What’s News? 

November 2009

WPGS Becomes WGRU     11-1-09
Back in September we reported that WPGS-AM 840 was joining the network of the non profit  "Smooth Jazz - The Groove" network. It is now a "done deal". WPGS is now WGRU-AM 840. 

Stations Swap   11-1-09
CBS has moved Rhythmic CHR WLLD-FM 98.7, Holmes Beach to the 100,000 watt 94.1frequency which was licensed Lakeland. WSJT-FM 94.1 had one of the strongest signals in West Central Florida. The 50,000 WLLD had coverage weaknesses in parts of the Tampa area. Moving WLLD to 94.1 put the Rhythmic CHR on equal footing and adjacent to Clear Channel’s WFLZ-FM 93.3. Coincidently, Dom Theodore, CBS Radio’s VP of CHR Programming, is a former PD of WFLZ. WSJT-FM has moved to 98.7.

Happy Birthday   11-3-09
Kevin Baldinger will blow out the candles on another birthday cake tomorrow, November 4. Happy Birthday Kevin!

Top Talkers   11-5-09
Talkers Magazine has released their annual list of the Top 200 Talk Radio Personalities. The list includes Central Florida personalities at number 68. The Monsters of WTKS-FM 104.1, 76. Jim Philips at WTKS-FM 104.1, 83. Marc Bernier heard on WNDB-AM 1150 and Jim Turner from WDBO-AM 580.

Ed Dean Returns     11-5-09
Ed Dean, longtime Central Florida talk host has joined WEJF-FM 93.3. He can be heard daily from 2-4PM.

WKIQ Highlighted In Leesburg Commercial    11-8-09
O.K. Walters and WKIQ-AM 1240 got a nice article by David Donald of the Leesburg Daily Commercial newspaper. You can read it here.

WOKB Raising Funds For Orlando Shooting Victim   11-8-09
WOKB-AM 1680 is raising money for the victim of the shooting that took place in Orlando on Friday. Killed in the rampage was Otis Beckford. Jonathan Sebastian Blount, said the station will be raising money to help Beckford's family. For ways you can help call; 407-293-9652.

Sileo Returns To His Morning Show     11-9-09
Dan Sileo, heard locally on WYGM-AM 740, returned to his morning show on Friday. He was suspended over comments he made regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer. Sileo alleged that Glazer lost millions to the Ponzi-scheme king, Bernie Madoff, and that the NFL franchise might be put up for sale. Glazer said, "The report today by WDAE's Dan Sileo about our family and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is 100 percent false. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not, nor have they ever been for sale. In addition, our family or any of our related companies have never invested one penny with Bernie Madoff. The report is baseless, irresponsible and slanderous." Clear Channel/Tampa officially offered a retraction and apology for statements made by Sileo. "During a broadcast Thursday on WDAE, morning host Dan Sileo made some statements about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Glazer family that were factually incorrect. We sincerely apologize for those statements and hereby issue a full retraction."

More Trouble For Wilhite    11-10-09
WELE-AM 1380 owner Doug Wilhite is now being sued by the parents of two 14-year old girls. The lawsuits state the girls were shown pornography and encouraged to have sex with a 15-year-old boy in his home. The families are seeking damages for mental anguish and emotional distress. Attorney Kim Bouck told the Daytona News Journal "My clients are both in treatment for this, and they're having significant issues." The separate lawsuits filed late last week seek unspecified amounts in damages. In these complaints, Wilhite's wife, Sherry, is also named as a defendant and is accused of not controlling the behavior of a teenage boy who lived in their home, engaged in sex acts with the girls while Doug Wilhite "would watch and sexually gratify himself". Wilhite has 20 days to respond to the suits.

ESPN Deportes To Debut In Orlando   11-11-09
ESPN Deportes WAMT 1190 will launch in Orlando this week. ESPN Deportes Radio is the only 24/7 Spanish-language sports radio network. “The Hispanics in the Orlando and Tampa markets are passionate about sports and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring them the best of sports radio, as well as be the first and only Spanish-language all sports station in these cities,” said Oscar Ramos, senior director and general manager of ESPN Deportes Radio. “Having the ESPN brand in Tampa and Orlando over the last several years has proven to be a great success for our company,” said Bruce Maduri, CEO of Genesis Communications Inc.  “We are very excited for our ESPN Deportes’ Radio partnership in Orlando and we are certain this deal will be a great benefit to our advertisers and listeners, especially with the recent marriage of the local Wide World of Sports with ESPN.”

Mid-day Volusia Update   11-11-09
A veteran voice is part of the team of WELE-AM 1380's  "Mid-day Volusia". Mark Williams, known as "Mr. News" is the producer of the program hosted by  Paul Carpenella and Wally Maroon.

Bob Andrews Passes    11-15-09
This website has lost a friend today, Bob Andrews has passed away after a battle with cancer. Bob was 81 years old. Bob was part of Central Florida Radio for the past 62 years. Our condolences go out to his entire family.

