Indiana RadioWatch: February 20, 2017

Northeast

Columbia City Joint High School's AAA/WJHS (91.5fm, Columbia City) signed on in August 1985. After 31 years, are "91.5 The Eagle's" days numbered? Tonight, the Whitley County Consolidated Schools' board will discuss whether to put the station up for sale. Meeting details: 5:30pm, Marshall Community Center, 107 N. Walnut St., Columbia City, IN 46725.

Adams Radio Group/Fort Wayne DOS Kevin Musselman becomes VP/GM for the cluster. In 2014, Mr. Musselman joined Adams, after Adams closed on their purchase of both Russ Oasis' cluster and Summit City Radio Group.

Here's a snapshot of Adams Radio Group/Fort Wayne:

FOX Sports/WGL (1250am, Fort Wayne)
Oldies/WLYV (1450am, Fort Wayne), also heard on W300CF (104.3fm, Fort Wayne)
Country/WBTU (93.3fm, Kendallville)
Classic Rock/WXKE (96.3fm, Churubusco)
AC/WWFW (103.9fm, Fort Wayne)
CHR/WJFX (107.9fm, New Haven)
Talk/WJFX-HD2, also heard on W277AK (103.3fm, Fort Wayne)
Urban AC/WJFX-HD3, also heard on W245CA (96.9fm, Fort Wayne)

Quincy Broadcasting's ABC affiliate WPTA-TV (Channel 21, Fort Wayne) adds Kayla Stewart as reporter and production assistant.

Heartland Media's FOX affiliate WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne) adds Cody Butler as a reporter. Mr. Butler joins "WFFT Fox Local" from Toledo, Ohio, where he was a producer for WTVG-TV.

Northcentral

Federated Media's WTRC (1340am, Elkhart) flips format, under PD Jon Zimney. Previously, WTRC simulcast sister N-T/WTRC-FM (95.3fm, Niles Michigan). On Friday morning at 5AM, it became a Music of Your Life affiliate, as "Frank 1340AM."

A tip of the IRW cap to Goshen College's AAA/WGCS (91.1fm, Goshen) on their multiple IBS nomination, including "Best College Radio Station, Under 10,000 students," among over a dozen other nominations.

Eastcentral

A tip of the IRW cap to South Madison Community School's CHR/WEEM (91.7fm, Pendleton) on their multiple IBS nomination, including "Best High School Radio Station" and Brian Merrill for Best Station Manager, among over a dozen other nominations.

Central

Let's try this again: Zakk Babb joins Entercom's CHR/WZPL (99.5fm, Greenfield) in PM drive and as imaging director. Mr. Babb also voicetracks nights for Entercom sister WSTR in Atlanta, Georgia. Before joining WSTR, Mr. Babb worked in afternoons across town at Cumulus' Rhythmic CHR/WRWM (93.9fm, Lawrence).

Westcentral

Midwest Communications' N-T/WIBQ (1230am, Terre Haute) adds an FM translator: Meet 250 watt W260BZ (97.9fm, Terre Haute). "The Talk Station" also airs on WBOW (1440am, Paris, Illinois).

This Week in Indiana Radio History

Sign-on dates seem to be a prickly matter, subject to great debate, and mostly impossible to confirm. If there's something we need to add to the "calendar," please let us know. Please e-mail us if you have updated information.

February 19: In 2010, WBZQ (1300am, Huntington) and WLZQ (101.1fm, South Whitley) owner Chris Larko passes away. Age 52. In 2002, Dick Rice dies. Age 75. Mr. Rice worked for Fort Wayne's WOWO, and Indianapolis' WFYI-FM (Classical Music Director), WICR-FM and WSYW(AM).

February 20: In 2009, Bishop Levi E. Willis, Sr. dies. Age 79. Bishop Willis owned several radio stations around the country, including WWCA (1270am, Gary).

February 21: In 2008, JP Engelbrecht became CEO of South Central Communications. Mr. Engelbrecht's father (John D.) continued as Chairman of the Board and President. JP had been the VP/COO of the Evansville based company since 2002, when he entered that role at age 22. South Central Communications owned five Evansville radio stations.

February 22: In 2000, Leslie Goodaker, CE of Owensboro's WOMI(AM) dies. Age 90.

February 23: In 1961, 93.7fm in Seymour signs on as WJCD-FM. It's now on 93.9fm, licensed to Sellersburg as WLCL. In 1992, WEVV-TV in Evansville debuts local news. In 1999, former WIFE DJ Joe Hager ("Mutha Bear") dies. Age 54. In 2002, WFMS afternoon host Kevin Tincher ("C.K. Webb/The Duck Man") dies. Age 38.

February 24: In 1949, 1230am, Logansport signs on as WSAL, and remains WSAL today. In 2014, Adams Radio Group announces the purchase of both Summit City Radio Group and Oasis Radio Group in Fort Wayne.

February 25: In 2000, Talk/WTRC (1340am, Elkhart) aired its last "Sound Off" show; a longtime local talk show, hosted by Allen Strike.

That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.

Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch

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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.