Jessica Heffner

BIO:

I was born and raised in the Miami Valley and am glad to be working here. I’ve spent most of my career as a print reporter for Cox Media Group’s newspapers in Middletown and Hamilton. Now you’ll see me both on air and in print as the first “hybrid” reporter, working for both WHIO and the Springfield News-Sun covering Springfield.

I am No. 3 of five children. Sometimes I feel sorry for my brother who had to deal with four sisters always wanting to play dress-up. I attended Northmont High School and was a mass communications major at Wright State University, graduating in 2007. As a senior, I started working part-time as a copy editor and designer for the Dayton Daily News. I got my first reporting job as a regional business reporter for the Middletown Journal and Hamilton Journal News. Most recently, I covered the city and police beat in Middletown.

I’m addicted to home decorating and spend much of my free time updating my 1960s ranch house. When I'm not in the newsroom, you’ll spot me at Oak Grove Park with my dog, downtown at the clubs with my friends or out at the Dayton Mall or The Greene shopping.

I’d love to talk to you and hear your feedback and story ideas.

Q and A:

Where were you born?
Dayton, OH

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Union and now live in Miami Twp.

What was your favorite TV show then?
Anything on Nickelodeon. Doug, Rugrats, Rocko’s Modern Life, and Are You Afraid of the Dark? were staples in my family room

What was the first thing you ever wanted to be?
As a little kid I wanted to be an EMT. In junior high, I enjoyed writing and a counselor suggested I try journalism. It’s been a love affair ever since.

How might someone have described you in high school?
Friendly, but quiet.

What was your first job?
Flipping burgers at McDonald’s.

What was your first job in television?
This is my first professional gig. I did occasional live bureau work for WKRC-TV in Cincinnati through a partnership with the Hamilton Journal News,

What do you like about your job?
I love telling stories. There is so much happening in our community and so many interesting people who live here. I love being the voice that tells those stories. I also like keeping people informed about where they live.

What do you not like about your job?
It’s quite a change having to worry about hair and make-up before delivering the news.

What might people be surprised to know about you?
I am an extreme couponer. Many weekends you can find me clipping coupons and cruising the grocery store aisles scoring deals.

What is the hardest thing you ever did?
During my last year in college, I was a full-time student and editor-in-chief for the college newspaper, The Guardian. I worked part-time on the copy desk for the Dayton Daily News at night. I also taught a lifeguard class at my local YMCA, swimming lessons and lifeguarded at an indoor pool.  In the midst of all this work I also moved out on my own and planned a wedding. I sometimes wonder how I got it all done.

What would be a perfect day for you?
Spending a day in the sun at the beach, laughing with friends and family and leaving my cell phone and computer at home.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to go into the business?
Work hard, be flexible and challenge yourself to do more than you ever thought possible. Media is changing—try to keep up.

FAVORITES:

Favorite book: The Josephine Bonaparte series by Sandra Gulland

Favorite CBS show: How I Met Your Mother

Favorite food: Anything chocolate

Favorite hobby: I love remaking home décor items to suit my style

Favorite Miami Valley place: Cox Arboretum and the Englewood Reserve

Favorite movie: Kindergarten Cop

Favorite music: Alternative Rock. I  am in love with The Fray

Favorite travel destination: Florida