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:
Continue reading →Natalie Kessel graduates from Western Technical College
Natalie Kessel, of Twin Lakes, graduated from Western Technical College from the Interior Design program. Kessel is one of 843 graduates to receive an associate’s degree or technical diploma in the 2026 Spring Term.
To learn more about Western Technical College programs and services, visit www.westerntc.edu.
2026 Daily Kenosha County Fair Preview: The fair has plenty of pull
Note: Kenosha County Fair is a westofthei.com sponsor. This is a paid announcement. — DH
The Kenosha County Fair has plenty of pull — as in pulling competitions.
There will be one night of truck and tractors pulls in the grandstand this year.
Badger Truck Pullers and South Central Wisconsin Tractor Pullers are scheduled for Thursday starting at 6 p.m. in the grandstand. Several classes will be sure to please even the most experienced fan in this jam-packed contest. Details here. This event is included in fair admission.
On Friday night, there will he a horse pull, starting at 6 p.m. Some more info here. There is no additional charge for this event beyond fair admission.
Combine demolition derby will take place after the horse pull at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow the derby
2026 Daily Kenosha County Fair Preview: Fair has daily family activities
Note: Kenosha County Fair is a westofthei.com sponsor — DH
Some things only happen once a year at the Kenosha County Fair, which this year runs from Aug. 19-23.
But some of the entertainment happens every day, throughout the day.
Daily entertainment will be:
Aug. 5 lake test results: Swim cautions for Hoag Park beach and Lance Park beach lifted; Paddock Hooker Lake Association beach and DeWitt Park beach under swim cautions
Swim cautions for Hoag Park beach on Paddock Lake and Lance Park beach on Lake Mary in Twin Lakes have been lifted while Paddock Hooker Lake Association beach and DeWitt Park beach on Silver Lake are under swim cautions after resampling Tuesday by Kenosha County.
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 Tuesday that prompted the above actions were:
- Hoag Park beach — 16.0 E.coli/100 mL
- Lance Park beach — 63.0 E.coli/100 mL
- PHLA beach — 548.0 E.coli/100 mL
- DeWitt Park beach — 980.0 E.coli/100 mL
PHLA and DeWitt Park beach are scheduled to be resampled. Typically that happens the next day, weather permitting.
Camp Lake boat launch named to honor Dennis Faber
The Salem Lakes Village Board Monday unanimously approved naming the boat launch on Camp Lake in the Yaws Subdivision for Dennis Faber.
Faber is a long-time village and town official who also has been very involved with the Camp and Center Lakes Rehabilitation District, as well as lakes in general in what was Salem and is now Salem Lakes.
“For decades, Dennis Faber has been a champion for us and for our lakes.,” said Tom Strachan, CCLRD chairman. “No one has done as much for the village’s lakes than Dennis.”
Strachan spoke at the meeting and asked the board to take the action.
“He does it because he loves the community and he loves the water,” Strachan said. “Every time a boat slides into the water there or a family gathers by the shore we want to remember the man who made this all possible.”
Also speaking in support of the naming were past CCLRD chairman Dean Hintzman, who also read a statement from another past CCLRD chairman Doug Hughes.
Before making the motion to approve the naming, village President Rita Bucur praised Faber for his work on lake issues throughout the village.
Dennis, from my point of view you have been the expert on anything to do with the lakes and you’ve been a big help to me and to this board and the residents here,” Bucur said, “I can’t thank you enough for that. When this idea was presented to me I thought it was very warranted.”
After the unanimous voice vote in favor of the action, Faber spoke, thanking his family and expressing his gratitude for the honor.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Faber said. “Something like this generally happens when someone passes. I get up and I pinch myself, am I still here or does somebody know something I don’t? I am really at a lack for words and that is unusual for people who know me.”
Strachan said the CCLRD will pay for any changes to the launch area to recognize the naming for Faber.
