Indiana RadioWatch: December 10, 2012

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We're looking for more photos of the former 990AM/Muncie transmitter site. Do you have pictures? Would you please share? (The photos aren't for publication!) Our email: irw@well.com

A tip of the IRW hat to the eight new members of the Broadcast Pioneer's Hall of Fame (The Indiana Broadcasters Association): Mark Allen (Terre Haute TV), Reid Duffy, Allen Jeffries, Jim Kartes, Mid America Radio's David Keister, Janet Langhart, Joe Pate and Glenn Webber (posthumous).

Before we get started, this announcement:

To some, they're eyesores on the landscape. But to one man, radio and television towers are landscapes, and beautiful ones, too. For a dozen years now, journalist, photographer and broadcaster Scott Fybush has created an annual wall calendar featuring artistic photos of important and historic broadcast tower sites from coast to coast, and he's just released the 2013 edition, which includes the now-demolished towers of WVJS in Owensboro.

"Some people may think all radio towers look alike, but the Tower Site Calendar shows every year that that's not the case," says Fybush, who has worked in radio and television news for more than two decades. The calendar began in 2002 as an outgrowth of his weekly industry news column, NorthEast Radio Watch, and its offshoot, "Tower Site of the Week," a weekly feature at his fybush.com website.

"It has developed a passionate following in the broadcast engineering community," Fybush says. "Engineers are notoriously underappreciated for the hard work they do, and the calendar is one little way I can help show some recognition for the infrastructure that engineers design and maintain to make sure all of us have easy access to radio, TV and our cellphones, too."

The 2013 edition, now shipping from the Fybush Media store features a fresh new page design, a spiral binding, and 13 new pictures taken from Fybush's travels all over North America and beyond. Some of the highlights this year:

The Sandia Peak TV/FM antenna farm high above Albuquerque, New Mexico. At more than 10,000 feet above sea level, this is the highest-elevation site ever featured in the calendar.

WFXJ (formerly WJAX), Jacksonville, Florida. This historic site, built in the 1930s, sits amidst the greens of a golf course.

KWAL, Wallace, Idaho. This unique site features two towers split down the middle by a busy coast-to-coast highway, Interstate 90, as it threads through a narrow valley.

WVJS, Owensboro, Kentucky. A reminder of the impermanence of broadcast infrastructure, this calendar photo features three towers that were dismantled in 2012 after 65 years at the same site.

WXXI-TV, Rochester, New York. A dramatic night photo showing a massive crane in action, removing an analog TV antenna from its 400-foot-high perch after the digital television transition made it obsolete.

In addition to tower photos, the calendar's monthly pages include significant dates in radio and television history, as well as civil and religious holidays.

"Engineers email me all the time to ask if their towers can be a featured site or a calendar page," says Fybush, who also anchors newscasts for NPR member station WXXI in Rochester, New York.

The 2013 calendars cost $18.50 each ($19.98 including sales tax for New York State residents) and can be purchased by check (payable to Fybush Media) or money order to 92 Bonnie Brae Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. 14618. Orders can also be placed with major credit cards, or online at http://www.fybush.com/

Now, onto the latest news.

Northeast

Northeast Indiana Public Radio's Classical/WBNI (94.1fm, Roanoke) receives a $10,000 FCC fine for public file violations. Read what the FCC said.

Four news items from Federated Media's N-T/WOWO and WOWO-FM (1190am, 92.3fm; both Fort Wayne): First, Ryan Reker is the new PD at WOWO. He last programmed in Lima, Ohio for WEGE and WWSR. Second, News Director Dave Wheaton exits. He's now an assignment editor at WPTA-TV (Channel 21, Fort Wayne) and WISE-TV (Channel 33, Fort Wayne). Mr. Wheaton replaces Maureen Mespell, who exited. Third, You can go home again. Exhibit A: Pat Miller returns to afternoon drive (3pm until 6pm) on 2 January 2013 at Federated Media's N-T/WOWO and WOWO-FM (1190am, 92.3fm; both Fort Wayne). Mr. Miller exited the afternoon drive chair at WOWO in May. Finally, WOWO adds Premiere Radio Networks' Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis. The show airs on Tuesday through Saturday nights from 12:00AM until 1:00AM.

