KCST Earns Best Newscast Designation

PORTLAND, OR – When people on the Central Oregon Coast want news they turn to KCST FM 106.9 in Florence. When the Oregon Associated Press Broadcasters (OAPB) was looking for the best radio newscast outside of the Portland area, they did the same. Coast Radio News was recently singled out by the association as having the best newscast in the state.

“The selection of KCST’s newscast as the best reflects the station’s long standing commitment to local news” said owner and general manager Jon Thompson. He said much of the credit goes to the hard work and commitment of news director Bob Sneddon. “It validates our standing as one of the best community radio stations in the state”. KCST offers a half-dozen daily news casts, along with the same number on its sister station KCFM.

Sneddon also picked up an additional award during the April 17th banquet. For the third straight year, and the fourth time since 2003, he was selected as the Contributor of the Year by Associated Press management. Portland News Editor Terry Petty said “Sneddon understands the importance of the A-P cooperative and knows contributions from members help us fulfill our mission of delivering news to a state audience as well as to people across the world and around the world.” For his part, Sneddon said things that happen in smaller communities do matter to people who live in other parts of the state. “I’m interested in the news from Baker City, Bend, Medford and Portland. Why wouldn’t people in those communities want to know what’s happening on the Oregon Coast?”

Birmingham, Alabama’s Dan Dailey with WZZK Radio was one of the judges. He said KCST’s newscast entry had “nice, tight writing.” and “Pleasant, animated anchoring.” Dailey also complimented the use of additional sound bites in the reporting. Another entry was singled out by judges. A series of stories about school budget cuts in 2009 was recognized with 3rd place in the “Best Treatment of a Single Subject” category. In judging comments on that series, Dailey noted “in-depth reporting on a story of great local importance”.

Coast Radio is the primary source of daily news and information for many residents in the Florence, Dunes City and Mapleton area. They broadcast two signals, KCST FM 106.9 with a music format that offers a mix of adult contemporary, oldies and hot country music along with ABC news, Charles Osgood’s commentary and Coast Radio News. It’s also the broadcast home of Siuslaw Viking sports and Oregon Duck athletics in Western Lane County. KCFM 104.1/AM 1250 is the home of Beaver Nation on the Central Oregon Coast, offering OSU Football and Basketball along with the syndicated Music of Your Life format that features adult pop standards by iconic American singers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and Michael Buble.