Fort Myers Radio: WWGR Suspends Two Over Prank

Val St. John, Scott Fish

UPDATE: The two hosts returned to the air Wednesday

Earlier Posting...

Two personalities have been taken off the air following a fake water advisory apparently meant as an April Fool's joke.

During their Monday morning show on WWGR Gator Country 101.9-FM, Val St. John and Scott Fish used a decades-old hoax, announcing that "dihydrogen monoxide" was coming out of Lee Countytaps. Dihydrogen monoxide is another name for water, based on its molecular composition of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Tony Renda, general manager at the Bonita Springs country music station, told the Fort Myers News-Press he immediately pulled Val St. John and Scott Fish off the air when he heard about the April Fool’s joke they had been playing on their 5 to 9 a.m. morning show and then started having the joke recanted and an apology aired during station breaks. “Every break we have we’re telling listeners it was a goof, a bad joke,” he said.

“It is one thing when radio stations change their format or other crazy things they do,” Renda said. “But you are messing with one of the big three, food, water or shelter. They just went too far; I just knew I didn’t like that.”

Renda said the pair have been doing their show for years and usually do a very family friendly April Fool’s joke. “Every year they do a joke,” he said. ”But it’s been a fun joke.”

Renda, also vice president of Pittsburgh, Pa., based Renda Broadcasting, said the suspension is indefinite for now. “We take this very seriously. We take our FCC license very seriously,” he said.

The station’s bit got the attention of Patty DiPiero from Lee County Utilities. She said Lee County residents began calling the utility this morning saying they heard on the station that county water was unsafe and should not be used for drinking, showering or for any use.

DiPiero stressed in an email to media outlets that the utility was not having any issues with the water supply and the water is safe to use.

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Also Read: 12 Google April Fool's Day Jokes, Click Here.