Knox County Fair Board — 175th Annual Knox County Fair preview

Knox County Fair Board — 175th Annual Knox County Fair preview

The Knox County Fair turns 175 this year — and it's going out with a bang. Literally. Knox County Fair Board members Josh Smith, Ted Inness, Mallory Tolley, and Darcy Thorpe joined Galesburg In Focus on July 4 to preview the 175th Knox County Fair, opening Monday, July 6, in Knoxville. Topics covered in this interview include: The fair's history since 1839 — the Galesburg rivalry, the Kentucky Derby comparison, and WWII Why the fair board calls this the heyday of the Knox County Fair Professional fireworks returning Saturday after the demolition derby — a first The rodeo returning after roughly a decade away — including mutton busting for kids The Jim Smith Memorial Truck and Tractor Pulls and the story behind the name Justin Moore, Priscilla Block, and Tyler Bruninga in concert Thursday, July 9 $1.75 happy hour beers — daily except Saturday, 3 to 5 p.m. Harness racing Monday — free gate, derby hats encouraged Livestock shows, the corn pit, and Knox County's reputation for top-quality animals ATMs on the fairgrounds for the first time How the fair operates without county funding   The 175th Knox County Fair runs July 6 through July 11 at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Knoxville. Bring cash. Read our full preview: 175th Knox County Fair — full preview 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg In Focus: Apple Podcasts Spotify

C.L. Cummings, Tompkins State Bank — why community banking still matters

Tompkins State Bank President C.L. Cummings joins Galesburg In Focus host Chris Postin for a wide-ranging conversation on community banking — what it means, why it matters, and how a bank founded in Avon in 1884 has grown to serve four communities across the region. Topics covered in this interview: What makes a community bank different from a large national institution — and why that difference matters for customers How Tompkins State Bank adapts to individual customer needs rather than requiring customers to fit a standard mold The history of Tompkins State Bank — from its 1884 founding by Stephen Tompkins in Avon through its expansion to Abingdon, Knoxville, and Galesburg How the bank grew from $93 million to more than $310 million in assets The value of deep employee tenure — the bank's top seven lenders have more than 200 combined years of experience How local deposits stay local and support local businesses, jobs, and families Cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and how the bank protects customers from scams How community banks are leveraging AI and modern technology to level the playing field with larger institutions Why C.L. believes the future belongs to banks that can still offer a human touch   🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg In Focus on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Tompkins State Bank has locations in Avon, Abingdon, Knoxville, and Galesburg. For more information, visit tompkinsstatebank.com.

Dr. Josh Carpenter, OSF HealthCare — Men's Health Month and why men can't afford to wait

OSF HealthCare Managing Medical Director Dr. Josh Carpenter joins Galesburg In Focus host Chris Postin for a Men's Health Month conversation on the health risks facing men, why they avoid preventative care, and what they can do to change that. Topics include: Why men delay care even when they recognize warning signs Heart disease — the number one killer of men in the United States Cancer screenings for prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers — including non-invasive options Diabetes and its impact across the body Mental health, stress, and recognizing trouble before it becomes a crisis How often men should see a doctor, broken down by age Simple first steps: sleep hygiene and getting moving OSF digital health tools including OSF OnCall and telehealth   🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg In Focus on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For more information on OSF HealthCare services, visit osfhealthcare.org. Read the full story: OSF doctor to men: 'It's time. This is the month. Just do it.'

Way to Grow Pediatric Therapy — bringing specialized pediatric therapy services to Galesburg

Lauren Deppee, marketing manager and speech therapist, and Sarah Meyers, executive director and owner, from Way to Grow Pediatric Therapy joined Chris Postin on Galesburg In Focus on Saturday, June 6. Way to Grow, based in Peoria, has expanded its services to the Galesburg area, operating out of Ascent Church. The practice serves children birth to age 18 and their families across central and west central Illinois. Meyers and Deppee talk about the full range of services Way to Grow offers in Galesburg — speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling and social-emotional support, and dyslexia diagnostics and therapy. They also discuss what drew them to this field, the play-based and child-led approach that defines their practice, what parents should watch for in their children's development, and how to access services without a referral. No referral is needed to get started. Parents can call the office or visit waytogrowpediatrics.com to fill out a contact form. Free 15-minute discovery calls are also available. For the full story, visit: ➡️ Way to Grow Pediatric Therapy expands to Galesburg, offering speech, OT, counseling and more for children and families

New Limited Rods of Western Illinois — Railtown Rumble rolls into Lincoln Park Sunday

The Railtown Rumble is rolling into Lincoln Park in Galesburg tomorrow, Sunday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — and if history is any guide, the prime parking spots will be filling up by 7. Greg "Chops" Bacon, Rod Run coordinator, and Donnie Rosenberry, treasurer of the New Limited Rods of Western Illinois, joined Chris Postin on Galesburg In Focus on Saturday, June 6, 2026, to talk about the show, the club, and what the money raised goes toward. The New Limited Rods have been putting on car shows in Galesburg since 1981 — this year marks the show's 45th anniversary at Lincoln Park. The event is rain or shine and welcomes anything with wheels, from vintage street rods to modern muscle cars and tricked-out trucks. For a $10 donation, the first 100 registered participants receive a commemorative cup sponsored by Z106, a dash plaque, and a club-branded koozie. Food vendors include Smokin' Willies, Lenny Subs, Açaí with Me, and Carnival Delights. Norris Sound and Lighting provides music. Proceeds support the club's scholarship fund. This year, the New Limited Rods awarded three scholarships to students at Galesburg Area Vocational Center — one each for automotive, trades, and nursing — totaling approximately $3,000. The club also makes annual cash donations to the VFW and the Oaks Senior Center. Chops and Donnie also preview the club's River to River Cruise, moving to a Saturday this year on July 18 on downtown Main Street in Galesburg. For event details and schedules, visit the New Limited Rods of Western Illinois Facebook page.