Tag: News

One of WNZR’s Founding Fathers Helps Celebrate 39th Anniversary!

One of WNZR’s Founding Fathers, Bill Bridges who was a part of the original Mount Vernon Nazarene College Staff in 1968, stopped by to celebrate the 39th anniversary of WNZR!

Click HERE to hear the entire conversation with Bill and Station Manager, Marcy Rinehart!

Bill helped found the Speech and Communications Department. Bill says that Founders Hall wasn’t ready, so they met in October in various places throughout Mount Vernon.

Bill said that the dream of having a radio station started around 1978. He said that they interviewed Dr. Henry Smith (who was one of Marcy’s professors) and he joined the staff.

Bill said he taught a radio class before they even had a radio station. He says WMVO in Mount Vernon gave them an old sound board, so they were able to have radio classes. They would broadcast to those in the breezeway between Founders and Faculty Halls.

Bill says that he and Dr. Smith started researching what it would take to start a “real” radio station. Bill stayed until 1980 and passed the department to Dr. Smith while he returned to the ministry.

Bill says the staff at WNZR is living out his dream. He talks about what he thinks that God has done to make his dream come true. He says the current ministry of WNZR is more than just a radio station. It is a Lifeline. WNZR does more than just play good Christian music and read the news, but what kind of impact it has on the community.

Bill gives some wisdom to WNZR staff members, “Don’t be afraid to experiment. Don’t be afraid to try. Don’t be afraid of failing. You never truly succeed unless you really try and take chances. He says trust God and trust your fellow workers.”

Click HERE to check out WNZR’s awesome website and learn more about our ministry!

0

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.

0

April 2025 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

On the Morning Thing Friday, Mayor Matt Starr talked to Marcy Rinehart about the issues facing Mount Vernon.

Click HERE to hear the entire conversation.

He talks about major construction projects on Mansfield Avenue and Fairgrounds Roads. He also talks about a comprehensive infrastructure initiative regarding water lines and culvert replacements. The bid for the shared use path is also now open.

Mayor Starr then talks about the current municipal building and the safety of the building. He says that they need to move from the building as soon as possible.

Mayor Starr says renovations at Memorial Park have started and things are moving along nicely. The Harmony Playground is doing well and at Riverside Park the Splash Pad is almost done and should be open in May and the opening of Hiawatha Water Park.

Mayor Starr talks about Issue 2 which is on the statewide ballot this May. Issue 2 is a proposed change to the constitution that would let the state government borrow $2.5 billion over ten years—up to $250 million each year—to help local governments cover costs for public infrastructure projects.

Mayor Starr gives an update on city council. He talks about council working on a grant for the police station. He also says that a property transfer to the Land Bank has been a hot topic, an update on the Knox County Comprehensive Plan.  

Mayor Starr gives an update on the police department and their new facility.

Mayor Starr gives an update on the fire department and the large amount of training they have been doing. They’ve also applied for a First Responder grant.

Mayor Starr says that one of his goals for May is coming up with a plan to vacate the municipal plaza building. He also talks about some other projects around town.

Mayor Starr says that they are going to be applying for a $2.5 million grant for the Waste water Treatment Plant.

Mayor Starr talks about upcoming events for the city including the Yard Sale Trail which is this weekend.

Mayor Starr talks about how we can pray for him, city council and others trying to improve the lives of citizens of Mount Vernon. He also shares how you can stay up to date online.

Click HERE to visit the City of Mount Vernon’s website.

0

Winter in Downtown Mount Vernon is coming this weekend

Lacey Filkins, Executive Director Experience Mount Vernon stopped by WNZR to give us a highlight of Winter in Downtown Mount Vernon.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the link below.

Lacey talked about this year’s theme – A Vintage Holiday Celebration.
She highlighted the exciting schedule:
Saturday 11/30 – Shop Small Saturday
Sunday 12/1:
3:45pm – Annual Holiday Parade
4:15pm – Festive Family Fun
5:00pm – Lighting of the Public Square
5:30pm – 7:00pm – Pictures with Santa at the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel

Lacey shared about the parade route and the best place to be seated. There are 60 different floats signed up for this year! There are 10 different awards including Best Overall, Judges Choice and Best Youth (sponsored by WNZR/MVNU). The parade is a Food For The Hungry collection point. FFTH will push carts in the parade so that people can donate while they walk through downtown. If there is rain, the parade is rescheduled for Sunday, December 8th at the same time and location.

Lacey talks about the Festive Family Fun. After the parade the public square will be filled with the Dogwood Blossoms singing carols. There will be ornament craft tables, letters to Santa, three different food trucks and a holiday market.

The lighting of the public square will take place when it gets dark. Santa and Mayor Star will be there. Santa is in the lower lobby of the Grand Hotel at 5:30-7:00pm. Pictures with Santa are free!

Lacey also talks about the Festival of Lights. This is the 5th annual Festival of Lights. You can register your display until December 9th on the Experience Mount Vernon website. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScksKY80Qo8FnzLeeEp9BbkAEaXPGRSvN830GMtkzjOHTl43A/viewform

The event starts at 6:00pm on December 14th. They have four different categories. Best Storefront, Best Classic White Light Display, Best Vintage Inspired and Best Light Up the City Display.

The public is invited to vote as well as the assigned judges. The 14th, 15th and 16th are the voting dates.

The winners will be announced on the Experience Mount Vernon Facebook page on the 17th by 5pm. Winners will also be emailed directly.

Lacey wants to thank Park National Bank, Burrata Woodfired, Knox Community Hospital, Dumbaugh Insurance, Shelter Insurance, Ariel Corporation for their sponsorship. She would also like to thank the City Streets Department and MVPD for coordinating the parade. Lacey would like to thank their volunteers and for Santa.

