Regional Media Podcast Network

On the latest edition of Kewanee Back When, Dave and Sean start out on a short series of true crime episodes from Kewanee's history. Today we began with the shocking and still unsolved murder of Kewanee resident Sandra Brown. Early in the morning on August 8th, 1978, Sandra Brown took her dog for a walk and never came home. On August 10th, her body was found in a ravine, about a quarter of a mile outside of Kewanee, on IL-78. A coroner's inquest in October of that year revealed that Brown had nearly been decapitated. Investigators could find no motive for someone wanting to kill Brown who had only moved to Kewanee one year prior to her death. Despite a thorough and methodical investigation, Kewanee and Henry County investigators were unable to solve the crime. 45 years later Dave and Sean dig through what is known about the case and hopefully shed some new light on one of the few unsolved murders in the history of Kewanee. RegionalMediaNews.com is seeking to go even deeper into this case for a feature story. If you remember Sandra Brown or stories regarding her murder, share your story with us by emailing Sean at [email protected].

The new movie, All Gone Wrong is set in Kewanee and is based on a real story of a real undercover police officer. That said, rumors that the movie was based on the death of a Kewanee Police Officer were not true. Director Brad Guffey cleared up any confusion about the movie and discussed his inspiration for All Gone Wrong in this conversation with Wake Up Tri-Counties on WKEI on Tuesday. All Gone Wrong debuts on On-Demand rental services on January 27th, 2023.

Kris Noble-Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce by Regional Media

Lisa Garcia has been a valued and beloved Mission Partner at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center since 2005. In that time, she's proven to be an asset to each department she's worked with. This is reflected now in her elevation to the role of Chief Nursing Officer at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center and OSF Saint Clare Medical Center. In her new role, Lisa aims to make sure that OSF nurses feel heard and truly listened to. She hopes to foster good communication and build the team even stronger than it already is. Lisa Garcia spoke to WKEI about becoming the new Chief Nursing Officer at two OSF locations on Monday morning. Samantha Rux also joined the show to remind participants in Commit 2 Fit that it is week 2 so be sure to check the Facebook page for this week's challenge.

With a vote to legalize recreational Marijuana here in Missouri, local municipalities are rushing to capitalize on this new potential revenue. The City of Maryville wants to levy a 3% sales tax on the sale of recreational weed. The question will be on the the ballot for the April 4th election.

This Sunday, January 15th, the Critics Choice Awards will air live on The CW Network. Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Banshees of Inisherin, and The Fabelmans, top the nominations for the Best Movies of 2022 while Top Gun Maverick, Avatar The Way of Water, and Glass Onion A Knives Out Mystery, are also in the running. Huge stars from those huge movies will all be in attendance for a show that is the biggest precursor to the Academy Awards. Beloved Entertainment Reporter Sam Rubin will host the Red Carpet show leading up to the Critics Choice Awards beginning at 6 Pm on The CW Network. Sam spoke with our Sean Kernan, also a member of the Critics Choice Association, about what you can look forward to on Sunday night at the Critics Choice Awards.

Rebecca from The YWCA of The Sauk Valley by Regional Media

Cory Law with The Whiteside County Health Department by Regional Media

Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker by Regional Media

The City of LaSalle held a press conference on Thursday afternoon to update the media and the public regarding yesterday's fire at the Carus chemical plant located 1500 8th Street in Lasalle. Brent Bader with the City of Lasalle addressed the Shelter at Home recommendation that was issued by the City for the 3rd and 4th ward areas that surround the Carus plant stating that the length of the Shelter at Home order was out of an abundance of caution as multiple sources of information were being brought together to give the best care and advice to residents affected. Robert Kondreck with the Illinois EPA gave a statement indicating that they are continuing to monitor air quality but noting that thus far there have been "no detections above our action levels." The Illinois EPA also addressed questions regarding the clean up of the 'purple substance that had been seen in the immediate aftermath of the explosion and fire. According to the EPA, and reiterated by Carus representative, Allen Gibbs, the substance can easily be washed away with water. Pet owners should limit exposure by washing the substance away from areas where pets may eat or drink and by washing pets that may have been outside during the event.