First air date September 17, 1962 HAAT 91 meters Frequency 95.3 MHz Format Adult hits Sister stations WKFM, WEOL, WLKR | Power 3,300 watts Class A City of license Norwalk Branding 95-3 WLKR | |
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Broadcast area Sandusky/Port Clinton, Ohio
Lake Erie Islands Callsign meaning Ed WaLKeR
(WLKR-FM co-founder) Owner Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Co. Area Sandusky, Port Clinton, Lake Erie Islands | ||
WLKR-FM is an FM radio station licensed to Norwalk, Ohio, operating on 95.3 MHz. Its transmitter is located just outside Norwalk near the intersection of Huber Road and Lamereaux Road. However, its studios are in Milan, along with sister stations WLKR (AM) and WKFM. The station is locally owned by Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Co., and features an adult album alternative (AAA) format as "95-3 WLKR." In addition, WLKR-FM carries local newscasts at 6am, 6:30am, 7am, 7:30am, 8am, 8:30am, 12pm and 5pm, and newscasts from CBS Radio.
WLKR-FM serves as the Sandusky/Port Clinton (collectively referred to as Vacationland) area FM affiliate for the Cleveland Indians, Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. WLKR-FM also has coverage of local high school sports, including football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, softball and baseball.
All local sporting events are streamed online at www.wlkrradio.com
History
WLKR-FM started broadcasting in 1962, with the AM counterpart starting in 1968. The station was founded by Port Clinton, Ohio resident Robert W. Reider, who eventually started and operated WLKR AM/FM, WRWR in Port Clinton, WAWR in Bowling Green, and WKTN in Kenton, all via his "Ohio Radio Incorporated" banner. For many years, the station held a full service adult contemporary format, and was an ABC News Radio affiliate, covering Paul Harvey News and Comment among other long-form news features.
In September 1979, WLKR AM and FM were sold over to Firelands Broadcasting, headed first by longtime station general manager James Westerhold, and later David Mehling. Both stations were then sold to the Elyria, Ohio-based Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Co. in February 2002. WLKR has since maintained its local presence, while the music programming was first streamlined into a traditional adult contemporary. It assumed an adult album alternative format in March 2007.
WLKR-FM also supplies newscasts to sister stations WLKR and WKFM.
WLKR's current weekday lineup features the morning show hosted by Melissa Sharp and Josh Bowman, Kelly Rose mid-days, and Carrie Danger in afternoons.
Josh Bowman was hired as the new News and Sports Director for WLKR and WKFM in late May 2016.