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Western Illinois Today News is broadcast at 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday

Complete report of local, regional, and state news with all area obituaries.
 

 

September 2, 2010--A World War II veteran from Mercer County will be among six Quad Cities area veterans honored this weekend. The group is being recognized for liberating Nazi concentration camps. Jess Crawford of Aledo says he's still haunted by those memories. Crawford will be presented a "Hero To Me Medal" from Holocaust survivor Esther Schiff Saturday night during the Festival of Praise event at Davenport's Leclaire Park Band Shell.

 

September 2, 2010--Downstate Illinois' largest electricity provider will soon operate under only one name. Ameren Utilities Spokesperson Victoria Busch says starting October 1st, Ameren IP, AmerenCIPS and AmerenCILCO will go simply by Ameren Illinois Company. Busch says customers won't have to deal with any other changes due to the merger.

 

September 1, 2010--One of the featured acts in Mercer County this weekend for the Bluegrass Music Festival is from Europe. Organizer Cathy Wonderlich says a number of great bands will be in town, including Red Wine from Italy. They will play at Noon, Friday afternoon (September 3rd) at the Aledo Central Park Band Shell. The Bluegrass Music Festival is September 3rd through the 5th at the Mercer County Fairgrounds.

 

August 31, 2010--The Keithsburg Fire Department is in desperate need of volunteers. Numbers are extremely low and if they don't improve, there will be some tough decisions says Keithsburg Fire Chief Charlie Brown. The issue will be discussed at the September 13th Keithsburg City Council meeting.

 

August 31, 2010--A New Boston man has been sentenced to five years in prison for injuring a local police officer last winter. 29 year old Dustin Puckett will also serve four years probation following his release. He pled guilty yesterday in Mercer County Circuit Court to two Class 2 felonies of aggravated battery to a peace officer and escape. Puckett was taken into custody last February following a disturbance at a New Boston home. New Boston Police Chief Mike Defrieze responded to the call and was injured and required medical treatment. Mercer County Sheriff's Deputies also assisted at the scene. In exchange for his guilty plea, a Class X felony of home invasion along with a Class 2 felony of aggravated battery, and two Class 4 felonies of criminal trespass and aggravated fleeing and eluding were dismissed.

 

August 31, 2010--A lower Rock Island County producer elected to the Illinois Corn Marketing Board. Tom Mueller of Taylor Ridge will represent District 3, which covers Henderson, Henry, Knox, Mercer, Rock Island and Warren Counties. Mueller is also the president of the Rock Island County Farm Bureau and serves on the Country Bank Board of Directors. The Illinois Corn Marketing Board is a group of 15 farmers elected from across the state. Among their tasks is administering the state checkoff program.

 

August 31, 2010--Not only are Illinois high school football teams trying to get to the state finals, but so to are rodeo cowboys and cowgirls. The Illinois High School Rodeo Association runs its season from August through July and the race is underway to become state champ and then eventually get to nationals--says calf roper Chance Stewart--a senior from Rockridge High School. One of the Illinois high school rodeo events will be September 11th and 12th at the New Windsor Rodeo Fairgrounds.

 

August 30, 2010--Farmers in Western Illinois starting to project some of their yield numbers as harvest nears. Jim Coyne farms in the Milan area in lower Rock Island County. He says results will be variable for the corn crop--a range of 160-to-220 bushels per acre. Coyne says soybeans should be in the 40-to-50 bushel per acre range, but he is starting to hear of more problems regarding sudden death syndrome.

 

August 30, 2010--The 2009 International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainer of the Year among the featured bands at this weekend's Barnes Family Bluegrass Music Festival in Aledo. Dailey and Vincent have both been to Mercer County before. The group will play Saturday afternoon, September 4th at 4 PM the Mercer County Fairgrounds.

 

August 30, 2010--Keithsburg still optimistic about a marina development. A Missouri group remains interested in the project says Keithsburg Economic Development Chairman Steve Nylin, but they're awaiting some state assistance. The development would include 86 slips along with a gas dock and boat repair facility. Keithsburg owns the 15-acre site, but would deed the property to the company upon completion of the project, which is estimated at upwards of $2.5 million. Nylin says the full marina operation would employ eight people.

 

August 30, 2010--The Mercer County Sheriff's Department participating in the "You Drink You Drive You Lose" campaign through the Labor Day weekend. Mercer County Sheriff Tom Thompson says in addition to taking drunk drivers off the road, officers will also be looking for those motorists who are not wearing seat belts.

