Governor Rod R. Blagojevich in August signed a new law to reduce the number of drunk drivers on Illinois' roads by requiring first time DUI offenders to have an ignition interlock device installed on their cars. The law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2009 and also provides jail time for offenders who try to evade the devices by driving someone else's vehicle.

 Illinois State Police Captain Jeffrey Patterson, District 7, would like to encourage everyone to remain safe throughout New Year's celebrations.

The Jan. 10, 2009 deadline for CUSD #404 name, mascot and colors is fast approaching. The Aledo and Westmer School Districts have consolidated and will become one for the 2009-2010 school year. The new school board for Consolidated Unit School District #404 determined the selection process.

Teaching quality in the Aledo School District has taken a major step forward following today's announcement by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS(r)) that Andrea Hesse, a business teacher at Aledo High School; Kay Hucke, a mathematics teacher at Aledo High School; Britt Hagens, a language arts teacher at Aledo Junior High School; and Peggy Johnson, a mathematics teacher at Aledo Junior High School have achieved National Board Certification in 2008.

Mercer County residents knew it was going to be a white Christmas well before the day arrived. Christmas Eve morning brought out just the right conditions for snowball fun.

Mercer County was on the verge of running out of money Dec. 1, 2008, when the county board met. County Board chairman Tom Harris reported that there was only $10,060 in the General Fund. "Usually there is about $400,000 in the fund at this time of year," said Harris.