Regional Media Podcast Network

Samantha Rux joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the upcoming blood drive at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center on August 21, 2025, from 11 AM to 3 PM. OSF Saint Luke Medical Center is hosting a community blood drive on August 21, 2025, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Walk-ins are welcome, but those interested are encouraged to schedule an appointment online for convenience. The medical center recently earned a four-star rating from the National Rural Honor Roll, highlighting its commitment to quality care. However, reaching a five-star status requires 100 completed inpatient surveys from patients—a goal they’re still working towards. Community participation, both in the blood drive and by returning patient surveys, plays an essential role in helping Saint Luke achieve this prestigious recognition.

RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare Clinics joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss National Health Center Week, school physicals, WIC, Insurance Navigators, and Medicare Wellness visits. August 3-9, 2025, marks National Health Center Week, with the Henry and Stark County Health Departments joining First Choice Healthcare Clinics to highlight the importance of accessible community health. This year’s theme, “We Are Healthcare,” emphasizes the full spectrum of services available at clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon, including family planning, chronic disease management, mental health support, and convenient walk-in care. The launch of the Illinois WIC EBT Card streamlines grocery benefits for eligible families. Medicare recipients are reminded that annual wellness visits are fully covered and help maintain long-term health. Clinic contact details are available at henrystarkhealth.com.

Four titleholders from the 2025 Miss World Festival Queen Pageant—Mini Miss Talia DeReu, Little Miss Charley Chandler, Junior Miss Sophia Sebben, and Miss Eva Ceja—joined Wake Up Tri-Counties. Sharing insights into pageant life, they spoke about their aspirations and the community service they plan to complete during their reigning year. Each expressed gratitude to Jeanna Moore, Stephanie Smith, and other organizers, calling them instrumental in building a strong, supportive pageant family. The girls highlighted friendship, confidence, and a commitment to making a difference as key takeaways from their experiences so far.

Dave Clarke and Ray Cruse joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about an upcoming fundraiser by the Wethersfield Alumni Association. The Wethersfield Alumni Association is inviting community members to a unique fundraiser on August 17, 2025. Held from 11 AM to 3 PM in the Wethersfield High School gym, the event features a trophy sale where supporters can select trophies for a donation of their choosing. Nearly 500 awards, spanning from 1960 to 2007, will be on display and available for adoption in exchange for a donation to support scholarships and annual events. Attendees can browse former team trophies, plaques from sports, band, and Academic Bowl, and even take home a piece of local history. None are from state or regional championships. All proceeds benefit the association’s class reunion activities and scholarships for graduating students. This special day also pays tribute to the classes of 1945 and 1975 during the annual reunion. Organizers Dave Clarke and Ray Cruse encourage alumni and residents to participate and help support future generations of Wethersfield graduates.

Illinois is taking a major step to address youth mental health with a new law, Senate Bill 1560, championed by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz. The law mandates universal mental health screenings for students in grades three through twelve once the state provides screening tools at no cost to schools. The goal is early identification of issues such as sadness, hopelessness, and academic struggles. Parents retain the choice to opt their children out. Support will be available through the BEACON portal, a centralized resource to connect families with appropriate behavioral health services. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.