Regional Media Podcast Network

Andy Jackson-Sinnissippi Centers

22 Mohawks Teaming with Sterling Veteran for 5K Saturday August 12th

The organization 22 Mohawks is raising awareness of Suicide Prevention among veterans. But they are doing far more than that, they are looking to reduce the number of Veteran Suicides through a more direct and wonderful intervention. 22 Mohawks is dedicated to helping give back purpose to the lives of veterans through Dogs. 22 Mohawks sets veterans up with a new best friend and it has proven to be the most incredible lifeline for Veterans suffering from PTSD or those lost in the despair of d...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Wethersfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Andrew Brooks

Wethersfield School District Superintendent Dr. Andrew Brooks was our guest on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Friday morning. Dr. Brooks joined WKEI to discuss Thursday's Wethersfield School Board Meeting which included a tour of the ongoing improvements at Wethersfield Elementary and High School. Dr. Brooks discussed the long term planning for the upgrades at Wethersfield and about the new meeting room at the school for the Wethersfield School Board. Dr. Brooks also talked about this year marking ...

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

The Henry County Farm Bureau is preparing for a series of Farmland Assessment Seminars alongside State Representative Dan Swanson. Events in Macomb, Monmouth, Galesburg, and the Henry County Farm Bureau's own event at Lavender Crest Winery in Colona on August 22nd, will provide farmland owners or farm managers information to better understand how farmland assessments are calculated and the long-term impact of those values. Brenda Matherly, Director of Local Government Affairs with the Illino...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Sara Billiet Updates the Latest Events at the Kewanee Public Library

The Kewanee Public Library will play host to historian Dean Karau tonight for a conversation about George Randall Parrish, famed Kewanee Author and a man with a checkered criminal past that has only recently come to light. Dean will talk about Parrish's unique history as a famous and respected author and as a man who ran a complicated check cashing scam prior to becoming famous. The event is happening tonight at 6 PM. Sara Billiet joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Thursday to promote this event...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Historian Dean Karau on George Randall, Kewanee Baseball and Caves

Dean Karau is a beloved local historian whose love for Kewanee is found in his rich and insightful writing on the history of the town. Dean is back in Kewanee this weekend, from August 10th to August 12th and doing presentations on Kewanee History each day he's here. Tonight, Thursday, August 12th, Dean is talking about the fascinating life story of local Kewanee legend, writer George Randall. Dean will be at the Library starting at 6 PM to talk about whether Randall's criminal past before b...

Dr Logan Lightfoot

Dr. Lightfoot, Maryville School Superintendent talks about the start of the new school year, HS Sports and building improvements. 

Captain Hann from the Nodaway County Sheriff Department

Captain Hann stopped in to chat about back to school Safety.  

Wake Up Tri-Counties Detective Sgt Brian Haars Henry County Sheriff’s Office on the Sandra Brown Cold Case

Detective Sgt. Brian Haars is the cold case detective for the Henry County Sheriff's Office. In his time with the Henry County Sheriff's Office he has become the lead investigator of the murder of Sandra Brown which occurred 45 years ago this week, August 8th, 1978. In that time, Detective Sgt. Haars has revisited witness statements, photos from the scene, aerial photos, and has sent several items to be tested for any potential DNA evidence. Sadly, these efforts have yet to reveal a suspect ...

Rock Falls and Sterling Noon Rotary

 Rock Falls Rotary President Bob Sondgeroth and Sterling Noon President Nick Lareau to summarize the Broil and Boil fundraiser.

Sparks Notes - Todd Rodeffer & James Johnson, Youth For Christ - Western IL

Sparks is joined by Todd Rodeffer and James Johnson of Youth For Christ to chat about Youth For Christ, the history of their organization, and their upcoming Ice Cream Social.  The Ice Cream Social will take place on August 11th from 6 to 9pm at their location in 1224 Maple Ave in Macomb. This event is open to the public, with regular and non-dairy ice creams available with a wide selection of toppings. Donations will be accepted, and all funds raised will go towards supporting teenagers in...

Wake Up Tri-Counties School and Sports Physicals at OSF

Samantha Rux and Melinda Shimmin were our guests on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday, August 7th. Both were on hand to promote School and Sports Physicals at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center. School is starting soon across the area and before your kids can go back, many will need to have a school physical. You can set up a school physical with your primary care provider or by contacting OSF Saint Luke Medical Center. Just as important as School Physicals, Sports Physicals are also available throu...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Americorp Volunteer Grace Clucas PC’s for People

The charity organization P.C's for People is helping bridge the digital divide across the State of Illinois. For the past 20 years, P.C's for People has refurbished computers, laptops, and other internet capable devices and given them out to people in need. They've also been pivotal in finding low cost internet service options for people who have struggled to get connected. Now, P.C's for People is expanding operations across the State and they are coming to Kewanee for an event this month. ...

