West of the I

The Salem Lakes Village Board is scheduled to meet Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. at Vilage Hall in Salem.

This meeting also is live streamed and archived for later viewing here.

Agenda items include:

• Ordinance 2026.03-120 – an Ordinance to Repeal and Recreate Chapter 108 entitled “Park Commission,” Section 108-1 Entitled “Creation, Membership, Terms of Office,” Subsection A and Section 108-2 Entitled “Vacancies and Tenure,” of the Village of Salem Lakes Municipal Code
• Appointment of Dean Hintzman to the Park Commission with a term ending 2028 due to vacancy caused by resignation of Mark Eberle
• Appointment of Sandy Verges to the Park Commission with a term ending 2027 due to vacancy caused by resignation of Doug Randolph and Laura Francart 10.4. Updating Chapter 186, Article IV – Chickens in Residential Areas
• Awarding the Valmar & Yaws Subdivision Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project, to Asphalt Contractors, in the amount of $6,981,100.00
• Professional Services Agreement between Kenosha County and Village of Salem Lakes for General Zoning and Shoreland/Floodplain Zoning Ordinance Administration
• Creation of a Clean Boats, Clean Waters program in collaboration with the WI DNR and the area Lake Districts
• Road Consortium Intermunicipal Agreement for the transfer of road services involving the three villages of Salem Lakes, Twin Lakes, and Paddock Lake and efforts to seek Innovation Grant funds
• Review and possible sale of Village owned properties: 70-4-120-212-1350 – R4 1 Acre Channel Front on Center Lake in Camp Lake; 70-4-120-124-0301 – 20 Acres Would need to be rezoned; 70-4-120-124-0270 – R2 1.15 Acres South of the 20 Acres; 70-4-120-172-3006 – Old Silver Lake Firehouse/Town Hall; 70-4-120-354-3300 – 1 Acre Antioch Rd Trevor Zoned B3; 70-4-120-063-0676 – R5 .45 Acres Buyer needs to do Wetland Delineation; 70-4-120-284-1160 – R4 Urban Single Family Residential; 70-4-120-181-1710 – B2 Community Business Dist. Silver Lake; 70-4-120-181-1900 – B2 Community Business Dist. Silver Lake.
• Closed sessions for: Review and possible sale of Village owned properties, Negotiating a cellular lease agreement with Crown Castle Towers for Village property located at 123 N Northwater St., Negotiating the fees and the extension or duration of the sewer service agreement, boundary agreement and water utility service agreement with the
  Village of Paddock Lake; personnel issues in the Fire Department.

The full agenda is available here.

At about 6:31 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue and Kenosha Fire Department units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash in the 14400 block of Highway 50.

Per dispatch: Two vehicles involved, one in the roadside ditch. Injuries unknown.

From Kenosha County:

Kenosha County government buildings are closed to the public today due to dangerous weather conditions. Many county services remain available online at https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov.

Road conditions are hazardous throughout the county. Please travel only if absolutely necessary, and use great caution if you do. Stay safe out there!

Note: The following is a paid announcement from GPS Family Chiropractic — DH

The Westosha Central High School Band will be holding an open rehearsal on Tuesday, March 17 from 6:30-8 p.m. This will be the WCHS Band’s final rehearsal as they prepare for their upcoming trip to Florida. The public is invited to attend.  Please enter through the Commons doors to enter the auditorium. 

The Westosha Central High School Band will be travelling to Florida March 18-25. The WCHS Band will be participating in the Festival Disney competition.  While in Florida the WCHS band students will be visiting all four Walt Disney World theme parks, all three Universal Studios theme parks, and Cocoa Beach.

The National Weather Service has now issued a blizzard warning for Kenosha County.

The warning is set to be in effect until 4 p.m., Monday.

From the warning text:

Freezing rain and sleet mixed with snow will continue across the area for the next few hours before transitioning to snowfall. High rates up to 1″/hr will develop across the region into the early morning hours Monday as north winds continue to gust between 40 and 45 MPH. The combination of high snow rates and gusty winds will lead to blizzard conditions with visibilities below 1/4 of a mile, potentially during the Monday morning commute. Snowfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are expected. Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions are expected to impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

The nasty weather forecast is prompting area schools to announce closures for Monday.

There will be no classes Monday at:

• Riverview School
• Bristol School
• Westosha Central High School
• Lakewood School
• Paris School
• Randall School
• Salem School
• Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated School
• Wilmot Union High School
• Westosha Head Start
• Brighton School District

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 National Weather Service has dropped a winter storm watch and replaced it with a less severe winter weather advisory for Western Kenosha County.

The advisory is set to be in effect from 10 p.m., Sunday until 4 p.m., Monday.

From the advisory text:

Mixed precipitation expected. … Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. … IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. … Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

The latest, most local NWS forecast calls for s total of about 2.5 inches of snow accumulation for Sunday overnight and Monday.

The winter advisory is also in effect for Racine, Walworth, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. If you are going farther west or north, rougher weather is expected with more snow accumulation.

UPDATE 4:48 p.m. — Winter weather advisory now to start at 7 p.m., Sunday.

