Regional Media Podcast Network

Wake Up Tri-Counties Fay Mattson from Help at Home

Just one day following their wildly successful Drive-Thru Job Fair at our Regional Media studios, Fay Mattson from Help at Home joined Sean Kernan on the WKEI Morning Show to talk about how their are still opportunities, jobs, available with Help at Home. There are jobs at Help at Home for any experience level. Duties range from cooking and cleaning for homebound individuals to more thorough care for these individuals, depending on your level of education and qualifications. It's a great job...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Katie Laleman with the Henry County Farm Bureau

Katie Laleman from the Henry County Farm Bureau was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Wednesday, April 12th, 2023. Katie joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the recent successes of the Women in Agriculture Conference and the Frozen Meal Program which sold more frozen meals than ever before this year. Katie also talked about getting the chance to surprise the student winners of the Farm Bureau t-shirt contest, something the Henry County Farm Bureau will be doing later this month. And...

The Good News on National Pet Day with 3rd Grader Adalynn Hayes

Today is National Pet Day and as part of our WKEI presentation of The Good News weekdays at 7:55 AM, Kewanee 3rd Grade student, Adalynn Hayes joined Wake Up Tri-Counties with The Good News about National Pet Day.   

Rock Falls Rotary News with Jeff Gray and Betty Clementz

Sparks’ Notes - Macomb Mayor Inman

Macomb Mayor Mike Inman returns to chat about goings-on in the City of Macomb, including the Public Health Month Proclamation issued at the April 3rd City Council Meeting, as well as City Council Election results and some upcoming Public Works Projects that are going to be taking place this year. 

Sidney Iowa Rodeo Queen Anna Horn on The Breakfast Club

Anna is the 2022 Sidney Iowa Rodeo Queen...She visited the Breakfast Club this morning (4-10-23) to talk about being a rodeo queen, what goes into the making of a rodeo queen along with the duties and benefits of the position. 

Wake Up Tri-Counties Samantha Rux OSF Saint Luke Medical Center Scholarships

High School Seniors will be touring OSF Saint Luke Medical Center this week to learn about jobs at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center. Whether students are headed to college for a career in Healthcare or students are looking for work directly out of High School, OSF Saint Luke Medical Center has a number of opportunities available for High Schoolers looking to stay close to home. Samantha Rux from OSF Saint Luke Medical Center talked to WKEI on Monday about the opportunities at OSF and about scho...

Sauk Talk- News from Sauk Valley Community College

74th Illinois District State Representative Brad Fritts

Wake Up Tri-Counties Kewanee City Council Member Chris Colomer

In Tuesday's consolidated election, Chris Colomer won re-election to another term on the Kewanee City Council. Chris joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023, to talk about his being re-elected, what he hopes to see happen in Kewanee during this next term and finding his voice as a member of the Kewanee City Council. Chris Colomer also talked about Retail Sales numbers in Kewanee and how they've gone up for the past few years and the hope of bringing even more retail busines...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Kewanee City Council Member Mike Komnick

On Tuesday, Kewanee City Council member Mike Komnick was re-elected to another 4 year term on the Kewanee City Council. It's another sign that, for the most part, the people of Kewanee appear happy with the direction of the City of Kewanee. We talked to Mike Komnick about the things he hopes to see happen in his next term, the challenges facing the City of Kewanee, and his thoughts on the current state of City Government in Kewanee. 

Sparks’ Notes - Nichole Duffy, McDonough County Health Dept

Nichole Duffy returns to talk about National Public Health Week, which runs April 3rd through April 9th, with multiple themes focused on improving your health in your community.  All week long, be sure to take selfies while you're doing something to be healthy, post it to Facebook, and tag the McDonough County Health Department so they can show it to everybody. 

Dr Logan Lightfoot Maryville School Superintendent

Dr. Lightfoot stopped by the Breakfast Club to talk about facility renovations, projections for enrollment, and district readiness for the future.

Maryville City Mgr. Greg McDanel

Greg came in to talk about the vote on the recreational use pot tax on the ballot today (4-4-23). We also touch on a couple other topics.  Listen in!  

Janna Groharing, Sterling Main Street

Janna from Sterling Main Street stop in this morning to talk about all the spring events coming up, and some summer stuff going on as well.

The Good News on WKEI with 3rd Grader Linda Doddroe

In today's Good News, Kewanee 3rd Grade student Linda Doddroe gave us all the Good News about an Easter favorite: Peeps! 

