Richard H. Palmquist

Last updated

Richard Herman Palmquist is a journalist and pioneer radio broadcaster, who also undertook several innovative entrepreneurial initiatives. He is currently retired and living in Nipomo, California.

Contents

Early career

As a student at Dallas Theological Seminary in the mid-1950s, Palmquist managed the institution's radio program, which was tape recorded and aired on various radio stations. From April to September 1957, he served as a missionary in Nome, Alaska, where he and several others began the process of setting up a radio station to broadcast religious programming to the Eskimos in remote areas of Alaska and to northeastern Russia. [1] After he left, missionaries from the Mission Covenant Church completed the challenge, and in April 1960 radio station KICY began operation. [2]

Family Stations Radio Network

From Alaska, Palmquist relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he selected Harold Camping to help him start Family Radio. [3] He also served as General Manager of the ministry for the first six years, overseeing the initial growth of the non-profit enterprise from one local station, KEAR, which first went on the air on February 4, 1959, to a network of six stations. [4] Palmquist and his wife Dolores designed the programming during the early years. To this day, some of the programs they initiated still play on Family Radio network. After Palmquist's departure in 1965, Harold Camping took over as General Manager.

Tape Networks, Inc.

After leaving Family Radio in early 1965, Palmquist moved to Los Angeles with two other former employees of Family Radio, Barton Buhtz and Harold Hall. With their assistance, he continued producing the programing for the Family Radio network for about a year. In anticipation of assisting with other radio projects in the future, he established a broadcasting consultancy firm called Tape Networks, Inc. When production of the Family Radio programming returned to the Bay Area, Palmquist began assisting others who were interested in applying for FM radio station licenses granted by the FCC. During the late 1960s, he assisted clients around the USA in putting several new FM stations on the air, including one in Delano, California.

In June 1965 Palmquist also set up a company called "American Inspiradio Network" in Van Nuys, California. [5] The initial broadcast, under the name "America's InspiRadio Network", aired on KRKD (AM and FM) on August 1, 1965. [6] Although this initiative was short-lived, it established the core programming goals for the next stage of Palmquist's journey into listener-supported radio.

KDNO Radio

In 1970, Tape Networks, Inc. purchased radio station KDNO (FM 98.5) in Delano, and Palmquist managed it until it was sold to Mondosphere Corporation in 1997, following which the station was renamed KDFO. [7] During the early years under Palmquist's management, KDNO mainly played classical music in the daytime and inspirational Christian music at night, [8] [lower-roman 1] with the slogans "all music all the time" and "Uplift 98.5". [9]

Entrepreneurship

Aside from his involvement in setting up and managing various radio stations, Palmquist owned and operated several other businesses. Chief among these were two small town weekly newspapers in Tulare County, California: in February 1975 he purchased the Pixley Enterprise [10] (first published on June 16, 1922 [11] ) from Tim Westbrook; and on June 1, 1977, he purchased the Terra Bella News (which dates back to at least June 1911, when Earle R. Clemens began his 30+ years as its publisher [12] [13] ) from Loy Lamaster. [10] In 1986 Palmquist combined the two publications, renaming them EnterpriseNews. [11] Palmquist also soon began publishing Farm And Ranch Monthly (FARM), [14] first in conjunction with the Tulare Farm Show (now known as the World Ag Expo), inserting the FARM into his newspapers once a month while also distributing the FARM publications at agricultural events. After two unsuccessful attempts to sell the newspapers, Palmquist ceased their operation in 1993 in order to focus his energies on KDNO radio.

Another business Palmquist established was a creative barter system called the Trade Note Interchange (TNI), which initially served as a mechanism for encouraging KDNO listeners to support the station's operations. Throughout most of the 1970s, TNI issued "Trade Notes" to KDNO listeners who sent in donations. Advertisers would pay KDNO for their ads with Trade Notes. Money from listener donations was used to cover the station's operating costs. Anyone whose balance of Trade Notes was positive could purchase goods provided by the KDNO advertisers who had paid for their ads in Trade Notes. The Trade Note Interchange worked smoothly and benefitted many, until the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) declared trade notes to be a form of currency that must be subject to taxation like any other form of monetary instrument. Palmquist responded to this IRS action by publishing his exchange of letters with the IRS in the EnterpriseNews, arguing that exchanging Trade Notes was a form of barter, not properly comparable to standard currency. The lawsuit prompted Palmquist to trade his ownership of TNI to another company, after which he began to change the direction of his radio ministry. [15]