Will Murphy exits as president and general manager of Northeast Indiana Public Radio and returns Bloomington, where he will take the GM chair at Indiana University NPR affiliate WFIU (103.7fm, Bloomington). Mr. Murphy is no stranger to Bloomington and WFIU, having once been News Director. NIPR membership services manager David Hunter will handle the interim GM duties. "I am very torn about the decision to leave Fort Wayne," Murphy said in a statement. "I've grown very fond of the people and the town, and the staff at NIPR have been phenomenal. We've gotten a lot done in two years."

Eric Olson and Linda Jackson now co-anchor the early morning news on WPTA-TV and WISE-TV, replacing Mary Collins (who left the station earlier this year) and Ryan Elijah. WPTA-TV and WISE-TV both now broadcast local news in HD.

WNRL-LP (105.9fm, Ligonier) went silent. The West Noble School Corporation owns this low power radio station.

Rob Kelley exits as OM of Federated Media's Country/WQHK (105.1fm, Huntertown) after nine years. He also handled middays on "K-105." He also was OM for sister Hot AC/WMEE (97.3fm, Fort Wayne) from his June 2005 arrival at Maples Road, until 2010.

"Chi-Nuh-Man" is the new evening host at Rhythmic CHR/WHPP (106.3fm, Columbia City). He's heard from 7PM until 10PM.

You can go home again, Exhibit B: Sarkes Tarzian's Hot AC/WAJI (95.1fm, Fort Wayne) adds morning co-host Angie Nash (alongside Dirk Rowley). Ms. Nash previously worked across town at Oasis Radio Group's Rhythmic CHR/WJFX (107.9fm, New Haven) and at WAJI.

WBYR PD Stiller adds PD responsibilities at ESPN Sports/WKJG (1380am) and FOX Sports/WFGA (106.7fm, Auburn).

At LIN Media CBS affiliate WANE-TV (Channel 15, Fort Wayne), they remember Chief Photographer Ron Harmeyer who passed away. Mr. Harmeyer started at WANE-TV in 1964 and retired earlier this year. Mr. Harmeyer was 68.

Where Are They Now (Part 1)? Former WPTA-TV News Director Don Bradley retired in 2010, and recently had quadruple bypass surgery.

Where Are They Now (Part 2)? Former then-WYLT morning duo Davin and Ana now handle mornings at WILN in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Where Are They Now (Part 3)? Former WOWO/WKJG OM Gregg Henson now programs WBGG(AM) and WPGB-FM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Where Are They Now (Part 4)? Former WBYR/then-WFWI OM Darrin Arriens now programs WGYL-FM in Vero Beach, Florida.

Where Are They Now (Part 5)? Former WJFX DJ "Busboy Bryan" (Brian LaRoche) now handles both afternoons at WNWW-FM in Jacksonville, Florida and nights at WMTX-FM in Tampa, Florida.

Where Are They Now (Part 6)? Former then-WYLT DJ Man at Large (McConnell Adams) now programs and handles mornings at KWLF-FM in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Northcentral

A bit of breaking news: Artistic Media Partners will sell its WDND (1620am, South Bend) to the Fort Wayne Catholic Radio Group, Inc. for $175,000. FWCRG owns WLYV (1450am, Fort Wayne).

1620am once was a sister station of WHLY (1580am, South Bend), when the FCC introduced its AM expanded band coverage. Now, WHLY has a different owner, and they are selling. William Dobslaw's Times Communications, Inc. agrees to sell Religious/WHLY (1580am, South Bend) to Ignacio Zepeda's I.B. Communications, Ltd. for $140,000. I.B. owns Regional Mexican/WKAM (1460am, Goshen).

Artistic Media Partners' Classic Hits/WSSM and WSMM (97.7fm, Goshen; 102.3fm, New Carlisle) both flip to all holiday music.

Pensacola Christian College translator W204BC (88.7fm, Warsaw) moves down the dial and you will find it now at 91.3fm. Educational Media Foundation station Religious/WQKV (88.7fm, Rochester) still has a CP to move city of license to Warsaw. Also, there will be a power increase: from 250 watts at 162 feet to 4500 watts at 295 feet. Once complete, the WQKV transmitter site will move from the WROI-FM site on IN-14, west of Rochester, to a new site on IN-14, about where it intersects with IN-15 in Silver Lake. This tower move will bring the station almost twenty miles closer to Fort Wayne, but puts it on channel with W204BF (88.7fm, Fort Wayne), which is a translator for the WLAB (88.3fm, Fort Wayne) radio network.

