Category: News

November 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 11/25/22.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

  • An update on current construction and maintenance projects
    • Finishing the Municipal Parking Garage
    • The curbing and guttering work is wrapped up for the year
    • The island at South Main Street and Columbus Road is done!
    • The city is continuing to study the intersection at South Main and Columbus Road to see traffic patterns
  • Updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
    • It is budget season. A work session will take place in January with the City and City Council.- Police cruisers that were ordered in February 2022 have finally arrived. There was a delay because of the lack of micro-processing chips that were in high demand.- City Council is discussing the purchase of a new fire truck
    • – City Council has approved the position of an alternate voting member for the City Recreation Board
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares an update on the City’s Police Department.  He talks about the 6-month trial run of the traffic division. There is an assigned patrol officer to handle traffic-related incidents.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares an update on the City’s Fire Department.
    • They just hired 3 new part-time firefighters.
    • They are also trying to get a new fire truck.
    • There will be a firefighter paramedic test on December 14. The deadline to apply is December 9. You can apply on the city’s website – Website: http://www.mountvernonohio.org
    • The fire department is also participating in Toys for Tots. You can drop them off at the MV Fire Department on West Gambier Street.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares his goals for the month of December.
    • He wants to wrap up the budget meetings with all departments
    • He encourages taking time to be thankful this Thanksgiving – pause and realize that this is a remarkable community.
    • Finish the construction on the Municipal Parking Garage
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares upcoming events for the City.
    • Shop Small Saturday on 11/26The lighting of the Public Square, 11/26Mount Vernon Christmas Parade, 11/27, 2pmWinter Sanctuary fundraiser – A Christmas Carol presentation
    • Food For The Hungry, 12/9
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares what he is thankful for this Thanksgiving. He is thankful for your prayers and the amazing community.
  • Mayor Matt Starr explains how residents can stay connected to City Hall and the Mayor’s Office by checking out the website and social media accounts.
  • He tells us that as we go into this holiday season, and he asks that we pray for folks that have lost loved ones. He also shares how we can pray for him and his team as they get ready to go into 2023.

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

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The 2022 Turkey Trot supports Food For The Hungry

The Morning Thing’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Scott Burgess of We Run MV about this year’s Turkey Trot.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

The event will be held Thanksgiving morning on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Registration is at 8am. The race starts at 9am.
You are asked to bring a donation for Food For The Hungry as your registration fee.

Over the past 11 years, We Run MV has collected over 6,442 food items and $10,609 in donations!
Scott shares the group’s passion behind this event and how each dollar makes a huge difference.

On average each year, this event has 166 participants and raises $965 and 586 food items.
The members of We Run MV hope to beat that average this year.

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WNZR presents the November 2022 MVNU Presidential Update

MVNU’s President, Dr. Henry Spaulding, talked with The Morning Thing for his monthly Presidential Update.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Dr. Spaulding shared his thoughts as the fall semester of 2022 is winding down.

He shares an update from the recent Board of Trustees meeting including the election of officers. They approved a tentative budget for 2023-2024, which includes a 3% raise for faculty and staff.

Dr. Spaulding also shared that the Board of Trustees gave unanimous approval of the Strategic Investment Initiatives. These initiatives will include some new programs, and new positions and enhance MVNU’s enrollment.

Dr. Spaulding talks about how these plans are strategic to move the university to a higher standing in the region at a level of a doctoral-granting institution. He also shares some examples of the new programs coming with this board approval. There will be a focus on programs dealing with Mental Health.

Dr. Spaulding shares his highest priorities for the month of November, an overview of the 2022 Homecoming Schedule, and how he wants to see the Men’s Basketball team beat Olivet Nazarene University!
Dr. Spaulding also shares an overview of MVNU’s calendar throughout the month of November.

Dr. Spaulding shares special messages for students, faculty, and staff as they get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. He also tells us how we can pray for the campus and his family throughout the month of November.

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WNZR talks with the 2022 Food For The Hungry Marketing Team

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Katelynn Mast and Olivia Stern, Marketing Directors for the 2002 Food For The Hungry Drive.
The Campaign is underway for this year and there are many exciting events coming up!

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics covered include:

  • Katelynn shares some big changes that are coming to her life and how those changes will impact Food For The Hungry.
  • She introduces us to the new FFTH Marketing Director, Olivia Stern.
  • The ladies share what has been happening since Kick-Off Day on 11/1.
  • Dates for this year’s drive 
  • 2022 goal
  • The highlight of the 2022 Food For The Hungry Calendar of events
  • How we can stay connected to what is happening on the FFTH calendar?
  • The ladies talk about the power and meaning of the Food For The Hungry slogan – “Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors”

You can help with Food For The Hungry this year. Stay up to date on all the events at www.foodforthehungrycares.org

You can email Lisa at LisaM.ffth@gmail.com or call 740-398-0569.

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WNZR talks with Lisa Mazzari, Food For The Hungry Executive Director

The 2022 Food For The Hungry Drive kicked off on Tuesday, 11/1!

