The Angel Tree is officially empty! Amber Patch Troxell with Patchy's Toy Drive and The Salvation Army Angel Tree tells WKEI that the last of the three Angels were purchased this morning, Wednesday, December 15th, following our conversation with Amber on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Wednesday morning. That means that all of the kids who were on the Angel Tree will be getting their toys and clothes for Christmas thanks to your generosity. Of course, they were always going to be taken care of via the donations to Patchy's Toy Drive and Amber herself but it's a wonderful testament to the generosity of our community that the Angels have been completely bought up in 2021. We talked to Amber about Angel Tree, Patchy's Toy Drive and more today on WKEI.

Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday, December 14th, 2021. Mayor Moore joined WKEI to wrap up Monday's Kewanee City Council Meeting which will be the last Kewanee City Council Meeting of 2021. The Mayor discussed bond issues which were mostly house cleaning for the City in preparation for the start of Budget talks. The Mayor also discussed the City of Kewanee plan for applying for grants for the downtown Kewanee area with the goal of cleaning up and strengthening infrastructure and beautification with the goal of attracting businesses to the area. Finally, the Mayor discussed demolitions of buildings in the City of Kewanee and how they are proceeding quickly to take down potentially dangerous or blighted buildings.

Dave & Darren discuss Nature's Treatment's online shopping and year end specials including their 12 Days of Christmas promotion with NTI's Brad Loveless.

Do you struggle with your heating bill? Do you make too much money to qualify for low income help through LIHEAP? There is still help available for you through the Warm Neighbors Cool Friends initiative from Ameren Illinois and the not for profit Energy Assistance Foundation. Susan Sams is with the Energy Assistance Foundation and she spoke with WKEI about how those in need of help year round with electric bills can get help from the Warm Neighbors Cool Friends program.

Jackie Kernan is the President of OSF Saint Luke Medical Center, OSF Saint Clare Medical Center in Princeton and OSF Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth. Jackie Kernan joined WKEI to talk about the progress made at OSF Saint Clare in Princeton since OSF took over back in July of this year. We also talked about the holidays and COVID-19, a tough subject as hospital beds at OSF Hospitals continue to be scarce with rising cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19.

Congratulations to the Award Winning Henry County Farm Bureau. Katie Laleman from the Henry County Farm Bureau joined Wake Up Tri-Counties fresh from the recent Illinois Farm Bureau Conference in Chicago where the Henry County Farm Bureau was among the County Farm Bureaus to be honored at the event for their hard work and charity efforts. Katie also tells WKEI about the new Henry County Farm Bureau President and the continuing Bushels for Hunger Fundraiser that continues into the new year on behalf of the Riverbend Food Bank.

The Kewanee Friends of the Animals will be at the Farm King in Kewanee on Saturday for Pet Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The cost is $10.00 to have your pet and your family pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and the proceeds benefit the Kewanee Friends of the Animals who help those in need pay for veterinary bills. Kewanee City Councilman Steve Faber, a personal friend of Santa Claus, and Jennifer Russell, with the Friends of the Animals were our guests on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Wednesday.

Bethany Bland-Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce by Regional Media

Dave Hellmich Sterling Noon Rotary by Regional Media

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