The National Weather Service shifted when Western Kenosha County was to be under a winter storm watch and is now forecasting a little more snow accumulation

The winter storm watch now is set to extend from 4 p.m., Sunday to 7 p.m., Monday.

During that time we could see snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches total, says the latest, local NWS forecast,

Sunday’s high temperature will actually be a warm 58. The low Sundya overnight will be just 19.

The wind that mostly was absent Saturday is expected to wind up again Sunday into Monday.

The Wheatland Town Board and residents seeking the passage of a strict battery energy storage site ordinance clashed over the progress on developing the law at Monday’s Town Board meeting.

Town officials reported that they are seeking to work with key individuals in the development of a ordinance including the town attorney, the county and a town official from another nearby town where such a facility already exists.

BESS opponents expressed concern that the process wasn’t moving faster.

In January, three of four land use requests related to a proposed battery energy storage system project in Wheatland received unfavorable recommendations from the town Plan Commission. The company behind the proposal, Robin Energy Storage, then withdrew the project from further consideration before the Town Board could formally weigh-in.

Robin was proposing a battery energy storage system facility located on approximately 12 acres within an approximately 19-acre tract of land east of 392nd Avenue and north of Highway 50 in Wheatland. The site is especially apt, Robin representatives said, because it is adjacent to an existing electrical substation.

Robin had proposed to pay the town about $8 million over 20 years under a joint development agreement if the project won town approval and moved forward to completion.

Local opponents are concerned Robin will seek some other avenue to place the facility in Wheatland. They cite concerns about fire hazards and environmental harm related to possible accidents at such facilities. They base those concerns on accidents and fires that have occurred at some existing facilities in other states.

Town Chairman Jeff Butler said Monday the county is looking at enhancing its existing BESS ordinance to make it stronger. They are working with an attorney that is experienced in regulating such facilities.

The town would like to build on that process for its own even stricter ordinance, Butler said.

Town Supervisor Kyle Madsen said the town will be moving forward on its ordinance “essentially in parallel” while the county strengthens theirs.

“It won’t be two separate conversations,” Madsen said.

Jenny Morehouse, the leader of the citizen push to enact an ordinance, said she was disappointed more had not been done by the town since she presented her research on such ordinances elsewhere at a meeting held the Wednesday before the Monday Town Board meeting.

“I’m really frustrated because I took a lot of time to get this together, to get this rolling,” Morehouse said.

Butler replied “This isn’t going to be done tomorrow … government doesn’t do things overnight.”

Morehouse followed up with “I know, but it’s been a week and nothings been done.”

Chad Toedter who also has been leading the BESS opposition said “All we hear is we’re going to sit and wait.”

Town officials pushed back on the idea that they are doing nothing.

“It’s not stagnant,” Madsen said of the process.

Town Supervisor Kelly Wilson asked for patience.

“I ask you to be patient,” Wilson said. “We know the urgency to have this done. All I think about these days is battery storage, battery storage, batter storage. We are working, we are. It takes time.”

Butler pointed out that Monday was the first time since last Wednesday’s meeting the board had had a chance to discuss the matter together, due to open meetings laws.

Under another agenda item, Toedter asked about his plans to place anti BESS signs around the town, also asking for the possibility of a donation from the town.

Board members said they felt it would be similar to the placing of election signs and would likely have to follow the same rules. No one offered an opinion about a donation to the effort.

“I don’t have any problem with what you want to do,” Butler said. “It’s free speech.”

At about 12:44 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units are responding to a report of a sparking power line in the 7300 block of Highway B in Salem Lakes.

At about 11:55 a.m., Town of Randall Fire Department units are responding to a report of a tree on a power line in the 9400 block of 401st Avenue in Powers Lake.

At about 9:08 a.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding for a report of a fire in the 7700 block of Shorewood Drive in Silver Lake.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting a tree on wires and a sparking transformer.

At about 8:27 a.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue and Paris Fire and Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash at Highways 45 and K along the Bristol-Paris border.

Per dispatch: Possible injuries being reported.

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:

Western Kenosha County may be in for some rough weather over the next few days.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and a winter storm watch from 7 p.m., Saturday to 4 p.m., Monday.

During the wind warning period, we could see northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 60 mph.

From the winter storm watch text:

Heavy snow and blowing snow is possible Saturday night and Sunday, especially north of I-94. A wintry mix will be possible for a time Saturday night and Sunday, including a chance for sleet and freezing rain, particularly along and south of the I-94 corridor. Rain may also mix in for a time mainly south of I-94. The wintry mix is expected transition to moderate to heavy snow across southern Wisconsin Sunday evening, persisting into Monday. Strong winds and blowing snow will likely continue into Monday as well.

Current forecasted snow etc. accumulations are: 1 to 2 inches Saturday overnight, half an inch Sunday and between a half and three quarters of an inch Sunday overnight.

While you may be hearing about larger snow accumulations in the Milwaukee area and points north the the mix of precipitation we should see down here will still have “substantial impacts,” says the NWS.

