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Channel 3, which first aired in 1954, is an ABC Network regional broadcasting system owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair is one of the largest TV broadcasting companies in the United States and owns 65 stations in 39 markets. Channel 3's 1000 kW transmitter power allows for a massive viewing area which include sister-cities [[Mobile]] and [[Ft. Walton Beach]]. Coverage and programming reaches into the southern parts of Alabama and Mississippi as well as the Florida Panhandle. Pensacola TV station WFGX-35 is a sister station.
'''Early Life'''
He enrolled at the State University of New York and received a degree in Mass Communications in 1987.
'''Early Career'''
At the same time period, WPTZ and WEAR were both owned by [http://www.heritagemediallc.com/ Heritage Media].
'''Pensacola Bound'''
An interview was set-up and Solarski fell in love with the Gulf Coast. After a successful interview process, he flew back to New York. He was then offered the anchor position at WEAR, and subsequently turned it down. Neumann and Leahy asked him to think about the offer for a few days and after a family conference, it was decided that Pensacola would become a great relocation adventure. The Solarski's sold their house and moved to the Gulf Coast in March 1994.
'''The Face of Local News'''
As with any television station employee, Solarski was a mainstay in the coverage of the various hurricanes which have directly made landfall in the Pensacola area, such as Opal and Erin (1995), Ivan (2004) and Dennis (2005). Ivan is listed as the 10th most intense Atlantic hurricane in history. His continuous coverage of these hurricanes are some of his most vivid memories. Solarski, along with Straughn, was also a prominent news figurehead with the [[Wikipedia:Deepwater Horizon oil spill|Deepwater Horizon oil spill]] crisis (also known as the BP oil spill) which plagued the entire Gulf Coast region in 2010. The spill caused extensive damage to local marine habitats and to the Gulf's fishing and tourism industries which Pensacola is so deeply entrenched.
'''Personal Life'''