WNCR (AM)

Application, construction and sign-on

Organized on December 10, 1945, in Elyria, Ohio, the Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Co. filed paperwork with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on April 24, 1946, to construct an AM station, one month after filing for an FM station permit. In addition to multiple area businessmen that included Bendix president David O. Thomas as chairman, the leading stockholder in Elyria-Lorain was Roy W. Ammel, vice-president of the Elyria Telephone Company since 1941; Ammel previous achieved fame as the first pilot to fly nonstop from New York City to the Panama Canal in 1930. The FM application, one of 11 filed in the Cleveland, Akron and Elyria area, was reviewed by the FCC beginning in April 1946, where Elyria-Lorain argued that Cleveland stations did not adequately cover Lorain County. The FM permit to broadcast at was granted on June 30, 1947, alongside the ten other applicants, and the AM permit to broadcast at was granted on September 11, 1947.

By April 1948, both stations adopted the WEOL and WEOL-FM call signs, standing for Wellington, Elyria, Oberlin and Lorain. Bert Koeblitz, associated with WHK for over 17 years, was hired as general manager. In addition to studios at the Elyria Savings and Trust Building in downtown Elyria and transmitter in Grafton Township, auxiliary studios were constructed at Oberlin College and the Antlers Hotel in Lorain, a combined investment of $250,000. Both WEOL and WEOL-FM took to the air at 7:30 a.m. on October 17, 1948, with minimal fanfare; the first program consisted of organ music, staff were introduced on-air at 2 p.m. that afternoon. Among the initial air staff was cooking program host Alice Schowalter, who joined WEWS-TV several months later under the stage name Alice Weston.

Four area churches, including two affiliated with the Assemblies of God, filed complaints with the FCC of religious discrimination after WEOL declined to carry an interdenominational program days before the stations signed on. Ammel countered that the Assemblies of God were not a recognized religious body. On May 10, 1949, twelve off- and on-air staffers went on strike in a labor dispute, taking both stations off-air. Broadcasts were resumed one day later with replacement personnel and the transmitter towers were monitored by the Lorain County Sherriff. WEOL successfully sued Lorain's mayor, chief of police, and chief of public safety in July 1949 when they denied the station access to reports and information. By April 1950, Maurice Condon, former sidekick to Jack Paar and brother of Plain Dealer television editor George E. Condon, was named general manager. Condon was the sixth person in the role in two years; the instability was attributed to disagreements between management and Ammel.

Litigation against ''The Lorain Journal''

U.S. Justice Department antitrust lawsuit

"That may be sound local newspaper policy. But WEOL cannot, under the terms of its license, observe such a policy," [general manager Bert] Koeblitz observed. "Its facilities must be offered to all of Lorain County." On May 15, 1949, two agents from the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust division visited the offices of The Lorain Journal, a daily newspaper that held a monopoly on news coverage and advertising revenue in Lorain. The inquiry was centered around accusations of the Journals public hostility towards WEOL and the FCC; the Journal described WEOL as "... the attempted invasion of the Lorain field by an outside radio station". The Journal and the co-owned Mansfield News-Journal in Mansfield, Ohio, applied for radio stations in both cities in 1946, but were ultimately rejected by the FCC due to boycott practices against advertisers of Mansfield station WMAN. On November 15, 1948, WEOL accused the Journal on-air of an "advertising dictatorship" against the station that was "simply a carbon copy of the Mansfield situation" and criticized the paper (along with the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram) for refusing to carry their program logs, even if offered as paid advertising.

The Justice Department sued the Journal on November 15, 1949, with violating the Sherman Antitrust Act by punishing business that wished to advertise on WEOL or The Sunday News, a weekly newspaper, and acting as a "private government which rules" Lorain. The Journal requested an immediate trial, with the paper's legal counsel Parker Fulton calling the lawsuit "too important a case to have a new and novel interpretation of law". A pre-trial stop-gap injunction the Justice Department sought for immediate relief to WEOL and the News was denied by U.S. Northern Ohio district court Judge Emerich B. Freed. Unaware of the dispute, the Lorain County Republican Party placed political advertising for both outlets but had their Journal ads abruptly cancelled by Journal business manager D. P. Self; a party spokesman called it "unexpected" and "... completely disrupted our campaign advertising plans".

