West of the I

The Silver Bells Festival of Lights Parade will take place Dec. 9 in Silver Lake.

The parade is being organized by Silver Lake Happenings.

Lineup for the parade starts at 6:15 p.m. on Railroad Street and Wisconsin Avenue next to Schmalfeldt Park.

The parade starts at 7 p.m. Map of route is below.

After the parade, you can meet and greet and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and Jolly the Elf in the pavilion. Other activities include bonfires, s’mores, Kids Corners activities and Christmas music.

There also will be a collection of hats, gloves, mittens and other winter apparel for community give back.

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:

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for an area of Wisconsin that includes Kenosha County.

The advisory is set to be in effect from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday.

During the advisory period, NWS says you can expect: “Wet, heavy snow. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze.”

Note: The following is a paid announcement from Wilmot BP Gas Station. — DH

Help Wanted at the friendly Wilmot BP Gas Station! The best Gas Station in town! We do have the best customers! 

2 or 1 part time person.

Hours needed:

• Wednesday night 4 pm to 9:30 pm
• Friday 4 pm-9:30 pm
• Every other Saturday or every Saturday 1:30-9:30 pm
• Sunday 1:30-9:30 pm

You can pick and choose your days. Must be 18 years old

Stop in to apply: 11307 Fox River Rd. Wilmot, WI 262-862-9447 

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:

The National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory for an area of Wisconsin that includes Kenosha County.

The advisory is set to be in effect until 10 a.m., Wednesday.

Visibility of less than a quarter mile and freezing fog where temps are below 32 degrees are possible during the advisory period.

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:

From Wheatland Center School:

Students at Wheatland recently collected 5,252 pounds of food or over 6,638 items for the Sharing Center.

The Wheatland and Randall school districts worked together to fill their buses with nonperishable food items to replenish the Sharing Center’s Food Bank. The two school communities came through in a big way for a total of 10,678 lbs of food in order to help those that are in need during the holiday season.

Marty McGinley, Wheatland District Administrator, said of the good natured contest, “It is a great way to start the holiday season. The Sharing Center is a phenomenal partner and has many resources for those in our community. This is a tough time of year for many families that experience food insecurity. We are glad that we could team up with Randall to help provide food for local families.”

Bob Antholine, Randall District Administrator added, “The collaboration with Wheatland School in support of the Sharing Center was a great way for both schools to show their care for the greater community where our students and families reside.”

The two schools coordinated events to hype the contest which included classroom contests, bus decorations, presentations by student leaders and videos made by students (see below). Student leaders helped communicate the message to the greater school community, while emphasizing the value of collaboration and service. This service learning opportunity brought out the best in the respective school communities.

“The outpouring of assistance for the community this fall has been remarkable! Many have donated to help stock our shelves as we see need increasing greatly. Prior to Thanksgiving, three schools donated a combined 15 pallets of food. That may be a new record. I would like to thank students, parents and staff for their generous and powerful gift to our community,” Sharon Pomaville, Executive Director of the Sharing Center.

Here is the Wheatland video:

Here is the Randall video:

Here are some more photos:

Longtime Wheatland town Clerk Sheila Siegler is officially not running for re-election in April, meaning the town will have its first new clerk in 45 years.

Siegler filed her non-candidacy notice Dec. 1.

Siegler has been town clerk since 1977.

Anticipating the day when Siegler stepped down, the town has tried twice this year to start the process of switching to an appointed town clerk and appointed town treasurer. But both efforts failed at the first step, a referendum of town residents.

In April the measures failed 60 to 40 percent.

In November, the margin was much closer, but still failed. The vote regarding the clerk position failed 51 to 49 percent, just a 25 vote difference.

Town officials favored making the positions appointed by the Town Board rather than elected for a number of reasons. An appointed clerk could be vetted for qualifications. An appointed clerk could be fired if they were not up to the job. An appointed clerk also could live outside the town, whereas an elected clerk has to be a Wheatland resident.

Another concern is that the statutory requirements for the clerk job are limited, while Siegler during her tenure has taken on many additional tasks. A new elected clerk could not be compelled to do any duties other than those required by state statutes. An appointed clerk could have whatever duties deemed necessary defined upfront as a condition of employment.

Paddock Lake’s 9th annual Christmas Parade will be on Dec. 10, starting at 4 p.m.

The parade will start at McAlonan Park and arrive at Village Hall. The parade will feature decorated floats, Christmas carolers and Santa.

