Writing this column for more than 20 years has been a joy. The feedback, the comments, overall, are usually favorable and positive. This certainly was true after I wrote about “The Mighty 1290, WIRL.”

One of the letters came all the way from Lewistown and another was from a former WIRL announcer, Steve Hopson. We interviewed Steve on our morning show on FM 90.7.

Writing about WIRL brought back some pleasant memories. Comedian Royce Elliott and I did a gig on the station every Wednesday afternoon and later I was recruited to do news on WSWT-FM, WIRL’s sister station, on weekends. Anyway, thanks to those who wrote and called with their personal memories.

MORE RADIO NOTES: WMBD 1470 is struggling with its afternoon broadcasting block. Mike Wild, station manager, apparently fired Craig Collins.

In his place on a temporary basis, Wild hired veteran radio guy, John Malone. That decision was kind of unique and amusing. Malone, years ago, used to be Program Director at WMBD until he was fired, dismissed or whatever you want to call it.

He wound up starting an educational broadcasting curriculum at Lincoln College. By all accounts, Malone did a masterful job until the school closed. He also earned a Ph. D. Eureka College hired Malone and acquired all of Lincoln’s radio and TV equipment. The bottom line, Malone had no second thoughts about his removal from WMBD, and agreed to do the afternoon show until Wild came up with a permanent replacement for Collins. That came with the selection of former Peoria Journal columnist Phil Luciano, no stranger to radio.

Luciano got his start in broadcasting on “Breakfast with Royce and Roger” years ago on WOAM, 1350. He was a regular guest. Turns out WMBD thought so, too, and hired him to work with Jamie Markley.

That ended and Luciano found a new role at WTVP as a Senior Communications Executive. We wish him well.

COMMUNITY NOTES: He didn’t get his start on our show, but former Congressman Ray LaHood is a regular guest and was asked during his last appearance for an update on the selection of a new president at Bradley University.

LaHood, a Bradley graduate and trustee, is a member of the search committee. He said a recruiting firm had been hired, but did not name it. LaHood acknowledged that anyone is eligible to apply for the position held by Stephen Standifird, who resigned June 15.

There have been suggestions a possible candidate could be Dr. Chris Reynolds, who was appointed Athletic Director in 2015 and promoted in 2018 to Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. He’s responsible for administering operations in the athletic departments, NCAA compliance, communications, and fundraising, which is probably the first priority for a university president.

Nationally known and recognized, Reynolds in 2021 was named chairperson of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament selection committee and just last March was named Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

Before coming to Bradley, Reynolds was Deputy Director of Athletics for Operations and Administration at Northwestern University. Before that, the talented administrator was at Indiana University serving in a variety of positions during his nine years on the Hoosier campus, not including those as a player on the school’s basketball team.

While the Bradley Search Committee awaits the recommendations of its recruiting company, the role of president is being filled by retired RLI president, Jonathan Michael. A trustee at Bradley, Michael retired in December of 2023.

PEORIA VIOLENCE: While I no longer live in Peoria, that’s where I was born, raised, educated and worked for most of my life, except for two years in the U.S. Army, most of which were spent in Germany. I love the city and its people. Though radio has always played an integral part of my working years, the highlight was in public relations and marketing at Methodist Medical Center for 25 years.

As mentioned in a previous column, I enjoyed my 22 years on the Peoria County Board and years of service on the city’s Zoning Board, Board of Appeals and City/County Health board.

Having said that, I’m appalled by the increase in violent crime. While some can spin it any way they can, the local stories are there. A young man, gunned down in the bright of day at Forrest Hill and Knoxville. A husband found guilty of drowning his wife in a basement basin. Two kids, fresh out of losing their diapers, held up a McDonald’s. A man shoots his girlfriend in the back of her head as she flees their home and then shoots an unarmed female neighbor who comes to give aid.

That’s a just a few violent crime incidents. Passing more gun laws is not the answer as illustrated by Chicago. It has the most restrictive gun laws in the world and remains one of the most violent cities in the world. Broken homes, broken marriages, broken schools, broken neighborhoods, broken lives, broken country. But, we have faith there are those who believe the spirit remains among us, as it did with the founders of our country, that we can and will do better.

USA, USA: And do better we did in the 2024 Paris Olympics, sweeping to victory after victory and leading all countries with 126 medals, which included 40 gold. It was exciting and thrilling to see American after American competing with the best from around the world, crossing the finish line first whether on the track, in the pool or on the courts. Free from political displays or verbiage, America’s athletes were focused on competing, wrapping themselves in the U.S. flag with pride and loyalty after winning medals. How wonderful it was to see them smiling and singing the national anthem at the Olympic podium.

God bless America!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.’ ” — Eleanor Roosevelt