West of the I

Note: This is a paid announcement from Bristol Progress Days — DH

2026 Bristol Progress Days, the annual community festival held the weekend after the Fourth of July in Bristol, will take place over three days on July 10, 11 and 12.

The theme for this year is “Bristol Progress Days is 56 in ’26.”

The festivities include the Miss Bristol crowning and the Outstanding Citizens Awards, which are announced on Friday at the coronation banquet. The sports tournaments are always a big hit and the fireworks show and parade draw people from all over the southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois area.

Here’s some of the other fun at Bristol Progress Days:

CORONATION BANQUET — This year’s Miss Bristol and the Outstanding Citizen announcements are made at the annual banquet held at the Parkway Chateau on Friday evening.

RUN/WALK — This year’s events will again include a 5K run/1.5 mile walk on Saturday morning, starting at Village Hall. Same day registration.

PARADE — The parade known for its large number of varied entries and its abundance of candy treats takes place starting at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. The parade route works its way through downtown Bristol and ends at Hansen Park, where the other Progress Days activities are held. Make sure to bring a container for all that candy!

FIREWORKS — The annual fireworks display takes place at dusk on Sunday.

INFLATABLES — The festival will host a variety of inflatables and arcade games.

AUCTION — A live auction will take place Sunday following the parade at 2:30 p.m.

MUSIC — Music in the beer garden will be provided: On Friday at the Hansen Park Beer Garden starting at 6 p.m. Dirty Boogie Band; Saturday 6pm – Live Music at Hansen Park Beer Garden w/Myles Wangerin; Sunday 4pm – Live Music at Hansen Park Beer Garden Dan Lepien Band.

SOFTBALL — Softball tournaments will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

KIDS PEDAL PULL — Saturday starting at 11 a.m. at basketball court area. Register at 10:30 a.m.

VOLLEYBALL — A volleyball tournament will take place at Hansen Park on Saturday. Starts at 9 a.m.

DART BALL — A Dart ball tournmanent will take place on Saturday, with registration starting at 10:30 a.m.

RAFFLES — Tickets are $5 each with only 1,000 sold. Drawing is at 8:30 p.m., Sunday. Prizes: 1st Place: 2-night resort stay in Branson, MO or Wisconsin Dells 2nd Place: $150 3rd Place: $75

PING PONG BALL DROP — Get your ping pong ball. Drop is at 7 p.m., Saturday.

More information 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:

Bristol Progress Days is launching a food drive that those attending the festival’s parade can contribute to while they watch and scoop up candy.

From a news release from Bristol Progress Days:

Bristol Progress Days is proud to introduce a new community initiative during this year’s annual parade: the Bristol Progress Days Parade Community Food Drive. The Parade is this Sunday July 12th and starts at 1230 pm in the Village of Bristol. It starts at 82nd Street Hwy 45 and makes its way through downtown Bristol ending at Hansen Park 19801 86th Place

In partnership with the Kenosha Bradford Cheer Team and The Sharing Center of Trevor, parade attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to help support local families facing food insecurity.

This year’s food drive will take place during the parade, making it easy for attendees to participate. The food drive collection units will be located in the Pre-Parade Division, immediately following the Westosha Central Marching Band. As the units pass by, simply hand your non-perishable food donations to the Kenosha Bradford Cheer Team members, who will be pulling collection wagons. Once you’ve made your donation, sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the parade.

Organizers are inviting residents to spread the word by encouraging family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors to participate. Every donation, no matter the size, will help stock the shelves of the Sharing Center and provide much-needed assistance to members of the local community.–“Our community has always demonstrated incredible generosity,” said Bristol Progress Days organizers. “We’re excited to launch this new tradition and work together to make a meaningful impact for local families. We hope everyone attending the parade will consider bringing a non-perishable food item to donate.”

Suggested donation items include canned goods, boxed meals, peanut butter, pasta, rice, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, and other non-perishable food items.

