Western Illinois Today

Freeman Wins Mercer County Fair Queen Title

Cassidy Freeman crowned 2022 Mercer County Fair Queen. Also Tuesday night at the Mercer County Fair, the Jr. Miss winner was Ahava Smolt and the Little Miss crown went to Hailey McKeag.

Mercer County Fair Board Ready For 2022 Event

Mercer County Fair week is here. Rita Williams is the new Mercer County Fair Board President. The Mercer County Fair Queen Pageant kicks things off on Tuesday night. The first Mercer County Fair was held in 1853.

Northside Lofts Timeline Impacted; Project Resubmitting For Tax Credits

The first attempt for tax credits to spur the Northside Lofts project at the former Aledo Jr. High has been turned down by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. But Economic Growth Corporation will resubmit says company vice president Charlotte Flickinger.…

Local Vietnam Vet Memorialized In Washington

An Aledo veteran among more than 500 Vietnam veterans inducted into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) In Memory Program last month. The honor goes to the late Richard Mason Anderson. He served in the Navy and passed away in…

IDNR Helping With Sponsler Lake

The City of Aledo now owns Sponsler Lake and they’re getting some help in managing the fish population from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. An update from Mayor Chris Hagloch. The city assumed ownership of the lake through a…

Terrill Reminding Neighborhoods To Stay Alert

Mercer County Sheriff Dusty Terrill reminding residents to do their part, so thieves don’t have an easy time stealing from cars or garages. Viola was hit by thieves last Friday, who rummaged through unlocked cars and garages.

Guilty Plea In Mercer County Child Porn Case

A Viola senior citizen has pleaded guilty in a child porn case. 78-year-old Richard Hockenberry entered the open plea to two Class 2 felonies Tuesday morning in Mercer County Circuit Court. The charges were the result of a search warrant…

Viola Hit By Car Thieves And Burglars Over Holiday Weekend

Mercer County neighborhoods should be on alert after car thieves and burglars leave their mark on Viola over the weekend. Viola Police Chief Troy Brock said on social media that this marks the second Independence Day weekend in a row…