For the Record...

Retractions, Omissions, Corrections, OH MY!!!

Slow news day, but I've been thinking of keeping count of the corrections of the week for Page B-8 B-12 for a while. Since it's a slow day, I figured I'd beef up the page with a record of them. I have a friend that visits from time to time whose family was in the newspaper business in California; she commented about the number of corrections she sees in a 2 week visit. In the old Cape Cod Times Forums, Otis Plumber would point them out.
I'll keep tabs on this continuing story from Monday to Sunday so I can include the weekly numbers in the Page B-8 B-12 and database/ spreadsheet the numbers on the side. If (God forbid) I miss any, by all means, point them out! (you know the drill: post with a link)

Wrong gender used for promoted bank official
June 08, 2010

Because of a reporting error, an item in the Cape Commerce column in the business section on Page C6 in Friday's Cape Cod Times used the incorrect gender in referring to Tracy Buckley-Scott.

He has been promoted to vice president of retail banking at Bank of Cape Cod.

Ouch...

I don't think you can fault them for that. Does look like a woman using both her maiden name and her husband's surname. The first name, Tracy, is completely ambiguous and provides no clue. The press released shold have used a gender specific title - Mr., Mrs., Ms, etc.

Flowers in photo are mouse-ear hawkweed
June 09, 2010

Because of a photographer's error, a caption for a photo that appeared on Page A3 of yesterday's Times was incorrect. The flowers photographed at the Captain Penniman House in Eastham are mouse-ear hawkweed.

And the gardeners were in an uproar!

'Bleacher Bums' opens tomorrow in Cotuit
June 09, 2010

Because of an editing error, the activity guide on Page A2 in Sunday's Times incorrectly listed a matinee production of "Bleacher Bums." The comedy about baseball opens Thursday and runs through June 27 at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

Am I picking nits? Yes. Undeniably, Yes.
I don't know why it irritates me so, but it does. I expect better proofreading and verification of the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. I'm not sure if there is a proofreader at the Cape Cod Times anymore, or any other paper for that matter. A couple searches "cape cod times proofreader" yielded a few obits, some "Help Wanted" ads in trade papers and this site: Regret the Error. Here is the link to the Cape Cod Times corrections. Oops!

I realize there are no 'cub reporters' to check facts or research departments now. Has the information age made us lazy with spell check (there, they're, their)? I'd think with a cell phone handy that a phone number could and would be checked easily. I was recently thinking of the Tracy/ Hepburn film Desk Set, about a computer replacing a research department. I was taught to double check and reference. I expect it from "prose pros". Preview is a great thing, read what you have written, not just admire your work.

I DO edit, see Page B-12 of Sunday, June 6, 2010. No one is infallible.

While I agree that newspapers have an obligation to use correct grammar and to check their facts before publishing them, the nits I want to pick are those concerning the proper use of grammar.

Newspapers are lax in this area but TV and radio newscasters reach a far greater audience than the print folk.They therefore have, in my opinion, a greater responsibility to be accurate, of course, but also to use proper English and forego slang expressions.

The broadcast sources have a huge impact on a young, impressionable audience and should therefore put some effort into, if not educating, at least not further corrupting them. My favorite, and it is a nit I often pick, is hearing supposedly intelligent and educated announcers describing a narcotics arrest as a drug bust. Do they think it makes them sound hip?

Thursday, June 10, 2010 2
Cindy Sheehan left Democratic Party in 2007
June 10, 2010

Because of a columnist's error, the party affiliation of activist Cindy Sheehan was erroneously reported on Page A11 of the June 3 edition of the Times.

Sheehan left the Democratic Party in 2007 and ran against Nancy Pelosi in 2008 as an independent.

I shudder to imagine if she had won...

