Category: News

Meet the 2017 Knox Addiction Conference Team!

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Today, our “Meet the Team” spotlight shines on the Knox Addiction Conference. There is a team of amazing people and organizations working hard to coordinate this annual event.

The Knox Addiction Conference is hosted by the Knox Substance Abuse Action Team (KSAAT). This conference offers a number of different professional development tracks and opportunities for continuing education credits. The presentations are also open to the general public and will give information on what is being done to address drug abuse in our community and immediate ways that each one of us can get involved in supporting people in recovery and strengthening the community.

The conference will be held June 28th and 29th in Rosse Hall on the Kenyon College Campus, starting at 8:30am. For a full listing of sessions and times, Click HERE

Registration for all attendees is required. Breakfast, lunch, and all conference materials are included in your registration fee. Registrations will be accepted up until the morning of the conference. Lunch is going to be provided cafeteria style and will have options for those with special dietary needs. Registration and breakfast will begin at 7 am both days in Rosse Hall. Click HERE to register.

In addition to the general conference, luncheons for physicians and business professionals will be offered. Topics at the lunch will be specific to these professions. If you plan to attend the luncheon and the conference, registration for both events is required.

The conference will also offer an evening event on Wednesday, June 28th from 7-9 pm hosted by the Knox Health Planning Partnership Resilience Team: RESILIENCE: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope.

KSAAT Chair, Janet Chandler, talks about the film and its importance to our community, HERE!

WNZR, Knox Pages and the Mount Vernon News had an opportunity to talk with some of the presenters and organizers of the Knox Addiction Conference.

Knox County Prosecuting Attorney Chip McConville will be presenting at the conference. He talked about the challenges the drug epidemic has brought to the Knox County Courts. Click HERE to hear WNZR’s conversation with Chip.

Detective Lieutenant Craig Feeney of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office is presenting at the conference alongside Knox County Prosecutor, Chip McConville. Craig talked to us about the challenges the drug epidemic brings to the Sheriff’s Office and how the public can help law enforcement in the fight against drugs.
Click HERE to hear WNZR’s conversation with Craig.

Detective Corporal James DeChant of the Mount Vernon Police Department is presenting at the conference too. James talked about the drug problem in our community and why community members should attend the Knox Addiction Conference.
Click HERE to hear WNZR’s conversation with James.

Knox Community Hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer, Jim Middleton is on the planning committee for the conference. Jim shared the impact of NARCAN and the strategies that KCH has implemented to handle the increase of drug abuse cases. He also shared the challenges that the medical community face with the fight on drugs.
Click HERE to hear WNZR’s conversation with Jim.

Jeff Williams is Executive Director of the Freedom Center. He helped to plan the conference. Jeff shared important event details with WNZR.
Click HERE to hear WNZR’s conversation with Jeff.

Emily Morrison is Communications Manager Legal Assistant at the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office. She is in charge of registration for the Knox Addiction Conference. She shared exciting news about topics that will be covered at the conference, including a new youth track on Thursday.
Click HERE to hear WNZR’s conversation with Emily.

For more information about KSAAT, its goals and the Knox Addiction Conference, go to www.KSAAT.org

 

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Summer is here! The Morning Thing shares ideas for FREE Summer Fun.

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Summer break has begun and the kids are home. Don’t worry about the kids getting bored, we found a list of FREE things to do with your kids this summer!

These are great ideas from www.thekrazykouponlady.com for families including visiting museums, free bowling, $1.00 movie tickets and factory tours.

The WNZR crew will be busy this summer with “On The Road with Big Blue”. Our calendar is full of fun family events happening in our community.
Keep up to date on these events at our website – http://wnzr.fm/on-the-road-with-big-blue.html

We also have an online calendar highlighting events with local non-profit organizations, churches, schools and community events.

Here is a preview of what is coming up for the summer of 2017:

Danville/Howard Turkey Festival – 6/15 – 6/17
Relay for Life (to benefit the American Cancer Society) – 6/16 – 6/17
Centerburg Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival – 6/21 – 6/24
4th of July Celebration at Ariel Foundation Park – 7/4
July First Friday – 7/7
Knox County Fair – 7/22 – 7/30
The Ohio State Fair – 7/26 – 8/6
August First Friday – 8/4
Hartford Fair – 8/5 – 8/12
Dan Emmett Music and Arts Festival – 8/10 – 8/13

 

 

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June First Friday is tonight in downtown Mount Vernon!

