RaeAnn Tucker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about what is coming up for the Henry County Health Department and First Choice Healthcare at the end of June. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments have announced temporary office and clinic closures on June 19th in honor of Juneteenth Freedom Day. Essential in-home services will still be available for those in need. Meanwhile, recent West Nile Virus detections in local mosquito populations have prompted health officials to urge residents to eliminate standing water, use insect repellent, and report stagnant sites. Free blood pressure checks and health information will be offered at the Henry County Fair on June 18th and 20th. Health insurance navigation and DOT physicals are also available at designated clinics. Details at henrystarkhealth.com.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments are reminding residents that their offices and First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, to mark Juneteenth Freedom Day. While the main offices and clinics will be closed, a limited number of home services staff will remain available to provide essential in-home care on that day. If you need more details or have questions, contact the nearest health department or clinic by phone, visit their official website at henrystarkhealth.com, or check out their social media pages for up-to-date information.
For more information, call the Health Department or First Choice Healthcare Clinic nearest you: Kewanee 309-852-0197, Colona 309-792-4011, or Toulon 309-852-3115.
As mosquito season ramps up, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments are urging residents to take precautions during National Mosquito Control Awareness Week from June 15th to 21st, 2025. Recent testing in the two counties has detected West Nile Virus in local mosquito populations, increasing public health concerns. Residents are encouraged to follow the three “R’s”: reduce standing water, repel with effective insect repellents and protective clothing, and report stagnant water sites to authorities. Actions like cleaning gutters, covering rain barrels, and regularly emptying bird baths can significantly lower mosquito breeding and protect community health.
The Culex mosquito, a common West Nile virus carrier, thrives in artificial containers with standing water. To prevent breeding, residents should discard unnecessary containers, cover water storage, and maintain cleanliness in gutters and spouts.
For more information on West Nile Virus or Mosquito Control Measures, call the Health Department at 309-852-0197, visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, or X (Twitter).
The Henry County Fair is gearing up for a week full of festivities, and health takes center stage with a special outreach event. The Henry County Health Department and First Choice Healthcare will be set up at the Merchant’s Building on Wednesday, June 18th, and Friday, June 20th, from 2:00 to 4:30 PM. Fairgoers are invited to stop by for complimentary blood pressure checks, pick up free giveaways, and access a variety of health information. Organizers hope this hands-on opportunity encourages everyone to learn more about wellness while participating in the excitement of the fair.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments, together with the Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program, are offering in-person health insurance assistance. Navigators will be available at the Merchant’s Building on the Henry County Fairgrounds in Cambridge, Illinois, on Wednesday, June 18th, and Friday, June 20th, from 2 to 4 PM. They’ll help you compare health plans, apply for financial aid, and check eligibility for Medicaid. People experiencing qualifying life events—such as losing coverage, getting married, or having a baby—may be eligible to enroll outside the usual enrollment period. Call 309-852-5272 for more details or to schedule help.
The Henry and Stark County Health Department is teaming up with First Choice Healthcare to provide DOT physicals in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon. These exams are essential for drivers operating larger vehicles, those traveling more than 75 miles with passengers, or those transporting hazardous materials as required by federal law. Qualified Nurse Practitioners at each clinic are certified to conduct these evaluations. Drivers should prepare to share their medical history and bring a “Clearance Letter” if they have certain health conditions.
Appointments are necessary and can be scheduled by contacting the nearest First Choice Healthcare Clinic at Kewanee (309-852-5272), Colona (309-792-4011), or Toulon (309-852-3115). For further information, visit the website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or follow their social media channels for updates.
RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Departments joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about what’s happening at the health departments and First Choice Healthcare Clinics. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments, in partnership with First Choice Healthcare Clinics, are spotlighting men’s preventative health through June with discounted lab screenings for area men. Special rates are available for general health tests and prostate and colon cancer screenings; tests are offered on a cash basis, with some requiring fasting. The clinics also provide primary care, walk-in, mental health, and community health services, further expanding local healthcare access. In addition, free insurance assistance will be available at the Henry County Fairgrounds on June 18th and 20th. For appointments or information, visit henrystarkhealth.com or call your local clinic.
June marks Pride Month, and the Henry & Stark County Health Departments, along with First Choice Healthcare Clinics, are highlighting their PrEP/HIV Prevention program. The initiative offers confidential HIV education, risk assessments, and testing services at clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon. Residents can access counseling, PrEP and PEP medications, and ongoing monitoring, all with financial assistance available. Medicaid fully covers treatment, and those with private insurance or no insurance can find support through state programs.
For more information, call the First Choice Healthcare Clinic nearest you: Kewanee 309-852-5272, Colona 309-792-4011, or Toulon 309-852-3115, or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
RaeAnn Tucker from the Henry and Stark County Health Departments joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to discuss Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus, gun locks, sharps disposal, and school physicals. Health officials in Henry and Stark counties are urging residents to take extra precautions as the risk of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and mosquito-borne West Nile Virus rises with summer activity. The Health Department and First Choice Healthcare, with the support of partner organizations, now offer Lyme disease screenings at clinic locations in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon—most insurance accepted. Mosquito surveillance has detected the season’s first positive West Nile pools locally, prompting advice to reduce standing water, use repellents, and check for ticks after spending time outdoors. Free gun safety locks and sharps disposal drop-offs are also available to protect families. For more information, visit www.henrystarkhealth.org or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
June is National Safety Month, and the Henry & Stark County Health Department, along with First Choice Healthcare Clinics, is encouraging residents to safely dispose of used needles, syringes, and lancets. With support from the Illinois EPA, Residential Sharps Collection Kiosks are now available in six community locations across Henry and Stark counties, including select clinics, the Geneseo Police Department, the Henry County Courthouse, and Alpha Pharmacy. Improper disposal of sharps poses risks to family members and sanitation workers. Local law enforcement will also conduct sharps collection drives throughout the year.
For more information on the programs and services available, call 309-852-0197 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The residential sharps collection kiosks will be 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
As summer vacation begins for local schools, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare Clinics are now scheduling physical exams for school and sports. Physicals are offered at Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon clinic locations for $40 cash, with insurance also accepted—just remember to bring your insurance details. These exams cover junior high, high school, and students entering kindergarten, sixth, and ninth grades. Parents are urged to have physical forms completed ahead of time and to book appointments early to cut down on wait times. Immunizations and additional screenings are also available. More details at henrystarkhealth.com.
Appointments are available at clinics in Kewanee, 110 N. Burr Blvd., 309-852-5272; Colona, 103 1st St., 309-792-4011; and Toulon, 120 E. Court St., 309-852-3115.
