West of the I

Add Twin Lakes to the group of municipalities interested in forming a consortium for road projects.

The Twin Lakes Village Board gave an informal OK to continuing to pursue the idea at a regular board meeting Monday.

The theory is that the consortium would allow its members to get better bids for road work. If it can be formed soon enough the consortium also could allow participants to land state grant funds.

The Salem Lakes Village Board and Paddock Lake Village Board have earlier expressed interest at board meetings to joining the effort. Randall and the village of Walworth also have been mentioned as partners.

A consortium could allow municipalities to bid road work as a larger group and get better pricing through economies of scale. And, the effort might qualify the village for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Innovation grant program that could pay 25 percent of the 2025 road program expenses for 3 to 5 years with a maximum grant funding of 115 percent.

Trustee Kevin Fitzgerald said that could mean about $150,000 per year in grant revenue for the village if it receives the grant. He called it “trying to bring those state funds back to the village.”

Time is of the essence to be considered for the grant. Applications are due by the end of March. In the meantime, how the consortium would work would need to be spelled out in an intergovernmental agreement approved by each municipal party.

“It’s a tight deadline,” said Trustee Jim Baxa, who also added it’s “a great idea.”

Village administrator Laura Jager said Salem Lakes with its attorney is taking the lead in developing the IGA.

“There’s a lot to this,” said Fitzgerald. “There’s people working on this in all four communities.”

Note: The following is a paid announcement from Westosha Sports Complex — DH

Westosha Sports Complex offers Private Softball Lessons with Addison Waido.

Looking to take your game to the next level? Addison specializes in catching, hitting, and fielding and has experience coaching righties, lefties, and slappers.

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 Call or text 262-581-3199 to schedule your lesson!

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 Twin Lakes Village Board is scheduled to meet Monday, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall.

Agenda items include:

• Discussion and possible action on an original “Class B” liquor license and Class “B” fermented malt beverage license application filed by On The Go Bar & Grill Inc., d/b/a On-The-Go Bar & Grill, 406 N. Lake Ave; Gurpinder Kaur, Agent.
• Discussion on Community Library Revised Joint Library Operating Agreement
• Discussion and possible action on multi-municipality Road Consortium.
• Discussion regarding a draft Outdoor Lighting Ordinance
• Discussion and possible action regarding a Lake Elizabeth Marina Boat Slip Policy.
• Discussion and possible action regarding a request for a Temporary Sign at Central Park
• Discussion and possible action regarding a Little Free Library at Central Park.
• Closed session for the purposes of conducting an annual performance evaluation of the Village Administrator

The full agenda and packet information is available here.

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:

At about 9:07 a.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue and Bristol Fire and Rescue, Town of Randall Fire Department and Wheatland Vol Fire units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a possible fire in the 8100 block of 236th Avenue in Salem.

Per dispatch: Burning smell reported in a residence. No flames seen. Occupants evacuating.

UPDATE about 9:13 a.m. — Deputy on scene reports burning smell, but no flames seen.

UPDATE 9:15 a.m. — Fire unit on scene reports no signs of fire from three exterior sides.

UPDATE 9:23 a.m. — Salem Lakes command releases all units not already on scene to return to quarters

UPDATE 9:34p.m. — Salem Lakes command reports all units clearing the scene.

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:

At about 2:08 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding for an investigation in the 7800 block of 132nd Avenue.

Per dispatch: Possible gas leak being reported.

UPDATE 2:16 p.m. — Unit arriving on scene reports no smell of gas.

Note: This is a paid announcement from Westosha Sports Complex — DH

Westosha Sports Complex offers baseball/softball instruction from Manny Santana.

Manny trains in all aspects of the game: pitching, hitting, and fielding.

Manny has also developed his own throwing program to strengthen one’s arm, to gain velocity, and arm care to make sure young athletes are throwing with care and the right way.

To schedule a lesson contact Manny at 262-945-5168 or santanamanuel11@gmail.com

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:

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:

At 6:48 p.m., Town of Wheatland Vol Fire Department and Twin Lakes Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a crash in the 4500 block of Dyer Lake Road in Wheatland.

Per dispatch: Single motorcycle has left the road and crashed. Injuries being reported.

UPDATE about 6:52 p.m. — Response requested from Flight for Life medical transport helicopter.

UPDATE about 8 p.m.:

At about 5:20 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue and Newport Fire Protection District units are responding to a crash in the 13700 block of Highway WG along the state line.

This week’s trend of warmer, snow-melting temperatures is expected to soon result in high temperatures we haven’t seen in a while.

The latest, local National Weather Service forecast calls for high temperatures 50 or higher starting Saturday through at least next Wednesday. Lows through that stretch should be over freezing.

