JASPER, Alabama (CelebrityAccess) — An AM radio station in Alabama was forced to go off the air after thieves reportedly stole radio equipment, including a 200-foot radio tower from a building.
According to NBC News, radio station WJLX discovered the tower was missing when a landscaping crew went to the broadcast building for maintenance and then called the station’s general manager when he discovered the radio mast to be missing.
“What do you mean the tower is gone? Are you sure you’re in the right place? I actually used more colorful words than that,” the GM, Brett Elmore, told NBC News.
According to NBC, thieves stole virtually all of the station’s broadcast equipment along with the tower, including the transmitter.
The station notified both local authorities of the alleged theft and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ask for permission to temporarily broadcast on FM until the tower and transmitter can be restored.
The oldies music format station services the Jasper, Alabama region and has been on the air since 2008 after a call-sign swap with its former sister station WLYJ.
Elmore went on to note that the broadcast equipment was not insured but stated that he hopes the station will be back up and running soon.
“Unfortunately, the site was not insured. We’re a small market station, but we’re going to get back, and we’re going to be back on the air as soon as we possibly can,” Elmore told NBC.
