YOUR COMMENTS

There is a purpose to identifying the accused as an upstanding citizen, it's because in most every catagory that we judge people he was/is. This story was published in almost every major market and even made perez hiltons site. In all the other papers the story is virtually the same writting style- likely plucked from the ap wire- for slightly more detail I suggest you try the eagle tribune where you can find the arrest report.
- tom, portsmouth NH

Keith,

the Union Leader's wages are more than high enough. Why do you think the employees never leave. Where else do you get full-time wages when you work less than 40 hours a week. (over compnsated unions) Idle time is the devils workshop!

As far a timing goes the WMUR site released the story @ 11:56am the Unionleader released it @ 12:34PM I'm sure there are legal issues the paper had to review prior to releasing the story about one of its own.

Comparing the 2 reports the UL made a better attempt of covering both sides of Provencher both good and bad.

Kudos to the newspaper!
- Dan, Tuftonboro

Sounds pretty difficult to stumble into a prostitution ring. Obviously, there is some wrong doing though the level is yet to be determined. I feel sorry for the family of this man who has to live with the shame.
- Dee, Manchester

My condolences to the UL for having to report this story on one of their own. You just never know the other side of the lifestyle a person leads.
- James Post, Manchester

Some of the "best people" in your life have another life that isn't the best. Just look at this respected sports / Monarchs reporter and his "other" lifestyle. I know innocent until proven guilty, but there's so much evidence against him right now.
You just never know what goes on till it comes out in the UL.
- Samuel M., Bedford NH

You know News 9 reported that he made upwards to $400 per day doing this. My thoughts are the UL salary wasn't enough for his lifestyle.

Just never know what your neighbors are doing!
- Keith, Manchester

I have personally known Kevin and his family for the last 10 years and I find these allegations to be spurious and without merit.

Kevin has been a role model for multiple students throughout NH who have journalistic aspirations. On several occasions, he has invited them to join him in the press box at Monarch games and interviews with NASCAR drivers.

Knowing his lifestyle and the incredibly long hours spent crafting sports articles, it is inconceivable that he could have had any involvement with the alleged activities.

I am confident that his "day in court" will provide complete exoneration for Kevin.
He should know that his readers and friends stand solidly behind him!

John W.
Hopkinton,NH
- John W., Hopkinton

You know, I'm not shy about taking the Union Leader to task when I they feel they deserve it -- particularly on the editorial pages -- but come on, guys. They did a solid job here of reporting on a tough story, and may have been able to access a bit more background info on Kevin on deadline for obvious reasons. More details will no doubt emerge as the case goes through the courts. So, while we'd all do things a bit differently no matter the endevor, let's just admit they did a decent job in a damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don't situation.
- Hope, Ullman

Jane.. because Mr. Provencher is a nice, kind man in your words, the cops are at fault here, making things up? From what world are you from, get real would you!
Even good people do stupid things and cops arn't to blame when they get caught.
- Frank, Manchester

The UL had no choice but to report the story. it is "news" no matter whom is involved. (the UL reports on prostitution stings in Manchester regularly and with less flair and prominence than they have given one of their own.) So give them some credit - it ain't easy folks. I'm sure that everyone at the UL is hurting over this. Imagine if it was one of your family members and how you'd feel? It must be similar to that.

As for his accolades, you'll notice it's at the bottom of the story (Newspaper style involves a "tiered" system called inverted pyramid with the most important news is at the top down and narrows down to the final or lesser news) where it's used as background and not trying to curry favor for their own. It's pertinent to the story and the person, if you don't like it, you don't have to agree, but its factual - just like it was for Dick Osborne a few years ago.

I, also, fully expect more details to come forth as the investigation continues...patience should be the operative word perhaps as you naysayers and quick to judge think the wheels of justice work at anything faster than glacial speed.

I think the reporting is fair and factual, nothing more as the details emerge and the investigations continue.

If you think they went easy, then insert your name and your picture for his name and his picture in the story and see how you would feel and react.

Due to his prominence and stature, Kevin may have received a larger story and play than an unrecognized citizen to ensure that the UL did not favor, hide or cover up anything with its own.

Yes, give him his day in court, as well, as you would like yours.
- RG, Manchester

Kevin's always been great to me when I've worked with him through the Monarchs and I sincerely hope he's cleared of all these charges.
- Ink-Stained Wretch, Virginia

Kevin does an awesome job covering auto racing in NH. I always looked forward to reading his columns. We are racers and have dealt with Kevin on several occasions. He got it right in his reporting and he was well respected in his field.
These are only allegations at this point and Kevin is still innocent. I know how there are many other sides to these stories that we never hear about. Knowing that, I stand with Kevin.
Isn't it ironic that if a reporter was covering the Blue Jays Triple A team in Las Vegas and was running this kind of business it would be OK, but here it is a felony and your life is ruined.
Kevin, I wish the best for you and I hope you get through this OK.
- Bill Stergios, Candia

I think Dale did a fantastic job with this report. Imagine being her and having to sit in court and make eye contact with a co-worker who is on the other side in cuffs? There is only so much one can do. If you think you can do better, then apply for a job as a journalist and see what people like yourself have to say once you have something published.
- Meaghan, Manchvegas

