Cory Law with Whiteside County Health Dept. by Regional Media

Wethersfield Elementary School Principal Gus Elliott joined WKEI to pay tribute to Teachers. It's National Teachers Week and Gus Elliott had nothing but positive news about the ways in which teachers have adapted to the new world of E-Learning. Gus tells WKEi that teachers with no experience with modern technology were adapting like pros to Google Hangouts and creating online videos for students. Gus also took time to honor those members of the school support staff who've worked behind the scenes to make everything possible. Thank you teachers, Wethersfield and everywhere.

The Henry County Senior Citizens Center is hard at work delivering home delivered meals for seniors. Cassandra Schmoll, director of the Henry County Senior Citizens Center wants every senior in need to know that Home Delivered Meals are available and there is no need for them to go without. Grant money is even available to help cover those who can't afford the modest donation requested to pay for Home Delivered Meals. The goals is to make sure seniors sheltered at home are getting at least one good meal a day. Cassandra also reminded residents to make sure they fill out the census. If you need help with the census, contact the senior center and they will walk you through it.

The Henry and Stark County Health Department have announced 4 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Henry County, bringing the total confirmed cases to 59 thus far. Stark County continues to have only 1 confirmed case. Meanwhile, it is National Nurses Week and much of our daily briefing today with RaeAnn Tucker concerned paying tribute to the nurses in our community. Health Department nurses are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle and we cannot thank them, and all of our local nurses enough for their hard work and dedication.

What's Happening in Morrison with Kim by Regional Media

Adult counselors Julie Portillo and Andrea Zimmerman of Freedom House in Princeton visited with WZOE-AM morning host Paul Bomleny recently on Wake Up Princeton.  May is National Mental Health Awareness Month.  They said one in 5 Americans will have a mental health condition during any given year. At least 75% of Freedom House's clients are experiencing conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance use. It's even worse during the COVID-19 situation, as people tend to move into crisis mode when they do not feel like they have control over some or all of their life circumstances. Common coping strategies include checking out with social media, over or under eating or sleeping, substance abuse and self harm. Much healthier options are bringing yourself into the present moment, listening to music, a hobby, a walk in nature, cooking, biking, cleaning, organizing, exercising, working on a puzzle, keeping a journal, healthy eating and a proper sleep schedule. You can contact Freedom House by calling 800-474-6031 or online at freedomhouseillinois.org.

Sauk Valley Community College with Dallas and EmmaLea by Regional Media

The Kewanee City Council held another budget meeting on Monday, May 4th. During this meeting, Council members shared their thoughts on what they would like to see as the City budget continues to shape. Tough decisions have to be made with long term planning being weighed next to short term concerns, not the least of which an economically crippling, worldwide pandemic. Weighing current concerns versus long term needs was part of the discussion. Concerns about Police vehicles, infrastructure needs and I.T upgrades are all things being weighed as budget discussions move forward for the next fiscal year.

There is very little likelihood that you can carry the Coronavirus on your shoes. WKEI spoke to Patty Olinger, an infectious disease specialist and FOX News Radio contributor about a new CDC study and the ways in which it can be misrepresented or misunderstood. The CDC study was specifically related to places where there is a high concentration of the virus, i.e hospitals and the chance of those worker carrying the virus on footwear. In regular daily life, you are very, very unlikely to have that level of exposure to enough COVID-19 to carry the virus on your shoes.

The COVID-19 cluster at the Tyson Plant in Joslin continues to grow in positive cases. According to the latest information from the Henry and Stark County Health Department, the Joslin outbreak is now responsible for more than 23% of COVID-19 cases in Henry County. The total Henry County number of confirmed cases remains at 55 as of Tuesday afternoon. Henry County Public Health Administrator Duane Stephens explained why the Health Department released this new information on the Joslin outbreak:

“This number is up from our previously reported 10 cases connected to the Tyson Plant. We are continuing to release this information to urge local residents to remain cautious and vigilant when it comes to community mitigation efforts and remaining in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order to “Stay-A-Home,” go out for essential trips only, observe social distancing of at least 6 feet, wear a face covering when in public places, cover coughs and wash hands frequently.”