KRFY names staff, launches new show

SANDPOINT — Panhandle Community Radio, KRFY 88.5, is launching into the new year with new staffing and a new twice-a-week morning show — part of the three-year-old Sandpoint station's burgeoning local programming.

Station officials announced that strong community support has made it possible for the all-volunteer station to add its first two staff positions — albeit, both are part-time, interim positions.

Suzy Prez, who has volunteered as KRFY's business manager for the past two years, has been named station manager. Prez, who worked as administrator for Sandpoint Waldorf School for more than a decade before retiring two years ago, for the past year has also produced KRFY's “Between the Notes,” a show featuring songs and music from local musicians. She's also been a broadcast interviewer.

Jack Peterson has taken the position of production manager, taking on some of the role that Matt Jablon has filled as a volunteer. Peterson also has been producing twice-a-week local music show, and has also gotten more involved over the past year in technical support.

Along with their staff duties, Prez and Peterson will be helping to launch the station's first local current affairs program. Called simply the “KRFY Morning Show,” the new program will air every Tuesday and Thursday from 8 to 9 a.m. The Morning Show will begin airing Tuesday, Jan. 14, and the hour will include local weather, event calendars, local news and issues, occasional music from local musicians plus a keynote interview with community news makers.

Prez and Peterson will be joined by two other hosts sharing duties to produce The Morning Show. They are Jim Healey, KRFY board president as well as a frequent broadcaster and interviewer; and Chris Bessler of Keokee, which publishes Sandpoint Magazine and SandpointOnline.com.

 The Morning Show airs at 88.5 FM, as well as streams live on the station website at KRFY.org. For those who can't catch the show during its 8 o'clock airing, podcasts will be available to listen to or download anytime from the KRFY.org website.