WLKR-FM

Norwalk, Ohio
Broadcast area	Sandusky/Port Clinton Lake Erie Islands
Frequency	95.3 MHz
Branding	95.3 WLKR
Programming
Language(s)	English
Format	Adult album alternative
Affiliations	AP Radio News Cavaliers AudioVerse Cleveland Guardians Radio Network Ohio State Sports Network
Ownership
Owner	Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Co. (Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Co.)
Sister stations	WEOL WKFM WLKR
History
First air date	September 17, 1962 (1962-09-17)
Call sign meaning	co-founder Ed WaLKeR
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	21486
Class	A
Power	3,300 watts
HAAT	91 meters (299 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	41°16′49.00″N 82°39′26.00″W / 41.2802778°N 82.6572222°W / 41.2802778; -82.6572222
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live
Website	wlkrradio.com

WLKR-FM (95.3 MHz) – branded 95-3 WLKR – is a commercial adult album alternative radio station licensed to Norwalk, Ohio, serving the Norwalk/Sandusky/Port Clinton area (collectively referred to as Vacationland and/or the Firelands), including Erie and Huron counties. Owned by the Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Co.,^[2] WLKR-FM serves as the local affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network,^[3] the Ohio State Sports Network and Cavaliers AudioVerse. The station also airs coverage of local high school sports, including football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, softball and baseball. The WLKR-FM studios are located in Milan, while the station transmitter resides near the intersection of Huber Road and Lamereaux Road just outside of Norwalk. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WLKR-FM is also available online.

History

WLKR-FM started broadcasting in 1962, with the AM counterpart, WLKR (AM), starting in 1968. The station was founded by Port Clinton, Ohio resident Robert W. Reider, who eventually started and operated WLKR-AM-FM, WRWR in Port Clinton, WAWR in Bowling Green, and WKTN in Kenton, all via his "Ohio Radio Incorporated" banner. For many years, the station held a full service adult contemporary format, and was an ABC News Radio affiliate, covering Paul Harvey News and Comment among other long-form news features.

In September 1979, WLKR AM and FM were sold over to Firelands Broadcasting, headed first by longtime station general manager James Westerhold, and later David Mehling. Both stations were then sold to the Elyria, Ohio-based Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Co. in February 2002. WLKR has since maintained its local presence, while the music programming was first streamlined into a traditional adult contemporary. It assumed an adult album alternative format in March 2007.^[4]

WLKR-FM also supplies newscasts to sister stations WLKR and WKFM; Josh Bowman was hired as WLKR-FM's News and Sports Director in late May 2016.

Programming

WLKR's current weekday lineup features the morning show with Melissa and Johnny S, Kelly Rose mid-days and Chris Morgan in afternoons. Newscasts are handled by News and Sports Director Josh Bowman. WLKR-FM also serves as the local affiliate for AP Radio News.