A word from our sponsors: Wheatland Center School seeking part-time Instructional Paraprofessional role for Reading Intervention
Note: The following is a paid announcement from Wheatland Center School — DH
Wheatland J1 School District is currently seeking an energetic, positive candidate to fill a part-time Instructional Paraprofessional role for Reading Intervention. The highly qualified candidate will assist licensed teachers in delivering targeted literacy support to struggling students. Under professional supervision, they will lead small-group instruction, administer reading assessments, track progress, and adapt lesson plans to build students’ phonics, fluency, and comprehension skills. This role is deeply integrated into the school’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and directly supports student learning and skill mastery.
About Wheatland:
The Wheatland J1 School District is a pre K-8 school district with approximately 115 employees, and 650 students. The district covers over 30 square miles and incorporates 4 municipalities. Wheatland attracts students from all over the area and strives for educational excellence in a results oriented, improvement focused educational system. Wheatland boasts top notch teachers, world class curriculum, and a myriad of amazing programs for students. The staff enjoys a student focused, collaborative, family work environment.
Deaths Aug. 5, 2026: Mary A.T. Jackson, Ronald S. Ligeski Sr
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:
Continue reading →Emmett Jackson makes spring 2026 President’s List at Nichols College
Emmett Jackson of Bristol, has achieved President’s List honors for the spring 2026 semester at Nichols College.
President’s List recognizes those students who achieve high grades during a single semester. Students whose semester grade point average is 3.85 or higher for at least 12 undergraduate credit-hours and no grades below B- receive President’s List honors.
Nichols College has earned business accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators, and businesses worldwide. Nichols was founded in 1815. www.nichols.edu
Deaths Aug. 4, 2026: Anne M. Johnston
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:
Continue reading →Garage sales page updated
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.
Aug. 4, 2026 lake test results: Paddock Hooker Lakes Association beach closed to swimming; Hoag Park beach, Lance Park beach, DeWitt Park beach under swim cautions
Paddock Hooker Lakes Association beach is closed to swimming and Hoag Park beach on Paddock Lake, Lance Park beach on Lake Mary in Twin Lakes and DeWitt Park beach on Silver Lake are under swim cautions after sampling by Kenosha County on Monday found 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 closure and cautions are:
- PHLA beach — 2419.0 E.coli/100 mL
- Hoag Park beach — 378.0 E.coli/100 mL
- Lance Park beach — 921.0 E.coli/100 mL
- DeWitt Park beach — 248.0 E.coli/100 mL
PHLA and DeWitt Park beach are scheduled to be resampled. Typically that happens the next day, weather permitting.
Results from testing this week by Kenosha County (except where noted) are:
Salem Lakes – Silver Lake County Park beach 35 E.coli/100 mL; DeWitt Park on Silver Lake 248 E.coli/100mL; Lake Shangri-la 220th Ct. 47 E.coli/100 mL; Center Lake 17 E.coli/100 mL; Rock Lake 56 E.coli/100 mL; Camp Lake 99 E.coli/100 mL
Paddock Lake — Old Settlers County Park beach 68 E.coli/100 mL; Hooker Lake launch 91 E.coli/100 mL; Hoag Park 378 E.coli/100 mL; North Shore Association 16 E.coli/100 mL; PHLA beach 2419 E.coli/100mL; PHLA diving board 26 E.coli/100 mL.
Wheatland — Lilly Lake 2 E.coli/100 mL.
Twin Lakes — Lance Park on Lake Mary 921 E.coli/100mL
Randall (reported by the District of Powers Lake) — Powers Lake Beach 17 E.coli/100mL
2026 Daily Kenosha County Fair Preview: County Fair children’s parade steps off on Friday of fair week
Note: The Kenosha County Fair is a westofthei.com sponsor. — DH
The children’s parade at the Kenosha County Fair is a highlight of Friday of fair week.
Participants 14 years old and younger can depict characters in 26 categories. There are animals, sports, TV and entertainment, hobbies, cartoons, groups and more. The parade is open to children 14 and under and has prizes in each category. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and all entries must be registered by 10:15 a.m. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. sharp. Registration takes place in the area just outside of the fair office on the southeast corner of the fairgrounds. Admission to the fair is free for children in costume until 10:30 a.m.
