Western Kenosha County's news source
After a Monday that felt like early summer we’re going back to more seasonable weather this week.
High temperatures look to be in the high 50s for the balance of the week before edging up into the 60s over the weekend, says the latest, local National Weather Service forecast.
Nights will be cold, with temps in the 30s with frost a possibility.
Chances of rain are minimal at this point with nothing above 50 percent through Monday.
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 →
The Randall Consolidated School District is scheduled to hold a reorganization meeting Monday, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the front elementary entrance conference room.
Agenda items include:
The Twin Lakes Village Board is scheduled to hold a special board meeting and a committee of the whole meeting Monday at Village Hall.
The special board meeting is first at 6:15 p.m. On that agenda is: swearing in of new trustees and consideration of a motion to approve Committee Appointments.
The committee of the whole meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Agenda items include:
Paddock Lake recognized Arbor Day in a ceremony Saturday morning.
Local Scouts helped withe ceremony. Scout Robert Ader gave a history of Arbor Day and Scout Andrew Cerda read a relevant quote from naturalist John Muir. Here is video of Ader:
Here is video of village Trustee John Poole giving some facts about Paddock Lake and Arbor Day:
The village expects to have saplings available for free for planting by village residents later in May,
The Scouts then finished the planting of a purple crabapple tree on the Village Hall property. 2026 marks Paddock Lake’s 26th year as a designated Tree City USA.
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 →Three people were injured and one was trapped in a vehicle as the result of a crash in Wheatland this morning.
Following is a news release from Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue:
At approximately 10:07 a.m. on May 2, 2026, Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue, along with the Town of Wheatland Fire Department and the Town of Randall Fire Department, were dispatched to the 5700 block of STH 83 for a reported head-on motor vehicle collision.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel encountered a significant and complex scene. Two patients were located lying in the roadway, one patient was trapped and pinned within a vehicle, and a second vehicle was fully involved in flames.
Due to the severity of the incident, two medical helicopters from Flight for Life were requested to respond to land on the scene. Fire crews initiated an extensive extrication operation to free a female patient trapped in one of the vehicles. The extrication process lasted approximately 57 minutes due to the extensive damage sustained in the crash.
Two patients were transported via helicopter to Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee in critical condition. Life-saving interventions, including the administration of blood products, were provided to both patients prior to air transport. A third patient was transported by ground ambulance to Aurora Medical Center Kenosha, and was reported to be in stable condition.
Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue responded with three paramedic ambulances and Squad 6551. The Town of Randall Fire Department responded with Truck 5735 and Engine 5715. The Town of Wheatland Fire Department responded with Engine 6614, Brush Truck 6671, and Tender 6661. To maintain emergency coverage in the area Twin Lakes, Randall, and Wheatland area during the incident, Salem Lakes Fire Department provided change-of-quarters coverage to Randall Station 2, and Richmond, Illinois Fire Protection District Ambulance 1451 was assigned to Twin Lakes Fire Department.
Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue would like to thank all assisting agencies for their coordinated response, including Kenosha County Joint Dispatch, Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, Flight for Life, and Twin Lakes Dispatch. The incident remains under investigation, and at this time, no further information will be released.
Photos from the scene are available here at TLF/R’s Facebook page.
At about 10:08 a.m., Wheatland Vol. Fire Department. Town of Randall Fire Department and Twin Lakes Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a crash in the 5700 block of Highway 83-north in Wheatland.
Per dispatch: Two vehicles, one on its side, one on fire. Road closed.
UPDATE about 10:15 a.m. — Response from Flight for Life medical transport helicopter requested. Two helicopters needed.
UPDATE about 10:57 a.m. — Flight for Life is on the ground.
At about 9:15 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash at Highways 83 and JF in Trevor.
Per dispatch: Injuries being reported.
At about 8:10 a.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue, Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue and Newport Fire Protection District units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a crash in the 7500 block of I-94 northbound.
Per dispatch: Injuries being reported.
A key food drive for Western Kenosha County food pantries kicks off this weekend.
Local United States Postal Service carriers will be participating in the National Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
“It’s typically one of the largest food drives of the year for the Sharing Center and other pantries in Kenosha County,” said Sharon Pomaville, executive director of the Sharing Center.
The letter carriers will deliver custom food donation bags to every mailbox and PO Box this weekend. Next Saturday, May 9, people can fill the bag and put it outside their doorstep or mailbox and it will be delivered to the appropriate pantry. Anything collected by Twin Lakes carriers goes to the Twin Lakes Food pantry and anything collected by Bristol and Salem Post Office carriers will come to the Sharing Center, Pomaville said.
“This year, the Sharing Center and the Twin Lakes Area Food Pantry have teamed up to hopefully increase the amount of food collected in rural Kenosha County,” Pomaville said.
