Veteran News Anchor Robbie Timmons Announces Her Retirement From WXYZ-TV

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbie Timmons, a long-time news anchor and reporter at ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV, is announcing she is leaving the station to pursue personal interests.

Timmons has been anchoring Detroit evening news for 34 years.  She joined WXYZ-TV in 1982, anchoring the 5 p.m. newscast alongside legendary newsman Bill Bonds, and more recently with Emmy award winning anchor Carolyn Clifford.  She has also anchored Action News at Noon, the number one rated noon newscast with Clifford.

During her time at Channel 7, Timmons co-hosted a variety of programs, including the Michigan Humane Society Telethon, St. Vincent DePaul Telethon, and Channel 7's Town Hall Meeting on Breast Cancer Research.  She has co-anchored special coverage of Red Wings Stanley Cup Parades, Detroit Pistons NBA Championships, the University of Michigan National NCAA Football Championship, as well as U of M Big Ten Championships and Rose Bowl trips.

"I have enjoyed being part of the Channel 7 family and viewers' families for nearly 30 years," said Timmons.  "We've been together on bad news days and good news days...seen changes in Detroit and the State of Michigan, and we've witnessed people giving us hope and making a difference."  

"WXYZ has been fortunate to have Robbie's talent and experience as part of our Action News team," said Vice-President and General Manager, Ed Fernandez.  "Always the consummate professional, Robbie has played an important role in the success of WXYZ-TV and we wish her all the best as she starts this new chapter in her life."

Timmons began her career in 1972 at WILX-TV in Lansing where she became the first female in the country to anchor evening newscasts at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.  She went on to anchor WJBK-TV's 11 p.m. newscast and produce Emmy winning documentaries for the CBS station, before joining WXYZ-TV.

Her work has earned Timmons six Emmy awards from the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.  She has also been recognized for her volunteer work on behalf of Forgotten Harvest, St. Vincent DePaul, the Humane Society, the Detroit Zoo, the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center.

Timmons' reports on thoroughbred horse racing and the closure of the Detroit Race Course in 1997, prompted her to become active in efforts to rescue thoroughbreds.  She became an officer of CANTER, a thoroughbred rescue organization that prevents the slaughter of thoroughbreds and helps find homes for racehorses.  The organization also provides educational opportunities for Michigan State University Veterinary students who assist with surgeries to repair racetrack injuries.  Timmons has helped take CANTER from a Michigan-only organization, to a national all-volunteer rescue effort that continues to expand across the United States.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to dedicate more of my time and energy to the organization that I feel so passionately about," said Timmons who will be a full time volunteer for CANTER and the national organization's treasurer.

Timmons' work with CANTER inspired her to write the popular children's book, "Twoey and the Goat," based on the true story of a unique friendship between a thoroughbred champion and a goat.  The book is being considered as the subject for a feature film.

Timmons says she plans to continue writing children's books and is looking forward to spending more time with family, friends, and her Sheltie, Cassie.

Timmons last day at WXYZ-TV will be October 14.  

WXYZ-TV is part of Scripps Media Inc., which operates 10 television stations. The corporate parent, the E.W. Scripps Company is a diverse, 131-year-old media enterprise with interests in television stations, newspapers, local news and information Web sites, and comics/features syndication.  For a full listing of Scripps media companies and their associated Web sites, visit http://www.scripps.com/.

SOURCE WXYZ-TV