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 Starts
Sunday
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.