 years of experience forecasting weather here in the Tennessee Valley. WRCB is proud to be continuing the tradition of giving our viewers the best, most accurate, forecast available.
He said Mr. Travers will be seeking other employment.
"Neal Pascal spent more than 25 years forecasting weather in our area as Chief Meteorologist at WTVC. Neal will join the Eyewitness News team immediately. He will be seen on-air between now and the start of the new fall season."
"Paul Barys, WRCB Storm Alert Team chief meteorologist for 23 years said, “Neal and I were fierce competitors for more than two decades. Now we can place all of our energies in one direction to benefit Channel 3 viewers.”
Neal Pascal said, “It is a true honor to be headed back on television at WRCB. Tom Tolar and everyone at WRCB have graciously given me a second chance and I will uphold my end by doing what I really love…television weather that provides real coverage our viewers can count on.”
“Channel 3 will have the most experienced team of meteorologists in Chattanooga. It’s exciting to continue to bring exceptional talent to our news department,” said WRCB News Director Derrall Stalvey. “With Neal Pascal joining us, we are bringing even more experience to our award winning newsroom.”
Neal Pascal received his B.S. in Meteorology from Texas A&M in 1977. Neal came to the Tennessee Valley in 1981 and he received the American Meteorological Society's (AMS) Television Seal of Approval in 1982.
Mr. Tolar said Mr. Pascal and his wife will continue to operate a restaurant they started after he left Channel 9.
WRCB is owned by Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. In addition to WRCB-TV (analog Channel 3), Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. owns and operates WRCB-DT (digital Channel 3) and WeatherPlus in Chattanooga; KTVN-TV (analog and digital Channel 2) in Reno, Nevada; WAJI-FM and WLDE-FM in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and WGCL-AM and WTTS-FM in Bloomington/Indianapolis, Indiana. Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. headquarters are located in Bloomington, Ind.