If you forget to put your donation out or you put it out before May 9, the carrier will still pick it up. People can also deliver the food directly to each pantry, Pomaville said.
Last year, the National Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger food drive netted about 5 tons of food for rural pantries, at a time when need is still higher than average, Pomaville said.
Food items needed by the pantries include: Peanut butter and jelly, cereal, canned fruit, canned tuna and chicken, canned vegetables, soup, pasta and rice.
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 →
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.
Last week Mark Nordigian of Randall was elected chairman of the Kenosha County Board, putting a western Kenosha countian at the top of the legislative body.
This week, Nordigian announced his committee assignments for 2026-28 and Western Kenosha County influence appears to have grown even more for the next two years.
Of the seven committees five have a Western Kenosha County supervisor as chair or vice chair. Western Kenosha County also picked up one seat as an appointee to the Joint Services Board.
For the previous two-year term no Western Kenosha County supervisor was a chair or vice chair or appointee to Joint Services Board.
Nordigian told westofthei.com in an email that increasing Western Kenosha County leadership on committees was not his intention, but instead coincidence.
“My goal was to put the committees together in the way that I think they would work to move the county forward,” Nordigian said in the email.
Nordigian was elected by his colleagues to serve as chairman during the board’s organizational meeting last week. Supervisor John Franco was elected Vice Chairman.
“I worked diligently over the last week in developing the committees,” said Nordigian in a news release distributed Tuesday evening. “Of the supervisors I was able to connect with, I heard them and worked to make committees that I thought would be cohesive, respectful, and diligent.”
“I’m committed to working collaboratively, listening thoughtfully, and making decisions that reflect the best interests of our residents,” Nordigian said during Tuesday evening’s board meeting. “Together, we have an opportunity to build on our strengths and address the challenges ahead with integrity and purpose. I am looking forward to the work we
will accomplish together.”
Nordigian also announced the reduction of the size of most committees in a bid for greater efficiency and speed,
clearer accountability, lower administrative costs, and the potential for smaller groups to develop stronger cohesion.
Nordigian’s committee assignments are as follows:
Executive Committee — Mark Nordigian (chair), John Franco (vice chair), Erin Decker, Dave Geertsen, Tim Stocker, John Morrissey, Eric Meadows, Keith Gray.
Finance and Administration — Dave Geertsen (chair), Gabe Nudo (vice chair), John Poole, John Franco, Luke Pollock, Aaron Karow, Julia Robinson
Human Services — Tim Stocker (chair), Julia Robinson (vice chair), Erin Decker, Stephanie Knezz, Guida Brown
Judiciary and Law — Erin Decker (chair), Daniel Gaschke (vice chair), Laura Belsky, Luke Pollock, Keith Gray
Legislative — John Morrissey (chair), Erin Decker (vice chair), Riki Tagliapietra. Dave Tarzon, Jeff Cologna
Planning, Development and Extension Education — Keith Gray (chair), Eric Meadows (vice chair), David Lux, Jeff Cologna, Sarah Kirby
Public Works and Facilities — Eric Meadows (chair), John Poole (vice chair), Laura Belsky, Aaron Karow, Bill Grady
County Board appointees to Joint Services Board — John Poole, Daniel Gaschke (will continue serving
current term on the board)
Note: The following is a paid announcement from the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Kenosha County. — DH
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Kenosha County (ADRC) Durable Medical Equipment Loan and Supply Closet provides durable medical equipment as well as nutritional supplements and incontinence products for older adults and adults with disabilities. Individuals needing durable medical equipment for either short-term or long-term use, who are not enrolled in one of Wisconsin’s long-term care programs, such as Family Care, IRIS and Partnership may contact the ADRC to request an item(s).
The Loan and Supply Closet is supported by the generosity of community donations. The closet is in has low inventory of the following:
Incontinence products: Chux (disposable underpads); wipes; women’s pads; men’s, women’s, and unisex pull-ups, sizes small, medium, large.
Mobility for Standard and Bariatric: Wheelchairs, transport chairs, rollators, transfer boards, standard knee scooters, portable ramps
Bathroom Essentials: Shower chairs and stools (bariatric and standard), transfer benches (bariatric and standard), commodes, toilet rails.
If you have items you wish to donate, or are in need of medical equipment or supplies, please call the ADRC at 262-605-The ADRC is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. While the ADRC takes additional steps in sanitization, for
everyone’s safety, we ask that all items be cleaned prior to donation.
From Kenosha County:
Officials from two state agencies and the Wisconsin Wetlands Association joined Kenosha County leaders last week on a tour of the environmental challenges that the county faces along Highway W, where Fox River erosion is compromising the roadway.
The previously scheduled tour came as the area continues to dry out from significant flooding, with the river having crested at 15.08 feet on April 19, more than two feet shy of the record in July 2017 but still well above the 11-foot flood stage.