This year’s Kenosha County Fair runs from Wednesday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Aug. 23, at the fairgrounds in Wilmot.
Brady Schick earns degree from Cedarville University
Brady Schick, from Silver Lake, earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Cedarville University.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields with 7,265 students.
Learn more at cedarville.edu.
Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School District sets operational referendum for Nov. 3
Residents of the Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School District will have a referendum to vote on in the Nov.3 election after recent action by the district’s board.
From a news release from the school district:
The Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School District School Board voted on July 28, 2026, to place an operational
referendum on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot. If approved by district voters, the referendum would
provide stable local funding to maintain current educational programming and services at Trevor-Wilmot School.
The board voted to seek voter approval to exceed the state revenue limit by $1.9 million per year for four years,
beginning with the 2027-28 school year and ending with the 2030-31 school year.
Why the District Is Asking
Trevor-Wilmot’s financial situation reflects a challenge facing many Wisconsin school districts: state revenue limits have not kept pace with the actual cost of running a school. As a result, the district has faced a structural funding gap
between what the state allows the district to collect and what it costs to operate Trevor-Wilmot School.
The district has already taken significant steps to reduce expenses. Over the past several years, Trevor-Wilmot has held
spending flat, reduced administrative and support staff, shared services with neighboring districts, restructured
employee benefits, deferred maintenance, and paid off debt ahead of schedule, saving taxpayers more than $400,000 in interest costs. Even with those efforts, a funding shortfall remains. Without additional local support, the district cannot maintain its current level of programming and services.
What an approved operational referendum would fund
If approved by voters, referendum funds would be used to:
● Maintain educational programs and student support services
● Retain current staffing levels
● Address deferred maintenance projects including safety and security
Tax Impact of an Approved Referendum (2027-28 school year)
The School Board has made efforts to keep the estimated mill rate increase low, while protecting current educational
programs and services. An approved referendum gives the board approval to temporarily exceed the revenue limit.
For 2027-28, an approved referendum is estimated to increase the mill rate by $1.00 compared to the 2025-26 mill
rate of $5.16. The mill rate represents the property tax rate per $1,000 of equalized property value. This equates to $100
per year per $100,000 of equalized property value.
The November 3, 2026 General Election is the district’s next opportunity to seek voter approval for stable local funding.
District voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots on the referendum question at their regular polling locations.
The district will provide factual information about the referendum in the weeks ahead, including a community information page on the district website and additional communication to families and community members.
For more information, visit https://twc.k12.wi.us/
Deaths Aug. 3, 2026: Charlene Crifasi, Valerie Anne Rithamel
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:
Continue reading →Highway K to close for resurfacing
From the Kenosha County Division of Highways:
Kenosha County Highway K (60th Street) will be closed between highways 45 (200th Avenue) and BD (256th Avenue) for approximately three weeks beginning Monday, Aug. 10, for a resurfacing project. Drivers are encouraged to use Highway NN (45th Street/52nd Street) as an east-west alternate. This work schedule is weather-dependent and subject to change
2026 Daily Kenosha County Fair Preview: Specials for all the Midway ride fun you want
Note: The Kenosha County Fair is a westofthei.com sponsor. — DH
If you can’t get enough of the up and down and round and round of the midway rides at the Kenosha County Fair, you are in luck. Check out the Mega Ride Pass, which gives you unlimited rides every day for $60. The wristbands can be purchased through Aug. 12 at Express Market in Paddock Lake and the Festival Foods stores in Somers (Green Bay Road) and Kenosha (80th Street). The passes also will be available to purchase at the Fair Office on the fairgrounds in Wilmot.
Plan ahead and save!
There also are daily wristband ride specials.
The fair takes place this year from Aug. 19-23 at the fairgrounds in Wilmot.
Local students among UW-Whitewater spring 2026 graduates
More than 1,850 students graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at 2026 spring commencement ceremonies, held May 16 at Kachel Fieldhouse in Whitewater and May 19 at the Wells Cultural Center on the Rock County campus in Janesville.
