West of the I

The Hooker Lake boat launch area is closed to swimming and Hoag Park beach and Paddock Hooker Lakes Association beach on Paddock Lake are under swim cautions after testing by Kenosha County showed elevated levels of E.coli 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’s sampling that prompted the cautions and closure were:

• Hoag Park: beach 579 E.coli/100 mL.
• Hooker Lake boat launch: 1300 E.coli/100 mL
• PHLA beach: 411.0 E.coli/100 mL

All of the above were scheduled to be resampled. Sites with cautions and closures typically are resampled the next day, weather permitting.

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

Salem Lakes – Silver Lake County Park beach 19 E.coli/100 mL; DeWitt Park on Silver Lake 7 E.coli/100mL; Lake Shangri-la 220th Ct. 17 E.coli/100 mL; Center Lake 17 E.coli/100 mL; Rock Lake 93 E.coli/100 mL; Camp Lake 110 E.coli/100 mL

Paddock Lake — Old Settlers County Park beach 28 E.coli/100 mL; Hooker Lake launch 1300 E.coli/100 mL; Hoag Park 579 E.coli/100 mL; North Shore Association 10 E.coli/100 mL; PHLA beach 411 E.coli/100mL; PHLA diving board 145 E.coli/100 mL.

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

Twin Lakes — Lance Park on Lake Mary 7 E.coli/100mL

Randall (reported by the District of Powers Lake) — Powers Lake Beach 118.7 E.coli/100mL

The Salem School District board is scheduled to meet Tuesday, starting at 5 p.m. in the school’s large group instruction room.

This meeting also will be livestreamed here.

Agenda items include:

• School safety presentation
• Band presentation
• 2026-27 preliminary budget

The full agenda is available here.

The Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School District board is scheduled to meet Tuesday, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the school library.

This meeting also will be livestreamed here.

Agenda items include:

• Preliminary Budget 2026-2027 — Discussion of possible referendum
• School & Lunch Fees 2026-2027

The full agenda and links to supporting material are 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:

The Wheatland Town Board is scheduled to meet Monday, starting at 6 p.m. at Town Hall in New Munster.

Agenda items include:

• Continued Fire/EMS consolidation discussion with Plan Commission and Fire Chief
• Resolution No. 2026-002 Resolution Asking Wisconsin Lawmakers to Limit Battery Energy Storage Systems
• Recreation Board recommendation to purchase four-wheeler
• Liquor, tobacco, bartender and mobile home licenses

The full agenda is 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:

The 2026 Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast was held Saturday under sunny skies and with moderate temperatures.

Over 3,000 people visited the Spoerlein Farm in Brighton to learn a little about farm life and eat a hearty breakfast, including eggs cooked in a giant pan and stirred with what look like dust pans and pancakes cooked on giant round rotating griddles.

The event is organized by Kenosha County Dairy Promotion.

Here is video of Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman reading a proclamation on the event, which included some interesting facts about the dairy industry in Kenosha County and Wisconsin:

Each year, Kenosha County Dairy Promotion award scholarships. This year’s recipients were: (Left to right below) Cierra Perleberg, Ava Eibl and Jillian Daniels.

Kenosha County Dairy Promotion also recognizes friends of the local dairy industry. This year’s awardees are: Lynn Hiemke of Mapleton Farms and Larry Lois.

Here are some more photos of the event:

At about 2:34 p.m., Paris Fire and Rescue, Bristol Fire and Rescue, Somers Fire and Rescue and Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue and sheriff’s deputies are responding for a report of a fire in the 19000 block of 38th Street in Paris.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting a tire on a semi tractor trailer on fire.

UPDATE 2:37 p.m. — Unit on scene confirms active fire.

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:

At about 12:12 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 a possible fire in the 39500 block of 92nd Place in Powers Lake.

Per dispatch: Smoke reported coming from a vehicle.

UPDATE 12:53 p.m. — Command terminated. All units returning to quarters.

Note: This is a paid announcement from the Twin Lakes Chamber & Business Association — DH

Get ready for a summer night that feels like pure small-town magic.

Rock the Lake, a joint effort between Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association and Twin Runners brings music, energy, and unforgettable lakefront fun together for a family-friendly event you won’t want to miss.

The date is Saturday, June 20, from 2 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy live performances by Relativity and The Charley Thornton Band, setting the vibe with high-energy sound, crowd favorites, and music that keeps the shoreline buzzing. Between sets, look out on the water for an incredible Aquanut Water Show (water and ski show)—an iconic, action-packed performance that blends athleticism, tradition, and jaw-dropping stunts right on the lake.

