the local community. WSTV's news team covered a number of historic moments, including the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the Assassination of John F. Kennedy. At the time the station signed off the air, WSTV aired a sports talk format, airing the feed from ESPN Radio, simulcast with sister station WOMP. Going silent Due to Keymarket being delinquent on taxes for the property on Altamont Hill outside Steubenville where WSTV's transmitting tower sits, the land was foreclosed and sold to another party in 2006. WTRF-TV reported the station's owners "were at odds" with the current property owner. As a result of the land dispute, WSTV signed off the air on December 5, 2011 with its last programming being those of ESPN Radio. An unnamed employee at Keymarket Communications told Radio Info that "the station has gone dark and will no longer be broadcasting." Keymarket Communications subsequently filed a request with the FCC for special temporary authority to remain silent, to allow them time to settle the dispute. Steubenville Mayor Domenick Mucci called the station's signing off "a sad day not only for the city of Steubenville, but, really, for the Ohio Valley." Mucci said the station will "be sadly missed." Former WSTV general manager Bill Chesson said, "Hearing that the station has closed is like losing a child." On November 19, 2012, Keymarket surrendered the station's license to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). On December 11, 2012, the FCC cancelled WSTV's license and deleted the call sign from its database. Notable alumni Charles "Red" Donley, the announcer for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1955 to 1961 and "The Voice" of the Pitt Panthers from 1961 to 1970, started his 41-year broadcasting career as a sports commentator on WSTV. In 1970, he returned to WSTV as news director until his retirement in 1988. Donley died in 1998. Tom Abernethy, Creator and Host of WSTV AM Phone Party and morning disc jockey from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Abernethy began his career at WSTV in 1959. He served as morning host from 1978-1999. Marshall Fatkin, radio personality Scott McMurray, radio news personality also worked for WSTV-TV Bill Chesson, sports reporter and co-host with Sue Chesson of "Nighline Live". The show was broadcast from the couple's living room. Gene Stabile, sports reporter, color commentator, later host of Phone Party and "You're On" from 9 a.m. to Noon. Charles Calabrese, afternoon news anchor of Evening