Autumn Quimby from The Downtown Maryville Market

Autumn Quimby visited The Breakfast Club to talk about the market,  This weeks venders and how the market has grown since moving to downtown. 

Sauk Talk with Dallas Knack and Ashleigh Sorenson

News and events from Sauk Valley Community College

Kaylee Messner ARNP Family Medicine at Bedford Family Health

Kaylee Messner ARNP Family Medicine at Bedford  Family Health visited to talk about rural health care and how CRHC provides that service

A morning visit with Skip Lee on WSDR

Regional Media Celebrity Interview Amy Redford Director of What Comes Around

If the name Amy Redford sounds familiar that is because she is the daughter of famed actor, activist, and filmmaker Robert Redford. That aside, Amy is cutting her own path as a filmmaker in Hollywood. The latest steps on that path include a thrilling new drama called What Comes Around. The film stars Kyle Gallner, Summer Phoenix, and Grace Van Dien and it tells the story of a deeply inappropriate relationship between a 28 year old man and a young woman who just turned 17. That however, is on...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Henry and Stark County Health Department Tout Breastfeeding Awareness

The month of August is Breastfeedling Awareness Month and the Henry and Stark County Health Department is making the public aware of Breastfeeding help that is available through the Health Department. RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department spoke to Wake Up Tri-Counties on Thursday, August 3rd, about the many health benefits of Breastfeeding for mothers and for babies, and about services through the health department that are available to new mothers with questions an...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Cassandra Schmoll Henry County Senior Center Big Fundraisers

Two big fundraising events for the Henry County Senior Center are happening next month. First up, on Labor Day Weekend, Hog Days Weekend, it's the annual Henry County Senior Center breakfast, Saturday, September 2nd at the Senior Center in Kewanee. That fundraiser will be followed one week later by the other biggest fundraiser of the year for the Henry County Senior Center, the annual Henry County Senior Center Golf Playday on September 9th at Midland Golf Course. Registration for the Golf P...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Writer-Director Bill Pohlad Discusses his Movie ’Dreamin’ Wild’

Dreamin' Wild was the name of a failed and forgotten record from a pair of brothers named Donnie and Joe Emerson. The self produced album, created in a makeshift studio built by their father on their vast family farm, briefly did find some traction in the music industry. It appeared, for a moment at least, that Donnie would have the chance to make it big. That never happened. Then, in 2008, a miracle happened. A man found the record and listened to it and immediately fell in love with it. He...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Kewanee Police National Night Out Event

Tonight is National Night Out and, for the first time, this outreach event from Police to the general public, is being celebrated in Kewanee. Kewanee Police Department Deputy Chief Stephen Kijanowski joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday, August 1st, to talk about what attendees can expect if they come to the National Night Out event tonight in Northeast Park, starting at 5 PM. For one thing, there will be a free swim in the pool at Northeast Park beginning at 6 PM. There will also be a dem...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Samantha Rux OSF Urgent Care

OSF Prompt Care is available in Princeton at OSF Saint Clare Medical Center, directly across the street from the Saint Clare Emergency Room. Urgent Care is an important service for local hospitals. It serves as a needed way station between patients who are sick but aren't sure if things are so bad that they need to go to the Emergency Room. Getting people to go to Urgent Care instead of the Emergency Room helps to make sure that the E.R is only treating emergencies rather than serving the ne...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Mister T’s 3 on 3 Hoop Jam September 2nd in Kewanee

The first of what is hoped to become an annual event, the Mister T's 3 on 3 Hoop Jam is scheduled to take place on September 2nd at Northeast Park. Harry Russell is one of the organizers of the event and he joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday to invite people to register their teams. Multiple divisions will be open for Boys 1st grade the High School, Girls 5th Grade through High School, Adults 18 to 23, and Open ages for a mens 3 on 3. If you'd like to take part in Mister T's 3 on 3 Hoop J...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Eddie Tolliver from the Kewanee Salvation Army

The Kewanee Salvation Army is holding a basement sale this weekend. It started on Friday and will continue on Saturday, July 29th with the basement at the Salvation Army opening at 10 AM. The basement sales don't usual occur on Saturday's so everyone is encouraged to take advantage of some terrific sale items at the Salvation Army this weekend. Meanwhile, Eddie tells WKEI that there is now grant money available to people in need of help with their rent. If you or someone you know is coming u...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Galva Mayor Rich Volkert Galva City Council 07-24-2023

The Mayor of Galva, Rich Volkert joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Friday to wrap-up Monday's Galva City Council Meeting. At the meeting, the City of Galva recognized Al and Shelly DeCrane for their dedication to Conservation. Recently Shelly was honored as Conservation Woman of the Year while Al received the Conservation Director of the Year Award. Also on Monday, it was announced that Bishop Hill had found someone to care for the Bishop Hill Cemetery. The City of Galva was planning to vote on...

