This post sponsored by Westosha Floral.
The following deaths of local residents and those with local connections are being reported by funeral homes today. Click on name to see obituary/service information:
Continue reading →Identity of John Doe from 1988 revealed
The identity of a man found in a shallow grave near I-94 in 1988 was revealed by Sheriff David Beth and Medical Examiner Patrice Hall at a news conference Wednesday in Kenosha.
The badly decomposed body found by a surveying crew in 1988 was revealed as belonging to Robert Lyle Schwartz. Schwartz was not a local person and family identified him as a con man, Hall said.
Schwartz is believed to have been strangled in a parking structure at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago before his body was left in Kenosha County, Beth said.
“it’s taken us 31 years to put a name to a body, a John Doe,” Beth said.
The identification was made possible by a new fingerprint technique developed by the FBI, Hall said.
“Putting names to John Does is a passion of mine, and it’s been immensely gratifying to bring this case to fruition,” Hall said. “This would not have happened without effective collaboration between my office, the Sheriff’s Department, NamUs and the State Crime Lab. I thank them all for their efforts.”
Here is video of the news conference:
Deputies responding for crash in Brighton
At about 2:02 p.m., a sheriff’s deputy is responding to a report of a crash at Highway 75 and Highway K in Brighton.
Per dispatch: Two vehicles involved. No injuries being reported.
Units responding for investigation in Slades Corners
At about 12:36 p.m., Town of Wheatland Fire Department and Twin Lakes Rescue units are responding for an investigation at Highway 50 and Highway P in Slades Corners.
Per dispatch: Caller reporting smoke coming from the roadside ditch.
UPDATE 12:39 p.m. — Fire out. Twin Lakes Rescue response called off by Wheatland FD command.
Heat advisory issued for Thursday-Friday
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for an area of Wisconsin that includes Kenosha County.
The advisory issue set to be in effect from 2 p.m., Thursday through 11 p.m., Friday.
The high temperature Thursday is expected to reach 93 with a heat index as high as 106 possible. Friday’s high is expected to reach 97 with heat index as high as 110 possible.
“A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected,” the NWS advisory explains. “The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.”
A word from our sponsors: Piano and violin lessons by Daniel Perron
Note: This ia a paid announcement from Daniel Perron. — DH
Piano and violin lessons are being offered by Daniel Perron of Twin Lakes.
Perron is available to teach::
- Piano: beginner to advanced classical and jazz piano.
- Violin: beginner to late intermediate classical violin.
Lessons at teacher’s studio are $25/half-hour lesson ($100/month). Lessons in student’s home are $40/half-hour lesson ($160/month), with discounts available for lessons longer than an hour or than 2 students.
Contact info: 847-873-9572 or danielperron98@gmail.com or Instagram dan.the.piano.man_
Deaths July 16, 2019: John R. Carlson, Arthur D. Gaertner
This post sponsored by Westosha Floral.
The following deaths of local residents and those with local connections are being reported by funeral homes today. Click on name to see obituary/service information:
Continue reading →July 16, 2019 lake test results: Lake Shangri-la #1 and Camp Lake under swim caution
Lake Shangri-la #1 and Camp Lake are under swim cautions after testing Monday showed elevated E.coli levels there.
The State Department of Health recommends posting warnings at beaches when the test results indicate a E.coli level of 300/100mL or more and closing a beach when test results exceed E.coli 1000/100mL. Wheatland (Lilly Lake) has a policy of posting an advisory for a level of E.coli 235/100 mL or more and closing a beach when test results exceed E.coli 1000/100mL.
The Monday results prompting the closures and caution are:
- Camp Lake — 291 E.coli/100 mL.
- Lake Shangri-la #1: 517 E.coli/100 mL
Other results reported by the Kenosha County Division of Health (unless otherwise noted) are:
Randall (reported by the Randall town government) — Powers Lake, 6 E.coli/100 mL.
Paddock Lake — Paddock Hooker Lake Association beach, 140 E.coli/100 mL; PHLA diving board (channel) 10 E.coli/100 mL; North Shore Association less than 1 E.coli/100 mL; Hoag Park Beach 1 E.coli/100 mL.
