FCC Report 9/26: Rhode Island Translator Fined For Operating Nearly Three Years With Expired License

FCC Actions

Diponti Communications LLC has been issued a Notice of Apparent Liability For Forfeiture proposing a $7000 fine.

DiPonti acquired the former 93.5 W228AU North Bennington VT from Brian Dodge’s Harvest Broadcasting in November 2016 just after Dodge had entered into a Consent Decree of his own giving it and other signals a one year conditional license renewal that was due to have a renewal application filed by July 1, 2017.

DiPonti did not file the license renewal for what was moved during the 250 mile waiver period to become 103.1 W276DF Westerly RI rebroadcasting 1230 WBLQ Westerly until September 11, 2020 and filed an STA to continue operations five days later which would’ve been nearly three years after the translator’s license expired. The FCC’s fine is $3000 for failing to timely file a license renewal, while dropping the base $10,000 penalty for operating without a license down to an additional $4000 as Diponti stated it was an inadvertent oversight being unaware of the short-term license renewal as part of its acquisition of the translator.

Martins & Associates, Inc.’s 1000 WKVG Jenkins KY entered into a Consent Decree over multiple violations in its license renewal. WKVG failed to timely file its license renewal applications, failed to submit an EEO Program Report and upload its issues and programs lists to its online public file. As part of the Consent Decree, WKVG has agreed to pay a $4500 civil penalty.

Guillermo Garza’s 1490 KWMC Del Rio TX has been issued a Notice of Apparent Liability For Forfeiture for $3000 for failing to timely file its license renewal application. KWMC’s was due to file its application by April 1, 2021 but did not until May 7.

Nelson Rodriguez’s 100.9 WJES Maysville GA and Radio Vida Incorporado’s 1400 WIDA Carolina PR entered into Consent Decrees over compliance with their public files.

AM Changes

Blount MassCom Christian 1090 WILD Boston seeks to relocate to the site of Real Media Group’s 1300 WJDA Quincy MA with 2.7kW day and 1.8kW critical hours. WILD had been co-located at the site of Delmarva Educational Association’s 1430 WKOX Everett, but that station is in the process of relocating to the site of Salem’s 950 WROL as the current tower is being redeveloped.