Radio Stations

The following is a partial list of radio stations that can be heard in the area: FM Stations WYPF-FM 88.1 - National Public Radio WZXQ-FM 88.3 - Christian (The Word FM) WSYC-FM 88.7 - New bands/college radio classics and tunes from independent artists and labels/campus and local news/specialty programs WVEP-FM 88.9 - West Virginia Public Radio WGMS-FM 89.1 - Classical WSHC-FM 89.7 - Alternative WMTB-FM 89.9 - Classical/Rock/Jazz/Rap/Mount basketball WCRH-FM 90.5 - Inspirational contemporary Christian music (The Compass)

Two area radio stations are back in the hands of local owners after being purchased at an auction last week, Manning Broadcasting President Gene Manning confirmed Tuesday. Manning Broadcasting was the successful bidder for three stations, including two it once owned, WWEG-FM and WARK-AM, according to a notice from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Manning Broadcasting Inc. of Hagerstown sold WARX-FM and WARK-AM in 2005 to Nassau Broadcasting Partners of Princeton, N.J., for approximately $18 million, according to a previously published report inThe Herald-Mail.

Following is a partial listing of radio stations in the area, and the type of fare each offers. FM Stations WYPF-FM 88.1 - National Public Radio WZXQ-FM 88.3 - Christian WSYC-FM 88.7 - Specialty new music WVEP-FM 88.9 - West Virginia Public Radio WETH-FM 89.1 - National Public Radio/BBC/world news WSHC-FM 89.7 - Alternative WMTB-FM 89.9 - Classical/Rock/Jazz/Rap/Mount basketball WCRH-FM 90.5 - Inspirational...

gregs@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - Two Hagerstown radio stations will lose their local ownership under an application filed with federal regulators Thursday, an official who helped broker the deal said. Nassau Broadcasting Partners LP, based in Princeton, N.J., has agreed to buy Manning Broadcasting's two stations for at least $18 million, said W. Lawrence Patrick, president of Ellicott City, Md.-based Patrick Communications. The stations are WARX-FM and WARK-AM, known locally as Oldies 106.9 FM and Hot Talk 1490 AM. Patrick negotiated the deal on behalf of Manning.

Finding out if nasty weather has caused schools to be closed or to open later than usual is as easy as making a telephone call. Hagerstown Trust Co. sponsors a weather line forecast service at 301-733-3636. The Washington County Board of Education recently began adding a message to the hotline on days of inclement weather, according to School Board spokeswoman Donna Messina. The recorded message gives the date, time, temperature and forecast. On days when the weather is bad, Messina's recorded voice will then provide information on "if schools have been delayed or canceled or whatever the situation is," she said.

Scott Stavrakas has been promoted to director of Digital Sales and Revenue Development for Schurz Communications Inc., headquartered in South Bend, Ind. He assumed his new duties March 1. Prior to his promotion, Stavrakas served nearly five years as advertising director at The Herald-Mail Co. In his new position, Stavrakas will oversee digital sales development for SCI's print and broadcast properties. SCI operates about 20 daily and weekly newspapers, a shopping publication, five TV stations and 12 radio stations from Maryland to California.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - In an age when people are inundated by dozens of cable television channels, AM and FM radio stations across the band and other media, it may be hard to remember a time when there was no electronic media based in Franklin County. The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Thursday honored the Booth family as pioneers in local radio and television for more than half a century, declaring Friday "Broadcast Excellence Day. " The family completed the sale of its three stations to Dame Broadcasting Corp.

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - The original cast of the Rumsey Radio Hour will return Saturday, Feb. 17, with "The Rumsey Radio Hour, Unplugged," with some of the best sketches culled from 15 years worth of shows. The proceeds will go to support the mission of bringing storytellers to the children of Jefferson County. The Rumsey Radio Hour was taped live in Reynolds Hall for broadcast over 15 radio stations from 1990 until 1995, and was resurrected a few years ago in support of the Shepherdstown Public Library.

Mercersburg, Pa. - "From the Top," National Public Radio's showcase for young classical musicians hosted by Christopher O'Riley, recorded an episode Nov. 28 at Mercersburg Academy's Burgin Center for the Arts' Simon Theatre. The show at the Burgin Center featured the following students: · Julie Sohn, 15, a pianist who performed the first movement of Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 in C minor. · Benjamin Hyman, 17, a baritone who sang "Sylvie" by Gabriel Faure. · Piotr Filochowski, 15, a violinist who performed Bazzini's "La Ronde des Lutins.