The following students with local ties earned degrees from UW-Whitewater at a spring commencement ceremony:
- Christopher Aguilar, Kenosha, graduated with the following degree: Communication – BA
- Grace Anderson, Twin Lakes, graduated with the following degree: Special Education – MSE
- Hunter Blaim, Bristol, graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: General Business – BBA
- Dalsen Ferbert, Bristol, graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – MBA
- Megan Flasch, Kenosha, graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Marketing – BBA
- Sarah Franas, Silver Lake, graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Middle Education – BSE
- Liam Gallagher, Kenosha, graduated with the following degree: Social Work – BA
- Anthony Krause, Bristol, graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: General Business – BBA
- Brooke Lindom, Salem, graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Integrated Science – Business – BS
- Aidan Lucero, Trevor, graduated with the following degree: Marketing – BBA
- Hailie Morton, Twin Lakes, graduated with the following degree: Business Education – MS
- Sean Pietrzyk, Salem, graduated with the following degree: Business Education – MS
- Wyatt Quaintance, Twin Lakes, graduated with the following degree: General Business – BBA
- Armando Quintero, Kenosha, graduated with the following degree: Computer Science – BS
- Tatiana Ripp, Kenosha, graduated with the following degree: Human Resource Management – BBA
- Michael Ruggiero, SIlver Lake, graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Operations and Supply Chain Management – BBA
- Sabrina Santana, Salem, graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Social Work – BA
- Melissa Schnorr, Salem, graduated with the following degree: Instructional Design and Learning Technology – MS
- Kyle Schuman, Kenosha, graduated with the following degree: Entrepreneurship and Innovation – BBA
- Beatrice Strehlow, Kenosha, graduated with the following degree: Professional Writing and Publishing BA
- Kendra Vallis, Kenosha, graduated with the following degree: Elementary Middle Education – BSE
2026 Daily Kenosha County Fair Preview: Fair parade is on Sunday
The 2026 Kenosha County Fair will hold a parade on Sunday, Aug. 23.
The parade starts at 11 am.
The parade features antique vehicles, vintage-themed entries, fair-themed entries, local political figures, long running sponsors, local businesses and friends of the fair.
The parade route is entirely on the Kenosha County Fairgrounds.
The Kenosha County Fair will take place from Aug. 19-23 this year.
A word from our sponsors: Free accessible rides for voting purposes available for Aug. 11 & Nov. 3 election
Note: This is a paid announcement from the Kenosha County Aging and Disability Resource Center — DH
Free rides are available for voting purposes for the upcoming elections.
The fall primary for Kenosha County residents will be Tuesday, August 11, followed by the general election on November 3.
Advanced reservation of at least 3 business days is recommended to reserve your ride. Transportation providers are as follows:
- Carepool: 262-278-6455 (requires paratransit certification)
- LINK Western Kenosha Transportation: 888-203-3498
- KAFASI Volunteer Transportation: 262-842-7433
Persons living 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, the Kenosha County Aging and Disability Resource Center staff can provide direct assistance. To learn more, call the ADRC at 262-605-6646.
Salem Central HS Class of 1964 to celebrate reunion on Sept. 16
Salem Central (Westosha Central) Class of 1964 will be celebrating its collective 80th birthday.
All alumni are welcome to come celebrate with the Class of 64 on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 1 pm. at Birchwood Grill
No reservations or RSVP are necessary, just come. Order off the menu or buffet. Individual checks will be done.
Deaths Aug. 1, 2026: Jeffrey Lynn Barton
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:
Continue reading →2026 Daily Kenosha County Fair Preview: Animal auctions a highlight of the fair
Note: The Kenosha County Fair is a westofthei.com sponsor. — DH
For many a youngster, the culmination of a year’s effort will be at the small and large animal auctions at the Kenosha County Fair.
The large animal sale starts at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22. The small animal sale takes place Sunday, Aug. 23, starting at 1 p.m.
The fair puts the purpose of the auctions as:
- Promote the development of young people.
- Develop a clear understanding and appreciation of the livestock-meat industry.
