WELD-FM

WELD-AM signed on the air for the first time in August 1956 to serve the counties of Pendleton, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire and other areas of Eastern Panhandle of the state, including the South Branch Valley.In 1958, Richard F. Lewis, Jr. passed away suddenly and his wife, Marian, become the new owner. In 1959, “Zag” Pennell came to WELD from WXG1, in Richmond, Va. And was named manager. He held this position until his retirement in the spring of 1985.In March, 1985, South Branch Communications, a general partnership consisting of Willard Earle, Carl Thorne, and Randall Thorne purchased WELD-AM from the Lewis heirs.February 6, 1987 FM radio came to the South Branch Valley area when WELD-FM signed on the air. The same year the facilities were remodeled and doubled in size.WELD has always prided itself on community service: live coverage of local fairs and festivals and local high school basketball, baseball, football and softball games. Perhaps the greatest service to the area occurred