Adrian Chamber recognizes Bates County radio station

By SHARON KIESEL

The Adrian Chamber of Commerce’s featured business for August is the Bates County Broadcasting Company. The business is the Bates County Radio Station, KMAM 1530 and KMOE FM-92, based in Butler. It was founded May 11, 1962 by Bill and Louise Thornton and Bill’s late brother Jerry. Bill and Louise’s daughter, Melody, will become the new owner of the station when the FCC action is completed. Melody began working at the station when she was about 16 years old. She has 33 years of experience in the broadcasting business.

Currently the radio station broadcasts programs from 5:00 a.m. to Midnight daily. The station offers listeners local news covering eight counties in west central Missouri and eastern Kansas. The sports programs cover events in three counties. There is weather with up to the minute coverage, especially during tornado season. The station also plays county and gospel music. “Being a small market station, we’re more one-on-one than a larger station,” Melody said. “We work with the police, schools and cities for tornado or other weather information and school cancellations. We also have the obituary announcements which for some people are the only way they have of knowing immediately if someone has passed away.”

Anyone can send news to the station by email. Send items to news@fm92radio.com. The station also has a fax line at 1-660-679-4179. For more information check out the station’s website at www.fm92radio.com or call at 1-660-679-4191.