Host Neil welcomes Misty Gray and Anna Bell from Healing Hearts Child Advocacy Center, which serves DeSoto, Tate, and Tunica Counties and provides forensic interviews, MDT coordination with law enforcement/CPS/DA, family advocacy, and trauma-focused therapy for children and caregivers. They discuss rising reports driven by awareness, the importance of Healing Hearts CACs in reducing repeated disclosures and recanting, and community trainings on signs of abuse (resources at www.healingheartscac.org). They highlight Tyler’s story and Tyler’s Closet for new clothing, diapers, wipes, and hygiene items, plus foster-care Christmas wish-list trees and a November gift card drive (Walmart/Kroger/Dollar General). Neil stresses the center’s reliance on donations, costs (~$1,700 per child interview), and thanks donors like Sherrie Driver/Jackpot Bingo. A Keller Williams Bonham Group matching fundraiser runs up to $25,000 through mid-December, plus a grill raffle. They also share Mississippi consent/authority rules and encourage reporting via 1-800-222-8000.

This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks

http://RoofworksMidsouth.com

You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com

You can find the Local Yokel’s Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

Neil Colley talks with DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton and Special Victims Advocate Carmen Bechel about creating a new Special Victims Unit funded by the Board of Supervisors, with support led by Mark Gardner. The SVU will focus primarily on children who are victims of sex crimes, and also vulnerable adults, adding a dedicated ADA Jamie Young, investigator Chad Gatewood, and a victim assistance coordinator/advocate role for Carmen as she transitions out of asset forfeiture. They explain that increased predator cases reflect better technology, training, and proactive policing, not a new surge in crime, and describe how early DA involvement can improve investigations, victim support, and reduce recantation. Barton discusses why plea deals sometimes best protect victims, outlines case volumes and resource limits, and urges parents to stay engaged with children’s phones, relationships, and boundaries.

This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks

http://RoofworksMidsouth.com

You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com

You can find the Local Yokel’s Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

Neil Colley from the Local Yokel’s podcast welcomes April Veale and Heather Stricklen to discuss Jeepers for St. Jude, a volunteer-run fundraiser supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where donations go directly to St. Jude with no overhead. They share how the effort began in 2016, paused during COVID, and returned with renewed momentum, raising $65,000 in 2019, then $12,000 in 2024 and $15,000 the following year. They promote the Jeeps & Broncos Show on October 24 at the DeSoto County Agri-Ed Center on Starlanding Rd, open 10:00–2:00, with $10 admission, VIP packages, T-shirts, raffle items, and food trucks. Neil also reminds listeners about the Fancy Nancy Foundation’s October 17 car show in Walls, MS, raising funds for House of Grace and giving away a Jeep.

Donate to Jeepers for St. Jude - https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=4688714&fr_id=162728&pg=personal

A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Duck Worthy Inc.

This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks

http://RoofworksMidsouth.com

You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com

You can find the Local Yokel’s Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

The Local Yokel’s Podcast welcomes Calie Moore and LaJuanna Beasley to discuss the Feed My Lambs Backpack Weekend Meal Ministry, a volunteer-run program started by Calie’s mother, Jennifer, with help from Ms. Billie Wilhite at Minor Memorial Methodist Church in Walls, Mississippi. The ministry provides weekend breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for students at Walls Elementary and Lake Cormorant Elementary, with schools identifying recipients anonymously, and it has grown to around 150 kids per weekend while needs are rising due to higher costs. Neil promotes upcoming fundraisers: the Oct. 17 event at 6120 Goodman Rd (car show, BBQ Boston butts, vendors/crafts, swap meet, kids activities) benefiting Feed My Lambs, plus a Jeep raffle for House of Grace with $20 tickets via fancynancyfoundation.com. They also mention the church Fall Festival on Oct. 3 and ways to volunteer or donate.

A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Stuck Worthy Inc.

This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks

http://RoofworksMidsouth.com

You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com

You can find the Local Yokel’s Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

On the Local Yokels Podcast, Neil welcomes Memphis Street Rods President Johnnie Hylander and Vice President David Bradshaw to promote the club’s 25th anniversary charity car show at the Landers Center in DeSoto County, running Sept. 17–19 (Thu noon–dark, Fri 8–dark, Sat 8–3 with awards at 3). The show is free for spectators, $35 to enter a vehicle for all three days, features a large swap meet with vendors, about 10 food trucks, indoor restrooms and cooling access, a Friday-night outdoor set by The Boomers, and on-site security at night; RV overnight parking is not allowed. The club says all proceeds go to multiple local charities and notes sponsor support from Landers Center/Landers Auto Group.

Car Show - memphisstreetrods.org

A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Stuck Worthy Inc.

This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks

http://RoofworksMidsouth.com

You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com

You can find the Local Yokel’s Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

Host Neil Colley returns to the Local Yokels Podcast after a brief break and is joined by Mississippi social workers Jessica Wade, Liz Luzader, and Brittany Benson to discuss systemic community issues, focusing on how adverse childhood experiences and trauma shape later outcomes. They describe foster care realities—frequent placement disruptions, late-night transports, children placed in juvenile detention or high-level facilities due to lack of beds, and decision-making that often ignores social-worker recommendations. The group links unmet needs, food insecurity, and inadequate school resources to long-term harm, highlights compassion fatigue and the importance of relational support, and discusses mandatory reporting in Mississippi. Liz also explains geriatric care challenges, including relocation stress and the vulnerability of older adults in assisted living and memory care. They emphasize showing up for others and note child advocacy centers as a crucial resource, while acknowledging major gaps in local services.

A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Stuck Worthy Inc.

This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks

http://RoofworksMidsouth.com

You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com

You can find the Local Yokel’s Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

#MississippiSocialWork
#FosterCareAwareness
#ChildhoodTrauma
#AdverseChildhoodExperiences
#FoodInsecurity
#ChildAdvocacy
#MentalHealthAwareness
#GeriatricCare
#CommunitySupport
#SocialWorkMatters

On the Local Yokels podcast, Neil and guest Aubrie Johnson discuss two major controversies: Louisiana Pastor Tony Spell’s long-running conflict with neighbors and authorities after expanding his church outreach to low-income communities via dozens of buses, and a recent incident where he allegedly beat a 20-year-old neighbor after vulgar threats toward his family. They then shift to DeSoto County topics, including backlash over a DUI arrest involving a supporter of a convicted sex offender, frustration with court outcomes and delays, and the importance of keeping public attention on indicted cases and technicalities like remands. Aubrie also mentions receiving unwanted religious mail and visits after someone shared her address, and calls out critics who attack her for speaking up about exploitation, trafficking, and abuse.

A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Stuck Worthy Inc.

This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks

http://RoofworksMidsouth.com

You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com

You can find the Local Yokel’s Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

Neil interviews Horn Lake Police Department Chief Nikki Pullen about community policing, recruiting and retention, and building department culture with integrity and accountability. They highlight cooperative efforts across agencies, support for Healing Hearts Child Advocacy Center and DeSoto County Search and Rescue, and community outrage driving tougher penalties for child predators. Chief Pullen explains Mississippi’s new juvenile law effective July 1 allowing certain juveniles with firearms or involved in violent crimes to be charged as adults, and notes Horn Lake’s curfew (10 PM–6 AM) and proactive enforcement. They discuss vaping/tobacco issues, the value and costs of body cameras (Horn Lake since 2024), pursuit dangers, and the need for community resources like pools and training. They also spotlight local nonprofits like Heartland Hands and the Dream Center.

A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Stuck Worthy Inc.

This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks

http://RoofworksMidsouth.com

You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com

You can find the Local Yokel’s Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting