ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A local classic rock radio station is mourning a manager and DJ who they say died after contracting West Nile virus.

Kevin Russell, general manager of KBDZ 93.1, kept the classic rock station running from his home in St. Charles. His death comes as Missouri health officials warn about increasing West Nile cases , with more than a dozen hospitalizations across the state.

“We’re all brothers and sisters, and we do so many different jobs, and Kevin was the guy who built it, and he was responsible for everything,” explained Randy Raley, the station’s program director.

Raley said Russell had developed a fever a few weeks ago that would not seem to break, an illness that turned out to be West Nile virus. Russell died in the hospital on Thursday.

“We’re all

See Full Page