The 32nd annual Texaco Country Showdown is coming to Hagerstown. WAYZ 104.7 FM will host the country music talent search and radio promotion. About $200,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded nationwide including the Grand Prize of $100,000 cash to the National Winner, presented at the National Final televised special. The contest is open to vocal and instrumental performers as well as groups with no more than seven members. Acts also must not have performed on a record charted in the top 100 country format of Billboard within 18 months preceding local competition.

Jim Breuer knew in sixth-grade that he was meant to make people laugh. He was in a talent show and had written a sketch where his friend plays a security guard while Breuer's in the background stealing everything on stage. It ended with Breuer clocking his friend on the head, stuffing him in a bag and dragging him off  stage. "I realized I could make people laugh," he said during a telephone interview from his Jersey Shore, N.J., home. He didn't, however, win. "I lost to a bunch of hacks lipsynching to KISS," Breuer, 45, said with a his recognizable laugh.

Two area radio stations are back in the hands of local owners after being purchased at an auction last week, Manning Broadcasting President Gene Manning confirmed Tuesday. Manning Broadcasting was the successful bidder for three stations, including two it once owned, WWEG-FM and WARK-AM, according to a notice from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Manning Broadcasting Inc. of Hagerstown sold WARX-FM and WARK-AM in 2005 to Nassau Broadcasting Partners of Princeton, N.J., for approximately $18 million, according to a previously published report inThe Herald-Mail.

An involuntary petition for bankruptcy filed last week is aimed at a company that owns dozens of radio stations, including in Hagerstown. Nassau Broadcasting Partners L.P. of Princeton, N.J., is facing a chapter 7 bankruptcy, in which assets are liquidated to pay debt. Nassau Broadcasting says on its website that it operates 14 radio stations in the Mid-Atlantic region and 31 in New England. In Hagerstown, it has 106.9 The Eagle/WWEG-FM, a rock station, and WARK-AM 1490, which airs talk shows and oldies music.

The newest, local Christian radio station to hit the airwaves is finally up and running after tackling a few glitches. "We went on the air in August, but we had a few hiccups," said Larry Aikens, general manager of WHGT 1590 AM and pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Temple on National Pike. "All the equipment we bought was brand new, and it's like getting a new car. Sometimes you have to take it in for service. But, we worked all that out, and we're at full steam. " Janice Cook of Chambersburg, Pa., was changing her radio station when she stumbled upon WHGT.

In the next few months, The Herald-Mail's online site will be changing. Regular visitors to herald-mail.com probably already are rolling their eyes and muttering things like "Why? Why? Why?" The site is easy to navigate. The site does look good. The feedback from users is predominantly positive. So ... why, why, why? We can make it even better. The Herald-Mail launched its online site around 1996. It was a very simple website to visit, but a very complicated website to produce.

HAGERSTOWN -- The mission of a new Christian radio station in the Tri-State area becomes quite clear once the WHGT call letters are explained. "It stands for Where Hearts Get Transformed," said Pastor Larry Aikens, president and general manager of the station. Listeners in the Chambersburg, Pa., area can currently pick up the station, which is broadcasting at reduced power on 1590 AM. Aikens said weather has delayed into early spring the station's plans to increase power to its full 15,000-watts and broaden its coverage area.

Workshop covers how to run for office CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - A workshop with information on running for local office will be Monday, Jan. 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Franklin County Administrative Annex. The responsibilities of school board members, borough council members and township supervisors will be covered. Instructions will be shared on how to file petitions and report campaign expenses, and a panel of local officials will talk about their experiences. The workshop is being presented by the Penn State Extension, according to a press release.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- While Jeff Polczynski deals with gripes from local police chiefs over 911 issues, he also is putting together a new multimillion-dollar dispatching center. On Tuesday morning, manuals and wires lay among new dispatching stations as Polczynski, head of the 911 center, worked toward his goal of getting the system running by next month. "I'm working as hard as I can," Polczynski said at the new center in Bardane, W.Va. The 911 center is switching to digital radios to replace an outdated, analog system that has not been dependable for police.