Updated 2:10pm -- UTICA -- One of the original reporters from the 2011 launch of Eyewitness News on WUTR (ABC-20) and WFXV (Fox-33) is moving on. Chelsea Rarrick announced yesterday was her last day on the job in Utica. She's got a new job lined up at the CBS affiliate in Richmond, Virginia.
Rarrick initially made the announcement of her departure on her WUTR Facebook page on Thursday:
I have some bittersweet news. After nearly two years here at Eyewitness News, tomorrow will be my last day at the station. I am heading south and have accepted a job in Richmond, VA. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the community here. I have enjoyed getting to know everyone and will truly miss the people of Central New York and the area. Thank you for making me feel at home and allowing me to share your stories on the news each night. I will miss you all, and please keep in touch.
Rarrick did not say which station she'll be working for on Facebook or Twitter. We left a message to ask, but before Rarrick could answer, WUTR/WFXV news director Joe Parker happened to reveal that answer on Twitter:
@CRarrick_wutr and me in our final shot together at #wutr...good luck in Richmond, VA at @CBS6 #RVA pic.twitter.com/SqbjJaZurO
— Joe Parker (@JParker_WUTR) May 17, 2013
We heard from Rarrick shortly after this story first appeared -- she confirms her move to Richmond's WTVR, and had the following to say about her experience in CNY:
I have loved my time in Utica here. The people here in the Mohawk Valley are truly amazing. They have been so welcoming and kind during my time here. I can't say I am going to miss the bitter winters, but I will miss the people, the wonderful Eyewitness News team and the amazing food here in CNY! :)
We wish Rarrick all the best in her new venture!
She won't be the first TV newser to move from Utica to Richmond. At least three people who used to work across the street at NBC affiliate WKTV work in Virginia's capitol city. Longtime WKTV meteorologist Matt DiNardo works at ABC affiliate WRIC. Former WKTV anchor Ryan Nobles anchors the NBC affiliate's 4pm and 5:30pm newscasts, and the Fox affiliate's 10pm newscast. Another former WKTV anchor, Andy Jenks, also worked with Nobles, but has since taken a job as the head of PR for the Henrico County School District, just outside of Richmond.
Out of the on-air staffers who were announced in an August 2011 press release about the revival of WUTR/WFXV news, Rarrick is only the second person to leave the stations atop Smith Hill. Caroline Gable was first to exit, just six months after the new effort started. A few months later, she resurfaced at NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) in Syracuse, as traffic reporter for The Morning News, and co-host of Bridge Street.
We had Rarrick on our @cnyradio/tv-people Twitter list but now, she has been moved to our @cnyradio/CNY-alumni list. We've got several lists of Twitter accounts related to local TV and Radio -- if you haven't checked 'em out, take a look. By following any list, you'll automatically follow everyone on that list. And if you ever notice someone's missing from a particular list, drop us a line and we'll make sure they get added.