Melinda Jones from Rock Falls Tourism by Regional Media

RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department joined WKEI to discuss getting over vaccine hesitancy. Henry County and Stark County are now at 30 percent of the population who are to be vaccinated, having been vaccinated fully. However, for things to go back to a semblance of normality, that number needs to reach 70 percent of Henry and Stark County residents having been vaccinated. Meanwhile, infection numbers continue to be to high in both counties with a worrisome amount of people having to be hospitalized due to COVID-19. This may be due to the now most dominant strain of the virus, the U.K variant which is more transmissable or more dangerous than the original strain. It's a strong reminder of the necessity to follow mitigation efforts, masks, distancing, hand washing, etc, and to get vaccinated. The Henry and Stark County Health Department announced on Tuesday that they've supplied local pharmacies in Kewanee and Geneseo with vaccine which you can now get at your local pharmacy on your schedule.

The Kewanee City Council met on Monday night with a relatively short agenda. The first item on the agenda was welcoming new Kewanee City Council member Tyrone Baker and swearing in Mr Baker and the newly re-elected Councilman Steve Faber for their Council terms. After discussing the newest member of the City Council, the Mayor discussed the agenda items from Monday night including discussions regarding the annexation of a piece of property into Kewanee, potential changes to the Kewanee Noise and Nuisance laws, loose dogs and the need for an Animal Control Officer and a public hearing regarding potential changes to Kewanee's existing TIF District.

Dates Coming Up Relay for Life by Regional Media

Cornerstone Credit Union Rock Solid Advice-April 2021 by Regional Media

OSF Saint Luke Medical Center is now taking registration for vaccine clinics. Until recently, only the Henry and Stark County Health Department clinics at Black Hawk College were the one way to get a vaccine. Now, however, due to the increase in supply of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, the Health Department has given the go ahead to OSF Saint Luke Medical Center to begin their own series of clinics. Dr Hayley Ralph from OSF Saint Luke Medical Center joined WKEI on Tuned In to discuss the upcoming clinics, how to register and overcoming the objections that some have to being vaccinated.

Several years ago, WKEI profiled a Kewanee graduate and Black Hawk College East Campus graduate, Jake Pinnick, who had left Kewanee to travel to the far East to learn more about Martial Arts. Since then, Jake Pinnick has spent most of the past 10 years in Wudan China, learning and teaching martial arts. Jake has been on quite a journey including in the last year when COVID-19 affected the lives of everyone around the globe. WKEI spoke with Jake Pinnick for the Monday, April 26th edition of People to People to reflect on his journey, his dedication to the martial arts and what the last year has been like from the perspective of an American living in China.

State Senator Darren Bailey is coming to Kewanee on Saturday from 5 Pm to 7 Pm for a meet and greet at The Stables in Kewanee. State Senator Bailey spoke to WKEI on Friday in the Noon Hour to talk about why he decided to run for Governor, the status of his lawsuit against Governor J.B Pritzker, and what he'd like to do if elected. State Senator Bailey is currently one of three candidates declared on the Republican side with others still weighing whether to join the race.

Michael Devine from the Internal Revenue Service was our guest on the Noon Hour on WKEI. Michael joined WKEI to discuss another year of the delayed filing date. If you haven't filed your taxes yet, you have until May 15th rather than the traditional date of April 15th. Michael Devine also discussed Economic Impact Payments and how they affect your taxes, making sure you file correctly if you received unemployment last year and the latest efforts scam artists are making to try to separate you from your money.

Sara Billiet from the Kewanee Public Library was our guest on Tuned In on Thursday, April 22nd. Sara was on hand to talk about upcoming events at the Kewanee Public Library. These include the Adult Book Club taking place in May, a new Zoom event with some terrific guest speakers, and Take and Make items for the kids, grab bags for activities as part of Youth Services at the Kewanee Public Library. Speaking of Youth Services, there is now an opening for a full time assistant to our friend Sara Billiet. Apply by stopping by the Kewanee Public Library.