West of the I

The Wheatland Town Board and residents seeking the passage of a strict battery energy storage site ordinance clashed over the progress on developing the law at Monday’s Town Board meeting.

Town officials reported that they are seeking to work with key individuals in the development of a ordinance including the town attorney, the county and a town official from another nearby town where such a facility already exists.

BESS opponents expressed concern that the process wasn’t moving faster.

In January, three of four land use requests related to a proposed battery energy storage system project in Wheatland received unfavorable recommendations from the town Plan Commission. The company behind the proposal, Robin Energy Storage, then withdrew the project from further consideration before the Town Board could formally weigh-in.

Robin was proposing a battery energy storage system facility located on approximately 12 acres within an approximately 19-acre tract of land east of 392nd Avenue and north of Highway 50 in Wheatland. The site is especially apt, Robin representatives said, because it is adjacent to an existing electrical substation.

Robin had proposed to pay the town about $8 million over 20 years under a joint development agreement if the project won town approval and moved forward to completion.

Local opponents are concerned Robin will seek some other avenue to place the facility in Wheatland. They cite concerns about fire hazards and environmental harm related to possible accidents at such facilities. They base those concerns on accidents and fires that have occurred at some existing facilities in other states.

Town Chairman Jeff Butler said Monday the county is looking at enhancing its existing BESS ordinance to make it stronger. They are working with an attorney that is experienced in regulating such facilities.

The town would like to build on that process for its own even stricter ordinance, Butler said.

Town Supervisor Kyle Madsen said the town will be moving forward on its ordinance “essentially in parallel” while the county strengthens theirs.

“It won’t be two separate conversations,” Madsen said.

Jenny Morehouse, the leader of the citizen push to enact an ordinance, said she was disappointed more had not been done by the town since she presented her research on such ordinances elsewhere at a meeting held the Wednesday before the Monday Town Board meeting.

“I’m really frustrated because I took a lot of time to get this together, to get this rolling,” Morehouse said.

Butler replied “This isn’t going to be done tomorrow … government doesn’t do things overnight.”

Morehouse followed up with “I know, but it’s been a week and nothings been done.”

Chad Toedter who also has been leading the BESS opposition said “All we hear is we’re going to sit and wait.”

Town officials pushed back on the idea that they are doing nothing.

“It’s not stagnant,” Madsen said of the process.

Town Supervisor Kelly Wilson asked for patience.

“I ask you to be patient,” Wilson said. “We know the urgency to have this done. All I think about these days is battery storage, battery storage, batter storage. We are working, we are. It takes time.”

Butler pointed out that Monday was the first time since last Wednesday’s meeting the board had had a chance to discuss the matter together, due to open meetings laws.

Under another agenda item, Toedter asked about his plans to place anti BESS signs around the town, also asking for the possibility of a donation from the town.

Board members said they felt it would be similar to the placing of election signs and would likely have to follow the same rules. No one offered an opinion about a donation to the effort.

“I don’t have any problem with what you want to do,” Butler said. “It’s free speech.”

At about 12:44 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units are responding to a report of a sparking power line in the 7300 block of Highway B in Salem Lakes.

At about 11:55 a.m., Town of Randall Fire Department units are responding to a report of a tree on a power line in the 9400 block of 401st Avenue in Powers Lake.

At about 9:08 a.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding for a report of a fire in the 7700 block of Shorewood Drive in Silver Lake.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting a tree on wires and a sparking transformer.

At about 8:27 a.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue and Paris Fire and Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash at Highways 45 and K along the Bristol-Paris border.

Per dispatch: Possible injuries being reported.

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:

Western Kenosha County may be in for some rough weather over the next few days.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and a winter storm watch from 7 p.m., Saturday to 4 p.m., Monday.

During the wind warning period, we could see northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 60 mph.

From the winter storm watch text:

Heavy snow and blowing snow is possible Saturday night and Sunday, especially north of I-94. A wintry mix will be possible for a time Saturday night and Sunday, including a chance for sleet and freezing rain, particularly along and south of the I-94 corridor. Rain may also mix in for a time mainly south of I-94. The wintry mix is expected transition to moderate to heavy snow across southern Wisconsin Sunday evening, persisting into Monday. Strong winds and blowing snow will likely continue into Monday as well.

Current forecasted snow etc. accumulations are: 1 to 2 inches Saturday overnight, half an inch Sunday and between a half and three quarters of an inch Sunday overnight.

While you may be hearing about larger snow accumulations in the Milwaukee area and points north the the mix of precipitation we should see down here will still have “substantial impacts,” says the NWS.

Wind will be lighter Saturday, but get stronger again Sunday, Sunday overnight and continue through Monday.