Federated Media N-T/WTRC and WTRC-FM (1340am, Elkhart; 95.3fm, Niles, Michigan) adds Premiere Radio Networks' Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis. The show airs on Tuesday through Saturday nights from 12:00AM until 1:00AM.

WSBT-TV reporter John Paul exits for the weekend morning anchor chair at KHBS-TV in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Kim Chappell now co-anchors the evening news at Weigel's low power ABC affiliate WBND-LP (Channel 57, South Bend). Ms. Chappell used her maiden name (Gebbia) at WTVF-TV in Nashville, Tennessee.

In South Bend, they remember a pair of emerging broadcasters, who both died far too young. Ryan Haukaas was known on air as Reverend Ryno, and he helmed nights at Talking Stick Communications' Rock/WRBR (103.9fm, South Bend). Mr. Haukaas passed away after a stroke at age 31. Also, WNDU-TV former intern Jeannie Hayes last worked for WREX-TV in Rockford, Illinois. She passed away two days after receiving a leukemia diagnosis. She was 29.

Amir Abbas joins as morning reporter for Quincy Newspapers' FOX affiliate WSJV (Channel 28, Elkhart). Mr. Abbas last was a reporter at WVVA-TV in Bluefield, West Virginia.

Michael Smerconish is now heard (7:00pm until 10:00pm) on Midwest Family's N-T/WSJM (1400am, St. Joseph, Michigan). Mr. Smerconish replaces three hours of FOX Sports Radio.

Northwest

When FCC license renewal time came around earlier this year, former Northwest Indiana Public Broadcasting's NPR-Variety/WLPR (89.1fm, Lowell) PD Len Clark filed an objection to their renewal. The FCC's denied the objection and you can read what the FCC said.

Hyles-Anderson College's Religious/WRTW (90.5fm, Crown Point) adds "The Region Sports Network," (high school sports). You will also find their network programming on WLTH(AM), WIMS(AM), WJOB(AM), WGVE-FM and WVLP-LP.

Where Are They Now? Former WBAA(AM) and WBAA-FM host and reporter Ariel Van Cleave is the new local host during NPR's Morning Edition (along with some news reporter duties) at KBBI(AM) and KBBI-FM in Homer, Alaska.

Eastcentral

Cumulus' Classic Country/WLTI (1550am, New Castle) went off the air after its former transmitter (Gates-Harris Intertype BC250GY) died at 5:30AM on 27 September. WLTI replaced that transmitter with a new Armstrong XB500, which went on the air 30 November at about 1:00AM.

Vori Dhabolt arrives as GSM at Backyard Broadcasting's radio stations: WERK-FM, WMXQ, WMQX and WHBU(AM).

"Franzman" is now Production Director for the Hoosier AM/FM radio stations in Marion, along with an afternoon airshift on their Classic Hits/WXXC (106.9fm, Marion. Known to his family as Steven Fraznman, he arrives from the morning show at KCLL in San Angelo, Texas. In the Production Director chair, Franzman replaces Vanessa Ashlyn.

Joel Brantingham is the new News Director and Play by Play guru at Whitewater Broadcasting in Richmond. Also, Scott Knisley joins Whitewater's Hot AC/WFMG (101.3fm, Richmond) in afternoon drive (where his listeners know him as Scott Fox.) Mr. Knisley also voice tracks middays at sister AC/WZZY (98.3fm, Winchester). Mr. Knisley moves from Sidney, Ohio to Richmond. In Sidney, he did afternoons (as Scott Epic) and was Production Director at WMVR-FM.

Hoosier AM/FM Country/WCJC welcomes Phil Ortman ("Phil O.") for afternoons, from 2pm until 7pm.

Rodgers Broadcasting's Hot AC/WFMG (101.3fm, Richmond) afternoon host Jessica Leigh exits.

