Harford County (December 16, 2004) -- Sade Baderinwa triumphantly returned to the air December 13th on New York's WABC-TV. Sade, who was badly injured by a hit-and-run driver last July, looked the picture of health as she thanked viewers and co-workers for their calls, letters and emails of concern. She also thanked the medical professionals who facilitated her recovery, and expressed special thanks for her cameraman that evening, whose quick actions she credits with saving her life. Sade looked radiant, and her on-air presentation was much smoother and more confident than when she plied her trade at WBAL-TV (11). A year or so ago, I commented that I thought Baderinwa wasn't ready for The Big Apple. Obviously, New York City has been good for the 30-something anchor, as she appears far more polished than she did during her time in Baltimore. Perhaps Sade will soon join Vicki Mabry, Campbell Brown, Carol Costello and Spencer Christian as former WBAL staffers who made it to a national network. We wish her the best.

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Infinity Broadcasting has made some major personnel changes in Baltimore. Former WWMX-FM (106.5) newscaster Kathy Whiteside has replaced midday host Mary Anne Perry at WLIF-FM (101.9). Morning newscaster Tamara Nelson is out, as is afternoon announcer Mark Thoner, who had been with the station for 15 years. A Harford County resident, Thoner began his career at WHFC-FM (91.1), then moved on to Bel Air's now-defunct WHRF-AM before hooking up with the old WFBR-AM in 1989. Down the hall at WJFK-FM (1300), they've sacked sports talk host Steve Stofberg. And at the struggling WWMX, morning show co-host Stacy Lynn was given the boot. Insiders say the Infinity cuts came as a result of financial losses at WQSR-FM (102.7), which recently ended the much-publicized but brief comeback of "Brian & O'Brien." The chatty duo never fit in with 'QSR's music-intensive format and older songs. Plus, their shtick was largely unchanged from 20 years ago, when they were a top morning show at the old B-104, now smooth jazz WSMJ-FM (104.3). Personally, I thought Brian Wilson's reunion with Don O'Brien was a step backward, since Wilson had established himself as a fairly successful libertarian talk show host since the B-104 days, at WBAL-AM (1090) and elsewhere. O'Brien, by the way, now does mornings for Cambridge country station WINX-FM (94.3). Meanwhile, the exodus of listeners continues at WQSR, which is now in danger of falling out of the ratings top ten for the first time in memory. Memo to WQSR execs: How many times a day do you think we need to hear "I Can't Get No Satisfaction?"

WFBR is back in Baltimore. Former religious outlet WJRO-AM (1590) in Glen Burnie was recently granted permission by the FCC to change their call letters to WFBR, and has dropped their religious programming for an ethnic format. For years, the original WFBR was a top station in Baltimore, featuring personalities like Arthur Godfrey and Garry Moore in their pre-network days in the 1930s, and later local legends Joe Knight, The Flying Dutchman, Johnny Walker and Charlie Eckman. Locally owned until 1989, WFBR signed on in the 1920s as WEAR and was Maryland's first radio station. Corporate giant Infinity bought the station along with WLIF-FM in 1989, and in January 1990 they did the unthinkable by changing 1300's call letters to WLIF-AM. Eventually the station became WJFK-AM, which it remains today. Infinity didn't have a clue what to do with 1300 then, and 15 years later they still don't. Anyway, sentimentalists (like me) applaud the return of the WFBR call letters, even if they're now located up the dial at 1590.

Game show host Pat Sajak has purchased Westminster oldies station WTTR-AM (1470) from Shamrock Broadcasting. Sajak, who lives in Anne Arundel County, already owns Annapolis station WNAV-AM (1430).

Under the heading "Old Faces in New Places," veteran announcer Johnny Dark, who was sacked at Washington's WBIG-FM (100.3), has returned to Baltimore to do Saturday mornings at WQSR-FM (102.7). Many of us remember Dark from his days at then Top-40 WCAO-AM (600) back in the 60s. With him then was R.C. Allen who, in recent years, has been driving a school bus while holding down Saturday mornings at WWLG-AM (1370). Seems R.C.'s driving days are behind him, as he's switched places with another former WCAO veteran Alan Field. Field had handled weekday mornings at WWLG since its inception in 1994 (the station was briefly known as WHLP but had previously been the legendary WEBB). Now Alan Field has gone into semi-retirement and can be heard in R.C.'s former slot on Saturdays.

Finally, say goodbye to WBFF-TV's (45) Craig Demchak and Jennifer DesMarais. Demchak, a native of Frederick, has moved on to the Sinclair-owned TV station in Tampa, while morning host DesMarais, a Kathy Lee Gifford wanna-be, will depart for Rhode Island on Christmas Eve. By the way, remember former WBFF anchor Tony Harris? He can now be seen nationally on CNN.

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

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