Salem Lakes — Silver Lake County Park, 162 E.coli/100 mL; Hooker Lake Boat Launch, 12 E.coli/100 mL; Lake Shangri-la #1, 517 E.coli/100 mL; Center Lake, 39 E.coli/100 mL; Camp Lake, 291 E.coli/100 mL.
Twin Lakes — Lance Park Beach on Lake Mary, 3 E.coli/100 mL.
Wheatland — Lilly Lake, 1 E.coli/100mL.
A word from our sponsors: 2019 Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association golf outing is July 31
The Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association is a westofthei.com sponsor. This is a paid announcement. — DH
The 2019 Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association golf outing will take place Wed. July 31.
This 29th annual outing is held at the Twin Lakes Country Club.
Registration is at 10 a.m., with a 11 a.m. shotgun start. Lunch at the turn.
Get your foursome together. Applications available at the chamber call at 262-877-2220 or email at info@twinlakeschamber.com.
Units responding for alarm in Paddock Lake
At about 5:01 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire and rescue is responding for an alarm in the 24900 block of 75th Street (Highway 50) in Paddock Lake.
Per dispatch: This is a supervisory fire alarm at a church.
UPDATE 5:11 p.m. — Fire units on teh scene and investigating. No signs of fire visible from exterior.
Hot weather expected this week
The National Weather Service is telling Western Kenosha County residents to brace for a stretch of very hot weather this week.
Temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s to mid 90s from Tuesday through Sunday, says the latest, local NWS forecast. The hottest days will be Friday and Saturday, with temperatures of 96 and 94 and heat indexes expected to be around 100.
The most significant chance for rain will be Wednesday night, with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms.
Take precautions if you have to be out for any extended period during heat like this.
Units responding for crash along Salem-Paris border
At about 11:41 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and a sheriff’s deputy are responding to a report of a crash in the 22100 block 60th Street (Highway K) along the Salem Paris border.
Per dispatch to responding units: Crash involves a motorcyclist and a pick up truck.
UPDATE 11:50 a.m. — Deputy on the scene reporting there are injuries.
UPDATE 11:56 a.m. — Deputies blocking traffic leading to the scene. Bristol Fire and Rescue setting up a landing zone for Flight for Life medical transport helicopter.
UPDATE 12:35 p.m — Flight for Life takes off from landing zone with patient.
A word from our sponsors: Year Round Market of Kenosha County to host blood drive at July 21 event
Note: This is a paid announcement from Year Round Market of Kenosha County.
Year Round Market of Kenosha County will host a Blood Center of WI blood donation fundraiser as part of its July 21 market.
There will be a raffle and blood donation spots available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Munster Park, 6813 349th Ave., New Munster. Sign-up to donate blood here.
This event will also feature various vendors including crafters, direct sales, local non-profits and small businesses.
More information available here.
Vendors wanting to have a spot during the event are still being accepted. Contact Katie Sweatman direct for details at 262-492-2711
2019 Bristol Progress Days Parade coverage (PHOTOS & VIDEO)
The 2019 Bristol Progress Days Parade took place Sunday through the streets of the core Bristol area, ending at Hansen Park.
The parade included a wide variety of units from local organizations and businesses as well as four marching bands. Many of the entries reflected this year’s theme of the 50th anniversary of Progress Days.
Here is video of the bands that performed, starting with the Westosha Central High School band, the Band of the Black Watch, the CYO Band and the Rambler Band.
The parade started off with fire department equipment — sirens sounding — from Bristol Fire and Rescue and other nearby departments. Here is video:
There were two units that employed some fancy synchronized driving, though with decidedly different paces and approaches. Here is video of the Tebala Motor Patrol and the State Line Garden Tractor Association:
Here are many more photos of the parade:
Continue reading →A word from our sponsors: July 14, 2019 open houses from Bear Realty’s Glenda and Butch Dupons
Note: Glenda and Butch Dupons, of Bear Realty, are westofthei.com sponsors. This is a paid announcement — DH
Here are open houses being hosted today by Glenda and Butch Dupons, of Bear Realty (click the links below for more information):
2019 Bristol Progress Days ping pong drop coverage (VIDEO)
Bristol Progress Days introduced a new contest this year — a ping pong ball drop.
Leading up to the drop on Saturday evening, people could purchase a ball for $2. All of the ball were then carried 86 feet up the Bristol Fire and Rescue aerial ladder by firefighter Steve Bohr. Bohr then dropped the balls onto the west ball diamond. The four balls closest to home plate won gift certificates from Bristol 45 Diner.
