(Hilton Head, SC) During a gala finale dinner of its 2008 Summer Convention and 60th anniversary celebration, the South Carolina Broadcasters Association awarded News-Talk 1340 WRHI and FM-94.3, the organization’s "Radio Station of the Year" award. The Rock Hill radio station now joins an elite group of South Carolina stations that have won the coveted honor three times. The award, established in 1970, was previously won by WRHI in 2005 and 2006.

Allan Miller, Managing Partner of Our Three Sons Broadcasting, parent company of WRHI AM/FM accepted the award and paid tribute to his partner Manning Kimmel and the company’s Program Director Mario Washington. Miller praised Washington for success in his new position and for his "passion, dedication and allegiance" to the stations. Miller also commended the broadcast association for their 60 years of service to the Radio and Television business. "For sixty years this association has been the guiding light for many broadcasters like us. Tonight we not only congratulate the best of the best in our state…we also celebrate the best Broadcasters Association in America," Miller concluded.

The SCBA’s "Television Station of the Year" award, was presented to WYFF-Channel 4 in Greeville. The judging for all of the SCBA’s State Television And Radio (STAR) Awards is conducted by an anonymous panel of out-of-state broadcasters and media professionals.

Along with its "Station of the Year" award, WRHI and sister station Interstate 107 won three SCBA Star Awards in the Production category for Clinton Family Ford’s "The Votes are In" Ad; the Public Service Announcement category for "Three on Three" ; and the Station Promotional ad for "Easter Egg Classic". Jay Taylor and Marc Hanna, won the Award of Merit as hosts of WRHI’s "The Morning Show" and Mario Washington captured the award for "Sportscaster of the Year."

Also at the convention, WRHI and Interstate 107 were two of four Radio stations awarded the South Carolina National Guard’s annual Eagle Award, the guard’s highest public service media award. The awards marked an unprecedented sixth consecutive year that the stations received the coveted award. In recognition of the combined public efforts of this year’s honored stations, the National Guard presented a $10,000 check to the association’s education foundation.  

Winthrop University professor Haney Howell was also recognized at the convention for his history of South Carolina Broadcasting. The 2½-year research project included interviews with many of the state’s broadcast pioneers and a portion was published to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the association.

The South Carolina Broadcasters Association is the professional trade organization for over 240 Radio and Television stations in the Palmetto State. The SCBA provides its membership assistance in legal, engineering and sales services. The organization also lobbies state and federal lawmakers on issues and legislation of concern to broadcasters. Through their education foundation, the association annually awards 35 to $40,000 in scholarships to deserving broadcast students at South Carolina universities and colleges.