License transfer applications involving changes in interest have been filed for several Upper Midwest radio stations in recent months.
In southwestern Minnesota, Maynard Meyer is buying out the interest of his Lac Qui Parle Broadcasting partner, Terrence Overlander. The sale price was not disclosed.
The company owns KLQP/92.1 (Madison), and the two families have owned the station since the 1980’s. Meyer does not own any other stations.
In northern Minnesota, Phillip Ehlke will become the sole shareholder of Pine to Prairie Broadcasting, the licensee of Contemporary Christian station “Your Q FM” (KKEQ/107.1 Fosston-Bemidji). Ehlke is the station’s general manager.
Under a stock issuance agreement and plan of redemption, Pine to Prairie will redeem the current 14 shares from nine shareholders at a value of $22,000 per share. Ehlke will be given one share valued at $22,000 in consideration for work provided by Ehlke, who helped start the current format in 1993.
In western Wisconsin, the Daniel I. Smith Trust is taking ownership of WWIS Radio, Inc. from his parents’ separate trust accounts following the death of his father, Robert E. Smith, last year. The transaction has already received FCC approval.
His obituary says Robert Smith had owned and operated seven radio stations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Florida, starting with WIXK/1590 (New Richmond) in 1960. The Black River Falls stations include WWIS-FM/99.7, WWIS/1260, and WWIS translator W287CT/105.3.
Daniel Smith is also co-owner and manager of Endurance Broadcasting, the licensee of KLBB/1220 (Stillwater, MN).
In northwestern Iowa, Lakes Area Christian Radio is donating K257CH/99.3 (Estherville) to the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. K257CH had previously carried the Christian Hits “Refuge” network via K210CG/89.9 (Spirit Lake, IA), which was owned by Refuge Media Group. The Refuge network was donated to UNWSP last year. K210CG switched to UNWSP’s “Life 96.5” (KNWC-FM Sioux Falls, SD) following closing.