Highway W was covered by floodwaters in some areas and was closed north and south of Highway 50 for several days last week.
While this was a severe situation, County Executive Samantha Kerkman noted that erosion along the roadway is a continual concern.
“Working with our state and federal partners, the county is developing strategies to address streambank erosion, as well as the ecological conditions that contribute to frequent flooding on the Fox,” Kerkman said. “With a significant amount of land in this area already publicly owned by the state, local and county governments, we see a unique opportunity to work collaboratively to enhance the riverway and protect the roadway.”
Joining Kerkman and other county officials on the Friday tour and a meeting earlier that morning at the County Center were representatives of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, County Board Supervisor Erin Decker, state Sen. Steve Nass, state Rep. Amanda Nedweski, and a staff member for U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil.
This gathering followed a similar tour that the county conducted with the Wetlands Association late last year.
“We look forward to a continuing dialogue on strategies and potential funding sources to support this effort,” Kerkman said.
Note: This is a paid announcement from Western Kenosha County Tennis Association — DH
The Silver Lake-Salem Jt. 1 School District (Riverview School) board is scheduled to meet Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. in the school library.
This meeting will be livestreamed and available for later viewing here.
Agenda items include:
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 →
Have you enjoyed the dry aspect of the weather over the last few days?
If you answered yes, you might be a little chagrined about Monday’s forecast, which is calling for rain Monday afternoon and evening.
Rain is likely to start around noon with a chance continuing through the afternoon, says the latest, local National Weather Service forecast. About 6 p.m. the likelihood of rain picks up with the added possibility of a thunderstorm.
Monday’s high temperature should reach 65.
The balance of the week should be dry after Monday overnight with high temperatures mostly in the 50s and lows in the 40s and high 30s.
At about 6:48 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units are responding to a crash in the 28400 block of Highway F in Salem Lakes.
Per dispatch: Deputies on scene. Airbag deployment in involved vehicle.
Note: The following is a paid announcement from the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Kenosha County. — DH
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Kenosha County offers no-cost, unbiased, Medicare workshops for those new to Medicare, or who want to learn more.
Trained benefit specialists will be available to answer your questions and discuss the decisions you’ll need to make, including the basics of Medicare coverage, options for private health and drug coverage, and public benefits that can help with health care costs. If possible, we recommend signing up for a workshop 3-4 months before your Medicare starts.
UPCOMING MEDICARE 2026 WORKSHOPS:
Due to limited seating, reservations are required. Call the ADRC at 262-605-6646 to make a reservation or to learn more.
From the Kenosha County Executive’s Office:
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman took the oath of office (April 19) for her second, four-year term in the office.
Kerkman was re-elected without opposition in the April 7 election. She has served as County Executive since April 2022.
“I thank the voters of Kenosha County for their support,” Kerkman said. “I take very seriously the trust that they’ve put in me to lead our county, and I am honored to continue in this role, working for all of you.”
Retired Judge Mary Kay Wagner administered the oath to Kerkman during a brief swearing-in ceremony with family, friends, and colleagues at the county Administration Building.
A native of Kenosha County, Kerkman previously served in the state Assembly from 2001 to 2022, co-chairing the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and chairing the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. In 2022, she became the first woman to serve as Kenosha County Executive.
As County Executive, Kerkman’s focus has been on public safety, human services, and infrastructure. Highlights in these areas include:
◼ Additional investments in public safety, with more than $199 million in tax levy funding provided since 2022.
◼ The strategic deployment of opioid settlement funds, the enactment of an innovative contract with Lake Behavioral Hospital, and the soon-to-be-completed development of a state-of-the-art Human Services facility in the heart of the community.
◼ Support for the continued maintenance of county highways as well as road improvement projects in partnership with the state, local municipalities, and private developers.
More information about the County Executive’s Office and its functions is available at: https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/Executive.
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 →Four Wilmot Union High School seniors were recently recognized by for earning state-level scholarships.
The Academic Excellence Scholarship is awarded to Wisconsin high school seniors with the highest weighted grade point average in their school, recognizing academic leadership and achievement. This year’s recipients from Wilmot Union High School are Jake Keating and Brooklyn Blattner.
The Technical Excellence Scholarship is awarded to seniors who demonstrate the highest level of proficiency in technical education. This scholarship supports students pursuing careers in technical fields. This year’s recipients from Wilmot Union High School are Penny Zubor and Cooper Pappadakis.
All recipients were honored by the Wilmot Union High School Board of Education and presented with certificates of achievement in recognition of their accomplishments.
“We are extremely proud of these students and the dedication they’ve shown throughout their academic journeys,” said District Administrator Christy Weinstock. “Their achievements reflect a strong commitment to excellence, and we are excited to see all they accomplish in the future.”
