Princeton Mayor Joel Quiram was on Wake Up Princeton on WZOE-AM recently. He’s reminding residents of the city ordinance prohibiting parking on streets after at least two inches of snow. He’s also urging business owners to keep their sidewalks clear of snow and ice. He says tips are available on the city’s website for keeping water pipes from freezing.

The mayor says he’s pleased with the recent final approval of the affiliation agreement between Perry Memorial Hospital and OSF Healthcare. Quiram says the transition should be completed at some point this summer at which time the hospital will be renamed. He says the city has taken over several properties that didn’t go to OSF. Perry Plaza is now city property, as is the lot at the corner of Sixth and Peru Streets and a house next to the hospital on Fifth Street.

Columbus Street just off Main Street will be closed all of March to see how traffic flow is affected. Columbus Street from behind Spoons to Church Street will be a two-way street during this time. This is being done to test how it would serve as a walkway. The mayor says If it works out, Columbus Street will be reopened on April 1 and the planning stage will begin.

Coming Up at The YWCA by Regional Media

Commit2Fit Kewanee is back for a third year at the Kewanee YMCA. Commit2Fit is already underway but, the YMCA and OSF Saint Luke Medical Center have announced that they will keep registration for Commit2Fit open through February 8th at close of business at the Y. Weigh in at the YMCA during regular business hours and you will be part of Commit2Fit for the chance to win weekly prizes for completing healthy challenges and the chance to win a free year membership at the YMCA and a $300.00 grand prize.

What's Marlo Thomas, formerly TV's That Girl, been up to lately? She's designing her own line of tableware for William Sonoma and Pottery Barn. Marlo Thomas joined WKEI on the Noon Hour to talk about her remarkable new collection, her love for entertaining and her love for St Jude's Children's Hospital for whom she has been an advocate since the 1960s. Marlo, along with husband Phil Donahue, is also entering the podcast arena with a new advice podcast for the newly married, the long time married and those considering marriage. It's called Double Date and it debuts in March.

RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department joined WKEI on People to People for our twice weekly conversation about the latest COVID-19 news in our area. RaeAnn tells WKEI that the first of the vaccine clinics for people 65 years and older on Wednesday went remarkably well with everyone who registered getting their shot and the venue at Black Hawk College, in the parking lot, turning out to be a perfect venue. RaeAnn also discussed the latest on getting more vaccine to Henry and Stark County and the latest Recovery Rate Data which shows many positive signs about limiting the spread of the virus.

Cassandra Schmoll from the Henry County Senior Center was our guest on WKEI's Tuned In program on Thursday. Cassandra joined WKEI to talk about the Home Delivered Meal Program and how seniors who would like to get a meal can get involved. Cassandra unfortunately states that the Senior Center will not be available to help people with their taxes this year do to COVID-19 restrictions on access to the Senior Center. That said, there is still plenty that the Senior Center can do over the phone such as answering questions about Medicare Part D and helping seniors receive discounts on license plate stickers.

February What's Happening in Morrison by Regional Media

Cheerleaders are athletes! That's the message that Kayleigh Anderson and her teammates on the Wethersfield High School Cheer Squad are sending to the Illinois Department of Public Health after the IDPH refused to call Cheerleaders athletes. Initially, cheerleaders were considered as 'spectators' before Kayleigh and other cheerleaders around the state spoke up. But even after the designation of spectator was lifted, the IDPH referred to cheerleaders as participants rather than athletes. We talked to Kayleigh about why the designation of 'Athlete' means so much and about the hard work, dedication and skill that goes into being a cheerleader.

Looking Good for Sterling Main Street by Regional Media

Ben Higgins is not who you think he is. Despite being a handsome reality show star, Higgins is not arrogant or aloof, he's not self-obsessed or overflowing with bravado. Under the surface, he's a shy guy who was lonely for a long time before he sat down and began to examine what made him that way. From that experience comes his new book "Alone in Plain Sight," a memoir about feeling connected to others, the joy that comes from knowing that someone else shares your anxieties and fears, even if you don't know them in real life. Ben hopes that "Alone in Plain Sight" will help other lonely and anxious people to feel connected, understood and seen. That they will get the comfort of knowing that they feel alone, there are many others who feel the same way and understand your fears in a familiar fashion. Ben's not just an author either, he's also a philanthropist. Through his co-ownership of Generous Coffee Company he is making numerous donations to charitable projects across the country. Ben Higgins, The Bachelor, was our guest on the WKEI Noon Hour on Wednesday.