WNZR had the privilege to feature multiple 4H winners from the 2024 Knox County Fair. These talented young people participated in various projects, including miscellaneous projects. They stopped by Big Blue to tell us about their experience in 4H, how they worked to present their project and their excitement to represent Knox County at the Ohio State Fair. Click HERE to listen in as we honor and recognize these amazing young women and men. Congratulations!
The 175th Knox County Fair hosted a special Opening Ceremony on Sunday, 7/21/24. The Knox County Junior Fair Queen and her Court were announced. Congratulations to: Queen – Reagan Ward Court – Kennedy Auker, Vivian Noble and Madison Weekly
WNZR’s Joe Rinehart had a chance to talk with these outstanding ladies. Click HERE to hear their conversation.
On Sunday, the Knox County Fair hosted the 32nd annual Little Miss Knox County Fair contest and the 3rd annual Little Mr. Knox County Fair contest.
Congratulations to the 2024 Royalty: Girls – 2024 Little Miss Knox County Fair/Winner – Natalie Kuhlman 1st runner up – Scarlet Anne Gray 2nd Runner up – Kaylee Conaway 3rd Runner up – Emberly Fowler
Boys – 2024 Little Mr. Knox County Fair/Winner – Judson Durbin 1st runner up – Blaine Doup 2nd Runner up – Dane Allbaugh 3rd runner up – Mason Smith
WNZR’s Joe Rinehart had a chance to talk with the winners. Click HERE to enjoy the fun conversations!
Enjoy the pictures below. You can see a full gallery from Sunday at the Knox County Fair on the WNZR Facebook page – HERE.
We are so excited to go On the Road with Big Blue to the Knox County Fair! For our Friday Favorites today, we shared our favorite events at the Fair. Click HERE to hear from Alyssa, Judah and Marcy. We hope to see you there. Find Big Blue beside the Junior Fair Booth building, up the hill from the main Fair Board office. Also, get registered for our amazing prizes at www.wnzr.fm
A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city. He shares the progress of these projects:
Catherine Street Community Development Block Grant
Center Street
North End Project near Dan Emmett Elementary School
The City has 9 active projects going on now. They are close to closing out 3 of those projects.
Mayor Starr gives a reminder to have patience during the summer cycle for current construction and maintenance projects.
He also talks about his philosophy of working in residential areas around the city.
Mayor Starr shares information and updates from the Mount Vernon Street Department. He shares updates on these projects:
Brick Street Reconstruction and Rehabilitation
Catch Basin Repairs on the south end of town
Street Sweeping
Spraying for Weeds
Bee City USA Program for Mount Vernon
Tree Trimming
Pothole Patching – You can call 740-393-9501 to report a pothole
Mayor Starr shares information and updates from other City Departments. He shares updates on these projects:
The Mount Vernon Public Buildings and Lands Department
Maintenance and cleaning of the fountain on the Public Square
Flags on the graves of veterans
Work on City Offices – HVAC system, deep cleaning of floors and carpeting and putting up blood-borne pathogen kits.
Mayor Starr shares information and updates from other City Departments. He shares updates on these projects:
The Mount Vernon Utilities/Water and Wastewater Department
They are working with a new Communications System that helps control the city’s water and wastewater capabilities. It is a computer based that monitors all devices and greatly assists the gathering of information.
The Water Plant Clarifier Tank is now up and running.
Lime Treatment System
Having redundancy systems in place in case of a water emergency
Utilities Technician Test is being offered in July
Working with Ohio Means Jobs for a fire hydrant painting program
Hauling Lime
Mayor Starr shares an update on the upgrades that are being made to the public parks, including the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool. He also addresses the problem of vandalism at the parks and how the city is managing this issue.
Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission.
Earlier this month, they voted unanimously to recommend that Mount Vernon City Council adopt the updated zoning code as presented.
Mayor Starr shares the background on the need to update our current zoning code and the process of the update.
He also shares the timeline of future readings with City Council and the upcoming hearing for public comment.
Mayor Starr shares updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
City Council gave approval to proceed with a grant application for USEPA funding. The Mayor tells us more about this process and how these funds will help the community.
City Council’s decision on recreational marijuana
City Council’s adoption of legislation to construct a new salt barn. The Mayor shares more details on this project and how it will help the City face winter weather.
Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
State Senator Andrew Brenner’s announcement that funding will be coming to our city. The Police Department will receive $2 million dollars from the One Time Strategic Community Investment Fund.
