Today on The Morning Thing, we had mixed feelings about sharing some back-to-school content! It is always a bittersweet moment.
We had the opportunity to share some great tips for you and your kids when it comes to getting back in the groove of things. Today, we highlighted how to deal with anxiety and how to make the first day of school easier, as well as how to develop good sleep habits for your young students.
Today was an exciting day at the Salvation Army in Mount Vernon. A group of Women United joined together to pack 300 backpacks for the Salvation Army. Women United is an affinity group of the United Way of Knox County Ohio comprised of passionate women who offer their time, talent and treasure to improve lives throughout Knox County. After packing backpacks for local students, the ladies had the chance to tour the new Salvation Army 13,270-square-foot childcare center called “The Learning Lighthouse”.
Captain Christine Moretz shared a timeline for opening the new center, plus an update on fundraising. Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the link below. Pictures from the event are also included below.
Congratulations to the the city of Mount Vernon, Ohio, Volunteers of the Year for 2025. These outstanding volunteers were announced and recognized by Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr at August First Friday. They tell us more about what they do in our community and give us some advice on getting involved!
Here is some more information on each of them:
• Paul Acitelli, who died on June 18 of this year, consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to helping others, particularly individuals with disabilities. In addition to adopting a family every Christmas through the Salvation Army or Interchurch Social Services of Knox County, he continually raised thousands of dollars to support disabled people in need of housing assistance, utilities or to fund recreational access via pool passes.
• Heather Barbour, the physical education teacher at Twin Oak and Columbia Elementary Schools, has been responsible for bringing many sports programs and activity initiatives to Mount Vernon. She’s done this through her volunteer work with Lifepoint Church, the City’s Recreation Board and more. Bicycling is a priority for her, and she has helped many kids learn how to ride a bike via the All Kids Bike program and as the bike safety coordinator for Mount Vernon’s Safety Town.
• Jeff Williams and Courtney DeCosky, through their Nellie Six Productions, have made a huge impact on the arts scene in Mount Vernon and Knox County. Within just a few short years, they have turned the Summer Front Porch Concert Series into one of the City’s top cultural events of the year. As founding members of the Kokosing Valley Arts Alliance, they have worked to create opportunities and remove barriers for local and regional artists to develop and share their art.
The City of Mount Vernon hosted a luncheon on Thursday 7/31/25 to honor their employees. The Workforce Development Employee Awards honored our city workers for their dedication to make Mount Vernon a fantastic place to live and work.
Workers reaching milestones were honored – from 5 years up to 30 years of service. The retirees of this last year were recognized. Also, new employees were announced.
Congratulations to Jonny May for 30 years of service. He works in the Public Works Department.
Click HERE to hear Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr share comments on this special event.
You will find pictures of the event and a list of our wonderful City Employees below.
WNZR talked with several 4H winners about their Miscellaneous Projects for the 2025 Knox County Fair. These students are now representing Knox County at the Ohio State Fair! We say congratulations and wish them the best of luck as they represent our county.
Click HERE or use the link below to hear from these outstanding students!
Here are the 2025 Ohio State Fair representatives who placed 1st in the Miscellaneous Projects. Congratulations and Good Luck!
Companion Animal, Cat-1: Cora Ruckman
Companion Animal, Pocket Pets: Emma Ruckman
Companion Animal, Self-Determined: Rebekah Mandau
Creative Arts, Getting Started in Art – Sr.: Destinee Dickerson
Creative Arts, Scrapbooking – Sr.: Lainey Dunham
Creative Arts, My Favorite Things – Sr.: Blake Hegemier
Creative Arts, self-Determined: Davanee Hart
Food and Nutrition, Yeast Breads on the Rise: Alice Ulrey
Food and Nutrition, Cooking on My Own: Addison Mostaka
Food and Nutrition, Global Gourmet: Micah Phillips
Food and Nutrition, Beyond the Grill: Reese Hubbard
WNZR was proud to broadcast live at the Knox County Fair Sale of Champions
Did you miss WNZR’s broadcast of the 2025 Sale of Champions? Good News! You can find the full broadcast HERE or click on the Link below. Listen in as WNZR’s Joe Rinehart talks with the Grand Champions and Reserve Champion winners from this year’s Knox County Fair. You can also hear Marcy Rinehart give results from each animal sold. Thanks to all the buyers that participated.
The unofficial total from the Sale of Champions was over $85,850!
(These are preliminary results. We apologize if any buyers are not included. We will be getting final results from the Knox County Junior Fair soon. Please keep checking back for updates).
