Nevada to be spotlighted on national radio show

Nevada will get some time on a nationally syndicated radio show today.

Michael Feldman's "Whad'Ya Know?," a combination quiz and trivia show heard on 89.3 KCUR and 89.9 KRPS, will spotlight Nevada for its "Town of the Week" segment. The show starts at 10 a.m. and concludes at noon. Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gina Ensor said the city's segment will probably be broadcast during the show's last 15 minutes.

Mayor Brian Leonard will provide the scoop. He's been cramming for his 15 minutes of fame. He's gathered information about things that define Nevada, such as Bushwhacker Days and the Bushwhacker Museum, Cottey College, W.F. Norman, one of the "old, stable businesses" in town and 3M.

"I've lived here all my life," said Leonard, who is also a Nevada High School teacher and golf coach. "I know a lot of the history of Nevada. They actually do a history segment at the beginning of the show about the town they choose. I wasn't too sure if he (the show host Feldman) was going to be a very humorous interviewer like a Steve Colbert. But after listening to his show, he throws in a few jibes here and there but nothing really bad. I'm looking forward to it."

Leonard teaches industrial technology, a computer-based, hands-on course that talks about construction technology and "any of the newer technology coming out." He has also worked for the city at the golf course and water department in the 1990s before going into teaching 13 years ago. The mayor is elected annually by the city council and Leonard has been on the panel for seven years, serving as mayor in 2005 and 2006. His current term as mayor is up in April, but he still has one more year on the council.

Ensor said the show selects its Town of the Week by throwing a dart at a map, she said. "It's a great opportunity for any community to be highlighted on a nationally syndicated radio talk show," she added.