Jim Taylor

Foreign Inmate Numbers Down At Mercer County Jail

Foreign inmate revenue down at the Mercer County Jail. The biggest impact this fiscal year is a signifant decrease from the U.S. Marshals service says Mercer County Sheriff Dusty Terrill. The county receives $65 per day per inmate from the…

West Nile Surveillance In Mercer County

The Mercer County Health Department will be submitting dead birds to the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Lab for West Nile virus testing. In addition to crows and blue jays, the state will be accepting grackles, sparrows, finches, robins, cardinals,…

Street Sounds Speaker Project Progressing For Downtown Aledo

An idea of Mercer County High School students close to becoming a reality. Phase 1 of the Street Sounds speaker project nearing completion in downtown Aledo. Teacher Rusty Ruggles helped with the effort. The project was funded through a combination…

Retired Sherrard Teacher Honored For Service To ‘Ag in the Classroom’

Former Sherrard teacher, Ramona McMeekan, was recently honored for 20 years of volunteer service with “Ag in the Classroom,” an initiative to teach children about agriculture through the Mercer County Farm Bureau. Connie Lord, Ag in the Classroom volunteer, surprised…

June 24 Ribbon Cutting For Keithsburg Kayak Launch Project

A ribbon-cutting ceremony announced for the new kayak and canoe launch at Port Louisa in Keithsburg. The project also includes a viewing deck says Visit MerCo’s Kasi Henshaw. The project was announced in July 2021.

Charges Dropped Against Viola Police Chief

The disorderly conduct case against Viola Police Chief Troy Brock has been dismissed. The motion to dismiss was filed Tuesday in Mercer County Circuit Court by the special prosecutor handling the case. According to a Mercer County Sheriff’s Department press…

Mercer County Grooming & Sex Assault Defendant Has Died

Mercer County State’s Attorney Grace Simpson has confirmed that a man charged in a grooming and sexual assault investigation has died. No other information has been released at this time regarding the death of 52-year-old Jeffrey Smith. He was free…

150-Year History For Messiah Lutheran Church Aledo

A local church celebrating a 150-year milestone this weekend. Messiah Lutheran Church has a long history in Aledo says church council president Dennis Mellgren and church treasurer Brian Cirks. The 150th anniversary will be celebrated Sunday at 10 a.m.

Viola Traffic Stop Leads To Meth Charge

A traffic stop in Viola results in multiple charges for a Galesburg man. 29 year old David R. Carlson was taken into custody on Wednesday by Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputies with assistance from the Viola Police Department on a Knox…