Widmer selling M-F radio station to Capps

Published 7:34 pm Thursday, November 7, 2002

MILTON-FREEWATER – Once the Federal Communication Commission approves the sale, Milton-Freewater’s KTEL AM radio station will transfer ownership. But the programming format will not change.

Capps Broadcast Group purchased the station for an undisclosed sum from longtime owner Dennis Widmer. Until the approval goes through, Widmer will remain the station owner, but Capps has moved two employees to the Milton-Freewater office, said Randy McKone, vice-president of GM Capps Broadcast Group.

Approval should come from the FCC in 60 to 90 days, he said.

“Dennis has done a wonderful job serving the Walla Walla and Milton-Freewater area with the radio station,” said McKone. “We’re looking forward to that and growing the position in the market over there.”

The radio station gave the company a good foothold in a larger market, he added. The station was also a good fit with the company’s other stations.

Capps Broadcast Group also owns KCMB FM and KWRL FM in La Grande, as well as KUMA AM & FM, KTIX AM and KWHT FM in Pendleton.

In addition to the radio station, Widmer also owns the Valley Herald and Valley Times weekly newspapers in Milton-Freewater. Widmer was out of town and could not be reached for comment.