NC Radio: Thieves Knock WCIS Off Air

John Whisnant

Christian station WCIS 760 AM in Morgantown, NC was knocked off the air after someone broke into its transmitter building and "gutted" the transmitter Thursday morning.

Owner John Whisnant estimates his immediate loss at $50,000.

Owner John Whisnant knew something was wrong when he turned the dial to the daytimer (3.5Kw)  and didn't hear a thing.

"(I was) devastated, absolutely devastated. It's December. It's our biggest month,” he said. He also said the  break-in is impacting a charity drive for the needy in the county.

Whisnant said thieves broke in and gutted two of WCIS's transmitters, stealing a few hundred dollars in copper.

It didn't take long for the owner to see how the thieves got in. He said they cut their way through a fence that has barbed wire on the top.

It will most likely be the early part of next week before the station can find a used transmitter and get it installed to get back on the air.

Channel 9 asked Whisnant if he can forgive those responsible.

“Absolutely I can forgive them, but I still want to see them punished to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.