 

August 27, 2010--The new head football coach at Sherrard High School is looking forward to renewing some of the rivalries he had during his playing days. Brett Lee says he enjoyed competing against the likes of Rockridge, Orion, and Macomb while quarterbacking at Aledo. He says it will be even better coaching against them. Lee and the Tigers open the season tomorrow afternoon hosting Camp Point Central. One of their assistants is Westmer grad Brad Dixon.

 

August 27, 2010--A group describing themselves as "real conservative women with real concerns" is hosting a candidate forum and debate next week. Amanda Soseman is with Watermark Women. She says the event is Thursday, September 2nd from 5-to-8:30 PM at Mercer County Intermediate School.

 

August 27, 2010--As the 2010 high school football season gets underway, there have been a number of changes to the Mercer County Golden Eagles coaching staff. Head coach Nat Zunkel details the assignments. The Golden Eagles open the 2010 season tonight at Pratt Memorial Field with a 7 PM kick off against Annawan-Wethersfield.

 

August 26, 2010--Mercer County’s unemployment rate is under double digits. The latest numbers released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security show the local jobless rate at 9.7 percent for July, which is three points higher than the same period a year ago.  Unemployment is also up a bit compared to last year in Henderson, Rock Island and Warren Counties, but slightly down in Henry and Knox Counties. In the region there was a mix of employment gains and losses over the year.  Total non-farm employment held relatively unchanged from its year-ago level. Manufacturing, Leisure-Hospitality, and Construction reported the largest employment declines when compared to July 2009. Educational-Health Services, Wholesale Trade, and Government reported the largest employment gains from year-ago levels. The highest unemployment rate in the region is Fulton County at 11.8 percent. 

 

August 25, 2010--The mosquito population in Mercer County seems to be down from the year’s high point a couple of weeks ago. That’s the assessment of Phil Nixon, entomologist for the University of Illinois Extension, though he doesn’t have hard numbers to support his observation. Nixon says rain caused the population of floodwater mosquitoes to swell two weeks ago, but they don’t live long before being eaten by dragonflies, spiders, bats and birds.

 

August 25, 2010--The effort to extend East Main Street in Aledo is moving forward. Public Works Director Steve Moller says progress is being made on the proposed project. The earliest construction would begin is next spring or summer.

 

August 25, 2010--In preparation for the winter heating season, several deadlines approaching for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Beginning September 1st, elderly and disabled citizens of Mercer County can apply for LIHEAP. Starting October 1st any low-income household that has been disconnected or is under imminent threat of disconnection can apply for the program. And then on November 1st, all low income households can seek assistance. The local agency administering the program is Mercer County Project NOW. Click here interview with Project NOW's Molli Nickerson. 

 

August 24, 2010--Pork and pigskins......there's no better combination in the fall. Just ask the Illinois Pork Producers. The high school football season is also pork chop season--the two go hand in hand says Tim Maiers with the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Maiers says the John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities has also been a great promotion for the pork industry in Illinois--with one area of the golf course known as pork chop hill, where Henry County Pork Producers serve thousands of pork chops each year at the PGA Tour event.

 

August 24, 2010--Two local county farm bureaus teaming up to offer a program for women. The presentation is being sponsored by both the Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau and Mercer County Farm Bureau. Mercer County Farm Bureau Manager John Huffstutler says the seminar will be held on Monday, August 30th at the Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau in Monmouth . Iowa farm-wife Beth Collins is the featured speaker.

 

August 23, 2010--A general contractor has been chosen for the Mercer County Hospital renovation project. The firm is from Chicago says Hospital CEO Ted Rogalski. Construction on the approximate $10.5 million project should begin later this year. The renovation will involve expanding outpatient areas, including physical therapy, cardiopulmonary services, lab, radiology and emergency department. Additional facility upgrades will include the fire suppression and detection system and substantial improvements to the heating and cooling system.

 

August 23, 2010--The corn crop is starting to dry out in Western Illinois. During spring planting, Dave Westerlund saw too much rain at his Osco area farm in Western Henry County, but August has been much kinder. He only had to abandon 4-acres due to heavy saturation and he's satisfied with his corn crop as we approach harvest. Westerlund says soybeans are podding nicely in the region, but there is some minor concern with sudden death syndrome.

 

August 20, 2010--There is some concern being expressed with low participation numbers for Lincoln Trail Conference high school football programs. Several may not have enough players to field JV teams. United coach Tim Engebretson has heard those rumblings, but hopes they aren't true because he says those junior varsity games are important. United has solid numbers at the JV level with 27 kids out for football.

