West of the I

At about 9:55 p.m. Twin Lakes Fire Department units are responding to a report of a wire on fire in the 1100 block of Lucille in Twin Lakes.

Per dispatch: Wire may be setting a tree on fire.

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 canceled a heat advisory for Kenosha County set for Tuesday.

Forecasted hot temps never really developed here. Temperatures recorded at Kenosha Airport never made it out of the low 80s. At 4:14 p.m., the temp at the airport was 78.

Note that if you are heading west along the Wisconsin-Illinois border the heat advisory remains in effect.

Meanwhile, the latest, local NWS forecast calls for another round of rain Tuesday evening and the possibility of a thunderstorm. Rain is most likely between 6 and 9 p.m. Here’s a graphic from NWS:

(Click above graphic for larger view)

The NWS also is keeping an eye on a system farther west that might be headed this way.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m. — More on the farther west storm (click graphic for larger view):

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for an area of Wisconsin that includes Kenosha County.

The watch is set to be in effect until 3 a.m., Tuesday.

Says NWS: “A severe thunderstorm watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. A severe thunderstorm by definition is a thunderstorm that produces one inch hail or larger in diameter and/or winds equal or exceed 58 miles an hour. The size of the watch can vary depending on the weather situation. They are usually issued for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They are normally issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review severe thunderstorm safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches.”

Paddock Lake Fireworks Inc. presented its annular fireworks show Sunday evening.

The display was viewable over Paddock Lake.

Here’s a short video of the finale from the show:

At about 4:03 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue, Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue, Paris Fire and Rescue and Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units are responding to a report of a fire in the 8100 block of 203rd Avenue in Bristol.

Per dispatch: This is being reported as a garage on fire.

UPDATE about 4:05 p.m. — Bristol chief arriving on scene reports working fire with people still apparently inside.

UPDATE about 4:07 p.m. — Evacuation underway.

UPDATE 4:12 p.m. — All occupants out of house.

UPDATE 4:13 p.m. — MABAS box alarm activated. The following departments due to respond:

• Engines from Kenosha Fire Department, Twin Lakes Fire Department.
• Tenders (water tankers) from Newport Fire Protection District, Kansasville Fire and Rescue, Town of Wheatland Fire Department, Lake Villa Fire Department.
• Squad from Fox Lake Fire Department.
• Ambulances from Somers Fire and Rescue and Union Grove Fire Department.
• Chiefs from Pleasant Prairie, Paris, Newport and Somers.
• Change of quarters: Antioch Fire Department and South Shore Fire Protection District.

UPDATE 4:20 p.m. — Kenosha County Fire Investigation Task Force requested to respond.

UPDATE 4:44 p.m. — Bristol command strikes out box alarm.

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

The advisory is set to be in effect from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday. During the advisory period, temperatures are expected to reach 90 with heat index values as high as 99.

Meanwhile, here is the latest outlook on more rain and/or storms Monday:

Another update about Monday night’s situation (as of about 5:51 p.m.):

Another update as of about 6:50 p.m.:

UPDATE 8:21 p.m. — A severe thunderstorm watch issued by NWS. More here.

At about 3:12 p.m., Town of Wheatland Fire Department and Twin Lakes Fire and Rescue units are responding to a report of a crash at Highways 50 and P in Slades Corners

Per dispatch: Deputies already on the scene

Town of Wheatland Fire Department personnel put out a fire early Monday morning from fireworks mortar racks that were in a box truck.

At about 3:17 a.m., Wheatland FD was dispatched to the 8000 block of 335th Avenue in Lilly Lake for the report of a fire. As fire units arrived on the scene they found the owner of the truck had put out some of the fire, said Wheatland FD Chief Lou Denko. Firefighters opened up the truck, pulled out the racks and proceeded to extinguish the remaining hot spots.

The truck sustained some damage from the fire. 

Randall Fire Department and Twin Lakes Fire and Rescue also responded to the scene.

Here’s a rundown of the incident from Denko:

Photos and video by Earlene Frederick-Ember Images.

Paddock Lake hosted its annual decorated bike parade through the streets of the village Sunday morning.

The annual Fourth of July season event starts at McAlonan Park and works its way north on 248th Avenue, then east on 61st Street to 236th Avenue and then south to Village Hall.

There, participants in the parade were treated to hot dogs, chips and lemonade provided by the village government.

While the event is called a bike parade, decorated golf carts in recent years represent an increasingly larger part of the participants. Paddock Lake was the first local community to allow permitted use of golf carts on village roads.

Prizes were given out for the best decorated bikes and best costumes among the youngsters. This year’s winners are:

• Best costume — Madelyn McCrabens.
• 1st place — Aria Barsamian.
• 2nd place — Ava Pizzala.
• 3rd place — TJ Wikar.

Here is a video of the parade taken near the start:

Here are many more photos from the event:

The Twin Lakes Chamber & Business Association held its annual Libertyfest Parade Saturday morning in Twin Lakes.

The parade started at St. John the Evangelist Church and worked its way south along Lake Avenue to downtown, where it turned down Main Street ending at Lance Park.

The lineup featured lcao officials, police and fire equipment and entries from local businesses and organizations.

Here is video of the fire equipment at the end of the parade (turn up the volume for full effect):

Here is video of a perennial parade favorite, the Tebala Motor Patrol:

Following are many more photos from the parade:

At about 6:03 p.m., Kenosha County fire departments are responding to a MABAS box alarm activated by Kansasville Fire and Rescue for a structure fire in the 4900 block of Schoen Road.

Requested to respond are:

• Paris Fire and Rescue, Salem Lakes Fie/Rescue and Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue with engines.
• Town of Wheatland Fire Department with a tender.
• Bristol Fire and Rescue with a sqaud.
• Paris, Wheatland, Salem Lakes with chiefs.