The trial began on March 2, 1950, and lasted for eight days, with the Justice Department calling 65 witnesses to the stand. Former WEOL manager Charles Thonquest testified the station offered to advertise in the Journal to promote their launch, but was denied. Self told Thornquest that it was against standard practice for Lorain businesses to advertise in the Chronicle-Telegram or for Elyria businesses to advertise in the Journal. An executive for Sears, Roebuck & Co. testified the Journal refused to renew their contract if they continued to advertise in the Sunday News, and a Lorain haberdasher testified he was personally visited by Self after agreeing to advertise with WEOL and pressured to choose between it or the Journal. A letter written by Self to area businesses stated any advertisers associating with WEOL would have their Journal contracts cancelled in 30 days. Much of the testimony was repetitive and often unchallenged. Cross-examination by Fulton revealed Ammel invited correspondence from out-of-state listeners after Ammel learned of the Justice Department's investigation, but Freed ruled the evidence obtained was admissible in court. The Journals lone witness, publisher Samuel A. Horvitz, asserted their advertising policy was intended for clients to choose between advertising on the newspaper or the radio station. Horvitz also claimed Howard Metzenbaum, then a broker for Will S. Halle & Co., offered to arrange a sale of WEOL to the Journal, which Horvitz rejected.

Judge Freed issued a memorandum on August 29, 1950, finding the Journal violated key provisions of the Sherman Antitrust Act in an attempt to maintain their near-monopoly on advertising revenue in Lorain. Freed's opinion was combined with the rest of the U.S. Northern Ohio district court the following day. The Journal was additionally found to have acted in a "predatory" and illegal manner and tried to "destroy" WEOL; the Journal vowed to appeal the ruling before the U.S. Supreme Court. A proposed U.S. Justice Department decree sought to forbid the Journal, News-Journal or the Horvitz family from purchasing any competing paper or radio station in Lorain or Mansfield, which the Journal called "repugnant". As part of Freed's final ruling, an injunction was placed on the Journal forbidding them on refusing advertising from anyone that advertised with WEOL, and was required to publish a weekly notice to readers "in a conspicuous location" for 26 weeks. The Supreme Court upheld Freed's decision in Lorain Journal Co. v. United States, argued on October 17, 1951, and decided unanimously on December 11, 1951.

Treble damages lawsuit and license challenge

Prior to the Supreme Court ruling, Elyria-Lorain sued the Journal seeking $984,000 in treble damages, triple the amount of revenue lost due to the Journals advertising policies. In a front-page editorial, the Journal decried the Elyria Telephone Company—who they claimed controlled WEOL due to Ammel's management—and the Ohio Independent Telephone Association as "true monopolies", assailing the litigation as a tactic to silence the paper over their coverage of rate increases. WMAN then sued the News-Journal for $1.8 million in treble damages, alleging they were subject to the same policies against advertisers.

The Journal and News-Journal filed challenges to WEOL and WMAN's broadcast licenses when both came up for renewal in late September 1955, claiming both stations pirated stories, circulated and broadcast false information to injure the newspapers, and questioned if they fulfilled program commitments made to the FCC. The piracy allegations followed Journal editor Don Miller's arrest on November 20, 1952, after assaulting WEOL newscaster James Cochran at the Antlers studios; Miller claimed Cochran read a Journal story about a proposed highway on-air before the paper was to be printed. WEOL denied the charges and accused Samuel A. Horvitz and the Journal of a history of trying to "eliminate and any all competition". After being designated for hearing, the FCC denied the challenges and renewed the licenses for both on December 19, 1956.

Horvitz died in 1956; by the time WEOL's lawsuit went to trial on May 16, 1960, the executors of Horvitz's estate took his place as defendants. The Journals treasurer was the lone witness the newspaper called to the stand, and stated WEOL experienced revenue gains throughout 1949, 1950 and 1951. Judge James C. Connell initially ruled in favor of the Journal, citing a failure by the station to prove any damages to revenue occurred. After the Ohio District Courts of Appeals ordered a retrial, Connell reversed his ruling on February 6, 1964, in favor of WEOL, but only awarded the station $30,000. WEOL appealed the judgement to the Ohio District Court as inadequate, Connell was overruled and another retrial was ordered, with the appeals court implying a different judge oversee it. The case was settled in 1967 with $96,000 awarded to WEOL; the WMAN lawsuit never went to trial and was settled one year later.

The WEOL-TV channel 31 permit

In August 1952, Elyria-Lorain applied to operate a television station on UHF channel 31, allocated to Lorain; the application came after the FCC's self-imposed "freeze" on television station permits was lifted. The Journal filed a competing application but withdrew in December 1953. Eventually designated as WEOL-TV, Elyria-Lorain requested six deadline extensions between 1954 and 1958; the Journals editorial page derided the proposed station as "completely mythical and hypothetical after more than four years of make-believe" and the FCC as "[making] itself a party to a continuing fraud against the public". The delays with constructing WEOL-TV factored in the Journals license renewal challenge against WEOL, as the paper claimed the station made "false and misleading statements" applying for the permit and sought to prevent the Journal from winning.

WEOL-TV's permit was cancelled on February 19, 1960, as one of seven unbuilt UHF stations in Ohio and 54 nationwide. The Lorain channel 31 allocation was later reopened and claimed by United Artists to construct WUAB on channel 43.