- Teach young people skills in livestock/meat production.
- Promote quality meat.
- Provide an opportunity to promote the importance of the livestock and small animal industry to rural and urban business communities.
- Develop responsibility in young people.
Need a good reason to participate as a bidder in the auctions? How about these, also offered by the fair:
- Support 4-H and other youth organizations.
- Advertise your business.
- Procure high quality, home grown meat for your freezer.
- Obtain complimentary ribbons to show your involvement.
- Publicly show support of this program (some of your donations may be tax deductible).
- If you’re a beginner don’t fear; the folks running the auction will give you the instruction you need.
This year’s Kenosha County Fair runs from Aug. 19-23.
Wilmot Union HS honor roll second semester 2025-26 school year
The following students were named to the Wilmot Union High School honor roll for the second semester of the 2024-26 school year.
Continue reading →Rain to continue Saturday
Rain is expected to continue through much of Saturday, bringing perhaps another three quarters of an inch, says the latest, local National Weather Service forecast.
The Wisconet weather station at the Kenosha County Center in Bristol says we received .70 of an inch of rain over the last 24 hours at 5:59 a.m.
The NWS hourly forecast calls for rain through about 1 p.m., with a diminished chance of more precipitation through 7 p.m.
Saturday’s high temperature is expected to each just 70.
More rain does not enter the forecast until Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, though at less than a 50 percent chance as of now.
2026 Daily Kenosha County Fair Preview: Powerful pedaling at pedal tractor pulls
Note: The Kenosha County Fair is a westofthei.com sponsor. — DH.
Youngsters will be pushing the pedals for all they are worth on Thursday and Friday at the Kenosha County Fair as part of the annual Pedal Tractor Pulls. The competition is open to youngsters from 5 to 12 years old.
In pedal tractor pull, the kids pedal a special pedal-powered tractor pulling a sled that is a mini version of the type used in engine powered pulling competitions. The farther the competitor pedals, the heavier and harder to pull the sled becomes. The person that pulls the farthest with the most weight wins.
The competition is divided up into classes by age. Prizes are awarded for the top finishers. Competitors can register between 10 and 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday of fair week at the 4-H exhibit buildings. The pull takes place nearby starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday and 11:30 a.m. Friday.
There also will be a special pedal pull for 13 to 16 year olds on Friday only.
This year’s fair runs from Aug. 19-23.
A word from our sponsors: H&R Block brings tax expertise & family fun to the 2026 Kenosha County Fair
Note: This is a paid announcement from H&R Block, Paddock Lake, Twin Lakes and Genoa City. — DH
This summer, the Kenosha County Fair isn’t just about rides, food, and family fun—it’s also your opportunity to connect with trusted local tax professionals right in the heart of the community.
H&R Block is proud to be part of the 2026 Kenosha County Fair, with a booth in the Marketplace representing our local offices in Paddock Lake, Twin Lakes, and Genoa City. Whether you’re stopping by between exhibits or taking a break from the midway, we invite you to come see us, have some fun, and learn how we can support you all year long.
Spin, Win, and Say Hello!
Our booth is designed with the whole family in mind. Stop by to:
- Spin the wheel for prizes
- Win fun giveaways and H&R Block swag
- Ask questions about taxes, credits, and financial planning
- Meet your local tax professionals face-to-face
More Than Just Tax Season
While many people think of H&R Block only during tax time, our services go far beyond filing returns. At our Paddock Lake, Twin Lakes, and Genoa City locations, we’re here year-round to help with:
- Personal and small business tax preparation
- Tax planning to help you keep more of what you earn
- Understanding tax credits and deductions
- Support for life changes like marriage, retirement, or starting a business
- Help with IRS letters or tax concerns
Our knowledgeable team is right here in your community, ready to provide guidance tailored to your unique
situation.
Westosha Central HS honor roll third trimester 2025-26 school year
The following students were named to the Westosha Central High School honor roll for the third trimester of the 2025-26 school year:
Continue reading →Deaths July 30, 2026: Janet Barbara Helton
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:
Continue reading →
