Category: News

Mariya Tatarin talks to WNZR about Operation Christmas Child

Mariya Tatarin is from Ukraine and received a shoebox at the age of 10 and she talks about how she felt from this, the box had hygiene items, school supplies and toys.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Mariya talks about her favorite toy when she got her shoebox growing up as well as some of her story when she grew up and the massive impact receiving the shoebox made on her life. She also talks about the book she received “the greatest story ever told” and she ended up gifting that book to her neighbors and it helped share the gospel to them.

Mariya shares more of her story and because of the shoebox, the kids around her saw that God knew who needed that shoebox and how people all over the world who do his work.

She talks about how she moved to America due to religious persecution and the how the process took a long time. Now she travels to Churches, schools and communities to share her story and get to be a real person to see the impact of Operation Christmas Child. Mariya shares how you can pray for the people of Ukraine struggling with the war, she says to pray for God to intervene and bring and end to the war.

Mariya shares a message for people packing shoeboxes, she’s very grateful and thankful for people taking their time to help pack shoeboxes; so many people who receive the shoeboxes have never even heard of the gospel and it makes a huge impact on the lives of kids. She says 11.5 million shoeboxes are packed each year and she talks about how important it is to see the people who sent the shoebox. She still keeps the picture of the family who packed the shoebox for her in her bible in hopes of meeting them.

She talks about why you should take the step to help support Operation Christmas Child and shares a message to people who haven’t ever packed one before. Its intimidating at first, but Mariya says to just start with the basics and you’ll start coming up with new things to put into your box. It makes an impact and it makes a difference.

Mariya Tatarin is sharing her story this Friday at 7pm at Gilead Friends Church, and she talks about how you can pray for her and how she wants God to speak through her to the people listening. Pray for Operation Christmas Child to have all their volunteer needs filled with people trying to share God’s love and good news.

Click HERE to learn about Operation Christmas Child.

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WNZR presents the September 2025 MVNU Presidential Update

MVNU President Dr. Carson Castleman stops by to give his September update to WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

He is excited to start the 2025-26 school year and is happy to see the students back on campus and out in the community.

He says enrollment is growing in both traditional and non-traditional students and they have added 13 new faculty members.

Dr. Castleman talks about the restructure of the university into two schools. CAPS stands for College of Arts and Professional Studies for non-traditional students. CAST which is the College of Arts and Sciences is the traditional 18–22-year-old students. They also restructured the deans and administrative roles of the staff.

Dr. Castleman talks about the 4 C’s which was a focus on the recent Faculty and Staff Awards earlier this month: conviction, conversation, care, and connection.

He explains how the 4 C’s are a centerpiece for the MVNU community.

Dr. Castleman shares a special bible verse as a focus for the university this year from Isaiah 43:19 (NIV), “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

He says that the cabinet helped determined the verse because MVNU is stepping outside the normal doom and gloom at other campuses and that God is doing something new here at MVNU and we are changing the world.

Dr. Castleman gives an update on the construction at the Chapel. He said there was an issue with carpeting over the summer and that put the project behind. He said God provided both in time and financially to help get the campaign finalized.

Dr. Castleman gives an explanation on the opening of the entrance at front of campus that had a security hut. He said that he received some feedback and believed that the entrance needed to be re-opened for several reasons.

He also gives an update with the Hunter Wright hub in downtown Mount Vernon.

Dr. Castleman gives an update on his plans are for the fall and he is planning on staying on campus this fall as some transitions take place and is getting back in the classroom.

Dr. Castleman gives some words of encouragement to the students, faculty and staff.

Dr. Castleman also explains how we can pray for the students, faculty, staff and university this fall.

Click HERE to find out more about Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

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NO! THIS IS PATRICK!!!! Carpenter Talks about Role as Patrick in SpongeBob the Musical

WNZR spoke to Karma Carpenter about her role as Patrick Star in the performance, she says she watched a lot of the show to play her favorite character.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Karma gives an example of what voice she’s doing for the show.

Karma talks about how her character Is perfect in the way where she’s able to be creative in how she plays it.

Click HERE for information on SpongeBob the Musical!

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Ortel Enjoys Breaking News in SpongeBob the Musical!

Vincent Ortel spoke with WNZR about his role in the musical as Perch Perkins who is a news host.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Vincent talks about how he enjoys how his character can easily give bad news.

Vincent talks about that since this is his first performance he didn’t think he was going to get a part, but he was excited to get one.

Vincent goes on explaining how his costume is going to look in the show.

Vincent gives some advice to kids who haven’t done a performance but want to get started.

Vincent says people should come out and see the performance because it will be a memorable show all.

Click HERE for information on SpongeBob the Musical!

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Knox County Ministries Give Important Updates

This past week has been filled with its fair share of challenges and unexpected turns, but even amid turbulence, God continues to move in powerful and awe-inspiring ways.

We’ve had the incredible opportunity to highlight the work being done right here in our own backyard, shining a light on the various ministries making an impact across Knox County.

It’s a beautiful reminder that no matter what’s happening in the world around us, God’s presence remains steady—and His work continues through the faithful efforts of those serving on the ground.

We have updates from

Click HERE for more information on the Knox Network of Christian Ministries.

Click HERE to hear all the conversations that were done during Praisestock 2025.

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Husband Shares How Prayer Helped During Search for Missing Wife

WNZR’s Eric Brown spoke with Don Horn who shares his testimony about the events surrounding his wife Barbara going missing and the incredible power of prayer that led to her being found.