Cape Light Compact is municipal aggregator
June 10, 2010

Because of a reporting error, the Cape Light Compact was incorrectly identified as an electricity cooperative on Page A8 of yesterday's Times. The Compact is an intergovernmental organization that acts as a municipal aggregator. The story also incorrectly said that, following an energy audit, RISE Engineering would not provide a pricing estimate for the work it recommends be done if the homeowner has stated he or she is working with an outside contractor. In these circumstances, RISE will provide a report that includes pricing information, but will not provide an actual contract.

Technical but important points...

Saturday, June 12, 2010: 1
Most rowdies weren't staying at shelter
June 12, 2010

HYANNIS — Because of a reporting error, a story on Page A1 of yesterday's Times inaccurately described a group of 93 people who the police described as troublemakers on the streets of Hyannis. While many of these people were homeless, most of them were not living at the NOAH Shelter at 77 Winter St., according to Housing Assistance Corporation spokeswoman Virginia Ryan.

After 1 week of tallying the errors, I have to figure out how to tabulate them. I saw four variations: Editing, Reporting, Photographers and Columnist.

Like rock>scissors>paper, I think Editor>Reporter>Photographer. Where to put Columnist? Are they stratospheric intellectuals above an editor or should they really be carrying a photographer's equipment and taking notes? I'll put them last as (maybe) there won't be too many errors by them.

E:1
R:3
P:1
C:1

Now I have to edit page B-12.

June 15, 2010: 1
Correction: Ethan Daniels' talk is at Wellfleet library
June 15, 2010

Because of an editing error, the wrong location was listed for a talk by author Ethan Daniels on page B6 of Sunday's Times. Daniels, author of "Under Cape Cod Waters," will talk about the book at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Wellfleet Public Library, 5 W. Main St.

Originally "Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary", but what's 5 miles between friends?

June 21, 2010 = 2

Gov. Curley attended bridge ceremony
June 21, 2010

Because of a reporting error, the last name of a Massachusetts governor was omitted from a story that appeared on Page A1 of yesterday's Times. Gov. James Michael Curley attended a ceremony dedicating the Bourne and Sagamore bridges.

Wrong phone number in Write to Know
June 21, 2010

The telephone number of a letter writer in the Write to Know column on Page B10 in yesterday's Times was incorrect. The correct telephone number for D.C. in Dennis is 774-454-8107.

I'll count that as an editing error. I'm sure DC in Dennis knows their phone number. *ahem*

June 22, 2010 = 2
Author Paul Chesbro to talk in Osterville
June 22, 2010

Because of an editing error, an author was misnamed in the events column on Page B6 in Sunday's Times. Paul Chesbro will talk about and sign copies of "Osterville: A History of the Village, Volume III" at 11 a.m. Friday at Osterville Historical Museum, 155 West Bay Road.

Massachusetts has 48 Wal-Mart stores
June 22, 2010

Because of a reporting error, a story on Page B8 of Saturday's Times contained incorrect information about the number of Wal-Mart stores in Massachusetts. The retailer has 48 stores in the state, including two Sam's Clubs. Also in the same story, the name of the executive director of the Progressive Business Leaders Network, Andrew Tarsy, was misspelled.

June 23, 2010 = 1
Boil-water order was issued June 15
June 23, 2010

Because of an editing error, a story on Page A3 of yesterday's Times reported an incorrect date for when the boil-water order was issued in Falmouth. The order was issued on June 15.

They've been talking about it for how long?

June 24, 2010 = 2

Wrong address listed for assault suspect
June 24, 2010

Because of a reporting error, there was an incorrect address in the Falmouth District Court report published on Page A9 of Tuesday's Times. Brock J. Sypek, 18, arraigned on domestic assault and battery, and assault and battery to intimidate, June 2 in Mashpee, lives at 2 Gleneagle Drive, Mashpee.

Chief sympathetic to drug addicts, families
June 24, 2010

Because of a reporting error, a story on Page 1 of Sunday's Times mischaracterized a statement by Brewster Police Chief Richard Koch. The police chief said he is sympathetic to those addicted to drugs and their families, not those who deal drugs.

