RaeAnn Tucker joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about National Water Week, Labor Day closures, insurance navigators around Henry County, gun locks, and bats. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice HealthCare Clinics will close offices and clinics on Monday, September 1st, for Labor Day, although some home services remain available. Residents can reach local clinics or visit henrystarkhealth.com for details. As World Water Week approaches in August 2025, officials urge annual well checkups and safe chemical storage to protect local water supplies. Free in-person health insurance navigator help is available at several county locations, guiding residents through coverage options and applications. Additionally, officials promote free gun locks to prevent accidental injuries and advise vigilance against bats, which can transmit rabies—report any indoor bat sightings to animal control immediately.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments are announcing the closure of their offices and First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon on Monday, September 1st, for the Labor Day holiday. Despite the holiday closure, some home services staff will remain available to provide essential in-home care. Residents seeking more details are encouraged to contact their nearest clinic: Kewanee at 309-852-0197, Colona at 309-792-4011, or Toulon at 309-852-3115. Updates and further information are also available online at henrystarkhealth.com or by following the department on social media.
World Water Week is set for August 24 to 28, 2025, focusing globally on water cooperation for peace and security. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments’ Environmental Health Division is urging local residents to reflect on this year’s theme: “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future.” The theme emphasizes the interconnectedness of communities and nations when it comes to water. Officials recommend an annual water well checkup to ensure safe, high-quality drinking water and reduce the risk of costly repairs. Residents are also reminded to keep hazardous chemicals away from wells, maintain waste systems, and seal abandoned wells properly. Those who need assistance or more details about the Water Program, including the safe sealing process, are encouraged to reach out to the Health Department at (309) 852-0197. Additional resources and updates are also available at www.henrystarkhealth.com, as well as on the Health Department’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram platforms.
Residents in Henry and Stark Counties seeking health insurance can get in-person help from the Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program at several local events next week. Health Insurance Navigators will be available August 26th at Aman Oil & Food in Kewanee, August 27th and 28th in Colona at the Food Pantry and Dollar General, and August 29th at Hollis House in Kewanee. Experts will guide attendees through finding affordable coverage, comparing plans, submitting applications, and checking eligibility for financial assistance or special enrollment periods.
Certified navigators are set to assist with application processes and ensure participants understand their options. Those unable to attend are encouraged to call 309-852-5272 for direct support or additional information. The event aims to empower Illinoisans to make informed health coverage choices, especially as deadlines approach. Don’t miss the chance to secure affordable coverage for yourself and your loved ones.
Aman Oil & Food, 220 N. East St., Kewanee, IL
Tuesday, August 26th
1:00-4:00 pm
Colona Food Pantry/Activity Ctr., 619 8th St., Colona, IL
Wednesday, August 27th
11:00 am-2:00 pm
Dollar General, 901 1st St., Colona, IL
Thursday, August 28th
1:00-4:00 pm
Hollis House, 605 Hollis St., Kewanee, IL
Friday, August 29th
1:00-4:00 pm
Gun safety is making strides in Illinois thanks to a statewide initiative providing free gun locks, now crossing the milestone of 100,000 distributed. The Henry and Stark County Health Departments, along with First Choice Healthcare, urge residents to pick up these free safety devices at their offices in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon. Authorities emphasize that locking both firearms and ammunition can cut the risk of self-inflicted and accidental injuries among children and teens by more than 75 percent. For crisis support, contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1, or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. More at henrystarkhealth.com.
Health officials report that every day, 64 Americans lose their lives to firearm suicide—one every 22 minutes. Studies find that homes securing both firearms and ammunition see a 78 percent lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries and an 85 percent reduction in unintentional injuries for children and teens. To help address this crisis and reduce stigma around gun safety, free gun locks are available through the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or visiting VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. Additional information on the Free Gun Safety Locks program can be found at www.henrystarkhealth.com or on their social media platforms.
With summer temperatures rising, the Henry and Stark County Health Departments warn residents to be alert as bat activity increases, bringing a higher risk of rabies exposure. This year, 19 bats in Illinois have tested positive for rabies. Officials caution against handling bats or wild animals, emphasizing that even seemingly healthy creatures can carry the virus. If a bat enters your home, avoid direct contact and contact animal control immediately. Less than 1% of bats carry rabies, but the disease is almost always fatal without prompt preventive treatment. Keep pets vaccinated and homes sealed to prevent unwanted encounters.
If you discover a bat in your home, immediately contact your local animal control officer. For guidance on preventing bats from entering your home, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website. Anyone concerned about possible exposure to a bat should reach out to the Health Department Communicable Disease Nurse at (309) 852-0197. More educational resources and updates are also available on the Henry and Stark County Health Departments’ official Facebook page.
Information about keeping bats out of your home or buildings can be found by logging on to www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pcbats.htm.
Information about rabies can be found at https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/rabies.
