After the announcement that Neuhoff Media is exiting radio, another broadcast group in the Midwest is shutting down. Dave Crooks, the President of DLC Media, Inc., has decided to retire and is selling his six stations to two local Indiana and Illinois radio operators.
Three of the stations, WAXI 104.9 in Rockville, IN, and both WAKO-FM 103.1 and WAKO-AM 910 along with FM Translator W257DW 99.3 in Lawrenceville, IL, are being acquired by 3 Towers Broadcasting. Operated by Scott Huber and Johnny McCrory, this company already has a portfolio that includes radio stations and digital newspapers across several Indiana locations.
Crooks is selling his remaining three stations, WVIG 105.5 in West Terre Haute, and the Brazil, IN stations WFNB 92.7 and WAMB-AM 1130, including FM Translators W295CQ 106.9 & W258BA 99.5, to JKO Media, Inc., owned by Joey & Kelsey O’Rourke. JKO Media, which currently owns 105.9 WMMC in Marshall, IL.
Crooks, who started his radio career at 16 in 1980, has not only hosted morning shows and high school play-by-play but also served as the 2016 President of the Board of Directors for the Indiana Broadcasters Association and served as an Indiana State Representative from 1996-2008.
The FCC will need to review and approve the transfer of ownership, but Crooks anticipates a smooth transition by May 1st.
Crooks said, “I am ready to slow down and knock more items off my bucket list. It’s been a great ride. I am confident I am leaving the stations, staff, and the communities they serve in good hands.”