Don explains what led to Barbara leaving the house and other events surrounding the time went missing and getting back on the mend.

Don also talks about the amazing thing that happened while Barbara went missing and how miraculous the power of prayer is!

Click HERE to hear the amazing testimony!

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Money! Money! Money! Mr. Krabs is Ready for SpongeBob the Musical!

MTV Arts presents SpongeBob the Musical this weekend!

On the Morning Thing Monday, Marcy Rinehart spoke with Zayden Luckmeier who is 13, in 7th grade at Fredericktown Middle School, and he playing Mr. Krabs.

He talks about how he’s been preparing for the role and how he’s been preparing for the role by watching a ton of SpongeBob and he throws some lines from what he’ll be saying.

For the show, Zayden’s costume will look like for the show to try and look the best like Mr. Krabs.

Things are heating up in Bikini Bottom—literally. When the residents find out a volcano is about to blow and wipe out their underwater town, SpongeBob and his crew have no choice but to team up and try to stop it. Just when it seems like there’s no hope left, an unlikely hero steps up. Turns out, a little optimism can go a long way—even when the whole ocean’s at risk.

There are four shows:

Friday Sept 12 • 7:30 PM
Saturday Sept 13 • 2:00 PM
Saturday Sept 13 • 7:30 PM
Sunday Sept 14 • 2:00 PM

Click HERE to see ticket information for the show.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

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Cool Wigs! Wig Designer talks about SpongeBob the Musical which Premieres Friday

MTV Arts Presents SpongeBob the Musical this weekend!

On Monday, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart spoke with wig designer, Ainsley Sweeney.

Ainsley is 15 and, a Sophomore in high school at Mt. Vernon and is the wig designer. She talks what she does as the wig designer and some of the challenges in designing wigs. She has been in theatre for a while, she reminisces about past roles and how she got interested in wig design.

Things are heating up in Bikini Bottom—literally. When the residents find out a volcano is about to blow and wipe out their underwater town, SpongeBob and his crew have no choice but to team up and try to stop it. Just when it seems like there’s no hope left, an unlikely hero steps up. Turns out, a little optimism can go a long way—even when the whole ocean’s at risk.

There are four shows:

Friday Sept 12 • 7:30 PM
Saturday Sept 13 • 2:00 PM
Saturday Sept 13 • 7:30 PM
Sunday Sept 14 • 2:00 PM

Click HERE to see ticket information for the show.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

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MVNU Faculty invite you to the fun and interactive Education Fair at September First Friday

September First Friday’s theme is “Back to School”! MVNU Faculty members encourage you to join the focus on education in downtown Mount Vernon. Families are invited to participate in the education activity and department fair located in the Public Square. From 6pm to 9pm, you be able to visit multiple tables hosted by MVNU Departments. You and your kids will get the chance for hands-on learning and exploration. Find out more about MVNU and have some FUN this Friday 9/5 from 6pm – 9pm.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with these professors:
Click HERE to hear their conversations.
Dr. Jose Oomman – Engineering – This department will offer tours of the newly renovated Hunter Wright Hub for Engineering and Computer Science. Stop by the basement of 18 East Vine Street.
Dr. Jon Bosley – Environmental Biology – Stop by their table to see rocks, minerals, fossils, plants and other items related to biology.
Dr. Dawn McKee – Communication Sciences and Disorders – Stop by and pick out a gently used book and a children’s book about stuttering. Find out about MVNU’s Speech Therapy Services.
Dr. Rachel Young – Social Work – Their table will focus on self-care! Stop by to pick up your own self-care bag!
Professor Amy Dubusky – Education – Stop by their table and make an origami bookmark. You can also sign up for a book giveaway and a book bundle.
Dr. Deb Garee – Nursing – Stop by their table and pick up a sensory bag filled with health care items. They will also be giving away gently used children’s books.

Don’t forget to stop by Big Blue and see talk to students in the Communication & Media (Digital Media) Major. You can be part of a live broadcast, sign up for a great prize basket and sing our Birthday song!

We will see you and your family this Friday from 6pm – 9pm in downtown Mount Vernon!

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2025 Fredericktown Tomato Show Underway

The 2025 Fredericktown Tomato Show runs Wednesday through Saturday.

WNZR’s Eric Brown spoke to various members of the board about some of the events at the show.

Click HERE to hear all the conversations.

  • Chris Well has been with the Fredericktown Tomato Show for 48 years. She oversees the little Miss Tomato Show and the Plate Auction, and she shares a bit of info about what that is as well as what she does with them. She goes into detail about the plate auction, its theme this year is America’s pastime, and how important it is for the continuation of the Tomato show.
  • Lesley Ruggles has been a board member for the tomato show for 12 years; she is the director at large for the show. She is also in charge of the Baby Crawling contest and shares a bit about the fun event.
  • Michael Maggard oversees the big wheel races and bathtub races. She talks about why it’s important for you to have a driver’s license.
  • Todd Lindeman has been with the tomato show for 4 years. He is one of two directors in charge of the parade, and he talks about some of the logistical challenges to run a parade; he also talks about the 1.6 mile route for the parade. He talks about what he’s most looking forward to during the show this year
  • Cale Grubb also talks about the rides and the fact that a recent project opened up the possibility of bringing bigger rides to the event.

Click HERE to find out more about the Fredericktown Tomato Show.

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