Super Bowl Update

FAIRFIELD, Ill. ― A longtime Southern Illinois broadcaster has announced that he's stepping away from the microphone in March.

Dave Land, general manager (and former owner) of WFIW-1390 AM/104.9 FM and WOKZ-105.9 FM in Fairfield, plans to retire effective Mar. 28 after 47 years in the broadcasting business.

The Carmi Times reported last week that Land, 62, plans to "take it easy" in retirement.  In a commentary posted at the station's website, Land wrote: "The next three months will be busy as I turn over all of my day-to-day duties to a very capable staff.  I expect an additional sales person to be hired soon.  But, no major changes are planned."

One change, however, has already been made:  Starting this week, Land reports that he is cutting back to doing one "Land's View" commentary each week.

Land oversaw a number of advances at the stations during his two decades as GM, including the launch of WOKZ in 1996, the increase of the stations' tower height, and the launch of the stations' website, wfiwradio.com.

He sold the stations to Vincennes-based The Original Company, Inc. (TOC) last year, but remained on board following the closing of the sale last summer.