Her eyes sparkled with love as a young girl each evening she watched her daddy on the news.
Her father, Pat Clutter, was a do-it-all kind of guy when it came to his duties at WTRF TV-7 because he reported sports, weather, and hard news, too, when it was necessary for Wheeling Park High’s media teacher to serve as news anchor. Pat was named director of the high school’s radio broadcast department in 1984 and quickly expanded the program to include television.
Sadly, Pat passed away in December 1997 after a courageous battle against cancer.
Crissy, one of three Clutter kids raised by the late broadcaster and his bride, Angie, also fell in love with the news business like her father, and she even chased success in bigger markets in West Virginia and in the Pittsburgh area after becoming a household name in the Wheeling area.
But then came life. Real life, away from the lights and the cameras and being noticed on those evenings while out with the girlfriends. And his name is Logen Kanngiesser, and the man’s title changed from boyfriend to “husband” in May 2017.
And then? Oh, well, you could say “and then.”
Then that love-drenched reality got really real thanks to a new life named Sophia Isabella, a tiny bundle of baby who arrived on July 26, 2019.
Suddenly, the lights were adjusted – maybe even for good – and so was the camera’s focus.
What do you say to people who ask why you are no longer a television reporter?
I wanted to be a mom and I didn’t feel like I could do both well. There was no part-time. News reporting can be a tough job for anyone, but I think it’s even more challenging for a mom. Covering a house fire or a flood from morning until night just isn’t compatible with putting my toddler to bed.
The industry also changed. I enjoyed covering hard news and having a photographer alongside and that’s not always the case in local news. It just wasn’t worth it for me anymore. Sometimes, I do miss it and you never know … things could someday change, and I would be back on, but right now I’m happy and my life is peaceful.
What was the biggest story you covered while you were working as a TV journalist?
I covered several elections and presidential visits including Bush, Obama, and Trump. I got to meet and even interview a couple. I also got the opportunity to meet and interview Oprah when she revisited Williamstown, WV. The town had been in the news in the 80’s when a man with AIDS jumped into the public pool causing a lot of controversies. Twenty- three years later Oprah returned to see if the town’s opinions on the disease and what had happened had changed.
I covered the Upper Big Branch mine disaster in Raleigh County where 29 miners died. Believe it or not, being a reporter in West Virginia isn’t boring. It was sometimes very sad and sometimes very exciting and rewarding. I didn’t realize how hard it would be.
What did you not know about raising a child when you started raising your daughter?
Being a news reporter was easy compared to being a mom. You don’t get a day off, sometimes you feel very alone, the criticism is brutal, “mom guilt” is real, and basically everything in your world completely changes.
However, it is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’m so very grateful for my daughter. I love being a mom.
Do you have a favorite chewing gum? If so, what is it?
I’m not a big gum chewer, but if I have to choose, I like the Orbit bubble mint. However, the old Wrigley’s Double Mint reminds me of my late grandmother, so I’ll buy a pack if I see it.
Will you ever run for public office again?
Probably not. It was a great opportunity to be able to run for office and take in the experience, but it wasn’t the best experience. I really wanted to be involved in Wheeling and help improve it, but it literally became such a political race. People became just mean and dirty and I didn’t appreciate it. It was a bit disappointing because I really thought I could help people here.
However, I’m proud of myself for trying— it’s scary to put yourself out there— so I guess in a way losing the election is still a mark of success for me. I’m not going to say never, but I’m not sure it was the best idea just a few months after having a baby and during everything with Covid.
