West of the I

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

Here are the pedal tractor pull results from Thursday’s competition at the 2026 Kenosha County Fair

Ages 5 & 6

• 1st Place – Riley Daniels
• 2nd Place – Jack Weber
• 3rd Place – Everly Mueller
• 4th Place – Madelyn Maluska

Ages 7 & 8

• 1st Place – Wyatt Johnson
• 2nd Place – Cam Johnson
• 3rd Place – Finn Monson
• 4th Place – Hank Terry

Ages 9 & 10

• 1st Place – Nash O’Reilly
• 2nd Place – Anneliese Steier
• 3rd Place – Emmalynn Peterson
• 4th Place – Emil Burgess

Ages 11 & 12

• 1st Place – Dylan Moehrke
• 2nd Place – Oliver Terry
• 3rd Place – Ali Fox
• 4th Place – Morgan Schuebkegel

There is another pedal tractor pull Friday by the 4-H exhibits buildings with registration starting at 10 a.m. and completion beginning at 11 a.m.

The 2026 Kenosha County Fair sheep show took place Wednesday afternoon at the fairgrounds in Wilmot.

Competitors competed in open and junior fair classes.

We expect to have results of judging later. Check back.

Here are some more photos from the show:

A steer shown by Aiden Billingsley was named grand champion at the beef show at the 2026 Kenosha County Fair Thursday in Wilmot.

Reserve champion was shown by Preston Jones.

We will expect to have the results of judging later. Check back.

Here are some more photos from the show:

Camp Lake is closed to swimming and Paddock Hooker Lakes Association beach is under a swim caution after sampling by Kenosha County Wednesday found 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 Wednesday that prompted the closure and caution were:

• Camp Lake — 2419 E.coli/100 mL.
• PHLA beach — 649 E.coli/100 mL

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

The dog show at the 2026 Kenosha County Fair took place Wednesday at the fairgrounds in Wilmot.

The show included obedience, agility and a costume competition.

Here are some more photos from 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:

The swine show was held Wednesday at the 2026 Kenosha County Fair at the fairgrounds in Wilmot.

Exhibitors competed in open class and junior fair.

We expect to have the results of judging later. Check back.

In the meantime, here are some more photos from the show:

Officials and supporters of the Kenosha County Fair gave a formal opening and ribbon cutting to the new grain bin exhibit outside of the Discovery Barnyard Wednesday morning.

The space will be used to present educational exhibits about agriculture. Currently there are signs about various types of agriculture plus a scale model of a working grain bin inside.

The fair being awarded a Bob Williams Ag Fair Grant was the impetus to create the exhibit, said Jenny Hesse, fair manager.

Once the idea was conceived, various fair supporters stepped up to contribute labor and materials to bring the exhibit — made with a real grain bin — to fruition.

Here is a video of Hesse’s comments at the opening and the ribbon cutting ceremony:

Here are some more photos from the event:

The 4-H Pop & Pizza Stand — a landmark at the crossroads of the Kenosha County Fair in Wilmot — was dedicated Wednesday to Ken and Ruth (Runge) Asboth.

Dorothy Asboth died this summer of cancer. In addition to being a long-time 4-H Club general leader, she was the coordinator of the pizza stand since 1996.

Dorothy met Ken, known around the fairgrounds as “the Pepsi man,” through her work at the pizza stand, said Kim Diedrich, who led the ceremony Wednesday morning at the stand. After marrying, they managed the stand together.

“Ken and Dorothy have made the best better for the heads, hands, hearts and health of the 4-H community who come together for one week every year to serve up some pizza, pop and ice cream for fairgoers of all ages,” said Diedrich, a 4-H Club leader and fair superintendent.

Diedrich continued: “To the 4-H and community members, let’s continue to build the legacy that Ken and Dorothy brought to this stand.”

Diedrich, who was assisted in the ceremony by long-time 4-H Club leader and Fair Board member Sue Grulich, thanked the Fair Board and the 4-H Council for making the dedication possible.

A marker unveiled at the ceremony will be placed on the building noting the dedication, Grulich said.

Here is a video of the dedication:

West of the I’s garage sales page has been updated.

Be sure to check it out each week before you begin your bargain hunting.

If you’d like your sale added to the list, please drop us a line at darren@westofthei.com. Include your address, days, hours etc. We’ll even add a map to your info.

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:

Camp Lake is closed to swimming and Lilly Lake beach, Paddock Hooker Lakes Association beach and Rock Lake are under swim cautions after sampling by Kenosha County Monday 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 closure and cautions were:

• Camp Lake — Greater than 2419 E.coli/100 mL
• Lilly Lake beach — 548.0 E.coli/100 mL
• PHLA beach — 613.0 E.coli/100 mL
• Rock Lake — 461.0 E.coli/100 mL

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

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

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

Salem Lakes – Silver Lake County Park beach 55 E.coli/100 mL; DeWitt Park on Silver Lake 52 E.coli/100mL; Lake Shangri-la 220th Ct. 10 E.coli/100 mL; Center Lake 12 E.coli/100 mL; Rock Lake 461 E.coli/100 mL; Camp Lake >2419 E.coli/100 mL

Paddock Lake — Old Settlers County Park beach 225 E.coli/100 mL; Hooker Lake launch 12 E.coli/100 mL; Hoag Park 64 E.coli/100 mL; North Shore Association 17 E.coli/100 mL; PHLA beach 613 E.coli/100mL; PHLA diving board 26 E.coli/100 mL.