In Marion, they're remembering former WCJC morning host Mark Neal, who passed away. Mr. Neal handled mornings from 1995 until 2004. Mr. Neal was 59.

Hoosier AM/FM Talk/WBAT (1400am, Marion) adds The Clark Howard Show.

Central

An Indianapolis radio traffic icon is now silent. John Gillis passed away, at age 65. Emmis Chairman and CEO said: "WIBC and the entire Emmis family are saddened by the passing of Big John Gillis. John was an icon in Central Indiana whose captivating personality touched generations of listeners in our community. John will be missed by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Sherry and his entire family." Mr. Gillis retired from WIBC in 2007. Mr. Gillis also worked during the 1970s in Boston, Massachusetts (WVBF) and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (WIBG). In Indianapolis, he also worked morning drive at the former WNAP-FM (ironically, that's now WIBC-FM). Former WIBC PD Jon Quick told IRW: "John was a good man with a good heart. I asked him one time prior to his retirement how many traffic reports he thought he had done in his career. He said, "Oh about 40 gazzillion." Then, he spontaneously did a traffic report for me. Then said, "Now it's 40 gazzillion and 1."

Indianapolis, Muncie and Marion also remember Chuck Crane, who once worked at WERK, WGOM, WIKS (now WZPL), WNDE, along with radio stations in NYC (WHTZ) and Chicago (WLS(AM), where he was Music Director). More recently, the now Dr. Crane was a Sarasota, Florida dentist, when he passed away at age 58.

While many around the nation connect Steve Church with Telos Corp., Indianapolis broadcasters also remember him also as Chief Engineer at WNDE (1260am, Indianapolis) and WFBQ (94.7fm, Indianapolis). Mr. Church passed away entirely too young: Age 57.

Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Broadcasting's WFYI-FM (90.1fm Indianapolis) adds several new radio shows: No Limits (locally produced by Sharon Alseth), Here and Now, All Songs Considered, BackStory, The TED Radio Hour, Song Travels with Michael Feinstein, Live Wire Radio, and America's Test Kitchen. Finally, a tip of the IRW cap to WFYI-FM and WFYI-TV President Lloyd Wright, as Mr. Wright received the 2012 William Kobin Public Television Leadership Award.

Kaspar Broadcasting sells its W298BB (107.5fm, Zionsville) translator to Emmis Communications for $375,000. What will Emmis use that translator for? Hmm...

Creative Data Management's Sports/WXLW(AM) flips format from ESPN sports to a simulcast of News-Talk/WFDM-FM. This move increased the potential listenership, as WXLW has a larger footprint than its FM counterpart. Both stations now run America's Morning News, Dave Ramsey, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and Rusty Humphries among others. (And, before we leave 645 Industrial Drive in Franklin, we will wish a "Happy Birthday" to WFDM, which will celebrate 51 years, this coming Saturday! IRW has no advice on those AARP mailings...)

Emmis' N-T/WIBC-FM (93.1fm, Indianapolis) adds a new show "The Sandwiched Generation," hosted by Terri Stacy and WIBC-FM PD Alan Furst. The show airs Saturday from 8am until 9am and is about parents who are 'sandwiched' between raising their children and caring for their aging parents.

The Sean Kelly Show was an Indianapolis talk show that aired on WNTS(AM), WIFE(AM), WNDE(AM) and WXLW(AM). Indianapolis now remembers Sean Kelly (born Patrick Finneran) who recently passed away at age 77. After his radio career, Mr. Finneran became the Executive Director of the USS Indianapolis Survivors Memorial Organization.

Let's move to TV and recap the latest, by station (in alphabetical order):

WISH-TV: LIN Media's CBS affiliate WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis), has a new News Director: Steve Bray, promoted from Assistant News Director. Second, Brooke Martin now anchors weekends. She last anchored at KSNW-TV in Wichita, Kansas. Finally, Dustin Grove joins as a reporter from anchoring and reporting at South Bend's WSBT-TV.

WRTV-TV: First, after eighteen months, Kevin Finch exits the News Director chair at E.W. Scripps' ABC affiliate WRTV-TV (Channel 6, Indianapolis). Second, Grace Trahan exits as early morning anchor. Ms. Trahan joined in 1994 and co-anchored the early morning show for fourteen years. Third, after reporting for 23 years, Stacia Matthews exits for a PR role outside of TV. Finally, WRTV adds meteorologist Ashley Brown. Ms. Brown last did weather forecasting at KESQ-TV in Palm Desert, California.

