Regional Media Podcast Network

By now you know the best ways to protect yourself against COVID and the Flu, get vaccinated, wash your hands regularly, and if you feel as if you may be ill, stay home or wear a mask if you must be in public spaces. RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department dropped by Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about an increase in the number of cases of the Flu and COVID during this winter season. RaeAnn also talked about home safety during the winter. Tips to keep your family safe and warm in the holidays include making sure all of your Christmas lights are in working order, making sure your displays are safe for and from your pets, and making sure you are properly and safely using items like space heaters, a known potential fire hazard if they are not used correctly and safely.

The Kewanee Boiler Girls got off to a fast start and never really looked back as they traveled to and defeated Galva 50 to 35. Strong team defense and one of the best scoring nights of the season thus far furthered the story of how the Boiler Girls have improved in each game thus far this season. The Kewanee Girls have now won two straight games and 3 out of their last four games and struggling to an 0 and 6 record to start the season. The Boiler Girls will take a 3 and 7 record into the St. Bede Holiday season tournament.

The Henry County Farm Bureau is freshly returned from their annual meeting and stocked with awards. The Henry County Farm Bureau Young Leaders were among the many who led the Henry County Farm Bureau to honors at the Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Katie Laleman tells us all about this year's numerous honors on this edition of Wake Up Tri-Counties. Katie also talked about the launch of the T-Shirt and Poster contest for the Henry County Farm Bureau as local kids in Henry County schools will have a chance to design t-shirts or posters that will be a big part of the Henry County Farm Bureau for 2023.

Kim Mangan, Director of Marketing & Development, of the Energy Assistance Foundation, joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Wednesday morning to talk about Energy Assistance for those in need. The Warm Neighbors Cool Friends program can help those who are struggling to keep up with their electric bills, especially in the winter when the heating bill is at its highest. We talked to Kim about who can qualify for help from Warm Neighbors Cool Friends and how Ameren Illinois has played a key role in making sure that 100% of the funds taken in for Warm Neighbors Cool Friends goes right back out to help people in need pay their electric bill.

Third Grade student Chloe Cernovich dropped by our WKEI studio on Wednesday with The Good News about Taylor Swift's Birthday!

Sparks is joined by Mayor Inman as they close out the year and perform a "Year in Review 2023" for the City of Macomb, talking about some of the highs and lows from this past year including local projects, City personnel changes, and the bigger events put on by the City of Macomb including the Heritage Festival, Downtown Block Party, and Art-Wind-Fire Festival, as well as some of the tougher times that showed the resolve and resiliency of the people who call Macomb home.

The Mayor of Kewanee, Gary Moore joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, to follow up on Monday's Kewanee City Council Meeting. In our conversation, the Mayor discussed reservations that both he, and the rest of the Kewanee City Council share regarding plans for a new Henry County Tourism Bureau. The Kewanee City Council welcomed back Councilman Steve Faber on Monday night. Mr. Faber underwent a double lung transplant and returned to his place on the Kewanee City Council after six months away. The City of Kewanee is getting a new Fire Truck though it won't be ready until the early part of 2025. Finally, the Mayor discussed plans for street repair in the City. Specifically, plans for a new sales tax that voters will be able  to vote on. If passed, it would create a period of 10 years in which a half cent sales tax will be imposed with proceeds from the sales tax going toward a street repair program for the City of Kewanee.

Our friend's from the Kewanee Salvation Army dropped by Wake Up Tri-Counties on Friday, December 8th, to give us all an update on the Red Kettle Campaign. Things are going well but there is still a need for bell ringers. Contact Eddie Tolliver at the Kewanee Salvation Army if you'd like to ring for the Kewanee Salvation Army. Meanwhile, we were also joined by local businesses who have given their support to the Kewanee Salvation Army this year including Peoples National Bank, The Downtown Eatery and Bakery, and Rux Funeral Home. Each of these extraordinary local businesses dropped by Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about why they support the Red Kettle Campaign. And, finally, our good friend Brock Tumbleson dropped in with a look back at the annual Salvation Army concert which was once again a huge success.

Samantha Rux from OSF Saint Luke Medical Center dropped by WKEI on Monday, December 11th, to talk about OSF Virtual Urgent Care. If you ever find yourself uncertain if a medical condition is worth taking a trip to an urgent care or emergency room, there is another option. Virtual Urgent Care via OSFHealthcare.org. Virtual Urgent Care is available 24/7 and can help with any number of concerns including Allergies, Flu, Back Pain, Allergic Reactions, and Upper Respiratory Infections. A Virtual Urgent Care provider can help diagnose, advise treatment, and, if necessary, authorize a prescription. We spoke with Samantha Rux from OSF on Monday's edition of Wake Up Tri-Counties.

The end of the year is fast approaching and Lauren Winebrenner from the I.R.S wants to help make sure you are ready for end of the year tax preparedness. While the tax filing deadline is still months away, there is nothing wrong with getting prepared now. Meanwhile, a major concern of the I.R.S over the holidays is cyber-security. With the holidays comes new ways for scammers to try and separate you from your holiday savings. Lauren has several tips to make sure you and your most valuable information is secure from online and I.R.L scam artists.