CFLG-FM

CKSF-FM signed on the air February 15. This also marked the 4th anniversary of their AM station on 1230. CKSF-FM broadcast on a frequency of 104.5 MHz and had an effective radiated power of 522 watts. CKSF-FM simulcast the full schedule of CKSF-AM. H. H. Flint was manager of the stations.

CKSF-AM and FM were owned by The Standard Freeholder Ltd. (Howard Fleming 33.1%, G. D. Fleming 40.9%, C. J. McTavish 16.2%, Frances Fleming 2.3% and four other shareholders 7.5%). These owners were also involved in the ownership of The Owen Sound Sun-Times and CFOS-AM in Owen Sound. Studios and offices were located at 36 Pitt Street, and the transmitter site was on Lot 12, Concession 2, Township of Cornwall. CKSF-AM-FM was a Supplementary B CBC Dominion affiliate (CKSF-AM was a supplementary B affiliate). The “SF” in the call sign: Standard Freeholder.

George Fleming was president of the company. Fred H. Pemberton was CKSF’s manager

Stanley Shankman purchased CKSF-AM and FM from the Standard-Freeholder. He changed the call letters to CJSS-AM and FM with the “SS” in the calls representing his name.

Studios and offices moved to 237 Water Street which was also home to CJSS-TV Channel 8, which signed on the air in 1958.

Shankman sold CJSS-AM and FM to the Emard Family (CJSS-TV was sold to CJOH-TV in Ottawa).

The Trans-Canada and Dominion networks consolidated into a single CBC radio service. CJSS-AM-FM ended its affiliation with the CBC at this time.

CJSS-FM 104.5 had a power of 522 watts, broadcast in mono, and offered programming independent from CJSS-AM – Monday through Sunday – 7:00 p.m. to Midnight.

CJSS-FM received CRTC approval to increase effective radiated power to 850 watts to 9,500 watts and change the antenna site.

CJSS-FM became CFLG-FM. 

On January 11, the CRTC renewed CFLG’s licence until September 30, 1985.

Andy Stokes joined CFLG as program director. He had been with CJMR in Mississauga.

Some of CFLG’s management at this time: Keith Clingen (vice president & general manager), Frank Wood (program director), Fred Pletsch (news & sports director), Thom Smith (production coordinator), and Owen Mekitarian (technical director).

Former CFLG-CJSS general manager Keith Clingen was now with the Ontario government. 

John Divinki joined CFLG/CJSS as operations manager. He had been general manager at CKTY/CFGX in Sarnia.

On December 2, the CRTC approved a power increase for CFLG from 9,500 to 30,000 watts (ERP).  Antenna height would be 88.5 metres.

John Divinski was operations manager.

On May 17, CFLG-FM Variety 104.5 began broadcasting from a new antenna on the tower it shared with sister station CJSS-FM. Power had recently increased from 9,000 to 30,000 watts (ERP). 

On May 23, Tri-Co Broadcasting was given approval by the CRTC to reduce the power for CJSS-FM from 3,000 watts to 1,420 watts and to reduce the power of CFLG-FM from 30,000 watts to 15,000 watts.

On November 19, the CRTC approved the application by Corus Entertainment Inc. to purchase Tri-Co Broadcasting Ltd. from the Emard family. Tri-Co was owner of CJUL-AM, CFLG-FM and CJSS-FM.

In the fall, Corus Radio Cornwall (CJUL-AM, CJSS-FM and CFLG-FM) moved to new studios and offices at 709 Cotton Mill Street on the city’s waterfront. The building was in the Weave Shed section of the Cotton Mill, which had been a loft space. The new facility – in a 150 year old heritage building – featured all-new state-of-the-art broadcast equipment. The first broadcasts came from the new facility at 6:00 p.m., November 27.

In the fall, Corus Radio Cornwall (CJUL-AM, CJSS-FM and CFLG-FM) moved to new studios and offices at 709 Cotton Mill Street on the city’s waterfront. The building was in the Weave Shed section of the Cotton Mill, which had been a loft space. The new facility – in a heritage building – featured all-new state-of-the-art broadcast equipment. 

There were a number of changes at Corus Entertainment related to its organization review to streamline decision-making and clarify roles and mandates. Among the changes: Reporting to Hal Blackadar, Executive Vice President and interim President of Corus Radio was JJ Johnston, GM, Corus Radio Cornwall, Kingston and Peterborough (was GM at Corus Radio Vancouver). GM Scott Armstrong was no longer with the company.