Kenosha County will participate in National Drug Take Back Day collection events at six locations throughout the county on Saturday, April 25, County Executive Samantha Kerkman announced.
The events will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at these sites:
• Somers Fire & Rescue, 7511 12th St., Somers
• BMO Bank, 4235 52nd St., Kenosha
• Pleasant Prairie Police Station, 10111 39th Ave., Pleasant Prairie
• The Kenosha County Center at Highways 45 and 50 in Bristol (at the cold storage building behind the main building; look for the sign on Highway 50 on the southeast side of the building)
• Twin Lakes Police Department, 920 Lance Dr., Twin Lakes
• University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Tallent Hall, 900 Wood Road, Somers
National Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription and over-the-counter drugs safely and at no cost, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. Along with dropping off unused and expired medications, visitors can participate in a short, 5-minute training session on naloxone.
“We’re pleased to offer this opportunity for Kenosha County residents to safely clean out their medicine cabinets, to learn about lifesaving naloxone, and to pick up a directory of behavioral health resources and services that are available in the community,” Kerkman said. “I encourage people to take a few minutes to stop at one of the six free and convenient sites on Saturday.”
Naloxone (NARCAN®) is the medication that reverses an opioid overdose. Trainees will learn the signs of an overdose and how to quickly administer this life-saving medication. More information about the naloxone distribution program in Kenosha County is available at https://tinyurl.com/NaloxoneTrained.
Naloxone training and information about Kenosha County Behavioral Health Services resources will be available at all locations except the Twin Lakes Police Department and UW-Parkside.
“At the UW-Parkside Police Department, our commitment to keeping our campus and surrounding communities safe is paramount. Drug Take Back Day is part of that commitment,” said Chief Kelly Andrichik. “This event is a convenient and trustworthy way to dispose of harmful or addictive medications. Please take the time to go through your medicine cabinets and help keep our community protected.”
Opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine, are among the most misused prescription pain medications, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Event partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should be securely sealed in their original container.
Items acceptable for collection include prescription (controlled and noncontrolled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, inhalers, non-aerosol spray dispensers, creams, vials, and pet medications.
Unacceptable items include illegal drugs, needles/sharps, acids, aerosol cans, biohazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas), and mercury thermometers.
The Kenosha County Division of Behavioral Health Services is partnering with BMO Bank, the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, and police departments from Pleasant Prairie, Twin Lakes and UW-Parkside, as well as Somers Fire & Rescue, for this important community event.
Last fall, the Wisconsin Department of Justice reported that all Wisconsin sites combined collected a total of 53,498 pounds of unneeded medications, making Wisconsin No. 1 in the nation, Kerkman noted.
“Stop at one of the drop-off sites on Saturday, April 25, and help Wisconsin remain number one in the country for the most unused, unwanted, and expired medications collected,” Kerkman said.
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 →At about 12:12 p.m., Town of Randall Fire Department, Wheatland Volunteer Fire Department and Twin Lakes Fire and Rescue units are responding to a report of a fire in the 33300 block of Highway C along the Twin Lakes/Randall border.
Per dispatch: Garbage truck with load on fire.
UPDATE 12:15 p.m. — Driver has dumped load on side of road. Still on fire. Truck moved east to 32700 before dumping.
UPDATRE 12:18 p.m. — Randall command requests tender from Twin Lakes Fire Department.
UPDATE about 12:25 p.m — Randall command requests response from county highway department for cleanup of about 25-30 square yards of garbage in middle of Highway C.
UPDATE — From the Twin Lakes Fire Department and Rescue Squad Facebook paage:
Wheatland Center School students competed at the Regional Math Meet that was held at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Jan. 8.
Students in grades fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth competed against students from seven different schools in the division based on the 2025-26 school enrollment.
Members of the fifth and sixth grade team were: Jordan Goggin, Hadley Madsen, Emerson Naber, Nicholas Syreini, Tyler Epping, Ava Winter, Charlie Wisneski and Abigail Zavacke.
Members of the seventh and eighth grade team were: Natalie Konrad, Parker McCann, Gursevak Toor, Sawyer VanDommelen, Jaena Baumeister, Aaron Crane, Austyn Madaus and Addison McCann.
Students participated in the following events: Problem Solving (without calculators), Consumer Math (with calculators), Geometric Reasoning (with calculator), Mental Math (without calculator) and Team Problem Solving (with calculator).
Every member of the team worked to solve the complex problems within each event. The top scorer for fifth grade was Jordan Goggin and for sixth grade was Charlie Wisneski. The top scorer for seventh grade was Gursevak Toor who also placed second overall for seventh grade in our division. The top scorer for eighth grade was Jaena Baumeister.
Students had the opportunity to showcase their teamwork by delegating responsibilities in order to successfully complete a variety of math challenges during the Team Problem Solving 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:
Continue reading →
News from Kenosha Lens
