The latest infection rate numbers from the Henry and Stark County Health Department saw a minor decrease in the number of active, ongoing, cases of COVID-19 from last week. That said, there is still a ways to go. Henry and Stark County are at less than 40% of residents vaccinated and while Governor Pritzker has announced that are entering the Bridge phase back to re-opening the state, more people need to get vaccinated before we can start to act as if the pandemic is over. The Henry and Stark County Health Department will have a one shot, drive through Johnson and Johnson clinic on May 24th in the evening, from 5 Pm until 7 Pm at Black Hawk College. You can register for that clinic at HenryStarkHealth.com.

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Carrie McKillip from the University of Illinois Extension sat down with MacombNewsNow.com on Wednesday to talk about engaging people with local issues. Specifically, in this case, the issue is recycling. Right now, you can go to Go.Illinois.edu/RecycleMcDonough to participate in the Extension's survey on Recycling. It's a chance for you to be part of shaping public policy regarding the subject of recycling and it's a great way to show you care about your community. We talked about the survey and reaching out to get the community involved with Carrie McKillip from the University of Illinois Extension on MacombNewsNow.com.

Katie Laleman from the Henry County Farm Bureau was our guest on Wake Up Tri Counties on Wednesday morning. Katie joined us with a look at progress during the planting season and a closer look at mental health among farmers. The Henry County Farm Bureau has resources available for anyone who is struggling with stress, anxiety or depression, just get in touch. Katie also talked about an upcoming forum specifically for Ag teachers and the next Market Outlook Seminar coming in July of 2021. Finally, don't forget that Birdies for Charity is coming soon and the Henry County Farm Bureau Foundation is among the charities that benefit from people taking part in Birdies for Charity.

The YMCA of Kewanee Golf Playday is Saturday, May 15th at Baker Park Golf Course. Proceeds benefit the YMCA of Kewnee Annual Campaign and they go far to support all of the incredible things the YMCA of Kewanee does for the community. The cost to play is $50.00 per person, up to 4 players per team. There is also a Steak dinner at the 19th Hole following the Golf Playday. Shotgun start at 1Pm on Saturday and there will be prizes for closest to the pin and door prizes as well. Jill Milroy and Grant Myers from the YMCA of Kewanee were our guest on WKEI Wake Up Tri-Counties on Wedneday morning and they talked all about how the money raised supports what the YMCA does in the community and how the YMCA of Kewanee is gearing up to welcome more and more people back as we begin to move toward the full re-opening of the state of Illinois.

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RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department joined WKEI on Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about Henry County remaining on the Orange Warning list and the latest infection numbers. There was good news, it's expected that the number of active, ongoing cases of COVID-19 is expected to go down on Wednesday but infections are still higher than they should be while vaccine reluctance remains a stumbling block toward reaching the bridge to the re-opening of the state.

Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore joined WKEI on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday morning. The Mayor of Kewanee was on hand to discuss Monday night's Kewanee City Council Meeting. Among the items discussed was an approved raise in the Sewer Rate in Kewanee. Mayor Moore explained that repairs and upgrades at the City's waste water treatment plant were the reason behind the $3.00 increase in rates. The Mayor also discussed the new noise ordinance in Kewanee which creates a standard decibel rate for residential areas and businesses in residential areas. The new ordinance means a uniform standard for the law related to noise complaints and the decibel level. The Mayor also briefly touched on why the Council decided to table a discussion and vote on contracts for operating the Kewanee Animal Control Pound. Two groups are bidding on the contract and one council member was not able to be at Monday's meeting which led to the decision to table the contract until next meeting.

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