A former Mercer County Board member is hospitalized after being severely beaten in a home invasion. 83 year old Fred Rooth was attacked in his rural Joy residence. Deputies responded to his home Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. He is now at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Several items were taken from his home including a residential safe. Anyone with information on the crime is encouraged to contact the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department at 582-5194 or Mercer County Crime Stoppers at 582-3500 or toll free at 800-582-2762.
