IL Radio: Starved Rock Media Closes On WLPO, WAJK, WLWF

John Spencer, Stared Rock Media and
Joyce McCullough, LaSalle County Broadcasting

La Salle County Broadcasting received authorization Tuesday morning from the Federal Communications Commission to transfer broadcast licenses for radio stations Classic Hits WLPO 1220 AM / 103.9 FM, AC WAJK 99.3 FM and Country WLWF 96.5 FM to Starved Rock Media Inc.

The News-Tribune reports John Spencer, president and owner of Starved Rock Media Inc., is starting his 28th year at the radio stations and will now be general manage of the stations. Spencer joined the staff as morning show host on WAJK and as production coordinator for La Salle County Broadcasting.

“This wouldn’t have happened without Cathy Miller and Joyce McCullough’s commitment to keeping these stations local,” Spencer said of the sale. “And the stations are a legacy to longtime chief engineer Steve Vogler, who passed away Oct. 1.”

La Salle County Broadcasting celebrated the 70th anniversary of WLPO-AM two years ago. The local radio stations have evolved through the years, but listeners should not expect many major changes.

“I’ve been involved in the day-to-day operations for a number of years, and obviously changes will happen; they’re inevitable. But we have no desire or intent to make any significant changes immediate at three successful radio stations,” Spencer said.

“There have been subtle tweaks to WAJK since I’ve been here, but WAJK has pretty much stayed in its lane, providing top-40 music for adults,” Spencer said.

WLPO has gone from a full-service AM with everything from farm markets, recipes and the clearinghouse, which was a radio-driven garage sale or trading post, to conservative syndicated talk and live local talk in the early 2000s. Today, it features a combination of news, talk and classic rock including a popular morning program.