Winners were: first place Washburn Lodge, second place Chris Niederer, third place Dave Klest and fourth place Kristen Zirkleback.
Here is some video of the ball drop:
2019 Bristol Progress Days adult games coverage
Free kids games and a pedal tractor pull have long been a part of Saturday at Bristol Progress Days, but this year games were added for older kids and adults.
One of the contests was pie eating. Contestants had to eat with their hands behind their backs and finish a pudding and whipped cream pie. First to finish was Lisa Hawkins. Second was Tyler Thorsen.
Here’s some video from the contest:
Deaths July 13, 2019: Charles J. Feest
This post sponsored by Westosha Floral.
The following deaths of local residents and those with local connections are being reported by funeral homes today. Click on name to see obituary/service information:
Continue reading →Haley Gorsuch is 2019 Miss Bristol
Haley Gorsuch was named 2019 Miss Bristol.
The Miss Bristol crowning is part of the Bristol Progress Days community festival. The culmination of the competition took place Friday evening at the coronation banquet.
Haley Gorsuch, 20, is a sophomore at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Her future plans are to Graduate from the University of Whitewater and become an Elementary Art Teacher. Her parents are Dave and Carol Gorsuch and Bill and Brenda Flesch.
As Miss Bristol, Haley Gorsuch will participate in activities during this year’s Progress Days and will represent the village at various functions through the coming year.
Gorsuch also was named Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants, a title she also earned in the 2018, 2017 and 2016 Miss Bristol competitions.
After thanking her supporters, Haley Gorsuch said “Five full years and I finally got it.”
First runner up was Amanda Gorsuch, second runner up was
Grace Henningfield and third runner up was Jennah Miller.
Here is video of the announcement:
Mary Gillmore and Aidan Hawkins named 2019 Bristol Junior Outstanding Citizens
Mary Gillmore and Aidan Hawkins were named the 2019 Bristol Junior Outstanding Citizens at the Progress Days Banquet Friday evening.
Each year a girl and a boy are named outstanding citizens as part of the Progress Days community festival.
In her nomination information, Gillmore was praised as very outgoing, a hard worker and a leader. She is a member of the Bristol Challenge 4-H Club, involved in a variety of projects from arts and crafts to showing turkeys and pigs. At school she is on the honor roll and has received the Diligent Award and Christian Character Award. She enjoys playing the role of an angel each year in her family’s public live nativity presented on the family farm. She works for Marleigh’s Ministry packaging care boxes for premature babies and enjoys camping and traveling with her large family.
Here is video of the announcement:
In his nomination papers, Hawkins was praised as active and involved. He plays soccer, basketball and runs track. He is a straight A student and has been student of the month. Hawkins has won a forensics award and is a member of the Geography Bee, where he was named overall champion.
Here is video of the announcement:
2019 Bristol Outstanding Citizens are Dave Glassman and Regina LaForge
Dave Glassman and Regina LaForge were named the 2019 Outstanding Man and Outstanding Woman at the Bristol Progress Days Banquet Friday.
Each year one man and one woman from Bristol is selected for the honor as a traditional part of the Progress Days community festival.
In his nomination, Glassman was lauded as a longtime pillar of the local business community. He started working in that business at 16 and took over ownership from his father in 1967. At one time, he also ran a milk route and drove a school bus for 20 years. His business sponsored numerous sports teams. He is retired now but continues to serve the community, including as the president of the North Bristol Cemetery.
Here is video of the announcement:
LaForge’s nomination said she is very active in her church, volunteering to work on many committees. She has been active as a 4-H leader and led the revitalization of the Kenosha County 4-H Goat Project. She also is active in Home and Community Education and the Wisconsin Bookworm Association, which provides free books and encourages early reading experience for low income families.
Here is video of the announcement:
Garage sales page update
West of the I’s garage sales page has been updated.
Be sure to check it out each week before you begin your bargain hunting.
If you’d like your sale added to the list, please drop us a line at darren@westofthei.com. Include your address, days, hours etc. We’ll even add a map to your info.
July 12, 2019 lake test results: Silver Lake County Park closed to swimming; PHLA caution lifted
The beach at Silver Lake County Park remains closed to swimming due to elevated E.coli there and a caution at Paddock Hooker Lake Association beach has been lifted after retesting Thursday.
