Graduation week for the high schools here in Western Nevada County and we have two members of our part-time staff going through commencement exercises.  Taylor Day, our very own Pat Day’s daughter, and Trevor Fry are both graduation from Nevada … Read more >

Don’t know how you feel, but I am thrilled to see that the preliminary work is off to such a great start on the Dorsey Drive interchange project.  So dramatic to see dirt and brush moved so we can already … Read more >

Had a wonderful vacation with my wife in Kauai for about a week and just wanted to thank those who stepped up in my absence while I was gone, including Dave Bear, who got everyone through the mornings, and Phil … Read more >

Wanted to say thanks to the staff and administrators at Bear River High School who chose me to host the 2013 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this past Saturday evening.  It was great to be around the Bruins’ parents and … Read more >

The horrors from the attacks on the Boston Marathon were very tough to look at this past day and night.  Just terrible that another great East Coast city was attacked, and on such a special day, Patriots’ Day.  Everyone back … Read more >

Yeah…it is tax day..time to get those taxes done, or maybe an extension filed.  I do not like this day.  On a much better note, Jackie Robinson day today…66 years ago, he broke the color barrier so everyone could play … Read more >

There was lots of love this past weekend for the youth of Nevada County.  Great attendance at the volleyball games at Union Hill School.  Also on Saturday, thanks to all that went out to run and walk and donate to … Read more >

Wanted to write a quick note of thanks for all of the KNCO listeners and Union readers that voted me the Best Radio Personality in this year’s “Best Of” edition in this past weekend’s Union.  It is a great honor … Read more >

Funny how I just blogged about the supportive office staff at our radio station doing so much behind the scenes.  Now, we get to appreciate our engineering staff lead by Kael Murray who has the job of taking apart and … Read more >

Phyllis Click is leaving KNCO..in fact we are having a going away party tonight.  She has been the face of KNCO for those visiting our studios for the past decade and did her job with grace, dignity and a smile.  … Read more >

Oh….it’s too early to talk basketball..that is later this week.  Madness is the World Baseball Classic having the always popular match up between the Dominican Republic and the Netherlands playing America’s pastime in San Francisco.   The winner plays Puerto Rico??!!  … Read more >

Not sure if you listened to Fitzsimmons and Flores talk show on Monday, but we had Father Sylvester from St. Patrick’s on air to talk about the selection of a new Pope, Francis I.  I was born and raised Catholic…Irish … Read more >

Just got done interviewing Officer Dina Hernandez of the CHP on the air, along with Hollie Grimaldi-Flores, our our afternoon talk show.  She reminded me of the many top-notch men and women who serve our local communities, and the state, … Read more >

I grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey, right across the river from Manhattan.  That is why I am a Rangers hockey fan and a New York Knicks fan.  I have always loved basketball and really love broadcasting it, especially … Read more >

Just wanted to write a quick note about the Bear River Lady Bruins basketball team which will be heading to Sleep Train Arena this Saturday to play Bradshaw Christian for a section title.  It is a great accomplishment for this … Read more >

Had a great conversation last week with NU grad and UCLA golfer, Erik Flores during the Fitzsimmons and Flores talk show.  He is an outstanding young man from a great local family and he is trying to follow his dream … Read more >

Amazing to see how our town could grind to a halt from about three inches of snow.  The roadways were unbelievable…now what will happen if we really get some snow??

Kind of a crazy game to say the least on Sunday, and it capped off a crazy year in the NFL, especially for the 49ers.  Amazing to have such a young quarterback lead your team to the Super Bowl and … Read more >

Had a great conversation with Gary Plunkett on Fitzsimmons and Flores Monday afternoon.  He is a great guy..hard worker and has great pride on what he does at the Nevada Cemetery District.   He is also a huge basketball fan and … Read more >

There is nothing like the “love” of brothers.  I have three brothers, all great and all different.  There are two older ones, Johnny and Bobby and my younger brother, Jimmy.  And I think you have to have brothers to really … Read more >

Yep..had another one of those signs of getting just a bit older each year.  My years are marked, in some respects, by doing play by play sports.  I am just getting used to seeing kids that were once on the … Read more >

But, those that know me might assume that I am referring to the NHL lockout ending and hockey getting back on the ice..and the air.  No doubt…love my NY Rangers above all other teams.  But, I am excited to have … Read more >

Today was another tough start to the workday for lots in Nevada County.  We sure have more than our share of accidents both in and outside of town during these chilly days. Over 5 accidents Thursday Morning before 8am, including … Read more >

Merry Christmas from all of us at Nevada County Broadcasters.  Hope you enjoy all the wonders of this season with your friends and family.

