Thursday, December 8, 2005

No News

WLOP WIFO-FM
WLOP/WIFO-FM Radio Station. Photo by The Press-Sentinel.
No, I'm not taking this little blog's birthday off. But with other things happening, there will be no Headline News tonight.

In fact, in a town in south east Georgia, there will be no news of any kind tonight.

According to WTOC-TV in Savannah, the AM/FM radio station in Jesup (yes, it's spelled that way) burned yesterday morning:
A fire has gutted a Jesup radio station. Shortly before 8am this morning, Jesup fire crews raced to put out the flames that engulfed WLOP-AM and WIFO-FM. Employees managed to get out safely.

This is of particular interest to me, because I know some of the people that work there.

The paper doesn't say it, but according to my sources, the news director was on the air at the time the fire was discovered. No, he didn't stay at his post and give play-by-play of the fire. In fact, he barely got out alive, as the only exit not blocked by the fire was locked. And he never takes his keys into the control room with him. But he did yesterday. He had time ... barely ... to unlock the deadbolt and escape the flames.

I also know the general manager of that station. He is the son of my first boss. He inhaled some smoke, but got out otherwise safely.

Being a small town, Jesup has but the one station. They used to have another, but now they none. From what I understand, everyone at the station is out of work. And Christmas is coming.

That's about all I know of the situation over there in that part of the state. I'm just thankful the people there -- some who I worked with years ago -- are all safe.

UPDATE:
From commenter Laura, we get this word:
I wanted to let you know we are back on the air out of an RV with a very low signal. Butch is taking care of his employees and we are still working in some way or another although not as many hours. WIFO will rise out of the ashes better than before. It will take some time though. Nice to know someone out there is paying attention to what goes on in rural America! the community support has been great so far.

Glad to hear the station is back up and running.

6 comments:

  1. Remebering our "only" POW/MIA [??]

    'Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin was captured on 4 April 2004 when his convoy was attacked by 2 to 3 hundred insurgents. The following week there was a video released where he stated his name and unit. They said they were holding him as a hostage.
    Matt i...

    ReplyDelete
  2. What do Lieutenant-Colonel Erik Kurilla, Michael Y

    A movie! That's right, Bruce Willis will be doing a movie about Deuce 4,the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry based on the front line coverage provided by independent journalist, Michael Yon.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Vote for "Mickie!"

    It seems that Michael Yon is our man of the hour and it couldn't happen to a finer individual. Micheal is a finalist in the "2005 Weblog Awards." He was nominated in the "Media Journalists" category.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi there. I don't know you. I was searching the net for stories about the radio station and found your blog. but I wanted to let you know we are back on the air out of an RV with a very low signal. Butch is taking care of his employees and we are still working in some way or another although not as many hours. WIFO will rise out of the ashes better than before. It will take some time though. Nice to know someone out there is paying attention to what goes on in rural America! the community support has been great so far. I just though I would give you an update :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Laura, thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear things are getting back to normal in the Wonderful Land Of Progress!

    Best wishes to Butch, Bob, and ... gosh, I'm not sure how many others there I know ... is Shirley still there?

    Anyway, glad to hear things are getting back together there.

    ReplyDelete

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