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with FFTH Executive Director, Lisa Mazzari to talk about this year’s campaign.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

They talked about the following:

  • Her history with Food For The Hungry
  • Her role as Executive Director
  • Food For The Hungry has been raising money to feed families in our community for 40 years. 2022 marks the 41st annual drive.
  • Recognition of the Food For The Hungry partners that make up the board and serve on many committees.
  • Food For The Hungry volunteers and how to get involved.
  • Food For The Hungry is local, all money and food collected stays here in Knox County to support families in Knox County.
  • 2022 goal and how people can give to Food For The Hungry
  • Food For The Hungry’s summer food-related grants
  • Grant Program for the 2002 drive and how food initiatives can apply

You can help with Food For The Hungry this year. Stay up to date on all the events at www.foodforthehungrycares.org

You can email Lisa at LisaM.ffth@gmail.com or call 740-398-0569.


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October 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 10/28/22.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 10/28/22.

Topics included:

  • An update on current construction and maintenance projects
    • Finishing the Municipal Parking Garage
    • Columbus Rd / South Main intersection curbing and guttering
  • Budgeting for projects in the upcoming 3 years
  • An update on the City’s plans for snow removal this winter.
  • The City is currently hiring seasonal workers to help with leaf removal.
  • An update about the funding the City received from the Ohio Department of Development to help with community improvements.
    • Mount Vernon is receiving a $500,000 critical infrastructure grant that will fund repairs to the brick streets and other improvements for North Catherine Street.
    • Mount Vernon is also receiving a $750,000 neighborhood revitalization grant that will be used to:
      • Solve water line problems around Dan Emmett Elementary School, Mansfield Avenue, Taylor Avenue, Nuce Road, and Nash Street.
      • Along with an ODOT grant, create a multi-use path on Mansfield Road to give Dan Emmett students a safe path to walk or bike to school.
  • Mayor Matt Starr gives us an update from the Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission regarding a preliminary plat for Heartland Commerce Park (formerly known as Cooper Progress Park) and the comprehensive development plan for the area. He shares that the site plan has allowed the real estate agents to sell or rent the sectioned-off parcels of property. He tells us that there is interest in the properties.
  • Updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
    • A public hearing was held regarding rezoning a parcel of real estate on State Route 13 for a developer who wants to put a housing development. In the next 60 days, a public presentation will be held by the developer to go over the site plan.
    • A committee meeting was held regarding the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) with the Parks and Public Lands committee
    • A reorganizational meeting was held by the Utilities Department as they said farewell to Brian McKeever, the pre-treatment coordinator and operator.
    • Mayor Matt Starr shares that the City Council approved $2,000 to be used on a workforce development and employee recognition program to honor those who’ve dedicated many years of their life to public service.
  • Mayor Matt Starr encourages Mount Vernon residents to give their opinions on the Zoning Code Survey. The survey can be accessed from the City’s website and social media accounts. They can rate different pictures of ideas for housing and design in Mount Vernon. This will help the City plan for various kinds of housing.
  • Update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
    • Continued training for officers
    • The increase in speed violations was reported, and this is due to an officer dedicated to patrolling areas of the City, specifically in school zones and neighborhoods.
  • Update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department including updates on recent training.
    • October is Fire Prevention Month, and Mayor Starr shares fire safety advice regarding electricity.
    • The Fire Department has also been performing driver’s training and physical fitness tests.
  • Mount Vernon’s designation as an Official Bee City
  • Mayor Starr shares a list of events planned for the City in November.
    • Planning budgets for upcoming projects.
    • Trick or Treat on Oct. 31
    • Veteran’s Day ceremony on Public Square on 11/11 at 11am
    • Preparing for snow
  • Mayor Starr shares the immediate goals for October

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

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Place 4 Grace launches their new program Grow in Grace

Place 4 Grace’s Executive Director Kandee Popham and Renee Dubler, Lead Mentor gave us an overview of their services and the NEW Grow in Grace Program. We also focus on the non-residential services that the ministry is providing to Moms right now.

Kandee Popham tells us more about what Place 4 Grace is and the services that they provide to pregnant women in the community. The services are personalized for each Mom. The goal is to have Moms stable in 4 areas: housing, employment, childcare and transportation.

Renee Dubler shares about the non-residential services that the ministry is currently providing including transportation to medical appointments or community resource locations, mentoring, and friendship.

Renee also talks about the NEW program Grow In Grace. They teach Mothers life skills including how to deal with pregnancy and motherhood.
She talks about how Grow In Grace is different than other programs that might teach parenting skills. Place 4 Grace is coming from an area of trauma for the mothers.

Renee tells us why it is important for Moms to attend this new program.

Renee also talks about the types of skills that Moms can expect to walk away with from being in the Grow In Grace program.

Moms can sign up by emailing Renee at renee.dubler@place4grace.com
Grow In Grace sessions are on Thursdays at 6pm at the Mount Vernon Apostolic Church, 1635 West 229/OId Delaware Road. The meetings are in the white building next to the big brick church.
Childcare is provided. The program is set up for a 12 week run.
She also shares the goals of the program.

