THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 22, 1996 TAG: 9606220298
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY BONKO TELEVISION WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 31 lines
After helping boost WVEC's local newscast at 6 p.m. to No. 1 in the ratings, co-anchor and Navy wife Cynthia Lima will leave the ABC affiliate in August, it was announced Friday by the station's news director, David Cassidy.
Lima, recently married to a Navy captain who has been selected to promotion to rear admiral, will give up her broadcasting career here to accompany her husband on his West Coast assignment.
WVEC did not name Lima's successor at the desk next to co-anchor Terry Zahn. However, Cassidy hinted that the station will likely promote from within, with weekend anchor Regina Mobley and Peninsula anchor Velma Scaife under consideration.
Lima, who has been with Channel 13 for 12 years, said this is a bittersweet moment for her. It's great that her husband has achieved flag rank and is moving up in the Navy, but it's sad that she has to leave the station where she evolved from street reporter to 6 p.m. anchor.
``I feel like I'm leaving my family,'' Lima said.
``I've had a wonderful experience here.''
Changing locations is nothing new for Lima, who moved often when her father was in the Army. With Lima's departure, the anchor team that elevated WVEC to first at 6 p.m. in the May sweeps will be history. Co-anchor Jim Kincaid retired recently after 17 1/2 years with WVEC. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Cynthia Lima by CNB