Together, the Bristol community can help ensure local families have access to essential food resources while making this inaugural food drive a lasting tradition.

At about 2 p.m., Wheatland Vol Fire Department, Town of Randall Fire Department and Twin Lakes Rescue units are responding to a report of a fire in the 33300 block of Highway 50 in Wheatland.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting brush fire along side of the road. No structures nearby.

UPDATE 2:05 p.m. — Fire unit arriving on scene confirms fire about 20 feet long on south side of the road. Wheatland constable also on scene.

UPDATE 2:12 p.m. — Fire extinguished.

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 iems include:

• Revised Library agreement
• Village website host and upgrade
• Emergency repairs to lift station No. 5
• Pavement repairs from water main repairs
• Engineer work order 2601168.00 for design, bidding and oversight of Village wide pavement crack sealing
• Wisconsin Innovative Grant Award
• Wisconsin Humane Society Service Agreement

The full agenda is available here.

Organizers of a program distributing free food to children in Western Kenosha County say the program is well used by residents.

The program, sponsored by the Kenosha YMCA and The Sharing Center, in its most recent week had about 360 Western Kenosha County reservations for food, said Rachel Mall, YMCA summer meal program manager.

The program, which distributes food from a site in Salem Lakes and in Twin Lakes each Tuesday is a partnership between the Kenosha YMCA and The Sharing Center in Trevor. All children 18 years of age and younger qualify for meals. Adults ages 19–21 diagnosed with a disability and currently attending a public or private school also qualify. Each child receives one Meal Kit containing seven breakfasts and seven lunches designed to be easy, convenient, and family-friendly. Meals are shelf-stable and include nutritional information and storage suggestions.

“We anticipated a great need given the limited access to summer meals,” Mall said. “The distribution locations (Lakewood School and Salem Community Park) were approved by the Summer Food Service Program because of the level of need.”

There was one surprise in who was registered, Mall said, which prompted a change for some of the recipients.

“What was surprising was the number of teenagers that registered,” Mall said “Currently 50% of the meals we are providing are to high school and middle school students. Because of this, we have needed (and wanted) to find ways to supplement the Meal Kits which are really tailored more for elementary and younger children. We are starting to add to the Meal Kits going to teens various types of microwavable and easy fix meals. As we hear feedback from the families we will continue to work to improve these meal kits. It is vital to us that the teens are being provided healthy, adequate, and appetizing meals.”

At the Salem Lakes Community Park distribution point, organizers have also been able to offer a special activity for the children, Mall said. For example, one recent week one of the program staff set up an origami activity. The Salem Community Library has donated books for a “Little Free Library.”

“The families we are having the privilege and joy of getting to know are exceptionally gracious and grateful,” Mall said. “It truly has been a blessing to us in return to be able to come alongside.”

Mall also had praise for The Sharing Center, the YMCA’s partner in the program.

“Our partnership with The Sharing Center has truly made this possible at the level that it has grown to be,” Mall said. “They have been utterly phenomenal in their support and help.”

Registration for the program is still open, Mall said. On-line registration is expected to continue to remain open each week until the program ends with the last distribution day being Aug.18.

“Since we have to order the meal kits two weeks out and we want to make sure that we have meals for those who register, we are finding that we have to close registration as we get closer to the next distribution day,” Mall said. “More need than supply. We continue to increase the number of meals that we order so that we can continue to meet the increased demand.”

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:

Hooker Lake boat launch, Lake George 101st and Paddock Hooker Lakes Association under swim cautions after sampling by Kenosha County showed elevated E.coli levels at those locations.

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 cautions are:

• Hooker Lake boat launch — 411 E.coli/100 mL
• Lake George 101st — 727 E.coli/100 mL
• PHLA beach — 411 E.coli/100 mL

Those locations are scheduled to be resampled Tuesday.

