Advice From The Editor

Prior to the event:
- review press release if available
- conduct background research of the topic and the parties involved (talk to experts and citizens who have taken an position on the proposal or will be affected by it, think about multimedia such as which maps or graphics can complement the story)
- prepare as many questions as possible (questions should be short and to the point)

At the event:
- listen and take notes (write down anything that seems important, including relevant quotes)
- record descriptive details (describe the scene including actions by participants and their physical descriptions)
- ask questions (the best way to get information from an interview subject is from a one-on-one encounter but if that is not possible, ask as many questions as possible during the Q&A setting)

After the event:
- fact check all relevant information
- conduct follow up interviews if necessary
- use only relevant quotes in your story and don't make the quotes too long winded

100 Word Story

A 3-year-old girl was accidentally trapped inside a washing machine yesterday before being rescued by a passing shopper, the Rockland police chief said.

Paul Hecker of 601 Arbor Drive saved the girl from the washer at Glen Rock Laundry and Dry Cleaner by smashing the machine's glass door and pulling the girl out. The girl became trapped when her 7-year-old sister accidentally closed the door over top of her and the machine automatically turned on.

The girl was trapped in the washer for more than five minutes before she was rescued by Hecker.

A Rockland Hospital spokesperson said the girl was admitted yesterday afternoon and was listed in good condition.