Bring your family, your friends, lawn chairs, and your summer spirit. From great music to lakeside views and classic water-ski entertainment, Rock the Lake is all about coming together, soaking in the season, and making memories by the water.

Music. Water. Community. Summer at its best.

Lance Park sits on the shore of Lake Mary in the Village of Twin Lakes.

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 National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for part of Kenosha County.

The watch is set to be in effect until 9:30 p.m.

This waning has been issued for southwestern Kenosha County including: Wheatland, Randall, Twin Lakes, Silver Lake.

The warning text says: “Severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Lake Geneva to Fontana-On-Geneva Lake to Sharon, moving east at 45 mph. HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE…Radar indicated. IMPACT…Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

from Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue:

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:

Swim cautions have been lifted for Camp Lake, Center Lake and Lake Shangri-la after re-sampling Tuesday showed E.coli levels within normal range. 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 Tuesday’s re-sampling were:

• Camp Lake — 73 E.coli/100 mL
• Center Lake — 185 E.coli/100 mL
• Lake Shangri-la — 126 E.coli/100 mL

The Bristol School District #1 board is scheduled to meet Wednesday, starting at 4:30 p.m. in the school LGI conference room..

This meeting also will be livestreamed here.

Agenda items include:

• Keri Heusdens – MLSS (Multi-Level Systems of Support)Report/Presentation
• Open Enrollment Revisit
• Approval of 2026-2027 Preliminary Budget
• Approval of Budget Revisions for 2025-2026
• Closed session for to consider employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. Specifically to discuss: a. Administrative Employment and Performance Evaluations and Closed Session Meeting Minutes Approval

The full agenda with links is available here.

The Paddock Lake Village Board is scheduled to meet Wednesday, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall.

Agenda items include:

• Public hearing on issuing liquor and cabaret licenses for 2026-2027 to: Class A Combined (liquor & beer) Lakeside Foods, Walgreens, Kwik Trip, Paddock Lake Citgo, Marathon. Paddock Lake BP, Brass Ball Mobil. Class A (beer only). Class B Combined (liquor & beer) Drifters Bar & Grill, Antonia’s, Los Tres Lagos Jake’s 75th Street Inn. Cabaret Licenses: Drifters Bar & Grill.
• Authorize Village President to issue a Pyrotechnic/Fireworks Display permit to Paddock Lake Fireworks Display permit to Paddock Lake Fireworks, Inc and waive the requirements for indemnity bond and permit fees. To display fireworks over Paddock Lake on July 3rd.
• Authorize Village Administrator to issue a special event/parade permit to Paddock Hooker Lakes Association to conduct a boat regatta-parade on July 3rd.
• Authorize Village staff to pay the following invoices attributed to the fire truck sale: Brindlee Mountain invoice #00335061, Wheatland Fire Department, Randall Fire Department.
• Authorize Village Treasurer to invest net sale proceeds from fire truck sale to the Wisconsin Local Government Investment Pool.
• Approve Baxter & Woodman work order #2601131 to investigate and explore options for addressing stormwater system deficiencies.
• 2026-2027 liquor licenses
• 2026-2027 cabaret licenses to Drifters Bar & Grill
• 2026-2027 Cigarette licenses: Kwik Trip, Walgreens, Roll and Smoke, Paddock Lake BP,
  Triple B, Citgo, and Marathon
• Coin machines: Drifters Bar & Grill and Antonia’s
• New and Renewal operator licenses for approval
• Authorize village administrator to issue purchase order #5331 to RTC Manufacturing for the purchase of two (2) driver feedback signs.

The full agenda is available here.

If you’ve been thinking we could use a good rain, you’re in luck.

The latest, local National Weather Service forecast is calling for heavy rain Wednesday, with a 100 percent chance of happening.

Between 8 a.m., Wednesday and 1 a.m., Thursday we could see over an inch of rain total. The most intense period of rain is expected to be between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

It will be cooler too Wednesday, with a high of just 66.

A significant chance of rain is not back in the forecast until Sunday. Temps are expected to bounce back into the 70s starting Thursday.

Note: This is a paid announcement from the Twin Lakes Chamber & Business Association — DH

Get ready for a summer night that feels like pure small-town magic.

Rock the Lake, a joint effort between Twin Lakes Area Chamber & Business Association and Twin Runners brings music, energy, and unforgettable lakefront fun together for a family-friendly event you won’t want to miss.

The date is Saturday, June 20, from 2 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy live performances by Relativity and The Charley Thornton Band, setting the vibe with high-energy sound, crowd favorites, and music that keeps the shoreline buzzing. Between sets, look out on the water for an incredible Aquanut Water Show (water and ski show)—an iconic, action-packed performance that blends athleticism, tradition, and jaw-dropping stunts right on the lake.