Purchase by LCP&P and the Journal-WWIZ license fight

The Lorain County Printing and Publishing Company (LCP&P), publishers of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, purchased all Elyria-Lorain stock held by Roy Ammel—a 23 percent ownership stake—for $214,200 on April 1, 1958. LCP&P president Otto Schoepfle called the transaction an opportunity for the Chronicle to extend itself into broadcasting and denied it had anything to do with WEOL's then-ongoing lawsuit against the Journal. After the deal closed, Schoepfle was named president of Elyria-Lorain; by August 1958, WJMO manager Paul Nakel was hired as WEOL general manager. In February 1959, the Journal purchased what was initially reported as "a minority interest" of Lorain station WWIZ, but the money went to fund the station's construction in exchange for nonvoting and voting preferred stock, making it an ownership transfer without FCC knowledge or authorization. The FCC later cited this as an attempt by the Journal to gain a competitive advantage against WEOL. When the Journal attempted to buy WWIZ outright in 1961, Elyria-Lorain objected, and the FCC designated WWIZ's license for hearing.

The roles were reversed when LCP&P sought to acquire Elyria-Lorain stock held by the Loren M. Berry foundation in September 1964, giving it positive control over the company. While the FCC approved the stock transfer, the Journal filed to block it. The FCC designated both the sale and WEOL's license renewal for hearing by September 1965 on potential media concentration issues in Elyria, with Elyria-Lorain facing a possible $10,000 fine. The Journal withdrew from the case before the evidentiary review began when a request to examine documents, some dating back to 1946, was denied, and the examiner ruled in favor of LCP&P and WEOL. The stock transfer and license renewal were approved by the FCC on October 6, 1966. The FCC, however, declined to renew WWIZ's license in 1964, which ceased broadcasting in July 1967.

Full-service years

WEOL had a reputation as a training ground for future Cleveland announcers, and retrospectively described as "a real hot rocker" in the 1950s. Ron Penfound was news and sports director from 1950 to 1953 before finding fame as children's television host "Captain Penny" at WEWS. Joe Mayer, later with WHK and WGAR, was advised by then-general manager Maurice Condon over a two-year process on how to be an announcer before the station hired him. Ronnie Barrett co-hosted a show with brother Dick Barrett from 1953 to 1955 prior to joining WGAR. Dick Conrad, later with multiple Cleveland stations, worked at WEOL from 1955 to 1959. Jeff Baxter worked at WEOL from 1956 to 1958, frequently hosting sock hops, including one with Conrad in Chatham-Kent, Ontario; Baxter was best known as sidekick to Jack Riley at WERE. While at WEOL, Baxter discovered rockabilly singer Laura Lee Perkins after she broke out into a song when visiting the station's studios, helped secure her a record deal, and became her manager and legal guardian. Neil Zurcher was news director in the early 1960s while also doing part-time work for WJW-TV; his reporting on the 1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak and demonstrations at Oberlin College led to WJW hiring him as a reporter.

WEOL-FM began airing separate programming in select hours in 1958. On February 24, 1966, WEOL-FM was relaunched as WBEA with an easy listening format; this followed a transmitter upgrade that boasted 100,000 watts of power and a coverage area of 500 sqmi. The WBEA call sign stood for Bea Nakel, Paul Nakel's wife. WBEA's format changed in 1983 to contemporary hits as "B-107". WBEA was converted on January 1, 1987, to WCZR, featuring a hard rock and heavy metal format targeting Greater Cleveland but maintained studios in Elyria alongside WEOL. WCZR switched formats again on November 15, 1987, to new-age/smooth jazz as WNWV; WNWV remained in Elyria-Lorain ownership until December 2011, when it was acquired by the Rubber City Radio Group.

Initially an independent station, WEOL affiliated with the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1967, and with ABC Radio in 1968. In 1982, WEOL and WBEA moved to new studios on 538 Broad Street, again in Elyria's downtown. WEOL began broadcasting in C-QUAM AM stereo on September 1987 following upgrades to the station's transmitter equipment; the station continued to use AM stereo as late as 1993.

Paul Nakel retired in December 1984 and was succeeded as general manager by Gary Kneisley, who held the role until retiring in January 2006. Mike Whitmore joined WEOL in 1980 under the on-air name "Mike James" and became program director with Kneisley's arrival. Aside from a brief hiatus in 1990 following a heart attack, Whitmore hosted morning drive on the station for over 13 years. Wally Mintus joined WEOL in 1984 to host overnights and later became sports director and lead sportscaster, which he held until leaving in 2004. Mintus' overnight show was replaced with automation in 1994, but was restored several months later due to listener demand. Jim Allen's daily high school sportscasts moved to WEOL in 1990 following an ownership change at WRKG, and Tim Alcorn was hired for play-by-play duties in 1992 after leaving WOBL. The station had such a strong emphasis on sports coverage by the mid-1990s that evenings were hosted by a rotation of part-timers. WEOL's news and sports departments were the recipient of multiple state press club awards throughout the 1990s and 2000s; Whitmore once remarked, "[w]e're running out of wall space and that's kind of nice for a change".

