Registered

A Coronavirus Q&A with Dr. Brian Wolfe

August 13th, 2021  |  25 mins 35 secs

allen county, coronavirus, covid-19, delta, iola, kansas, vaccine

Register reporter Vickie Moss interviews Dr. Brian Wolfe of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and a longtime physician in Iola about the troubling surge in COVID-19 cases. As vaccination rates remain stubbornly low and well below herd immunity, it seems we may be done with the coronavirus, but it is certainly not done with us.

For Josh Granere, Peerless Product's arrival is personal

November 6th, 2020  |  24 mins 19 secs

allen county, economic development, iola, peerless products

In today’s episode, Tim Stauffer speaks with Josh Granere, Peerless Product’s incoming plant manager for their new Iola facility, about what it means for him as an Allen County native, to be a part of bringing Peerless to little old Iola, Kansas.

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.

John Brocker says he knows the right people

July 23rd, 2020  |  27 mins 29 secs

allen county, allen county kansas, business, infrastructure, internet, iola, politics, realtor

John Brocker has been a businessman and realtor in Iola for 45 years. He served as president of the Kansas Association of Realtors in 2012. This year, he’s running for a seat on the Allen County commission, the same seat he briefly held until losing to Bruce Symes, the District 3 incumbent, in 2018.

In today’s episode, the fifth in our series covering local candidates, we speak with Brocker about what’s motivating him to run again, his priorities if he wins the Aug 4 Republican primary against Symes, and how his business background would guide his decisions as commissioner.

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.

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.

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.