Calvin Sneed to join WRCB team as anchor recovers

LaTrice Currie

Longtime local news anchor Calvin Sneed will join the WRCB-TV Channel 3 team for a short time to substitute for LaTrice Currie, who has been hospitalized after a medical emergency on Aug. 25.

Sneed retired from WTVC-TV Channel 9 in 2016. Since then, he has written two books about his lifelong hobby of photographing bridges and has spoken at events across Tennessee, according to a news release from WRCB.

"LaTrice has been a member of the WRCB family for 24 years and fills numerous roles," WRCB News Director Callie Starnes said in a statement. "Not only is she a leader in our newsroom, but she also anchors multiple newscasts a day, hosts a weekly public affairs program and reports throughout the week on health issues in the Tennessee Valley."

"LaTrice is a bright spot in our newsroom and we cannot wait to have her back, but we want to give her the time she needs to make a full recovery first," Starnes said. "Calvin is familiar with the Chattanooga market and has graciously agreed to take a break from retirement to help Channel 3 and his friend, LaTrice."

Sneed will begin his substitute role Thursday and appear on an as-needed basis, working alongside David Carroll, Cindy Sexton and Greg Glover, the release states. The announcement was made Wednesday.

"Like everyone else, I love LaTrice," Sneed said. "She's been a great friend for many years and it's an honor to help in this way while she recovers."

"We are thankful that Calvin is making himself available on short notice to help LaTrice and our news team," WRCB General Manager Pam Teague said. "I know that our viewers will appreciate seeing a familiar face until LaTrice is ready to return."

Longtime WRCB Anchor David Carroll, who helped make the announcement on-air, said he's excited to welcome Sneed into the newsroom.

"I can't think of anyone better qualified to blend in with our team during Latrice's absence," he said in the release. "His presence will allow our anchors and reporters to focus on their regular assignments."

"We competed with Calvin for 25 years, but it was always a friendly rivalry," Carroll added. "We are friends and everyone loves Calvin, just like everyone loves LaTrice. I'm glad he's willing to take a little time out from his bridge-hunting to give us a hand."

Sneed's broadcasting career has spanned more than four decades, starting in Chattanooga in the early 1970s, the release states. The Kingsport, Tennessee, native later worked in Knoxville and in Columbus, Ohio, before returning to Chattanooga in 1992. He worked as a consumer reporter and evening news anchor until his retirement.

"We are glad to be able to call upon someone with Calvin's experience during this period and we all look forward to the day when LaTrice can return to our newsroom," Starnes said.