West of the I

Here are the results of judging in the 2026 Kenosha County Fair horse show, held Aug. 21:

Here are the results of judging in the 2026 Kenosha County Fair poultry show, held Aug. 20.

Here are the results of the 2026 Kenosha County Fair rabbit show, held Aug. 21:

Here are results from the dairy show held Friday, Aug. 21 at the 2026 Kenosha County Fair:

Sunday was demolition derby day at the 2026 Kenosha County Fair in WIlmot.

International Demolition Derby organized the event held in the grandstand. Categories included various size cars, trucks and even Power Wheels and garden tractors,

Here is a video of some scenes from the early rounds including starting off with garden tractors and then moving on to other classes:

Here are some more photos from the derby:

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 fire on Park Lane in Twin Lakes Friday appeared to start in a second story closet.

From a Twin Lakes Fire and Rescue news release:

At approximately 11:34 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue, along with Automatic Response Area (ARA) departments from the Town of Randall, Town of Wheatland, and Richmond, Illinois, were dispatched to the 2100 block of Park Lane for a report of smoke coming from the roof of a garage. Upon arrival, crews from Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue observed smoke coming from the eaves of the second-story roof. Twin Lakes Engine 6512 deployed a handline and initiated an interior attack. At approximately 11:43 a.m., MABAS Box 65-01 was activated to the Box Level, bringing additional fire resources to the incident.

At the time of the structure fire, Twin Lakes Rescue was already committed to a separate medical emergency. At
approximately 11:42 a.m., a third call for service was dispatched for another medical emergency within the Twin Lakes response area. Due to the activation of the MABAS box and the resulting need for additional fire resources, a Town of Paris Ambulance was en route to the Twin Lakes Fire Department for Change of Quarters coverage. The Town of Paris Ambulance subsequently responded to the third medical emergency, ensuring the patient received emergency medical services.

The fire appears to have originated in a second-story bedroom closet. Crews had the fire extinguished by 12:14 p.m. and remained on scene to conduct overhaul, the process of searching for and extinguishing hidden fire, hot spots, or remaining embers after the main fire has been extinguished, operations. All units operating at the scene, along with Change of Quarters companies, were cleared from the incident at approximately 2:03 p.m. Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue would like to extend appreciation to the following departments for their assistance during this incident: Town of Randall Fire Department, Town of Wheatland Fire Department, Richmond Fire Protection District (IL), Salem Lakes Fire Department, Bristol Fire Department, Bloomfield Fire Department, Hebron Fire Protection District (IL), Wonder Lake Fire Protection District (IL), City of Burlington Fire Department, Town of Burlington Fire Department, Spring Grove Fire Protection District (IL), Pleasant Prairie Fire Department, and the City of Kenosha Fire Department.

We would also like to thank Paris Fire/Rescue for responding to the additional medical emergency and Lake Geneva Fire Department, Somers Fire Department, and Spring Grove Fire Protection District for providing Change of Quarters coverage. Their assistance helped ensure that the communities of Twin Lakes, Randall, and Wheatland maintained emergency services coverage while local resources were committed to the structure fire.

Following the incident, the affected homeowner was provided with a “Go Bag” from the Wagner Family Fire Fund, a 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families affected by fire and other
emergencies. The Go Bag includes a hotel stay voucher, food vouchers for local restaurants, socks, and essential
toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, combs, and deodorant. Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue is grateful to the Wagner Family Fire Fund for their continued support of families in our community. The Go Bag provided to the affected family was valued at more than $1,000 and will provide immediate assistance as the family begins the recovery process.

At this time, no further information will be released.

A horse pull competition took place at the 2026 Kenosha County Fair on Friday evening in the grandstand, despite rain earlier in the day.

This competition involves teams of horses pulling weight a set distance. As teams complete the pulls, more weight is added until there is a winner. It’s like truck and tractor pull only with real horsepower.

Here is a video sample of the action.

Here are some more photos from the event:

The 2026 Kenosha County Fair hay bale throw took place last Friday at the fair.

Contestants compete to see who can heave a hay bale the farthest. Divisions are by age.

Prizes are awarded to the top throws.

The event is sponsored by Slades Corners Lucky Clovers 4-H Club.

Here are some video scenes to give you an idea of the event:

At about 5:43 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue, Bristol Fire and Rescue, Wheatland Vol Fire Department and Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a fire in the 12600 block of 257th Avenue in Rock Lake for a report of a possible fire.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m. — Unit on scene reports evacuation underway. No signs of fire from exterior.

At about 5:30p.m., Town of Randall Fire Department, Wheatland Vol Fire Department and Twin Lakes Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash at Highways P and Z in Randall.

UPDATE 5:34 p.m. — Unit arriving on scene reports two vehicles involved with moderate damage.

At about 5:08 p.m., Twin Lakes Fire and Rescue and Twin Lakes Police are responding to a report of a crash at Lake Street and Wilmot Avenue in Twin Lakes.

Per dispatch: Two vehicles may be rolled over.

UPDATE 5:12 p.m. — Additional ambulance from Twin Lakes Rescue dispatched.