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

Salem Lakes – Silver Lake County Park beach 20 E.coli/100 mL; DeWitt Park on Silver Lake 78 E.coli/100mL; Lake Shangri-la 220th Ct. 46 E.coli/100 mL; Center Lake 7 E.coli/100 mL; Rock Lake 31 E.coli/100 mL; Camp Lake 167 E.coli/100 mL

Paddock Lake — Old Settlers County Park beach 91 E.coli/100 mL; Hooker Lake launch 411 E.coli/100 mL; Hoag Park 185 E.coli/100 mL; North Shore Association 2 E.coli/100 mL; PHLA beach 411 E.coli/100mL; PHLA diving board 40 E.coli/100 mL.

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

Twin Lakes — Lance Park on Lake Mary 35 E.coli/100mL; Lucille beach on Lake Elizabeth 10 E.coli/100 mL; Musial beach on Lake Elizabeth 12 E.coli/100 mL; Sunset beach on Lake Elizabeth 4 E.coli/100 mL

Bristol — Lake George-101st 727 E.coli/100 mL; Lake George-103rd 16 E.coli/100 mL

Randall (reported by the District of Powers Lake) — Powers Lake Beach 5 E.coli/100mL; Fox Park beach 27.5 E.coli/100mL

At about 2:41 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue and Kenosha Fire Department units are responding for a crash in the 12400 block of Highway 50 along the Bristol-Kenosha border.

Per dispatch: This is a multi-car crash with injuries.

Note: The following is a paid announcement from H&R Block — DH

H&R Block is excited to share updated office hours for our Paddock Lake office during the non-tax season! As always, our goal is to make it easier and more convenient for you to access the professional services you need throughout the year.

Updated Business Hours

• Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Friday: ·9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4 PM (New extended hours!) *(Saturdays and/or hours may vary. Call for availability.
• Sunday: Closed

Here for You Year-Round

We are proud to remain open year-round, providing reliable support whenever you need it-not just during tax season.

Expanded Availability to Serve You Better

With these updated hours, including extended Thursday evenings and newly adjusted Saturday hours, we’re happy to offer greater flexibility to accommodate your schedule. Whether you need help with:

• Accounting services
• Business support and consulting
• Personal or business tax need

Our team is ready to assist you.

We’re Here When It Works for You

We understand that life and business don’t always fit into a 9-to-5 routine. That’s why we’ve expanded our availability-to better serve our valued clients in and around the Paddock Lake community.

Stop by during our new hours or reach out and call us at 262-843-3557 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you succeed all .year long!

The villages of Paddock Lake, Salem Lakes and Walworth have been awarded a state Innovation Grant for the creation of a road consortium.

The villages recently received notification from the Department of Revenue of the award.

The consortium will allow municipalities to bid road work as a larger group and get better pricing through economies of scale. 

The grant rewards municipalities that transfer functions to another government or agency in the spirit of creating efficiency. A lead municipality in such an arrangement would not be eligible to receive grant funds. By creating the third party consortium all three municipalities will receive funding.

The letter announcing the grant gave the following annual grant amounts per municipality:

• Salem Lakes: $435,091.44
• Paddock Lake: $163,159.29
• Walworth: $178,698.27

The villages expect to receive the grant money for five years.

Officials from the Kenosha County villages involved praised the work that went into creating the consortium.

 “The grant award is the result of the 12 months of work and leadership from Tim Popanda, village of Paddock Lake administrator and Brian Filiatreault, village of Paddock Lake resident, in cooperation with the villages of Salem Lakes and Walworth,” said Alex Attiah, Paddock Lake village president. “The grant money provides the village of Paddock Lake the opportunity to save our residents/taxpayers money, continue to maintain and/or improve our village roadways, and collaborate with the villages of Salem Lakes and Walworth.”

Salem Lakes village President Rita Bucur said “This grant is a testament to the collaborative efforts of members of our Economic Development Committee, and our village staff, including our administrator Mike Kostiuk, who worked diligently for months to develop this consortium approach with Paddock Lake and Walworth. By working together and exploring new technologies and best practices, we’re positioning Salem Lakes to deliver better long-term results for our residents. We’re grateful to the State of Wisconsin for recognizing the value of this initiative and look forward to putting these resources to work to benefit our community for years to come.”

