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CommunityGro's Aug. 9 Summer Social — cardboard boats and chalk art coming to Lake Storey

There's fruit growing all over Galesburg that most people never notice — and most of it just falls to the ground and rots. That's part of what CommunityGro is working to change, and it's also the spirit behind the group's Summer Social, coming to Lake Storey Pavilion on Sunday, Aug. 9. Michelle Kim and John Simkins joined Galesburg's Morning News on Friday, July 24. Listen to the full interview below. Kim and Simkins walked through what CommunityGro actually does — connecting Galesburg residents with community gardens, orchards, and free food resources around the city — and what's coming to Lake Storey this August. The event's cardboard boat race breaks down into three ways to place, so a boat doesn't have to be fast to win something. There's also a sidewalk chalk competition open to everyone from kids to working artists, a farmers market, food trucks, and a very specific volunteer need: a certified lifeguard. Related story: CommunityGro's Summer Social brings cardboard boat race, chalk art to Lake Storey 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Great Balloon Race organizer Greg Saul — launches, glows, and a golf ball drop this weekend

Twenty-four hot air balloons fill Lake Storey Park this weekend for the Great Balloon Race, and organizer Greg Saul stopped by to walk through what's planned. Greg Saul joined Galesburg's Morning News on Wednesday, July 22. Listen to the full interview above. They talked about: The weekend's launch and night glow schedule The ghost balloon making its return this year, and why it looks a little familiar The wind and lightning rules that decide whether anything flies at all Saturday night's golf ball drop and 50/50 raffle What it actually feels like to fly, from a pilot with 37 years of experience How to volunteer, and what it takes to keep 24 balloons and 19 committee members organized every summer   Related story: Great Balloon Race returns to Galesburg with 24 balloons, free admission 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Rich Norton, Jeff Hoschek, Terrence Gregory, GYAC — a September boxing event, and a club finding its footing

Three years after losing the man they call "the Rock of GYAC," the leaders of Galesburg Youth Athletic Club are still finding their footing — and they're not slowing down. Rich Norton, Jeff Hoschek, and Terrence Gregory joined Galesburg's Morning News on Tuesday, July 21. Listen to the full interview above. They talked about: How Carlos Duncan's original mission still guides the club today What it's really like to run a nonprofit boxing gym on volunteers alone A memorial outside the gym that keeps their founder close Why the club's Teen Court partnership matters more than any trophy What it costs a family to get a kid in the ring — and what happens when they can't afford it Details on GYAC's amateur boxing event this September   Related story: Galesburg Youth Athletic Club sets Sept. 12 boxing event, looks to grow volunteer base 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

City Matters: why Ohio Avenue could go back to two-way

For years, Ohio Avenue near the East Main Street Hy-Vee has only run one way. That could be about to change. City Manager Eric Hanson joined Galesburg's Morning News to explain why demolishing one derelict building might finally reopen the street both directions — plus what else is on tonight's City Council agenda, from a clean financial audit to a new transit partnership reaching rural Knox County for the first time. Eric Hanson joined Galesburg's Morning News on Monday, July 20, 2026. Listen to the full interview above. They talked about: Why the city's newest clean audit opinion matters The complaint pattern behind the new private parking lot ordinance A demolition project that could finally reopen Ohio Avenue to two-way traffic Two Main Street façade grants moving forward downtown A new countywide transit partnership reaching rural Knox County for the first time What's next for All Stars Sports Academy's East Knox Street building   Related story: Audit, parking lot rules and a transit deal highlight Monday's council agenda 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Knox County Health Department — no cyclosporiasis cases here, and how to keep it that way

You've probably seen the headlines about a stomach bug spreading across the country, with salad greens under suspicion. So has it reached Knox County? Wil Hayes and Tammy Nelson of the Knox County Health Department came in with the local answer — and a few surprises, including why the vinegar wash in your kitchen does nothing, why freezing won't save you, and the one food-safety rule that matters most at your next backyard cookout. Wil Hayes and Tammy Nelson joined Galesburg's Morning News on Thursday, July 16. Listen to the full interview above. They talked about: Whether Knox County has any cyclosporiasis cases What the parasite actually is, and how it spreads Why "pre-washed" bagged greens still need washing The vinegar myth, and what actually kills the parasite Why dehydration, not the illness itself, lands people in the hospital The two-hour rule and how vendors get inspected at Taste of Galesburg   Related story: No cyclosporiasis cases in Knox County, but health officials say wash your greens 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.