Bud Elliott is returning to KSEE (Channel 24.1) to guest co-host "KSEE Sunrise," starting 5 a.m. Monday.
This is a co-promotion with KJWL (FM 99.3) where Elliott is co-news director and anchor of the morning newscasts.
Elliott was been working at the local radio station since his contract ended at KSEE in December 2007 after 21 years at the local NBC affiliate. He spent 14 years at KSEE as the evening anchor before moving to the morning newscasts he co-anchored with Faith Sidlow for seven years.
In a statement announcing the co-venture, KSEE president and general manager Matthew Rosenfeld says, "It's great to have Bud back in our studio on our newscasts for February. Bud is a fantastic journalist, and he was well-liked among viewers and staff here during his long tenure at KSEE24."
KJWL owner John Ostlund says "Bud is among the most-respected journalists in the Valley. We're excited to have him guest-hosting with his good friend Faith Sidlow during the month of February on 'KSEE Sunrise.' "
Elliott will work with the KSEE team of Sidlow, Matt Otstot and Pamela Prado. KSEE viewers will see and hear from KJWL's morning co-hosts, Bruce & Faleena, each morning of the promotion.
During the month, Elliott will continue to do news briefs from 6 to 11 a.m. weekdays on KJWL and KYNO (AM 940).
'Survivor' ties
The next edition of the CBS reality competition series "Survivor" includes two contestants with local ties.
Nina Acosta is a 51-year-old retired Los Angeles Police Department officer who now lives in Clovis. Matthew Quinlan, an attorney who lives in San Francisco, lived in Fresno from 1992-96.
Acosta works as the secretary to the chancellor of the State Center Community College District. Quinlan lived in Fresno and attended Bullard High School, where he was the captain of the volleyball team.
"Survivor: One World," the 24th edition of the series, begins 8 p.m. Feb. 15 on KGPE (Channel 47.1).
Arrest report
KFSN (Channel 30.1) meteorologist Kevin Musso was cited Saturday by the Fresno Police Department for driving under the influence. The police report says Musso ran his black Toyota truck into a pole on Champlain Avenue, just east of Fox Hill, at approximately 11 p.m.
Musso admitted to the officer that he had been drinking at Sequoia Brewing Company. He elected to take a blood test, which can take as much as week to process. The officer's report states Musso exhibited enough symptoms of "extreme alcohol intoxication" -- such as slurred speech and an inability to stand on one leg -- to warrant the citation.
KFSN released this statement regarding Musso: "This past weekend, ABC30's Kevin Musso was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Kevin accepts full responsibility for his actions. He has the support of all of us here at ABC30 as he seeks the appropriate treatment."
Musso joined the KFSN news team in August 2008 after working at KGPE (Channel 47.1).
Commercial woes
KGPE (Channel 47.1) anchor Alicia Coates was suspended for several days for being part of an advertising campaign for the Fort Washington Fitness Center.
Ads featuring the anchor have been used on TV, online and in movie theaters. Coates has returned to work and the commercials continue.
Asked if the station had a policy against members of the news team being paid to be in commercials, Linda Danna, KGPE vice president and general manager, would only say that every employee contract is different.
Reality check
Lindzi Cox continues her winning ways on ABC's "The Bachelor."
TV and movie critic Rick Bentley can be reached at rbentley@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6355. Read his blog at fresnobeehive.com.