Western Kenosha County's news source
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:
Leonard E. Scanlan Jr., 87, of Salem, died June 17, 2019.
The Paddock Hooker Lake Association beach on Paddock Lake is under a swim caution after water test results showed elevated E.coli levels there.
Wednesday’s results causing the caution at PHLA was 411 E.coli/100 mL.
Full results reported June 19, 2019 by the Kenosha County Division of Health were:
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.
Brighton School 6th grade students spent some time being aspiring rocketeers last month.
Using the Kesler STEM Challenge – Project: Rocket Launcher, students researched the basic design of bottle rockets before designing their own. Students were placed in groups of two who worked together brainstorming ideas to try out when developing their rocket. The goal of this challenge is to build a rocket that will fly straight and high. The teacher gave the students a budget of $500,000 and a variety of materials to choose from. A sampling of material prices were a 2-liter bottle costing $200,000, tape was $25,000 per two feet and cardboard cost $200,000 per piece. All prices to scale of course.
Students had their initial launch and saw the successes and difficulties some rockets faced. After a classroom discussion of what to change groups modified their rockets and planned to launch again.
Here is video of one of the launches:
The latest, local National Weather Service forecast says it should rain this morning in Western Kenosha County — a 90 percent chance.
Rain is most likely between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The temperature is not expected to reach 70, topping out at about 66.
Looking out a little further, there’s likely more rain coming Friday, Friday night and Saturday. The temp might reach 81 on Sunday.
At about 8:45 p.m., Randall Fire Department and Twin Lakes Rescue units are responding to the 8900 block of 388th Avenue in Powers Lake.
Per dispatch: Caller from another address reporting a smell of plastic burning and some smoke from another home, thought to be currently unoccupied.
UPDATE 8:53 p.m. — Fire unit on scene reports finding some burning rubbish. Fire being extinguished.
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 →From the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department:
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a $20,000 REWARD for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Racine police officer John Hetland. In addition to the FBI reward, the Andis Corporation of Racine is offering an
additional $5,000 REWARD. Any persons with information regarding this investigation should contact Crime Stoppers at 888- 636-9330, 262-656-7333 or 800-807-TIPS (8477).
Hetland was shot as he intervened in an armed robbery at a Racine bar. Hetland was off duty and just happened to be in the bar at the time of the robbery.
Here is more information about the incident from Racine County Eye.
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation.
Three of the six Salem Lakes Village Board members present at a committee of the whole meeting Monday favored a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet for allowing chicken keeping in residential areas.
At about a third of an acre that’s quite a bit smaller than the current two acre requirement.
But the new size is not a consensus yet. Three board members would favor allowing chickens on smaller lots and village President Diann Tesar was not at Monday’s meeting.
Revising the rules for keeping chickens in the village has been an ongoing project that has drawn substantial interest from the public and occupied board members and staff for months.
“You would not believe how many emails we have gotten from both sides,” said Trustee Dan Campion.
Said Trustee Mike Culat, who was chairing the meeting in Tesar’s absence, “We’ve had a lot of discussions with a lot of people.”
Trustees Campion, Culat and Dennis Faber said they favored the 15,000 square foot minimum. Trustees Bill Hopkins, Ted Kmiec and Ron Gandt were open to lower minimums. Gandt said he would favor as few as four hens allowed on any single family residential lot regardless of size.
About 51 percent of village parcels are below 15,000 square feet, according to data supplied by village staff.
Lot size was the first item discussed by the board using a draft ordinance with options supplied by village staff. But Kmiec returned to the size issue just before the close of the discussion to say he might not support the ordinance unless there was a way for those with smaller lots to also get a chicken keeping permit, perhaps by proving their neighbors did not object.
“I may not support this ordinance unless people with smaller sized lots have something like this,” Kmiec said of his proposal.
Culat asked interim village administrator Mike Murdock to work with Kmiec to create language for the draft ordinance incorporating Kmiec’s idea.
The board, in about two hours of discussion, discussed virtually every point of the ordinance. Some of the consensus items that developed included: no roosters, a yearly permit with a fee of $30, a onetime $80 building permit fee to make sure the required chicken coop meets ordinance specifications and no free range chickens, though hens could be allowed out of their pen if supervised by a responsible individual.
A firmed up ordinance incorporating the decisions made by the board Monday is expected to be ready for further discussion at the July committee of the whole meeting.
Related posts
Smaller lots for chicken keeping on the table for Salem Lakes
Salem Lakes chicken ordinance headed for revision
Salem Lakes Village Board sends fireworks and chicken keeping issues to committee
Salem Lakes to reopen chicken keeping discussion
Salem Lakes keeps two acre minimum for chicken keeping
Chickens likely to continue to be limited to larger lots in Salem Lakes
Western Kenosha County is experiencing patchy fog Tuesday morning.
The fog is expected to dissipate by 9 a.m.
To the south, in Lake County, Illinois, there’s a dense fog advisory in effect until 10 a.m. Visibility in the advisory area may be less than a quarter of a mile.
