RaeAnn Tucker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss food safety, reproductive health services, sharps disposal locations, Medicare wellness visits, and insurance navigators. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments are highlighting vital resources for community health and safety. Medicare recipients can access a free Annual Wellness Visit at First Choice Healthcare clinics in Kewanee and Toulon, where patients receive personalized assessments and can address health concerns. In addition, six convenient sites now offer Residential Sharps Collection Kiosks for safe disposal of used needles, helping prevent accidental injury. As the holidays approach, officials remind residents that foodborne illnesses strike millions each year. They advise handwashing, separating raw and ready-to-eat foods, thorough cooking, and rapid refrigeration to keep celebrations safe and healthy.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments, along with First Choice Healthcare, are reminding Medicare recipients about the importance of preventative care. Medicare fully covers an Annual Wellness Visit, allowing patients to check in on their health at no cost. During this visit, staff review your medical history, check your medications, assess your health and safety, and help create a personalized wellness plan. Any health questions can be addressed during the appointment. To book a visit, contact your local First Choice Healthcare clinic in Kewanee, Colona, or Toulon. Prioritize your health with this no-cost, comprehensive annual service.
First Choice Healthcare clinics in Kewanee and Toulon are encouraging community members to prioritize their health by scheduling annual wellness exams. These check-ups are vital for early detection and prevention of medical conditions, helping ensure long-term well-being. Appointments can be arranged by contacting the clinic most convenient for you—Kewanee at 309-852-5272 or Toulon at 309-852-3115. Health professionals at each location are ready to assist with a comprehensive assessment and provide personalized healthcare guidance. Don’t wait—regular exams play an essential role in maintaining good health year-round.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments are teaming up with the Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program to help residents secure health insurance coverage. Navigators will be available at the Shell Gas Station in Colona on Monday, December 15th, from 9 to 11 AM, and at the Geneseo Community Center on Friday, December 19th, from 10 AM to noon. Experts will assist with applications, help compare plans, and check if you qualify for financial assistance or Medicaid. Special Enrollment Period eligibility applies after major life changes like losing coverage, marriage, or relocation. For details, call 309-852-5272.
Shell Gas Station-Colona
Monday, December 15, 2025
9:00-11:00 AM
506 1st Ave., Colona
Geneseo Community Center
Friday, December 19, 2025
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
541 E. North St., Geneseo, IL
Residents of Henry and Stark Counties are being urged to safely dispose of used needles, syringes, and lancets using new Residential Sharps Collection Kiosks. Funded by the Illinois EPA, kiosks are now available in six convenient locations, including healthcare clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon, plus the Geneseo Police Department, Henry County Courthouse in Cambridge, and Alpha Pharmacy. Improper disposal of medical sharps can be hazardous to children, adults, and sanitation workers. The Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare encourage everyone to use these kiosks to help protect the community. For more details, call 309-852-0197 or visit henrystarkhealth.com.
The Residential Sharps Collection Kiosks are located at the following locations during regular business hours:
- First Choice Healthcare Kewanee Clinic, 110 N. Burr Blvd., Kewanee
- First Choice Healthcare Colona Clinic, 103 1st St., Colona
- First Choice Healthcare Toulon Clinic, 120 E. Court St., Toulon
- Geneseo Police Department, 119 S. Oakwood Ave., Geneseo
- Henry County Courthouse, 307 W. Center St., Cambridge
- Alpha Pharmacy, 211 S. 1st St., Alpha
The Henry and Stark County Health Department reminds residents that foodborne illnesses impact one in six Americans every year—more than the common cold, according to the CDC. Symptoms often resemble those of the flu, leading to confusion about the source. Experts note that simultaneous illness among a group after sharing a meal likely points to food contamination. As the holiday season brings riskier dishes and hectic schedules, officials urge extra caution in the kitchen. Key tips include frequent handwashing, avoiding cross-contamination, cooking foods thoroughly, and chilling leftovers promptly. Keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold remains critical for safety.
According to Health Department staff, “The holidays don’t always make it easy for food handlers to follow this advice. One reason is that people get caught up in the hectic pace of the holiday season. People get sloppy. They’re busy, and they lose the vigilance that they might follow at other times of the year. The traditional advice should always be applied: Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.”
The Health Department staff offers the following food safety suggestions:
- Clean: Wash hands and food-contact surfaces often. Bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and get onto cutting boards, knives, sponges, and countertops.
- Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate. Don’t let bacteria spread from one food product to another. This is especially true for raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Experts caution against keeping these foods and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods.
- Cook: Cook to proper temperatures. Foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness.
- Chill: Refrigerate promptly. Public health officials advise consumers to refrigerate foods quickly because rapid cooling to 41 degrees slows the growth of harmful bacteria. Refrigerators should be set at 41 degrees Fahrenheit, and the freezer at 0 degrees, and the accuracy of the settings should be checked occasionally with a thermometer.