WTHR-TV: Dispatch Broadcasting's NBC affiliate WTHR-TV (Channel 13, Indianapolis) News Director Keith Connors exits. Mr. Connors was News Director for nearly two years.

WXIN-TV: First, Tribune's FOX affiliate WXIN-TV (Channel 59, Indianapolis) adds an hour of news at 6:00PM. This gives WXIN an even sixty hours of local news each week. Also, Dan Spehler now anchors weekend evenings and does GA reporting. Mr. Spehler worked in the market before (WRTV, from 2005 through until 2010.) Since 2010, he's reported and filled in behind the anchor desk at WKRC-TV in Cincinnati. Finally, Eva Pilgrim exits as anchor and reporter for the bright lights of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she will anchor and report at WPVI-TV.

3 Towers Broadcasting's Hot AC/WSVX and translator W243CL (96.5fm, Shelbyville) adds Don Stuck in afternoon drive. Stuck co-hosted mornings on Clear Channel's WRZX (103.3fm, Indianapolis) for nearly six years.

Radio One's CHR/WNOU (100.9fm, Speedway) adds "Crash" at night. He segues to Indianapolis from nights at WNKS in Charlotte, North Carolina (where he worked with former WNOU weekender "Otis").

Mary Kennedy arrives in middays at Cumulus' CHR/WRWM (93.9fm, Lawrence). Ms. Kennedy last worked the graveyard shift at at KRBE in Houston, Texas.

After nine years, Jim McConville exits the GM chair at Radio Disney's WRDZ (98.3fm, Plainfield).

Rick Dawson joins WFYI Public Media as a multi-platform news manager. His long media tenure includes a stop as anchor and reporter at LIN Media CBS affiliate WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis). Mr. Dawson replaces News Director Sharon Alseth, who remains with WFYI radio, as the producer of "No Limits" and the local news anchor in morning drive. Also, WFYI adds several new radio shows: the aforementioned No Limits, Here and Now, All Songs Considered, BackStory, The TED Radio Hour, Song Travels with Michael Feinstein, Live Wire Radio, and America's Test Kitchen.

Anna Fraser exits as Director of Marketing and Promotion at Cumulus' Country/WFMS (95.5fm, Fishers).

Where Are They Now (Part 1)? Former Clear Channel/Indianapolis Director of FM Programming Scott Jameson is now OM at Cumulus/Minneapolis, Minnesota and PD of their KQRS-FM.

Where Are They Now (Part 2)? Former WNOU-FM morning host Scotty Davis now handles mornings (from nights) at WMTX-FM in Tampa, Florida.

Where Are They Now (Part 3)? Pat Costello started his TV news career as a photographer at WTHR-TV. Now, he's News Director at KNXV-TV in Phoenix, Arizona.

Where Are They Now (Part 4)? Former WNOU PD Chris Edge is now the OM at Clear Channel/Raleigh, North Carolina.

Westcentral

Just over the state line, JD Spangler owns AC/WMMC (105.9fm, Marshall, Illinois). Ameren Transmission has a plan filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission to construct a high voltage electrical line project through Illinois and near the WMMC tower. Mr. Spangler took to the Terre Haute TV airwaves, claiming "It's going to affect how well I broadcast or even if I can." Mr. Spangler's comment made IRW wonder: We have heard of plenty of cases of power lines affecting AM patterns. Can any engineer recall any effects on FM signals from power lines near the transmitter site?

Emmis moves its WTHI-FM (99.9fm, Terre Haute) and WWVR-FM (105.5fm, West Terre Haute) to new studios at 925 Wabash Avenue in Terre Haute. The new facility went live at 12:01am on 13 August.

Bill Cain exits as OM at Midwest Communications/Terre Haute. Laura Bradshaw now handles middays on Country/WDWQ-FM (102.7fm, Terre Haute). Before, Mr. Cain and Ms. Bradshaw split the midday shift. Mr. Cain was OM for nearly five years, and served as GM and GSM (along with his OM responsibilities) for over two years.

