PLATTSBURGH — WIRY Radio, a beacon of news, weather, sports, music and entertainment for the North Country for 75 years, is closing.

In a memo posted on social media last Thursday, the station said “the challenges of an evolving media landscape have made it increasingly difficult to continue operations. The rise of digital platforms an social media has changed the way audiences consume content, leading to declining traditional radio listenership, coupled with rising music royalty costs, a shrinking media sales force and decreasing profit margins, we have reached a point where it is no longer viable to continue broadcasting.”

The memo added that, “though our AM signal may soon go silent, the spirit of WIRY will live on in the music, voices and moments we’ve shared.”

The station, 1340 on your AM dial, has served as a town crier for decades.

With shows such as “Lost and Found” and the daily celebrations of birthdays with celebrants “marching around the table,” WIRY started the day for hordes of North Country folks on their way to work or sitting at their kitchen table.

On snowy days, children in the area huddled close to the radio waiting to hear those welcome words that their school was closed that day.

Notable personalities such as Gordie Little, Chet Bosworth, Ducky Drake, Bob Pooler and Dave Andrews delivered the news and events of the day with cheerful disposition or grim seriousness when appropriate.

Drake’s calls of Plattsburgh State hockey over the years became must-listen radio as he not only did a masterful job of calling the action, gave fans insight on the Behind the Bench feature with Plattsburgh State coaches.

Monday morning with the Mayor became another staple as listeners could find out what the City of Plattsburgh’s top executive had on his mind for the day.

As a local radio station, perhaps WIRY’s finest moment came during the Ice Storm of 1998 when a blanket of thick ice covered everything in the North Country over the better part of a week in January.

Power was knocked out throughout the region for weeks as people struggled to cope with the lack of electricity, heat and a way to keep food fresh.

From their little office on Cornelia Street where Walgreens now stands, WIRY was able to continue broadcasting despite the power outages and their staff diligently kept the region informed of what was going on, when power could be restored, where resources were available and told stories of struggle and triumph that echoed throughout the Champlain Valley.

It was the days before the internet and social media were mainstays, and when folks needed to know something about the Ice Storm, they turned to WIRY.

In their Facebook statement announcing the closure, WIRY gave “our deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff, advertisers, and–most importantly–our listeners, who have supported us throughout the years. Your loyalty has meant the world to us, and we cherish the memories we’ve created together.”