When Mark Nolan signed off WKYC Channel 3 in early 2012, he insisted the move was not prompted by any kind of midlife crisis. "I'm calling it halftime," he said at the time.

"Well, looks like halftime is over," he said Thursday during a telephone interview. "Time to get back in the game."

Nolan and the station executives confirmed that he will become Romona Robinson's new co-Anchor across the street at WOIO.

He will Anchor the station's 4 and 6 p.m. newscasts.

The official announcement is expected from the station this week.

"We are very excited about someone of Mark's talents and versatility joining our staff," said Dominic Mancuso, the general manager at Channel 19 and its sister station, WUAB Channel 43.

"The idea of going back on television is exciting and scary at the same time," Nolan said. "But that's good. If it was boring, it wouldn't be any fun. And it will be great fun working with Romona again. That opportunity was just too good to pass up."

Nolan recently signed a new long-term contract with local radio station WMJI, so he won't be giving up the radio gig.

"I couldn't think about a full-time schedule at Channel 19, because I literally would never sleep," he said. "I also recently moved downtown, so I won't be driving in from Geauga County. That made this more workable, too."

When he left WKYC, he said "It really is my decision." "It's something I've been thinking about for a year or so. I'm 42, and 42 isn't what it used to be in this business. It's a young person's game."

What's changed?

"The batteries absolutely have been recharged," he said. "I'm ready to pick up a little extra work."

H/T Plain Dealer