Episodes
Katie Laleman joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about awards from the Annual Illinois Farm Bureau Meeting, upcoming events, membership options, the Ireland trip, and Bushels for Hunger. The Henry County Farm Bureau is celebrating recent achievements and gearing up for busy months ahead. Fresh off a successful women’s holiday wreath workshop, the Bureau announced state-level recognition for its young leaders, including third place in the “Harvest for All” campaign supporting local food pantries. Kate Huffman, honored with the state Ag Excellence Award, will soon compete nationally. The Bur...
Samantha Rux from OSF Healthcare joined the Wake Up Tri-Counties show today to share tips for a healthier holiday season. In addition to advice on navigating tempting holiday treats—like opting for smaller portions, eating a light snack before gatherings, and slowing down during meals—Rux highlighted an opportunity to give back. On Thursday, December 18th, OSF St. Luke will host a community blood drive from 7 AM to 5 PM, with Impact Life ensuring donations remain local. Appointments are available at bloodcenter.org, but walk-ins are welcome while space allows. OSF also offers holiday recipe...
RaeAnn Tucker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss food safety, reproductive health services, sharps disposal locations, Medicare wellness visits, and insurance navigators. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments are highlighting vital resources for community health and safety. Medicare recipients can access a free Annual Wellness Visit at First Choice Healthcare clinics in Kewanee and Toulon, where patients receive personalized assessments and can address health concerns. In addition, six convenient sites now offer Residential Sharps Collection Kiosks for safe disposal of used need...
William Ornelas has transformed his East Prospect yard into a dazzling holiday spectacle featuring over 100,000 lights, handmade displays, and a towering 30-foot inflatable. What began as a family tradition inspired by his mother has grown over a decade, now drawing crowds eager to snap pictures with the homemade cutouts and enjoy the festive treats handed out once a year during the park's lighting night—including cookies, popcorn, and candy canes. Ornelas repurposes old materials for many of his decorations and continues to expand each season. He encourages neighbors to join in on the deco...
Todd DeDecker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about Lucia Nights, which is set for December 12th and 13th, offering evening festivities from 6 to 9 PM on Friday and 4 to 9 PM on Saturday. The annual Festival of Lights kicks off with the tree lighting in the park at 6 PM on Friday and features caroling, live Swedish music, and a glittering display of luminaries along the historic streets. Highlights include a soup supper fundraiser, performances at four separate venues, barn dancing, a soup supper fundraiser, and a selfie station inside Colony Church. Local shops and restaurants will off...
RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare Clinics joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the closing of the Primary Care Medical Services in the Colona Clinic, vaccines as infections rise, WIC services remaining available, Toy Safety Month in December, and insurance navigators. Primary Care Medical Services at the Colona Clinic will be closing on December 5, 2025, though public health and WIC services will continue at the same site. Community members are assured a smooth transition as staff move to other First Choice Healthcare clinics i...
Samantha Rux from OSF HealthCare joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about specialty services at OSF Saint Luke, including the addition of Dr. Matthew Heberer to the surgical team in Kewanee. OSF Healthcare is expanding specialty care at St. Luke's Medical Center, bringing top services closer to home for area residents. Dr. Matthew Heberer will now provide general surgery services locally, including colonoscopies and minimally invasive procedures, with more complex surgeries available in Galesburg using advanced technology like the DaVinci robot. Great Plains Orthopedics has also returned, ...
Kewanee Good Fellows President Amron Buchanan and Vice President Ken Knowles joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about Good Fellows Christmas Baskets. The deadline to nominate someone for a food basket or get your name on the list for a basket is December 12, 2025. Call Kewanee High School at 309-853-3328, option 2, to get yourself or someone you know on the list for a Christmas food basket. You will need to provide a name, address, phone number, and number of people in the family when you call Kewanee High School. The baskets will be delivered on December 19th. The cutoff date allows them ...
Mayor Gary Moore and City Clerk Kasey Mitchell joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss the city manager form of government, the approval to recruit a new city manager, a temporary city manager, and the new electronic delivery of water bills. Kewanee’s city council has begun the search for a new city manager, following recent discussions about the city’s government structure. Officials say they’re committed to maintaining the city manager system, which provides consistency and professional expertise, instead of switching to a strong mayor model. The recruiting firm MGT has been hired to lead ...
Katie Laleman joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about awards at the annual Illinois Farm Bureau meeting, Bushels for Hunger, an international trip for 2026, a "Cram A Ford" update, and a farm succession workshop in February. The Henry County Farm Bureau is gearing up for a series of significant events. Representatives attended the Illinois Farm Bureau annual meeting in Chicago, where county awards and policy changes will be spotlighted. With state officer elections and key policy decisions on the agenda, members are also looking forward to celebrating local achievements. Young leaders fr...
