Regional Media Podcast Network

Dreamin' Wild was the name of a failed and forgotten record from a pair of brothers named Donnie and Joe Emerson. The self produced album, created in a makeshift studio built by their father on their vast family farm, briefly did find some traction in the music industry. It appeared, for a moment at least, that Donnie would have the chance to make it big. That never happened. Then, in 2008, a miracle happened. A man found the record and listened to it and immediately fell in love with it. He became an evangelist for this obscure, late 70s rock record and band. He helped get the record in front of studio executives who were equally enthusiastic about this incredibly obscure record. The record company tracked down Donnie and Joe and after decades of heartbreak over the failure of their record and Donnie's failed dream of being a recording artist, the Emerson Brothers were given the chance to do it all over again. That's the backstory of the new movie, based on the true story, written and directed by Bill Pohlad, the director of another music business masterpiece, Love & Mercy. I was lucky to chat with Bill Pohlad about Dreamin' Wild and getting to the heart of the crossroads between movies and music. Dreamin' Wild will be in limited theatrical release on August 4th and should soon after become available on many streaming rental platforms.

Tonight is National Night Out and, for the first time, this outreach event from Police to the general public, is being celebrated in Kewanee. Kewanee Police Department Deputy Chief Stephen Kijanowski joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday, August 1st, to talk about what attendees can expect if they come to the National Night Out event tonight in Northeast Park, starting at 5 PM. For one thing, there will be a free swim in the pool at Northeast Park beginning at 6 PM. There will also be a demonstration by Kewanee Police K9 Officer Maverick and his handler. The Kewanee Police Department and the Henry County Sheriff's Office will each have their Drones at the event for a demonstration and hot dogs will be served as well.

OSF Prompt Care is available in Princeton at OSF Saint Clare Medical Center, directly across the street from the Saint Clare Emergency Room. Urgent Care is an important service for local hospitals. It serves as a needed way station between patients who are sick but aren't sure if things are so bad that they need to go to the Emergency Room. Getting people to go to Urgent Care instead of the Emergency Room helps to make sure that the E.R is only treating emergencies rather than serving the needs of patients who could wait to see doctor. Samantha Rux from OSF Healthcare joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday, July 31st, to talk about the benefits of OSF Urgent Care, Prompt Care, and OSF Online Virtual Care services.

The first of what is hoped to become an annual event, the Mister T's 3 on 3 Hoop Jam is scheduled to take place on September 2nd at Northeast Park. Harry Russell is one of the organizers of the event and he joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday to invite people to register their teams. Multiple divisions will be open for Boys 1st grade the High School, Girls 5th Grade through High School, Adults 18 to 23, and Open ages for a mens 3 on 3. If you'd like to take part in Mister T's 3 on 3 Hoop Jam contact Harry Russell at 309-540-9640 or email [email protected]. Early registration is $75.00 per team. After August 5th, it is $100.00 per team. Harry Russell was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday, July 31st.

The Kewanee Salvation Army is holding a basement sale this weekend. It started on Friday and will continue on Saturday, July 29th with the basement at the Salvation Army opening at 10 AM. The basement sales don't usual occur on Saturday's so everyone is encouraged to take advantage of some terrific sale items at the Salvation Army this weekend. Meanwhile, Eddie tells WKEI that there is now grant money available to people in need of help with their rent. If you or someone you know is coming up short on paying their rent, contact the Salvation Army, they may be able to help with a direct payment to your landlord to help cover your rent. Some restrictions apply so contact the Salvation Army to see if you are eligible. Eddie Tolliver discussed the rental assistance grant on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Friday.

The Mayor of Galva, Rich Volkert joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Friday to wrap-up Monday's Galva City Council Meeting. At the meeting, the City of Galva recognized Al and Shelly DeCrane for their dedication to Conservation. Recently Shelly was honored as Conservation Woman of the Year while Al received the Conservation Director of the Year Award. Also on Monday, it was announced that Bishop Hill had found someone to care for the Bishop Hill Cemetery. The City of Galva was planning to vote on an agreement to help the Bishop Hill Cemetery with the aid of the Galva Sexton's Office. But that was taken off the table with the announcement that Bishop Hill had made a separate, new agreement. Mayor Rich Volkert discussed these items and the many events coming up in Galva in August on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Friday.

The Kewanee Public Library and Freedom House are teaming up for a fun learning event for kids aged 9 to 11 years old. The Social Emotional Learning Escape Room will take place at the Kewanee Public Library, hosted by Freedom House, on Wednesday, August 2nd from 12 Noon to 2 PM. The social and emotional learning escape room will feature clues that will give participants the chance to employ social and emotional learning skills to solve clues that lead to escape. The event will also teach kids about conflict resolution as they learn to work together in a group to solve clues. Sara Billiet from the Kewanee Public Library talked about the Social Emotional Learning Escape Room and several other upcoming events at the Kewanee Public Library.

The Henry and Stark County Health Department will be at the Stark County Junior Fair today, Friday, July 28th, 2023. The appearance is part of the Health Department's 12 communities in 12 months program that is taking Health Department representatives to community events all year long as an outreach effort. RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to promote the appearances by the Health Department at various events this year. RaeAnn also talked about the excessive heat and ways that people can stay safe from the excessive heat.