The Bureau, Henry & Stark Regional Office of Education and the Henry and Stark County Health Departments are holding a community book drive benefitting “The Basics, Illinois Program” in honor of Children’s Book Week, May 4-10.
Celebrated since 1919, Children’s Book Week is a major national literacy event intended to bring kids and books together. Teaching children to immerse themselves in a good book is one of the most valuable things anyone can do. This is a key element to The Basics, Illinois program which calls for community partners having family engagement stations for local families featuring engaging books, tables & stools, and educational posters. However, these engagement stations are in need of children’s books. Therefore, they are asking the public for donations of “new” or “gently used” children’s books; especially for ages 1-3 years of age.
Donations can be dropped off at any of the Henry & Stark County Health Department offices and First Choice Healthcare Clinics at: Kewanee Main Office, 110 N. Burr Blvd; Kewanee WIC/Maternal and Child Services, 109 S. Burr Blvd; Toulon Clinic, 120 E. Court St., and the Colona office, 103 1st St. during regular business hours, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Help them make a difference. A childhood love of reading sets the stage for success as an adult. A child who loves reading will have an inquisitive mind, a vivid imagination, and great problem-solving skills.
May 6-12 has been proclaimed National Nurses Week. In honor of this important health observance, the local health departments salute their dedicated nurses.
RaeAnn Tucker, director of Health Promotion said, “Patients often recognize that a nurse is the health care professional with whom they and their families have the most direct contact. But they might not realize that nurses also are leaders in improving the quality of care and expanding access to care. That’s why May 6-12 is celebrated as National Nurses Week.”
This year’s theme, “The Power Of Nurses,” recognizes and celebrates ways in which nurses lead the charge of health and wellness. The theme honors the incredible nurses who embody the spirit of compassion and care in every health care setting.
The health departments are inviting the public to join in recognizing the invaluable contributions of nurses worldwide. Whether you’re a health care professional, a patient, or simply someone who appreciates nurses’ dedication; this is your chance to express gratitude and support for their capability and fortitude. Come together to celebrate Nurses Week 2026 and show our appreciation for these extraordinary professionals.
The health department nurses are key players in all areas of the health department: Clinical Services, Mental Health, Primary Care, Communicable Disease Control, WIC, Better Birth Outcomes and Health Education. The Administration of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare encourages everyone to join with them in saluting nursing professionals everywhere.
For more information on the services of the Henry and Stark County Health Department Offices and their First Choice Healthcare Clinics call Kewanee at 309-852-5272, Colona at 309-792-4011 or Toulon at 309-852-3115 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com, or find them on Facebook or Twitter.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare Clinics announce that their “12 Communities, 12 Months” event for May will be a special outreach display on Friday, May 22 from 9 -11 a.m. at the Special Kneads Bakery, 326 Front St. in Galva.
Their staff will offer the public free acceptance and disposal of home-expired or unused medications, and free blood pressure checks. There will also be free giveaways and health information. In addition, their Get Covered Illinois Insurance navigator will be available.
Find instructions regarding expired/unused medication and sharps disposal for this event here.
RaeAnn Tucker, director of Health Promotion with the health department said, “We believe this is going to be a wonderful event as there will be something for everyone interested in getting some great information, taking advantage of free screenings, giveaways and just partaking in a pleasant time visiting and talking with our staff.” The “12 Communities, 12 Months” events are a year-long opportunity for the health department to showcase the many programs and services available to the area residents and families.
For more information about the “12 Communities, 12 Months” promotions and events call the health department at 309-852-0197 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce that May has been proclaimed Clean Air Month, and May 4-8, is designated Air Quality Awareness Week.
The health department believes these two important health observances are a good time to remind local residents that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer overall and the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. Therefore, the health department would like to remind local residents that they have radon home test kits available for purchase at a cost of $15 per kit through their offices in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon while supplies last.
Many people don’t even know that radon gas is such a health threat. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas present in the soil and water that can build up to dangerous levels in the home. Radon gas is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and invisible and the only way to know if a home has a radon problem is to test for it. Breathing radon can increase one’s risk of lung cancer. If you are a smoker, your risk is even more heightened.
Radon gas is found in 65% of homes in Henry County and 82% of homes in Stark County. Radon is a Class A human carcinogen, meaning there is actual evidence that exposure to radon causes lung cancer. It is the cause of 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States annually.
Testing your home is the only way to know if you have elevated levels of radon. If radon levels, above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s, USEPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter of air – pCi/L, are detected in your home; the health department can provide you with information regarding radon mitigation on their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or through their Environmental Health Division.
For more information on the $15 radon home testing kits, call their location nearest you, Kewanee at 309-852-0197; Colona at 309-792-4011; and Toulon at 309-852-3115. You can always find them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program ask, “Do you need health insurance?” Their Health Insurance Navigators will be present at the upcoming local events to assist anyone looking to set up health insurance coverage:
Happy Joe’s Pizza-Rudy’s Tacos, 320 W. 1st Ave, Coal Valley, Ill.
Monday, May 11
11 a.m. -1 p.m.
Rescued, 825 1st Ave., Silvis, Ill.
Tuesday, May 19
10 a.m. – noon
Special Kneads Bakery, 326 Front St., Galva, Ill.
Friday, May 22
9-11 a.m.
For more information on these Get Covered Illinois Navigator Events or assistance in enrolling in a Get Covered Illinois Healthcare Marketplace please call 309-852-5272.