The State Department of Health recommends posting warnings at beaches when the test results indicate a E.coli level of 300/100mL or more and closing a beach when test results exceed E.coli 1000/100mL.
Thursday’s results of retesting by the Kenosha County Division of Health were:
- Silver Lake County Park beach, over 2,419 E.coli/100 mL. The county will resample Friday.
- PHLA, 126 E.coli/100 mL.
From picnic to three-day festival: That’s Progress
Bristol Progress Days celebrating 50 years in 2019
Bristol Progress Days, which Western Kenosha County now knows as an annual three-day community festival with live music, softball tournament, a huge parade, fireworks and more, had humble beginnings 50 years ago.
It all started as a picnic.
In 1969, Bristol town Chairman Earl Hollister and Don Wienke, chairman of the Recreation Committee had the idea to have a community picnic.
‘They just wanted to have something where everybody could get together and have a good meal and enjoy each other’s company,” said Carol Nichols, the Progress Days Committee treasurer and daughter of the festival’s co-founder Hollister.
“From that it grew,” Nichols said.
One of the first changes was the name. After a couple of years a town-wide contest was held to name the evolving festival. Bristol Progress Days was the winner, offered by Maybelle Hautzinger, Nichols said.
One of the first traditions that continues to this day is the selection of outstanding citizens — one male and one female. In the early years, however, the honor was called king and queen, much like a homecoming or prom. The first king and queen were named in 1970; Kenny Eibl was the king and Laura Kempf the queen.
In 1972, the Miss Bristol contest was started. Shirley Davidson Olsen was the first to win title.
“As I was the first Miss Bristol, there were no guidelines yet,” Davidson said in a collection of memories of the Bristol Progress Days outstanding citizens and Miss Bristols compiled by the committee for the 50th anniversary.
In 2012, naming of a junior outstanding citizen was added,
with Bret Niederer being the first. That was expanded to a junior girl and junior boy outstanding citizen in 2015.
Many of the activities of the festival such as the Friday night banquet where the honors are handed out, the carnival in Hansen Park, the softball tournament, the parade and the fireworks are longtime Bristol Progress Days staples.
Other activities have come and gone through the years such as helicopter rides and a sky diving demonstration that one time nearly ended up in a collision due to an inattentive spectator on the ground, Nichols said.
The parade is now known for its large size, featuring multiple marching bands and entries that throw a lot of candy out to parade spectators. But it wasn’t always that way.
“The parade was very small,” Lenny Eibl, the first Progress Days king, said in the memories collection. “Now it’s five times as big.”
A highlight of Sunday evening is the fireworks display.
At one time it was more of a do it yourself affair, Nichols said, with fire department members purchasing fireworks in other states, bringing them back to Bristol and then setting them off Sunday night.
“We’ve gotten much more safe with them by hiring a company (in recent years),” Nichols said with a smile.
The force behind the event is the Bristol Progress Days committee. The organization became a formal non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 2001. Current board members are Sue Kaminski, Carol Gorsuch, Cheryl Nichols, Carol Nichols, Brittany Gauger, Lila Muhlenbeck and village representative Mike Farrell, who also is Bristol village president.
While the village lends support to the festival, it is the separate organization represented by the committee that largely raises the funds and does the work, said village administrator Randy Kerkman.
Kerkman encouraged people who enjoy the festival every year to show their support by making purchases from the food vendors in the park during the fest and participating in the auctions. These activities help fund the fireworks, the parade and the other crowd favorites.
“It’s a community event, put on by a non-profit,” Kerkman said. “When people go and buy a burger, they help pay for the parade and the fireworks.”
Click here to view a copy of Memories from the Past 1969-2019 Bristol Progress Days.
A word from our sponsors: Year Round Market of Kenosha County to host blood drive at July 21 event
Note: This is a paid announcement from Year Round Market of Kenosha County.
Year Round Market of Kenosha County will host a Blood Center of WI blood donation fundraiser as part of its July 21 market.
There will be a raffle and blood donation spots available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Munster Park, 6813 349th Ave., New Munster. Sign-up to donate blood here.
This event will also feature various vendors including crafters, direct sales, local non-profits and small businesses.
More information available here.