On August 18, CJUL (AM 1220) left the air. Corus stated that more listeners across Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry would now get up-to-date local and regional information on local radio as Corus Radio redeployed news and community event information from AM 1220 (CJUL-AM) onto its two FM stations, Variety 104.5 (CFLG-FM) and Rock 101.9 (CJSS- FM). The decision to increase informational content on Corus Radio Cornwall’s FM stations came following two separate listener surveys. Over 8,000 loyal listeners were polled about their local radio needs and the respondents overwhelmingly favoured increased local content relevant to their communities. Hal Blackadar, executive VP and president of Radio, Corus Entertainment said, “While closing CJUL-AM will impact some listeners, we know that many also tune in to our FM stations which will now have increased local information and entertainment.” The immediate changes would include longer and more frequent news updates on Variety 104.5 and Rock 101.9, the new home of Ottawa Senators Hockey play-by-play coverage.” “Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry is a large area with strong local values and maintaining a voice in the larger community is key to Corus Radio Cornwall,” said J.J. Johnston, general manager, Corus Radio Cornwall, Kingston and Peterborough. “We know how important local information is to our listeners and we will continue to be a relevant and connected voice in the communities we serve.” 

John Bolton returned to the Rock 101.9 airwaves on October 18, as the new host of the morning show heard weekday mornings from 6 to 9 a.m. Jamie Carr moved to the mid-day position and Matt Weaver resumed his position as host of the afternoon show. Amanda Logan took over afternoon drive on Variety 104 and Darryl Adams moved to the mid-day show. Bolton had been morning host of Cornwall Today on the now decommissioned AM 1220. 

Kapila (Kaps) Ratnayake was the new Chief Engineer at Corus Radio Cornwall. He had been with Rogers Radio Calgary.

Scott Armstrong, former General Manager at Corus Radio Cornwall, became the new GM at Rogers-owned 92 CITI-FM/102.3 Clear FM Winnipeg beginning October 6. 

A fire in October almost scorched the studios of Rock 101.9/Variety 104. But aside from a catwalk having to be opened between buildings, some minor water damage and the smell of smoke, the two stations sustained no damages. In 2006, Corus Cornwall moved to 709 Cotton Mill Street, a 150-year old historic building at the waterfront that used to be a cotton mill.

Meghan “Kya” Kyer became Corus Cornwall to Interactive Account Manager for Variety 104, Rock 101.9 and TheCornwallDaily.com. She was succeeded as promotions director by Holly Wilson.

Mai Habib became anchor/reporter at Corus Radio Cornwall. Habib had been Chase Producer with CTV News Channel.

Bill Kingston became news director at Corus Cornwall. He had been assistant news director and succeeds Lorne Wiebe who moved away from the industry. Darryl Adams, in addition to his role as Variety 104 Program Director, assumed those same duties with sister station 101.9 CJSS-FM. 

On August 8, the CRTC administratively renewed the licence for CFLG-FM until August 31, 2013. 

On June 18, Pat Baranowski officially announced her plans of retirement after over 23 years of service as receptionist with Corus Radio Cornwall. Pat’s last day was August 24 and she was succeeded by Rhonda Simpson.

Courteney Chambers joined Variety 104.5 as mid-day host. He had a wealth of broadcasting experience, including the programming/music assistant at 102.1 Edge, on air” in Barrie at B101, Easy Rock in Edmonton, as well as JR FM in Brockville.

As of June 25, Meghan “Kya” Kyer, Interactive Account Manager at Corus Radio Cornwall, added that responsibility at CHEX-TV, 100.5 Kruz-FM and The Wolf 101.5 FM Peterborough. She relocated to Peterborough.

Angie Baker, the General Sales Manager at Corus Cornwall, stepped back from that managerial role. Baker remained as an Account Executive.

The new general sales manager at Corus Cornwall was Peter Mayhew, the former head fundraiser at Gilda’s Club for Ontario East. Before that, he’d been a sales manager in the Ottawa, Sault Ste. Marie and Halifax markets.

Mark Dickie was appointed General Manager of Corus radio stations 106.9 The Bear/boom 99.7 Ottawa and CJSS-FM/Variety 104 Cornwall. He had been GM/GSM of 92.5 The Beat Montreal.

Corus Radio Cornwall launched Top 40 104.5 Fresh FM (CFLG-FM) and Greatest Hits boom 101.9 (CJSS-FM). The new brands succeed Variety 104 and CJSS 101.9.

In February, CFLG changed branding from FRESH FM to FRESH RADIO.