Annual KRFY membership drive supports public radio
March 25, 2026
By Reader Staff
The only independent radio station in Bonner and Boundary counties — Panhandle Community Radio, KRFY 88.5 FM — continues its annual membership drive now through Sunday, March 29 at 4 p.m. The event highlights KRFY’s entertaining, informational and educational programs with specialty “drive time” games and competitions every night from 5-7 p.m. and an open house at the studio.
The nonprofit began as a conversation at Eichardt’s Pub in 2006 and, after years of work, brought commercial-free radio to North Idaho in 2011. It now produces shows like Democracy Now!, which covers national news, and North Idaho News of the Week, featuring local journalists from the Daily Bee and the Sandpoint Reader. KRFY also broadcasts perspectives from regional movers and shakers working in fields such as mental health care, nature conservation, theater and more, in addition to diverse music from metal to jazz.
Potential future DJ James Peterson inside the KRFY sound booth. Photo by Jack Peterson
“Without the support of community members, the radio station would not be able to continue doing what it has been successfully doing since 2011,” stated Associate Station Manager Jack Peterson in a recent news release.
“The station relies on individual listener donations for the bulk of its operating budget,” he later added. “Broadcasting and station governance are done entirely by volunteers, which number in the dozens, and the station staff consists of two part-time employees for its technical operations.”
During the ongoing membership drive, regularly scheduled programming continues with minor interruptions until 5-7 p.m., with operators standing by from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (or later) each night. The evening shows will include trivia contests, game shows, music requests from listeners and a contest to create a new jingle for the radio station.
The event concludes with an open house on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the KRFY broadcast studio, upstairs at 323 N. First Ave., in downtown Sandpoint. The party includes refreshments and live music from Chris Paradis, Justin Lantrip and KRFY business manager Brian Jacobs.
Visit krfy.org/donate to contribute any amount to the cause and become a KRFY member.
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