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WNZR is honored to partner with Main Street Mount Vernon for June First Friday.

Downtown Mount Vernon will be busy with activities tonight (6/2) for June First Friday.

Look for Big Blue near the public square.
Stop by and register to win a special “Clean Up and Dress Up” prize basket for the family featuring:

  • An entire house cleaning from Carefree Cleaning Company. Amy Kessler gives you 4 hours of house cleaning! (Valued at $100)!
  • Two $15.00 gift certificates for Premier Designs Jewelry with Amberly Frye
  • Plus WNZR goodies including an “On the Road with Big Blue t-shirt, jar openers, keychains, candy jar, Frisbee, guitar flyswatter and more! The prize package is valued at over $135!

First Friday events are from 6 to 9pm in downtown Mount Vernon. The family-friendly activities include balloon sculptor Rex Naylor, corn hole, a classic car cruise-in and music from Kokosing River Surf Club on the public square stage.

WNZR R.E.A.L. (Rachel Rinehart, Eddie Dilts and Lilly Buckley) will perform at the south stage – MVNU’s Buchwald Plaza Gazebo.

Click HERE to hear a conversation with Rachel, Eddie and Lilly.

Other activities include:

– The America Red Cross Centennial (100th) Anniversary Celebration. Enjoy a slice of the anniversary cake on the Public Square. Pick up displays and information on the Red Cross at their table. Talk with current volunteers to learn more about our local American Red Cross of Knox County. Activities and giveaways will be available for kids.

– “Water Works” exhibit at MVNU’s Schnormeier Gallery. Artist Barry Gunderson imagines key moments of his life in relation to specific bodies of water and the metaphors that arise from each. The show continues until 6/23.

– Food vendors on the square

It is family fun at Mount Vernon’s First Friday presented by the Heritage Center Association – an Ohio Main Street program.

Traffic will be closed one block north of the Public Square, around the Square and on South Main Street down to Ohio Avenue starting at 4:30 p.m. (on Friday 5/5). (Gambier Street will remain open). Rain location for the band is the CA & C Depot at 501 South Main Street. If you have questions, please contact Brianna Cooper-Risser, Executive Director, at 740-393-1481. More details about First Friday can be found at www.mainstreetmountvernon.com.

The mission of Main Street Mount Vernon is to create and enhance the economic, historic and social development of the central business district and downtown Mount Vernon. First Fridays are held the first Friday of each month May through October.

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June MVNU Presidential Update with Dr. Henry Spaulding

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The Morning Thing featured a conversation with Dr. Henry Spaulding today.
For our June MVNU Presidential Update, Dr. Spaulding discussed campus improvement projects, upcoming events for June, MVNU’s new Speech Therapy Clinic and the Spaulding’s busy travel schedule.

Click HERE to listen to June’s update on what is happening at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

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Are you ready for Memorial Day?

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The Morning Thing is helping you get ready for the Memorial Day Weekend.

There are many wonderful activities going on this weekend for you and your family.

The 43rd annual Sertoma Ice Cream Festival in Utica kicks off Saturday 5/27 and continues through Memorial Day.

The annual parade starts on Saturday morning at 11 in the village of Utica. The parade will form at the Utica High School located at the intersection of Church and Jefferson Streets and travel throughout the downtown streets of Utica.

Sunday, there will be a car show, displaying over 450 classic cars. Other activities include pony rides, an ice cream eating contest, and a balloon toss.

The festival will be held on Ohio 13 one mile south of Utica, on the grounds of the Energy Cooperative and Velvet Ice Cream Company.

The times for the Festival will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Look for the Big Blue Crew at the Utica Ice Cream Festival on Saturday for the parade. We will be throwing out candy! We will also take our Big Blue crew to the festival from
2-5pm. Come see us in the parking lot of Ye Olde Mill. Sign up to win a gift certificate for Velvet Ice Cream or Ye Olde Mill!

