Darcy's determination

It's a very sad day for anyone who has been part of the Minnesota journalism community. Darcy Pohland died in her sleep last night at the age of 48. Darcy is well known as a sharp journalist, passionate sports fan, and the fact that she did all that in wheelchair.

I certainly was not a close friend, but for my last few months in the Twin Cities we would start many of our days together. Often we would be the first two reporters at the Hennepin County Court pouring over criminal complaints in the "media basket" looking for stories.

Darcy really befriended me, mostly because of parking. At the time reporters were allowed to park, I believe on the sidewalk, near the court, and since we were the first two each day, she needed me to not box her in, so she could get her wheelchair in and out of her van.

I'm not much of a morning person, so I remember noticing all the extra time and effort she had to take just to do our daily beat check. I also remember covering a construction collapse in burgeoning Maple Grove and admiring how even in a bumpy, lumpy, muddy field somehow she managed to maneuver just fine.

Just my little memory of a woman who is now one of the great legends of Minnesota broadcasting.