Updated 7/1 -- SYRACUSE -- Documents filed with the FCC this week show the majority owner of Galaxy Communications is cashing in its chips. Boston-based Alta Communications is selling its stake in the Syracuse-based company, which operates 8 Syracuse market radio stations, 6 Utica-Rome stations, and an FM translator near Albany. Because the changes are legally considered as a sale, one of Galaxy's Syracuse stations must be "spun off" to a separate company, per FCC regulations.
SYRACUSE -- Good news for Vince Spicola, one of at least two top-level managers sidelined in a significant staff house-cleaning at NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) last December, right after Nexstar Broadcasting Group closed on its purchase of the ABC affiliate. Spicola has a new managerial position with one of the region's most recognizable not-for-profit organizations.
BOLTON LANDING -- Several radio and television stations from the Syracuse, Utica-Rome and Ithaca/Cortland markets were recognized for their efforts at the New York State Broadcasters Association's 47th "Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting" on Monday evening. As has been the tradition for as long as your editor can remember, winners were announced and awards were distributed at the Sagamore Resort Hotel in Bolton Landing, a little over an hour's drive north of Albany.
SYRACUSE -- Rock station 95X (WAQX) is celebrating its 35th anniversary by offering a lineup of 20 bands at the Regional Market in Syracuse in August. Tickets for "95X-Fest" are now on sale. And the first date in the station's free summer concert series is coming up this Thursday.
SYRACUSE -- Twenty local country music acts hoping to make it big will be performing next weekend, as New Country WOLF 105.1 hosts the Syracuse leg of this year's Texaco Country Showdown. In addition to the competitors, there will be a car show and a performance from national country music duo Walker McGuire.
SYRACUSE -- The NBA and NHL finals are dominating the sports headlines this week, and there's still a few months of baseball left this year. But some local sports fans are already looking forward to the start of football season -- specifically, Syracuse University football. SU flagship station TK99 (WTKW) recently hosted a luncheon with head coach Scott Shafer.
OSWEGO -- Funeral arrangements for John Krauss, the retired WRVO General Manager who died on Monday, have been announced. Calling hours will be offered tomorrow and Saturday in Oswego, with a memorial service to immediately follow Saturday's calling hours.
SYRACUSE -- Locally-owned New Country WOLF 105.1/96.7 (WOLF-FM/WWLF-FM) has an opening for a part-time morning show producer/board operator. If you're interested, send a resume to programming@movin100.com. CNYRadio.com is pleased to share local radio/TV job openings FREE of charge -- just send those job announcements to cnyradio@cnyradio.com.
OSWEGO -- His voice was the very first to be heard when WRVO debuted in 1969. John Krauss would stay with the Oswego station for the next 41 years, working his way up the ranks, eventually serving as General Manager from 1996 until his retirement in 2010. Today, we're sad to report Krauss has died.
SYRACUSE -- The search for a new brand manager at TK99/TK105 (WTKW/WTKV) is over. Harvey Kojan -- whose career includes on-air and programming experience across upstate New York, and in major markets like Houston and Baltimore -- will join the classic rock stations early next month.