The Illinois Commerce Commission reached a tariff deal with Ameren Illinois that will pave the way toward the placing of more electric vehicle charging stations along the state's busiest corridors. The agreement also has Ameren creating new customer incentives for those with electric vehicles. These incentives include rebates for those who choose charge the vehicles at home during non-peak energy hours when there will be less stress on the electrical grid. We spoke with Mike Abba, Director of Business Development for Ameren Illinois on Wake Up Tri-Counties about the incentives for customers and the ICC agreement to create more charging stations.

The Henry County Farm Bureau are working to protect and promote clean water via the 'Farmers Grow Clean Water' event at Lake George, Loud Thunder Forest Preserve on July 31st. Families are invited to come and participate and learn how farmers can help protect clean water. It's one of a pair of Farm Bureau events regarding clean water and water conservation that the Henry County Farm Bureau are part of in the month of July. Katie Laleman from the Henry County Farm Bureau was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Wednesday to talk about these events and promote the upcoming Henry County Farm Bureau Golf Outing at Baker Park in Kewanee on Friday, August 13th, 2021.

Hancock County is lagging behind in the total number of residents getting vaccinated. This is forcing places such as Hancock Village to make changes to their current visitors policy. Visiting hours are limited as are the age of visitors and the number of visitors. Chris McKay and Kristen Doyle from Hancock Village joined MacombNewsNow.com this week to discuss the hopefully temporary visiting restrictions and the unfortunate cancellation of their upcoming Fun in the Sun Fundraiser for the new four seasons sun room at Hancock Village.

The University of Illinois Extension will host an Agronomy Day in Monmouth on August 12 at 321 210th Ave, Monmouth, IL 61462.
Titles and speakers include:
Recent advances in forecasting agricultural systems by Dr. Hamze Dokoohaki
New Looks from an Old Herbicide, Again by Dr. Aaron Hager
Plant-parasitic nematode control by Dr. Nathan Schroeder
Corn Rootworm Management and Bt Resistance by Dr. Nick Seiter
Nitrate load reduction in tile drainage by a paired woodchip bioreactor system by Dr. Bryan Maxwell
Economics of Conservation Practices: Results from PCM by Dr. Gary Schnitkey, Sarah Sellars, and Dr. Laura Gentry
MacombNewsNow.com spoke with Agronomist Chelsea Harbach from the University of Illinois Extension for a preview of the August 12th event.

Rotary Wednesday on WSDR by Regional Media

Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore joined WKEI's Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday morning to talk about Monday evening's Kewanee City Council Meeting. On the agenda was a discussion of the budget, specifically fund balances and a recommendation that certain fund balances should be lowered in order to create further transparency in the budget process and to further align the City budget with recommendations from auditors. The Mayor also talked about the American Flag Project, a project spearheaded by the Mayor's wife, Jeanna Moore, to gather funds to purchase flags and place those flags across the City of Kewanee. The project has been a huge success in fundraising and now flags are being purchased to be placed on Main Street in Kewanee, from the downtown toward Wal Mart.

The annual Abilities Plus Golf Outing is taking place on Monday, August 2nd at Midland Golf Club, the former Kewanee Dunes. It's one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for Abilities Plus and you can help Abilities Plus by signing up today. Call Abilities Plus at 309-852-4626 to get signed up. Cost is $80.00 per player and includes a buffet dinner. Julie Landwehr from Abilities Plus was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday with more on the Golf Outing and the new Abilities Plus Group home in Annawan.

The majestic horses known as the Budweiser Clydesdales will be one of the major attractions as part of the return of Kewanee Hog Days. Mark Mikenas from the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce made the announcement on Friday and joined WKEI's Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday to start spreading the word regarding these incredible horses. The Budweiser Clydesdales will bring their carriage to the Kewanee Hog Days Parade Labor Day weekend. It's the first time that the Clydesdales have come to Kewanee after nearly two decades of Mark Mikenas chasing after them to get them to come to Kewanee for the Hog Days Parade. The Clydesdales will only be in Kewanee to participate in the Parade though their may be some time for them the day of leading up to the parade but that is not currently on the schedule. Mark Mikenas spoke to WKEI this morning on Speak Up Tri-Counties to welcome the Budweiser Clydesdales.

Beth Looney, Behavioral Health Navigator at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee was our guest on WKEI and Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday morning. Beth joined WKEI to remind listeners that the start of your mental health journey begins with a phone call, at no cost to you. If not a phone call, you can start your journey online via the SilverCloud app, an app that allows you to reach out digitally for help and receive guidance toward the steps you need to take to get better. To access SilverCloud search for the SilverCloud App in your phone's app store. Otherwise, you can contact Beth Looney at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center by calling 309-344-3161|Ext. 5739.

Patrick Adamson from Nature's Treatment gives us an update on their expanded hours and recreational customer service, mask policy, online shopping availability and medical cannabis registry changes in Illinois.