plunder Johnson, who signed off las...

plunder Johnson, who signed off last month after eight years as weekend of the present days anchor at WLS-Channel 7, won't have to deposit his west suburban house up for sale after all.

In a instigate that seemed risky at the time, Johnson chose not to begin again his contract with the ABC-owned station in order to persist in a Monday-through-Friday anchor position -- smooth if it meant leaving the market.

unless proving that timing is everything, Johnson has tend hitherward to terms with WBBM-Channel 2 to anchor the 5 pm weekday newscast (alongside Diann Burns) and double as a reporter in succession the 10 p.m. newscast.

below a five-year deal negotiated by way of agent Gregg Willinger, Johnson could be forward the air at the CBS-own station as shortly as Aug. 28.

Although Johnson is calculate uponed to bump Antonio Mora from the 5 pm newscast, insiders said Mora remains assured at Channel 2 as principal anchor at 6 and 10 pm and innkeeper of "Eye on Chicago." Mora, who joined the station from ABC's "Good Morning America" in 2002 was signed to a long-term renewal last fall.

This isn't the first time Johnson has been considered for a piece of work at Channel 2. In 1998 before he joined Channel 7 from KPRC-TV in Houston, he was trialed as a potential morning anchor partner for Mary Ann Childers. Instead, the station paired Childers with her husband, reporter Jay Levine.

Boost by dint of a hefty lead-in from the syndicated "Dr Phil," Channel 2's 5 pm newscast is now beating its competition upon NBC- owned WMAQ-Channel 5 (where CNN-bound Don Lemon is about to be replaced at weekend news anchor Bob Sirott). the couple stations still trail Channel 7 in the ratings.

Tracking: novel Fox veep

- Dominic Mancuso, former station manager of Tribune Co-own WGN-Channel 9 has been hired as vice president of programming and promotions for Fox-own WFLD-Channel 32 and WPWR-Channel 50 After almost pair decades at Channel 9, Mancuso's position was eliminated last December.

It's a extremely smart move by Pat Mullen vice president and general manager of the Fox stations, who previously worked with Mancuso at Tribune Co

"Dominic brings 21 years of broadcasting experience and is a well- known television executive in the Chicago market," Mullen said. "His expertise in programming, promotions and operations made him the ideal candidate for this position."

Mancuso replaces Jim Marketti, who resigned as vice president of creative services. John Nuck who has been vice president of programming and finance, will concentrate solely in succession financial and strategic planning for the couple stations.

- Channel 9 airs its fifth annual "Back-to-School Kids Fair" live from 6 to 9 a.m. Friday onward the morning news show. It will feature information and giveaways to kick most distant the school year.

released and open to the public, the fair will be at Channel 9's studios, 2501 W Bradley Pl Nonperishable viands donations are requested.

- The controller at Channel 2 is trading places with his counterpart from modern England.

After three years at the CBS-own station here, Justin Draper is moving to WBZ-TV WSBK-TV and WLWC-TV Joining Channel 2 from the Boston-based triopoly is Ron Damron, a former director of planning at KCBS-TV in observes Angeles.

DIALING: ERIC & KATHY-THON

- Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart, morning stars of hasty adult- contemporary WTMX-FM (101.9), will landlord their seventh annual 36- hour radiothon to benefit Children's Memorial Hospital, starting at 6 a.m. Friday. They'll broadcast from the lobby of the hospital until 6 pm Saturday.

Last year's adventure on the Bonneville International station broke all records nationwide from raising $2.1 million for hospital programs.

For details see: wwwwtmxcom

- Mayor Daley will revolve up as guest co-host of "Crazy" Howard McGee's exhibit to at 7 a.m. Friday forward Clear Channel Radio urban contemporary WGCI-FM (1075)

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