I see nothing wrong with what the UL printed.
They printed the FACTS and nothing else.
The guy is innocent until proven guilty and the UL is simply reporting just another story.
I agree with Joe in Hooksett- no matter what- life as he once knew it, is over.
- Pauline, Franklin

Kudos to the UL!!! This is why I love you guys. No quarter asked and no quarter given! That is the true spirit of conservatism. And all you weak-kneed readers out there, Please don't feel bad for this guy. If he does get found guilty, with this charge on his record he will easily be able to get a job at the Boston Globe. Just ask all the other reporters with records that work there.
- Jay Larkin, Salem NH

Yes, they printed accolades, but if they had simply reported the arrest and his relationship to the newspaper, they'd have been accused of "throwing him under the bus."
- Serena, Manchester

It is obvious, that the UL felt badly, about reporting, what appears to be a pimp charge. Instead of simply reporting the charges, they add all kinds of acolades to soften the blow. No pun intended. They're guilty of looking out for one of their own. When was the last time you witnessed the UL saying all the good things from an accused's past? Skunky reporting UL!
- Phil, Concord

The cops generally don't draw up warrants, and serve them for nothing. That's all I'm saying.
- Marc L., Manchester

It's so ridiculous...

Maybe wait at least ONE full day before wanting all the details?
- NSR, Epping, NH

"Kevin is a kind, decent, hardworking man whom this reader finds way more trustworthy then cops who seek seemingly nothing more than headlines and advance news coverage."
- Jane, Manchester
So let me get this straight, because you consider him a nice guy he can't be involved in something criminal?

If this was somebody from the inner city people would be jumping all over him. There certainly wouldn't be the sentiment that he is innocent until proven guilty. All other crime stories seem to leave that phrase out all the time.
- Mike, Manchester

I'm glad I'm not the editor of the UL today....."damned if you do and damned if you dont"...by that I mean, if the paper says nothing of this....they are accused of covering up. If they report it, and reveal too much detail, it could embroil the paper in lawsuits.....

So which is right? Frankly I agree that it appears that the paper was to "nice-guy" slanted here.....My feeling is that the right thing to do was to report the incident and leave it at that. Let the story play itself out.
- Jim Grimes, Manchester, NH

Either his pimping, or he's prostituting. How else could you "derive income from prostitution?" Other than to provide a place for the activity to occur for a fee...
- Cheryl, Derry

Sounds like a set up. How exactly does one get caught "deriving income from prostitution"?

Was it some undercover operation? Cops never get it wrong. Was it some woman who wanted to get back at him for something? Self serving woman who'll use whatever means to get what they want are always truthful.

Kevin is a kind, decent, hardworking man whom this reader finds way more trustworthy then cops who seek seemingly nothing more than headlines and advance news coverage.
- Jane, Manchester

While I do appreciate the UL reporting on one of its own - the story is handled completely differently than the one they did on Dick Osbourne (another longtime NH media person) a couple of years ago. In his article there was no mention of "innocent till proven guilty", and there was no laundry list of accomplishments or awards.

It will be interesting to see if the story is above the fold, with a picture of him in handcuffs, like Osbourne's story was.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think it should be, but this paper has a history of slanting the news to fit their agenda. They had no problem with sensationalizing the Osbourne case - so it will be interesting to see how this plays out in its pages....
- John, Manchester

Lisa -

Chill out, it says an investigation is on-going. Kudos to the UL for non-biased reporting; it must be hard on the employees and more on his family - You can bet we have not heard the last of this.
- nick, barrington

I think this is pretty crappy reporting!! It is extremely vague!! They need to start digging and find out what happened. Yea, they printed the story, but they have FOUR paragraphs of all his accomplisments, but there is NO DETAIL of what happened.... hmmmm....
- lisa, chester nh

There must be some very strong evidence against him if he has been arrested and they are searching his home.
- C, Manchester

I agree with Gordon. It must have been tough for them to report on one of their own. Hugs to the folks at the UL.
- Beth, Concord

Ok, besides the obvious, what is "deriving income from prostitution"?
- Mike, Manchester

So does that mean he is a pimp or that he is prostituting himself out? My the naysayers are going to have to think of something else to complain about as the UL has done a story on one of their own without prejudice.
- Bill B., Pelham

Sally...it is on the news stations right now. If they had not put this story up I would be very disappointed. I do not agree with this paper's stance on everything but to hide something like this would be a huge mistake.
- Wendy, Candia

Kudos to the UL for it's objective coverage of one of it's own. As another contributor said news is news.

We should all remember that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

So many readers and contributors fail to recognize this constitutional right and bring about condemnation and a rush to judgement via this forum.

I sincerely hope that does not happen in this case.

He'll have his day in court. Good luck to him.
- Bob Ahern, Derry

I don't agree with the comment from Sally. If the newspaper wasn't right up front with this story, people would say the editors were trying to hide it. This was a tough call for management. But above all, please keep this in mind, you are innocent until proven guilty in court.
- Gordon, Laconia

Wow. Guilty until proven innocent, and even then, the innocence won't generate nearly as much press. The guy's ruined.
- Joe, Hooksett, NH

That's pretty bold of the Union Leader to portray one of their own right on the front page. I guess news is news no matter who it is!
- Sally, Manchester