Sheldon, Iowa — After 61 years of family ownership — Sheldon’s source for information and entertainment has been sold (pending FCC approval) — basically to another family operation.
KIWA was founded in 1961 by E.C. “Red” Stangland of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and has remained in the ownership of the Stangland family ever since. KIWA AM 1550 was the first of the stations to sign on, on October 6, 1961. Our broadcast studios were at that time on the second floor of the Citizens State Bank building, which was then on 9th Street, and later became the Pucci’s restaurant. The current KIWA building was built in 1970 and KIWA-FM signed on in 1971. Back then it was on 105.5 FM and later moved slightly to the left on your dial to 105.3. A few years ago, an FM translator of our AM signal signed on, on 100.7 FM. News and local information has always been a big focus, but we’ve always played the music that people want to listen to as well.
We had a chance to speak with the new owners, Neil and Terri Lipetzky, who run Community First Broadcasting. They tell us there are really no changes planned at this time for listeners or advertisers.
Lipetzky says they’ve been doing radio for several years.
Other stations that are owned by Community First Broadcasting include KUOO/KUQQ in Spirit Lake, KUYY in Spencer, the KAYL stations and KKIA in Storm Lake, and the KSOU stations and KIHK in Sioux Center, as well as KKOJ in Jackson, Minnesota.
Lipetzky says no staff changes are planned either.
Terri Lipetzky wants to welcome the KIWA advertisers, listeners, and staff into their family.
The official transfer of ownership is being completed and should be done by the end of March.