Wilhite Trial Begins Tomorrow   11-15-09
The trial of WELE-AM 1380 owner, Douglas Wilhite is scheduled to begin on Monday Nov. 16, 2009. Jury selection will begin at 9AM in Daytona Beach. Wilhite is charged with "sexual activity while in familial or custodial authority" and "Lewd and lascivious molestation". The arrest took place in July of this year. See our special report.

Service For Bob Andrews    11-16-09
The service for Bob Andrews will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Leesburg.  The address is 200 N. Lone Oak Dr., Leesburg.  It will take place beginning at 11:00 A.M.  The family is asking that in lieu of flowers please send donations to either Cornerstone Hospice or the Salvation Army. 


Blackbean Doing Lottery Commercial     11-17-09
Former member of the WTKS-FM 104.1 "Monsters", Blackbean (Carlos Navarro) can be seen in the latest series of Florida Lottery commercials. He appears in t he "Lottery Shopping Channel" series. 


Doug Kosarek Takes Show To WHIM   11-17-09
Doug Kosarek former host of "Wake Up Daytona" and "Wake up with Doug" is now on the air on WHIM-AM 1520 from 1PM-4PM Monday though Friday. 

Testimony Begins In Wilhite Trial    11-17-09
Testimony in the trail of Doug Wilhite accused of "sexual activity while in familial or custodial authority" and "Lewd and lascivious molestation" has begun this morning. The trial is expected to wrap up in a couple of days.

Happy Birthday!    11-17-09
Long time central Florida personality Oddo will celebrate another birthday on Thursday. Happy birthday Oddo!


Wilhite Found Not Guilty   11-18-09
Doug Wilhite,  the owner of WELE-AM 1380 accused of rape and lewd molestation is not guilty on both counts, a jury ruled on Wednesday. Wilhite had been on trial, accused of raping a 15-year-old boy. The court heard testimony from a teenager who said Wilhite raped him twice and repeatedly engaged in oral sex acts with him. The defense challenged the teenager's testimony, saying the boy has mental health issues and a history of lying. Ultimately the jury of six found Wilhite not guilty. He still faces charges from other teens who claim he watched them while they engaged in sex acts at his home. That trial is scheduled for Dec. 2. 


PJ And Friends Joins Line-up On WELE    11-18-09
Pj Pantaleo and Matt Gervia bring their style of comedy, games, prizes, skits to WELE-AM 1380.  "PJ and Friends" is heard on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1PM-2:30PM. The cast are graduates of SAK Comedy Lab, Orlando Fl.  Many are members of improv troupes in central Florida. www.pjandfriends.com   www.power2improv.com


90.7 Becomes All Talk    11-19-09
WMFE-FM 90.7 will morph into all news and information beginning Friday at 4PM. If you want your classical music, you'll have to purchase an HD Radio as it moves to 90.7-2. "Morning Edition" will now run from 6AM-10AM. "The Diane Rehm Show"; 10AM-Noon weekdays. "Fresh Air" Noon-1PM. "Here and Now" from 1PM-2PM. "Talk of the Nation" 2PM-3PM and a second part from 8PM-9PM. "The World" 3PM-4PM.  "All Things Considered" from 4PM-6PM. "Marketplace" 6PM-6:30PM. "All Things Considered" 6:30PM-7PM.  "On Point" from 9PM-11PM.


Burke Accepts Plea Deal   11-20-09
WORL-AM 660 weekend host Shannon Burke has agreed to a plea deal. Burke was facing a possible 20-year sentence for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and animal cruelty. He pleaded guilty to using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol and cruelty to animals. He was ordered to jail for six months. He will begin the sentence Dec. 31. 


Birthdays This Week      11-23-09
Two WTKS-FM 104.1 alumni celebrate birthdays this week. "The Commodore", Jim Philips celebrates number 62 on Wednesday and Tuddle celebrates the big 3 - 0 on Thursday.


WELE To Be Sold    11-24-08
WELE-AM 1380 is being sold  to Goliath Radio LLC, headed by Big John. Big John will forgive a $35,000 loan to the station and its owner, and will pick up existing obligations. Kristen (Wilhite) Cobb will be retained as a consultant to the  for 5 years at $1,200 per month. The sale follows Wilhite's not guilty verdict last week of two felony counts of sex with a minor., is essentially the amount of loans made to Wilhite by Big John. The FCC filing regarding the WELE transaction says that the sex charges "are unrelated to WELE."  


Happy Birthday!     11-26-08
Kevin Davis, Program Director at WNDD-FM 95.5, celebrates his birthday on November 28. Jeff Cushman, Program Director at WOMX-FM 105.1 as well as WOCL-FM 105.9 will blow out the candles on November 29, as well as WXXL-FM 106.7's Johnny Magic who turns 46. WNDB-AM 1150 afternoon host Marc Bernier will be wearing his party hat on Monday, November 30.


Mike Taylor Has Left the Building   11-26-08
WRGO-FM 102.7 Program Director/Morning Host, Mike Taylor, has left the station. Unfortunately, Mike is a victim of budget cuts. Mornings on “Fun 102.7” will be automated until further notice.

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