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KPIX, the CBS station in San Francisco, confirmed yesterday that it is replacing Roberta Gonzales as its weeknight weather anchor with Paul Deanno, currently the No. 2 meteorologist (weathercaster) at Seattle's KOMO, also a CBS-affiliated station.

Especially popular in Pleasanton because she lives here and frequently names the city in her weather broadcasts, Gonzales said she won't be leaving the station. KPIX said in the press release that Gonzales "is taking on a new role anchoring weekend weathercasts, with additional weather reporting responsibilities in the field during the week."

Effective Thursday, Aug. 30, Deanno will take over Gonzales job as weathercaster on Channel 5's Monday-through-Friday early evening and late newscasts.

Deanno has been at KOMO-TV in Seattle for the past three years. Prior to that, he was chief meteorologist at WTVJ-TV in Miami, and meteorologist at KYW-TV in Philadelphia and at KENS-TV in San Antonio. He also previously worked as a news anchor and reporter in Spokane, Medford and Utica.

The KPIX press release said that Deanno is the recipient of three Emmy awards, the first broadcast meteorologist to have filled in on both The "Today" Show and "Good Morning America," and has also provided severe weather coverage for MSNBC, CNN, The Weather Channel and NBC Nightly News.

Deanno received a communications degree from Syracuse University, studied weather at Mississippi State University and holds a certificate in Broadcast Meteorology, as well as seals from the National Weather Association and American Meteorological Society, KPIX said.

Deanno will move to Walnut Creek with his wife, Suzanne, and their two sons, KPIX added.

Dan Rosenheim, vice president and news director of KPIX, said Gonzales has been assigned a new role of anchoring weekend weathercasts, "with additional weather reporting responsibilities in the field during the week."

"Gonzales has brought a unique blend of talent and enthusiasm to morning and evening news for many years at CBS 5 and CW Bay Area, and she has been extensively involved in the community," Rosenheim said.

"I am very excited both to welcome Paul and to have Roberta in a dynamic new role," Rosenheim said. "With Paul, Roberta, and morning weather anchor Lawrence Karnow, we have three exceptionally talented weathercasters, and we will now be the only station in the Bay Area with three full time staff weather anchors."

Many commentators on Facebook, where Gonzales is a frequent contributor, have been asking about her rumored reassignment: "Is it true, Roberta?"

Gonzales responded: "Over 16 yrs at CBS 5 and I wanted all of you, my fb friends, to know...YES I am staying here at CBS 5! For months I have been working with CBS, developing a unique position to Anchor and REPORT on the weather! I want to thank all of you for your love and support during this time of change."

"I am extremely excited to embrace this new challenge!" she added on Facebook. "And I need all of YOU to give me your ideas on WEATHER stories! Topics and places to go to report on the WEATHER! Yay!!! The best way you can share your ideas is email me at: gonzales@kpix.cbs.com Love you all...."

To another Facebook friend, she responded: "I'm really excited! I believe I do my best work when I am LIVE Reporting outside on the Community instead of always being stuck in a Studio. Bring it and I'm hoping for a rainy winter!"

Gonzales, who lives in Pleasanton, has been an on-air asset for the city and its schools.

Temperature reports are frequently cited from one of the schools here and East Bay temperatures and forecasts often name Pleasanton as a key city.

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