Beginning in 1991, Jim Mehrling hosted The High School Scholastic Games of Lorain County, a spin-off of a high school quiz show Mehrling presented on WERE. The Scholastic Games aired over WEOL on a recurring basis for 35 years. Mehrling's association with WEOL dated back to 1969 and he was the station's chief announcer in the mid-1970s alongside public affairs director David Mark; Mark later served as announcer for The Scholastic Games.

Talk and information era

WEOL dropped all music programming on November 28, 1997, for a hybrid format: all-news in the daytime largely supplied by the Associated Press, and sports in the nighttime via One on One Sports. Mike Whitmore, whose morning show was retained, said the move was partly made because of a decline of music listening on the AM dial, noting, "[w]e never were a music station". Whitmore left the station in March 1998; Bill King—with the station since 1996—took over for him in mornings, while news director Craig Adams became operations manager. While the format initially eschewed talk radio, by 2003, WEOL carried syndicated hosts Clark Howard and Mitch Albom, along with The Other Side of Morning Drive, a late-morning local interview program.

WEOL picked up The Glenn Beck Program in May 2005, several weeks after WTAM dropped it; The Other Side was also cancelled and King was replaced as morning host by Les Sekely, a former comedy writer. Beck's addition came after a re-assessment of the all-news format by station management. The station also affiliated with Fox Sports Radio on July 16, 2005, for evenings and weekends. Distribution of Albom's show ended on January 2006, with WEOL replacing it with The Sean Hannity Show. Sekely's show was the lone local program remaining on WEOL's schedule by May 2008 as the station's noon news block was phased out. The Laura Ingraham Show replaced Beck on November 3, 2008, after WTAM reacquired the rights to Beck's program; Ingraham was replaced with The Stephanie Miller Show on April 30, 2012. Sekely left the station in 2010 for a teaching position with the Westlake City School District.

Tim Alcorn was elevated to station operations manager in the mid-2010s; under Alcorn, WEOL launched a local news/interview program hosted by Andy "Bull" Barch in February 2017, replacing Hannity. Alcorn left the station in October 2019 to become the radio voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers; Joe Tait, the Cavaliers' first radio voice, frequently called high school basketball and softball games for the station alongside Alcorn, and lobbied for the team to hire him. Tait additionally co-hosted a podcast for WEOL until his 2021 death, featuring recordings from his tape archive. Barch's afternoon show ended in October 2020. By 2013, Craig Adams and Bruce Van Dyke co-hosted the morning show, which ended in December 2023.

Switch to Catholic radio

On May 31, 2025, Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting announced the sale of WEOL's license to St. Peter the Rock Media, owner of Catholic radio station and EWTN Radio affiliate WCCR (); the station became a WCCR repeater the next day. Elyria-Lorain and LCP&P retained WEOL's intellectual property and call sign with the sale, and concurrently announced WEOL's local programming—primarily high school sports coverage—would only be available online with new studios at the Chronicle-Telegram offices. The license sale and online streaming model had been under consideration for 18 months, and followed the Chronicles conversion to an online newspaper. WEOL's broadcast of weekly services from the Elyria First United Methodist Church, heard over the station since 1958, was also dropped.

The sale closed on September 12, 2025. St. Peter the Rock Media subsequently changed the call sign to WNCR, effective December 8.

FM translator

Since August 2, 2019, WNCR has been rebroadcast over Elyria, Ohio, FM translator W262DM (100.3 FM). The translator was applied for as part of the FCC's "AM Revitalization" initiative.