Wind will be lighter Saturday, but get stronger again Sunday, Sunday overnight and continue through Monday.

Note: The following is a paid announcement from Washburn Lodge #145 — DH

At about 6:30 p.m., traffic on Highway 50 from both directions in Paddock Lake is being diverted while what appears to be emergency repairs to a utility pole take place.

Eastbound traffic on Highway 50 is being diverted down 236th Avenue.

From the Kenosha County Government Facebook page:

UPDATE about 8:05 p.m. — Coming through Paddock Lake, traffic was moving as normal in both directions. A utility truck was still be on the scene, but appeared to be pulling out.

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 items include:

• Addendum to Fire and EMS contract for Innovative Grant Application
• Three special event permits

The full agenda is available here.

Note: The following is a paid announcement from Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School District — DH

We’ve all appreciated the weather of late that has flirted with spring — or even summer — at times.

Well it’s over. Winter is back Wednesday in both temperature and precipitation.

Wednesday’s high temperature is forecast for 37, but that will come early in the morning with temperatures dropping the rest of the day. It should feel colder with a northwest wind of 10 to 15 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph. If the temperature is not enough to remind you of winter then there will be the rain, freezing rain, sleet in the morning and then snow this afternoon to seal the deal. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch is expected.

Thursday and Friday should see a return to the 40s, before temps in the 30s and chances of rain/snow return over the weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northwestern Kenosha County.

The warning is set to be in effect until 8:45 p.m.

At 7:53 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Wheatland moving northeast at 35 mph.

Central Racine County is also included in the warning area.

Hail as large as quarter sized ha been associated with this storm, the warning text says.

An earlier severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until midnight (Note: This sentence modified from original version — DH)

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 severe thunderstorm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for an area of Wisconsin that includes Kenosha County.

The watch is set to be in effect until midnight Wednesday.

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.”

UPDATE about 7 p.m. —

UPDATE about 7:41 p.m. — Pea-sized hail in Paddock Lake:

UPDATE about 7:44 p.m. — Northwestern Kenosha County under a severe thunderstorm warning until 8:45 p.m. Details here.

At about 5:08 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a fire in the 27000 block of 89th Street (Highway AH) in Center Lake.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting smoke and what appears to be trees on fire.

UPDATE 5:15 p.m. — Dispatch reports deputy on scene says this appears to be an unattended burn pile.

Wheatland Center School’s 36th annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser will take place March 14, from 4 to 8 p.m.

This year money is being raised to support the bringing of a therapy dog to the school.

Pre-sale ticket prices are:

• Adults (13-64): $12
• Kids 4-12: $9
• Kids (0-4): Free
• Gluten free $15

Pre-sale tickets can be purchased here.

At the door prices are: $12 per person, under 3 free and $15 gluten free.

Besides a spaghetti dinner catered by Luisa’s Restaurant, activities planned include: Silent auction, live auction, raffles, bake sale, wine pull and a kids area.

The Westosha Central High School District board is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Upper Commons at the school.

Agenda items include:

• Student Services Therapy Dog Introduction and Presentation
• 18-21 Year Old Program Presentation
• Falcon’s Nest School Store Presentation
• Post Retirement Benefits for Professional Staff Hired 2001 and After
• Transportation Contract
• 2026-27 Staffing Plan Recommendation
• Professional and Administrative Contract Timeline for 2026-27
• Acknowledgement of Board Member Resignation and Process for Seeking Replacement

The full agenda is available here.

A fire in Bristol Monday afternoon burned about 40-50 acres of mostly swamp land, but firefighting efforts kept it from damaging any homes or other structures.

Bristol Fire and Rescue units were dispatched to the 21100 block of 121st Street for a possible structure fire, but upon arriving found a fire in a swampy area behind a home that was spreading, said Chief John Niederer.

A strong southwest wind helped spread the fire to adjacent swampy areas. At one point, a back burn was performed to exhaust fuel for the fire.

Firefighters were on the scene until 6:30 p.m.

A Mutual Aid Box Alarm System box alarm was activated and eventually upgraded to the fifth level. Part of the reason the box alarm reached such an advanced level was shortly after the Bristol fire a grass fire was reported in the town of Burlington. When that fire also started seeking mutual aid it stretched regional resources trying to address both incidents, Niederer said.

In the end departments from Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties in Wisconsin and Lake County in Illinois joined the response to Bristol.

Coordinating all of that response and communicating between fire units and law enforcement was the job of Kenosha County Joint Services Dispatch, who Niederer singled out for praise for an especially good job in a complicated situation.

“Dispatch did a phenomenal job,” Niederer said.

Also complicating matters was that the swampy areas of the fire were difficult to reach even with grass rigs and UTVs. Two vehicles got stuck in mud and were pulled out by community good Samaritans, Niederer said.

Grass fires are a hazard at this time of year, when foliage is dry, Niederer said.

“We’re hoping for some rain,” Niederer said, along with other conditions that will allow plants to begin growing again.

There were no injuries to firefighters, law enforcement or community members, Niederer said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Related post

Units responding for fire in Bristol

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: