PERU — After nearly four months of operating at reduced power, WSOG-FM Catholic radio is again broadcasting at full strength at 88.1 FM.

The station’s former 4,000-watt transmitter was destroyed in a late April fire in the small building that housed it at the radio tower, located along I-39 near Cedar Point. A 200-watt transmitter was borrowed from a translator station in El Paso allowing WSOG to continue to broadcast in the Illinois Valley while a new transmitter was obtained and installed.

Jim Enger, consulting engineer and a volunteer with the listener-supported station, thanked all who assisted the project — including Allen Drake, project coordinator, who also operates WPMJ-FM Catholic radio serving the Peoria area at 94.3 FM.

Enger said WSOG returned to full strength at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21. He noted that a year ago the station also began live streaming online at wsogradio.com, so that reception option was also available through the summer, and continues.

In addition to broadcasting Catholic programs from the EWTN network, WSOG — which has its studios at St. Bede Academy — also carries limited local programming including St. Bede football. WSOG will broadcast the Bruins’ opening game on Friday against Sterling Newman. The game begins at 7:30 p.m.

Jim Perona Sr. is general manager and founder of WSOG, which stands for “Witnessing the Spirit of God.” It serves LaSalle, Putnam, Marshall, Woodford and northern McLean counties, including through its translator in El Paso at 94.7 FM.

More information on the station is available on its website or by calling (815) 220-1929. Contributions are welcomed at Spirit Educational Association, Inc., P.O. Box 34, Spring Valley, IL 61362.