Longtime WTHI-TV personalities Patrece Dayton and Kevin Orpurt will say goodbye after decades of service due to job eliminations.
Dayton has been with the station for nearly 37 years, while Orpurt has been there for 42 years. They found out about the layoffs last week, and Dayton suspects it’s due to budget cuts from their parent company, Allen Media Group.
This isn’t the first time the station has seen job cuts; earlier this year, sports director Rick Semmler was let go. Dayton described this as just another round of changes.
They’ll be signing off together after the 6 p.m. news this Thursday. Dayton expressed gratitude for the chance to say goodbye, saying, “We’re both devastated.” After so many years, it feels like losing family.
Dayton, who has held various roles including managing editor and co-head trainer for new reporters, started at WTHI in May 1988. She quickly moved up from a general assignment reporter to weekend anchor and then main anchor.
Gary Yoder, the regional vice president for Allen Media Group, was unavailable for comment. As for what’s next, Dayton hasn’t made any plans yet but remains optimistic.
She believes that when one door closes, another opens. She’s also unsure if she’ll stay in Terre Haute, as she has family in Florida.
“The Wabash Valley has been my home,” she said, reflecting on her life there. “I appreciate the community for welcoming me into their homes for nearly 37 years.”
The Tribune-Star has not yet reached out to Orpurt for his comments.
