Western Illinois Today

Ewing Provides Mercer County COVID Update

An update on the January COVID numbers from Mercer County Health Department administrator Carla Ewing. The health department continues to offer vaccine clinics. To call for an appointment dial 582-3759. Drive through COVID testing is also available on a first…

New Meat Shop Open In Mercer County

There’s a new meat market serving Mercer County. Kole and Ashlynn Frenell are owners of the Frenell Livestock Company. They opened a new shop in late December. Ashlynn says a grand opening is planned for this spring. Hours of the…

County Board Hears ARPA Presentation

The Mercer County Board hears a report on ARPA funds. The federal money is tied to recovery efforts from the pandemic. Kasi Henshaw is serving as the county’s ARPA Fund Coordinator. The county is receiving a total of $3 million…

Mercer County School Board Discussing Building Referendum

Mercer County School District voters will likely face a building referendum on June 28, but the Unit 404 Board of Education must still finalize the exact nature of the question. Board members have been discussing elementary school and high school…

Viola Boyz Backroad Speedway Looking Forward To Second Season

It was a good first year of go-kart racing in Mercer County. Chad Kinsey opened the dirt track last summer at the Viola Boyz Backroad Speedway and is looking for a successful second season starting this spring. The track is…

Illinois Route 17 Accident Near Joy Injures 2

Two injuries following a weekend two vehicle crash along Illinois Route 17. The mishap occurred Saturday east of Joy, according to a Mercer County Sheriff’s Department report. Both drivers were transported to Genesis Medical Center in Aledo. One of the…

Fire Causes Significant Damage To New Windsor Area Home

A New Windsor area home sustains heavy damage following a weekend blaze. The New Windsor Fire Department was paged out at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday to a structure fire in the 700 block of 305th Street. Viola Fire and Oxford…

Mercer County Honor Marker Program Continues Mission; Special BINGO Fundraiser Jan. 14

Fundraising efforts continue for the Mercer County honor marker program. The mission began in 2017 to properly recognize veterans buried at Mercer County area cemeteries. Jay Doherty has helped lead the charge and he is promoting a fundraiser for next…

Aledo Adds Two New Police Officers

The City of Aledo has hired two new full-time police officers—Dallas Wakeland and Matthew Barr. That puts the force at full strength says Police Chief and City Administrator Chris Sullivan. The hires were officially announced at this week’s Aledo City…