ITHACA -- Public radio listeners are noticing some recent changes on the FM dial, thanks to the anticipated launch of WITH 90.1. Ithaca's Community Radio at 88.1FM (W201CD), which had been simulcasting Geneva-based WEOS, is now simulcasting a Binghamton-area station's signal instead. Updated 5/19.
SYRACUSE -- Public broadcaster WRVO took home First Place in the "Radio Newscast" category at the Syracuse Press Club awards dinner on Saturday night. The Oswego-based NPR affiliate took home four other first-place awards and a second-place title. Syracuse-based NPR affiliate WAER had the second-longest list of awards, and WSYR took home three titles. Updated 5/18.
UTICA-ROME -- Galaxy Communications has announced former Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts and his current band, Great Southern, will headline the schedule at Classic Rock 96.9 WOUR's "Party in the Park" concert on July 21. Admission is free and a number of local bands are also expected to perform.
UTICA-ROME -- Roser Communications' Kiss-FM (WSKS/WSKU) recently invited local high schools to submit videotaped entries for the chance to let the simulcast CHR stations "invade" their prom. The station will be joined by the national recording artists Lovesick Radio, who recently posed for a photo with the station crew.
MIAMI, FL -- From the "better late than never" file, we've just learned former Syracuse and Utica personality Jeanne Ashley is on the move to Miami. Her last day with Star 102 (KCKC) in Kansas City was April 23, and starting next week, she'll be hosting evenings at Miami's 101.5 Lite FM (WYLF).
UTICA-ROME -- Central New York native Kidd Chris, who now hosts mornings at KUFO in Portland, Oregon, is returning to the Mohawk Valley's airwaves. He's hosting a new Saturday night show, starting tonight, on 92.7 The Drive (WXUR). The show will air from 7pm to midnight. Updated 5/10 with correction.
NEW YORK CITY -- We're out of the market for our latest Picture of the Week, but both of the folks pictured at left are from Central New York, and they've both contributed a lot of time to the website you're reading right now. But what's more interesting: the chances of them running into each other for this picture: one in about 32,000.
SYRACUSE -- The New ESPN Radio (WTLA/WSGO and 97.7/100.1FM) will soon come through on its promise to expand upon locally-originated programming. Disturbing the Peace will air during afternoon drive, starting Monday, May 17. The show will be co-hosted primarily by Chris McManus and Anthony Riccobono.
SYRACUSE -- Longtime sportscaster Claude "Red" Parton has died, according to a report from ABC affiliate NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV). Parton's career spanned more than six decades, starting with WSYR in 1939. He'd eventually work at a number of other radio stations before moving into television.
MEADVILLE, PA -- It is with sadness we report that former Big Frog 104 (WFRG) midday hostess Karie "Crickett" Shields has died. According to a news report published yesterday, Shields was found dead Monday morning in a friend's home. For the past ten years, Shields hosted middays at northwestern Pennsylvania's Froggy 100.3/98.5.
Updated 5/6 with details on funeral arrangements being held in Oneonta.