FCC Nixes Challenge To Terre Haute NCE FM Applications

Says No

The FCC has denied TERRE HAUTE BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH's Petition to Deny the applications of TERRE HAUTE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH and THE LIGHT HOUSE MISSION MINISTRIES, INC. for new noncommercial educational FM stations at TERRE HAUTE, IN.

The parties were among 12 mutually exclusive applications in NCE Reserved Allotment Group 29; The petitioner complained that SEVENTH DAY should be denied credited points as a local applicant because it failed to provide any actual governing documents stating that it will maintain the qualities of an established local entity.  The Commission said that supporting documentation is not necessary to determine local status when the applicant certifies that it is local.  The objection to LIGHT HOUSE was that the  applicant, THBBC alleged, was fronting for a non-local third party, with a letter by a LIGHT HOUSE board member offered as evidence to show that the church was approached by a third party to apply, but the Commission said that the allegations are not supported by a sworn affidavit or other admissible evidence.

With the petition denied, the three tentative selectees are being given 90 days to negotiate a time-sharing deal for the frequency.  If no deal is reached, the Commission will hold an evidentiary hearing to determine a time-sharing agreement for them.

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