Regional Media Podcast Network

Sometimes, all it takes is the passion of one dedicated individual. In the case of an Ohio Lemonade Stand, an 8 year old girl's passion has become a non-profit sensation. After being hospitalized at an early age, Payton received a Teddy Bear in the hospital and it meant the world to her. This inspired her to raise money to make sure kids her age always received Teddy Bears for comfort while in the hospital. In the first year, Payton raised $800.00. Then her cause went viral and since then, Payton's Lemonade Stand became a vibrant and thriving example of what a passion project truly looks like. Kathy Foes from the OSF Healthcare Foundation talked about the passion to want to help people and how that drives fundraising activities. Payton's example is that one person can make a major difference when they have a cause. The OSF Healthcare Foundation has a passion for causes that has led to strides in local healthcare.

Henry and Stark County are at Medium Risk for COVID-19 transmission. That from the latest IDPH data. On Thursday, WKEI spoke with RaeAnn Tucker about the latest COVID-19 numbers including 112 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between Henry and Stark County. The transmissibility of the latest COVID-19 variant is proving to be a challenge, especially among the unvaccinated who are being hit the hardest by COVID-19 infections. RaeAnn Tucker also talked about upcoming pop COVID-19 booster clinics for all eligible age groups and Breastfeeding Awareness Month, an effort to let new moms know that there is help available for those who a struggling with breastfeeding.

What started as a story about the concerns over the breeding of pigs for pets, under the misleading name Teacup Pigs, turned into a fascinating conversation about the dangerous growth of factory farms across the country. On Friday, WKEI talked with reporter and TV Host Jane Velez Mitchell about a new Unchained TV reality series about cute pigs called "Pig Little Lies" and came from that was an eye opening conversation about the American food industry and the ways factory farms are harming the environment and independent, non-factory farmers across the country. You can find Pig Little Lies on Unchained TV available in the App Store of your favorite Smart TV, SmartPhone or Tablet.

Cassandra Schmoll from the Henry County Senior Center was our guest this week on Wake Up Tri-Counties. Cassandra tells WKEI that the recent Henry County Senior Center Golf Outing at Midland Golf Course was a huge success. So many generous people played and donated money and are now helping the Henry County Senior Center's Home Delivered Meal Program to be able to keep delivering hot meals to Seniors across Henry County. Cassandra reminds any senior interested in receiving a Home Delivered Meal can contact the Senior Center to get signed up. The Senior Center does ask for a minimum donation for Home Delivered Meals but no one will be kept off the list or denied a meal if they decide not to make a donation.

Sterling Mayor Skip Lee by Regional Media

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

Author Gary E. Kerr is coming to the Kewanee Public Library on Saturday August 6th for a book signing. Mr. Kerr, a well known lawyer in the Peoria area, authored a book about his father, Roy Kerr, from Kewanee, Illinois was a veteran of War War 2. Late in his life, his son, Gary, had him record his World War 2 stories and those stories, along with stories from Roy's life before and after the war, back in Kewanee, comprise the book "World War 2 My Father's Journey: Friendship War Romance." Gary E. Kerr will be signing copies of his book on Saturday, August 6th beginning at 10:30 Am.

NAMI is coming to Kewanee with a pair of opportunities for people to learn about Mental Health and Mental Health Services. NAMI's Laurie Edge was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties this week to talk about the NAMI Family and Friends Seminar on August 18th at the Black Hawk College Community Education Center in Kewanee. This is a free 90-minute seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to best support them. This will be followed in September by NAMI Family to Family Mental Health Education, an 8-session education course for family members, caregivers and friends of an adult loved one living with a mental health condition. This course will also take place at the Black Hawk College Community Education Center beginning on September 15th,

Kim Ewoldsen-What's Happening in Morrison! by Regional Media

Janna Groharing-Sterling Main Street by Regional Media