Registered

Bruce Symes: We need steady hands on the tiller

July 16th, 2020  |  33 mins 33 secs

agriculture, allen county, allen county kansas, covid-19, infrastructure, politics, roads, rural

In today’s episode, as we continue speaking with local candidates facing primary challenges in the upcoming Aug. 4 election, we talked with Bruce Symes. He’s seeking a second term as Allen County Commissioner, representing District 3. A former Register reporter, he now teaches at Allen Community College. We reached him by phone, as he was in Wichita accompanying his father undergo a heart procedure.

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.

"We felt the knee on our neck."

June 24th, 2020  |  32 mins 16 secs

activism, african american, iola, kansas, race, racism, rally, voices

Ana Davis took the stage at Iola’s June 7th rally for Black Lives. Although seemingly a shy soul, Ana delivered a powerful and impassioned speech, insisting we have no time to waste creating a better world for our children. Her youngest son Mack, age 12, stood by her side.

Almost two weeks later, on Juneteenth, Tim Stauffer spoke with her about her experiences growing up as a Black American and living in Iola, her thoughts about what needs to change, and how, amidst the tireless struggle for justice, she finds joy.

If not me, then who?

June 21st, 2020  |  41 mins 15 secs

activism, iola, kansas, race, racism, rally, solidarity, voices

In recent weeks, Daniel and Nicole Schowengerdt of Iola have taken an increasingly active role in fighting for racial justice by attending marches, creating petitions and having tough--but necessary--conversations with friends and family.

Tim Stauffer sits down to talk with the couple about motivates them, how they discuss racism with their children and the road our country has left to travel.

Voices from the Black Lives Matter rally in Iola

June 8th, 2020  |  36 mins 45 secs

black lives matter, george floyd, iola, kansas, rally, solidarity, voices

Yesterday, on June 7th, over 250 people attended a rally on Iola's square in support of Black Lives Matter, using the event to stand against racism, express solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, and to commemorate the death of George Floyd.

Register staff were in attendance speaking with demonstrators about why they were there and what needs to change. Here are their voices.

Fourteen months in, Rebecca Johnson has had few chances to catch her breath

June 6th, 2020  |  34 mins

covid-19 pandemic, health, public health, sek multi-county health department, southeast kansas

In this week’s episode, Tim Stauffer sits down with Rebecca Johnson, the director of the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department, to talk about her first fourteen months on the job.

In her short tenure, she’s been tasked with leading Allen, Anderson, Bourbon and Woodson counties in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rebecca and Tim talk about what the SEK Multi-County Health Department is doing—as well as where it can improve—in its efforts to keep us all safe and healthy.

The Westervelt family weaves their way on the trails, together

May 29th, 2020  |  22 mins 50 secs

allen county kansas, covid-19, family, iola, pandemic, prairie spirit, trails

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Jaime Westervelt, her parents Mike and Leah Oswald, and Jaime's three children Wyatt, Griffen and Jolee, made very regular use of the trails. Now, though, with the family stuck at home much more, the trails have provided a refuge and escape from these distressing times. And somewhere along the gravel chert paths, they grew closer as a family as well.

In this episode, recorded on a rainy May evening, reporter Trevor Hoag and Tim Stauffer accompany the Westervelt family on one of their walks on the Prairie Spirit Trail.

Kurt Jackson’s quest: Add value to life. Every single day.

May 19th, 2020  |  43 mins 35 secs

alcoholism, depression, mental health, mental health awareness month, motivation, substance abuse, suicide, youth

In this week’s episode, we speak with Kurt Jackson of Yates Center. Kurt is a youth motivational speaker and life coach. Our conversation with him--which touched on his battles with depression and alcohol and his journey to health— was originally broadcast via Facebook Live and is part of our effort to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s also a testament to the power of candidly discussing mental health issues.

Pregnant in the midst of a pandemic

May 10th, 2020  |  31 mins 48 secs

allen county kansas, covid-19, iola, pandemic, pregnancy

Iola residents Katie Mitchell and Kyle Lovseth share what it’s like to be expecting a child in the midst of a pandemic. Katie, a Sociology professor at Allen Community College, is 31 weeks pregnant. She and Kyle are expecting their first child.

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.

Savannah Flory on her visions for TLC Garden Center and her beloved LaHarpe

March 11th, 2020  |  22 mins 35 secs

laharpe, rural life, small businesses, tlc garden center

Tim Stauffer sits down with Savannah Flory of TLC Garden Center to discuss the life of a small business owner committed to building a stronger LaHarpe.

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.