Note: The following is a paid announcement from Washburn Lodge #145 — DH

At about 6:30 p.m., traffic on Highway 50 from both directions in Paddock Lake is being diverted while what appears to be emergency repairs to a utility pole take place.

Eastbound traffic on Highway 50 is being diverted down 236th Avenue.

From the Kenosha County Government Facebook page:

UPDATE about 8:05 p.m. — Coming through Paddock Lake, traffic was moving as normal in both directions. A utility truck was still be on the scene, but appeared to be pulling out.

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).

Formal action is not taken at committee of the whole meetings, which are for discussion of issues.

Agenda items include:

• Addendum to Fire and EMS contract for Innovative Grant Application
• Three special event permits

The full agenda is available here.

Note: The following is a paid announcement from Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School District — DH

We’ve all appreciated the weather of late that has flirted with spring — or even summer — at times.

Well it’s over. Winter is back Wednesday in both temperature and precipitation.

Wednesday’s high temperature is forecast for 37, but that will come early in the morning with temperatures dropping the rest of the day. It should feel colder with a northwest wind of 10 to 15 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph. If the temperature is not enough to remind you of winter then there will be the rain, freezing rain, sleet in the morning and then snow this afternoon to seal the deal. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch is expected.

Thursday and Friday should see a return to the 40s, before temps in the 30s and chances of rain/snow return over the weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northwestern Kenosha County.

The warning is set to be in effect until 8:45 p.m.

At 7:53 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Wheatland moving northeast at 35 mph.

Central Racine County is also included in the warning area.

Hail as large as quarter sized ha been associated with this storm, the warning text says.

An earlier severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until midnight (Note: This sentence modified from original version — DH)

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:

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for an area of Wisconsin that includes Kenosha County.

The watch is set to be in effect until midnight Wednesday.

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.”

UPDATE about 7 p.m. —

UPDATE about 7:41 p.m. — Pea-sized hail in Paddock Lake:

UPDATE about 7:44 p.m. — Northwestern Kenosha County under a severe thunderstorm warning until 8:45 p.m. Details here.

At about 5:08 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a fire in the 27000 block of 89th Street (Highway AH) in Center Lake.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting smoke and what appears to be trees on fire.

UPDATE 5:15 p.m. — Dispatch reports deputy on scene says this appears to be an unattended burn pile.

Wheatland Center School’s 36th annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser will take place March 14, from 4 to 8 p.m.

This year money is being raised to support the bringing of a therapy dog to the school.

Pre-sale ticket prices are:

• Adults (13-64): $12
• Kids 4-12: $9
• Kids (0-4): Free
• Gluten free $15

Pre-sale tickets can be purchased here.

At the door prices are: $12 per person, under 3 free and $15 gluten free.

Besides a spaghetti dinner catered by Luisa’s Restaurant, activities planned include: Silent auction, live auction, raffles, bake sale, wine pull and a kids area.

The Westosha Central High School District board is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Upper Commons at the school.

Agenda items include:

• Student Services Therapy Dog Introduction and Presentation
• 18-21 Year Old Program Presentation
• Falcon’s Nest School Store Presentation
• Post Retirement Benefits for Professional Staff Hired 2001 and After
• Transportation Contract
• 2026-27 Staffing Plan Recommendation
• Professional and Administrative Contract Timeline for 2026-27
• Acknowledgement of Board Member Resignation and Process for Seeking Replacement

The full agenda is available here.

A fire in Bristol Monday afternoon burned about 40-50 acres of mostly swamp land, but firefighting efforts kept it from damaging any homes or other structures.

Bristol Fire and Rescue units were dispatched to the 21100 block of 121st Street for a possible structure fire, but upon arriving found a fire in a swampy area behind a home that was spreading, said Chief John Niederer.

A strong southwest wind helped spread the fire to adjacent swampy areas. At one point, a back burn was performed to exhaust fuel for the fire.

Firefighters were on the scene until 6:30 p.m.

A Mutual Aid Box Alarm System box alarm was activated and eventually upgraded to the fifth level. Part of the reason the box alarm reached such an advanced level was shortly after the Bristol fire a grass fire was reported in the town of Burlington. When that fire also started seeking mutual aid it stretched regional resources trying to address both incidents, Niederer said.

In the end departments from Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties in Wisconsin and Lake County in Illinois joined the response to Bristol.

Coordinating all of that response and communicating between fire units and law enforcement was the job of Kenosha County Joint Services Dispatch, who Niederer singled out for praise for an especially good job in a complicated situation.

“Dispatch did a phenomenal job,” Niederer said.

