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Officials Seek Help To Identify Fake Distress Caller

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced a $3,500 reward for help in catching a man who's made at least 20 fake "mayday" calls on a marine radio operating in the Monroe area. The Coast Guard's Cleveland office says the man began calling in 2010. The Coast Guard has postied 15 recordings to see if anyone recognizes the man's voice.
 

Lt. Justin Westmiller in Detroit says the calls could cause a disaster by diverting rescuers from a real emergency. He says the prank caller uses marine band radio VHF-FM Channel 16. It's the international hailing and distress frequency. Westmiller says the calls come from the Bolles Harbor area on Lake Erie in Monroe County's Monroe Township. The U.S. Coast Guard asks that people with tips about the fake mayday caller to call 800-773-2587.

Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.