The parade route will follow the same route as the bike parade, approximately north from the park on 248th Avenue, east on 61st Street and then south on 236th Avenue to Village Hall.

Afterwards, residents will be treated to cookies and milk. For the children, Santa will pose for pictures at Village Hall; bring your own camera.

Any resident interested in participating or volunteering their talents and time may contact the village at 262-843-2713.

The Twin Lakes Village Board is scheduled to hold a committee of the whole meeting Monday, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall.

Agenda items include:

• Discussion regarding Lake Elizabeth Marina slip rental fees.
• Discussion regarding Mound Prairie Cemetery grave prices.
• Discussion regarding sewer service charges.

The full agenda is available here.

The Twin Lakes #4 School District (Lakewood School) board is scheduled to hold special and regular meetings on Monday, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the school library.

The special meeting is first at 5 p.m. The sole agenda item is: School Board Workshop and Presentation – Jon Bales. The full agenda is available here.

The regular meeting is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Among the agenda items are:

• Audit Review
• Adjourn to Closed Session per Wisconsin State Statute 19.85 (1), (c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. 2023-2024 staffing.

The full agenda is available here.

The Wilmot Union High School District board is scheduled to hold a working session on Dec. 5. 2022, starting at 4:30 p.m., Monday, in the school library.

No action is taken at working sessions.

Agenda items include:

• A closed session for: “Legal Guidance Regarding Open Records Requests [Per Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved and to take action if appropriate, regarding the public records law.

In open session:

• New and Revised Course Proposals
• 2023-24 School Calendar
• Strategic Plan Year 2 Final Draft
• Superintendent Entry Plan Update
• Future Support Staff Wage Increases

The full agenda is available here.

Growing with Bristol hosted its third annual Light Parade Saturday evening.

The parade made its way through downtown Bristol ending at Hansen Park.

After the parade, there was tree lighting ceremony and other activities in Hansen Park.

Here is a video of most of the parade:

Here are some more photos from the parade (the video is more comprehensive):

Santa visited children Saturday at the Twin Lakes Fire and Rescue Station.

Santa stopped off at the station to hear Christmas wishes and visit with youngsters after riding through the village on a TLF&R truck.

Here is video of Santa’s arrival at the station:

Children were able to visit with Santa, receive a candy cane and pick out an early toy. Everyone attending could then enjoy hot dogs, cookies and juice or milk.

Here are some more photos from the event:

At about 7:37 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire Rescue units are responding for a crash in the 23200 block of Highway K along the Brighton-Salem Lakes border.

Per dispatch: Single vehicle in the roadside ditch. Deputies on the scene.

UPDATE 7:42 p.m. — Fire unit on scene reports vehicle rolled over with heavy damage.

UPDATE 7:45 p.m. — Bristol Fire and Rescue requested to respond with an ambulance as mutual aid.

At about 6:34 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue units are responding to Hansen Park for a report of a bush on fire.

Per dispatch: Bush reported on fire apparently from fireworks. A fireworks display was part of the Growing with Bristol Christmas celebration at the park.

UPDATE 6:38 p.m. — Unit on scene not finding any fire.

UPDATE 6:46 p.m. — Incident command reports that bush is extinguished and all fire units are clearing the scene.

The Bristol Wisconsin Historical Society is holding an open house, Dec. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Davidson Hall, 8323 198th Ave.

Stop in for a visit before the Growing with Bristol Light Parade.

Note, Downtown Bristol streets will close for the parade at 4 p.m.

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):

6610 50th Ave, Kenosha

The Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association annual Trees on Parade and Holiday Shopping got underway Friday evening at St. John the Evangelist Church community center.

The event continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Trees on Parade and Holiday shopping includes vendor booths, food for purchase and the chance to vote in tree decorating, gingerbread house and ugly sweater contests. Santa also will be hearing Christmas wishes from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday.

Here are some more photos from Friday:

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:

The large evergreen tree in Central Park is officially lit for the season after the annual tree lighting Friday evening.

The ceremony is organized by the Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association.

Santa and Twin Lakes Trustee and county Supervisor Aaron Karow did the honors. Here’s video of the big moment:

Before the ceremony, band students from Riverview School in Silver Lake and choir students from Wilmot High School entertained with renditions of Christmas music. Here’s is video sampling:

After lighting the tree, Santa headed over to the chamber’s Trees on Parade & Holiday Sopping event to hear Christmas wishes.

Here are some more photos from the tree lighting:

At about 2:38 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue and Bristol Fire and Rescue units are responding to Central High School for a medical call.

Per dispatch: Patient has fainted.