 

August 19, 2010--The Sherrard Board of Education unable to seat a new president this week. Board member Timothy Arbet was absent from last night's meeting and he was under consideration for president last month along with Larry Stone. The Sherrard School Board is in search of a new president following Jay Bizarri's resignation from the board in June. The board tried to select a new president in July, but the issue became a stalemate with three members supporting Stone and three backing Arbet. Board member Lori Baker was absent from that meeting. Stone has served on the board for over 20 years with Arbet first being elected in 2001. The Sherrard School Board will attempt to make a final decision on the issue next month.

 

August 19, 2010--Local taxing bodies will be getting a TIF reimbursement from the City of Aledo next month. Over $184,700 will be returned, including $31,400 to Mercer County. County Board Chairman Maxine Henry of Keithsburg says in these tough budget times that money will really help. The Mercer County School District will receive just over $88,000. TIF money will also be returned to such taxing bodies as the Aledo Fire Protection District, Mercer Carnegie Library, and Aledo Park District.

 

August 18, 2010--Students now back in class in the Mercer County School District. Superintendent Alan Boucher says there's always an adjustment period at the beginning of a school year, especially for those students who may be attending a different building. The last day of student attendance is May 23rd.

 

August 17, 2010--A Mercer County man has been arrested for solicitation of prostitution. 41 year old Andrew Piskorik of Sherrard was taken into custody by Mercer County Sheriff's Deputies yesterday. He is being held in the Mercer County Jail on $50,000 bond.

 

August 17, 2010--Local artists being asked to submit drawings for the 2010 Joy Holiday Postal Cancellation. This year marks the 25th year for the special postmark, which is available December 1st through the 31st says Joy Postmaster Paula Rath. Rath says the artwork should be submitted on paper that is no larger than 4-inches wide and 2-inches long. All entries must be submitted by September 18th and they will be displayed and voted on by the public September 22nd through October 2nd.

 

August 17, 2010--The City of Aledo is still trying to determine why it's losing millions of gallons of water per month. There is a discrepancy with the number of gallons pumped versus the number of gallons billed. For example, in June there was a 1.5 million gallon differential and in May there was almost 11-million gallons pumped and 10-million gallons billed. Other cities do lose water, but Aledo's percentage is higher says Public Works Director Steve Moller. Former City Administrator Patrick Burelle was hoping new water meters would correct the issue, but it has not. Moller says on average, the city loses 60,000 gallons of water per day, which would fill up the Fenton Park pool twice.

 

August 17, 2010--The former home of a longtime Aledo business being demolished later this year. Last night, the Aledo City Council accepted a $24,600 bid from a Hillsdale, Illinois company to bring down the Henderson Ford building, which was an Aledo fixture for 54 years says Public Works Director Steve Moller. The building is being demolished so a new fire station can be constructed on the site. Also last night, aldermen discussed a 20-percent increase in water rates. Action is expected on the hike September 7th. The increase would raise the average monthly bill from $42 to $50.

 

August 16, 2010--Although local State Senator Mike Jacobs favored removing Rod Blagojevich from office, he believes the federal government didn't do a good job of prosecuting the former governor. Jacobs discussed the issue with WRMJ this morning. Jacobs says Blagojevich is the ultimate politician. He says he'd remember your dog's name and also your dog's ailments. And Jacobs says Blagojevich will always go down fighting with that trait being gained as a Golden Gloves boxer growing up in Chicago.

 

August 16, 2010--With a new school year underway, local districts are starting to learn that transportation dollars are harder to come by. The state has significantly cut its reimbursement for bussing says Mercer County Superintendent Alan Boucher. Boucher says his district is still owed $150,000 in state transportation funding from last fiscal year.

 

August 16, 2010--A Joy teen suffers head injuries following a weekend accident in Mercer County. 18 year old Dylan Webb has been transported to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. A Mercer County Sheriff's Department report says the one-vehicle rollover accident occurred yesterday on 115th Street, south of Joy. The car flipped several times with Webb being ejected.

 

August 16, 2010--The harvest season should begin in early September in Western Illinois. The heat is really pushing the corn and soybean crop ahead of schedule says local producer Michael Zecher. Zecher farms in the Aledo and Seaton areas.

 

August 16, 2010--Western Illinois Congressman Phil Hare will have mobile office hours in Aledo this week. A representative of his staff will be at Aledo City Hall from 2-to-4 PM on Wednesday, August 18th to assist constituents dealing with federal agencies.

