Western Illinois Today

It’s Been 50 Years Since RMA Closed

This year marks the 50th anniversary since the Roosevelt Military Academy closed in Aledo. Gary Weaver from Wyoming, Illinois, is a member of the RMA class of 1969. He spoke with WRMJ this week. Weaver will make a presentation to…

Aledo Main Street On Board With Promoting School Art Event

Aledo Main Street playing a role in this week’s Mercer County School District art event. The main attraction is an Art Gala Saturday night at 129 East Main, but there’s also a downtown Art Walk Thursday night and Art Reception…

Sixth Day Enrollment Numbers For Rockridge

Enrollment data released by the Rockridge School District. Here are the numbers from Superintendent Marcus Bush. The IHSA lists Rockridge’s high school enrollment at 361, which is based on a two-year average from the 2021/22 and 2022/2023 school years. The…

New Windsor Man’s Attempted Murder Cases Continued To November

A Nov. 6 status hearing scheduled for a New Windsor man charged in separate attempted murder cases in Mercer County. The attorney representing 32-year-old Trenton Deshane asked for the continuance Monday in Mercer County Circuit Court. Deshane has been in…

Mercer County Blood Drive Tuesday At VFW; Supplies Running Low

The Red Cross is running low on blood and the blood donation shortage is nationwide, but you can help locally this week. Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some…

Miller Talks Farm Bill & Appropriation Bills

A deadline is looming for the new Farm Bill and reaction from Congresswoman Mary Miller, who represents Aledo and western Mercer County. The current Farm Bill expires on September 30th and Miller says spending on the reauthorization needs to be…

East Main Street Extension Will Have To Wait

The City of Aledo still interested in extending East Main Street, but it won’t be in the near term. That’s because the city is using most of its bonding capacity to upgrade SE 2nd Avenue or Swimming Pool Road says…

Rockridge Discussing Future Facility Needs

The Rockridge School Board talking future facility plans. The process will involve community engagement, says Superintendent Marcus Bush. The board heard from district architects this week. The Rockridge School Board will meet again on Oct. 10.

Local Art Getting Plenty of Attention Next Week

The Mercer County School District’s art program getting set for a big week next week. High school art teacher Tara Guidinger says the feature is an Art Gala, but there’s also an Art Walk and Art Reception. The downtown Art…

Master Gardener Program Thursday In Mercer County

Master Gardeners of Mercer County gathering this week for the Fall Harvest of Horticulture. University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Emily Swihart says the program is Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Aledo Fire Station. Among the presenters…