Market Beef
The Grand Champion Market Beef Steer was shown by Austin Frazier of Fredericktown, part of Fredericktown FFA.
A group of buyers bought the animal for a price of $6,500
They include Elite Insurance, CJS, Boyd Brothers and Alumni Roofing
The Reserve Champion Market Beef Steer was shown by Charley Beheler of Fredericktown. She is part of the Knox County Career Center FFA. Charley was also the Senior Showman and Master Showman.
Didinger and Son Crop Service bought the animal for a price of $7,000.
Dairy Market Feeders
The Grand Champion Dairy Market Feeder was shown by Logan Whitney of Danville. Logan is part of the Creative Kids 4H Club.
Small’s Asphalt & Paving and John Hinderer bought the animal for a price of $4,500
The Reserve Champion Dairy Market Feeder was shown by Taylor Tyson of Mount Vernon. Taylor is part of the KC Draft Horse & Pony Club.
John Hinderer and Small’s Sand & Gravel bought the animal for a price of $5,000.
Pen of 3 Market Lambs
The Grand Champion Penof 3 Market Lambs was shown by Charley Beheler of Fredericktown with the Knox County Career Center FFA.
Beheler Excavating and Alumni Roofing bought the animals for a price of $5,000.
The Reserve Champion Pen was shown by Joseph Ball from Danville with Better Livestock 4H Club. Ashton was also the Grand Champion Bred, Born & Raised and Reserve Senior Showman.
A group of buyers purchased the animals for a price of $5,000
They included: Tim VanDyke, Knox Community Hospital, Park National Bank, CJS, Small’s Farms and Small’s Sand & Gravel.
Market Lambs
The Grand Champion Market Lamb was shown by Ashton Anderson of Mount Vernon with the Animals R Us 4H Club. Ashton was also the Grand Champion Bred, Born and Raised and Reserve Senior Showman
TD Landscape bought the animal for a price of $3,000
The Reserve Champion Market Lamb was shown by Kellen Algire of Fredericktown with the Country Critters 4H Club.
Andy Brenner, State Senator bought the animal for a price of $2,250
Turkeys
The Grand Champion Turkey was shown by Carl Dickerson from Fredericktown with the Smokin’ Spurs 4H Club.
Beheler Excavating and Alumni Roofing bought the animal for a price of $2,500
The Reserve Champion Turkey was shown by Tucker Tedrow from Mount Vernon with the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4H Club.
TD Landscape bought the animal for a price of $3,750
Market Dairy Steers
The Grand Champion Market Dairy Steer was shown by Greg Wilson of Danville with Creative Kids 4H Club.
Granville Milling, Levi Hostetler and THR Home Inspection bought the animal for a price of $5,750
The Reserve Champion Market Dairy Steer was shown by Connor Shields of Danville with the Creative Kids 4H Club. Connor was also the Reserve Champion Carcass and Reserve Junior Showman
Didinger and Son Crop Service bought the animal for a price of $2,500
Market Goats
The Grand Champion Market Goat was shown by Sophia Carpenter of Howard. She is part of the Country Critters 4H Club.
Alumni Roofing and Beheler Excavating bought the animal for a price of $3,000!
The Reserve Champion Market Goat was shown by Nash Stull of Fredericktown. Nash is part of the Country Critters 4H Club.
A group of buyers bought the animal for a price of $7,350
They included: NC Energy, Small’s Farm, Knox Community Hospital, Kari Ball Insurance and Revere Roofing Company
Broilers (Chicken)
The Grand Champion Broilers (pen of 3) were shown by Ally Bonvillain of Mount Vernon with the Anything Goes 4H Club.
Trillium Farms bought the animals for a price of $3,500
The Reserve Champion broilers were shown by Adrian Clutter of Howard with the Fur Feathers and Friends 4H Club.
Kari Ball Insurance, Small’s Sand & Gravel and Didinger and Son Crop Service bought the animals for a price of $3,000
Market Hogs
The Grand Champion hog was shown by Matilda Sulzer of Mount Vernon with the Smokin’ Spurs 4H Club. Matilda was also the Heavy Weight Division Champion and Junior Showman for Ages 9 & 10
Owl Creek Title Agency purchased the hog for a price of $7,000
The Reserve Champion hog was shown by Hannah Creasap of Fredericktown with the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4H Club. Hannah was also the Reserve Heavy Weight Division Champion, Junior Master Showman for Age 11, and Age 11 Skillathon Winner.
John Hinderer Honda bought the animal for a price of $3,500.
