Regional Media Podcast Network

Galva Mayor Rich Volkert says the city’s latest council meeting included a clean audit report, with officials praised for strong financial practices despite limited staffing. Council members also heard about East End Table and Tap’s senior meal program, which has about 90 donated meals available and offers low-cost senior portions. The council reviewed two bids for a vacant property, weighing whet...

Janna Groharing joined us with information on the upcoming festive season. We also heard a Twin City's Farmers Market update, and a few other things happening in the next few weeks.

Keri Olson usually joins us on the first Tuesday of the month. Well this Tuesday Keri was doing her part on election day as a judge. Stepping in was Chris Yucus, Operations Assistant at The United Way. In the update for November we discussed Help for The Holidays utilizing "211" and the help the number provides. We also covered the importance of reading just 15 minutes a day with your kids. And fi...

OSF St. Luke Medical Center is expanding access to advanced imaging services for local patients. Radiology leaders Blaine and Dan highlighted services including mammograms, ultrasound, vascular imaging, bone density scans, CT, MRI, X-rays, and nuclear medicine. They emphasized the importance of annual mammograms beginning at age 40, or earlier for those with a family history of breast cancer. OSF...

Henry County Board candidate Debbie Castile says her top priority is keeping Hillcrest Home open, affordable, and staffed with employees who want to stay. Castile, a Cambridge resident and longtime Henry County resident, told Wake Up Tri-Counties she supports careful planning on emerging issues, including data centers and carbon sequestration, saying safety and local ordinances must come first. Sh...

Kevin Brown, a lifelong Alpha resident, is running for the Henry County Board. In an interview on Wake Up Tri-Counties, Brown said his priorities include supporting rural communities, strengthening resources for first responders, and promoting responsible county spending. A volunteer firefighter for nearly 15 years, Brown emphasized the need for training, equipment, and support for rural fire depa...

The YWCA of The Sauk Valley, a partner agency with both The United Way of Whiteside and Lee Counties is a vital contributor to our communities. The tasks and resources they provide sometimes goes unnoticed. Each Friday, one or two of the dedicated staff members join us on the radio right around 8:30. Today with checked in with Jessica Spohn. We talked about October being Domestic Violence Awarenes...

Halloween weekend is the perfect time to settle in for a good scare, and this week’s Friday at the Movies with Sean features a horror film that deserves another look. Regional Media film critic Sean Kernan recommends “Hokum,” directed by Damien McCarthy and starring Adam Scott as Ohm Bauman, an author who travels to Ireland while struggling with the recent deaths of his parents and trying to finis...

The Henry and Stark County Health Department is marking National Diabetes Awareness Month with a November lab special for diagnosed diabetics. First Choice Healthcare clinics in Kewanee and Toulon are offering Hemoglobin A1C blood tests with a doctor’s order for $30 cash. Health officials are also urging residents to watch for diabetes warning signs, including unusual thirst, frequent urination, b...

Cambridge is gearing up for a busy stretch of community events. Trick-or-treating is set for Saturday from 4 to 7 PM, with trunk-or-treat stops at the Cambridge Public Library from 3 to 5 PM and the Lutheran Church from 4 to 7 PM, where walking tacos will be served at no cost. The Spartans also host a playoff game Saturday at 2 PM against South Fork. Looking ahead, the food pantry opens November 1...

Henry County Board District 2 candidate Marshall Jones says local government decisions have the greatest day-to-day impact on residents. Speaking on Wake Up Tri-Counties, Jones pointed to the county’s improved fiscal position, saying debt has been eliminated and balanced budgets have continued for eight years. He cited ongoing concerns over carbon sequestration and data centers, noting a one-year...

Henry County Board Chair Kippy Breeden says voter participation, county affordability, and responsible budgeting remain top priorities as Election Day approaches. Speaking on Wake Up Tri-County, Breeden discussed issues facing Henry County, including data centers, carbon sequestration, road needs, economic growth, and continued support for Hillcrest Nursing Home. She said the county is keeping its...

