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Hi, this is Walt Lindala. As you’ve heard by now, my good friend Mark Evans has left the fold and is off on a new career opportunity. And that brings some changes here, mornings for Sunny 101.9. I’m also away for a few weeks, working on other projects as well. But don’t worry. Walt Lindala will be back Monday March 4, with my new co-host Mike Plourde. Sunny will deliver you a fresh mix of the things you’ve come to Love, plus some new bits to help you get your day started right… So my U.P. Friends… stay close! Stay tuned and please pardon our radio dust so to speak, as we do our spring cleaning. The new season unfolds only on Sunny 101.9, and it’s fresh Each Day, on-line at wkqsfm.com.  All our interviews and news will now also be posted to wkqsfm.com

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The end of an era. "Mark & Walt in the Morning"

Friends – Today is an emotional day as the time has come for me to leave the morning show. I have accepted a professional opportunity that I simply could not pass up and as a result, my time at the station has come to close.

I thank all of you who have listened over the years and I will miss chatting daily with you. To all of you who have become friends through the show since we started in 1998, it has been a pleasure.

Stay tuned to the station as Walt will carry on the torch and will be joined by our colleague Mike Plourde. Walt is taking some personal time off over the next few weeks and Mike will be on Monday morning. Walt and Mike will be on together starting March 4-th.

As one chapter comes to a close, another opens and it’s important to remember that we can’t survive by standing still.

Thanks.

-Mark Evans

Lisa Coombs-Gerou.

MARQUETTE, MI – (Great Lakes Radio News) – The Y is presenting a full slate of programs for people of all ages over the next several weeks.

Lisa Coombs-Gerou, Executive Director of the Y stopped in the WKQS-FM studios to talk about the full slate of activities planned at the Y’s facilities around the county.

She listed several types of programs and activities that feature both mental and physical wellness and development for all ages.  From swimming and karate to arts training, it’s all at the Y.

To listen to the interview with Lisa, please click the audio link below:

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To visit the Y website, please click “HERE”.

Paul Olson from the GLCYD.

Paul Olson, with the GLCYD, stopped in at the SUNNY 101.9 studios to discuss the “Cultural Competence” sessions featuring training area youth about the Japanese culture and increasing awareness about similarities and differences between the two.

He also discussed the seminars being held that focus on evaluating the effectiveness of board members of non-profit organizations.  They are being held in several locations around the U.P.

To listen to the interview with Paul Olson, please click on the audio link below:

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To visit the GLCYD website, please click “HERE”.

U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D)-Detroit

Levin discussed the Cut Unjustified Tax Loopholes Act, or CUT Loopholes Act. According to the Senator, the bill would crack down on offshore tax abuses, close tax loopholes that encourage corporations to move jobs offshore and end a corporate tax loophole that allows corporations to claim a stock option tax deduction that is greater than the stock option expense shown on their books.

Levin added that the measure would yield at least $155 billion in deficit reduction over 10 years. That is more than enough to cover the $100 billion cost of a full-year extension of the payroll tax cut, and could contribute to the kind of balanced deficit reduction agreement that the nation needs.

To listen to the interview with Senator Carl Levin, please click on the audio link below:

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UPSDA President Pat Torreano.

Pat Torreano, President of the UP Sled Dog Association, stopped in at the Sunny 101.9 studios this morning to outline the changes.  The main change to announce was that the start of the UP 200 will NOT be held in downtown Marquette this year.  The race will start in Chatham on Friday, February 17th at 8:00 pm .

There will, however, be a ceremonial start of the Midnight Run in Downtown Marquette at 7:10 pm.  30 mushers with 8-dog teams will depart in the usual manner as seen for the start of the UP 2oo.

Torreano emphasized that for spectators, the starting ceremonies in Marquette will not seem different at all.  But for mushers and their teams, these changes are very important.

To listen to the interview with Pat Torreano, please click on the audio link below:

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To visit the UPSDA website, please click “HERE”.

Matt Zika with the NWS.

MARQUETTE, MI – (Great Lakes Radio News) – It is Michigan’s NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Awareness Week. The 2012 campaign runs through this Saturday.

Matt Zika, from the National Weather Service office in Negaunee Township joined Mark & Walt in the Morning recently to discuss NOAA Weather Radio facts.

Matt discussed topics ranging from NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards programming information, the Emergency Alert System, and where to purchase radio receivers.

To listen to the interview with Matt, please click on the audio link below:

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More information about NOAA Weather Radio is available on their website.  To visit, please click “HERE”.

Cindy Noble.

MARQUETTE, MI – (Great Lakes Radio News) – The City of Marquette is hosting a Community Open House this week.

City of Marquette Parks and Rec Co-ordinator Cindy Noble visited Mark & Walt in the Morning today to outline the event.

It is being held on Thursday, February 9, in the Citizens Forum Room at Lakeview Arena from 4:00-7:00 pm and is an opportunity for the community to get acquainted with various City Departments and Partners.

To listen to the interview with Cindy about the Open House, please click on the audio link below:

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For more about the City of Marquette, please click “HERE” to visit the city’s website.

Zak Hammill of the Ishpeming Ski Club.

MARQUETTE, MI – (Great Lakes Radio News) – Athletes from around the country and the world are in Ishpeming this week to compete at Suicide Hill.

Zak Hammill , Ishpeming Ski Club Juniors Coach and Competitive Jumper Zak Hammill joined SUNNY 101.9′s Mark & Walt in the Morning to discuss the 125-th Ishpeming Ski Club Suicide Hill Ski Jumping Tournament, which is being held tomorrow night.

The event features the top ski jumpers from several countries as well as some of the best jumpers in the nation.

Official events for the ski jumps get underway today with the Winter Sports Celebration March at 5:30pm in Downtown Ishpeming and the Ski Club spaghetti fundraising dinner at the Ishpeming Elks Lodge.

The Competition gets underway tomorrow at 6-pm at Suicide Hill with a bonfire and fireworks to follow.

To listen to the interview with Zak, click on the audio link below:

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For more about the Ishpeming Ski Club, please click “HERE” to visit their website.

UPDSA's Pat Torreano.

That was the message from Pat Torreano with the Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association when she visited SUNNY 101.9′s Mark & Walt in the Morning today.  She talked about the adjustments that had been made to the race routes and the current condition of the trails.

Pat also explained that the starting ceremonies for the UP 200 will be held in downtown Marquette as usual, but they will have the start of the Midnight Run race there as well.  The two race starts will be separated by about a half-hour and will add to the excitement of Sled Dog night in Marquette.

To listen to the interview with Pat, please click on the audio link below:

Click To Listen To Full Audio

To visit the UPSDA’s website and find out more about the race and the organization, please click “HERE”.