Palmquist also established the "Handi Directory Company", which produced annual small-sized phone directories for local townships, thus implementing the principle that guided both his business and his political involvement: "The smaller the government, the freer the enterprise, the more prosperous the community." [16] Palmquist and his wife Dolores also co-edited the Tulare Country Farm Bureau Newsletter. [17]

Truth Radio

During the later years of his operation of KDNO, Palmquist began devoting more and more air time to programming that discussed political issues, eventually changing the primary format of the station from music to talk. As that modification of the emphasis began to take place, the radio station took on the slogan "Truth Radio". After the sale of KDNO, Truth Radio continued as an internet-based radio station, consisting mainly of various forms of political commentary and religious programs, which Palmquist loosely managed during his semi-retirement. From 1997 to 2001, Truth Radio's programming was also aired over Richard Smith's radio station KMAK (FM 100.3) in Orange Cove. [18] After leaving the San Joaquin Valley in order to transition to retirement, Palmquist began special internet broadcasts of Truth Radio in Nipomo on June 14, 2003. [19] In 2016, Palmquist donated Truth Radio to Higher Ground Bible College in mid-state New York, which currently oversees its operation.

Political activism

Throughout his career, Palmquist actively engaged in various forms of political activism. During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s he used his newspapers to defend numerous controversial political causes, thus prompting one reporter to call him a "newsman with guts". [20] [lower-roman 2] Throughout these years numerous articles in various other newspapers in California's San Joaquin Valley reported on Palmquist's political activism. Another reporter described Palmquist as a "charismatic 'superpatriot'", whose main focus in the early years of Truth Radio was to oppose "a one-world order" that "would erase all borders and make the United Nations the world governing body". [21]

Always out to protect the "little guy" against government or big-business intervention, Palmquist's social concern included organizing town meetings to encourage citizens to take an active interest in current affairs. [22] And he practiced what he preached, once staging a protest when developers tried to remove an old tree in order to expand a parking lot, [23] and in a long series of newspaper articles, [24] [lower-roman 3] [25] [26] [27] defending a local woman who was imprisoned for allegedly killing two police officers in a traffic accident, in a case where both the convicted woman and witnesses claimed the police officers had caused the crash. Palmquist was instrumental in taking the latter case to the Grand Jury; although Palmquist's allegations against police corruption were dismissed, he insisted that this was due to the intervention of corrupt government officials.

One of Palmquist's most widely publicized political engagements was his media campaign that eventually forced the resignation of Tulare County Sheriff Bob Wiley in 1990. [28] A major daily newspaper, The Bakersfield Californian, defended the Sherriff against the allegations Palmquist was publishing in the EnterpriseNews, which then led to a feud between the big and small newspapers that one article described as "the most unusual story about newspapers that has ever developed in the history of the country." [28] Depending on one's perspective, the feud made Palmquist seem like either a "nut case or journalistic genius." [28]

Books

During his retirement, Palmquist has written several books, including:

Notes

  1. ↑ The cited article reports that KDNO first went on the air in March of 1971.
  2. ↑ Donnelly wrongly reports that Palmquist purchased the Pixley Enterprise in 1973 and the Terra Bella News in 1974. As cited above, the purchase dates were actually 1975 and 1977, respectively.
  3. ↑ This article reports that Palmquist received a death threat from one police officer due to his investigation of a crash that was allegedly caused by two police officers, in which the local citizen was charged for the deaths.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lemoore, California</span> City in the state of California, United States

Lemoore is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located 7.5 miles (12 km) west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of 230 feet (70 m). It is part of the Hanford-Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 24,531 at the 2010 Census. The California Department of Finance estimated that Lemoore's population was 26,725 on July 1, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KOVR</span> CBS TV station in Stockton, California

KOVR is a television station licensed to Stockton, California, United States, broadcasting the CBS network to the Sacramento area. It is owned and operated by the network's CBS News and Stations division alongside CW outlet KMAX-TV. Both stations share studios on KOVR Drive in West Sacramento, while KOVR's transmitter is located in Walnut Grove, California.

