Jim Taylor

Sherrard Vacant Home Destroyed By Fire

A fire destroys a vacant home in Sherrard. The home had been vacant for a few years says Sherrard Fire Chief Lisa Blank. Firefighters were called out at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.   The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating. If…

Illinois Supreme Court Issues Guidelines For Resuming Judicial Branch Operations During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Illinois Supreme Court today issued an order and operational guidelines to help courts statewide resume in-person operations and establish procedures for remote hearings. Since mid-March, the state’s courts have been operating under precautionary measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while continuing…

Spring Wild Turkey Harvest 224 In Mercer County

Mercer County hunters took in 224 wild turkeys during the spring season, April 13 through May 14. That’s ten less birds than last year’s harvest. The numbers in nearby counties this spring included 128 in Henderson, 110 in Henry, 270…

Sherrard Band Director Delivers Some Much Needed School Spirit Through Virtual Quarantine Performance

We could all use a little school spirit right about now and the Sherrard Jr. High & High School band director delivers.  David Grayson calls his project “Sherrard Victory–Virtual Quarantine Performance”. You can enjoy it through YouTube. He spoke with…

‘Mercer County’s Best Meth Cook’ Receives Six-Year Prison Term

The man deemed “Mercer County’s best meth cook” has been sentenced to six years in prison. Charles Peacock received the punishment Tuesday morning in Mercer County Circuit Court. Mercer County State’s Attorney Meeghan Lee was arguing for a ten-year term…

New Windsor Man’s Child Porn Case Continued To August

A New Windsor man charged in a child porn investigation has had his case continued to August 10th. The new date set during a Tuesday pre-trial conference for 59-year-old James Pierson. He is facing three Class X felony counts. Pierson…

80s For Memorial Day Weekend, But Active Weather

A warm-up headed to the WRMJ listening area. Temps will climb into the 80s this Memorial Day weekend, but the weather pattern will stay active.   That’s meteorologist Zach Uttech with the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities. He…

Mercer County Historical Society Names Lincoln Poster Winners

Every year near the date of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Michael Zecher visits all third and fourth grade classrooms in Mercer County (New Boston, Apollo, Winola and Sherrard) to talk about Abraham Lincoln’s life and times.  This year he also visited…

What To Do About The Turkey Vultures?

They’re starting to get more attention. A growing flock of turkey vultures continues to perch high atop an Aledo water tower in the southwest part of town. It’s even a subject that’s been brought up at the last few Aledo…

TIF Proposal Approved For Former Library Building; Alley Work Also Being Evaluated To Spur Another Downtown Project

“Something tech” is how Aledo Mayor Chris Hagloch described the future plans for the former Mercer Carnegie Library building. The Aledo City Council approved an up to a $50,000 forgivable TIF loan for W.J. Albertson and Perryton LLC Monday night.…