Sioux-Hudson radio still on the air after 35 years

A small local community radio station in Sioux Lookout and Hudson celebrated 35 years July 14.
The volunteer-run station, CBLS/CBQW, airs twice-a-day broadcasting local news, events, weather, road conditions, job announcements and interviews. The station airs on the CBC signal on 1240AM or 1340AM.
“This volunteer radio station is a vital link between communities and between people from all walks of life,” said Ifka Filipovich, president of the Sioux-Hudson Community Radio Society.
Using equipment on loan from Wawatay Radio Network, the station first went to air July 14, 1975 from the local friendship centre.
Spearheaded by a group of local residents, work began in 1973 to bring the station to air. In order to do so, Hudson resident Dianne Ayotte successfully lobbied for a CBC relay station for Hudson, which didn’t receive CBC until that time.
“People in town felt there was no method of communicating information in a timely manner or advising the public of emergency situations in the area,” Ayotte said of the need for local content on the radio.
The station continues to be entirely volunteer driven and is now located at the local fire hall after moving to numerous locations in the community.
Filipovich said the station continues to provide an essential role in the community broadcasting emergencies such as school closures, lost children, fire situations, and health issues.
“All the individuals who have given of their time and financial resources to keep CBLS/CBQW community radio on the air for the past 35 years can be very proud of this community endeavour,” Filipovich said.