Regional Media Podcast Network

Sparks chats with Principal Eric Bryan of Macomb's Lincoln Elementary about programs and events that they've implemented to help raise literacy in elementary students, as well as the challenges of teaching kids to read remotely.

This week, President Biden signed a bill that, at least from a federal standpoint, brought an end many COVID-19 era regulations. Here in Illinois however, the date to watch remains in May when the last of the emergency COVID-19 Emergency Proclamations from Governor J.B Pritzker is set to expire. RaeAnn Tucker with the Henry and Stark County Health Department talked to RegionalMediaNews.com and stated that nothing changes from this week's announcement by the President but that in May, they will stop the weekly reporting of COVID-19 numbers. Numbers will still be recorded and available to those that want to see them, but they will no longer be reported by the health department. RaeAnn Tucker also talked to WKEI about the next stop on the 12 Communities in 12 Months event set for the end of April in Geneseo.

Sara Billiet from the Kewanee Public Library was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Thursday, April 13th, 2023. Sara joined the show to talk about an upcoming presentation involving Honor Flight, the charity flights that take local veterans to Washington D.C. Lloyd Anderson will lead the presentation called My Honor Flight, during which he will talk about the incredible experience of being part of these remarkable charity flights that honor our veteran community. This presentation is sponsored by the Henry County Genealogical Society. Interior Chinatown is the book of choice this month for the Kewanee Library Book Club. Get a copy of Interior Chinatown at the Kewanee Public Library and take part in book club on Monday, April 17th, 2023 at either 2 Pm or 6 Pm. Sara Billiet from the Kewanee Public Library was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties.

Just one day following their wildly successful Drive-Thru Job Fair at our Regional Media studios, Fay Mattson from Help at Home joined Sean Kernan on the WKEI Morning Show to talk about how their are still opportunities, jobs, available with Help at Home. There are jobs at Help at Home for any experience level. Duties range from cooking and cleaning for homebound individuals to more thorough care for these individuals, depending on your level of education and qualifications. It's a great job for a young person looking at a future in Healthcare as it provides the chance to learn hands-on, one on one with a patient in need. But, it's also a great job for anyone who enjoys helping those in need with the kind of tasks they simply can no longer do on their own. Go to HelpatHome.com/careers for more information.

Katie Laleman from the Henry County Farm Bureau was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Wednesday, April 12th, 2023. Katie joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the recent successes of the Women in Agriculture Conference and the Frozen Meal Program which sold more frozen meals than ever before this year. Katie also talked about getting the chance to surprise the student winners of the Farm Bureau t-shirt contest, something the Henry County Farm Bureau will be doing later this month. And finally, Katie talked about the recent severe weather that went through Henry County at the end of March and the unique challenges faced by farmers in the aftermath of a major storm.

Today is National Pet Day and as part of our WKEI presentation of The Good News weekdays at 7:55 AM, Kewanee 3rd Grade student, Adalynn Hayes joined Wake Up Tri-Counties with The Good News about National Pet Day.

The Mayor of Kewanee Gary Moore was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday, April 14th, 2023. The Mayor joined WKEI to talk about Monday's Kewanee City Council Meeting. At the meeting, the City Council sided with residents in the area of 139 Tenney Street and against developers who had planned to purchase an old, uninhabited home at that address and develop it into an apartment building. For now, the home currently there will remain empty. Monday's City Council was supposed to bring resolution to the much discussed development of a storage facility and solar array in the 700 block of West South Street. Instead, developers asked that the vote be tabled as they're still gathering information to give the City of Kewanee regarding the plan. And the Mayor discussed new equipment for the Kewanee Fire Department in this conversation on WKEI.

Macomb Mayor Mike Inman returns to chat about goings-on in the City of Macomb, including the Public Health Month Proclamation issued at the April 3rd City Council Meeting, as well as City Council Election results and some upcoming Public Works Projects that are going to be taking place this year.

Sparks chats with Nan Crossman, the Executive Director for the Macomb Arts Center (MAC) about their upcoming BINGO Bash event on Saturday, March 15th. This event will help raise funds for renovations for the MAC, including replacing the carpet in the gallery. 

Doors open at 6:30, BINGO starts at 7. Throughout the evening there will be at least 8 different BINGO games in a variety of patterns, as well as snacks, a cash bar, a photo booth, and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased on the MAC website, at the MAC during Gallery hours, or at the door until the event is sold out.