Henry County Board District 1 candidate Bob Wachtel says fiscal responsibility, public safety, Hillcrest Home, infrastructure, and careful review of data center proposals remain top priorities if he wins another term. Wachtel, a lifelong Henry County resident and current board member, says he has consistently supported balanced budgets and continued investment in law enforcement and first responde...

Henry County Board District 2 candidate Mike Rabas says he wants to continue serving after being appointed to a vacant seat in February. Rallis, a nearly 50-year Henry County resident from Bishop Hill, says his priorities include supporting law enforcement, keeping taxes in check, and boosting tourism across Bishop Hill, Galva, Cambridge, and nearby communities. He pointed to planned state investm...

Kim provided information about the Small Business Development Center at Sauk Valley Community College, and how their services are expanding. We also talked about a few recognitions for the center.  Get no-cost, confidential guidance for starting, growing, and improving your business in the Sauk Valley, Illinois region. Whether you are developing an idea, preparing to launch, seeking funding, stren...

Henry County Board District One candidate, Rex Kiser, says he’s seeking reelection to help finish work already underway, including courthouse restoration, technology upgrades, and long-term infrastructure improvements. Kiser, a former banker, teacher, coach, and military combat veteran, currently chairs the transportation committee and also serves on finance and executive committees. He says resid...

Kewanee Public Library has a full slate of fall activities ahead. Kids ages 10 to 14 can join a Dungeons and Dragons session on Saturday, October 31st, from 9:30 to 12:30, with supplies and snacks provided. On Thursday, November 12th at 4, Do Art Productions will lead a beaded dinosaur craft, with registration requested. Book clubs continue with Curious Minds on October 28th and Page Turners on No...

Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie checks in the 4th Monday of each month. This time around we talked about the importance of voting, since mid-terms are right here. We also briefly discussed The Bears situation and the potential for that issue being brought up during either the November or December veto sessions. And the data center debate also came up.

On Friday, October 23rd, the community was invited by The Sterling Police Department Detectives, to stop by the police station and drop off contributions for winter gear for April House, Children's Advocacy Center in Morrison. The collection got underway at 8, and continued til noon. Contributions of winter clothing along with monetary donations was continuous.  Carrie Melton, Executive Director f...

The Wake Up Tri-Counties Morning Show welcomed RaeAnn Tucker of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments for a discussion on Halloween safety and important community health resources. Tucker shared tips for a safe Halloween, including choosing costumes that fit properly, using reflective materials, supervising younger trick-or-treaters, and driving carefully around children. She also discusse...

Former Congressman Francis Rooney joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss Pope Leo’s recovery from recent surgery, saying he hopes the pontiff takes time to heal fully before resuming a demanding schedule. Rooney also weighed in on the approaching midterm elections, predicting Republicans may face setbacks amid concerns over inflation, fuel prices, foreign policy, and voter dissatisfaction. He crit...

Regional Media film critic Sean Kernan says Clayface, starring Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie, delivers a dark and unsettling origin story for the DC Comics villain. The film follows actor Matt Hagen, whose badly injured face leads him to an experimental treatment meant to rebuild tissue. Instead, the procedure goes horribly wrong, transforming him into Clayface and setting him on a path of reve...

It was great to have Rebecca back in studio to give us an update on current YWCA activities. Of for October the focus is on Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and how The YWCA recognizes and gets information out about programs and preventions available.

Brian joined us by phone this morning from Morrison. We talked briefly about an event that was happening at Sterling PD, the winter gear drive to support April House. From there Brian brought up the latest info on the waste water treatment plant solar system construction that will save a lot of city revenue. We touched on some upcoming events in Morrison, and talked about the Business Licensing Pr...

Sgt. Dunn, founder of Valor Support Project joined us with an update on previous activity, plus upcoming events. Valor Support Project is inviting the community to its 3rd Annual Veterans Day Dinner on Saturday, November 7th, at Mexicali Rose Banquet Hall in Rock Falls. The evening honors U.S. Navy Korean War veteran Robert “Bob” Insley Bonnell. Doors open at 5, with a taco bar, live music from Ru...