Jim Taylor

Mercer County’s Close In Running For National FFA Award

A recent Mercer County graduate in the running for a national award from FFA. Nicholas Close was the State Proficiency Winner in Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship last spring. The state award allows him to compete at the national level with…

Rural Aledo Man Hires Private Attorney In Sex Assault Case

A rural Aledo man has retained a private attorney in a criminal sexual assault case filed against him. Jonathan Ruud is now representing 30 year old Eric Maurice Thirtyacre. He was arrested earlier this month following an investigation by the…

Competing Education Funding Proposals Mean $300,000 Difference For Mercer County School District

Competing education funding bills in Illinois mean a difference of nearly $300,000 for the Mercer County School District.  Under Senate Bill 1, Mercer County would gain $111.79 per pupil or $148,063.81 more in new money compared to $330.69 per pupil…

Area Co-Op Offering Dual Participation For Student-Athletes

As small schools struggle with participation numbers in extra-curricular activities, one co-op in western Illinois is offering dual participation—meaning students can play two-sports during the same season. Annawan-Wethersfield in Henry County allowed students to play baseball and softball and also…

Corporate Sponsors Continue To Keep Mercer County Fair In Good Shape

Although the state has been offering less premium reimbursement for county fairs, that hasn’t had a significant impact on the Mercer County Fair. That’s because corporate sponsors have stepped up says Fair Board president Roger Grundstrom of New Boston. The…

Preliminary Total For 2017 Mercer County Relay For Life $59,095

The preliminary numbers are in for the 2017 Relay For Life of Mercer County. $59,095 has been generated so far, but there is still some additional fundraising to be calculated says the American Cancer Society’s Stacey Dutton The relay was…

WRMJ Interview: aGd Grad Willits Takes Over AW Baseball Program.

WRMJ Sports Director Jim Taylor spoke with 2007 Aledo High School graduate Logan Willits this morning. Willits has been named head baseball coach of the Annawan-Wethersfield co-op. Willits teaches at Wethersfield and is also the offensive coordinator for the AW…

2017 Relay For Life Of Mercer County Saturday

The 2017 Relay For Life of Mercer County set for this weekend. The American Cancer Society’s Stacey Dutton says there’s great support building for this year’s event. The 2017 Relay For Life of Mercer County is Saturday from 11 a.m.…

Alexis Native With Key Voice In Dairy Industry

An Alexis native with a key voice in the dairy industry. Nicole Yung Postin is the public relations manager for Prairie Farms Dairy. She is a United High School graduate. She credits some of her success to her high school…