Emmis Communications purchases WSDX and WSDM-FM (1130am, 92.7fm; both Brazil) from Crossroads Communications for $335,000. Under an LMA with Crossroads, Emmis flipped WSDX to WFNF "The Fan" (which remains an ESPN affiliate) and WSDM-FM to Adult Hits/WFNB ("92.7 Bob FM"). Ed Roehling's Roehling Broadcast Services Ltd. brokered this sale.

Speaking of Emmis, their Country/WTHI-FM (99.9fm, Terre Haute) moves night guy Jeff Reynolds to mornings (alongside Barry Kent). Also, Terre Haute veteran DJ Kyle West replaces Mr. Reynolds at night.

Frank Rush exits Emmis/WTHI-FM (99.9fm, Terre Haute) and joins Midwest Communications' Country/WPRS and N-T/WIBQ-FM (1440am, 98.5fm; both Paris, Illinois) as PD. Mr. Rush also is the News Director for the entire Midwest/Terre Haute cluster. Mr. Rush was with Emmis for 22 years and co-hosted morning drive at WTHI-FM with Barry Kent for the last decade.

Southeast

White River Broadcasting Company sells WRBI (103.9, Batesville) to Leeson Media, LLC (Randy Lawson and Brent Lee) for $350,000. Mr. Lawson is the former OM at Kaspar Broadcasting's WSHW-FM. Brent Lee is at the helm of the morning show on Country/WYGB-FM (100.3fm). Patrick Communications (Greg Guy) brokered this sale for White River, while Ed Roehling's Roehling Broadcast Services Ltd. brokered this sale for Leeson Media, LLC.

Southcentral

Buzz McKay exits mornings at White River Broadcasting's Adult Hits/WWWY (106.1fm, North Vernon).

Where Are They Now? Former WGCL/WTTS (1370am, 92.3fm; both Bloomington) GSM Jeff Weber returns to Blue Star Media Group as Consulting Operations Executive.

Southwest

B.L.S. Entertainment's Urban AC/WEOA (1400am, Evansville) adds an FM presence, via their new W253BF (98.5fm, Evansville) translator.

In Ownersboro, they remember former WOMI morning host Joe Lowe who died at age 60. Mr. Lowe once worked at WBKR and had a forty five year broadcasting career, starting as an intern at WVJS. Mr. Lowe was 60.

In Evansville, they remember former WIKY PD Mark Baker, who passed away. Born Mark Wormsbaker, Mr. Baker last programmed WTFM-FM and WVEK-FM (and handled afternoons on WTFM) in Kingsport, Tennessee. Mr. Baker programmed WIKY from October 1992 until January 2007. His was married to another former Evansville radio personality: Cindy Patrick.

Jake's DTV Blog reports that WNIN-TV drops its WNIN-FM simulcast on Channel 9.3, because the new TV encoder will not accommodate the FM station.

The Evansville IceMen hockey team add both Hancock Communications' Country/WLME-FM (102.7fm, Lewisport, Kentucky) and V.L.N. Broadcasting's Sports/WVLN(AM) (740am, Olney, Illinois.)

As they recently celebrated their 65th anniversary, Scott Fybush profiles The Cromwell Group's Oldies/WVJS (1420am, Owensboro, Kentucky) here.

Speaking of WVJS, it also flips to all holiday music, along with sister WTCJ (1230am, Tell City), and Faith Broadcasting's Religious/WGAB (1180am, Newburgh).

The FCC grants a CP to Community Broadcasting, Inc. for a noncommercial station on 96.3fm, licensed to Farmersburg. The Bott family owns Community Broadcasting, Inc. and they're the same Bott family behind the Bott Radio Network, a Christian religious programming network.

WTSN-CD starts their move from Channel 36 to Channel 15 with a 12,000 watt increase in power (from 3000 watts to 15,000 watts). In the meantime, WTSN's Me-TV programming remains on sister station WYYW-CD (Channel 20).

Raycom's NBC affiliate WFIE-TV (Channel 14, Evansville) ends its 9pm local newscast (seen on "14Xtra," Channel 14.2.) A bit of bright news: No job losses after this newscast ended after a three year run.

