Q: Who picked up the cost of Phoenix Air to transport the patients from Africa to the U.S.?
—Jeff Jones, Euharlee
A: Samaritan's Purse, a nondenominational humanitarian organization, paid for the cost of transporting Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol to Atlanta. Brantly was doing work for Samaritan's Purse and Writebol is a missionary for SIM USA, a Christian organization. Both contracted Ebola in Liberia and were flown to the U.S. by Phoenix Air, an air transport company based in Cartersville.
They were treated and released from Emory University Hospital in August. Few details are known about another U.S. doctor, who is being treated at Emory after contracting the disease. Dr. Richard A. Sacra also is being treated for Ebola at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Q: Ken Cook has retired from doing the weather on Channel 5. Has anyone received the position that Ken vacated?
—Hazel Ray, Union City
A: Fox 5 hasn't hired a replacement for chief meteorologist Ken Cook, who retired this summer after 35 years at the station. Cook's retirement was part of a tumultuous year for Atlanta weathermen. David Chandley left WSB-TV after 25 years there when his contract ended in July, Mike Francis was let go as chief meteorologist at 11 Alive in January and Fox 5 weekend meteorologist Steve Milone also left this summer.
Longtime 11 Alive meteorologist Chris Holcomb was promoted in July to take Francis’ position of chief meteorologist. Chandley’s non-compete clause ends in January.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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