KMPH-TV is a television station licensed to Visalia, California, United States, serving the Fresno area as an affiliate of the Fox network. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside Sanger-licensed CW affiliate KFRE-TV. Both stations share studios on McKinley Avenue in eastern Fresno, while KMPH-TV's transmitter is located on Big Baldy Mountain in northwestern Tulare County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park</span> Preserve hosting Californias first Black-owned town

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is a state park unit of California, United States, preserving Allensworth, the only California town to be founded, financed and governed by African Americans. The small farming community was founded in 1908 by Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth, Professor William Payne, William Peck, a minister; John W. Palmer, a miner; and Harry A. Mitchell, a real estate agent, dedicated to improving the economic and social status of African Americans. Colonel Allensworth (1842–1914) had a friendship with Booker T. Washington and was inspired by the Tuskegee Institute and development in its neighboring town. Allensworth hoped to develop the "Tuskegee of the West".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Canzano</span> American sports journalist

John Canzano is an American sports columnist, radio talk show host on Portland's 750 AM "The Game". The show is also syndicated in Eugene. and Klamath Falls, Oregon. From 2002 to 2022, he was the lead sports columnist at The Oregonian and a sports commentator on KGW-TV, Portland's NBC affiliate. He now writes his column at JohnCanzano.com and hosts a daily radio show called The Bald-Faced Truth.

Rolland Douglas Todd is a former player and coach in the National Basketball Association, and a former player in the American Basketball League, who also coached basketball at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He was the first coach of the then-expansion Portland Trail Blazers, leading the team to a 29–53 record in its inaugural season ; though was let go the next season when the team failed to improve. According to Sports Illustrated his nickname while coaching the Blazers was "Mod Todd".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KFTV-DT</span> Univision TV station in Hanford, California

KFTV-DT is a television station licensed to Hanford, California, United States, broadcasting the Spanish-language Univision network to the Fresno area. It is owned and operated by TelevisaUnivision alongside Porterville-licensed UniMás outlet KTFF-DT. Both stations share studios on Univision Plaza near the corner of North Palm and West Herndon avenues in northwestern Fresno, while KFTV-DT's transmitter is located on Blue Ridge in rural northwestern Tulare County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KDFO</span> Radio station in Delano, California

KDFO is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock music format. KDFO is licensed to Delano, California, and serves the Bakersfield, California, area. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc.

Valley Public Radio now branded as KVPR is a public radio organization in Fresno, California, broadcasting programming from National Public Radio (NPR) and other public radio producers and distributors, as well as locally produced news, music, talk, and public affairs programs. Valley Public Radio consists of two FM stations–KVPR in Fresno and satellite station KPRX in Bakersfield (89.1 MHz).

KARM, operating as Promise FM, is a Christian radio station broadcasting a Contemporary Inspirational format. Licensed to Visalia, California, United States, it serves the Visalia-Tulare area. Until 2016, KARM's programming aired in Modesto and the San Joaquin Valley via its former sister station, KADV. The station is currently owned by Harvest Broadcasting Company, Inc.

KLXY is an American non-commercial educational radio station licensed to serve the community of Woodlake in Tulare County, California. The station is owned and operated by the Educational Media Foundation, and is an affiliate of the Christian contemporary network K-Love.

KBIF is a radio station broadcasting a World Ethnic format to the Fresno, California, United States, area. The station is currently owned by Cordell Overgaard, through licensee Overgaard Broadcasting LLC.

KIRV is a radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format. It is licensed to Fresno, California, United States, and serves the Fresno area during daytime hours. The station is owned by Centro Cristiano Viva Abundante, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Valadao</span> U.S. Representative from California

David Goncalves Valadao is an American politician and dairy farmer serving as the U.S. representative for California's 21st congressional district since 2021, previously holding the seat from 2013 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, his district comprises part of the San Joaquin Valley. In 2020, Valadao defeated Democratic incumbent TJ Cox to reclaim the seat. Before his election to Congress, he served one term in the California State Assembly, representing the 30th district from 2010 to 2012.

Pixley Airport, also known as Harmon Field, was a county-owned public-use airport located in Tulare County, California, United States, one nautical mile southwest of the central business district of Pixley, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Allen Shaver</span>

Scott Allen Shaver is a fine art photographer, a manager and a civil engineer.

A shooting spree began in farming country near Exeter, California on December 16, 2018, when a man with a gun began shooting at random people, and continued to do so throughout Tulare County for 24 hours. Three people, including the shooter, died. Seven others were injured.