And that thanks is to everyone who stopped by to say Hi to Santa and make a donation of both love and money to help out Shaylee Sanderson yesterday outside our studio.  It was especially great to have Santa make … Read more >

Mine is a simple prayer for peace for those who lost so much in Newtown, CT and Sandy Hook Elementary School.  From the parents and grandparents, husbands and friends, and the surviving students, the loss is so big and so … Read more >

For those that want to know, I am done thinking about my Christmas shopping.  It is early for me to be done thinking about going shopping.  I guess it is because Thanksgiving was so early this year.   So..this gives me … Read more >

Not sure if you caught it, but the Army vs Navy football game from Philadelphia was a classic this year.  In the end, Navy won for the 10th time in a row, but had to withstand a last minute drive … Read more >

This marks the 21st year for the Food and Toy run that motorcyclists have been doing in the Western Nevada County area.  It is a great event and thank goodness we have such great weather for it…I mean what a … Read more >

Yeah..what’s a NUIT??  It is the Nevada Union Invitational and it is great that Coach Jeff Dellis at NU has the boys basketball team hosting this event.  This year we have St. John’s, a college prep high school from New … Read more >

Youth is the topic on today’s Fitzsimmons and Flores talk show.  We always hear that youth loitering in the downtown areas hinder us older folk enjoying local events and even shop in the stores.  So..what is being done about it…and … Read more >

Hollie and I will continue on talk on shopping local…the pros and cons.  And, we will also talk about local events since tonight is the first Victorian Christmas celebration in Nevada City.  Are these events still geared toward locals..or are … Read more >

Many thanks to Rick Hansen joining us to discuss the fiscal cliff and other economic issues during our debut of Fitzsimmons and Flores talk show.  He has a wealth of knowledge and a gift to make it understandable to a … Read more >

Well…as you might have heard the promo, our first Fitzsimmons and Flores talk show is on for Monday at 1pm.  I will be joined by Rick Hansen of RW Baird and we will be discussing the “Fiscal Cliff”…what it means … Read more >

Well…here is the latest.  Our new local talk show will be starting next Monday, December 3rd and will be at 1pm.  It will be hosted by me and Hollie Grimaldi-Flores and will be called “Fitzsimmons and Flores”.  Hey, it’s at … Read more >

Alright…I am all for traditions and nothing better than a great Turkey dinner and all the trimming and enjoying NFL Football.  But, why does it have to be Detroit and Dallas hosting the two early games?  How about this idea.  … Read more >

My brothers and sisters are realizing that Thanksgiving will never be the same after the passing of our Mom last year.  Living back home, our house, despite nine kids, was the gathering place for the entire family for the holiday.  … Read more >

I’ve been at KNCO now for 17 years…Wow…that is a long time especially when I see it in writing.  We love doing local news and sports stories..and for many years, we had a local talk radio show called “Two-Way Radio”.  … Read more >

High School football season is over here at the radio station, though foothill powers Placer and Del Oro won this past Friday night..so best of luck to both programs heading towards a section title.  Both Nevada Union and Bear River … Read more >

High school football playoffs begin tonight.  It is such a great time for the schools, our foothills communities, and especially, our radio station.  It is great to go down to a city like Modesto, where Bear River plays tonight, and … Read more >

Like to say “congrats” to all the candidates who won their races during this past Tuesday’s elections.  And, also thanks to all who ran to serve their constituents.  Just saw Howard Levine this morning when he stopped by to say … Read more >

A couple of sports notes that need to be pointed out of a group of athletes that are performing very well this fall…and they do not wear shoulder pads.  First, congrats to the Bear River Lady Bruin water polo team, … Read more >

Are you like me??  Do the political ads on our station and TV just put you over the edge at this point?  Each election they seem to get a little nastier and extreme.  So, thanks to those candidates and PAC’s … Read more >

Hope you take time to enjoy a great event that happens every Friday night in the fall…High School Football!  Not only do we have two outstanding teams locally in our district, but the teams in Colfax and Auburn (Placer) are … Read more >

Sometimes it can be tough to remember what happened just a day ago, never mind one year ago.  For me, I will always remember Saturday, October 1, 2011.  That day, I was giving away my oldest daughter Katie in matrimony … Read more >

Isn’t hard to believe that 11 years have passed since the terror attacks of September 11th?  Of all the events that I commemorate on the airwaves, this I find the most difficult.  Growing up where I did in Jersey City, … Read more >

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and support over the past couple of weeks.  Yeah, I guess you can say I was surprised as anyone that I was no longer at KNCO and doing the morning news show.  But … Read more >

Hard to believe it, especially with 100 degree heat, but the kids are ready to get back at school..if not this week, then more than likely the following week.  Remember when summer vacation included the summer month of August.  School … Read more >