Tracy and Jasmine from The YWCA of The Sauk Valley

Wake Up Tri-Counties RaeAnn Tucker Henry and Stark County Health Dept 12 Communities in 12 Months

The Henry and Stark County Health Department will be at the Stark County Junior Fair today, Friday, July 28th, 2023. The appearance is part of the Health Department's 12 communities in 12 months program that is taking Health Department representatives to community events all year long as an outreach effort. RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to promote the appearances by the Health Department at various events this year. RaeAnn also ta...

Kewanee Back When Murder at Pinkies

Kewanee has two unsolved murders. One of those, as yet unsolved murders is Sandra Brown, a case that we brought you earlier this year with the hope of bringing new attention to this soon to be 45 year old unsolved crime. The other unsolved murder in Kewanee dates back to the 1930s. Dave Clark joined WKEI on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Wednesday, July 26th, 2023, to talk about this little known, little remembered unsolved murder. Charles Wooden was working at Pinkies late one night when someone c...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Ron Hartman Director of Pharmacy Services at OSF Healthcare

Unused or out of date medications used to be disposed of in the trash or by being flushed down the toilet. But that was a long time ago. Now, we know that these are not the safest ways to dispose of medications. So, how should unused or out of date medications be disposed of? The federal Drug Enforcement Agency and OSF Healthcare have a solution. You can now find a prescription medicine receptacle at all OSF locations in Illinois. The receptacles, reminiscent of a mailbox, are located in the...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Mean Mary is Coming to Levitt Amp Galva Music Series

Multi-Instrumentalist and songwriter, Mean Mary is bringing her brand of Americana to the stage in Galva on Sunday, July 23rd. Mean Mary, aka Mary James, could not be any nicer in person as she joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about music and play a couple songs on her remarkable banjo. As the youngest of six kids in a family that moved from the deep south to Minnesota as a kid, you can imagine that music became a way of finding consistency in a strange life filled with travel. You can he...

Cassandra from The YWCA of The Sauk Valley

Dr. Lance Tatum, 11th President of Northwest Missouri State University

Dr. Tatum visited the Breakfast Club to W/ Don and Holly.  We talked about what it's like to move to a small town in the midwest, the slower pace, friendly people, and way of life.  We also talked a little about the process of being chosen as president.    

Wake Up Tri-Counties RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department Talks Mental Health Services

The Henry and Stark County Health Department is promoting mental health services to minority communities as part of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and the First Choice Healthcare Clinic is reminding people about the affordable availability of Mental Health Services at their clinic at the Henry and Stark County Health Department. RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Department joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Thursday to ta...

Cambridge News with Connie Johnson

The Village of Cambridge has a number of events coming up in the rest of July and into the month of August. Each month, Connie Johnson with the Village of Cambridge joins Wake Up Tri-Counties to give us our update on The Cambridge News. 

Wake Up Tri-Counties Liz Breedlove Kewanee Schools Foundation Escape to Margaritaville

The Kewanee School Foundation fundraiser, Escape to Margaritaville is getting closer. It's taking place on August 26th with a bus trip to Circa 21 to see Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville, a Broadway production, coming to the stage at Circa. Registration is open now at a cost of $145.00 if you register by Friday, July 21st. The cost includes a bus ride to Circa 21, your ticket to the show,  and a concert before the show. Appetizers and Drink, a Silent Auction, Dinner, and your choice ...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Kewanee Prairie Chicken Festival Profile Part 4

Part four of our profile of the Kewanee Prairie Chicken Festival wraps up our preview coverage with one final look at the events happening starting on Friday, July 21st at 8 AM and concluding on Saturday night, July 22nd. Events include the Chalk Art, the Art Show, the downtown kids art display inside our local downtown businesses, and the Murals Come to Life Program being put on by our local High School and Junior High performers. That just scratches the surface of the events however which ...

Lyle and Jan Tackett - Sidney Iowa Rodeo

This year the Sidney Iowa Rodeo celebrates 100 Years of bustin broncs and riding bulls and celebrating the cowboy life. In 1923 the Tackett brothers returned from Wyoming and decided to entertain visitors attending the Old Soldiers Reunion in Sidney. To show them some real western action, a circle was formed with Model T cars and makeshift fencing and Henry and Earl Tackett were up and away on the fastest bad horses they could find. They received the sum of $50 and more bruises than they cou...

