Wake Up Tri-Counties Katie Laleman Talks Scholarships, College Loans, Safe Digging Month, and Sharing the Road

In this episode of Wake Up Tri-Counties, host Jennifer Russell interviews Katie Laleman from the Henry County Farm Bureau, highlighting key initiatives and upcoming opportunities in April and May. The conversation covers Distracted Driving Awareness Month, emphasizing the dangers of phone use and in-car distractions, especially as spring brings increased farm equipment activity on roads. Laleman also promotes National Safe Digging Month, urging residents to call 811 or visit Illinois1.gov before any digging to avoid damaging underground utilities. The segment then shifts to education, spotlighting the Henry County Farm Bureau Foundation’s $61,000 in scholarships awarded this year, including new memorial scholarships and opportunities like the Illinois Veterinary Education and Training Loan Program (up to $40,000 for vet students) and the Rural Nurse Practitioner Scholarship (15 awards of $4,000 each). Deadlines for these programs are in May, with resources available via ilfb.org/ivet and RIMSAP.com. Laleman concludes by teasing upcoming summer events, including the Henry County Fair and a golf outing, as the community prepares for a busy season.