Straight Talk | Journal Star’s Saturday strategy a reason newspapers fading out

ROGER MONROE

It came as a surprise when the once great Peoria Journal Star newspaper announced it was eliminating home and business delivery of its Saturday edition. Time was when the Saturday paper was the most popular of the week, though it’s rate was lower than Sunday editions. Many people enjoyed the editorial page on Saturday because it was filled with letters from readers complaining about officeholders, government, and sometimes each other. Those days are long-gone and so are Journal Star readers. The paper has become almost useless with late scores of high school games and long — too long — feature stories from liberal outlets like the Associated Press and USA Today.

On a recent Saturday front page in the sports section, a so-called sportswriter spent valuable space condemning the NFL for firing the minority coach of Houston, calling officials “disgraceful and shameful.” She said the action was “embarrassing.” She’s just dumb. When someone says stupid things on radio or TV you can change the channel. With the newspaper it hangs around on the coffee table or kitchen counter until you throw it in the garbage.

Small example, I know, but another reason, among many, why newspapers are fading into the sunset.

I remember, with fondness, delivering the Peoria Journal Star in the morning and the Peoria Journal Transcript in the afternoon. Today, our newspaper is struggling primarily because it has been unable to adapt and change to the onset of new systems of communication. It won’t happen in my lifetime, but look for the Peoria Journal to become a weekly paper in the future.

A heated response

The highlight of last month’s column about the possible sale of Unity Point Health hospitals Methodist, Proctor and Pekin, to Carle Health, generated quite a personal response. Some who spoke or wrote to me were angry. They gave specific examples of poor leadership at Methodist. One, a retired doctor, claimed former Methodist CEO Michael Bryant tore up contracts with doctors and tried to force them to sign new and unfavorable contracts. It didn’t work because doctors simply started referring patients for hospital care elsewhere. The doctor suggested there was some fuzzy accounting that led to changes in financial officers.

In the meantime, officials at Carle are in the process of examining the books of the three Unity Point hospitals as they consider the purchase. As I wrote last month, it seems odd that Unity Point, a $4.6 billion corporation with 39 hospitals, 440 clinics and four health colleges, would be interested in selling three hospitals with 657 beds to Carle Health, owner of five hospitals, three with each less than 30 beds, for a total 750 beds. Many employees are watching developments with interest.

Galesburg hospital closes

The closure of the 133 bed Cottage Hospital in Galesburg was virtually ignored by local TV and radio, but not the Peoria Journal Star or this writer. It’s an important story given that hospitals in Eureka and Canton are much smaller by comparison. Additionally, Cottage has a relativity new building with a competent staff of doctors, nurses and other employees — all now gone. What happened during a time when hospital beds and medical staff are badly needed during the virus pandemic? Did government officials fail to save the hospital while they were shipping medical teams to understaffed hospitals? The closure, on the other hand, was justified with numerous code violations, but could they have been corrected? Blame, of course, lies squarely with the Sanjay Charma family of Houston, owners, who let it happen. They’ve filed bankruptcy papers and hope to reopen the hospital. Don’t hold your breath.

Rumors and more

Sources tell me that the Heddington Oaks nursing home building in West Peoria has an interested buyer. It’s been empty ever since Peoria County got out of the healthcare business almost two years ago. It cost more than $42 million to build. It was a gorgeous facility. but was losing more than $1.2 million a year to operate since most occupants were on Medicare and Medicaid. Government reimbursements are typically lower than the actual cost of providing care. To make a profit, Heddington Oaks needed more private-pay residents, at least 50% more. It didn’t happen. The facility has become a “white elephant” for Peoria County and West Peoria. Let’s hope the interested buyer becomes a buyer.

In case you didn’t know, Republicans in Peoria County are divided. Some leaders are trying to unite the party at the local level. As one source told me, too many Republicans use the words “me” or “I” rather than “we.” Give credit to Democrats. They have their conflicts, but when it comes to election day, they’re united. One told me years ago, “I held my nose and voted for her rather than the Republican.” Funny, but true.

The Dan Bongino Show is heard on more than 300 radio stations across the nation, including in major markets like Chicago, New York, San Franciso, Dallas, Washington D.C., Seattle, Detroit, and Los Angeles. The former Secret Service agent under Barack Obama and George W. Bush, is also seen on the Fox News channel. He’s carried on the Cumulus Media network. Unfortunately, he can’t be heard locally, even on Peoria’s conservative station WMBD. Considered as a replacement for Rush Limbaugh, Bongino can be heard on WLS from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

You can hear my show, “Breakfast with Roger and Friends” from 6-9 a.m. Monday through Friday on WAZU-FM 90.7. Frequently, we have some exclusive news and guests. One of those exclusive guests recently was Joe Colligan, a Los Angeles actor who’s appeared in many movies and TV shows from “Cheers” to “Days of Our Lives.” Joe is a brother to Bruce Colligan, a good friend who’s an Account Executive with WEEK-TV. Turns out Joe knew the late Betty White.

He worked with a team of writers for a show titled, “Just for Men” starring Betty White. During that time, Joe’s apartment was burglarized and thieves stole just about everything including gifts under his Christmas tree. Joe told us Betty White heard about it and offered to gift him a dog. Joe said his landlord did not allow pets. Betty called the landlord and pleaded with him to change his policy for Joe. The landlord said, “Okay, but only a small dog.” Betty presented Joe with a small dog. And now you know the rest of the story, only on “Breakfast with Roger and Friends.”