One person died and two others were injured in a crash that closed down I-94 for over three hours Sunday morning.

From a Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office news release:

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred Sunday morning, July 5, 2026, on southbound Interstate 94.

At 8:44 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 200 block of Interstate 94 southbound for a reported single-vehicle crash involving a white Toyota Camry. Callers reported the vehicle had struck the median wall, was disabled near the median, and had airbags deployed.

While deputies were responding, dispatch was notified at 8:52 a.m. that a second vehicle, a black Kia Telluride traveling southbound on Interstate 94, struck the disabled Toyota.

The driver of the Toyota, a 21-year-old man and the vehicle’s sole occupant, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. The driver was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The driver of the Kia and a juvenile passenger were transported by ambulance to area hospitals with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

Based on the preliminary investigation, the Toyota was stopped in or partially blocking the inside lanes when it was struck by the Kia. Members of the Major Crash Assistance Team responded to assist with the investigation.

Interstate 94 southbound was fully shut down for the investigation and later reopened at 12:29 p.m.

There were no signs of impairment by alcohol or drugs among the involved parties. The crash remains under investigation.

Sheriff David Zoerner offered the following statement:

“This is a heartbreaking incident, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this crash. We are grateful to the deputies, firefighters, paramedics and partner agencies who responded quickly and worked to care for those involved and investigate what happened.”

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.

The Wheatland Town Board did not vote to join a joint commission to explore fire department consolidation.

Instead, the board said it would wait until the Wheatland Vol. Fire Department chief and the Town of Randall Fire Department chief could meet and perhaps present an alternative to the one proposed by a consultant’s study.

The deferral came at the June 22 Town Board meeting after Wheatland fire Chief Lou Denko challenged the study’s conclusions on how to move forward.

Currently. Wheatland has its own fire department and contracts with Twin Lakes Rescue for emergency medical service. Neighboring Randall has the same situation. Both of those departments are all volunteer and have had trouble attracting and retaining members in recent years.

In May, a study commissioned by Randall with the cooperation of Wheatland and Twin Lakes and paid for by a grant was concluded and presented. The 98-page study was performed by consulting firm Public Administration Associates LLC. The study said the Wheatland-Randall-Twin Lakes area would be well served by a consolidated department with two stations — the current Twin Lakes Fire Department and Rescue Squad station in downtown Twin Lakes and a new station in Wheatland near Highway O and Highway 50.

The Randall Plan Commission and Town Board voted May 27 to form a joint commission with Wheatland and Twin Lakes to explore consolidation, if the other municipalities were interested in moving forward.

At its June 22 board meeting, the Wheatland Town Board and the plan commission were set to discuss whether to move forward similarly to Randall.

As part of that discussion, Denko criticized what he called the study’s emphasis on saving money over service.

“I don’t have much use for the study,” Denko said.

The PAA study called for some equipment owned by the three departments to be liquidated and for both Randall fire stations to be closed. Randall FD Station No. 2 in Bassett was built in 2004 and is the newest of the four fire stations for the Town of Randall Fire Department, Wheatland Vol. Fire Department and Twin Lake Fire /Rescue.

Denko said he feels losing equipment the departments already have would be a mistake.

“We can’t afford to lose anything we have out here,” Denko said.

Denko also pointed out the Wheatland department — with it’s all volunteer membership — is a bargain with a yearly expenditure of less than $100,000. That figure does not include the EMS contract with Twin Lakes Rescue.

Denko emphasized that all three affected departments already work very well together. Instead of moving forward with a process based on the study, Denko asked for time for him and Randall Fire Chief Matt Gronke to meet and propose something else,

“We have three incredible departmetns that work very well together … and that doesn’t happen everywhere. We do function very well together,” Denko said “Let us take this and let us put this together and make some recommendations and go from there.”

