WOHF - History

History

WNRR began broadcasting April 4, 1973 under the ownership of George Bedard of Detroit, Michigan. Bellevue Mayor Phillus Robertson pressed the button to begin operation at 10:10 a.m. The station operated with 1,100 watts from studios at 108½ East Main in Bellevue, Ohio. The antenna tower was located atop the studio building. The original antenna stood 110 feet above average terrain. In February 1974, a huge wind storm struck Bellevue, toppling the tower and antenna. A week later the station returned to the air with 500 watts and continued at that power until a few years later when it increased to 1,800 watts.

In 1978 Robert Ladd purchased the station from George Bedard for $78,000. Ladd had been the manager/salesman/chief engineer since the station's inception.

WNRR began operation as a Contemporary MOR (what would now be called Hot AC) station with four local on air personalities, Bob Ladd, Bill Wise, Kim Newsom and Jim Larvic. Micheal Shay and Bob Alue worked weekends. The station featured local newscasts each hour and National news from ABC FM Network (later NBC and finally CNN). During this time it was known as "The Chicken" in reference to its mascot, a giant whole broiled chicken dressed in seasonal clothing. Locally produced programs included a daily talk show called "Talkback" which evolved into one of radio's first self-help call-in shows hosted by Ladd and a daily sportscast with local newspaper sportswriter Ron Miller. High school football and basketball play by play was a mainstay, with Bellevue High School carried live and Clyde High tape delayed (the Clyde staff would not allow live broadcasts). In addition to music hosting, Ladd and Wise wrote and produced the local news. At one point the station operated with studios in both Bellevue and Clyde, Ohio. At one point the station carried games of the Cleveland Browns, Notre Dame and the Cincinnati Reds.

WNRR went through several format changes including one to Beautiful music around 1975 and later a year of Country before returning to Hot AC in the 80's. Other personalities heard on WNRR included Ron Butcher, Steve Micheals, Steve Demarco, Arvin Forney, Mike Lawrence, Jeff Schlett and Rob Bultman The station became automated in the early 90's in all dayparts except mornings where Ladd continued as morning host.

In September 1995 a fire was set by a disgruntled tenant in a rear apartment of the building housing the station. The subsequent water damaged forced the station off the air for two months until it relocated across the street. Although smoke covered, the tower and antenna were salvaged and placed on the new building. A transmitter being retired from WDIF in Marion, Ohio was purchased and the station returned to the air with 3,800 watts placing a new signal over Sandusky and Norwalk, as well as Bellevue and Clyde.

When WNRR returned to the air it became the first and only CHR or Top 40 station in the Sandusky/Port Clinton/Lake Erie Islands region and began to see major success in ratings and acceptance by the Northern Ohio listeners. In 2000 the station broke new ground by organizing a top forty music concert at the State Theater in Sandusky, Ohio that attracted 2,100 attendees. During this time the station was known as 92-1 The Hits.

In 2001 Bob Ladd relocated to Southwest Florida after hosting the longest running morning show in the four county area, 29 years total. Greg Micheals took over operation of WNRR and continued to manage the station for Ladd until it was sold to BAS in 2003. In the years since, WOHF had adopted a classic rock, and later classic hits, format - all via satellite.