References

References

1. (October 14, 1948). "Station WEOL To Go On The Air Sunday, Oct. 17". The Chronicle-Telegram.
2. "FCC History Cards for WEOL". Federal Communications Commission}}.
3. (January 12, 1977). "Responsible for plant here: David Thomas dies, retired Bendix chief". The Chronicle-Telegram.
4. (September 12, 1947). "Application For Radio Broadcasting Station Is Granted". The Chronicle-Telegram.
5. (July 1, 1947). "FCC OK's Eleven FM Stations Here: Grants include Radio Outlets in Akron and Elyria". The Plain Dealer.
6. (December 7, 1963). "R. W. Ammel, Ex-Chicago Broker, Dies". Chicago Tribune.
7. (April 23, 1946). "FM Offers No Change in Radio's Soap Opera Fare". The Plain Dealer.
8. (April 13, 1948). "Local Station To Broadcast Early in June". Oberlin Review.
9. Stephan, Robert S.. (September 2, 1948). "Ringwall Showmanship Pulls Dialers to Classics Program". The Plain Dealer.
10. (October 15, 1948). "Lorain County Opens First Radio Station". The Cleveland Press.
11. (April 9, 1948). "Brief Items". Medina County Gazette.
12. Reinert, Fred. (January 9, 1954). "Sizzling Stars". The Plain Dealer.
13. Fogarty, Steve. (October 17, 1988). "WEOL is 40 today; County's first radio station". The Chronicle-Telegram.
14. (February 15, 1949). "Television for Women". The Cleveland Press.
15. Hart, Raymond P.. (October 19, 1970). "Channel 43's 'Remarkable Lady': TV Director's Credo: Creativity". The Plain Dealer.
16. (November 23, 1948). "Four Pastors Protest "Arbitrary" Action Of WEOL Management: Four Ministers Protest To FCC After Their Program Is Cancelled". The Chronicle-Telegram.
17. (May 10, 1949). "Radio Station Goes Off Air". The Lorain Journal.
18. (May 12, 1949). "Station WEOL Back On Air". The Akron Beacon Journal.
19. (May 12, 1949). "FCC Probe Sought In Radio Strike". The Lorain Journal.
20. (May 11, 1949). "Radio Tie-Up Continues In Elyria". The Lorain Journal.
21. (July 9, 1949). "Suit Filed Against City". The Lorain Journal.
22. (July 15, 1949). "WEOL Gets Ct. Order To Examine Records".
23. Breckenridge, Tom. (October 17, 2000). "Wayne Mack, 89, hosted legendary radio programs". The Plain Dealer.
24. Anderson, Stan. (April 28, 1950). "Polka Lovers in 10 States Sit in on WGAR Parties". The Cleveland Press.
25. (April 28, 1950). "Resigns In Radio Clash: 5th Manager Quits As Protest Move". The Lorain Journal.
26. (May 26, 1949). "Agents Of U.S. Probe Journal: Justice Officials Shy at Questions On Inquiry". The Lorain Journal.
27. {{ussc. (1951.)
28. (July 19, 1948). "Ohio Decisions: Fostoria Proposal Reversed".
29. (October 22, 1951). "'Lorain Journal' Case: SCOTUS Hears".
30. (November 29, 1948). "Log Censure: Elyria, Ohio, Station Accuses Newspapers".
31. (November 15, 1949). "U.S. To Open Suit On Paper's Ad Policies". The Akron Beacon Journal.
32. (November 16, 1949). "Briefs Asked In Lorain Paper Suit". The Akron Beacon Journal.
33. (September 26, 1949). "Ad Practices Eyes: Justice Dept. Sues WEOL Competitor".
34. (November 15, 1949). "Raps Journal "Government" Of Lorain City". The Sandusky Register.
35. (November 15, 1949). "Journal Asks Immediate Trust Suit Trial: Hearing Opens In U.S. Court; Attorney Say Case Important To All Nation". The Lorain Journal.
36. Princiotto, Ted. (December 8, 1949). "Lorain Journal is Court Bout Victor". The Plain Dealer.
37. (October 31, 1949). "Says Paper Denied Access to G.O.P. Using Rival Radio". The Plain Dealer.
38. (March 8, 1950). "WEOL Ex-Manager Testifies Lorain Journal Refused Ad". The Plain Dealer.
39. (March 20, 1950). "Lorain Trial Ends; Decision Seen By June 1".
40. (March 9, 1950). "U.S. To Close Case Against Lorain Journal". The Akron Beacon Journal.
41. (March 14, 1950). "Trade Newspaper Reports Journal Case". The Lorain Journal.
42. (March 2, 1950). "Bares Radio Move To Aid Lorain Suit: Broadcaster Says Contest Was to Help U. S.". The Plain Dealer.
43. (March 2, 1950). "U.S. Scores In Lorain Journal Case". The Akron Beacon Journal.
44. (March 15, 1950). "Freed Ruling Awaited In Paper Suit". The Akron Beacon Journal.
45. (March 14, 1950). "Rejected Proposal To Buy WEOL: Testimony of Journal Publisher Winds Up 2-Week Case". The Lorain Journal.
46. (January 7, 1952). "A True Anniversary Story for folks who like dogs (underdogs, that is) and enjoy happy endings...".
