Registered

Kale Godfrey is 19 years old and has already completed his first marathon. But he’s not stopping there. Kale has already signed up for his second marathon this fall and has completed two half-marathons. The 2025 Iola graduate wasn’t always a runner—he joined cross country for the first time his senior year. But in the span of just a few years, running has changed Kale. It’s changed his attitude, h...

SAFE BASE is gearing up for another summer full of fun, learning, and unforgettable field trips. The free summer program for K-8th grade students in USD 257 starts June 1 and runs Monday-Thursday through June 25. In this week’s episode of “Registered,” SAFE BASE director Angela Henry speaks about what she loves most about her work, the impact SAFE BASE has on the community, and her hopes for the p...

Mark Peters is one of three new Iola City Council members sworn in this January. But Peters has been here before—he represented Ward 4 before stepping down in April 2024 to care for his late wife. In this week’s episode of “Registered,” we speak with Peters on what motivated him to return to City Council, what he hopes to accomplish, and what concerns him about Iola’s future.

Taelyn Mathews is a school-based therapist with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center. She’s based in Iola Middle and High Schools and has a master’s degree insocial work. As the school year ends, it’s a good time to check in with Mathews about what she’s experienced this school year—her first in USD 257. What are students struggling with? How does she help? It’s clear Mathews is a therapist who d...

It’s tornado season in Kansas. To help get prepared, we spoke with Jason Trego of Allen County Emergency Management on what to do if a storm approaches, and how to make sure you and your family are safe no matter what rolls our way this season. Trego is Allen County’s Emergency Manager. Part of his job, which he describes as 90% preparation and 10% action, is to make sure Allen County residents ar...

Doug Kerr launched a successful write-in campaign last fall to win a Ward 1 seat on Iola’s City Council. Sworn in this January, he’s now several months into his first term. Kerr and his family lived in Iola, moved away, and now are back. In this week’s episode of “Registered,” we speak with Kerr about his time so far on the Council, what he’s learned and what he hopes to accomplish. At the top of...

Jeremiah Ivy grew up in Iola. A 2008 graduate of Iola High School, he now works at B&W Trailer Hitches, is married, and has two daughters. Ivy was elected to his first term on the Iola City Council last November, so he’s still learning the ropes and getting up to speed. But he already has several things he hopes to address, and he seems determined to make the most of his time on the Council. I...

Allen sophomore Shania Charles is a leader on campus—she’s president of Student Senate, a captain of the women’s soccer team, Phi Theta Kappa president, and more. She’s also taken a lead role in organizing a World Food Fair planned for Friday, April 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It’s a free event, and the public is invited. The idea came from Allen students as part of the America 250 project, a joint...

Donita Garner has been at Hope Unlimited for almost 30 years. She’s been the Child Advocacy Center Coordinator there since 2009. April is a busy time at Hope Unlimited. It’s both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As part of their efforts to commemorate these causes, Garner has been visiting with cities and counties across Hope Unlimited’s service area. Talking about...

Shawn Geffert is a fifth-generation farmer based in Humboldt. He’s the first to admit he didn’t always think he’d go into farming, but now that he’s found his footing, his innovative approach to the industry is notable: strip-tilling, pesticide reduction, and autonomous robots, just to name a few. But with high fertilizer and fuel costs, depressed markets, and trade uncertainty, now is a very chal...

Today is International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women around the world. In this week’s episode of “Registered,” we speak with one of Iola’s most esteemed women leaders, Mary Kay Heard. Heard has served Iola in a variety of roles. A former business owner, she currently is chairwoman of Iola Industries and on the hospital’s community board. In the past, she has...

Amanda Holman has been the advisor of Iola High School’s FFA chapter for the last nine years. She’s watched how the organization has helped develop leaders and challenge young people to grow in new and exciting ways. This week is National FFA Week, a chance to celebrate the nation’s largest student-led organization and reflect on its impact. In this week’s episode of “Registered,” we do just that,...