Lacey would like to thank True Cut Landscaping and for volunteers for hanging the lights and ornaments in the square.

Lacey talks about future events that Experience Mount Vernon is planning for 2025. They are already planning their First Fridays. July First Friday will take place on a Thursday in 2025 to plan around July 4th weekend.

You can signup to the Experience Mount Vernon newsletter to keep up to date on all Experience Mount Vernon events. They also post updates on their website and Facebook page. https://www.experiencemv.org/

0

Knox County Elementary kids are collecting donations for Food For The Hungry this week!

WNZR is honored to partner with the 43rd annual Food For The Hungry Drive.
Today, The Morning Thing shared talked with Debbie Ruggles, President of Psi Iota Xi Sorority about this year’s elementary school collection.
Psi Iota Xi has been involved with FFTH for 25 years!

Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the link below.

The collection is happening this week – 11/18 – 11/22 at all Knox County Elementary schools: Centerburg, Danville, East Knox, Fredericktown, Columbia, Dan Emmett, Pleasant Street, East, St. Vincent DePaul, Twin Oak and Wiggin Street. The Knox Learning Center and 6th Grade at Mount Vernon Middle School are also participating.

Debbie shared that there are rewards for the top collectors:
– The Top Class in each school will receive a pizza party from Psi Iota Xi
– The top donor from each school will be honored in the Food For The Hungry broadcast at the Knox County Memorial Building on Friday, Dec. 13. The students will be recognized on our live video stream at www.mvnu.tv, as well as on 100.9 FM and 93.7 HD2 – WMVO, with reports given on WNZR and 93.7 the Super Q. 

A green flyer went home with the kids this past Friday sharing all the details. This flyer also included the Top 10 food items needed at our local pantries.

The Top 10 items needed for our local pantries include soup (pop-tops or packages), jelly, canned meals (ravioli, spaghettios, etc.), breakfast foods (cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix), canned fruit, canned vegetables, pasta/egg noodles, side dishes (boxed or packaged), peanut butter, and pasta sauce. 

Though non-food donations are welcome, cash donations are encouraged because $1 donated is equivalent to $4.56 of buying power through the Mid-Ohio Collective. Checks should be made payable to Food For The Hungry. All donations collected in each school will stay in the community in which they were donated. These students are asked to demonstrate the idea that no one is too young to make a difference and that the community is better when we work together!

Follow FFTH on Facebook (@FoodForTheHungryKnoxCounty) and Instagram (@FFTHCares) to stay up to date on all things FFTH. Get involved by attending events, donating, volunteering, or even hosting your own event for FFTH! If you are hosting an event or collection, make sure to fill out the Community Event/Collection Form on the FFTH website. 

To learn more about FFTH, donate, or find photos, videos, and more, visit www.FoodForTheHungryCares.org. To volunteer with FFTH, call or text Kathy Brechler at (740)-409-1866 or email Director@FoodForTheHungryCares.org. 

The 2024 FFTH Live Broadcast will take place on Friday, Dec. 13 at the Memorial Theater inside the Knox Memorial. This is a Knox County tradition you won’t want to miss!

Food For The Hungry—Working together to care for our neighbors. 

0

Knox Public Health is helping teens with driver’s education training

Knox Public Health has exciting news to share. There is an exciting program for driver’s education – the Drive to Succeed Scholarship Program.
Suzanne Dapprich, the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and Safe Communities Coordinator and Nicole Lybarger, Public Relations Coordinator stopped by WNZR to share about this wonderful program.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Knox Public Health has received two grants from the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The first one totaled $15,000 which has been distributed to area youth. Knox County has now received the second phase of the grant – $142,000 to use for the Drive to Succeed Scholarships.

The ladies share the goals of the program and how these scholarships can help families in our community. They also take us through the process for applications and what happens once students are accepted in the program.

Students can apply by reaching out to Suzanne Dapprich at sdrapprich@knoxhealth.com or call 740-392-2200, Ext. 2225.
More information is also available at knoxhealth.com

0

WNZR visits the Knox County Board of Elections and talks with Director Jim Blazer

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart attended Media Day at the Knox County Board of Elections. She received a tour and an in-depth look at how our local office is preparing for the upcoming election.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the graphic below.

She talked with Director Jim Blazer about his #1 priority for the upcoming General Election. He wants to give the opportunity for every registered voter to vote in this election and for every voter to know that their vote will count.
They talked about the checks and balances that are in place with a bipartisan team.

Jim talks about the different ways that residents can vote in this general election.
The deadline for an absentee application by mail is October 29.
Early Voting opened up on October 8th for voting at the Board of Elections, 104 East Sugar Street in Mount Vernon. Early voting will close on November 3rd.
The office will be closed on 11/4 to prepare for election day.
Precincts will open at 7am on Election Day, 11/5 throughout Knox County.

Jim talks about the increase of registered voters as they prepare for the general election.
Knox County currently has 43,464 registered voters (as of 10/1/24), but Jim anticipates that number to go over 44,000 by election day.
He also anticipates a turnout of 75 – 80% of registered voters for this election. The Knox County Team anticipates the largest turnout in the history of Knox County.

For more information, go to www.boe.ohio.gov/knox/ or call the office at 740-393-6716.

0

United Way Campaign Kickoff Week

Yesterday we talked with Executive director of the United Way of Knox County, Kelly Brenneman, about the United Way’s campaign kickoff week. To hear our full conversation with Kelly click HERE.

Kelly shared all about the United Way of Knox county and gives us the inside scoop to the campaign kickoff. Kelly also shares how to get involved and stay up to date with the calendar. Click HERE for more info.

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