You can get in the spirit of the Fourth of July holiday in Western Kenosha County this weekend with fireworks displays in Twin Lakes and Paddock Lake.

The Twin Lake Area Chamber & Business Association will host its Libertyfest Saturday, July 2. There’s a parade at 11 a.m. and food and music in Lance Park starting at 4 p.m. A fireworks display over Lake Mary concludes the festivities at dusk. More information on Libertyfest is available here.

In Paddock Lake, the display — organized by Paddock Lake Fireworks, Inc. — will take place on Sunday, July 3 at dusk. The display will be visible over the lake.

Center Lake will remain at a swim caution through this weekend after resampling by Kenosha County Public Health on Thursday continued to show elevated E.coli levels there.

The State Department of Health recommends posting warnings at beaches when test results indicate a E.coli level of 235/100mL or more and closing a beach when test results exceed E.coli 1000/100mL.

The test result from Thursday at Center Lake that triggered the caution was 770 E.coli/100 mL.

Due to the long holiday weekend, the lake will not be sampled again until next week.

Earlier in the week, Center Lake test results triggered a swim caution, then a closure to swimming, then another swim caution before the latest swim caution.

The Highway JB bridge over the Fox River — closed since last September — is opened again after repairs, Kenosha County announced via social media Thursday:

Last fall, a concerned citizen called the county and requested a review of a section of the bridge, Severe deterioration on the bridge deck, in some places up to 4 inches deep, was found. In those areas, 75 percent of the rebar thickness was lost due to corrosion. The county’s bridge consultant recommended the bridge be closed to traffic.

“This situation was developing slowly over time, but was likely exacerbated by increased truck traffic this summer due to the construction on Highway 50,” said Highway Director Clement Abongwa at the time.

Related posts

Plan for repair to Highway JB bridge over the Fox River expected by end of Sept.

Emergency bridge repair closing Highway JB in Wheatland

Center Lake is again under a swim caution after resampling by Kenosha County Public Health on Wednesday showed elevated E.coli levels there.

The State Department of Health recommends posting warnings at beaches when test results indicate a E.coli level of 235/100mL or more and closing a beach when test results exceed E.coli 1000/100mL.

Wednesday’s test result that triggered the caution was 249 E.coli/100 mL. Center Lake was scheduled to be resampled again Thursday.

Earlier in the week, Center Lake test results triggered a swim caution, then a closure to swimming before the latest swim caution.

Thursday’s high temperature is expected to be in the low 90s says the latest, local National Weather Service forecast, but temperatures are expected to cool off some for the Fourth of July weekend.

Thursday’s high is expected to reach 91. It will be sunny, with winds of 15 to 20 mph and gusts up to 30 mph developing.

Temperatures are expected to moderate some after that latest burst of heat. Friday’s high temperature is expected to reach 79 and Saturday, Sunday and Monday the low 80s.

Chances of rain are 40 percent Thursday night, 30 percent Friday morning, 20 percent later Sunday and Sunday night and 30 percent Monday.

From the Kenosha County Divison of Highways:

Kenosha County Highway F (Silver Lake Road) is scheduled to be reduced to one lane on the bridge over the Fox River beginning Tuesday, July 5, and continuing for approximately four weeks.

This closure is to allow crews to perform surface repairs to the bridge.

The bridge will remain open to traffic in both directions, with flagging operations maintained by way of a temporary traffic signal.

A project brief including a map of the work area is available here.

Center Lake is closed to swimming after resampling by Kenosha County Public Health on Tuesday showed elevated E.coli levels there.

The State Department of Health recommends posting warnings at beaches when test results indicate a E.coli level of 235/100mL or more and closing a beach when test results exceed E.coli 1000/100mL.

The test result that triggered the closure was greater than 2419 E.coli/100 mL. The site ws scheduled to be resampled Wednesday.

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 Wheatland J1 School District board is scheduled to hold a regular board meeting Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m., in the Community Room (#164).

Among the agenda items are:

• Employee Resignations
• Contracts: New Teachers, Bus Drivers, Certified Staff Contract Addendums, Shared Service Agreement, Career Advancement Candidate.

The full agenda is available here.

Center Lake is under a swim caution after testing on Monday by Kenosha County Public Health showed elevated levels of E.coli here.

The State Department of Health recommends posting warnings at beaches when test results indicate a E.coli level of 235/100mL or more and closing a beach when test results exceed E.coli 1000/100mL.

The test result that triggered the caution at Center Lake was 727 E.coli/100mL. The site was scheduled to be resampled Tuesday.

Other testing results from this week as reported by Kenosha County Public Health (except where noted) are:

Salem Lakes – Silver Lake County Park beach 10 E.coli/100 mL; Silver Lake DeWitt Park 1 E.coli/100mL; Lake Shangri-la 220th Ct. 104 E.coli/100 mL; Center Lake 727 E.coli/100 mL; Camp Lake 45 E.coli/100 mL; Hooker Lake Boat Launch 15 E.coli/100 mL; Rock Lake 4 E.coli/100mL.

Paddock Lake — Old Settlers County Park beach 3 E.coli/100 mL; Hoag Park 161 E.coli/100 mL; North Shore Association 9 E.coli/100 mL; PHLA beach 12 E.coli/100mL; PHLA Diving Board 20 E.coli/100 mL.

Wheatland — Lilly Lake 1 E.coli/100 mL.

Twin Lakes — Lance Park on Lake Mary 157 E.coli/100 mL.

Bristol — Lake George-101st St. 19 E.coli/100 mL; Lake George-187th Ave. 23 E.coli/100 mL.

Randall — Powers Lake Beach 9.8 E.coli/100 mL.