Current:Home > reviewsA 200-foot radio tower in Alabama is reportedly stolen. The crime has police baffled. -Thrive Financial Network
A 200-foot radio tower in Alabama is reportedly stolen. The crime has police baffled.
View
Date:2025-04-14 02:49:23
A 200-foot radio tower in Alabama was stolen and has gone missing without a trace, taking down an AM station with it. The crime left the station's radio manager and police blown away and confused, according to media outlets.
“I have tried all weekend to figure it out, and I just can’t," Brett Elmore, the station's general manager of WJLX’s AM Station in Jasper, Alabama, said in a statement. "I have been in the radio business, around it all my life and then in it professionally for 26 years, and I can say I have never heard of anything like this. I can say I’ve seen it all now.”
According to the statement, Elmore learned about the theft of WJLX's tower on last Friday. A landscaping company went down to the tower on Feb. 2, which was located in a wooded area behind a local poultry plant, reports the Guardian, to clean up the property. But when they got there, they realized someone else had done it and taken way more than they needed to.
According to the Guardian, Elmore believes the thieves stole the tower to make money off selling the metal.
The GM told the Guardian that around six months ago, a different station that was close by had an AC unit, copper pipes, and other materials stolen from them. Elmore is not sure if the two are connected.
When speaking with the media outlet, Elmore added that Jasper has always supported its local stations.
"The sad part is that Jasper has always been a radio town," he told the Guardian.
More radio news:Radio crew's 'bathwater' stunt leads to Jacob Elordi being accused of assault in Australia
Radio tower stolen: How much will it cost to replace?
The station has started a GoFundMe to help recuperate the cost of the tower.
Since the property wasn't insured, Elmore believes it would cost $60,000 to replace the tower, according to a statement on the station's GoFundMe.
It's "more money than we have," he told the Guardian.
So far, they have raised $766 out of the $60,000 required.
"This is a major setback for a small operation like ours," said Elmore in a statement. "But I have faith that we will uncover the culprits. This is a federal crime, and they will realize it wasn’t worth it.”
Radio silent: Station forced off-air due to reported theft
On the station's website, it reports that it was trying to work with the FCC for temporary authority to continue business as usual on FM radio while they rebuild their tower and get back onto the AM side of the radio
But Thursday morning, the FCC told them they would not be allowed to broadcast. While the station does have an FM transmitter and tower, the FCC said they would have to go off the air since it isn't allowed to operate on the FM side of things while their AM station is off-air, reports the Guardian.
“Now we’re silent, but we won’t be silent for long," Elmore said to the Guardian. "I’m gonna work tirelessly to get this thing back up and running, one way or the other.”
It's unclear how long the rebuild process will actually take, Alabama news outlet WSFA reports. According to a statement given to WSFA by the radio station, they did shut down their FM tower, but the station will continue to its broadcast online.
Investigation into stolen radio tower underway
The Guardian says Elmore is still hopeful that more will be revealed, either on surveillance video from the poultry factory or a witness who worked at the plant and saw what happened.
In the station's statement, they confirmed that the Jasper Police Department is investigating the tower theft.
They're urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact either JPD at 205-221-2122 or Crime Stoppers at 205-221-505.
veryGood! (718)
Related
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- U.S. Intelligence: foreign rivals didn't cause Havana Syndrome
- Are Kim Kardashian and Tom Brady Dating? Here's the Truth
- For Many Nevada Latino Voters, Action on Climate Change is Key
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Alleged Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira indicted by federal grand jury
- How financial counseling at the pediatrician's office can help families thrive
- 86-year-old returns George Orwell's 1984 to library 65 years late, saying it needs to be read more than ever
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Your next job interview might be with AI. Here's how to ace it.
Ranking
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Standing Rock Tribe Prepares Legal Fight as Dakota Oil Pipeline Gets Final Approval
- Nathan Carman, man charged with killing mother in 2016 at sea, dies in New Hampshire while awaiting trial
- Not Trusting FEMA’s Flood Maps, More Storm-Ravaged Cities Set Tougher Rules
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Parents Become Activists in the Fight over South Portland’s Petroleum Tanks
- Here are the 15 most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history
- What Really Happened to Princess Diana—and Why Prince Harry Got Busy Protecting Meghan Markle
Recommendation
South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
The Democrats Miss Another Chance to Actually Debate Their Positions on Climate Change
Kim Zolciak Shares Message About Love and Consideration Amid Kroy Biermann Divorce
Keystone XL, Dakota Pipeline Green-Lighted in Trump Executive Actions
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
5 Reasons Many See Trump’s Free Trade Deal as a Triumph for Fossil Fuels
Here's why you should make a habit of having more fun
Demi Moore and Emma Heming Willis Fiercely Defend Tallulah Willis From Body-Shamers