Click here to see a map for the parade.

Click here for the complete festival schedule.

Many Memorial Day celebrations are planned
There are several Memorial Day ceremonies for communities throughout Knox County scheduled for Monday.

In Mount Vernon, there will be a parade starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday starting on East High Street. The parade is followed by a dedication ceremony on the steps of the Memorial Building at 11:30 a.m. and an open house until 2:00 p.m.
Click HERE to hear our conversation with Kevin Henthorne, Executive Director of the Knox County Veterans Service Office. Kevin shared details of Monday’s special service in Mount Vernon.

Click HERE to see the changed route for the Mount Vernon parade.

There will also be a special re-dedication and open house for the renovated Memorial Building in downtown Mount Vernon. You can enjoy tours, theater programs and FREE refreshments from 11:30 a.m – 2:00 p.m. Click HERE to hear a conversation with Sara Lynn Kerr, Executive Director of the new and improved Knox County Memorial Building.

Centerburg will have a parade at 10:30 Monday morning, starting at the post office. Services at Eastview Cemetery will begin at 11:00.

In Fredericktown, events begin at 9:30 Monday morning at the east side of the square. The flag will be raised at 9:45, followed by the playing of the National Anthem. The parade will begin at 10:00 moving to Forest Cemetery.

Danville’s Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. on the square, heading to Memorial Park. Millwood Church of Christ pastor Dave Jones will be speaking at the park.

We also shared some yummy recipes from www.allrecipes.com for your Memorial Day picnics and gatherings.

Sensational Sirloin Kabobs

Steve’s Bodacious Barbecue Ribs

Cola Beans

Classic Macaroni Salad

Happy Memorial Day Weekend from WNZR!

 

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The “Audrie and Daisy” documentary is coming to Mount Vernon!

Audrie and Daisy

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. New Directions, the Domestic Abuse Shelter and Rape Crisis Center of Knox County is hosting a special viewing of the documentary “Audrie and Daisy” this Friday, 4/28/17. It will be shown in the Mount Vernon High School theater from 6:30pm – 9pm.

Click HERE to listen to a conversation with Marcy Rinehart of The Morning Thing and Lori Jones, Asst. Director and Delta Coordinator of New Directions.
There is power in knowledge and conversation!

Lori Jones said, “We want to start this conversation about sexual assault in our schools, around our dinner tables, and in our workplaces because this can no longer be a silent subject. It is important that our community is proactive, rather than reactive if and when we are faced with a similar situation. Parents and teens viewing this movie together will create an entry into a conversation that, otherwise, may never be discussed.”

The community showing of “Audrie and Daisy” is free and open to the public. For any questions or for more information, call 740-397-4357 or send an email to lori@newdirectionsshelter.org

For more information on New Directions visit www.newdirectionsshelter.org and Facebook.com/NewDirectionsShelterofKnoxCountyOhio

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A Look Back At 2016

Today on the Morning Thing, we focused on taking a look back at this year.

We shared some interesting events that happened throughout the year, including:

  • Jan 6 “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” breaks North American box office record, passing the $760.5m taken by “Avatar”
  • An unprecedented $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot that became a national fascination was split three ways, by mystery winners in Florida, Tennessee and California on January 13th
  • Jan 16 First ever flower grown in space – a zinnia aboard the International Space Station using NASA Veggie system
  • Feb 28 Actor Leonardo DiCaprio (finally!) won the Oscar for Best Actor
  • Mar 20 Barak Obama becomes the first US President to visit Cuba since 1928, arriving for a 2 day tour
  • On April 20 Harriet Tubman, an African-American abolitionist born into slavery, will be the new face on the $20 bill.
  • On April 21st Queen Elizabeth II — Britain’s oldest and longest-serving monarch — celebrated her 90th birthday
  • In May, NASA announced the Kepler mission has verified 1,284 new planets — the single largest finding of planets to date
  • On May 28 – A special Cincinnati Zoo response team shot and killed Harambe, a beloved 17-year-old western lowland gorilla, that grabbed and dragged a 4-year-old boy who had fallen into the gorilla exhibit moat.
  • The Rio Games, the first in South America, were a 16-day spectacle that combined numerous highlight reel moments with ugly and even bizarre episodes. American gymnast Simone Biles asserted her dominance with four golds, swimmer Michael Phelps added five more to up his staggering total to 23 and the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, put on his usual show with three golds just days before turning 30 years old.

