Richard Luken

Bidding farewell to our beloved Bob Johnson

August 3rd, 2020  |  27 mins 28 secs

allen county kansas, humboldt, iola, journalism, learning, newspapers, reporting

Bob Johnson began working at The Iola Register on July 6, 1964. 56 years later, almost to the day, he penned his last “Weeks End” column in the July 11, 2020 edition of the Register.

In this week’s podcast, Richard and Tim talk with Bob about what he’s seen and learned over a lifetime of journalism. Remarkably enough, Bob encountered only three editors— Angelo Scott, Emerson Lynn and Susan Lynn. But in terms of content, well, Bob’s articles number in the tens of thousands, covering everything from football to city council meetings to slugs. Yes, slugs.

David Lee wants to talk growth

July 27th, 2020  |  32 mins 40 secs

allen county, allen county kansas, growth, infrastructure, politics, rural

In today’s episode, we headed out to LaHarpe’s City Hall to speak with David Lee. Lee is running for a seat on the Allen County Commission. He faces Craig Mentzer and Eugene Weatherbie in the August 4 Republican primary.

Lee believes Allen County has the tools for robust economic development, and much of our conversation focused on his ideas on how to ensure the county prospers—and how his experiences make him, as he says, uniquely qualified for the job.

Armando Hernandez pledges cooperation in Topeka

July 17th, 2020  |  25 mins 47 secs

9th district, allen county, kansas, neosho county, politics

In today’s episode, we spoke with Armando Hernandez of Chanute. He’s challenging Rep. Kent Thompson of LaHarpe for his seat in the Kansas House’s 9th District, which includes Iola, Humboldt and Chanute. The Republican primary is August 4, but you can cast your ballot now—advanced voting has already begun.

A retired chiropractor and currently employed as a computer service technician, Hernandez has a strong interest in economic development, healthcare and bipartisanship. In his words, Republicans and Democrats “can work together. We always have.”

Craig Mentzer’s push for affordable internet access

July 13th, 2020  |  31 mins 2 secs

agriculture, allen county, allen county kansas, broadband, infrastructure, internet access, politics, rural

For today’s episode, Richard and I headed out to Craig and Denise Mentzer’s home in rural Allen County, southeast of Neosho Falls. Craig is running for a seat on the Allen County Commission and faces Eugene Weatherbie and David Lee in the August 4 Republican primary.

As we spoke in their sunroom, a multi-million dollar rain, as Craig called it, gentle fell and tapered off as our conversation advanced. We spoke on a wide variety of topics, from his interest in affordable rural internet access, infrastructure and farming.

The easiest vote Kent Thompson ever cast? A yes for Medicaid expansion

July 9th, 2020  |  27 mins 56 secs

9th district, allen county, kansas, neosho county, politics

In this week's episode, we speak with Kent Thompson at his real estate and auction office in Iola. This is the first in a series of episodes with locals seeking elected office and face a primary opponent this August 4.

A rural LaHarpe resident, Thompson has represented Kansas's 9th House District, which covers Allen County and much of Neosho County, since 2013. He faces Armando Hernandez of Chanute in this August's primary.

Cynthia Carr probably taught your parents, too

July 2nd, 2020  |  26 mins 16 secs

city council, iola, kansas, laharpe, librarian, mayor, small towns

In today’s episode, Richard Luken sits down with Cynthia Carr, longtime Iola Middle School librarian, LaHarpe city council member, and co-owner of the RV Park in LaHarpe.

We took some time to talk about her experiences as an educator, her perspective on LaHarpe’s recent progress and the work still to be done in the Allen County community.

Now more than ever, Lisse Regehr sees an Allen County that’s coming together

April 27th, 2020  |  30 mins 39 secs

allen county, covid-19, economic development, iola, kansas, pandemic, thrive allen county

Register reporter Trevor Hoag, editor Susan Lynn and Tim Stauffer sit down with Lisse Regehr, the CEO of Thrive Allen County, to discuss what she’s hearing from Allen County businesses and individuals in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and what Thrive is doing to help.

Next year, Regina Chriestenson plans to savor every moment.

April 20th, 2020  |  22 mins 7 secs

covid-19, drama, education, iola, iola high school, speech, usd 257

We speak with Regina Chriestenson, the speech and drama instructor at Iola High School, on how she and her students have dealt with the abrupt end to their school year, and for her seniors, their entire high school careers.

Dr. Brian Wolfe can't say it enough: Wash. Your. Hands.

April 7th, 2020  |  26 mins 9 secs

allen county kansas, community health center, coronavirus, covid-19, health, healthcare, iola

Dr. Brian Wolfe of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas answers our questions about COVID-19 and offers insights on how to best protect ourselves here in Allen County.

Ray Maloney and how to build a workforce for the future

March 5th, 2020  |  31 mins 34 secs

allen county, employment, laharpe, workforce training

Richard Luken and Tim Stauffer sit down with Ray Maloney of Ray's Metal Depot to discuss his efforts to train Allen County's workforce and prepare our kids for the future. He discussed his role in the Regional Rural Tech Center, a USD 257 school bond issue and a new initiative to build tiny homes in LaHarpe.

Don Bain: The luckiest guy in the world

February 13th, 2020  |  27 mins 19 secs

allen county, education, iola, teachers, usd 257

This Valentine's Day, Don Bain, a longtime educator, principal and superintendent for USD 257, will be honored between the girls and boys basketball games at Iola High School. In this special episode, Tim Stauffer spoke with Richard Luken about his recent interview with "the luckiest guy in the world."

Erica Stoll and LaHarpe's bet on new housing

December 26th, 2019  |  19 mins 19 secs

allen county, community, development, housing, kansas, laharpe, pride

Erica Stoll and Richard Luken, both of LaHarpe Pride, and Marcia Davis of Thrive Allen County, discuss LaHarpe's latest effort to bring new housing to town.

Linda Womelsdorf

October 18th, 2019  |  9 mins 12 secs

allen county, community, kansas, laharpe, pride, public health, wellness

Tim Stauffer sits down with Linda Womelsdorf to talk about her role as the Health and Wellness Director of LaHarpe, KS.

Sonny and Sandy Northcutt

September 20th, 2019  |  10 mins 6 secs

allen county, community, kansas, laharpe, pride

Hosts Richard Luken and Tim Stauffer sit down with Sonny and Sandy Northcutt.

Ella Mae Crowell

May 8th, 2019  |  8 mins

electricity, laharpe, mayor, park

In this week's podcast, we sit down with Ella Mae Crowell, the mayor of LaHarpe.

Richard Luken

April 11th, 2019  |  10 mins

allen county, community, kansas, laharpe, pride

For our second episode, we sat down with longtime LaHarpe Pride member (and Register reporter) Richard Luken.