Regional Media Podcast Network

The Kewanee Public Library will play host to historian Dean Karau tonight for a conversation about George Randall Parrish, famed Kewanee Author and a man with a checkered criminal past that has only recently come to light. Dean will talk about Parrish's unique history as a famous and respected author and as a man who ran a complicated check cashing scam prior to becoming famous. The event is happening tonight at 6 PM. Sara Billiet joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Thursday to promote this event as well as more events coming to the Kewanee Public Library in August.

Dean Karau is a beloved local historian whose love for Kewanee is found in his rich and insightful writing on the history of the town. Dean is back in Kewanee this weekend, from August 10th to August 12th and doing presentations on Kewanee History each day he's here. Tonight, Thursday, August 12th, Dean is talking about the fascinating life story of local Kewanee legend, writer George Randall. Dean will be at the Library starting at 6 PM to talk about whether Randall's criminal past before becoming a famed writer, is something that should get him 'Cancelled.' On Friday, Dean is heading to Northeast Park where he will talk about Kewanee's history with Baseball. Dean's talk will start at 12:30 with lunch served at 12 Noon in the Northeast Park Shelter House. And then, on Saturday, Dean has a new Kewanee legend to talk about. Dean will be at the Kewanee Historical Society at 1 PM on Saturday to spread the legend of Kewanee's own Russell Trall Neville, one of the great Cave Photographers and historians in the country.

Dr. Lightfoot, Maryville School Superintendent talks about the start of the new school year, HS Sports and building improvements.

Farmers Market Wed & Sat 7-1pm. New vendors each day. Herbs, fresh vegetables, canes, fresh fruits, cotton candy, plants, honey, and more

Aug 26th. BIG DAY TO SHARE THE LOVE AND SHOP LOCAL! 9-1pm. 400 W 2nd street – Rock Falls. Lemonade, cookies, jewelry, salts, herbs, crocheted items, car freshies and sprays, honey, jigsaw puzzles and more. From 10-1pm we have a touch a truck! We will be joined by Johnsons Trucking with a sweet Semi, AM Disposal and American Quality Windows. Stop by the Rock Falls Farmers Market Local Fest and help us celebrate the amazing local business, farmers, crafters and more!!

Share the love again. Our Chamber Ambassadors are raising money for local families on Aug 29th. Our team will be at the Rock Falls Culvers from 5-8p helping serve up delicious food. A percentagte of the proceeds from 5-8 will go towards providing Christmas gifts this holiday season. The more money our ambassadors raise, the more local children, families and elderly people we help this holiday season. Aug 29th – 5-8, come have dinner with our team.

Sept 6th – you do not want to miss. This is going to be the BIG ONE!! Last MMM of the year. And there will be a lucky winner who takes it all. This is the final opportunity to enter our Biz boo sponsorship giveaway. The more people from your team who stop in, the more chances you have to win that $250 sponsorship, plus a $25 gift card! This will get your business on the Biz boo trick or treat fliers, recognized as an event sponsor on all of our social media, on our website and on poster hung in local businesses. Stop into the Rock Falls Community building Sept 6th from 11-1pm. We are at 601 W 10th St- Rock Falls. We will have lots of delicious food and we will be joined by our wonderful hosts.

Garage Sale Set 22-24. Reg is only $10, available online and RF Library now. Get on the map with 80+ others. Gain customers to your sale and clear your clutter! This event is hosted by a nonprofit so all proceeds go back into our community.

Captain Hann stopped in to chat about back to school Safety.

Detective Sgt. Brian Haars is the cold case detective for the Henry County Sheriff's Office. In his time with the Henry County Sheriff's Office he has become the lead investigator of the murder of Sandra Brown which occurred 45 years ago this week, August 8th, 1978. In that time, Detective Sgt. Haars has revisited witness statements, photos from the scene, aerial photos, and has sent several items to be tested for any potential DNA evidence. Sadly, these efforts have yet to reveal a suspect that can be definitively named as the person investigators believe, murdered Sandra Brown 45 years ago. Detective Sgt. Haars was kind enough to talk with Wake Up Tri-Counties about the Sandra Brown case and 45 years worth of evidence and unsuccessful leads. Among the details in our conversation with Brian Haars is the fact that famed FBI Profiler John E. Douglas was contacted by investigators in 1978 and provided a profile of the killer. Investigators are also known to have investigated the murder as potentially the work of a serial killer. Well known is the fact that Henry Lee Lucas was interviewed by Kewanee detectives about Sandra Brown. What you may not know is that Detective Sgt. Haars also investigated a potential link to another well known killer. The lead sadly did not lead anywhere but you can hear about this and more in our conversation from Wednesday's edition of Wake Up Tri-Counties.

Rock Falls Rotary President Bob Sondgeroth and Sterling Noon President Nick Lareau to summarize the Broil and Boil fundraiser.

Sparks is joined by Todd Rodeffer and James Johnson of Youth For Christ to chat about Youth For Christ, the history of their organization, and their upcoming Ice Cream Social. 

The Ice Cream Social will take place on August 11th from 6 to 9pm at their location in 1224 Maple Ave in Macomb. This event is open to the public, with regular and non-dairy ice creams available with a wide selection of toppings. Donations will be accepted, and all funds raised will go towards supporting teenagers involved with Youth For Christ in Macomb. 

For more information on this event or Youth For Christ, call (309) 833-3026 or email them at [email protected].

Samantha Rux and Melinda Shimmin were our guests on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday, August 7th. Both were on hand to promote School and Sports Physicals at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center. School is starting soon across the area and before your kids can go back, many will need to have a school physical. You can set up a school physical with your primary care provider or by contacting OSF Saint Luke Medical Center. Just as important as School Physicals, Sports Physicals are also available through OSF. If you have a member of your family competing in High School Sports, a sports physical is required before they can take part in school organized sports.