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September 5, 2008--Aledo teachers have a new contract. The Aledo Board of Education ratified the one year deal with the Aledo Education Association last night. Aledo Superintendent Alan Boucher says the agreement calls for a 3.4 percent raise and some other language issues. The contract impacts 76 teachers.

September 5, 2008--A lower Rock Island County teen among three people arrested for vandalizing a Davenport church. 18 year old Stephanie Wiegel of Illinois City is facing a 1st Degree Criminal Mischief charge in Scott County Court. She is accused of participating in a vandalism spree at St. Pail the Apostle Catholic Church on September 3rd. numerous windows and glass doors were shattered. The damage also include sprayed graffiti and a Virgin Mary statue was decapitated.   

September 4, 2008--Three months after the Aledo Hardee's closed, the site is still vacant. Dave Wetzel with Barr Real Estate in Champaign says there has been limited interest in the property including a few phone calls and several walkthroughs, but nothing definite. The site is listed for $250,000. The Aledo Hardee's closed its doors on June 3rd.

September 3, 2008--The Mercer County Board has approved moving forward with an expansion of the Mercer County Jail.  The 30-cell addition will be able to house up to 60 additional federal inmates.  The cost of the project is estimated at $5-million and Mercer County Board Chairman Tom Harris says revenue generated from housing U.S. Marshal's Service prisoners will be used to retire the debt.  The county receives $50 per day per federal inmate housed at the jail. Harris says the debt should be retired in 10-to-11 years.  

September 3, 2008--An update for Aledo natural gas customers. Mayor Lee Celske says he's cautiously optimistic about the coming months. Currently, Aledo customers are paying $2.90 a deca-therm, which is about 23 percent higher than the same period a year ago.

September 3, 2008--The Aledo City Council hears from the City Attorney concerning the Illinois Attorney General's opinion about aldermen owning property in the TIF district. Mark Walton says there isn't a lot of wiggle room for those who have a conflict. The attorney general's opinion was interpreted differently around the council table. Alderman Chris Hagloch resigned as TIF committee chairman and said he would not vote on TIF matters. Mayor Lee Celske also stated he would continue to abstain from TIF issues. Aldermen Rich Maynard and Bob Rillie expressed some disagreement with the opinion and voted on a TIF matter later in the meeting.

September 2, 2008--Several recent roadside safety checks are serving as an important reminder. Mercer County Sheriff Tom Thompson says there have been a lot of no insurance violations. He says you have to have car insurance and show proof to the officer. Roadside safety checks in Preemption, Aledo, New Windsor and Sherrard over the last week have resulted in 86 no insurance violations.

September 2, 2008--The 2nd annual Viola Threshers Reunion is this weekend.  The event features steam power, gas engines and a tractor show. The two day event is Saturday and Sunday, September 6th and 7th. 

September 2, 2008--As the 2008 high school volleyball season gets underway this week, a local coach is closing in on a major benchmark. Pam Bischoff is just 10 wins shy of 400 wins at Rockridge. The Rockets are expecting big things this season after a 21 and 6 finish last season. The Rockets open the season Thursday, September 4th at Alleman.

August 29, 2008--A criminal sexual assault investigation by the Aledo Police Department leads to two arrests. 20 year old Adam Redding is charged with a Class 1 felony of criminal sexual assault and 17 year old Steven Adams is facing a Class A misdemeanor of criminal sexual abuse.  Redding is being held on $75,000 bond and Adams' bond has been set at $20,000.  Both men are in custody at the Mercer County Jail. 

August 29, 2008--A tentative contract agreement has been reached for Aledo teachers. The Aledo School Board will meet in special session next Thursday, September 4th and is expected to ratify the pact with the Aledo Education Association. The AEA's current three year contract expired at the start of the school year.

August 29, 2008--Project NOW will begin scheduling appointments for senior citizens (age 60 and above) and persons with disabilities to apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) starting September 2nd. Seniors and persons receiving disability benefits are encouraged to call or stop in to the Project NOW Outreach office in Aledo at 605 ½ SW 3rd Street or call (309)582-2644. Appointments for all others wishing to apply for LIHEAP can be scheduled starting November 3rd. 

August 28, 2008--Two local high school football teams get high marks to start the 2008 season.  Orion is ranked number-1 in the first 2A Associated Press poll. Aledo-Westmer is ranked number 2 in 3A.  

August 28, 2008--A second group of City of Aledo employees are forming a union. Five full-time and one part-time--all clerical workers will be recognized by Local 150, which is also representing six Aledo police officers. Local 150 representative Troy Russell says the clerical staff is organizing for protection. He says there are times when public employees can lose their jobs due to a change in administration. In Aledo, five aldermanic seats and the Mayor will be up for election in April.

August 27, 2008--WRMJ's John Hoscheidt reaches a pretty neat milestone this weekend. He will begin his 30th year of calling Green Dragon football when Aledo-Westmer kicks off the 2008 season Saturday afternoon, August 30th at Pratt Memorial Field against West Hancock. Hoscheidt's first Green Dragon broadcast was in 1979 when the Dragons tangled with Galva.

August 27, 2008--Aledo City Council members who own property in the City's TIF district will not be able to vote on TIF matters, that according to an Illinois Attorney General opinion. City Manager Patrick Burelle says aldermen have been asked to submit a list of property they currently own in the TIF district.