Free Range Conversations

A legendary coach, a two-sport All-State athlete, an All-Southwest Conference football player, twin brothers who left a legacy in Rison athletics, and Rison High School’s first state championship football make up the inaugural class of the new Rison High School Sports Hall of Fame.

The hosts share winter weather preparedness tips in advance of this week's forecasted winter storm. They also recall past winter storms dating back to 1979.

The Free Range Conversations hosts recap the last half of 2024 covering all the big news stories from June to December, ending with a major announcement for Cleveland County.

Leading up to Christmas, the Free Range Conversations hosts recap the first half of 2024 and reflect on the news and events occurring from January through June, including some things they may have forgotten!

The Wilson Family started an employee BBQ at Wilson Bros. Lumber Company in the 1980s that has grown to a be a community tradition in the years since with thousands attending each year, including politicians. Frank, Harrell and Jeff Wilson join the podcast this week to talk about the tradition and the 2024 BBQ held recently.

Current Editor/Publisher Britt Talent sits down with former publisher Stan Sadler to discuss the rich history of the newspaper which is Cleveland County's longest-running business. The two, along with co-hosts Douglas Boultinghouse and Roy Phillips, cover topics ranging from the founding in 1888, to the changes in technology over the past century, and where they see the newspaper going in the future.

RISON - Memories are a funny thing… and that’s what spurred this week’s Thanksgiving-themed episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast.

With Thanksgiving feasts on many people’s minds, podcast co-host Roy Phillips thought he remembered a “turkey drop” happening from the old Phoenix Hotel on Main Street in Rison. What he thought was a turkey drop, not unlike those in Yellville, Arkansas or those depicted on the 1978 sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati,” turned out to be a guinnea drop in Rison. The hosts also share memories and opinions on food staples in the South. According to Phillips, some in his family have such strong opinions on cranberry sauce they walk out of Thanksgiving dinner.

Lt. Wesley Hogan of New Edinburg recalled sitting in his office at the Fordyce Police Department around noon time on Friday, June 21, discussing possible lunch options with Police Chief Chad Hubanks and another officer when a call came across his radio about an active shooter at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce. All three officers sprang into action as Hogan recalled putting on his armored vest and grabbing his AR rifle. Within four minutes, Hogan was among the officers actively engaging in gunfire with the suspect. Hogan joins the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast to recall this day, and the recent honor he and his fellow officers received.

With the Christmas season quickly approaching, the Cleveland County Cares organization is gearing up to help children and families in need over the holidays.

Melinda McKnight, director and fundraiser for the organization, joins in for a special episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast. Over the past several years, the fund has supplied hundreds of children and adults in the county with Christmas presents as well as clothing, food and other necessities of life.

Hosts Britt Talent and Douglas Boultinghouse discuss music icon Johnny Cash with his cousin and local historian Wayne Cash, alongside County Judge Jimmy Cummings. Topics include the Man in Black's landmark bicentennial concert in Rison and how the suit he wore that day has made its way back to the county. Wayne and Jimmy also share stories of being at the unveiling of the legend's statue at the National Statuary Hall.