Kyle Kessler is the executive director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, an organization that advocates for the 25 community mental health centers across the state. In this week’s episode of “Registered,” we speak with Kessler about what he calls an “unwavering mission” to improve mental health outcomes for Kansans. Two years ago, Kansas was ranked dead last for ment...

Whether it’s the district’s Humboldt Promise program, the new Cubs Community Care Center, limiting cell phone use in schools, or improvements from a $17.5 million bond issue voters passed in 2022, Humboldt schools are rapidly retooling to meet students’ needs and prepare them for a changing world. At the heart of it is Superintendent Dr. Amber Wheeler, now in her fifth year at the district. The ch...

Seth Bolling practically grew up in Moran Locker, the town’s family-owned butcher shop and meat processing facility. Bolling is the fourth generation of his family to work in the business, so he understands intimately the beef industry and local agriculture. He has most of his customers’ phone numbers memorized. In this week’s episode of Registered, we talk with Bolling about the state of today’s...

Iola USD 257 Superintendent Stacey Fager has been in education his whole career. He came to Iola 19 years ago and has led the school district since 2017. Fager believes in public education and its importance to young people, communities and our society. He’s also clear-eyed about the challenges public schools face today. In this episode of “Registered,” we talk with Fager about a bill to ban cell...

Callee Kaufman is a health and wellness coach at Humboldt Fitness. Her approach to health is very different from what you’d expect from a personal trainer. In fact, she urges her clients to rethink everything they’d ever heard about health, exercise, their bodies, nutrition and more. In this week’s episode of “Registered,” Tim Stauffer speaks with Kaufman about her approach to wellness, her proble...

Mayor Lee Roberts is Moran’s new mayor. Brand new, in fact; he was sworn in as mayor on January 5. In this week’s episode of Registered, Tim Stauffer speaks with Mayor Roberts about how he plans to move Moran forward. What does the town need to grow? How can it prepare for the future? Here’s our conversation.

In this week’s episode of “Registered,” Tim Stauffer talks with Iola City Administrator Matt Rehder about how a cold call from Vine Energy set the wheels in motion for what is Iola’s first data center. Data centers come with controversy and concern. Rehder talks on the record about his views on the project, the concern of rising utility rates, and how the data center fits in with the city’s vision...

Reverend Edward Ngaira joined Yates Center’s United Methodist Church this summer. Originally from Kenya, Ngaira is now in charge of both the Yates Center and Neosho Falls congregations. In this week’s episode of “Registered,” Tim Stauffer talks with Ngaira about what lessons the Christmas story holds for us today, his hopes as he leads his congregations, and the role of the church in society today...

The Humboldt Promise provides tuition-free higher education to Humboldt High School graduates, and will do so for the next 25 years. Created earlier this year, it’s an incredible opportunity and could truly transform Humboldt—and the region. In this week’s episode of “Registered, I sit down to chat with Helen Kenny, the Humboldt Promise Coordinator & Post-Secondary Success Coach, on how her wo...

As Thanksgiving approaches, for those who struggle economically the day is often filled with anxiety, not just gratitude. Many of us may take a full table for granted, but that's not always the case. In this week's episode of "Registered," Humanity House director Barb Button talks about the organization's approach to helping lift people out of poverty, and how community members can help.

Allen's Theatre & Film Department wrapped up their first performance of the season, "True West," this weekend. It was just the latest in a recent series of exceptional shows. The department is building momentum as it attracts more students and collects accolades from across the region. In this week's episode of "Registered," we speak with director Tricia Stogsdill about what she's building at...

In this week's episode of "Registered," Tim Stauffer speaks with U.S. Navy veteran Tom Sayles. Sayles reflects on his military experience, how it changed him and his life after the service, and what being a veteran means to him today.

Lauren Moots started playing volleyball at age 4. Now the head coach at Iola High School, volleyball isn't about winning and losing. It's about becoming a stronger person and developing skills that will lead to success in the real world. In this week's episode of "Registered," she speaks with the Register's Tim Stauffer about what she learned in her first season, how she and her athletes grew, and...