Regional Media Podcast Network

Denise Garcia-Whiteside Soil and Water Conservation by Regional Media

Last week, representatives of Government Employees, those working at Thomson Prison, in Thomson, Illinois, released a statement asking that the Warden of Thomson Prison, Thomas Bergami, be removed from his position. AFGE. the American Federation of Government Employees, the union representing staff at Thomson, allege that Bertrami's poor leadership and decisions as Warden have lead to more than 300 incidents of Sexual Misconduct by inmates against members of Thomson Staff. John Zuhmker is the President of AFGE Local 4070, representing Thomson Prison employees, guards and staff, and he joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday to discuss why the union feels strongly that Warden Bergami should be removed. RegionalMediaNews.com reached out to Thomson Prison for a statement regarding the Union's accusations. You can find the response from Representatives from Thomson Prison and the Bureau of Prisons, linked here.

Weigh ins are underway for Commit 2 Fit Kewanee, 2023. Stop by the YMCA of Kewanee by Monday, January 16th to get weighed in. Just check in at the front desk and tell them you are there to weigh in for Commit 2 Fit. If you haven't signed up yet, there are forms at the YMCA of Kewanee. Or you can find a link on the Commit 2 Fit Kewanee Facebook page where you can enter weekly challenges for prizes and find tips and support from a community of people taking part in Commit 2 Fit Kewanee. Samantha Rux from OSF Saint Luke Medical Center talked about Commit 2 Fit on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday morning.

Kewanee Police Chief Nick Welgat was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Friday, January 6th, 2023. On the show, the Kewanee Police Chief addressed concerns from citizens regarding the SAFE-T Act. One provision of the SAFE-T Act that had citizens very concerned was part that seemed prevent Police from arresting people who were trespassing on private property. The law, as initially written, did indicate that such trespassing would not be an arrest offense. Subsequent to that however, revisions to the SAFE-T Act did fix the issue and created scenarios wherein Police can arrest people for trespassing based on certain criteria. The Police Chief also discussed the issue of eliminating Cash Bail, a provision of the Act that is currently the subject of a Supreme Court injunction, meaning it is not currently enacted as law.

Brayden Everly from The YWCA of The Sauk Valley by Regional Media

Sauk Talk-News and Information from Sauk Valley Community College by Regional Media

The Henry County Senior Center has three big bus trips planned for 2022. Cassandra Schmoll from the Henry County Senior Center made her monthly appearance on WKEI on Thursday, January 5th, 2022, to announce three bus trips that the Senior Center is now accepting reservations for. The trips are to Washington D. C, Amish country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and a return to Branson, Missouri set for the Christmas showcase in Branson. To reserve a space on one or all three bus trips, the cost is $75.00 for each trip. $75.00 is the cost of reserving a seat. The total cost of each trip ranges from $885 for Washington D.C, $765.00 for the 4 day trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and $775.00 for the Branson Show Extravaganza 5 days and 4 nights in November of 2023.

Sterling Mayor Skip Lee and City Manager Scott Schumard by Regional Media

Joshua Verscheure is the new Sheriff of Henry County. He was elected to the position in November and took over from Sheriff Kerry Loncka late last year. Today, Sheriff Verscheure joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about his background, his approach to being the new Sheriff of Henry County and to discuss the SAFE-T act which Henry, Rock Island and Bureau County have joined together to prevent from going into effect via an injunction filed by the Henry County State's Attorney. The three counties joined 63 other Illinois Counties that have sued the State of Illinois to prevent the SAFE-T Act, specifically a provision of the act related to Cash Bail, from going into effect. The Sheriff also discussed his opposition to another piece of legislation currently in front of lawmakers in Springfield. According to the Sheriff, he opposes the proposed ban on Assault Weapons because he feels the ban would be unconstitutional. The Sheriff and the Henry County Board are exploring legal options if the Assault Weapons Ban Bill does get passed during the current lame duck session of the Illinois General Assembly.

Janna Groharing-Sterling Main Street by Regional Media