Richard H. Handley was an American football player who played at the center and linebacker positions.

KICU-TV was a television station on channel 43 in Visalia, California, United States. It operated from December 1961 until October 1968. The transmitter was located 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Badger at Eshom Point.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 California's 22nd congressional district special election</span> Election following resignation of Devin Nunes

The 2022 California's 22nd congressional district special election took place on June 7, 2022, with the primary election on April 5, 2022. California's 22nd congressional district became vacant when Republican representative Devin Nunes resigned on January 1, 2022, to become the CEO of the Trump Media & Technology Group.

References

  1. ↑ "Felton Church Women To Hear Missionary". Santa Cruz Sentinel. January 22, 1958. p. 3.
  2. ↑ "About KICY" . Retrieved July 11, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ "Family Radio ministry started with a wrong turn in Oakland". East Bay Times . May 11, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  4. ↑ James Abbe, "KEAR Becomes First All-Religion Station Here". Oakland Tribune, February 5, 1959, p. D22.
  5. ↑ "Legal Notices". Valley News. June–July 1965.
  6. ↑ "Religious Radio Show Set". Valley Times. July 31, 1965. p. 15.
  7. ↑ Palmquist, Richard (2013). Einstein, Money, and Contentment: Cosmolaw, Unifying Cosmology, Economics and Faith, second edition. p. 247.
  8. ↑ "Radio man to speak". The Hanford Sentinel. May 19, 1971. p. 6.
  9. ↑ "KDNO advertisement". Advance-Register. November 23, 1984. p. 5.
  10. 1 2 "Palmquist buys News". Tulare Advance-Register. May 18, 1977. p. 4.
  11. 1 2 "Library of Congress". Library of Congress . Retrieved July 9, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ↑ Fry, Amelia R. (1976). View from the Central Valley: The California Legislature, Water, Politics, and The State Personnel Board, with introduction by Harold Schutt (PDF). University of California, Berkeley. pp. 28, 32.
  13. ↑ Phillip I. Earl (Summer 1999). "Bill Stewart's Last Hurrah: Bullfrog County, 1906-1909" (PDF). Nevada Historical Society Quarterly. 42 (2): 165–166.
  14. ↑ "Enterprise News". Library of Congress. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  15. ↑ Palmquist, Richard (2013). Einstein, Money, and Contentment: Cosmolaw, Unifying Cosmology, Economics and Faith, second edition. p. 75.
  16. ↑ "Delano man says he'll take on two county supervisors". Tulare Advance-Register. November 22, 1985. p. 4.
  17. ↑ Hennion, Tom R. (August 30, 1977). "Editor's Choice: Anything and everything and mostly fun". Tulare Advance-Register. p. 16.
  18. ↑ Bentley, Rick (November 8, 2001). "Station owner seeks programming advice". The Fresno Bee. p. E3.
  19. ↑ "Truth Radio to broadcast Saturday". The Adobe Press. June 13, 2003. p. 3.
  20. ↑ Donnelly, Bill (February 8, 1988). "Publisher defies establishment: Pixley paper charges cover-up in auto death". Fresno Bee. p. 1.
  21. ↑ Seymour, William L. (April 29, 1995). "'Superpatriot' radio a 50,000 watt focal point". The Fresno Bee. pp. A1, A14.
  22. ↑ Rambo, Louise (June 6, 1977). "Pixley Town Meeting---Plans For A Brighter Future". The Fresno Bee. p. C6.
  23. ↑ "Pixley protest: Parking lot 'up a tree'". Tulare Advance-Register. May 27, 1977. p. 2.
  24. ↑ Pixley council wants state reply to letter charging deputy threat", Tulare Advance-Register, January 29, 1988, p. 12
  25. ↑ Lori Mayfield, "Grand jury takes up Brazell case", Tulare Advance-Register 106.39, February 5, 1988, p. 1.
  26. ↑ Lori Mayfield, "Grand jury finds no wrongdoing", Tulare Advance-Register 106.60, March 1, 1988, p. 1.
  27. ↑ James Coates, "Residents caught in middle of drug war", Times-Advocate, March 11, 1988, p. B10. Picked up from The Chicago Tribune.
  28. 1 2 3 Lundstrom, Marjie (January 21, 1990). "Tales of Sex, murder fuel newspaper war". The Sacramento Bee (vol. 266). pp. A1, A15.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.