Also complicating matters was that the swampy areas of the fire were difficult to reach even with grass rigs and UTVs. Two vehicles got stuck in mud and were pulled out by community good Samaritans, Niederer said.

Grass fires are a hazard at this time of year, when foliage is dry, Niederer said.

“We’re hoping for some rain,” Niederer said, along with other conditions that will allow plants to begin growing again.

There were no injuries to firefighters, law enforcement or community members, Niederer said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Related post

Units responding for fire in Bristol

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 4:04 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a fire in the 30000 block of Highway JB in. Brighton.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting a small brush fire.

UPDATE about 4:12 p.m. — Dispatch says deputies have located fire and report that is being controlled by a homeowner.

At about 2:30 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue, Paris Fire and Rescue, Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue and Somers Fire and Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to the 21100 block of 121st Street in Bristol for a fire.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting burning ignited nearby swamp on fire.

UPDATE 2:39 p.m. — Bristol command confirms working brush fire and activates MABAS box alarm.

UPDATE 2:45 p.m. — Other departments responding due to box alarm include Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue, Newport Fire Protection District, Kenosha Fire Department and Antioch Fire Department.

UPDATE 2:55 p.m. — Box alarm upgraded by Bristol command. Addtional reaponse from Twin Lakes Fire Department, Beach Park Fire Department, Raymond Fire Department, Winthrop Harbor Fire Department, Gurnee Fire Department, Town of Randall Fire Department, Kansasville Fire and Rescue and Waterford Fire Department.

UPDATE 3:38 p.m. — Box alarm upgraded. Additional departments responding now include City of Burlington Fire Department, Lake Villa Fire Department, Spring Grove Fire Department, Southern Shores Fire Department, Fox Lake Fire Department and Richmond Fire Department.

UPDATE — Fire burned about 40-50 acres of swamp. More details here.

The Wheatland Town Board is scheduled to meet Monday starting at 6 p.m. at Town Hall in New Munster.

Agenda items include:

• Public records request policy adoption
• Animal & Kennels ordinance revision discussion and possible action
• Update regarding Battery ordinance
• Consideration for signs from Defend Wheatland

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:

Wheatland Center School students participated in the 2026 Math 24 Regional Tournament held at the Kenosha County Center on Feb. 5 and 19.

Grade level teams from several local school districts competed this year.

Members of the WCS grade level Math 24 teams are as follows: 4th grade – Heidi Baumeister, Skylar Devall and Mason Lindh; 5th grade – Jordan Goggin, Nicholas Syreini and Hadley Madsen; 6th grade – Jonah Dumelle, Charlie Wisneski and Abigail Zavacke; and 7th grade – Jack Cavannaugh, Gregory Stephens and Gursevak Toor.

Six Math 24 Regional Tournament trophies were awarded to Wheatland students. Fourth graders Skylar Devall and Heidi Baumeister placed third and fourth overall and fifth grader Hadley Madsen placed second overall. The seventh grade team of Gursevak Toor, Jack Cavannaugh and Gregory Stephens placed first, second and third overall.

Opponents of placing a battery energy storage site in Wheatland outlined points they would like to see in a town ordinance governing the facilities.

The presentation took place at a meeting Wednesday at Wheatland Center School. The opponents had requested the meeting to be able to present the info outside of the constraints of a regular Town Board meeting, which is run by the town chairman and limits public comments.

Jenny Morehouse said the proposed ordinance she presented was largely based on laws she found in effect in other communities, including Mason County, Illinois and Forest, Wisconsin.

“I am going to ask the board to take this info and start working on an ordinance,” Morehouse said.

About 45 people attended the meting held in the Community Room at Wheatland Center School.

Also in attendance were all Wheatland Town Board members (the meeting had been noticed by the town anticipating this) County Executive Samantha Kerkman, county Supervisor Erin Decker and state Rep. Amanda Nedweski.

In January, three of four land use requests related to a proposed battery energy storage system project in Wheatland received unfavorable recommendations from the town Plan Commission. The company behind the proposal, Robin Energy Storage, then withdrew the project from further consideration before the Town Board could formally weigh-in.

Robin was proposing a battery energy storage system facility located on approximately 12 acres within an approximately 19-acre tract of land east of 392nd Avenue and north of Highway 50 in Wheatland. The site is especially apt, Robin representatives said, because it is adjacent to an existing electrical substation.

Robin had proposed to pay the town about $8 million over 20 years under a joint development agreement if the project won town approval and moved forward to completion.

Local opponents are concerned Robin will seek some other avenue to place the facility in Wheatland. They cite concerns about fire hazards and environmental harm related to possible accidents at such facilities. They base those concerns on accidents and fires that have occurred at some existing facilities in other states.