Wheatland — Lilly Lake 548 E.coli/100 mL.

Twin Lakes — Lance Park on Lake Mary 78 E.coli/100mL

Randall (reported by the District of Powers Lake) — Powers Lake Beach 6 E.coli/100mL

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for an area along the Wisconsin southern border that includes Kenosha County.

The watch is set to be in effect until 10 p.m.

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.”

The chance of precipitation has increased to 90 percent in the latest, local NWS forecast.

UPDATE 10:09 p.m. — This watch was allowed to expire by NWS.

At Hartnell Chevrolet, we know that exceptional service starts with exceptional leadership. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a brand-new segment “Ned Talk” featuring our newly appointed Service Manager, Ned Danicic!

Ned isn’t just stepping into this role from behind a desk, he’s earned it with grease on his hands and over 27 years of hands-on wrenching under his belt. Starting his career at just 18 years old, Ned has spent nearly three decades mastering the ins and outs of automotive repair. For the past three years, he’s been a cornerstone of our shop as a trusted master technician right here at Hartnell Chevrolet.

Now, Ned is taking the wheel of our Service Department with one clear mission: to deliver a peerless customer experience.

“I’m hungry to earn your trust and your business. If you’ve had a less-than-stellar experience in the past under previous management, I want the chance to make it right. Our shop doors are open, and we’re ready to show you what true, customer-first service looks like.”

— Ned Danicic

Whether you need routine maintenance or a complex repair, Ned and his team are ready to treat you and your vehicle with the care, honesty, and expertise you deserve.

Stay tuned for future Ned Talk segments where Ned will share quick car maintenance tips, behind-the-scenes looks at our shop, and answers to your service questions!

Need to schedule your next service?

Stop by, say hello to Ned, and experience the difference firsthand!

West of the I’s garage sales page has been updated.

Be sure to check it out each week before you begin your bargain hunting.

If you’d like your sale added to the list, please drop us a line at darren@westofthei.com. Include your address, days, hours etc. We’ll even add a map to your info.

The Pig Pals Swine Show on Friday at the Kenosha County Fair is an event aimed at opening to world of showing animals to new participants, with a little help from a friend.

Youth with a disability between 10-21 years of age. will exhibit.  Each exhibitor will be paired with 2-3 4-H members and a pig. The show portion of the event begins at 5:15 pm in the Show & Sale arena.

Pig Pal exhibitors will start with their pig and 4-H members in an individual pen connected to the show ring. There are bleachers surrounding the show ring for spectators to view. 

Here’s more information about this event.

This year’s Kenosha County Fair runs from Aug. 19-23 at the fairgrounds in Wilmot.

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 regarding Ordinance 2026-8-1 Short-Term Rentals.
• Discussion and possible action regarding an event permit application filed by Laura Kaskin and Dena Prestininzi for a Halloween Parade on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Discussion and possible action regarding an event permit application filed by Laura Kaskin and Dena Prestininzi for a Christmas/Holiday Light Parade on Friday, December 18, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Discussion and possible action regarding an Easement Agreement with Knobbe Homeowners Association.
• Discussion regarding Code Enforcement.

The full agenda is available here.

At about 8:37 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash in the 12500 block of 120th Avenue-west in Bristol.

Per dispatch: Two vehicles involved.

The Discovery Barnyard at the Kenosha County Fair is a place where you can learn things and get close to baby farm animals.

The Discovery Barnyard is located at the south end of the fairgrounds, adjacent to the midway and across from the Marketplace building. It features a petting zoo and educational exhibits,

Hours are:

• Education Exhibits: 9AM-8:00PM (7PM Sunday)
• Petting Zoo: 9AM-Noon, 1PM-3PM, 4PM-8PM (7PM Sunday)

This year’s Kenosha County Fair runs from Aug. 19-23.

At 8:53 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue, Bristol Fire and Rescue, Paris Fire and Rescue and Wheatland Vol Fire Department units and sheriff’s deputies are responding for a report of a possible fire in the 24690 block of 87th Place in Salem.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting smoke in hallway of an apartment building.

UPDATE 8:58 p.m. — Salem Lakes activates box alarm. Additonal response includes: Town of Randall Fire Department, Twin Lakes Fire Department, Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue, Antioch Fire Department, Kansasville Fire and Rescue, Somers Fire and Rescue and Lake Geneva Fire Department.

UPDATE 9:06 p.m. — Salem Lakes command cancels response from any units not already on the scene.