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 →At about 3:35 p.m., Paris Fire and Rescue units and a sheriff’s deputy are responding to a report of a fire in the 3100 block of 152nd Avenue (Highway MB) in Paris.
Per dispatch: This is a pick-up truck on fire.
UPDATE 3:37 p.m. — Fire unit arriving on scene reports truck is fully engulfed in fire. Requests that deputies block traffic approaching the scene in both directions.
Note: This is a paid announcement from Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association.
Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association will be celebrating the
Independence Day holiday on Saturday, June 29th. The new Libertyfest will be one day only this year! It will begin with the annual parade stepping off at 11:00 am. The parade route has changed this year. Lineup will be at the St. John the Evangelist Church parking lot at 701 N. Lake Ave and Holy Hill Rd. The parade will travel south on North Lake Ave., turn west on to E. Main St. and end at Lance Park. This route will provide more parking for people who would like to view the parade. Take advantage of the time while you are waiting for the parade and visit the businesses along the parade route. This year’s parade promises to be one of the grandest parades ever. There is no fee to participate. Clubs, organizations, bands, businesses and individuals are all invited to participate. Floats, tractors, special cars are welcome. If you would like to be in the parade, contact the Chamber for an application at 262-877-2220 or info@twinlakeschamber.com
The evening activities will begin at 4:00pm. The Chamber will have food and beverages available from 4-10pm at Lance Park. No outside alcohol will be allowed. DJ Keith Nowicki will entertain the crowd until the start of the
Aquanut Water Ski Show at 7:30pm. After the Aquanut Show, DJ Keith will
again entertain until the Fireworks begin at dusk. Keith will play synchronized patriotic music that has been created especially for the Twin Lakes fireworks display.
Tickets will be available for the Chamber’s new 6 Month Long 50/50 Raffle. Tickets will be $1.00 each. Help us get the Grand Prize up to at least $5000.00! Catch the excitement as we watch the total rise on the thermometer by the Chamber Office. The drawing will be November 20, 2019 at Twin Lakes Country Club during the annual Awards Dinner.
Other dates to put on your calendar: July 31st, 29th Annual Golf Outing at Twin Lakes Country Club; August 11th, Porsche Club Car Show on Main St.; August 16th-18th, CornFest Water Sports Competition at Lance Park; August 24th Business in the Park & Car Show on Main St.; October 12th, Oktoberfest at Twin Lakes Country Club; December 6th & 7th,Trees on Parade & Holiday Shopping at St. John the Evangelist Church Community Center and December 6th, the Village Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Park by the caboose.
For more information contact the Chamber Office at 262-877-2220 or email:
info@twinlakeschamber.com.
The Salem Lakes Community Blood Drive will take place from 2 to 6 p.m., June 26 at Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue Station #1, 11252 254th Court, Trevor.
The drive is sponsored by Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue.
To schedule an appointment, click here to schedule online, or contact Terry Bluemel at TBluemel@villageofsalemlakes.org or 262-843-2439. Appointments are encouraged. This drive is open to the public.
This drive is being held in conjunction with Blood Center of Wisconsin.
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):
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 →
Kenosha County’s dairy farm community was on display at the annual Dairy Breakfast Saturday.
This year’s annual event was held at the Mighty Grand Dairy in Brighton.
Those attending the event were able to eat a hearty breakfast that included an ice cream sundae, look over farm equipment and get a close up look at cows being milked, eating and walking about their enclosures. Also open for viewing was the farm’s automated calf feeding system.
Wet weather this spring kept there from being parking at the farm. Visitors instead arrived via shuttle buses from Central High School in Paddock Lake and the Kenosha County Center in Bristol. But that inconvenience appeared to have little effect on attendance.
Here is a video of Rachael Crane of Kenosha County Dairy Promotion, the organization that runs the breakfast, making a presentation to the host farm:
In this video, the host families, represented by Dave Daniels, Myron Daniels, Nick Abel and Chad Daniels introduce their family members at the breakfast:
Kenosha County Dairy Promotion gives a scholarship each year at the dairy breakfast. Here is this year’s awardees:
Here are some more photos:
Continue reading →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):
At about 9:46 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue and Kansasville Fire Department units and a sheriff’s deputy are responding to a report of a fire in the 26100 block of Highway JB in Brighton.
Per dispatch: A turkey enclosure is on fire. The enclosure is near a chicken coop and trees.
UPDATE 9:54 — Some units released by command.
UPDATE 9:57 — Dispatch reports fire is out; overhaul to begin.
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 →
The Twin Lakes American Legion Post #544 Family is hosting an all you can eat pancake breakfast on June 16 from 7 a.m. to noon at the St. John’s Catholic Church basement, 701 North Lake Ave, Twin Lakes.
Serving will end promptly at noon so arrive early.
Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door with veterans $8, kids 5 to 8 years old $5 and kinds under 5 free.
Meal to include: pancakes, eggs, sausage, orange juice, milk and coffee.