Sgt. Dunn on Solutions to Veterans Suicide

Sgt. Floyd Dunn was with us with information on a %K coming up to combat veteran suicide through an organization now in Illinois called 22Mohawks. 

Wake Up Tri-Counties Deputy Chief Stephen Kijanowski National Night Out

National Night Out will be celebrated in Kewanee on August 1st, 2023. The National Night Out is a night for members of law enforcement to reach out to the community and carry on a dialogue between Police and citizen. National Night Out will be held at Northeast Park beginning at 5:30 PM. It will feature live music, food, and the pool will be open from 6 PM to 8 PM. Presentations from the Kewanee Police Department will also be part of the evening event. Kewanee Police Department Deputy Chief ...

Wake Up Tri-Counties Tribute to Father Jerry Rafalko His Final WKEI Interview

Our friend, Father Jerry Rafalko passed away over the weekend, he was 68 years old. Father Rafalko was a beloved figure in our community as the lead grief counselor for OSF Hospice and Pastor of the Holy Trinity Parish PNCC. Father Jerry made numerous appearances on WKEI, first with Bob McKee and then with Sean Kernan before he stepped down from his position as OSF Hospice Grief Counselor in 2016. He made several more appearances in the following years, including one final appearance in 2020...

Chris Lantz-Extreme Chainsaw Sculptor

Chris Lantz is an extreme Chainsaw Sculptor who travels the United States appearing at county fairs and festivals and at the 2023 Nodaway County Fair.  Chris does live shows where he carves beautiful creations like owls, bears, and wolves.  His other creations include benches and large sculptures such as an 8 foot bear he displays at his appearances.  All of Chris's creations are also for sale.    

Wake Up Tri-Counties Kewanee Prairie Chicken Festival Profile Part 3

The Kewanee Prairie Chicken Arts Festival is one week away. Friday, July 21st and Saturday, July 22nd, downtown Kewanee will be filled with art and family friendly events. Dianne Packee and Dierdre Scott joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Friday, July 14th, 2023. Friday will feature Chainsaw Artist Tim Bryner will do a demonstration at 5 PM in Berrian Park. Berrian Park will also be home to the Flea Market which is still accepting vendors. Contact Brenda at 309-853-9419. Also taking place is the...

Cassandra Solomon from The YWCA of The Sauk Valley

Cassandra talked about West End Moxie, and some open positions available at The YWCA.

Cory Law and Rian Nailor with The Whiteside County Health Department

Cory joined us by phone this morning with emergency preparedness information, specific to severe weather, then Rian was in studio talking about summer grilling tips.

Sparks’ Notes - Kaylee & Eli Ussery, Hancock County Fair Association

Sparks chats with Kaylee & Eli Ussery from the Hancock County Fair Association about the Hancock County Fair, which takes place in Augusta, IL which kicks off with the Mud Drags on Saturday, July 15th, and gets into full swing on Wednesday, July 19th. For admission information or to see the schedule of events, visit the Hancock County Facebook page or visit their website.

Wake Up Tri-Counties RaeAnn Tucker Henry and Stark County Health Dept. Free Gun Locks

The Henry and Stark County Health Department is giving away free gun locks at the Health Department in Kewanee. Gun locks save lives by preventing accidental shootings in the home. Gun locks are a great way to keep children safe from accidents involving guns. A gun lock has also been known to provide protection when tempers flare in the heat of a moment, preventing someone, if only for a few moments, from making a rash decision involving a deadly weapon. Gun locks also aid with suicide preve...

Jeremy Walker Nod Co Fair Board

Jeremy Walker from the Nodaway County Fair Board talks about the process of organizing the fair and how they go about finding the talent for the fair entertainment.  

Wake Up Tri-Counties Heather Olalde and Sue Blake Part 2 of Our Series on The Prairie Chicken Arts Festival

Time for part two of our three part profile of this year's Kewanee Prairie Chicken Arts Festival. In this profile of the 2023 festival, we spoke with Heather Olalde and Sue Blake about a big feature event this year, student re-enactments of the Kewanee Murals. As part of the original Prairie Chicken Arts Festival, students performed in skits enacting the actions depicted in the Kewanee Murals. This year, the organizers of the Prairie Chicken Festival have asked Heather Olalde and a whole new...

Sam Smith-Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce

Sam was with us this morning to talk about the Monthly Member Meet Up and Rock Falls Farmers Market coming up tomorrow, (Wednesday) and a few others events in the planning stages.