Steve Baker

BIO

Looking back, April of 1980 was a big moment in my life. That's when I joined WHIO-TV as a part-time stringer. I had been covering the Miami Valley since 1970 for WPTW AM/FM radio in Piqua, and I was excited to take what I learned in radio news, and go to work for the legendary News Center 7. That's where I fell in love with television news; telling stories with videotape.

Since 1983, I've provided full-time coverage for News Center 7 as a "one-man band," which means I not only write and report the news you see each night, but I shoot and edit everything myself! In 1987, when WHIO-TV wanted to open a Northern Bureau in Troy, I was proud to get the call. Today, as the Northern Bureau reporter, I cover the great region of Miami, Darke, Shelby, Mercer, and Auglaize counties.

In addition to my professional work, I serve on the Boards of Directors for Leadership Troy; the Lehman Catholic High School Foundation; and Riverside of Miami County MR/DD, among others. Over the years I've proudly received several awards, including the National Leadership Award. I also hold commendations from the Ohio New Photographers Association, Queen City Society of Professional Journalists, National Commission Against Drunk Driving, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Ohio House of Representatives.

I'm a graduate of Brunnerdale High School in Canton, and I attended Edison Community College and Wright State University.

Q & A

Where were you born?

Good Samaritan, Dayton… A "Good Sam Baby".

Where did you grow up?

Dayton

What was your favorite TV show then?

Uncle Orrie and Nosey the Clown

What was the first thing you ever wanted to be?

Fireman

How might someone have described you in high school?

Serious

What was your first job?

Working at WPTW Radio - Piqua

What was your first job in television?

Photographer / Reporter / One-man band

What do you like about your job?

Daily variety; and being a "one-man band".

What do you not like about your job?

I love my job!!

What might people be surprised to know about you?

As a kid, I hung out at Fire Station 20 at the corner of Fairview and Catalpa in Dayton. Even got to ride on a fire truck a few times! I'm preparing for life after TV news... helping at a local funeral home.

What is the hardest thing you ever did?

Making the decision whether to go to the hospital for the birth of my son... or... to cover a homicide for the news.

What would be a perfect day for you?

A busy news day followed by dinner at the Wooden Shoe in Minster.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to go into the business?

Be willing to work long hours and be dedicated to your work. If you are looking for a job that is 9 to 5, off week-ends and holidays... don't get into this [news] business!

If you could only keep one 5-minute tape from your career what would be on it?

Captured by my camera: the confession of a 17-year-old who robbed a bank in Pleasant Hill, killed two people and wounded another. As deputies brought him out of a house, the kid was crying and said he didn't mean to do it.

On "take your daughter to work day," I approached my daughter at the school bus stop as she awaited the bus to take her to the junior high school... and... with camera rolling... asked if she wanted to spend the day with me instead of going to school. Her answer was "no". "What about next year?" I asked. Steph said, "I doubt it!"

Camera rolling as a liquor agent approached me and tried to confiscate my camera and video as I was taping a liquor raid.

I was covering an accident on I-75 when another vehicle spun out of control and nearly hit me.

Sustaining a shoulder injury and at another time, a knee injury, in falls with my camera while shooting a story.

Favorites

Favorite book: Webster's Thesaurus

Favorite CBS show: Two-and-a-half Men

Favorite dream car: A well-equipped news car

Favorite food: Fried chicken

Favorite hobby: Wood carving; working Sudoku puzzles

Favorite Miami Valley place: News Center 7 Northern Bureau – Troy

Favorite movie: Anchorman

Favorite music: Country

Favorite travel destination: Minster, Ohio. (I don't like to travel out of the Northern Bureau territory!)