The Walworth Mural still needs a little help to get completed. Dianne Packee with the Kewanee Mural Committee joined WKEI on Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the need for donations and how you can help with bringing the incredible Walldogs Mural to life during the Prairie Chicken Arts Festival, July 9th and 10th. Walldogs artists who've done amazing work on past Kewanee Murals will return this Summer to bring Walworths to life but your help is needed to make their work possible. Drop off your donation at Reiman's Harley Davidson or mail your donation to Kewanee Mural Committee at P. O. Box 605, Kewanee, IL 61443. Dianne Packee talked about the inspiration for the mural. the artists and the schedule for the big reveal of the mural, in this WKEI Exclusive interview.

There was good news on Wednesday as the number of active, ongoing cases of COVID-19 dropped by 28 cases between the two Counties. RaeAnn Tucker joined WKEI on Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the good news and remind people that we can keep the good news coming as we go through the Bridge Phase if more people get vaccinated. There is another Moderna Clinic on Friday, May 21st and the Johnson and Johnson one shot clinic happening on Monday evening from 5 Pm to 7 Pm. Sign up is at HenryStarkHealth.com. Or you can get vaccinated at any local pharmacy, hospital or Wal Mart location.

Wake Up Sauk Valley with Melissa Ryan RRHH by Regional Media

The name Rusty Lams may not be familiar to everyone but those who knew and cared about Rusty in his hometown of Kewanee likely had heard his stories and were fascinated by him. Rusty had quite an 84 years on Earth including being babysat by a pre-fame Red Skelton, to riding in a jeep next to General Dwight D Eisenhower in World War 2, to moving to Hollywood and befriending the stars such as Clint Eastwood. It was quite a life and near the end Rusty wrote some of it down and gave it to our friend, Dave Clark. On the latest edition of Kewanee Back When, Dave tells the story, The Life and Times of Rusty Lams.

Wake Up Sauk Valley with Sterling Mayor Lee by Regional Media

Wealth Management is a tool for both individuals and businesses to stay on top of their finances and make sure that their money is always working for them. Cody Hester with the Wealth Management team at State Bank of Toulon joined Nichelle Morey and Sean on today's Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the benefits of Wealth Management at the State Bank of Toulon. You can find Cody and his team on Facebook by searching State Bank of Toulon Wealth Management or call Cody at 309.286.2861.

Dr Chris Sullens tells WKEI that Kewanee High School's Brockman Gymnasium is getting an upgrade following the vote on Monday night at the Kewanee School Board. According to Dr Sullens more than $400.000 was approved for a new HVAC system to be installed that will allow for cooling the gym, keeping it warm in the winter and helping improve air circulation, a hallmark of protecting against airborne illnesses such as COVID. The project is the first of likely many projects to improve Kewanee Schools and air filtration, Heating and AC. Also on Monday night, the School Board paid tribute to Kewanee's Group Interpretation Team and their ongoing hard work via virtual competition. And finally, Dr Sullens recapped Sunday's Kewanee High School Class of 2021 graduation.

Two more residents of Henry and Stark County have died from COVID-19. The Henry and Stark County Health Department announced on Tuesday that a woman in her 80s had become the 64th Henry County resident to die from COVID-19. Meanwhile, in Stark County, a woman in her 50's has become the 24th Stark County resident to die from COVID-19. That's 88 people overall between the two counties and a harsh reminder that though we are in the bridge phase to re-opening and mask requirements are beginning to be lifted in many places, COVID-19 is still a problem. Henry County on Friday, remained on the Orange Warning list for too many cases of COVID-19 and only 16% of ICU beds available. RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department joined Wake Up TriCounties on Tuesday to talk about the latest numbers and continue to encourage people to get vaccinated. You can get the COVID-19 vaccine at any pharmacy or by going to HenryStarkHealth.com and registering for upcoming Health Department clinics.

Wake Up Sauk Valley with Kris Noble by Regional Media

OSF Healthcare is set to hold a virtual Wellness Fair. Tina Canada from OSF Healthcare was our guest on Tuesday and talk about what's in store for those who decide to take part in the OSF Healthcare Virtual Wellness Fair taking place on June 12th from 9 Am to 12 Noon. Four aspects of wellness, Eat Well, Move Well, Think Well, and Live Well will be addressed by four special guest speakers during the Virtual Wellness Fair. If you'd like to participate and hear more about how to get well with OSF Healthcare, call 309-734-1424 and talk with Tina Canada who was our guest for our Health Segment on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday.