Ten Fired After Deadly Sacramento Contest

Entercom fired ten staff members, including the entire morning show, who were behind a deadly radio stunt that killed a 28 year old Sacramento woman. Jennifer Strange, a finalist in KDND "107.9 The End"'s "Hold your wee for a wii" promotion, was found dead in her apartment Saturday after drinking large amounts of water. Contestants were asked to drink as much water as they could before having to go to the bathroom. The "Morning Rave" show, who was responsible for the stunt, as well as the program director, and six other staff members have been terminated. There have not been any criminal charges filed, but they are still possible.

Three days after the incident, Entercom-Sacramento GM John Geary posted the following statement on KDND's web site: "All of you are probably aware of the tragic death of a contestant, Jennifer Strange, following her participation in a contest on the Morning Rave last Friday. First and foremost, our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family and loved ones of Ms. Strange. I also want to assure you that the circumstances regarding this matter are being examined as thoroughly as possible. We are doing everything we can to deal with this difficult situation in a manner that is both respectful and responsible. Effective immediately, the Morning Rave show is canceled."

Bonneville To Sell San Fransisco; Purchase Seattle, Cincinnati

Bonneville has signed a deal with Entercom to swap most of it's San Fransisco stations with some of Entercom's Seattle and Cincinnati stations. The deal would allow Entercom to re-enter the San Fransisco market, and returns 710 KIRO radio to Bonneville ownership after it's sale a decade ago.

Bonneville to Sell:

San Fransisco
96.5 KOIT
Classical 102.1 (KDFC)
97.5 Max FM (KMAX)

Not selling: KOIT-AM (1260)

Bonnevile to Acquire:

Seattle
Newsradio 710 (KIRO)
Oldies 97.3 (KBSG)
770 The Truth (KTTH)

Cincinatti
Q102 (WKRQ)
94.9 The Sound (WSWD)
B-105.1 (WUBE)
97.3 The Wolf (WYGY)

Indie Rock Comes to Salt Lake

KSL 102.7 FM is dropping it's NOAA weather programming from it's HD2 signal. The station now airs an indie-rock format called "iChannel." The station, which features unsigned artists, is owned and operated by Bonneville. The feel of the station seems very similar to an XM station. It even includes live disc jockies in the line-up. The iChannel programming appears to be designed so Bonneville stations in other markets could use it. Click here to listen on-line.

Airstaff Shuffles at ZHT, KOSY, and KNRS

Yesterday, All Access reported Boy Loco's departure from ZHT (FM 97.1). Loco's night show, "The Playhouse" was still on the air last night (Monday). Loco has accepted a position with KMVN "Movin' 93.9" in Los Angeles, his hometown. Mark McCartney, ZHT program director, is looking for another "creative" air talent as a replacement.

Kelly Monson has been hired to do morning drive at KOSY (FM 106.5). Monson teams up with Erica Hansen, and joins KOSY after a long stretch doing mornings at The Breeze (FM 97.9). Erica got her start as a traffic reporter for KSL (AM 1160).

Finally, morning news anchor Abby Bonnell is hosting a local morning news program. The show, "Newsmakers at Nine," can be heard on 570 KNRS weekdays from 9 A.M. to noon.

KOSY Lets Go of Scot, 'Scott and Erica'

"Scot" of Scott and Erica in the Morning, on KOSY 106.5 was quietly layed off from Clear Channel on December 8 of last month. According to Scot's personal blog, Clear Channel-Salt Lake City created a "new position," eliminating his current position at the station. He reapplied for the new position, but wasn't hired. Erica Hansen, who has worked with Scot at KOSY and KISN 97 for over half a decade, will continue to remain with KOSY. Scot says he hopes to find a position with another station the valley.

Internet theories explaining recent disappearances of long-time talent from Clear Channel stations across the country, all point to the recent sale of Clear Channel to private investors. Of note, former KBEE "B98.7" afternoon host Pat Gray disappeared from Clear Channel's talker KPRC in Houston, back in November. Gray left the Bee in 2001 to do mornings in the lone-star state. He has since landed a new position with crosstown 700 KSEV.