Ray Appleton is returning to the KMJ airwaves on Monday.

He posted an update on Facebook, and his boss — program director and fill-in host Blake Taylor — also made the announcement on the air.

Appleton had been off the air since April 29 with a rare immune condition known as CVID. He posted a simple Facebook message announcing his return.

In the interim, guest hosts filled in. In recent weeks, Taylor handled the first hour, with KMJ running syndicated host Guy Benson from noon to 2 p.m.

Appleton has been a KMJ fixture on his talk show, starting in 1987.

Related Story: KMJ’s Ray Appleton Is Off the Air as He Deals With ‘Rare ...

Johnson Signs Off After Decades on the Air

As Appleton returns, another longtime Fresno radio fixture is leaving.

E. Curtis Johnson cracks the mic for the last time today. He is the co-host with Philip Teresi on KMJ’s “Afternoon Drive,” 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Johnson has worked in media, mostly radio, for 49 years. While his resume sounds like a Johnny Cash song — Alaska, South Carolina, Utah, and all over California — Johnson has been in Fresno since the 1980s.

His roles included on-air talent and manager. He served as program director for influential Fresno rocker KRZR “The Wild Hare” from 1989-2007 (the station died in 2010 when the owner changed formats).

“I was truly excited to get the gig here at KMJ at little over two years ago. I’ve enjoyed working with Philip and the entire staff has welcomed me as one of their own. I thought I’d be here longer, but some unexpected health issues made the decision to retire the right choice for me. It was a hard decision to make, but I’m comfortable that I’ve made the right call for my quality of life. I will miss this team,” Johnson said in a news release.

Teresi’s first job in radio was working for Johnson at KRZR circa 1997.

“It was an absolute pleasure to have this full-circle experience, sharing the past two years with him as my partner on KMJ. There are many places in the Valley where E. made his mark, and the entire industry is better for his contributions. I wish my friend and mentor nothing but the best in his next chapter. But it IS weird that I still don’t know the guy’s first name,” Teresi said in a news release.

Teresi will host solo starting Monday.

Rodriguez Also Retires

Another longtime Central Valley broadcaster left the air this month.

Rich Rodriguez retired following his last broadcast on KMPH Fox 26 on May 18.

For decades, Rodriguez, a Central Valley native, reported and anchored for several Fresno TV stations — KSEE 24, ABC30, and KMPH since 2009.

He began his career in radio in 1976, and found his way to KMJ. He transferred to TV in the early 1980s.

The only time Rodriguez has not been in Fresno in the last 40-plus years was stint at KABC in Los Angeles. He also ran for one of the Valley’s seats in Congress in 2000, losing to Democratic incumbent Cal Dooley in a competitive race.

The Rodriguez name remains in local journalism. Son Rhett Rodriguez is a reporter/anchor at KSEE24/CBS47.

Rodriguez plans to play more golf, he told his KMPH colleagues.

On a personal note, I produced Rich’s Power Talk 96.7 radio show on Saturdays focusing on agriculture around 2014. He was always a pleasure to work with.