WRMJ Studios

09/25/2025

WRMJ spoke with Sherrard High School senior volleyball player Jasmyn McCray for the High School Sports Spotlight on Thursday. The Tigers (14-2-1, 4-1 TRAC

09/25/2025

The three Mercer County School District employees arrested on Wednesday have been released from custody. Superintendent Tim Farquer and IT workers Amberly No

09/25/2025

The Mercer County School District will appoint an interim superintendent on Friday. The district's Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting on Frid

09/25/2025

The Mercer County School District Board of Education released a statement following Wednesday's arrest of Superintendent Tim Farquer and two district IT workers

09/25/2025

The Mercer County School District Board of Education released a statement following Wednesday's arrest of Superintendent Tim Farquer and two district IT workers.

The full statement is below.

Mercer County School Board Statement on Recent Arrests
September 25, 2025 – Aledo, Illinois

The Mercer County School Board acknowledges the recent arrests of Superintendent Timothy Farquer and two District IT staff members. We understand the seriousness of the allegations and are cooperating fully with legal counsel and relevant authorities to ensure a fair and transparent review of the facts.

llinois school districts maintain student health records as part of students’ cumulative educational record as part of a legally recognized process. Such records are essential to ensuring student safety, compliance with state mandates, and appropriate educational support.

Under the Illinois School Student Records Act (“ISSRA”), student health records are explicitly defined as part of the student’s school record. Their use by teachers, school nurses, and support staff is not only common but necessary to meet the educational and developmental needs of our students. Moreover, the management of these records—including secure digital access—is administered by the district’s IT department, consistent with best practices and statutory obligations.

The Board emphasizes that these records are governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and ISSRA, not by HIPAA or medical privacy laws applicable to healthcare providers. Their use within the school setting is lawful, regulated, and essential to the functioning of our educational mission.

We remain committed to protecting student privacy, supporting our staff, and upholding the integrity of our district. We ask the community to withhold judgment until all facts are reviewed and due process is respected.

09/25/2025

Chrome Horse live in the WRMJ Studios! 🎶

09/25/2025

Chrome Horse will perform live in our studios at 10:00! Stay tuned 🎶🎸

09/25/2025

Check out Wednesday’s local sports results, presented by MercyOne Genesis Physical Therapy

Local sports results are presented by MercyOne Genesis Physical Therapy. Newman (5-11, 2-3 TRAC East) beat Mercer County (8-13, 1-4 TRAC West) in straight s

09/25/2025

The Mercer County School District Board of Education declined comment and took no action following the arrest of its superintendent and two other district emplo

09/25/2025

The Mercer County School District’s preschool classes will be housed at its elementary schools starting next school year. At Wednesday’s Board of Educati

09/24/2025

Mercer County School District Superintendent Tim Farquer and two other district employees were arrested Wednesday, according to a joint press release from the A

09/24/2025

Per a joint press release from the Aledo Police Department and Mercer County State’s Attorney Grace Simpson, three Mercer County School District employees, including superintendent Tim Farquer, were arrested on Wednesday.

Farquer, along with Amberly Norton and Andrea Long, are alleged to have illegally accessed medical records of students in the school district.

Norton and Long work in technological support for the school district.