Todd DeDecker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the schedule changes on the last weekend of Julmarknad and Lucia Nights next weekend. Bishop Hill is embracing the holiday spirit with two weekends of festive celebration. The Christmas Market continues December 6th and 7th, featuring a cookie walk, chocolate walk, and ornament making at the Bjorken Hotel. Lucia Nights is set for December 12th and 13th, offering evening festivities from 6 to 9 PM, including traditional Swedish music, caroling, and luminaries lining the streets. Enjoy performances across four venues, a soup supper fundr...
Linda Blair joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the start of the 2026 Kewanee Area United Way (KAUW) fundraising campaign. KAUW’s annual fundraising campaign is now underway across the Tri-Counties, following an October kickoff event hosted by the Kewanee Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. Executive Director Linda Blair highlights a challenging year, with donations down as much as 40%. Many contributions may be tax-deductible, and ongoing workplace campaigns—where employees pledge a small amount from each paycheck—are a key source of funding. United Way tracks how funds are used, offering don...
Heavy snowfall hit the Tri-Counties region recently, bringing over a foot of wet, heavy snow and creating hazardous conditions. Samantha Rux from OSF Healthcare emphasized the importance of winter safety, especially when shoveling. Residents are advised to take small sections at a time, avoid overexertion, and listen to their bodies to prevent injury. Checking on neighbors, particularly the elderly or those with disabilities, is encouraged. OSF Healthcare continues to provide care despite the storms, with teams working around the clock. Residents are reminded to plan, stay safe, and watch f...
Samantha Rux, Tami Harker, and Barb Spencer from OSF Saint Luke Medical Center joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about diabetes. Diabetes Awareness Month is underway, and the OSF Healthcare diabetes care team visited the studio to raise awareness. Advanced Practice Nurse Tami Harker and diabetes nurse Barb Spencer, from the diabetes care team, shared vital information about both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, highlighting warning signs such as excessive thirst and frequent urination. Nearly 38 million Americans live with diabetes, and many remain undiagnosed. Lifestyle adjustments—like weigh...
Galva Mayor Rich Volkert joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss the tax levy, comprehensive plan, snow removal, winter street parking, and the Ol' Fashioned Christmas event. Mayor Rich Volkert recapped Monday’s city council meeting, highlighting the approval of a lowered tax levy ordinance—though changes in property assessments could still impact homeowners’ bills. The council also adopted an updated comprehensive plan, paving the way for future grants and downtown revitalization. Mayor Volkert addressed snow removal challenges, urging residents to move their cars for effective plowing as w...
The Kewanee City Council meeting began with a public hearing focused on the Source Water Improvement Project and lead service line replacement, aiming to ensure safer drinking water. Deputy Assessor Jennifer Prescott is set to provide insights into Equalized Assessed Value changes. On zoning matters, variances and special use permits for local properties will be considered. The council will vote on supplier agreements, including fuel for city vehicles, and address tax abatements related to major bond debts. Additional resolutions include authorizing city officials for financial transactions...
Steve from Matthew 5:42 Ministries, and Briseidy and Hallee from Next Generation for Christ joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about their service to the community, volunteer needs, monthly community meals, working with the homeless, and clothing and furniture assistance. A group of dedicated teens from Next Generation for Christ is making a difference in Kewanee by organizing free monthly community meals at First Christian Church, which are on the last Saturday of the month. Volunteers of all ages prepare and serve food, with donations in the form of cash, checks, or supplies eagerly acce...
Drew Herridge with the Marshall-Putnam County Fair Board joined Issac on Wake Up Tri-Counties to officially announce the headliner music act for the 2026 Marshall-Putnam Fair! Country music sensation Scotty McCreery is set to take center stage at the 2026 Marshall-Putnam Fair in Henry, Illinois. The concert, presented by Country Financial—Steve Vogel and Jonathan Krieghauser, marks a major highlight for the fair and promises an evening packed with McCreery’s chart-topping hits, including “Cab in a Solo” and “Five More Minutes.” With his storied career featuring award-winning albums and sing...
Sara Billiet joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to introduce the new Director of the Kewanee Public Library, David Eckert, and talk about upcoming events heading into the holiday season. The Kewanee Public Library has officially welcomed new director David Eckert, who brings three decades of library experience, including a start as a children’s librarian. Library staff are encouraging community participation in several upcoming programs. Due to Baker & Taylor’s closure, the library’s Boundless app for ebooks will be replaced by The Palace Project soon, while Hoopla remains unaffected. Residents ar...