47. (August 30, 1950). "Journal To Appeal Decision: Judge Rules Paper Violated Anti-Trust Law". The Lorain Journal.
48. (September 4, 1950). "'Lorain Journal' Guily; Anti-Trust Suit Upheld".
49. {{Cite court. (1950). link
50. (November 6, 1950). "'Journal' Reply: Freedom Threat Seen".
51. (January 15, 1951). "'Journal Case'; May Ask Stronger Ruling".
52. (December 11, 1951). "Paper Loses In Appeal To High Court: Tribunal Upholds Decision Against Advertising Ban". The Lorain Journal.
53. (December 17, 1951). "'Lorain Journal' Case: SCOTUS Upholds".
54. (July 16, 1951). "WEOL Suit; Asks $1 Million Of 'Lorain Journal'".
55. (May 28, 1960). "Newspaper Wins in $984,000 Lawsuit". News Journal.
56. (July 11, 1951). "The Lorain Journal Stands Firm Against Any Pressure on Policies of Service". The Lorain Journal.
57. (August 30, 1952). "Radio Station Sues Paper For $1,282,749". The Akron Beacon Journal.
58. "History Cards for WMAN". Federal Communications Commission.
59. (November 4, 1955). "Charge News Pirating". The Akron Beacon Journal.
60. (October 10, 1955). "Newspapers Protest WEOL, WMAN Renewals".
61. (November 21, 1952). "Editor Is Jailed in Lorain Attack on Newscaster". The Plain Dealer.
62. (November 21, 1952). "Jail Editor In Assault". The Akron Beacon Journal.
63. (October 24, 1955). "Ohio Stations Say Papers Are Out to Kill Competition".
64. (December 24, 1956). "FCC Confirms Renewals Of WEOL, WMAN Licenses".
65. (June 15, 1956). "Samuel A. Horvitz Dies; Publisher, Contractor". The Cleveland Press.
66. (May 15, 1960). "Suit Against Lorain Paper Set to Begin". The Plain Dealer.
67. (May 27, 1960). "Lorain Paper Cites Evidence of WEOL Gains". The Plain Dealer.
68. (February 7, 1964). "WEOL Wins Damage Suit Against Paper". The Plain Dealer.
69. (August 7, 1964). "$984,000 Is Requested, But $30,000 Given". The Lorain Journal.
70. (April 13, 1966). "Damage Suit Is Set For New Trial". The Lorain Journal Herald.
71. (April 18, 1966). "Court of appeals reverses Elyria ruling".
72. (January 31, 1968). "Newspaper Settles 1952 Radio Suit". The Akron Beacon Journal.
73. Condon, George E.. (August 13, 1952). "On the Air: Will Arena Fight Be on TV Tonight? Answer Is Clear: Maybe". The Plain Dealer.
74. (December 30, 1953). "Quits Lorain TV Race: Journal Withdraws Application In Favor of Broadcaster". The Plain Dealer.
75. Sibbison, James B.. (October 18, 1953). "Number of Ohio TV Stations Doubled; More on the Way". The Plain Dealer.
76. (October 23, 1956). "Television Maneuvers". The Lorain Journal.
77. (February 20, 1960). "FCC Acting To Cancel Permits To TV Stations". The Newark Advocate.
78. "History Cards for WUAB". Federal Communications Commission.
79. (March 7, 1966). "United Artists gets ch. 43 Lorain, Ohio".
80. (April 2, 1958). "Radio Station Stock Is Sold". The Lorain Journal.
81. (April 21, 1958). "$214,200 Paid To Ammel For Radio Shares". The Lorain Journal.
82. (April 1, 1958). "C-T Buys Interest In WEOL". The Chronicle-Telegram.
83. (April 10, 1958). "Schoepfle New Head Of WEOL". The Chronicle-Telegram.
84. Gallagher, Nancy. (August 14, 1958). "TV-Radio: Paul Nakel Quits at WJMO, Is WEOL General Manager". The Cleveland Press.
85. (February 28, 1959). "Lorain Journal Buys Stock In Local Radio Station WWIZ". The Lorain Journal.
86. Miller, Don. (October 11, 1966). "WWIZ may go into trusteeship". The Chronicle-Telegram.
87. (April 6, 1964). "FCC kills WWIZ, WXTV (TV)".
88. (June 20, 1961). "Newspaper Asks Radio Purchase OK". The Chronicle-Telegram.
89. (March 3, 1962). "Radio Stockholder to Face ICC [sic] Quiz". The Chronicle-Telegram.
90. (September 28, 1965). "Hearing To Find Roles Reversed For Radio Rivals". News Herald.
91. (October 19, 1964). "WEOL Transfer Deferred by FCC". The Lorain Journal.
92. (August 22, 1966). "Examiner concurs in Elyria transfer".
93. (September 20, 1965). "Closed Circuit: Concentration issue".
94. (September 27, 1965). "Closed Circuit: WEOL set for hearing; faces fine, license loss".
95. (September 27, 1965). "FCC Has Issued Notice Of WEOL License Hearing". The Lorain Journal.
96. (March 7, 1966). "'Lorain Journal' quits Elyria transfer hearing".
97. (August 19, 1966). "Examiner OKs License Renewals". News Herald.