No one on the Town Board proposed joining the commission proposed by Randall. Supervisor Kyle Madsen asked Denko to get the three departments together and come back with their conclusions, which appeared to have he agreement of the other board members.

Earlier in the meeting, Randall town Chairperson Mark Nordigian addressed the study and moving forward with an exploratory commission.

With volunteerism being not “how it was,” Randall is at the point of “near desperation” to have a plan, Nordigian said.

“We are in support of putting a commission together,” Nordigian said.

The Twin Lakes Village Board has not discussed the study or joining Randall’s proposed commission. A discussion of the study is on the July 6 committee of the whole agenda.

At about 8:50 a.m., Somers Fire and Rescue units, sheriff’s deputies and State Patrol are responding for a crash on southbound I-94 near Highway E.

Per dispatch: A vehicle hit the wall. That vehicle was then struck by another vehicle. Injuries being reported.

Day 2 of Libertyfest 2026 — hosted by the Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association — was held Saturday morning.

The day’s event was the annual parade, which had a new route this year. The parade started at Lakewood School made its way north on Wilmot and South Lake avenues and then took a left at Main Street, ending at Lance Park.

Here are some more photos from the event:

Paddock Lake held its annual Fourth of July Bike Parade — which now includes golf carts — Saturday morning.

Bikes and then golf carts set off from McAlonan Park at 10 a.m. and wound their way through town to Village Hall. Escorting the bikes and carts were some Bristol Fire and Rescue trucks, a Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office squad and some village Public Works vehicles.

At Village Hall, the bikes and registered carts were judged on their decorations. Hot dogs and lemonade also was served.

Participating were 112 bikes and 46 golf carts, said village administrator Tim Popanda,

Here is video of the whole parade from near the start:

Here are more photos of the parade and the winners of bike and golf cart judging:

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:

Day 1 of Libertyfest, the annual celebration hosted by the Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association, got underway Friday in Lance Park in Twin Lakes.,

Featured events of Friday’s program were the return of cardboard boat races and the evening closing fireworks over Lake Mary.

The event also featured food and beverages for sale, an inflatable for youngsters and a dunk tank. Music was provided by DJ Keith.

The annual Libertyfest parade is scheduled to take place Saturday, July 4 starting at 11 a.m. The parade will be following a new route this year, starting at Lakewood School, traveling north to Main Street and then west to Lance Park.

Here are some more photos from the earliest heats of the cardboard boat race and other scenes from the event:

At about 7:09 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash in the 8500 block of Highway F in Salem Lakes.

Per dispatch: Single vehicle crash. Vehicle ran into a tree. Injuries being reported.

At about 2:04 p.m., Paris Fire and Rescue units are responding for a report of a fire in the 4600 block of 200th Avenue in Paris.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting a power line related fireŕ.

At about 12:55 p.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 fire and smoke in the 39400 block of 91st Street in Powers Lake.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting smoke and flames from a wooded area behind a house.

UPDATE 1:03 p.m. — Unit on scene reports a power line down on a tree.

At about12:45 p.m., Wheatland Vol. Fire Department, Town of Randall Fire Department and Twin Lakes Rescue units are responding to the 7500 block of 335th Avenue in Lilly Lake for a fire.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting a transformer on fire behind a house.

At about 12:42 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding for a river rescue on the Fox River near 10100 304th Avenue in Wilmot.

Per dispatch: Five tubers stuck in mud on the river.

UPDATE 12:51 p.m. — Dispatch reports someone is enroute to meet tubers. Salem Lakes chief says response will continue until safety of tubers is confirmed.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Kenosha County, according to Kenosha County Emergency Management.

The warning is set to be in effect until 1:15 p.m.

UPDATE 12:36 p.m. — NWS warning text says this is for northwestern Kenosha County. Areas affected might include Brighton and Slades Corners, says NWS.