While Wheatland currently does not have a BESS ordinance, Morehouse acknowledged Kenosha County does. However, she suggested the county ordinance is not strict enough, compared to other laws she found. Weak points of the Kenosha County ordinance included setbacks and other construction standards and oversight.

Points Morehouse found in other ordinances that she felt should be included in the Wheatland ordiance include:

• Studies, reports, certifications waiver and approvals demonstrating compliance with an ordinance.
• A decommissioning program.
• Complying with the National Electric Code, International Fire Code.
• An operation and maintenance manual.
• Erosions and sediment control, storm water management plans.
• Special use permits for wetlands.
• Setbacks of 200 feet from the parcel line; 200 feet from any public right of way, 1,800 feet from any non-participating residential structure or occupied community building.
• All damages to waterways, drainage ditches, field tiles, agricultural drainage systems or any other private and public infrastructures caused by the construction or decommissioning of the BESS must be completely repaired or replaced by the property owner.
• Needed inspections to be paid for by BESS operator.
• Owner or operator shall cooperate with the local fire department/adjacent fire departments to develop an emergency response plan, including providing needed specialized equipment.
• BESS owner shall provide funding for a community warning system.

Town Chairman Jeff Butler said developing an ordinance would be brought to the town attorney. He added that actually developing the ordiance could take time and likely would be relatively expensive in relation to typical town laws. For example, he said a recent ordinance that was one page when completed cost $500 in legal fees. Morehouse’s draft as presented was over 20 pages.

“We have to have our attorney look at this,” Butler said. “He’s going to have to call in some expertise on this too.”

Some audience members expressed disappointment that Morehouse’s ordinance proposal — which she frequently said she did have the expertise to develop into a final document — didn’t outright ban a BESS, but set up standards that needed to be met.

Morehouse replied that an outright ban might not be enforceable.

Butler affirmed the Town Board’s opposition to the Robin proposal.

“We all work for you people,” Butler said. “We never wanted this thing.”

The other present elected officials were asked about their position on allowing BESS projects. “I would like you to continue pushing against this,” Morehouse said to the county and state elected officials.

Kerkman pointed out the county ordinance, passed while she was in office, is one of the most detailed such ordinances in Wisconsin and is being taken as a model elsewhere. Nevertheless she suggested it could be better.

“I want to enhance the ordinance,” Kerkman said of the county law.

Kerkman pointed out that writing such an ordiance is a balancing act between being strict but not too strict. She offered the example of sex offender residency ordinances in some Kenosha County municipalities that were legally challenged for being too strict.

The BESS opponents heard strong opposition from Decker, whose supervisory district includes Wheatland.

“I would have voted against it,” Decker said, “If it makes it back to us I will vote against it.”

Nedweski pledged to advocate for the Wheatland opponents in the legislature and in front of the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, if that becomes necessary.

“You have my support,” Nedweski said.

“Update regarding battery ordinance” is on Monday’s Wheatland Town Board meeting agenda.

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 is not some kind of post repeating glitch. The National Weather Service has in fact issued a dense fog advisory for Kenosha County for the third straight day.

This advisory is set to be in effect until 9 a.m., Friday.

Visibility of one quarter mile or less is possible in such conditions.

Friday also will be warm with a high of 62. We should see showers and possibly a thunderstorm.

High temps in the 60s and 50s are expected to continue through Tuesday.

Construction activity is believed to be the cause of fire in an apartment building on Bayview Avenue in Twin Lakes Thursday.

From the Twin Lakes Fire Department:

At approximately 1:53 p.m. on March 5, 2026 , Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue was dispatched to the 500 block of Bayview Avenue for the report of a porch fire.

At 1 :55 PM, the incident was upgraded, and ARA departments, Town of Randall Fire Department, Town of Wheatland Fire Department, and Richmond (IL) Fire Protection District, were dispatched for a reported crawl space fire beneath an apartment building.

Upon arrival, fire crews found a three-story apartment building with an active fire in the crawl space area. Firefighters quickly accessed the area and utilized a water can to extinguish the fire, bringing the incident under control in a short amount of time.

An investigation into the cause of the fire indicates it is believed to have started as a result of construction activity in the crawl space. No injuries were reported. The homeowners were not home at the time of the fire. All fire units were cleared and back in service at 2:51 PM

At this time, no additional information will be released. Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue would like to thank the Randall Fire Department, Wheatland Fire Department, and Richmond Fire Protection District, along with the Twin Lakes Police Department, Twin Lakes Dispatch, and Kenosha County Joint Services for their assistance on this incident.