Melinda Jones-Rock Falls Tourism by Regional Media

OSF Saint Luke Medical Center is hiring. Samantha Rux from OSF Saint Luke Medical Center joined WKEI, along with Dietitian Sara Umphleet, to talk about the positions available by going to OSFHealthcare.org/jobs. Sara then transitioned the conversation to grilling and specifically, how to grill safe, healthy foods. Tips for barbecue that won't hit your waistlne too hard and those hidden sugars in what we eat and how keep them to a minimum so you can eat healthier.

Zutobi is a company that works in Driver's Education. Zutobi offers a way for people in need of a driving test to get some practice in via a series of fun and different tests of skills and knowledge. Leo Waldenback with Zutobi was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about a research study that Zutobi just released regarding Distracted Driving. In that study, the state of Illinois ranked 8th most dangerous state overall for Distracted Driving accidents. We discussed the methodology behind the research and more with Leo Waldenback from Zutobi on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday.

Kewanee High School Valedictorian Chloe Gruzeczka was the winner of the Kewanee VFW Post Art contest for 2021. Tasked with creating a patriotic work of art, Chloe was inspired and created a beautiful work that not only won the VFW art show, it went on and won the Department of Illinois VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. Chloe’s artwork now has advanced to national competition at the VFW Auxiliary National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. Her entry will be judged against other state finalists. Winners will be announced on July 30. First place receives a $15,000 college scholarship. WKEI spoke with Chloe along with Cindie Saey, Scholarship Chairman, about Chloe's artwork, her plans for the future and what art means to her on the latest edition of Wake Up Tri-Counties.

Wake Up Sauk Valley with The YWCA by Regional Media

Wake Up Sauk Valley With Andy Jackson from Sinnissippi Centers by Regional Media

Wake Up Sauk Valley with Sheriff Booker by Regional Media

State Senator Win Stoller is in Kewanee today, Thursday, July 15th, for a townhall meeting at The Stables from 6 Pm to 7:30 Pm. The event is free to attend and State Senator Stoller plans on trying to answer as many questions as possible during the event. Prior to the event, State Senator Stoller was our guest in our Regional Media Studios for a preview of tonight's event and to discuss several issues that have been in the headlines across the state. State Senator Stoller tells WKEI that he recently met with Governor Pritzker in the midst of passing the so-called 'SALT' bill, a bill aimed at helping Small Businesses with Federal taxes. State Senator Stoller also spoke to WKEI about the need for clarification on the state level regarding mask mandates for kids returning to school, and about an ongoing scandal related to the Illinois Prison Board.

The Delta Variant will become the dominant form of COVID-19 in the state of Illinois this year. This is important because the Delta Variant of COVID-19 is more dangerous and easily spread than any prior form of COVID-19. The spread of the Delta Variant of COVID-19 is why several southern Illinois counties are facing new restrictions that other parts of the state are not. This is due to low vaccination numbers and high vaccine hesitancy. RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to continue calling on people to get vaccinated. The vaccines available are effective in stopping the spread of all forms of COVID-19 including the Delta Variant.

Bethany Bland, Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce by Regional Media