Vendors wanting to have a spot during the event are still being accepted. Contact Katie Sweatman direct for details at 262-492-2711
July 11, 2019 lake test results: Paddock Hooker Lake Association Beach under swim caution and Silver Lake County Park closed to swimming
Follow-up testing at Paddock Hooker Lake Association Beach on Paddock Lake and Silver Lake County Park Beach on Silver Lake showed both of those locations still had elevated E.coli levels.
However the type of alert at each of those locations changed from Wednesday.
The State Department of Health recommends posting swimming warnings at beaches when the test results indicate an E.coli level of 300/100mL or more and closing a beach when test results exceed E.coli 1000/100mL.
Paddock Hooker Lake Association Beach on Wednesday tested at 866 E.coli/100 mL, prompting a swim caution.
Silver Lake County Park Beach on Wednesday tested at more than 2419 E.coli/100 mL, prompting a swim closure.
Both locations were tested by the Kenosha County Division of Health and are scheduled to be re-sampled Thursday.
Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church hosting Set Sail With the Son! Vacation Bible School July 22-26
Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church will host Set Sail With the Son! Vacation Bible School July 22-26.
The program will take place from 9 to 11:45 a.m. each day.
Join the crew to enjoy crafts, theme-releated snacks, songs and friends. Included will be Bible stories, Bible story skit, sailing -related acticities and theme-related games.
Call 862-6014 to register. There is no registration fee.
Peace Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 11233 306th Ave., Wilmot.
Units responding for crash in Wheatland
At about 4:10 p.m., Town of Wheatland Fire Department and Twin Lakes Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash at 376th Avenue and 52nd Street in Wheatland.
Per dispatch: This is a single vehicle rollover.
UPDATE 4:14 p.m. — Dispatch reports that sheriff’s deputies on the scene say everyone is out of the vehicle.
July 10, 2019 lake test results: Paddock Hooker Lake Association Beach closed to swimming and Silver Lake County Park under swim caution
Paddock Hooker Lake Association beach on Paddock Lake is closed to swimming and the beach at Silver Lake County Park is under a swim caution after testing Tuesday showed elevated E.coli levels there.
The State Department of Health recommends posting warnings at beaches when the test results indicate a E.coli level of 300/100mL or more and closing a beach when test results exceed E.coli 1000/100mL. Wheatland (Lilly Lake) has a policy of posting an advisory for a level of E.coli 235/100 mL or more and closing a beach when test results exceed E.coli 1000/100mL.
The Tuesday results prompting the closures and caution are:
- PHLA — 1,414 E.coli/100 mL.
- Silver Lake County Park — 299 E.coli/100 mL.
Both of the above locations are scheduled to be retested Wednesday.
Other results reported by the Kenosha County Division of Health (unless otherwise noted) are:
Randall (reported by the Randall town government) — Powers Lake, 14 E.coli/100 mL.
Paddock Lake — PHLA, 1,414 E.coli/100 mL ; PHLA diving board (channel) 12 E.coli/100 mL; North Shore Association 3 E.coli/100 mL; Hoag Park Beach 3 E.coli/100 mL.
Salem Lakes — Silver Lake County Park, 299 E.coli/100 mL; Hooker Lake Boat Launch, 19
E.coli/100 mL; Lake Shangri-la #1, 17 E.coli/100 mL; Center Lake, 12 E.coli/100 mL; Camp Lake, 12 E.coli/100 mL.
Twin Lakes — Lance Park Beach on Lake Mary, 7 E.coli/100 mL.
Wheatland — Lilly Lake, 3 E.coli/100mL.
A word from our sponsors: 2019 Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association golf outing is July 31
The Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association is a westofthei.com sponsor. This is a paid announcement. — DH
The 2019 Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association golf outing will take place Wed. July 31.
This 29th annual outing is held at the Twin Lakes Country Club.
Registration is at 10 a.m., with a 11 a.m. shotgun start. Lunch at the turn.
Get your foursome together. Applications available at the chamber call at 262-877-2220 or email at info@twinlakeschamber.com.
Lots of special holes for prizes. Hole-in-one opportunities from Hartnell Chevy. Tee Box Sponsors from Associated Bank, River Ridge Church and Sunset Mechanical Heating & Air Conditioning. Also, Mega Putt, raffle prizes, silent auction and ball toss. Lunch at the turn and steak dinner after golf.
