from CBS2 website:

CBS 2 morning anchor Randy Salerno was killed last night in a snowmobiling accident. He was snowmobiling with friends in Sayner, Wis., near Eagle River, late Thursday night when his snowmobile broke down. He was picked up by his childhood friend, Scott Hirschey.

They were riding together on a 2007 model Ski-Doo, designed for just one rider. They apparently headed across Plum Lake and then struck several trees. Hirschey was thrown from the snowmobile, while Salerno took the full force of the impact.

Despite attempts to revive him, Salerno was pronounced dead at the scene. Hirschey, in his 40s, also of Crystal Lake, has been cited for operating a snowmobile while intoxicated and charges of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle are pending, according to Vilas County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Joe Fath.

Salerno, 45, has been with CBS 2 since September 2004. Prior to working at CBS 2, he worked at WGN-TV (1993-2004), as anchor of the midday newscast. Previously, he served as a general assignment reporter and as the weekend morning news anchor (1994-1999).

"Randy was a talented news anchor and a major reason for our recent morning show success,'' CBS 2 President and General Manager Joe Ahern said in a statement. "But it was Randy's sense of humor and quick wit that separated him from the rest. He was a skilled journalist, trusted colleague and dear friend to many in our newsroom--especially to our morning team.''

In the CBS 2 newsroom this morning, reporters, producers and photographers tearfully hugged each other and also laughed as they shared their stories of working with one of Chicago's most gifted television journalists. At the same time, they all were preparing for the next newscast--a difficult, but necessary task.

Before working at WGN, Salerno was a reporter and weekend anchor at WNYT-TV in Albany, N.Y. Prior to that, he worked at WMBD-TV and WHOI-TV in Peoria. He began his broadcasting career at WIFR-TV in Rockford as a general assignment reporter.

He won a local Emmy Award for his work on CBS 2's 2004 broadcast of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

Salerno lived in Crystal Lake, the town where he grew up.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Irene, their three children, and their extended family at this very difficult time.

Memories have been pouring in from those who knew Salerno – either personally or just through the TV screen.

"He was a really good and funny guy… he was a good broadcaster, and there aren't that many of those around," Steve Dahl of 104.3 JACK-FM said on his show Friday morning. Salerno often worked with Gary Meier on his show on the former WCKG-FM radio. Dahl, Meier's longtime radio partner, said Randy was "very funny" on Meier's show.

Numerous CBS 2 viewers have been email their thoughts and prayers.

"I could not believe the tragic news when I heard it on the radio. He really grew on me and I loved his humor," wrote Carol Walters. "He will be sorely missed."

"I just loved his personality... his smirk... his sarcasm," added Mary Ann Knepper. "He was just a "real guy"... in a suit!"

He always made us all laugh, and that is how we will always remember him.