The theft of an enormous radio tower has silenced what was the voice of a small Alabama city and the encircling county, the radio station’s basic supervisor mentioned. A thief or thieves made off with the 200-foot (61-meter) tower, shutting down WJLX radio in Jasper, Alabama. Thus far, no arrests have been made.

“The slogan of our station is the sound of Walker County, and proper now with our station down, the group has misplaced its sound and misplaced its voice,” WJLX Common Supervisor Brett Elmore advised The Related Press. “This hurts, and it hurts our group.” The theft was found Feb. 2, when a upkeep crew arrived within the wooded space the place the tower as soon as stood and located it gone. Additionally they discovered that each piece of broadcasting gear saved in a close-by constructing had additionally been stolen.

“To interrupt into my constructing and steal all my gear, and the tower?” Elmore mentioned. “Hell, depart me the tower- that’s the costliest factor to switch.”

Elmore mentioned he suspects that the tower’s man wire was reduce first, which might have introduced the construction to the bottom. Then he believes it was reduce into smaller items and hauled away. “Some fairly easy instruments you could possibly get from Dwelling Depot may reduce this up very quickly,” he mentioned.

The station had no insurance coverage on the tower or the gear, and he estimates that it’s going to take $60,000 to $100,000 to rebuild. “We’re a small market, and we don’t have that type of cash,” he mentioned. Elmore has heard from folks across the nation hoping to assist, and a GoFundMe web page has been launched on-line to boost donations. He mentioned he was reluctant to begin the fundraiser, however a pal advised him to place his satisfaction apart if persons are keen to assist. Greater than $1,100 had been raised by early Friday afternoon.

The AM station has been on the air for the reason that mid-Fifties, and Elmore’s quarter-century within the radio enterprise carries on work his father did on the station earlier than him.

“It’s greater than a job and radio,” he mentioned. “That is simply part of who I’m.”

Jasper police are investigating, spokeswoman Rachel Karr mentioned Friday. In a press release, police mentioned the theft was reported to police on Feb. 2, however the date and time of the crime shouldn’t be identified. Police are in search of suggestions from the general public.

Elmore now hopes to in some way get again on the air. “We’re going to make it,” he mentioned. “I’ve to maintain the religion that we’re going to make it.”

(With AP inputs)

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