98. (October 17, 1966). "License renewed, sale approved in Ohio case".
99. (April 27, 1964). "WWIZ, WXTV(TV) ordered off air".
100. (June 15, 1967). "WWIZ has 30 days to leave air". The Chronicle-Telegram.
101. Hickey, William. (November 10, 1977). "Broadcaster's talent puts him on map". The Plain Dealer.
102. Hart, Raymond P.. (May 13, 1972). "N.H. Radio Offer Concludes Penfound's Career Here". The Plain Dealer.
103. Gallagher, Nancy. (May 12, 1956). "Meet the Missus: Capt. Penny's Family Has TV Date at Noon". The Cleveland Press.
104. Condon, George E.. (March 11, 1953). "On the Air: If at First You Don't Succeed, Take Joe Mayer's Advice—Try, Try Again". The Plain Dealer.
105. Fuetsch, Michele. (May 18, 1997). "Joe Mayer, 71, regional radio personality". The Plain Dealer.
106. Gallagher, Nancy. (January 12, 1956). "Ronnie Barrett Puts Talent in His Garret". The Cleveland Press.
107. Widder, Milt. (June 29, 1955). "Sights and Sounds: Some Crumbs Swept Off a Luncheon Tablecloth". The Cleveland Press.
108. (May 2, 1973). "WEOL announcer plans move to Florida station". The Chronicle-Telegram.
109. Hickey, William. (November 27, 1980). "Dick Conrad gives special thanks today". The Plain Dealer.
110. (October 24, 1958). "Studio In Lorain: New Radio Station Will Open On Sunday". The Chronicle-Telegram.
111. (June 25, 1957). "Town Talk". The Chronicle-Telegram.
112. Flanigan, James B.. (November 30, 1963). "Cauliflower Ears From Radio? Rx: Baxter & Riley on WERE". The Plain Dealer.
113. (November 12, 2023). "Andrew E. Butti Obituary (1934-2023)". The Morning Journal.
114. Mason, Pat. (January 25, 1958). "Elyrian Sings With Rickie Nelson: Miner's Daughter Really Digs Rock-Roll; Now Is Recording". The Chronicle-Telegram.
115. Brady, Tom. (January 9, 1958). "Elyria Waitress Plucks String on Fame's Apron". The Cleveland Press.
116. Washington, Julie E.. (July 24, 2004). "End of the road for Zurcher's 'One Tank Trips'". The Plain Dealer.
117. (May 10, 1958). "The Musical Merry-Go-Round". The Chronicle-Telegram.
118. (February 24, 1966). "WBEA's 'Velvet Sound' to cover 500 square miles". The Chronicle-Telegram.
119. Widder, Milt. (February 26, 1966). "Somebody Leaped Before Looking". The Cleveland Press.
120. Miller, Glen. (January 16, 1983). "WBEA-FM format goes soft rock". The Chronicle-Telegram.
121. Verban, George. (December 21, 1986). "Blast off: Dynamic new 'Z-Rock' radio roars in with the New Year". The Chronicle-Telegram.
122. Snook, Debbi. (January 1, 1987). "Murky miniseries on CBS-TV called truly gripping viewing". The Plain Dealer.
123. (November 13, 1987). "WCZR Drops Z-Rock For Wave".
124. Sowd, David. (November 13, 1987). "Metal drowned by The Wave". The Plain Dealer.
125. Venta, Lance. (October 13, 2011). "V107.3 WNWV Cleveland Sold".
126. (June 3, 1967). "WEOL joins Mutual on Monday". The Chronicle-Telegram.
127. (October 28, 1968). "WEOL becoming ABC affiliate". The Chronicle-Telegram.
128. (July 11, 1982). "Radio Stations WEOL-WBEA Have moved to 538 Broad St. (Elyria Block, 4th Floor)". The Chronicle-Telegram.
129. Sowd, David. (October 2, 1987). "All ready to ride The Wave?". The Plain Dealer.
130. (April 30, 1987). "WEOL-AM off air 6 hours on Friday". The Chronicle-Telegram.
131. Brown, Steve. (October 23, 1993). "Elyria woman's sister does Discovery documentary". The Chronicle-Telegram.
132. (November 9, 1984). "Manager is named for WEOL, WBEA". The Chronicle-Telegram.
133. Fogarty, Steve. (January 19, 2006). "Longtime WEOL manager stepping down". The Chronicle-Telegram.
134. Jewell, Shannon. (October 20, 1990). "Familiar voice returns to WEOL broadcast booth". The Chronicle-Telegram.
135. Negin, Roger. (July 11, 2004). "Say it ain't so! Wally off radio". The Chronicle-Telegram.
136. Brown, Steve. (September 5, 1994). "WEOL adds overnight shift". The Chronicle-Telegram.
137. Hill, Bob. (January 31, 1991). "Admiral King can count on statistician". The Plain Dealer.
138. Negin, Roger. (January 29, 1992). "Alcorn bounces back on WEOL radio tonight". The Chronicle-Telegram.
139. Sowd, David. (May 17, 1991). "Stations garner AP awards". The Plain Dealer.
140. Santiago, Roberto. (May 6, 1993). "WMJI's Gorman reveals magic ratings formula". The Plain Dealer.