Here are some more of the 2026 Kenosha County Junior Fair Merit Award Winners:

Note: The following is a paid announcement from Old Settlers Oktoberfest — DH

The Cookies & Crowns event was held Sunday at the 2026 Kenosha County Fair in Wilmot.

This events lets participants socialize with fair and other local royalty. They can also make crowns and sahes and have some cookies and milk.

Here are some more photos of the event.

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:

Town of Paris Fire & Rescue will host an open house Wednesday, from 4 to 7 p.m.

A presentation on renovation plans for the fire station is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Those attending also will be able to tour the station and connect with department professionals.

The station is located at 16607 Burlington Road.

Paddock Hooker Lakes Association beach on Paddock Lake is closed to swimming and Lilly Lake beach is under a swim caution after sampling by Kenosha County showed elevated E.coli levels there.

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

The results from Monday that prompted the above actions were:

• PHLA — 1414 E.coli/100 mL.
• Lilly Lake beach — 488 E.coli/100 mL

The above locations are scheduled to be resampled. That typically occurs the next day, weather permitting.

Results from testing this week by Kenosha County (except where noted) are:

Salem Lakes – Silver Lake County Park beach 2 E.coli/100 mL; DeWitt Park on Silver Lake 214 E.coli/100mL; Lake Shangri-la 220th Ct. 10 E.coli/100 mL; Center Lake 7 E.coli/100 mL; Rock Lake 96 E.coli/100 mL; Camp Lake 172 E.coli/100 mL

Paddock Lake — Old Settlers County Park beach 19 E.coli/100 mL; Hooker Lake launch 1 E.coli/100 mL; Hoag Park 133 E.coli/100 mL; North Shore Association 4 E.coli/100 mL; PHLA beach 1414 E.coli/100mL; PHLA diving board 50 E.coli/100 mL.

Wheatland — Lilly Lake 488 E.coli/100 mL.

Twin Lakes — Lance Park on Lake Mary 47 E.coli/100mL

Randall (reported by the District of Powers Lake) — Powers Lake Beach 2 E.coli/100mL

The small animal auction was held Sunday at the Kenosha County Fair in Wilmot.

This is the culmination of the project years for junior fair exhibitors in the poultry and rabbit projects.

Here is a video to give you an idea of the atmosphere:

Here are more photos of the auction:

Note: This is a paid announcement from the Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association — DH

THE COURSE IS READY… ARE YOU?

This year’s Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association Golf Outing has plenty of chances to earn some serious bragging rights.

Closest to the Pin — Men & Women
Longest Drive — Men & Women
TWO Hole-in-One Challenges
NEW THIS YEAR: Closest to the Line!

Whether you’re chasing the win, playing for fun, or just hoping your ball goes where you actually intended — there’s something happening all over the course.

Grab your foursome and join us September 16 at Twin Lakes Country Club for a day of golf, friendly competition, community, and a whole lot more than 18 holes.

Don’t be the team hearing about it afterward. Get yours registered here: https://twinlakeschamber.com/36th-golf-outing

The Paris Town Board is scheduled to meet Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. at Town Ahll.

Agenda items include:

• Consideration of resolution to request a moratorium on data center permitting to allow determination of need and impact.
• Discussion and possible action if needed for a possible referendum question on the November 2026 ballot about proposed expansion and renovation of the Fire/Rescue building.

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:

This year’s recipients of Quits of Valor quilts were honored at a ceremony Sunday morning at the 2026 Kenosha County Fair.

Twelve veterans were awarded quilts this year in recognition of their service in the US military.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation was founded in 2003. The local awardees are nominated and then selected to receive a quilt by the local affiliated organization, Sew Much Honor Kenosha County. This is the second year for the program here in conjunction with the Kenosha County Fair.

This year’s awardees are: Charles Ogren, Leonard Eibl, Bruce Feldkamp, Jared Kwiatkowski, Scott Andressen, Edward Crandall, Alan Jones, Jeffrey Martin, Carl Sattersten, Raymond Lee Cates, William Koehnke and Dennis Curnes (who was not present at the ceremony, but will be presented with his quilt around Veterans Day).

This year’s quilters were: Rose Ames, Patty Austin (Texas), Sarah Bazata, Ruth Bratz, Char’s Crafty Cottage, Debra DeVries, Doreen Daniels, Phyllis Epping, Ruth Epping, Pat Happ, Jenny Hesse, Lorie Hintz, Sue Keller (Indiana), Joan Ledanski, Kathy Moss, Old Company C, Serenity Puffinberger (Ohio), Shari Reilson, Mary Rossi, Carol Schneiderman, Dorothy Vorpahl and Nancy Wagner.

Here are photos of the awardees and their quilts:

The annual parade through the fairgrounds was held Sunday morning at the 2026 Kenosha County Fair in WIlmot.

Participants in the parade included elements of the fair, the Westosha Central High School band, fair royalty, some of the Quilts of Honor awardees, old tractors and other supporters of the fair.

Here is video of the WCHS band:

Here are more photos from the parade:

The 2026 Kenosha County Fair may have ended Sunday, but westofthei.com will still be publishing events we covered and judging results Monday (and maybe beyond).

If you’re looking for our coverage of Quilts of Valor, the Sunday parade, Cookies and Crowns and the small animal auction we’re working on them now, Check back!