Click HERE to listen to the conversation.

Place 4 Grace’s website is place4grace.com

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Celebrate “Do Something Nice Day” like 7 year old Piper!

Today, The Morning Thing celebrated Do Something Nice Day.
Have you heard about this day?
Do Something Nice Day is a good way for everyone to get motivated to be a positive and uplifting presence in the world – not only on this day but perhaps even starting a habit to do something nice every day! Click HERE to read more about it from daysoftheyear.com

This article shares some valuable information.
HOW to celebrate? It is easy – DO Something Nice for Someone, GIVE a compliment, MAKE a donation to Charity or JOIN a Kindness Community.

Read all about it HERE.

There is a community that is dedicated to kindness. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation offers ideas, resources, challenges and opportunities for individuals to connect, get daily emails and become activists for being nice. This Random Acts of Kindness community operates in 89 countries all over the world and reports more than 40,000 activists and it’s a great way to get connected and motivated to Do Something Nice!

There are A LOT of Benefits of Doing Something Nice:

  • Reduced Stress Hormones – People who are perpetually being nice tend to have 23% lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that hijacks the body’s processes and can even increase aging.
  • Lower Blood Pressure – Those who embrace the lifestyle of doing nice things can count on the release of oxytocin in their blood. This hormone helps to open up blood vessels and reduce blood pressure, creating a protection for the cardiovascular system and improving heart health. 
  • Reduced Depression – Studies have shown that people who give of themselves in kindness report greater life satisfaction, improved self-realization, improved mood and lower incidences of depression.
  • Extended Life Span – People who live lives devoted to acts of kindness are often calmer, release more serotonin (the peaceful hormone), have lower blood pressure and are generally happier. And this makes for an increased life span!

We talked to a local HERO that is living out this challenge of Doing Something Nice.
Click HERE to hear Marcy Rinehart’s conversation with Piper Schirtzinger. She is 7 years old and is in 2nd grade at Wiggin Street Elementary School. She will share how she fell in love with flowers at the age of 2 and is sharing her flowers with others. Piper’s Posies blesses SO many people! Piper also shares her advice on doing something nice for others. She is our perfect example for Do Something Nice Day!

Here are some pictures of Piper with her family! Thanks for your incredible outreach and encouragement Piper!

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September 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 9/30/22.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Updates include:

  • An update on construction projects that are being worked on right now in our city:
  • Brick Street Repair
  • Clintonville Area – Grange, Pearl and Fearn
  • Municipal Parking Garage
  • Curb and Gutter Program for a winter construction project
  • Columbia Gas project to replace pipelines on the West side of the City
  • AEP’s project to install new transmission lines
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares an update on the City’s activities with lime sludge and the requirements from the EPA.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares an update on meeting with the Knox County Realtors Association. He focused on the MS4 program – Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. This presentation fulfilled a requirement from the Ohio EPA.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares an update from City Council including:
  • 24 pieces of legislation were given a reading or passed
  • Storm Sewer System for Stump and Northview Streets
  • Mansfield Avenue project for a waterline and storm waterline
  • Sidewalk project in the Dan Emmett Elementary school area
  • City Water Treatment Plant
  • Appointments to Volunteer Boards and Commissions
  • Mayor Matt Starr gives us an update from the Mount Vernon Police Department including the creation of a Traffic Patrol.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares an update from the Fire Department including the good news of the department receiving 2 grants from FEMA. The first grant will fund the purchase of an exhaust removal system and a new fire hose for the station. The second grant will fully fund 3 additional firefighters for the next 3 years.
  • Mayor Matt Starr talks about his Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council.
  • Mayor Matt Starr tells us about the presentation of the 2022 Knox County Outstanding Senior Citizen Award.  
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares his thoughts about the visit of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to the Knox County Career Center this week.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares the events coming to the City of Mount Vernon in October.
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares his top goals for the City in October.
  • Budget Process and prioritize projects for each department
  • 5 areas of priority: police protection, Fire and EMS Protection, Utility Infrastructure, Transportation Infrastructure and Economic Development
  • Mayor Matt Starr shares how to stay connected to his office and what is happening at Mount Vernon City Hall. He also shares how to pray for him and his team in October.

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

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Starting Point Ministry Update with Executive Director, Diana Wetzel

Diana Wetzel, Executive Director of Knox Starting Point shared an update with WNZR. She gave us an overview of the ministry and the services that they provide in the community.

Click HERE to hear the conversation.

She also shared some of the challenges the ministry has been facing since the laws on abortion have changed recently.
She shared some exciting opportunities the ministry has to connect with potential clients, plus ways we can support their outreach.
She also shared details about their upcoming Family Day and 5K Event (coming up on Saturday, 10/1).

Click HERE for all the details and to get registered for the event.

Click HERE to stay connected with Knox Starting Point.

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