Radio hoax stirs power scare: DFW disc jockey causes angst for morning commuters
Of course, not EVERYONE dealt with the blackout in a reasonable and humane manner....
FORT WORTH -- An on-air stunt by a Dallas radio disc jockey Friday morning had some people believing that the blackout in the Northeast had spread to North Texas.
It hadn't, but a radio personality who goes by "The Fitz," on the weekday morning show on KRBV 100.3 FM, spent more than two hours telling listeners that the power was out.
"It was awful. Something like this is dangerous," said Julia Butler, who lives near Lancaster and commutes to work in Fort Worth. "Fitz went on for two hours about blackouts in the area. He said schools were closed and that a virus had infected the electrical system and that grocery stores were mobbed by people getting supplies.
"I took an alternate way to work, which made me late. It was only later that he said it was a joke."
Butler said that in these times when terrorism is on the minds of people, such jokes are not welcome.
"This person is not mature enough to be on the radio. It caused a lot of stress for me," Butler said.
Dan Kieley, the station's program director, said he didn't hear the show. He declined to comment and referred questions to station manager Dave Seibert, who did not return calls to his office.
John Knight of Euless said it was irresponsible to tell people that businesses were closed and that they shouldn't go to work.
Sorry, "Fitz", but you're no H.G.Wells, and I do hope that you'll get what you deserve- a pink slip....
