WVIA FM returns to Full Power after February Transmitter Fire PITTSTON, PA (wvia) - Five months after a fire completely destroyed WVIA's transmission facilities in Luzerne County, WVIA FM 89.9 returns to full power on Tuesday, August 3 at 12 p.m. WVIA continues its commitment to serving its members, viewers and listeners in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Central Susquehanna Valley.

The fire began while electricians were working on the building on Penobscot Mountain. An electrical arc ignited ceiling tiles, causing the blaze. Damage was estimated at $2 million. Many have been affected, from difficulty with a signal that is spotty and barely satisfactory, to the complete absence of WVIA FM in several areas that once received it.

WVIA is still operating out of a trailer adjacent to the fire site, but our new, state of the art, full-power transmitter is ready to be turned-on. For the first time since the fire, listeners will receive the WVIA FM high-definition radio signal and second-channel of full-time NPR programming.

WVYA FM 89.7 in Williamsport will offer, for the first-time, two channels of digital service at full power.

WVIA continues an ambitious re-build of permanent facilities that will house all of our technology. It is intended that construction will be completed by spring of next year.

Recovery from such a technical catastrophe is an enormous undertaking and WVIA thanks our members and listeners for their patience and encouragement. We also thank our broadcast engineering friends from several regional commercial radio and television stations who assisted WVIA following the fire.

WVIA FM is also available online. Visit wvia.org, click on radio in the navigation bar and then click Listen Live.

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