Rain is not in the forecast forecast until Tuesday night, with a 50 percent chance.

 Note: The following is a paid announcement from Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center — DH

The Spring Primary for Kenosha County residents will be Tuesday, February 17.  The Spring Election will be April 7. 

Free Rides for voting purposes will be provided by the below transportation service providers with advance registration. Call early to reserve your ride.

• Carepool: 262-278-6455
• Link Western Kenosha Transportation: 888-203-3498
• KAFASI Volunteer Transportation: 262-842-7433

Persons with disabilities can request special voting accommodations, such as curbside voting. To learn more call Disability Rights WI Voter Hotline: 844-DIS-VOTE.
The website  myvote.wi.gov is also an excellent resource to register and request an absentee ballot.

For those unable to access the MyVote website, Kenosha County Aging and Disability Resource Center staff can provide direct assistance. To learn more, call the ADRC at 262-605-6646.

The Paddock Lake Village Board is scheduled to hold a committee of the whole meeting Wednesday, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall (municipal building).

Agenda items include:

• Vacating residential subdivision plat AKA Willow Wood
• Discussion: Creation of a Water Utility Impact Fee
• Discussion: Wisconsin Innovative Grant and Road Maintenance Consortium
• Discussion: Sheriff’s Department D.A.R.E. program donation
• Yard waste, E-waste recycling and Independence Day dates

The full agenda is available here,

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:

One man died as the result of an apparent crash along the state line Tuesday morning.

From the Kenosha County sheriff’s Office:

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a traffic incident that occurred this morning at approximately 6:46 a.m. at the intersection of State Line Road (128th Street) and CTH HM (374th Avenue) in the Town of Randall.

Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office deputies and rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene for a report of a single-vehicle crash. Upon arrival, deputies located a 2012 black GMC Terrain SUV approximately 50 yards south of State Line Road, resting on a berm.

Deputies made contact with the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle, Jose Gonzalez, a 50-year-old male from Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, who was found to be unconscious and not breathing. The male was removed from the vehicle, and life-saving measures were immediately initiated by rescue personnel. Despite these efforts, the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling southbound on CTH HM when it left the roadway, continued south across State Line Road, and came to rest on the berm. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) was requested and responded to the scene to conduct a complete and thorough investigation. Based on the investigation, there is no indication that speed, alcohol, or drugs were contributing factors.

Investigators believe the incident was the result of a medical emergency.

Sheriff David Zoerner offered the following statement:

“This is a tragic loss for the individual’s family and loved ones. Our deputies and emergency responders acted quickly and professionally in their efforts to provide aid. We extend our sincere condolences to the family during this difficult time. Incidents like this are a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change and the importance of looking out for one another on our roadways.”

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to all responding agencies for their assistance. The investigation remains ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.

Note: The following is a paid announcement from Western Kenosha County Senior Citizens Council — DH

The Western Kenosha County Senior Citizens Council, a non-profit, seeks a Senior Center Program Director for part-time weekdays and special events.

Experience in activity planning for older adults, in supervising volunteers and a desire to serve seniors required. Knowledge of wordprocessing, spread sheet and social media also needed.

Email or drop off a professional resume to WKCSCC Board of Directors, Westosha Senior Community Center at: westoshaseniorcenter@gmail.com.

The Westosha Senior Community Center is located at 19200 93rd St., Bristol.

The Salem Lakes Village Board gave its approval last week to staff exploring creation of a road maintenance consortium with other municipalities.

Such a consortium could allow municipalities to bid road work as a larger group and get better pricing through economy of scale. And, the effort might qualify the village for a state grant program that could pay 25 percent of the 2025 program expenses for 3 to 5 years with a maximum grant funding of 115 percent (Note: This paragraph edited since first version — DH).

The proposal comes out of the village’s Economic Development Committee. The Village Board voted unanimously (with Trustee Angela Brooks absent) to have staff and legal counsel move forward with developing an intergovernmental agreement to govern the consortium and develop a legal opinion on the matter.

Trustee Peter Poli, who also is a member of the EDC, said Paddock Lake and Twin Lakes are among the other municipalities interested in joining the consortium. The Paddock Lake Village Board has the matter on its agenda for a committee of the whole meeting this Wednesday. The Twin Lakes Village Board has not discussed the matter at a meeting yet.

The consortium would have its own governing board made up of representatives of participating municipalities, said Brian Filiatreault, an EDC member who presented the consortium idea and answered board questions at last week’s meeting.

The project has a deadline due to the grant aspect. Application to be considered for the state Department of Revenue Innovation Grant must be made by March 31.

At about 11:18 a.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding for a crash at Highways BD and JB in Brighton.

Per dispatch: A car and a truck involved. Injuries being reported.