George Wilson's Final Show On WKLA

Today marks the end of an era for Ludington radio. Longtime WKLA morning show host George Wilson begins his retirement today, following a broadcasting career that started in 1959. Over the years, thousands of guests appeared on the George Wilson Show to promote community events and keep residents informed of what’s happening in their town. One of George’s regular guests was Ludington Mayor John Henderson who said, “He's been an icon in the Ludington and Mason County area for decades. I'm going to miss George and doing the Friday morning show together.”

Congressman Pete Hoekstra also spoke with George every Thursday morning for the past 18 years. Hoekstra said, “It's going to be a huge loss for the community. George has been a beacon of good news in the morning. It was always good to talk with George in the morning and I'm sure all of Mason County will feel a huge loss.” Congressman Hoekstra said he has especially enjoyed the off-air friendship he has created with Big George. “Whether it was through the work at the radio station or watching him lead the Clown Band, Dianne and I have always enjoyed our relationship. George has always been a good guy and is a good guy to have as a friend.”

Ludington School Superintendent Cal DeKuiper was also a regular guest on the George Wilson Show. DeKuiper said, “Big George is an icon. He is the Johnny Carson of Mason County. There are certain people who are known simply by their first name, and Big George is one of them. I've always enjoyed his humor, his style, his wit and his mannerisms. His personality was a real personality and he will be hard to replace. George made WKLA what it is today.”

Along with his duties as morning man on WKLA, George also served several years as Mayor of Scottville. Scottville City Manager Amy Williams said, “I know a ton of people who listen to George faithfully and I think it will take a long time for people to get used to the fact that George won't be on the radio in the morning. Good or bad, what George says sometimes, people tuned in. It's not going to be the same without him.”

Everyone is wondering what will happen to the morning show after today and WKLA Operations Manager Jason Wilder says that’s a question that is still being debated. Anyone wishing to send cards of letters to Big George can do so by mailing them to WKLA at 5941 W. US-10 in Ludington.

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US-31 In Manistee Closed Due To Accident

A portion of US-31 in Manistee was closed for most of the night due to an accident. Police say a motorist hit a power pole around 10pm Thursday, which caused the pole to fall over on US-31 near Lakeshore Road. The accident also caused a power outage to most of the city's north side.

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Flood Advisory In Effect

Mason County is under a flood advisory after more than two inches of rain fell over the past 18 hours. The Mason County Airport in Ludington recorded 2.1 inches of rain since 4pm Thursday. Combined with melting snow, the rain has created areas of ponding water. The National Weather Service has also issued a flood advisory for the Pere Marquette River near Scottville. At last check, the river was at three feet and flood stage is 5.5 feet. The river will rise to about 4.3 feet by early Monday morning, which will cause overflow of low lying areas adjacent to the river.

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Daylight Saving Time goes into effect this weekend. The time change takes effect at 2am Sunday, meaning people need to set their clocks ahead by one hour before going to bed Saturday night. It's also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

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For complete news coverage, listen to Z-95 at 6:55am, 7:55am, 8:55am & 11:55am.