In the far north of Upstate New York, across Lake Champlain from the Burlington, Vt., metropolitan area, lies a unique Class C AM radio station that offers a wide mix of obscure Oldies as Plattsburgh’s “Hometown Radio” station. In October 2019, this facility was acquired from the man behind a local Pontiac dealership for $287,500.
Then came COVID-19, and the continued struggle of radio stations on the kHz band to attract listeners and advertisers. As mid-March 2025 began, news of tariffs between the U.S. and Canada, just to the north, fueled additional economic uncertainties.
Now, WIRY-AM is ceasing operations some 75 years after it first went on the air.
In a message posted Thursday to its Facebook page, WIRY owner Hometown Communications LLC, an entity comprised of shareholders Mark Henry, Joey Trombley, David Andrews and David Favro, confirmed that the station will be concluding business effective today. Its audio streams were silent as of mid-morning Friday (3/14).
Addressing WIRY’s “Loyal Listeners and Valued Advertisers,” station management announced WIRY’s closure. “After serving our community for 75 years, the challenges of an evolving media landscape have made it increasingly difficult to continue operations.”
WIRY cited “the rise of digital platforms and social media,” which has changed the way audiences consume content, “leading to declining traditional radio listenership.”
WIRY also cites the fees it already pays for the right to play recorded music, even as the “American Music Fairness Act” has resurfaced in an attempt to squeeze more dollars out of radio to an industry controlled by handful of Goliath organization already taking in millions of dollars to its coffers. “Coupled with rising music royalty costs, a shrinking media sales force, and decreasing profit margins, we have reached a point where it is no longer viable to continue broadcasting,” WIRY said. “Though our AM signal may soon go silent, the spirit of WIRY will live on in the music, voices, and moments we’ve shared. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives.”
“After serving our community for 75 years, the challenges of an evolving media landscape have made it increasingly difficult to continue operations.”
Until Thursday, WIRY was the home of a blend of music best-described as “Mellow Gold,” perhaps. “The Language of Love” by Dan Fogelberg followed tracks by Andy Gibb; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Elton John; The Association; and REO Speedwagon.
That blend of music was a continuation of an eclectic mix of classic pop tracks heard under previous owner Bill Santa. With his sale of WIRY, a promise of ads beyond national spots tied to the station’s top-of-the-hour newscasts had surfaced, with new ownership under Favro, the Clinton County Sheriff; Trombley, associated with Kavanaugh Realty; and Henry, a Republican Clinton County Legislator. Andrews, the station’s General Manager and News Director, appeared on the InFOCUS Podcast in November 2021 to discuss the challenges faced by WIRY at the time.
Santa had acquired WIRY in 1995 as an add-on business to his Pontiac dealership.
As of March 12, a complete shutdown of WIRY wasn’t expected. Rather, WIRY posted on its Facebook page that it “will be making some program changes within the next day or two which will include moving to an all music station.”
Alas, WIRY, which signed on the air January 30, 1950, can now etch its final broadcast date on a tombstone — unless a white knight comes to resurrect the station.
