Regional Media Podcast Network

Sara Billiet with the Kewanee Public Library joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about Halloween, Spider Art, the 150th Library Celebration, the Hope Diamond, and the Fall Health Clinic with First Choice Healthcare. The Kewanee Public Library is marking its 150th anniversary this Sunday with an open house, blending historical displays, community performances, and family-friendly crafts from 2 to 4 PM. Children can join walking spider craft workshops leading up to Halloween, while regular story times and the popular Lego Club keep young minds engaged. The “I Spy” shelves offer weekly challenges with prizes for eagle-eyed kids. For adults, a Fall Health Clinic this Wednesday provides free screenings and flu shots. Movie lovers can enjoy “Hocus Pocus” on October 30th, and history buffs are invited to a Hope Diamond watch party on the 27th.

Blaine Clarke and Samantha Rux joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the Radiology Department at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee. As the OSF HealthCare system moves to a regional approach, Blaine Clarke has taken on the Director of Radiology, and Daniel Kroll is now the supervisor of Radiology at OSF Saint Luke Medical Center. Daniel Kroll brings experience and expertise from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and OSF St. Luke’s is encouraging everyone to schedule their mammograms. OSF’s radiology department now features easy self-scheduling online, through the MyChart app, or on “Walk-In Wednesdays” in Kewanee, Galesburg, and Monmouth. "Walk-In Wednesdays" run from noon to 2:30 PM at OSF Saint Luke's in Kewanee. Multiple services, including CT, MRI, and ultrasound, are available with quick access and the same radiologists as Peoria’s larger centers. Diagnostic days on Fridays help patients receive follow-up imaging if routine mammograms reveal concerns. Early detection remains key—screenings are recommended starting at age 40, or earlier if there’s a family history. Remember—both women and men should be aware and get checked if needed.

Patients seeking advanced imaging services have found a convenient option closer to home at Galesburg's Radiology Department. Residents from the surrounding areas are choosing this facility for its prompt scheduling and high standards of care, often available more quickly than at larger institutions where waits can stretch to weeks. Both CT and MRI scans are offered, handled by skilled technicians, and interpreted by the same radiologists who serve major hospitals like OSF St. Francis. This connection ensures consistent quality while sparing patients a lengthy drive or the hassle of larger parking areas, making specialized care more accessible and comfortable locally.

Residents in the Kewanee area have access to advanced diagnostic imaging services at OSF Saint Luke’s, located at 1051 W South St in Kewanee, IL. The department offers CT scans, MRI services, and X-ray services as part of OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center’s commitment to local healthcare. CT scans and X-rays are offered around the clock, while MRI appointments are available weekdays, with extended hours on select days and Saturday mornings. Central Scheduling can be reached at 309-852-7550 for more details or to arrange an appointment. The center emphasizes convenience and comprehensive care.

RaeAnn Tucker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about health education, the opening of the Toulon Tele-Pharmacy, Flu and COVID shots, fall clinics in Kewanee and Geneseo, insurance investigators, lead testing, and school flu shot clinics. Stark County is welcoming a new addition to its healthcare landscape. The Toulon Telepharmacy will open its doors on October 20, 2025, at 120 E. Court Street, offering local access to crucial pharmacy services. Hours run Monday through Friday, with a midday closure for lunch. Health officials highlight the telepharmacy’s opening during National Pharmacy Week, emphasizing improved access for residents. Meanwhile, the Health Department is marking National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and National Health Education Week by urging families to stay proactive on health issues—from lead testing to flu shots and updated COVID-19 vaccines—available at First Choice Healthcare locations across the county.

OSF HealthCare has welcomed Kaitlyn McGough, APRN, to its primary care team in Kewanee. Starting October 13, 2025, McGough will offer preventive care, chronic disease management, and primary care for patients of all ages at the OSF Saint Luke Medical Center on West South Street. Board-certified as a family nurse practitioner, McGough is also pursuing credentials in lactation consulting. She emphasizes the importance of making patients feel accepted, understood, and safe, regardless of their background. With a love for rural communities, she aims to improve healthcare access in the region. Kaitlyn McGough is trained and certified to perform outpatient procedures, such as abscess drainage and skin biopsies. Appointments are available online or by phone at 309-852-7700.

“Regardless of their age, gender, belief system or background, my hope is that my patients feel accepted and safe with me,” said Kaitlyn McGough. “The longer I work in medicine, the more I feel this is exactly where I should be,” she said.

A local healthcare professional is making strides in advancing her qualifications. After earning both her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, she has become a board-certified family nurse practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is now preparing to sit for the licensing exam to become an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, a credential that will expand her expertise in supporting new mothers and infants.

Outside the clinic, she enjoys quality time with her husband and three children, often exploring the outdoors together. Kaitlyn's commitment goes beyond medicine—she's dedicated to building relationships that empower and comfort those under her care, underscoring her belief that real healing begins when patients feel truly heard.

Katie Laleman with the Henry County Farm Bureau joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about Bushels for Hunger, Share the Road, Mental Health, Fill a Cab Food Drive, and the upcoming Market Outlook Seminar. The Henry County Farm Bureau Young Leaders are rallying support for local food pantries with their “Cram the Cab” event. Community members are encouraged to drop off food, monetary donations, or gift cards at the Geneseo Fareway on Saturday, November 8th, between 9 AM and 2 PM. Volunteers will be on-site to collect donations and raise awareness about food insecurity in the area. Meanwhile, farmers and agribusiness professionals can register for a Market Outlook Seminar at Lavender Crest Winery in Colona, scheduled for November 13th. RSVP is required by November 6th through the Farm Bureau Office.