You can find more of this years top headlines by clicking here and here.

We also honored some of those who passed away this year, including David Bowie, Prince, John Glenn, and Carrie Fisher. For a complete list of those we lost this year, click here.

We wrapped up the show by talking about some of the most watched TV shows and movies of the year. To see who topped the charts, head over here and here.

Have an awesome Wednesday!

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Happy National Sunglasses Day – The Morning Thing 6/27/16

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National Sunglasses Day is TODAY – June 27!

Every day—whether it’s sunny or cloudy, summer or winter—millions of Americans make the conscious decision to not wear sunglasses or other ultraviolet (UV)-protective eyewear. While seemingly harmless, this habit carries serious vision risks, many of which are not known or understood by those who fail to wear protective eyewear.

UV radiation is often recognized as the culprit for sunburns and skin cancer but most people are oblivious to the damaging impact the wavelengths inflict on our vision. The problem originates with the sun’s unfiltered ultraviolet (UV) rays. Just as these rays can burn skin cells, they can also harm unprotected eyes. A full day outside without protection can cause immediate, temporary issues such as swollen or red eyes and hypersensitivity to light. Years of cumulative exposure can cause cancer of the eye or eyelid, accelerate conditions like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

National Sunglasses Day is held annually on June 27. It is not only an observance but a reminder that our shades are a health necessity and it is important to wear sunglasses or other UV-protective eyewear every day to protect long-term eye health.

Here is some very valuable and “eye-opening” information from www.nationalsunglassesday.com

Kelsey in sunglasses

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Mount Vernon mourns the loss of 17 year old Chelsie Alaimo. (Updated)

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Local student dies after accident

Mount Vernon Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating an accident last night that took the life of a Mount Vernon High School senior.

17-year-old Chelsie Alaimo of Mount Vernon was struck and killed by a vehicle at the intersection of Mansfield Road and Belmont Avenue last night. Social media updates from family and friends indicate that Chelsie was transported to Knox Community Hospital, where she died from her injuries. Police remained at the scene until late last night.

Mount Vernon High School and Middle School staff and counselors will be available for students today.  Chelsie Alaimo was a member of the high school marching band and was part of the cast of The Secret Garden musical this past weekend.

Our condolences and prayers are with her family.

Funeral services will be held at Mount Vernon First Church of the Nazarene on Coshocton Ave. in Mount Vernon. Details of the date and time will be shared soon.

This afternoon/evening from 4 to 7 PM, at First Church of the Nazarene (807 Coshocton Ave.), the Sanctuary will be open for friends and family who just need a quiet place to reflect. Staff members of the Youth Ministry Team will be available to pray with anyone who just needs someone to “share their burden.” This will be a very quiet, no-pressure event – they just want to love on friends and family members during this difficult time. Join us this evening – pray, think, cry, support one another, ask questions. Just know that they are here for you!

chelsie with Mom

A fund has been established to help cover the expenses of the funeral.
Click HERE to find out how you can help.

**UPDATE**

Latest update from the Mt. Gilead Ohio State Patrol Post.

Knox County- Mount Vernon – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a fatal crash. The crash occurred at approximately 7:20 pm on Sunday November 8, in the city of Mt. Vernon, Knox County on Mansfield Ave. near Belmont Ave.

Curtis W. Hull, age 32, of Mount Vernon, Ohio was operating a Silver 2005 Chevrolet trailblazer southbound on Mansfield Ave. Chelsea R. Alaimo age 17 of Mt. Vernon, Ohio was crossing Mansfiled Ave. on foot. Mr. Hill struck Miss Alaimo as she was crossing the street.

Miss Alaimo was transported to The Knox County Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

The crash remains under investigation by the Mount Gilead Patrol Post.

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