Bill Tonnis Signing Off WLW-AM

After more than 20 years, newsman Bill Tonnis will sign off WLW-AM July 6 to embark on new career as youth minister at Our Lady of Visitation Catholic Church in Green Township.

"I feel I've been called to do something more positive with young people," says Tonnis, 47, a Green Township resident. "I thought I'd regret it if I didn't attempt this."

The 1978 Elder High School graduate earned a master's degree in religious and pastoral studies from the College of Mount St. Joseph three years ago. In February he released his "Listen To Your Heart" CD.

Tonnis started in radio at WVXU-FM while attending Xavier University. He hosted NPR's "Morning Edition" 1982-84, while working part-time at WLW-AM. He has been full-time since 1984 or so, he thinks. After years as a reporter, he now anchors 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekdays on WLW-AM and other Clear Channel stations.

"It's unusual to be with one station this long," he says. He'll miss his "daily connection with thousands of people" listening to WLW-AM. And he'll miss his co-workers. "The current news team here is one of the best we've had," he says.

He's certainly worked with a bunch of news people since the 1980s…. Kathy Lehr, Matt Reis, Bill Ridenhour, Don Webb, Ann Alexander....

How many more names can we add to the list?