Relay For Life Update, April 4th

Relay For Life of The Sauk Valley is planned for Saturday, June 3rd, at Westwood Building 3 in Sterling which will officially start at 6 p.m. until around 9 p.m.. During that time there will be : Opening lap for all survivors to be celebrated; theme laps to keep team members involved – each team is to have at least one person on the track at all times; games and activities during that duration; teams may bring in food and beverages – non-alcoholic, of course; a Luminaria ceremony in which na...

Wendy Combs From New Nodaway Humane Society

Wendy Combs from the New Nodaway Humane Society stopped by the Breakfast Club to tell our listeners about a couple upcoming fundraising events.

Wake Up Tri-Counties Health Department 12 Communities in 12 Months Event

RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department joined Wake Up Tri-Counties live from the Health Department's 12 Communities in 12 Months event at the State Bank of Toulon in Toulon. The event is one of 12 stops in a planned series of events in 12 communities served by the Henry and Stark County Health Department. Today in Toulon the Health Department handed out free COVID-19 Test Kits, performed blood pressure checks and gave out information regarding Healthy Nutrition as pa...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Galva Mayoral Forum

Three candidates will be on the ballot in the race to be the next Mayor of Galva in the April 4th Consolidated Election. Current Mayor Rich Volkert, and challengers Traci McClintic and David Heck spoke to WKEI this week for an informal Mayoral forum. Each candidate discussed why they are running to be the next Mayor of Galva, what voters have been telling them as they approach election day and what they plan to do first if elected as the next Mayor of Galva. Each candidate was offered 8 minu...

Sparks’ Notes - Macomb Police Chief Jeff Hamer

Sparks chats with Macomb Police Chief Jeff Hamer about "Distracted Driving Month", an initiative to remind drivers to minimize distractions while they're driving, including putting down cell phones.  Chief Hamer also discusses the initial hire testing that will take place on May 6th. Applications for the Macomb Police department are due May 1st are available at the station or by visiting the City of Macomb website.

The Breakfast Club Welcomes Lauren Lynch from Meril

Lauren is a case manager at Meril, and she came in to explain what  Meril does and to offer information on how and when to apply for help from Meril. 

Kewanee League of Women Voters Forum for the April 4th, Consolidated Election

The Kewanee League of Women Voters held a forum on Tuesday, March 28th, 2023, at Kewanee City Hall in Council Chambers. Three candidates running for the Kewanee City Council, current Council Members Mike Komnick and Chris Colomer, and challenger Scott Withrow, answered questions from the public and the moderator about why they would like to be part of the Kewanee City Council going forward. Candidates for Black Hawk College Board and the Kewanee Park Board also spoke and answered questions f...

Lynette Harben - Exec Director Big Brothers Big Sisters Visits the Breakfast Club

BIg Brothers Big Sisters has their big bowling event (Bowl for Kids Sake) coming up April 14th.  This is their signature fundraising event each year. The gist of it is you gather donations by either asking friends and family to contribute by check the electronically via their peer to peer website or you host a fundraising event. The bowling event is really just the party we throw to say thank you for all the work you did raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Teams consist of up to 6 pe...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Wrap-Up of Monday’s Galva City Council Meeting

The Galva City Council met on Monday, March 27th, 2023, in a well attended meeting. Members of the public turned out to see Monday's meeting and were on hand as the Galva City Council chose to enter into an agreement with consultants to provide help in building up Galva's downtown area. The consultants will spend the next several weeks speaking to downtown business owners and making observations regarding ways Galva can bolster the downtown area. This was among several big topics at Monday's...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Low Cost Nutrition Tips with OSF Saint Luke Medical Center Dietitian Sara Umphleet

With inflation having caused prices to rise at grocery stores across the country, it's created challenges for people hoping to eat healthy. Sara Umphleet OSF Saint Luke Medical Center Dietitian joined Wake Up Tri-Counties with tips on how to eat healthy on a budget. Sara has 10 tips for healthy eating without breaking he bank. Sara joined Samantha Rux on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday, March 27th, 2023.

Sparks’ Notes - Richard Chamberlain, Good Food Collaborative

Sparks chats with Richard Chamberlain from the Good Food Collaborative about their Choice-Based Food Pantry, which recently opened in the Western Illinois Regional Council building at 133 West Jackson Street in Macomb. The Choice-Based Food Pantry seeks to helps assist McDonough County families who are struggling with food insecurity, and is open Tuesdays and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information on the Choice-Based Food Pantry or to make ...