WAY-FM's Religious/ W220DV returns from 92.1fm to 91.9fm and increases power from 150 watts (at its former location 92.1fm) to 250 watts. This change became necessary after interference complaints from co-channel The Original Company's WZDM-FM (92.1fm, Vincennes).

One of the people that built WRAY(AM) (1250am, Princeton) passed away. WRAY GM Stephen Lankford tells IRW:

"Bryan Davidson was the first General Manager of WRAY-AM 1250 radio in Princeton, Indiana when it signed on December 16, 1950. Bryan was a "very talented" radio person and could do everything including sell, manage, write copy, interview...he actually did the first "man on the street" interviews in front of the local JCPenney store in Princeton. Bryan's wife was the first bookkeeper at WRAY. Bryan spent about 3 years at WRAY before he moved on. WRAY-TV was on air in 1953 and Bryan Davidson played a supporting role in that venture as Brian Epstein was the general manager of WRAY-TV. All of us at WRAY are grateful for the efforts of our first General Manager Bryan Davidson."

After WRAY, Mr. Davidson built WJBD(AM) and WJBD-FM in Salem, Illinois. Mr. Davidson was 86.

WNIN-FM adds Diane Rehm (9am - 11am Central) and On Point, with Tom Ashbrook (11am - 1pm Central). Classical music remains in the evening and overnight (7pm until 4am) and also WNIN added hourly news updates in the morning and afternoon.

Police arrested a former WFIE-TV reporter early Saturday morning in Vanderburgh County. Lorilyn Prestidge, 27, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of domestic battery, disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement and a felony charge of battery on a law enforcement officer. Prestidge resigned from Channel 14 in late November.

The FCC approves a new low power TV station for Evansville. Sunrise, Florida-based DTV America, Inc. now has the CP for W12DN-D (Channel 12, Evansville). The CP calls for W12DN to broadcast from the South Central Media tower on Mount Auburn Road in Evansville.

Where Are They Now (Part 1)? Former WSTO morning host Brad Booker now handles mornings at KMLE-FM in Phoenix, Arizona.

Where Are They Now (Part 2)? Former WSTO PD Stan Priest now programs WIOQ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This week in Indiana Radio History

Sunday 9 December: In 1996, WHPZ flipped formats to Contemporary Christian. In 2005, WEGK became WLRX.

Monday 10 December: In 1956, 1590am, Beech Grove signs on (WNTS). In 1963, 100.1fm, Bluffton signs on (WFCV-FM).

Wednesday 12 December: In 1964, 1550am, Crawfordsville signs on (WCVL).

Friday 14 December: In 1949, 1460am, Carmi, Illinois signs on (WROY). In 1963, 800am, Casey, Illinois signs on (WKZI).

Saturday 15 December: In 1961, 95.9fm, Franklin signs on (WFDM).

Employment Opportunities

Whitewater Broadcasting is on the search for its next station manager. If you have a background in sales and on-air and have been looking for your next step up the ladder, this is it! You'll oversee management at 2 of our properties while working closely with the sales and programming departments. Can you hit the numbers, drive the revenue, and be a part of the community? If so, send along your information to steve at g1013 dot com or mail them to: Steve Frey, Whitewater Broadcasting, 2301 W. Main, Richmond, IN. 47374. No phone calls please. Whitewater Broadcasting is proudly an EOE.

Wanted: GSM. Candidate must have track record of mentoring and training new account executives in broadcasting, including hiring and evaluations. Must be focused on new business generation; create, plan and execute sales strategies and incentives; achieve revenue and share of market goals. Candidate must have a proven track record in Internet, digital and NTR development. Three to five years of progressive experience in broadcasting required. Oasis Radio Group provides base salary and bonus incentive plan and benefits. Please submit your qualifications to myfuture at oasisradiogroup dot com. Attn: GSM. Oasis Radio Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Eagle Tower Services, Inc., committed to continuing improvement and to being the lowest cost provider of tower services consistent with a high degree of quality, professionalism, and safety, is seeking a BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE to engage in outside sales leading to growth of our business. Our primary market is Indiana and surrounding states, specializing in AM/FM and television, but also serving customers in paging, wireless Internet and 2-way radio including commercial, utilities and government. We are a full service tower company engaged in routine maintenance, component installation and new tower construction. This is a contract commission position with generous commission and superb customer service support. The ideal candidate will have excellent knowledge of the broadcast industry throughout Indiana with excellent people skills in working with and providing excellent service to broadcast engineers and, often, station general managers. We proudly serve some of the finest names in Indiana broadcasting and wireless communications. If this is of interest, please send your resume to Terry Garrity, Eagle Tower Services, Inc., P.O. Box 387, Arcadia, IN 46030; E-MAIL: terry.garrity at eagletowerindiana dot com and feel welcome to visit our website at www.eagletowerindiana.com to learn more about what we do. Eagle Tower Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F.

