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Firefighter, now an unlikely reporter
Nevada Daily Mail
"I have been a reporter for just over a month now and this is by far my most difficult assignment; writing a bio about myself knowing that our entire readership will see it.
Hailing from the sprawling metropolis of Perrin, Texas -- population 500; I spent my more formative years 20 minutes to the south where I graduated from Mineral Wells High School in 1999. Yes, Texans measure distance in time, the rumors are true.
Most of my 20s were spent working as an emergency medical technician and eventually as a career firefighter. I also volunteered with fire departments in both Texas and Missouri.
Gabe's background and continuing interest in firefighting will be seen in the paper's coverage of area fire departments, as well as fires and accidents, Ralph Pokorny, Daily Mail editor, said.
"It has been a long time since there has been a second person here who is ready to run out the door when there is a fire or wreck," Pokorny said.
In 2002, I met this fantastic girl named Bonnie Nations, and in 2006, she made me the happiest guy on the planet when I asked and she said yes. Job offers brought us to Nevada in early 2007, and we had to go back "home" to Park Hills to get married that July. Moving across the state had not been planned when we planned the wedding.
I had finished my associate degree from Mineral Area College in 2005, and in 2011 I was presented with the opportunity to finish my bachelors degree, and in December 2014, I graduated from Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. "The plan" was to find a museum to work for. Life had other ideas and last fall I applied here at the Nevada Daily Mail. As it turns out, historians and journalists, have a lot in common.
Bonnie and I have four fur-babies. Three Pembroke Welsh Corgis: Hedy our hopelessly spoiled little girl, Wizard and Buster, and one "cowboy corgi" an Australian Cattle Dog/Cardigan Welsh Corgi mix named Colby. We attend St. Mary Church and help with the youth group, vacation Bible school, and the parish picnic. We love to travel, and enjoy SCUBA diving. A great steak and baked potato wins over any other food every time, except for Texas barbecue. We bought our house on the premise of remodeling it to make it "ours." Nine years later, we are still remodeling ,but we have gotten a lot done.
With no family of our own out here, we have been taken in by a few friends-might-as-well-be-family. A huge thank you to Sarah and Travis Olson, their little ones, and extended family who never let us miss a holiday, or get together, or camp fire with smores. Tracy and Jason Comstock, you and the boys are incredible. The rest of our friends who number way too many to list here, thank you. Y'all are the reason we live in a small town.
Lastly, I feel that I have found at the Nevada Daily Mail what I have been missing for a long time, so to the rest of the newsroom: Matt, Noah, and Sarah, Ralph our editor, Floyd our publisher, and everyone else at NDM that has offered me such a warm welcome, much appreciated advice, and encouragement -- thank you. And even as this article comes to an end, this is only the beginning.
Gabe Franklin has joined the reporting staff of the Nevada Daily Mail. Franklin will help cover various governmental bodies, from our Vernon County towns and schools, to the other aspects of life in our area.
"We are pleased to welcome Gabe to our team," said Publisher Floyd Jernigan.
"We know he will make a fine addition to the Daily Mail and will help us in covering the people and events throughout our county."