Good Morning:

One of our readers e-mailed me with a question about WNTS (1590am, Beech Grove) when it aired a religious format.  If you worked there during that time, or know someone who did, please drop me an e-mail.

Northeast

After eight years, Nexstar's CBS affiliate WANE-TV (Channel 15, Fort Wayne) overnight reporter and weekend anchor Rod Hissong exits after this weekend's local newscasts.  This is the fourth on-air departure from WANE-TV in the last month.

Northcentral

Our condolences on the very sad news from Cumulus' Country/WWKI (100.5fm, Kokomo): On Friday morning, the daughter (and only child) of midday host JR Dennis died in a car accident.  Preslie Dennis was 17 years old.  Ms. Dennis recently graduated from high school and began serving our country with the Indiana Air National Guard.  Friends and family may file by the casket on Wednesday June 27 at Abundant Life Church, 1025 County Rd E 400 S, Kokomo, IN 46902 from Noon until 1:00pm with a funeral at 1:00pm.  Here's the complete obituary.

Eastcentral

Doug Zook exits as host of Anderson Live on Woof Boom Broadcasting's News-Talk/WHBU (1240am, Anderson) and FM translator: W279CL (103.7fm, Anderson).  Weekend host Steve Guinn now hosts Anderson Live (heard weekdays between 7:00am and 9:00am) on "Talk Radio WHBU 1240 AM and 103.7 FM."

Southwest

Townsquare Media and Henson Media agree to a deal which means Townsquare will dismiss their 107.9fm, Evansville translator application with the FCC.  Townsquare's 107.9fm translator would have been a simulcast of their N-T/WGBF (1280am, Evansville).  Henson Media also applied for a 250 watt 107.9fm translator licensed to Henderson, Kentucky as a simulcast of Henson's Classic Hits/WSON (860am, Henderson, Kentucky).  Since September 2011, WSON has also been on FM through their translator W243CU (96.5fm, Henderson, Kentucky).

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.

June 24: In 2011, WNUY (100.1fm, Bluffton) flips format from talk to religious programming, after an LMA begins between Independence Media and Bott Broadcasting.  At Noon, WFCV-FM (100.1fm, Bluffton) debuts.

June 25: In 1940, 1200am in Hammond changes call letters from WWAE to WJOB.  In 1985, 98.1fm in Defiance, Ohio signs on as WDFM, and remains so today.  In 2004, Munson Robinson dies.  Age 83.  Mr. Robinson was Chief Engineer for WHFB(AM) and WHFB-FM (Benton Harbor, Michigan).  In 2005, Robert Bausman, former then-WIRE(AM) (1430am, Indianapolis) GM dies.  Age 80.

June 26: In 1961, 1450am in Jeffersonville signs on as WXVW, owned by Keith L. Reising (Electrocast, Inc.) and engineered by Clarence Henson.  The radio station returned to those call letters in 2013.

June 27: In 1998, WMEE debuts from a new studio at Maples Road in Fort Wayne.  In 2012, former WXKE afternoon drive host Richard Davis ("Buzz Maxwell") dies.  Age 52.

June 28: In 1964, 101.7fm in Elwood signs on as WBMP.  Today, it's WIKL.  In 2004, public radio in Fort Wayne changed, as WBNI (89.1fm, Fort Wayne) dropped their classical format, which moved to WBOI (91.3fm, Orland) and an 88.7fm, Fort Wayne translator.  WBNI (89.1fm) and WBOI (91.3fm) also swapped call letters.  89.1fm in Fort Wayne began airing NPR talk programming and music.  Also in 2004, WWWY (106.1fm, North Vernon) flipped formats from Classic Rock to Rock.

June 29: In 1993, 105.1fm in Decatur signs on as WQHK-FM.  It remains WQHK-FM, but in 2012 moved its city of license to Huntertown.  In 1998, former WOWO/Fort Wayne GM Robert Duffield dies.  Age 90.

June 30: In 1966: 100.9fm in Bryan, Ohio signs on as WBNO-FM, and remains so today.  In the same year, Luke Walton and Stokes Gresham, Jr. sold WIGO (810am, Indianapolis) to Sarkes Tarzian for $167,576, including $112,676 in obligations.  In 1969, 1520am in Knox signs on as WKVI, and remains so today.

Employment Opportunities

Duke Wright’s Midwest Communications, a privately owned company is hiring for the position of Operations Manager for our Evansville, IN cluster. After 13 years, our Operations Manager is moving to another location.

You will be responsible for the continued success of award-winning and market leader heritage AC WIKY-FM, CHR Hot 96 WSTO-FM, Classic Rock WABX, and Classic County WLFW-FM. Midwest Communications is the dominant operator in Evansville boasting a collective share of 40+.

Evansville offers a low cost of living, a growing economy and a great place to raise a family! Evansville is the commercial, medical, and cultural hub of Southwestern Indiana and the Illinois-Indiana-Kentucky tri-state area.

We’re looking for a focused, experienced leader to grow talent, be a talent, brilliant at music scheduling, collaborate to maximize sales opportunities and successfully grow all digital platforms. This job offers the freedom to create and the opportunity to flourish in a fun environment.

To join our superb team and seize this rare opportunity, please submit your air check and resume to Vice President/Market Manager Tim Huelsing at mwc.ops@mwcradio.com or mail to Tim’s attention at 1162 Mt. Auburn Road, Evansville, IN 47720.

Midwest Communications, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer by choice.

Locally-owned and operated Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. is accepting applications for the next Director of Sales (DOS) of adult alternative WTTS/Indianapolis and news-talk WGCL/Bloomington. The Indianapolis-based DOS will be responsible for the development, maintenance and growth of all revenue streams: national, agency, local/direct, digital and non-spot/NTR. The DOS will be charged with identifying, hiring and nurturing new account executives while serving as a motivating coach to senior AEs, driving their performance to peak potential. The ideal DOS must possess a proven track record in the ability to identify and develop non-spot revenue opportunities, including event and digital.   WTTS is a heritage adult alternative station serving the Indianapolis metro and south-central Indiana for more than 25 years, while WGCL broadcasts a news/talk/sports format to Bloomington and Monroe County. Interested candidates should email a performance history and overview to directorofsales@wttsfm.com. No calls please. Sarkes Tarzian is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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

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