KGEZ
Encyclopedia
KGEZ is a radio station
licensed to serve Kalispell, Montana
.
From 2000 to 2009, it was owned by conservative activist John Stokes, and aired a News
/Talk
format. Its flagship program was a conservative-oriented talk show hosted by Stokes.
The station was assigned these call letters by the Federal Communications Commission
.
KGEZ is Montana's second oldest station, and the oldest in the Flathead
. It first signed on in 1927.
asked that the filing be converted to a Chapter 7, claiming that Stokes hadn't disclosed all of his assets and debts. Stokes responded with a request to withdraw the filing. On September 21, bankruptcy judge Ralph Kirscher issued an order denying Stokes' request and granting the government's request to switch to a Chapter 7.
In his ruling, Kirscher said Stokes had failed to disclose "literally millions of dollars" in assets and had not paid taxes in several years. Stokes was in the midst of his show when federal marshals and Flathead County sheriff's deputies arrived to seize the station; he simply thanked his listeners and signed off. It is not known when or if the station will return; Stokes himself said he'd been losing $40,000 per month operating it.
In October 2010, John Stokes has filed an appeal, challenging the settlement that transferred KGEZ radio station assets to Todd and Davar Gardner in July. The appeal, filed in U.S. District Court, states that a federal bankruptcy court erred, when it approved the settlement.
As of this writing (October 2010), KGEZ is back in business. A "Resumption of Operations" notice was filed with the FCC, and signed September 8, 2010. The files show Todd Gardner as owner (Flathead Broadcasting, LLC).
Shortly after the Gardners took over ownership of the station, John Hendricks took charge of KGEZ's programming and operations. He recruited longtime Flathead Valley broadcaster George Ostrom for on-air commentary. It returned to the air in late January 2011 with a marathon of 1950s and 1960s rock hits. Regular programming resumed on February 8. The station currently has an oldies
format, but Hendricks wants to add a greater variety of programming.
John Stokes is currently streaming a radio show on the Internet. He still maintains the site he originally designed for the station.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
licensed to serve Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell is a city in and the county seat of Flathead County, Montana, United States. The 2010 census put Kalispell's population at 19,927 up 5,704 over 2000. At 40.1% this is the largest percentage of growth of any incorporated city in Montana. Kalispell is the largest city and commercial center...
.
From 2000 to 2009, it was owned by conservative activist John Stokes, and aired a News
News Radio
News Radio can refer to:* NewsRadio, the NBC sitcom which aired from 1995–1999.* News radio, the all-news or news/talk radio format....
/Talk
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
format. Its flagship program was a conservative-oriented talk show hosted by Stokes.
The station was assigned these call letters by the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
.
KGEZ is Montana's second oldest station, and the oldest in the Flathead
The Flathead
The Flathead, sometimes called Northwestern Montana, is a region of the U.S. state of Montana. It includes Flathead County, and part of Lake County. Notable towns include Bigfork, Kalispell, Polson, and Whitefish. The geography of the Flathead roughly corresponds to the valley where Flathead Lake...
. It first signed on in 1927.
Seizure
On September 24, 2009; KGEZ went silent after being seized by the United States Bankruptcy Court for Montana. In the spring of 2008, Stokes was sued by Todd and Davar Gardner, who claimed Stokes had slandered them on his show in 2007. Stokes lost, and faced having to pay $3.8 million in damages, an amount that he claimed would have forced him out of business. To avoid paying, he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In April 2009, the Office of the U.S. TrusteeUnited States Trustee Program
The United States Trustee Program is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that is responsible for overseeing the administration of bankruptcy cases and private trustees. The applicable federal law is found at 28 U.S.C. § 586 and 11 U.S.C. , et seq.In addition to the twenty-one...
asked that the filing be converted to a Chapter 7, claiming that Stokes hadn't disclosed all of his assets and debts. Stokes responded with a request to withdraw the filing. On September 21, bankruptcy judge Ralph Kirscher issued an order denying Stokes' request and granting the government's request to switch to a Chapter 7.
In his ruling, Kirscher said Stokes had failed to disclose "literally millions of dollars" in assets and had not paid taxes in several years. Stokes was in the midst of his show when federal marshals and Flathead County sheriff's deputies arrived to seize the station; he simply thanked his listeners and signed off. It is not known when or if the station will return; Stokes himself said he'd been losing $40,000 per month operating it.
Station Status
In July 2010, a local bankruptcy judge awarded a partial settlement to the Gardners in which they acquired KGEZ's assets (license, broadcasting facilities and studio property) for $875,000 in cash. That sum is part of deal reducing the amount the Gardners were owed by Stokes to $1.5 million.In October 2010, John Stokes has filed an appeal, challenging the settlement that transferred KGEZ radio station assets to Todd and Davar Gardner in July. The appeal, filed in U.S. District Court, states that a federal bankruptcy court erred, when it approved the settlement.
As of this writing (October 2010), KGEZ is back in business. A "Resumption of Operations" notice was filed with the FCC, and signed September 8, 2010. The files show Todd Gardner as owner (Flathead Broadcasting, LLC).
Shortly after the Gardners took over ownership of the station, John Hendricks took charge of KGEZ's programming and operations. He recruited longtime Flathead Valley broadcaster George Ostrom for on-air commentary. It returned to the air in late January 2011 with a marathon of 1950s and 1960s rock hits. Regular programming resumed on February 8. The station currently has an oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
format, but Hendricks wants to add a greater variety of programming.
John Stokes is currently streaming a radio show on the Internet. He still maintains the site he originally designed for the station.