Elizabeth Argo from the Maryville Public Library talks Kids Business Fair and This Weekends Craft Event

Elizabeth Argo is the Youth Activities Coordinator for the Maryville Public Library. Last Saturday was the Children's Business Fair, where kids with an entrepreneurial drive see what it's like to come up with a product, write a business plan, create inventory, design and create their marketing plan, then present their products at the fair.  This years fair brought in over six thousand dollars from over 30 participants. They also figured the sales tax after the fair to lend more realism to th...

Wake Up Tri-Counties IL State Police Trooper Jason Wilson

Trooper Jason Wilson with the Illinois State Police joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Friday to talk about the effort the Illinois State Police is making to educate kids about online grooming. Trooper Wilson talked about the ways in which criminals are reaching out to kids via social media and their smartphones. Trooper Wilson tells WKEI that kids need to be unafraid to talk to parents or authorities when they've been approached or have been tricked by online criminals. Trooper Wilson also talk...

The Good News National Downs Syron

In today's Friday Good News debut segment, Wethersfield 3rd graders, Walker and Crewe joined Wake Up Tri-Counties with The Good News on National Down Syndrome Day which was celebrated on Tuesday, March 21st, 2023. Wethersfield 3rd graders welcomed a person with Down Syndrome to class on Tuesday as part of the recognition the day. Walker and Crewe told us about the day and why it was important to Wethersfield students. 

Wake Up Tri-Counties Kewanee Football Head Coach Matt Taylor

Kewanee High School on Monday evening announced that Matt Taylor is the new Head Football Coach at Kewanee. Today on Wake Up Tri-Counties we spoke with Coach Taylor about taking on the challenge of becoming a Head Coach for the first time, his Football background, and his approach as a Head Football Coach. We also discussed how Coach Taylor's background in the military and how that influences how he views Coaching. Coach Matt Taylor was our guest during our Sports Segment on Wake Up Tri-Coun...

Sparks’ Notes - Nichole Duffy, McDonough County Health Dept

Sparks chats with Nichole Duffy from the McDonough County Health Department about their Ounce Of Prevention Screening program, a bloodwork screening which gives patients the ability to engage in preventative health care by setting a baseline for their health.  For more information about the Ounce Of Prevention Screening or set up an appointment, call the McDonough County Health Department at (309) 832-9951 extension 2270. 

Tik Tok Personality Rex Vengeance Escalade Giveaway

Rex Vengeance is a Tik Tok Personality who along with his crew buy's vehicles and fixes them up with money he receives during the Tik Tok Lives he does.  While doing the live, Rex takes donations and Rights the names of those in his lives, on the vehicles. Once the vehicle is repaired and in very good working order, the most deserving recipient is chosen and Rex delivers it to them at no charge and signs it over to them with NO strings attached. Today (March 22, 2023) Rex and his crew, Evo J...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Angie Burford Kiwanis Pancake Day

Kiwanis Pancake Day is set for April 1st and, for the first time since before the pandemic, it will be in person. That's right, you will be able to enjoy your pancake breakfast with your family in person at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 1st. Angie Burford is a member of Kiwanis and one of the organizers of Pancake Day and she joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023, to invite the whole community for Pancakes at First United Methodist Church from 7 AM to ...

The Good News on WKEI National Goof Off Day with 3rd Grade rMa’Kiyah Perry

Ma'Kiyah Perry from Miss Bennett's Third Grade class was our guest for The Good News on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023. Ma'Kiyah delivered The Good News regarding today as National Goof Off Day, a day to celebrate goofing off, doing something silly, fun, and entertaining while taking a break from your normal life and responsibilities. Ma'Kiyah was in our WKEI RegionalMediaNews.com studios on Wednesday with the real history behind National Goof Off Day. 

Sterling Mayor Skip Lee

Wake Up TriCounties Help at Home Job Fair March 31st

If you're looking for work and you enjoy helping people, working for Help at Home may just be for you. Help at Home is a service that provides caregivers for elderly and disabled people in communities across Western Illinois. Faye Mattson with Help at Home was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on WKEI on Tuesday, March 21st. The Help at Home Drive Thru Job Fair will be held at our Regional Media Studios at 101 West Central Boulevard in Kewanee on March 31st from 10:00 AM to 2 PM. There will ...

Relay for Life Update

Betty Clementz and Jayna Jacobs brought us a update this morning. The Relay is coming up on Saturday, June 3rd at Westwood. Right now, committee's, volunteers and teams are being called for and getting registered. Go to RelayForLife.org/saukvalleyil for more information and how to get involved.