Wilmot Raceway celebrated first responders in the community Saturday, June 8.
As part of the acknowledgment of the contribution of first responders there was a flyover of bi-planes.
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department had a SWAT team vehicle on display.
Members of Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue displayed one of the department’s fire engines.
First responders (law enforcement, EMS, firefighters etc.) will be recognized again at the track on June 22 and 29 with free general admission with valid ID.
At about 2:22 p.m., sheriff’s deputies and Bristol Fire and Rescue units are responding for a crash in the 13500 block of Highway 50.
Per dispatch: Multiple vehicles may be involved.
UPDATE 2:31 p.m. — Deputy on the scene reports two of the three westbound lanes are blocked. Another deputy requests a tow for one vehicle.
UPDATE 3:02 p.m. — All westbound lanes re-opened to traffic.
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.
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 →The Hooker Lake Boat Launch is closed for swimming and cautions are in effect for Sunset Beach on Lake Elizabeth, Beach #1 in Lake Shangri-la and DeWitt Park Beach on Silver Lake after water test results showed elevated E.coli levels at those locations.
Wednesday’s results causing closures and cautions were:
Full results reported June 13, 2019 by the Kenosha County Division of Health were:
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.
Salem Lakes will request a traffic study of Highway AH west of Salem School.
The village will request Kenosha County conduct the study as a first step in reducing the speed limit from 55 mph in stretch from 256th Avenue west to Camp Lake Road.
Kenosha County has jurisdiction over setting a speed limit on Highway AH.
The board unanimously approved asking for the traffic study at Monday’s regular board meeting.
Interim village administrator Mike Murdock said the village could have requested a reduction in the speed limit, but the county likely would have done the traffic study anyway.
“You can request a 45 speed limit, but they are still going to do a traffic study,” Murdock said.
Trustee Dan Campion said the county wants to have data before making such decisions.
Murdock said the study will take into account a number of factors, including how many driveways are on the road and how fast people are driving on the road now. Speed limits are in part set on how fast people are comfortable driving on a stretch of road, Murdock said.
“It’s hard to base speed limits on what we think they should be,” Murdock said.
Two members of the audience who live on Highway AH expressed support for a lower speed limit at the meeting. One said cars frequently end up in the ditch in his front hard.
On June 1 a woman died after her car left the roadway in the 26900 block of Highway AH, striking a culvert and a tree.
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 →Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bristol is hosting a series of
three organ recitals. The remaining recitals will be held on Tuesdays, June 18 and 25 at 7 p.m.
Zion is celebrating the recent installation of an Johannus Ecclesia T370 organ. Zion’s organist, Brenda Hafeman, has arranged for premier organists from Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota to play each of the evenings. The third Tuesday will also include several trumpet/organ pieces. Each Tuesday will feature music from different composers.
Each recital will be about an hour and a half with light refreshments to follow.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 7931 200th Ave. (Highway 45) Bristol.
At about 5:10 a.m., Twin Lakes Rescue and Twin Lakes Police are responding to an alarm in the 500 block of Outlook Drive in Twin Lakes.
Per dispatch: This is a carbon monoxide response with multiple possible patients.
Mighty Grand Dairy in Brighton will be the site of the 2019 Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast on June 15, from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m.
The farm is located at 22811 18th Street.
Due to wet fields at the farm this year there will be no parking at the farm site. Instead shuttle buses will be run from the Kenosha County Center, Highways 50 and 45 in Bristol, and Central High School in Paddock Lake. There will be six buses — three for each site — making trips to the farm and back to the parking sites. Here’s a video from Kenosha County Dairy Promotions that further explains the situation, including views of how wet the fields that were to be for parking still were as of Tuesday (before Wednesday’s rain):
From the Kenosha Area Convention and Visitors Bureau:
This event is fun for the whole family! Enjoy a morning on the farm that includes: a big farm breakfast, milking demonstrations, a Wisconsin products tent with items for purchase, an Agriculture in Action tent to learn more about the workings of a farm, old-fashioned children’s games, farm toys for sale and much more! The breakfast includes scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, pancakes, fresh bread and butter, yogurt, muffin, juice and ice cream. There is a nominal fee for the breakfast: $6 / children 6 and under are free. Tickets will be for sale on the farm, the day of the Breakfast. For the safety of the guests and the other farm animals, it is asked that no additional animals/pets be brought to the Breakfast. The farm is located in Brighton Township.
Farm facts (as of August 2018): The farm is owned by Myron, Dave Daniels, and family. They have been milking since 1997. They are milking 550 cows, 3 times a day in a milking parlor. They raise 600 young stock on the farm. They are the largest dairy farm in Kenosha County.
Email KenoshaCountyDairyPromo@gmail.com with questions.
Mighty Grand Dairy Farm
22811 18th Street Union Grove (Brighton), WI 53182
(760) 898-0641
Interested in riding your bike to the dairy breakfast? Here’s some info on County Executive Jim Kreuser’s DairyAir Ride.
Central High School Booster Club Wilmot High School Booster Club