 

August 16, 2010--The Mercer County School District will decide each day whether there will be early dismissals for excessive heat. The former Aledo School District would have early dismissals until Labor Day weekend, but that practice has changed says Superintendent Alan Boucher. 

 

August 16, 2010--A popular Keithsburg hang out heavily damaged by a weekend fire. Tweety's Hi-Way Tap was consumer by flames early Saturday morning, August 14th when firefighters arrived, according to Keithsburg Fire Chief Charlie Brown. The business is closed until further notice.

 

August 16, 2010--Mercer County Crime Stoppers is currently seeking information regarding vandalism and trespassing that has been occurring throughout Fyre Lake. If you have any information regarding this crime or other crimes, please call Mercer County Crime Stoppers at (800)582-2762 or toll free at (309)582-3500.  If the information leads to an arrest, a cash reward will be paid in a confidential manner. 

 

August 13, 2010--The Mercer County School District will have early Friday dismissals twice a month this school year. Superintendent Alan Boucher says classes will be dismissed at 1 PM those days for teacher in-service. The first day of school is Wednesday, August 18th.

 

August 13, 2010--It's been a major challenge keeping livestock cool as the Illinois State Fair gets underway with heat index readings well into the triple digits. Todd Line of Seaton says his family is showing two steers and keeping the animals cool has been an around the clock job. Line says yesterday he used 200 pounds of ice in an effort to keep his livestock in check.

 

August 13, 2010--Western Illinois Congressman Phil Hare wants people in his district to hear his version of what’s in the new federal jobs bill. The Rock Island Democrat says the $26 billion program will allow 5,700 Illinois teachers to keep their jobs. He says that doesn’t count the other public service workers—like police and firefighters—who will be helped with this funding. As for paying for the program, Hare says it makes sense to close a tax loophole for multi-national corporations that do business outside the U.S. Republicans say that'll mean companies will cut jobs. Hare says another funding source, cutting food stamp money in the future, needs to be reversed, and says congress can find another revenue source if it needs to.

 

August 12, 2010--It will be another month before two Illinois Department of Transportation road projects are complete in Aledo. Work is being done on both Illinois Route 17 and 94 says IDOT spokesman Brian Williamson. Williamson also reminds that it's illegal to talk or text on a cell phone while driving through construction zones.

 

August 12, 2010--The 2010 high school football season is off and running. Nat Zunkel took the Mercer County Golden Eagles to the practice field yesterday. The first day of practice with pads is Saturday, August 14th. The Golden Eagles open up the 2010 season on Friday, August 27th hosting Annawan-Wethersfield.

 

August 12, 2010--Not only is the high school football season underway this week, but so to is the other fall sports. It was a hot start says Mercer County volleyball coach Katie Jenkins with temperatures well above 90 yesterday. 38 girls were in the gym yesterday for the first day of Golden Eagles volleyball practice.

 

August 11, 2010--A group raising money for improvements to Pratt Memorial Field will be holding an informational meeting later this month. Organizer Rusty Ruggles says information will be presented on the $1.4-million project. The project includes new lights, bleachers, an all-weather track, press box extension and sand-capped playing surface for the football field. Ruggles says nearly half of the $1.4 million has already been pledged.

 

August 10, 2010--The 2010 high school football season gets underway this week in Illinois. The first day of practice is tomorrow, according to the Illinois High School Association calendar. A great time of year says Brett Lee--in his first year as head coach of the Sherrard Tigers. The Tigers open up the season Saturday, August 28th hosting Camp Point Central. The IHSA also allows other fall sports like volleyball, cross country, soccer and golf to begin practices tomorrow.

 

August 10, 2010--The Aledo Police Department has released the details of a fight last week involving 15 people in the downtown area. The disturbance occurred August 5th at 10 PM in the area of South College Avenue and Main Street. One individual was laying on the ground with abrasions to his face. As a result, 21 year old Eric Atchison of Alpha was arrested for aggravated battery and mob action and 21 year old Brian Gabriel of Woodhull was cited with disorderly conduct. Two juveniles were also charged. Officers say the fight was the result of a slashed tire in the VFW parking lot.

 

August 10, 2010--The principal at Mercer County Junior High School will be deployed later this year. Rob Reed will head overseas in December. He says he's been proud to serve his country for nearly 20 years. Reed should be back in time for the start of the 2011/2012 school year.

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