Wake Up Tri-Counties OSF App

Today on Wake Up Tri-Counties Lisa Garcia, CNO, and Jessi Sopiars, manager of Inpatient Services at OSF Saint Luke join Samantha Rux and Sean Kernan on the show to talk about the AAP Telehospitalist Program and Swing Bed Services at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center. Jessi Sopiars is the new director of APP telehospitalist program at OSF and she talked about how the AAP Telehospitalist Program is helping to make it easier to provide round the clock care at OSF Healthcare. Lisa Garcia also spoke ...

Tony McCombie-Illinois House Minority Leader

Tony joined us this morning early by phone. We reviewed some of the bills being presented and will be discussed on the capitol floor this week, one being a very important Fentanyl bill. March is Women's History Month and representatives recognizing important individuals and events from the past.

Wake Up Tri-Counties Happy Joes Throwing Fundraiser for Jeanna Moore

Heather from Happy Joes in Kewanee joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Friday morning to invite the community to a fundraiser for Jeanna Moore. Well known as a member of the Henry County Board, organizer of several community events, and as the better half of Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore, Jeanna has recently been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Having known Jeanna most of her life, Heather decided that she wanted to help and is giving her time, effort, and her newly independently owned Pizza Hu...

Monica Allen Adult Services Coordinator at The YWCA

Monica joined us this morning and described her position at The YWCA and the services provided by her department. We also talked about a few save the date events coming up, including the registration deadline for The 40th Women of Achievement Luncheon. 

Cambridge Happenings with Connie Johnson on WKEI

What's happening in the Village of Cambridge? Connie Johnson joins WKEI and Regional Media News.com with the Cambridge Happenings!   

The Good News on WKEI National Peanut Lovers Day

Wednesday was National Peanut Lovers Day and Landon Desmit, one of our local Kewanee 3rd graders joined Wake Up Tri-Counties with The Good News on National Peanut Lovers Day!   

Wake Up Tri-Counties Henry and Stark County Health Department Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

It's not a topic people like to talk about but, given the aggressiveness and danger of Colorectal Cancer, it's a conversation that must be had in order to save lives. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the Henry and Stark County Health Department is urging those approaching 50 years of age and those who are over 50 to make sure you are getting check ups and following doctors orders regarding tests for Colorectal Cancer. Whether it is an in-office visit with your primary care doct...

Kewanee Back When Murder We Wrote Episode 3

In the third, and for now, final installment of our Murder We Wrote mini-series, Sean Kernan and Dave Clarke discuss two more of the most infamous murders in Kewanee history. On Wednesday, October 29th, 1975, Logan Harvey was having drinks at a bar in Kewanee when an argument ensued between Harvey and an itinerant worker named Richard Koch. Harvey left the bar and Koch is said to have followed him. A fight occurred outside the bar with the much larger man, Koch, attacking Harvey. Harvey did ...

Kewanee Back When Murder We Wrote Episode 2

In 1995 a pair of murders shocked Kewanee. On February 20th, 1995, Martin Woolley and his wife were at Phylly's Cue and Brew when an argument ensued between Woolley's wife and the owner of Phylly's, Diana Turley. The argument ended with Martin Woolley pulling out a gun and shooting Turley and Phylly's bartender, Rane Baldwin. Dave Clarke takes us through the case and the aftermath. Later in the year, an equally shocking murder would also grab headlines as Laurie Gwinn, an employee of the Hea...

Kewanee Back When Murder We Wrote Episode 1

In the first installment of Kewanee Back When's three part, true crime series, Murder We Wrote with Dave Clarke and Sean Patrick, we discuss the shocking 1978 unsolved murder of Sandra Brown. As the story goes, Sandra Brown was brutally murdered on the morning of August 8th, 1978. Her nearly decapitated body was found on the property owned by then Henry County Coroner Glen Case, in the area of IL 78 just north of Kewanee, on the evening of August 10th, 1978. Police were baffled by the case a...

Wake Up Tri-Counties WOW Women of Wrestling

WOW Women of Wrestling is attempting a comeback! The all women's wrestling company was founded in 2000 and ran a series of events in an attempt to launch as a full franchise. It wasn't meant to be and it appeared that WOW was gone forever. Then, in 2019, several powerful women came together to try again. Lakers Owner Jeannie Buss and former WWE Superstar A.J Lee, now A.J Mendes, are behind the new relaunch and with a home on the streaming TV Network, PLUTO TV, there is newfound excitement su...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore

Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday to discuss Monday's Kewanee City Council Meeting. In our conversation, our Mayor addresses questions regarding mobile homes in Kewanee. A company is promising to bring new and refurbished Mobile Homes to Kewanee for low cost housing at existing Mobile Home areas. Questions have been raised regarding the quality of these Mobile Homes. The Mayor has said he will look into questions raised by residents during last night's...