PAK (Police and Kids) United is having some fun events this summer
Assistant Chief Andy Burns will be sworn in soon.
Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department.
A new Assistant Fire Chief has been sworn in – Josh Lester.
Contract negotiations for the next 3 years.
Mayor Starr shares an update and details about the 4th of July Celebration at Ariel Foundation Park. He talks about parking, times of the celebration, when streets will close, location of restrooms, food trucks and the best exit plan for families. The Mayor promises that the fireworks will start at 10pm this year!
Mayor Starr shares a list of events planned for the City in July.
July First Friday
Sundays on the Public Square
Farmers Markets
Blues, Brews and BBQ Event
He will put a lot of his efforts into the budgeting process. It will start in July this year. They will be looking at 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Goals for July:
Close out some active projects
Finalize the grant for the inflation reduction act
Get the new neo-gov software in place to help with the city’s human resources and payroll systems
Writing the ballot language for the Edgewood Road improvement project
He also shares how we can pray for him and his team.
Alyssa Sidle talked with Kevin Henthorn, Executive Director of Knox County Veterans Services about all the activities happening around the county for Memorial Day. He shares the details about Mount Vernon’s parade and special service at the Knox Memorial. He also shares the true meaning behind this holiday. Kevin talks about how we can better honor and remember the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedom.
MVNU’s President, Dr. Carson Castleman stopped by the WNZR Studios to talk about the academic year and to celebrate the Class of 2024.
Dr. Castleman shared his thoughts about the 2023-2024 Academic Year. He talked about the most significant moments during his time as President. He also discussed the plans for increasing student enrollment in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Dr. Castleman shared his top priorities for MVNU as we head into Summer 2024. He will be traveling quite a bit over the next few months.
Dr. Castleman offered a special message for the Class of 2024 as the campus celebrates graduation this weekend. He also has messages for returning underclassmen, and faculty and staff.
Dr. Castleman told us how we can pray for MVNU and his family throughout the summer months.
A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city.
Details on current water projects
Update on the rehabilitation and improvement project for Edgewood Road
Updates from the City Water and Sewer Departments
Update on the Columbia Gas Pipeline Replacement Project
Updates from Mount Vernon City Council
Update on City Council’s adoption of the industrial solar resolution
Recent changes with city employees, including name changes and new positions
Update on the Mount Vernon Police Department
Update on the Mount Vernon Fire Department
Highlights of April events on the City’s Calendar
Immediate goals for April
Mayor Starr will share his State of the City Address at the next Knox Network of Christian Ministries meeting – Thursday, May 9, 9:30am – 10:30am at MVNU’s Gathering Place (lower level). Please send questions to ContactKNCM@gmail.com
Plans for Easter
He also shares how we can pray for him and his team.
Shelia Walsh will be the speaker featured at the MVNU Women’s Auxiliary Spring Conference. She is an accomplished author, Bible Teacher, and Television host.
WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle had the chance to chat with Sheila Walsh. She shared an update of what she’s been up to in 2024. She also shares about her new book, ‘Holding On When You Want To Let Go’. Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
Shelia speaks about finding balance in the midst of everything she’s a part of, including speaking, writing and hosting numerous TV shows for TBN. She says that it’s important to remember that being busy doesn’t necessarily mean being productive, and that you have to focus on taking sabbath.
Shelia gives a small preview of what to expect at the conference this weekend.
Shelia talks about how we can pray for her and her husband Barry and their ministry.
Tickets are still available for this weekend’s conference. Tickets can be purchased at the door for this event. Two day tickets are $45 and one day tickets are $25.
MTVarts presents HONK Jr. this weekend at the Knox Memorial Theater. WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show. The actors talked about their characters and how they prepared to play these roles. They talked about their favorite songs and shared memories. The actors also shared encouragement for other kids with an interest in theater.
Enjoy our conversations with: Kale Oswalt – Ugly Briggs Swallow – Drake, Ugly Duckling’s Father Kamryn Van Valkenburg – Ida, Ugly Duckling’s Mother Will Pletcher – Greylag, Goose General Mollie Jurkowitz – Downy, Sibling of Ugly
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling.”
Directed by: Serra Barrett
Music Director: Laura Ackert
Choreographer: Anthony Ingham
Synopsis:
This delightful adaptation of the beloved fable and the award-winning musical is a heartwarming celebration of what makes us special.
Ugly looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother’s protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery, all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out that being different is not a bad thing to be.