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Harford County (October 9, 2003) -- Last time around, we reported "Captain" Jim McMahan's WAMD-AM (970) was on the block for $200,000. We also said the studio and tower site had already been sold. Well the station IS for sale. That much is true. However, the Captain vehemently denies that he's already sold the studio and tower site. He confirmed that a developer has been looking at the land, but he insists no sale has taken place--yet. This should make finding a buyer for the Aberdeen oldies station a whole lot easier, providing of course McMahan doesn't change his mind. He told me he's making more money now than ever before.

Another defection at Channel 11. Sources say anchorman Jeff Pegues will soon be heading to New York and WABC-TV. The move is expected to take place in November. Pegues is the second WBAL-TV reporter in the past four months to leave that station for The Big Apple. Sade Baderinwa went to WABC in August.

WBAL-AM (1090) sportscaster Steve Melewski left in September after a highly publicized run-in with station exec Jeff Beauchamp. According to Beauchamp, Melewski's ratings were consistently sub-par, and station efforts to fine tune the program were met with resistance. Melewski reportedly declined comment to reporters at the time of his departure.

Meanwhile over at WMAR-TV (2), Joann Bauer has departed for the great white north (Minneapolis). That station's working agreement with The Sunpapers seems to have done little or nothing to increase the number of viewers. If you ask me (and nobody did), it'll take a massive public relations campaign and better lead-in programming to pull 2News from its perennial ratings lethargy. They're the Texas Rangers of local TV, seemingly content to finish last each year.

WHFC-FM's (91.1) Internet streaming efforts were short-lived. One of the businesses involved in the venture suddenly pulled out without warning. The Bel Air public radio station continues to look for a new webcast server, so far with no results. Catch WHFC's fall fundraiser, featuring special one-of-a-kind premiums, October 20 through November 1.

There'll be no hockey on Baltimore radio this fall and winter. Despite his best efforts, Hershey Bears broadcaster John Walton was unable to find a local station to simulcast that American Hockey League team's broadcasts this season. The Bears front office had hoped to accommodate the team's many fans from this side of the Mason-Dixon line, since the signal of its flagship station WHBO-FM (92.7) does not reach into Maryland. John's an excellent broadcaster, and it's hard to believe no local station was interested.

The FCC has levied $3,000 fines against Annapolis-based WYRE-AM (810) and Towson University's WTMD-FM (89.7). Seems both stations were missing a page or two from their public files. It never ceases to amaze me. Radio and television stations can broadcast the most outrageous and offensive programming and nothing is said. "It's what the people want to see (or hear)" is the general response from station execs. Meanwhile, the slightest administrative oversight often results in punishment. Let's be honest. Has anyone ever gone to a radio or television station and asked to review its public file? Yet the garbage many of them are spewing on the public airwaves, conveniently labeled as "entertainment," gets nary a mention by regulators.

Have a question or comment? Email me at gwhelton@yahoo.com.

GH