Bring your family, your friends, lawn chairs, and your summer spirit. From great music to lakeside views and classic water-ski entertainment, Rock the Lake is all about coming together, soaking in the season, and making memories by the water.

Music. Water. Community. Summer at its best.

Lance Park sits on the shore of Lake Mary in the Village of Twin Lakes.

Camp Lake, Center Lake and Lake Shangri-la are under swim cautions after testing Monday by Kenosha County showed elevated levels of E.coli in 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 test results that resulted in the cautions were:

Camp Lake — 727.0 E.coli/100 mL

Center Lake — 816.0 E.coli/100 mL

Lake Shangri-la — 613.0 E.coli/100 mL

Sites with cautions typically are resampled the next day, weather permitting.

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

Salem Lakes – Silver Lake County Park beach 59 E.coli/100 mL; DeWitt Park on Silver Lake 11 E.coli/100mL; Lake Shangri-la 220th Ct. 613 E.coli/100 mL; Center Lake 816 E.coli/100 mL; Rock Lake 5 E.coli/100 mL; Camp Lake 727 E.coli/100 mL

Paddock Lake — Old Settlers County Park beach 3 E.coli/100 mL; Hooker Lake launch 20 E.coli/100 mL; Hoag Park 4 E.coli/100 mL; North Shore Association 11 E.coli/100 mL; PHLA beach 24 E.coli/100mL; PHLA diving board 43 E.coli/100 mL.

Wheatland — Lilly Lake 2 E.coli/100 mL.

Twin Lakes — Lance Park on Lake Mary 75 E.coli/100mL

Randall — Powers Lake Beach 21.5 E.coli/100mL

If 216th Avenue being closed due to a broken culvert has been a transportation hassle for you there should be relief in sight soon.

Salem Lakes released a statement Tuesday saying repairs should be begin later this week — or maybe next week depending on weather:

In the aftermath of the April flooding the culvert on 216^th Ave was deemed a total loss, and the road has been closed for several weeks. The Villages of Salem Lakes and Bristol are in the process of replacing the culvert. KR Contractors will begin mobilizing equipment on site over the next few days in preparation for starting work on Thursday (6/18) or Friday (6/19). They will be monitoring the weather closely, and if conditions are too wet, they will postpone the start until Monday (6/22). The project is expected to take one week and is dependent on weather conditions.

216th Avenue is a border between Bristol and Salem Lakes.

It could rain Tuesday, but the latest, local National Weather Service forecast suggests it’s virtually certain Wednesday.

If it does rain Tuesday it’s likely to be before 8 a.m. or in the afternoon, between 1 and 5 p.m.

Wednesday there’s a likely chance of rain in the morning transitioning to that strong chance in the afternoon through about 5 p.m. Rain might continue until after midnight. Thunderstorms are also possible.

Temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday will continue to be cooler, with a high of 73 Tuesday and 67 Wednesday. The only day with a high temp in the high 70s is Saturday, when the mercury may reach 77.

At about 5:14 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a fire in the 7600 block of Highway 83 in Paddock Lake.

Per dispatch: This being reported as a possible vehicle fire. All occupants out of the vehicle.

UPDATE 5:16 p.m. — Deputy on scene reports active smoke and flames under vehicle.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m. — Dispatch updates responding units that vehicle now fully engulfed in fire.

UPDATE about 5:27 p.m. — Fire out

The Twin Lakes Village Board is scheduled to hold a special board meeting and a regular board meeting Monday at Village Hall.

The special meeting is first, scheduled to start at 5 p.m. The agenda calls for a closed session regarding On The Go Bar and Grill alcohol license renewal.

The regular meeting is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Agenda items include:

• Renewal of liquor and related licenses.
• Presentation by Ehlers on TID #1
• Discussion and possible action regarding sidewalk repairs downtown.
• Discussion and possible action regarding Ordinance 2026-6-1 Creating Chapter 8.90 of the Twin Lakes Code Pertaining to Outdoor Lighting.

The full agenda and packet material is 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:

Voters in the Twin Lakes #4 School District (Lakewood School) will have a familiar referendum to vote on in the fall election.

The School Board last Monday voted to approve resolutions setting up a referendum identical to the one held in April.

In the fall Nov. 3 election. voters will be asked to authorize an operating referendum that is equal to $800,000 each year for a total of $3.2 million over the four years. That was the same question that failed in April: No 355 (51.67%) to yes 332 (48.33%).

Robert Antholine, district administrator, said the exact impact on taxes is not known yet, but should be by mid-July. He anticipates it being close to the impact of the April election.