This is my favorite time of year at the radio station, when the FFA and 4H kids write the station inviting everyone to the Junion Livestock Auction at the Nevada County Fair.  Hope you can join me during the morning … Read more >

One of my favorite people in the world finally lost her battle to cancer this past Saturday.  Carol Nickels, wife of longtime KNCO swap shop host, Mike Nickels, passed away.  Carol will always be remembered for her kindness and Christian … Read more >

Had a fun talk with NU diving coach, William Heinz, on the air this morning about a fundraiser for his team.  First I thought…Oh No!  Not another golf tourney!  I just received info and invites for the CORR tourney, and … Read more >

Had such a great time broadcasting the 4th of July Parade from Nevada City on both Newstalk 830 and Star 94FM.  First time in a very long that we did the live broadcast on air…and Hollie Grimaldi-Flores did a great … Read more >

Lots of worried listeners last night at Coast to Coast with George Noory did NOT air as scheduled.  I think of all the shows that we air here at KNCO, Coast to Coast fans are the most loyal.  Let me … Read more >

Hard to believe that this is the fifth year for the KNCO/Kane’s Penny Pitch.  That also means that Johnny Kane and his restaurant have been going strong for about six years also..Wow…where does the time go?  The Penny Pitch is … Read more >

Yes..you…the KNCO listener and web surfer…you are the best.  Once again, with no notice and very little time, you came through to help the Meals on Wheels program deliver much needed food to seniors here in Nevada County.  I knew … Read more >

Thanks to everyone that has taken the time to write Jim Kerr a note or card, or paid him a visit, while he rehabs after a recent heart procedure down at Mercy General.  Currently, he is over at Springhill Manor.  … Read more >

Just a quick congratulations…not only to the students in the class of 2012, but also to the parents who, somedays, thought that this day would not come.  And, I am sure there are some teachers that might feel the same … Read more >

Was just down at Bear River High School, visiting with Patty Ehlers, officially the Activities Secretary, but really…she pretty much runs the place.  You could see and feel the excitement from the kids, especially from the seniors, with the last … Read more >

Had lunch with a long time friend and a favorite with KNCO listeners, Rocket Rich Brock, yesterday.  Happy to report that he is doing fine and still doing radio, currently at KLOVE towards Rocklin.  Rocket is now a published author..releasing … Read more >

A great addition to the Memorial Day activities in Western Nevada County were the Blue Star Moms.  First off, heard that the talks from the Moms were very moving at Memorial Park.  And then, after my holiday air shift, it … Read more >

Memorial Day is being celebrated this Monday.  It is such a special holiday…really a holy day for our nation, honoring those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms that we enjoy. My Mom passed away last October after a … Read more >

Hey, I don’t feel like a grandpa, but I have to admit, that I am starting to look like one.  The ever growing amount of gray in my beard is proof of that.  My step daughter, Megan, became a mom … Read more >

I have been covering sports for lots of years locally.  I was a sport writer for a short time in the mid-80′s for the Union newspaper, and have been here at KNCO covering high school sports since the mid 90′s.  … Read more >

It is great to see the bus stop project in downtown Grass Valley back up and going.  One reason is that it will be a great addition to the town…also it is great to see Hansen Brothers’ crews out there.  … Read more >

Just got the entry application for this year’s 4th of July parade put on my desk.  Nothing says that summer is around the corner than that paperwork arriving….Yikes!!!  We have done a lot of different things in the parade since … Read more >

It was great having Coach Jeff Dellis on the air this morning to talk about two big events at NU’s Ali Gym.  One is this weekend and was featured just the other day in The Union.  Josiah Paye is putting … Read more >

Nothing makes you know the vacation is over than the first morning back at work.  Of course, doing the morning show here, it is a fun way to start back and seeing the smiling faces of Rita, Deana, and Greg … Read more >

It is always nice to be back home after a trip, yes, even from Hawaii.  We live in such a wonderful area and I am personally blessed with so many wonderful people I can depend on..including Greg Jannetta who fills … Read more >

You make plans for it months, even a year in advance.  Then, it seems like forever before it arrives.  Finally, you are on your vacation…and just in the middle of having fun, it is time to head home. Roxanne and … Read more >

Nothing signals Spring like the start of baseball season and there is some great ball games just down the hill with the Sacramento Rivercats. And this season they have a new guy doing PBP with a KNCO connection.  Our former news … Read more >

I love going on vacation, and these new gadgets make staying in touch fun and easy.  My wife’s iPad make blogging easy.  My iphone let me listen to my Rangers win their Stanley Cup opener live from a radio station … Read more >

Hope everyone is enjoying the new KNCO websites.  I say “sites” because we also have a new look on our sister station, Star 94FM.  You can check it out at mystarradio.com.   Please let us know what you think about our … Read more >