Details, details...A misdirected lynch-mob and a potential PR gaffe.

June 25, 2010 = 1
Correction: Cape League game times today
By Cape Cod Times staff
June 25, 2010

Because of a production error, the wrong games and times were listed in today's Page A2 of the Cape Cod Times for the Cape Cod Baseball League schedule.

The correct information was listed in our sports pages.

I'm trying to figure out what a production error is, but there ya' go...

June 26, 2010 = 1
Maritime artist's paintings misidentified. (no link)
Because of an editing error, a caption that appeared on page 16 of yesterday's Cape-Week magazine incorrectly identified two Frank Vining Smith paintings.
They were, from left, "On the Road to China" and "Chatham Bars". They are part of an exhibit of Smith's paintings at the Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich.

"On the Road to China"

A goof plus not published on-line... I'm thinking about awarding this 2 editing points.

July 7, 2010
Correction: 'Frog Prince' runs through July 15
July 07, 2010

Because of a reporting error, the end date for Harwich Junior Theatre's production of "The Frog Prince of Spamalot" was incorrect in theater reviews on Thursday's and Saturday's Arts & Entertainment pages. "Frog Prince" runs at 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 4 p.m. Fridays and Sundays through July 15.

Bass River Marina staff set out oil booms
July 07, 2010

Because of incorrect information provided to the Times, a police log on Page A5 wrongly stated who had placed fuel containment booms around a sinking boat in West Dennis. Staff at the Bass River Marina set out the booms as the Bayliner Ciera took on water.

Community Bank float was in Sandwich parade
July 07, 2010

Because of a reporting error, a story on Page A3 Monday incorrectly identified a float in the Sandwich Fourth of July Parade. It was The Community Bank float.

Play runs Tuesdays through Saturdays
July 07, 2010

Because of a reporting error, the performance days of "Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune" at Cape Rep Theatre in Brewster were listed incorrectly in Friday's CapeWeek magazine. The Terrence McNally play runs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays through July 17.

Handmade items sale today and tomorrow
July 10, 2010

Because of a reporting error, a listing on Page 25 of yesterday's CapeWeek magazine contained incomplete information. The sale of handmade items sponsored by Handcrafting Justice is 1-7 p.m. today and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. tomorrow at St. Pius X Church Hall, Station Avenue, South Yarmouth.

Meet Sheila Lyons today in Provincetown
July 14, 2010

Because of a reporting error, a political announcement on Page A3 of yesterday's Times listed the incorrect date for a campaign event held by state Senate candidate Sheila Lyons. The event is set for 3:30 to 5 p.m. today at the Lobster Pot restaurant on Commercial Street in Provincetown.

Shark sighting? Call Marine Fisheries
July 14, 2010

Because of incorrect information provided to the Times, a story on Page A4 yesterday listed the wrong state office to contact to report a shark sighting. The correct office to contact is the Division of Marine Fisheries, 508-965-4394, according to Catherine Williams at the state Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Town has action plan for shark sightings
July 15, 2010

Because of an editing error, a story on Page A12 of yesterday's Times incorrectly attributed some of Chatham's action plan in the case of a shark sighting to the Cape Cod National Seashore. The Chatham plan includes harbor patrol boats and a beach patrol that maintain a lookout for sharks. If a great white is spotted near beaches, or town officials receive a credible report from a plane or boat of a great white close to shore, the information will be posted on the town website and on local cable access Channel 18, and notification will be sent to the appropriate Chatham town departments.
_______________________________________________________________
Video is necessary...

Conservation officials tout economic benefit
July 15, 2010

Because of a reporting error, a story on Page A1 of yesterday's Times about North of Highland Camping Area in North Truro had the incorrect attribution for comments about the economic benefits of putting a conservation restriction on the property. The comments were made by Truro Conservation Trust trustee Fred Gaechter and Truro Open Space Committee member Brenda Boleyn. The trust is a private nonprofit based in Truro, and the committee is a town board.