Regional Media Podcast Network

RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Departments joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about Meningitis B, CPR classes, family planning, teeth varnishing for kids, and school physicals. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments are announcing several important health initiatives. The Meningitis B vaccine is now available at First Choice Healthcare clinics while supplies last, targeting young adults and college students at higher risk. Monthly CPR certification classes are being offered every fourth Tuesday in Kewanee for $45, providing critical emergency skills. For children aged 3 to 6, fluoride teeth varnishing appointments can help prevent cavities and are now available at all clinic locations. Comprehensive family planning services, including exams, contraceptives, and pregnancy testing, are also being offered. For details or appointments, visit henrystarkhealth.com or call your nearest clinic.

Deirdre Scott and Dianne Packee joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the upcoming Prairie Chicken Arts Festival. Anticipation is building for the Kewanee Prairie Chicken Arts Festival, returning July 18th and 19th at the Old Go-Kart Track and Berrien Park on West 3rd Street. Highlights include a Kids Luau Party, a "Guns and Hoses" pancake breakfast with local police and firefighters on Saturday morning, and an array of vendor booths. Artistic competitions and free children’s activities add to the excitement. There will be face painting, balloon making, a dunk tank, and a kids' fire hose. Crafters and flea market vendors are encouraged to register by July 10th for an early bird rate of $15, with the fee increasing to $25 after the deadline, which includes both days. Interested participants can contact Brenda at 309-853-9419 for details.

Casandra Schmoll from the Henry County Senior Citizens Center joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about July meals, Friday cinnamon roll breakfast, golf playday, and the loaded baked potato fundraiser. The Henry County Senior Center is gearing up for a busy summer, including a baked potato fundraiser on July 16, 2025, from 11 AM to 1 PM. For just $8, enjoy a loaded Idaho potato with toppings like cheese sauce, bacon, broccoli, and more—plus a famous oversized cookie. All proceeds support the home-delivered meal program benefiting area seniors, which delivers 301 meals on 9 routes throughout Henry County. Casandra said, "So there are a lot of people who need these meals but really can't afford them, but we give them the meal anyway, which is wonderful that we are able to do that. And these fundraisers help with that situation." Call 309-853-8831 by July 15th to reserve your meal. Additionally, registration is open for the September 6 golf outing at Midland Golf Course, raising even more support. Details and menus can be found on the Senior Center’s Facebook page.

The Henry County Senior Center is encouraging amateur golfers of all ages to sign up for its upcoming golf outing, a major fundraiser supporting home-delivered meals. Teams can be mixed with no strict age limits, making it a family-friendly event. Sponsorships for holes and raffle basket donations are welcome and help sustain vital local services. Casandra asks that all raffle baskets get to the senior center by the end of August so they have time to prepare the baskets. You do not need to be present to win.

The center also highlights its $4 weekday lunches at noon, $5 Tuesday dinners at 5 PM $5, and Friday morning cinnamon rolls or sausage biscuits for just $1.

Call 309-853-8831 to reserve a tee time. Plus, there are ongoing meal deals, license plate discounts for seniors, and Friday morning cinnamon rolls for just $1.

John Wirth, Brenda Kegebein, and George DeMay joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the third annual Fourth of July Car Show at Francis Park. Engines and excitement converge at Francis Park this weekend as the Street Cruisers Car Club partners with Gustafson Ford Kewanee for their annual Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show. Shiny rides will compete for trophies while event-goers try their luck at door prizes and browse a bustling craft and flea market. Proceeds will support Honor Flight and Hog Capitol Wildlife Rescue and Rehab, injecting philanthropy into this celebration of horsepower. Live entertainment and a mouthwatering array of food vendors—including barbecue, breakfast favorites, funnel cakes, and more—promise something for everyone. The festivities run from early morning through mid-afternoon, rain or shine. The car, truck, and motorcycle show runs from 8:30 AM to 3 PM, with registration from 8:30 to 11 AM. The tractor parade begins at 8 AM and goes from Walmart to Francis Park. The craft and flea market goes from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Samantha Rux from OSF Healthcare joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to provide safety tips for fireworks use this Fourth of July. As Illinois gears up for Independence Day, safety experts are reminding residents that popular consumer fireworks like bottle rockets and Roman candles remain illegal under state law. However, even legal options such as sparklers and smoke bombs can pose serious risks. Nationally, the Consumer Product Safety Commission logged nearly 10,000 injuries and eight deaths from fireworks in 2023. Dr. Stathis Poulakidas from OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center warns that even sparklers, burning at around 1,800 degrees, can cause severe burns, especially to children. He urges everyone to leave fireworks to professionals and prioritize safety to prevent devastating injuries.

Country music artist Angela Meyer joined Wake Up Tri-Countries to introduce her powerful new single, “Blood Disease,” ahead of her much-anticipated live performance at the Levitt Amp Galva Music Series on June 29, 2025. Meyer's forthcoming album, also titled “Blood Disease," releases in September and will be available on all major platforms like iTunes and Spotify. Crowned the Midwest Country Music Organization’s “New Artist of the Year” in 2023, she continues to move listeners with her heartfelt songwriting and live shows. For more, catch her “Muddy Water Radio” program every Saturday on WQUD 107.7 FM. Find more about Angela Meyer on her website.

Angela Meyer continues to capture hearts in the Quad Cities and beyond with her heartfelt songwriting and powerful live performances. Raised in a family steeped in country music, Meyer's artistic journey began when her grandparents gave her a guitar at the age of ten. By fifteen, she was writing her songs, quickly making a name for herself on stage. With more than a decade of professional experience, Meyer’s sets blend acoustic covers and her country-western originals. She's performed from New Mexico to New York, including at the prestigious National Finals Rodeo events. Discover her music on YouTube at www.youtube.com/angelacmeyer.

RaeAnn Tucker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about fireworks safety, food safety, sun safety, men's health, HIV testing, and school physicals. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments will close all offices and First Choice Healthcare Clinics on Friday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day. Some home services staff will continue essential care, but regular hours will resume on July 7th. Officials are warning of increased fireworks injuries during holiday celebrations, particularly among children under 15. The departments urge safe handling: never let kids use fireworks unattended and always follow instructions. Food safety is also a concern—keep perishables cold and discard food left out too long. For appointments, information on school physicals, HIV testing, or birth certificates, visit henrystarkhealth.com.