Jim Taylor

WRMJ Interview: New Sherrard Cross Country Coach Joe Lopez

1976 Alleman grad Joe Lopez is the new cross country coach at Sherrard. He replaces Ryan Buchanan, who’s now at Assumption. Lopez has had coaching stints at Bettendorf, Alleman and Rocky and was Buchanan’s assistant for three years at Sherrard.…

WRMJ Interview: Getting The Feel For New School Year; Many Challenges Says Rockridge’s Miller

Rockridge students haven’t been in a classroom since March 13th. They are scheduled to return next Tuesday, Aug. 18. WRMJ News Director Jim Taylor spoke with Rockridge superintendent Perry Miller about the new school year Wednesday morning.

NFHS: Aerosol Study Offers Strategies for Conducting High School Performing Arts Programs

As state associations have been developing plans for a safe return to high school sports, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and other national organizations have been working overtime to preserve opportunities for millions of students in…

Lost Kayaker Found Safely On Edwards River

Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputies respond to reports of a lost kayaker on the Edwards River in rural Joy. They were dispatched Tuesday night with the MedForce Helicopter also being deployed. The kayaker was eventually located and retrieved from the river…

WRMJ Audio: Pandemic Causing Added Financial Pressures For Local Schools As Students Head Back To Classroom

WRMJ News Director Jim Taylor spoke with Sherrard School District superintendent Alan Boucher Tuesday afternoon. The two discussed added financial pressures for local schools due to the pandemic. Sherrard is hiring two additional nurses, two additional custodians and up to…

Derecho Weather System Tracks 770-Miles; Impacts Mercer County & Western Illinois With Straight Line Winds

Learning about the weather term derecho. It happened Monday as a severe weather system barreled through Iowa and northern and central Illinois along with other parts of the Midwest. The strong winds—approaching 100 miles in some areas, left widespread damage.…

Mercer County Census Response At 70-Percent

What has the 2020 census response been like in Mercer County? Kyle McEwen with Mercer County Better Together has been involved with the effort.   Mercer County census project coordinator Kasi Henshaw says an accurate census count is important for…

Three Year Prison Term Handed Down In Rural Aledo Child Abuse Case

A rural Aledo man has been sentenced to three years in prison for abusing a three-year-old child. 32 year old Robert Gates received the punishment Monday afternoon in Mercer County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to an amended Class 3…

Swanson Hoping Legislative Oversight Committee Pushes Back On Pritzker

A legislative oversight committee meets this week to consider mask enforcement rules pushed by Governor J.B. Pritzker. Local State Rep. Dan Swanson wants the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules or “JCAR” to oppose the governor’s directive.   Again, “JCAR” meets…