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WLCL

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    		 Getting ready to set up the tower
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    Setting up the radio tower    		 Placeholder
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    Bill Dunn and Paul Wierman    		 Placeholder
    The last show
Bill Dunn, who owned Dunn's Insurance in Lowell and was also on the Lowell Town Council for eight years, was owner and broadcaster of the WLCL radio station in Lowell from November 1971 through June, 1981. His wife Ruth was the station's bookkeepper and office manager. Paul Wierman was general manager, and Jim Pounds was production manager. The station was on the air daily from 5 a.m. until midnight.

Among other things, WLCL broadcasted the following:

    Local news.
    All of the Lowell High School home and away football, basketball and girls' softball games.
    All home VFW girls' softball league games.
    Live coverage of the tractor pull at the Lake County Fair.
Station WLCL also dispatched help during emergency situations. After the 1974 tornado, WLCL directed people where to get help and advised volunteers where to go to assist with disaster recovery. During the 1976 fire, the station got permission from the FCC to be on the air more than their allotted hours, even though they had to move their radio equipment out of harm's way in order to do so. During the 1977 snowstorm, WLCL dispatched fuel trucks to homes and businesses that needed propane. In emergencies the station directed ambulances to homes and pharmacies, letting them know by voice, over the air, which roads were still passable.

Over the years, the station received many awards, including a 1978 plaque from the Lowell Chamber of Commerce "for faithful, devoted and valuable service given to the Lowell Chamber of Commerce." But Bill and Ruth Dunn were most proud of the 1976 Indiana American Legion plaque, given "in grateful appreciation of its efforts in publicizing the programs and activities of the American Legion and for presenting news and views favoring the principles for which we stand." It was highly unusual for a radio station to receive this state-level award, which was generally given only to publishing firms.

In June of 1981 Mr. Dunn did his last broadcast, signing off with his radio handle: "Goddbye. I'm Dunn." He died on October 7, 2000.

Photos and information, courtesy of Ruth Dunn.
Last updated on August 15, 2002.

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