Market Rabbits
The Grand Champion Rabbits (Market Fryers) were shown by Annalia Wolf of Mount Vernon with the Down On The Farm 4H Club.
The Ruckman Group Auctions and Appraisals and Park National Bank bought the animals for a price of $3,000
The Reserve Champion Rabbits were shown by Dawson Staley of Fredericktown from the Blue Ribbon Livestock 4H Club.
Clearfork Buyers Club bought the animals for a price of $2,750
Congratulations to these special award winners that were announced at the Sale of Champions:
The Junior Fair Sales Committee presented a Hall of Fame award this year.
This award recognizes individuals and organizations that go above and beyond normal efforts to benefit the sale, the Junior Fair and most importantly the Knox County Youth involved in 4H and FFA.
The 2025 recipient is: Tom Holten, East Knox Vocational Agriculture and FFA Instructor
David Greer Award from Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club: 1st place for a $500 scholarship – Logan Whitney
2nd place for a $250 scholarship – Ansley Daubenmier
Beef Grand Champion Carcass: Ava Snively Beef Reserve Champion Carcass: Bailee Smith
Beef Feeder – Bred, Born, and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Malachi Goodwin Beef Feeder – Bred, Born and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Bailee Smith
Dairy Market Feeder – Bred, Born, and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Austin Robinson Dairy Market Feeder – Bred, Born and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Gage Robinson
Market Beef – Bred, Born, and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Brandon Hogg Market Beef – Bred, Born and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Lane Mussard
Market Dairy Steer – Bred, Born, and Raised Grand Champion Award Winner: Austin Robinson Market Dairy Steer – Bred, Born and Raised Reserve Champion Award Winner: Austin Robinson
Senior Fair Board Scholarships: The Senior Fair Board presented two $200 scholarships. These scholarships are for 2025 graduates and had an essay-driven application.
2025 Winners: Catlin Ball and Taylor Thorne
Gage Moody Heart and Soul Award: This award is sponsored by JDC Livestock and is dedicated to Gage Moody’s memory. It aims to recognize individuals who demonstrate the following qualities:
Daily effort and commitment
Setting a positive example for others
Showing passion for their project despite being perceived as the underdog.
Macee Samples and Logan Daubenmier each were recognized with the Gage Moody Heart and Soul Award, and each received a $750 scholarship.
The Junior Fair Board also received a check for $500 from Farm Credit Mid-America. This check was given for their Stock the Trailer collection for a local food pantry. They are still collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations. You can drop off donations at the main Fair Board Office. Our Knox County Junior Fair Board is competing against other Junior Fair Boards across Ohio.
Love Like Linda Scholarship:
The family of Linda Dowalter is pleased to announce the establishment of the “Love Like Linda Scholarship.” “Love Like Linda” is an inspiring concept encouraging individuals to embrace a life filled with compassion, kindness, and selflessness. It embodies the idea of living with an open heart, much like Linda – she was a mom, sister, aunt, and grandma, who was known for her unwavering love and generosity. Loving like Linda means actively listening to others, showing empathy, and offering support without expecting anything in return. It’s about positively impacting the lives of those around you, whether through small acts of kindness or significant gestures of support. By adopting this mindset, we can cultivate deeper connections and create a more compassionate world, one interaction at a time. The Dowalter Family is honored and pleased to present this scholarship to someone who embodies the personality Linda exhibited every day of her life and encouraged others to exhibit as well.
This nonrenewable scholarship will be issued to one individual meeting the following criteria.
• 2025 High School Graduate OR • Exhibitor that 2025 is their last year of eligibility • Good Standing 4H or FFA Member • Will be or is currently attending a two- or four-year technical school or university/college
The applicant was required to write an essay answering the following prompt: “What the characteristic selflessness means to me”.
They were also required to submit two (2) letters of recommendation from non-family members explaining how the applicant exhibits selflessness.
Ansley Daubenmier was recognized with the “Love Like Linda Scholarship” and received a $1,000 scholarship.
Thanks to our partners for helping us bring you live results from this year’s Sale of Champions.
– The Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities – The Knox County Career Center – Revere Roofing Company – The Ruckman Group Auctions and Appraisals – Valley ATV – Wendys of Mount Vernon
Marcy and Xander got some time to chat with Christian artist Tauren Wells!
Tauren is performing at the Ohio State Fair on Monday, July 28th and we super excited about it. It is truly inspiring to listen to Tauren tell us a little about his life and his heart for God.
We highlight everything including his church, his new book, and even his remix of “Take It All Back” with Skillet!
Rise and Shine 