Kokomo's Variety Z92-5 is looking for a full time Afternoon Show host and Promotions Director. You will work with a full cast of great radio people. We are looking for someone who LOVES going out in the community and being with the listeners. You will do a LIVE show from 2 PM to 7 PM. We have a 2 Person Morning Show and would love for you to join the team. Send your resume and best stuff to: chriss at z925fm dot com. Please, no phone calls! Hoosier AM/FM is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

G101-3, the world's most interactive radio station, is seeking its next Afternoon Drive host. You'll voicetrack middays on our #1 A/C sister station and do live PM Drive on The G. Can you do a great show with phones, remotes and appearances, plus keep yourself plugged into our historic community? If you think you can handle creative radio in a non-corporate environment and blend in with our talented yet dysfunctional staff, rush your package to: Rick Duncan, Director of Prog/Ops, Whitewater Broadcasting, 2301 W. Main, Richmond, IN. 47374. All experience levels are welcome to apply. Whitewater Broadcasting is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F.

A quality multi-station cluster in a beautiful, historic small community is seeking a radio news anchor/reporter interested in informing listeners in multiple counties who depend on the stations to be their primary news source. Additionally, the candidate will have a passion to do high school sports play-by-play. Here is a chance to become an integral part of the lives of listeners by demonstrating skill and insight into their issues and interests. If you are looking for a community to call "home" while doing important work as part of a talented team of radio pros, send a package demonstrating your experience and talent in news writing, reporting, and newscast delivery as well as your play-by-play to: Rick Duncan, Director of Programming, Whitewater Broadcasting, 2301 W. Main, Richmond, IN 47374. Whitewater Broadcasting is an EOE and encourages the hiring of females and minorities.

FOX 59 WXIN, a Tribune Broadcasting station, seeks an experienced Anchor/Reporter who thrives on breaking news, enterprising stories and working under tight deadlines. The successful candidate will also regularly post content to the station's website and social media outlets. Degree in broadcast journalism or related field and at least 3 years anchoring and/or reporting experience in a television newsroom required. Job Description: Presents news and information on news and other station programs and covers news stories when not anchoring. Represents WXIN/WTTV-TV to the public viewing audience. Reads stories on regular scheduled newscasts and other programs produced by the station. Writes and/or proofreads stories on assigned broadcasts. Acts as general assignment reporter when not performing anchor duties. Consistently contributes story ideas for newscasts. Develops and maintains productive relationship with news contacts and sources. Works with producers, reporters and associate producers on assigned news broadcast. Regularly posts content to the station's website and updates social media sites. Monitors news feeds when necessary. Answers viewer phone calls and mail. Performs public speaking engagements and makes other appearance deemed important to the station image by management. Develops community contacts. Other duties as assigned by supervisor. Qualifications Necessary: College degree in broadcast journalism or a related area of study. At least 3 years experience anchoring regularly scheduled news broadcasts on a commercial or public television station and/or reporting for a broadcast news organization. Effective writing skills. Good organizational skills. Must be able to accept constructive feedback and criticism designed to enhance individual's performance. Ability to appear live in a broadcast to deliver reports in a professional and effective manner. Ability to perform duties and make decisions under deadline pressure. Must have a clear understanding of web and social media outlets. Send resume, cover letter stating position desired, and referral source plus a non-returnable DVD with your latest newscast to Human Resources, WXIN-TV, 6910 Network Place, Indianapolis, IN 46278. EOE.

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

=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============

(c) 2012, Blaine E. Thompson

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Finally, we thank you for your continued support.

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