141. Brown, Roger. (May 24, 2002). "Brown's Town: Burks can field trade offers with glove". The Plain Dealer.
142. Brown, Roger. (May 26, 2003). "Brown's Town: James putting the Cavaliers on the air". The Plain Dealer.
143. Fogarty, Steve. (July 15, 1995). "WEOL's 'hustle' pays off". The Chronicle-Telegram.
144. Feran, Tom. (February 7, 1991). "TV voice protects privacy". The Plain Dealer.
145. Gandee, Linda. (April 4, 2022). "From quiz shows to art to writing, eastern Lorain County students are making their mark (Updated)". The Plain Dealer.
146. (January 30, 2025). "Academic Challenge Team Competes on Scholastic Games Radio Show".
147. Hart, Raymond P.. (August 9, 1969). "Dialing Around...". The Plain Dealer.
148. Hart, Raymond P.. (July 30, 1974). "WJW Radio firings may go to arbitration". The Plain Dealer.
149. Exner, Rich. (December 4, 1997). "All information, all the time: Elyria station WEOL-AM drops music to concentrate on news and sports". The Plain Dealer.
150. Mohrman, Jeff. (December 3, 1997). "All news (& sports) good news at WEOL". The Chronicle-Telegram.
151. Fogarty, Steve. (March 26, 1998). "Mike James quits WEOL AM radio". The Chronicle Telegram.
152. Brown, Steve. (May 17, 1997). "WEOL has 'King of the Oldies'". The Chronicle-Telegram.
153. Waksmundski, Nicole. (May 20, 1998). "WEOL promotes newsman". The Chronicle-Telegram.
154. Fogarty, Steve. (February 7, 2003). "WEOL announces new programming". The Chronicle-Telegram.
155. Fogarty, Steve. (May 12, 2005). "WEOL makes big changes: Glenn Beck is in, Bill King is out". The Chronicle-Telegram.
156. Keener, Matt. (May 27, 2005). "WEOL gets new voice for its morning show: Les Sekely brings comedy background". The Chronicle-Telegram.
157. O'Connor, Clint. (July 16, 2005). "Format flipping bounces listeners around AM dial". The Plain Dealer.
158. Fogarty, Steve. (January 9, 2006). "WEOL drops Albom, picks up Hannity". The Chronicle-Telegram.
159. Fogarty, Steve. (May 21, 2008). "WEOL changes lineup". The Chronicle-Telegram.
160. Dietz, Allison. (October 17, 2008). "WEOL celebrates landmark years". The Chronicle-Telegram.
161. Washington, Julie E.. (October 25, 2008). "Fantasy TV returns with 'Seeker'". The Plain Dealer.
162. Fogarty, Steve. (November 9, 2008). "Off the beat: WEOL loses Beck, gets Ingraham". The Chronicle-Telegram.
163. (April 30, 2012). "AM930 WEOL Welcomes Stephanie Miller; Giving listeners Real Balance, Real Choice".
164. Fogarty, Steve. (April 30, 2010). "There will be less Les in the mornings". The Chronicle-Telegram.
165. Mahoney, Scott. (October 17, 2018). "On the air for 70 years: WEOL celebrates with open house today". The Chronicle-Telegram.
166. Nix, Katie. (February 1, 2017). "WEOL-AM 930 adds local afternoon drive duo". The Chronicle-Telegram.
167. Pluto, Terry. (October 23, 2019). "Overnight success at age 56: New radio voice of Cavs a veteran of local airwaves". The Plain Dealer.
168. Pluto, Terry. (March 7, 2021). "Joe Tait talks life, death, basketball and a cat named Penelope". The Plain Dealer.
169. (March 11, 2021). "Joe Tait's love of basketball sounded on Tuscarawas County airwaves". Times Reporter.
170. (July 3, 2019). "Over the Timeline with Joe Tait: Presented by Life Care Center of Elyria, Medina, and Westlake".
171. (March 11, 2021). "Remembering Joe Tait". WEOL.
172. (October 8, 2020). "WEOL QUARTERLY REPORT: July 1 – Sept 30, 2020". Federal Communications Commission}}.
173. Gallatin, Jeff. (October 28, 2013). "Radio Days".
174. (January 5, 2024). "WEOL QUARTERLY REPORT: Oct 1-Dec 31, 2023". Federal Communications Commission}}.
175. Woytach, Carissa. (May 31, 2025). "WEOL moves to digital streaming". The Chronicle-Telegram.
176. Venta, Lance. (June 1, 2025). "WEOL Programming To Move Online With Sale To Catholic Operator".
177. (April 20, 2025). "Bulletin for April 20, 2025".
178. (September 12, 2025). "Assignments Consent: Assignment Authorization #274422". Federal Communications Commission.
179. Venta, Lance. (November 23, 2025). "FCC Report 11/23: Another St. George Move-In Proposed".
180. O'Brien, Dave. (August 2, 2019). "WEOL expands news/sports/talk broadcast to FM". The Chronicle-Telegram.
181. Venta, Lance. (February 7, 2018). "Looking At The 873 New Translator Applications".