WNTA- AM gave local, wall-to-wall on scene radio coverage of railroad derailment
June 20th, 2009 at 03:21am Chuck Sweeny
When the Show of Shows was ending late Friday night, master of ceremonies Mike Robinson warned people to stay away from the area of South Mulford and Sandy Hollow roads. Big train wreck, he said. Burning tank cars of ethanol, he said.
Right. As soon as the show was over I headed over there to see what I could see. I wouldn’t have learned much had I not tuned my radio to WNTA-AM. For the entire evening they abandoned their syndicated program format and went live, with anchors in the studio on SandyHollow Road, and reporters in the field. They provided up to date information when people, especially homeowners in the area or motorists, needed to know what was going on.
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4 Comments Add your own
1. Jon | June 20th, 2009 at 7:14 am
They generally do great “local disaster” coverage (like WROK once used to do) when I can tune in the station; how were you able to tune them in at that hour, as they are a “daytimer” station who has to reduce their transmitter’s power at sundown, which makes their over-the-air coverage be about as good as shouting out of a window?
2. Chuck Sweeny | June 21st, 2009 at 3:00 am
I was able to get their station by tuning in my car radio. Obviously the signal came in, otherwise I would not be talking about it.
3. Jon | June 27th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I am happy someone could get them in at that hour-I sometimes wish I could as well.
4. Glenn E Lego | July 8th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Remember a few years ago when the severe storm hit Rockford and knocked out power, phone service, and all the tv stations? WNTA was the only radio station in the city to pre-empt their regular programs and report on what was happening in the aftermath of the storm.
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