Al Peterson has been forecasting weather for more than 25 years now, starting in Casper, Wyoming in 1985. He received certification in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University and holds the coveted Seal Of Approval from The American Meteorological Society. He has been a forecaster in the Eugene/Springfield market since 1988.
Al developed an interest in weather in his years as a commercial fisherman and accurate forecasts remain especially important to him because he restores houses as a side business and plans every day's activities around the weather conditions. Having worked "in the elements" for many years he makes an extra effort to find dry spells in the forecast to benefit painters, masons, construction workers and others who earn their livings outdoors. In addition to being a commercial fisherman Al also worked as a "juggy" and "swamper" in the oilfields of Wyoming, as a "gandy dancer" with the Burlington Northern Railroad company and as veterinarian's assistant in the horse racing industry. He is married to Jodi and is an animal lover with two dogs at home. His hobbies include investing in real estate, racing Thoroughbred horses, doing body work on automobiles, and spearfishing.
In addition to his work in meteorology Al has won national and regional awards as a journalist, the Public Service Award from the Oregon Association of Broadcasters and the SOLV citizenship award for his efforts in cleaning up Eugene's Amazon Creek.
By Al Peterson KVAL News and KVAL Web StaffPublished: Dec 1, 2008 at 11:38 AM PDTLast Updated: Dec 18, 2008 at 3:28 PM PDT
Fred Crafts used to earn his living as an arts critic, an arts editor, an arts journalist. Then he fought cancer -- and won. The new Fred Crafts has left the audience and climbed on stage, writing and performing theatric radio dramas.
By Al Peterson KVAL News and KVAL Web StaffPublished: Nov 7, 2008 at 6:08 PM PDTLast Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 5:19 AM PDT
The slow economy does have some silver lining. A few years ago you might have thought of buying a house -- something to live in, maybe even a vacation place -- but they were too expensive. Times have changed and prices have dropped.
By Al Peterson and KVAL Web StaffPublished: Jun 16, 2008 at 3:42 PM PDTLast Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 9:45 PM PDT
Thieves are crawling underneath parked cars and stealing the catalytic converters to sell the platinum and other precious metals for scrap. Eugene police have seen a rise in converter thefts, with 11 reported this month so far and five in May.
By Al Peterson and KVAL Web StaffPublished: May 7, 2008 at 7:00 PM PDTLast Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 7:31 PM PDT
Not all traffic signals are perfectly adjusted. A national group recently gave the U.S. a grade of 'D' when it comes to traffic signal efficiency. If you spot one in Eugene that appears to be malfunctioning, you can help. Find out how.
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