West of the I

August is here and the Friends of Community Library are holding their end of summer book sale. The sale is Aug. 6, 7, and 8 at the Twin Lakes branch.

Friends members are invited to the Thursday sale, and as usual, patrons may become a Friends member that day to take advantage of a first look at all book choices. Thursday hours are from 3 to 7 p.m.

Friday and Saturday is open for everyone’s book shopping. Friday, Aug. 7 hours are from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m; Saturday, Aug. 8, the sale will be from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

Friends members may also take advantage of the bag of books for $7. The $9 bag of books is a bargain for everyone.

Adult and children’s books, both fiction and nonfiction are available. The sale is a good time to replenish one’s home library with some end of summer reading.

The Twin Lakes branch of Community Library is at 110 S. Lake Avenue, Twin Lakes.

The Friends of Community Library would like your hardcover books — the ones you’ve enjoyed, but now you need more space for the next books you want to read.

Donations of books help the Friends with successful book sales, which in turn results in monetary support for Community Library programs.

Hardcover books can be dropped off at the Salem and Twin Lakes library branches.

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 Wheatland man died in a crash involving a train Sunday.

Leonard A. Lois, a 78, was pronounced dead at the scene.

From a Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office news release:

On Sunday, August 3^rd, 2025, at approximately 10:45 A.M., the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office (KESO), along with several Fire and Rescue Agencies including the Town of Wheatland, Village of Twin Lakes, Town of Randall, Village of Somers, Village of Bristol, Village of Salem Lakes Fire and Rescue, Village of Pleasant Prairie and Richmond, Illinois responded to the 3300 block of CTH W / 328^th Avenue south of CTH JB / 31^st Street along the Canadian National Railway Tracks regarding a Train versus pickup truck collision.  The Canadian National Railway Police, along with Flight for Life, also responded to the scene. 

The train involved was southbound, and the vehicle involved, a full-sized pickup truck, was traveling westbound on a private farm access road, crossing the railroad tracks, prior to the accident. This private access road has a stop sign but is not required to have gates, bells, or flashing lights when trains pass through. 

The pickup truck operator, and sole occupant, sustained severe injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Kenosha County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The victim of the accident has been identified as Leonard A. Lois, a 78-year-old man from Wheatland, WI.

Kenosha County Sheriff David W. Zoerner and the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office extend heartfelt condolences to the family and friends who were impacted by this tragic event and thank the other agencies that responded to assist.

The Kenosha Human Development Services—Crisis Line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It is always available for anyone to talk to: 262-657-7188.

Related posts

Units responding for crash in Wheatland

At about 1:04 p.m., Twin Lake Fire and Rescue units and Kenosha County Dive Team members are responding for a water call in the 100 block of Lance Drive in Twin Lakes.

Per dispatch: This being reported as a possible drowning. Scene is in Lance Park.

UPDATE 1:07 p.m. — Three people now out of water, conscious and breathing, dispatch reports.

UPDATE 1:10 p.m. — TL command reports all people accounted for. Dive team response cancelled.

From Twin Lakes Fire and Rescue’s Facebook page:

At about 10:48 a.m., Wheatland Vol. Fire Department, Town of Randall Fire Department and Twin Lakes Rescue units are responding to a report of a crash in the 4000 block of 328th Avenue in Wheatland.

Per dispatch: This being reported as a vehicle versus train crash.

UPDATE 10:54 a.m. — Unit on scene reports actual scene is near 3400 block of Highway W.

UPDATE 10:58 a.m. — Wheatland command requests response from Flight for Life medical transport helicopter.

A swim closure at Lake Shangri-la and swim cautions at Hoag Park beach on Paddock Lake and Rock Lake have all been lifted after resampling showed E.coli levels within acceptable range 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 Thursday that prompted dropping the closure and cautions were:

• Lake Shangri-la: 194.0 E.coli/100 mL
• Hoag Park: 91.0 E.coli/100 mL
• Rock Lake: 105.0 E.coli/100 mL

Note: This is a paid announcement from H&R Block Paddock Lake, Twin Lakes, Genoa City

Hey there y’all! It’s time again for the Kenosha County Fair 2025! This year’s theme is Let The Good Times Grow! The fair is being held August 13 – 17th in Wilmot, Wisconsin.

Once again, H&R Block will have a booth in the Commercial Building and we can’t wait to see you there! Make sure you stop by our booth to Spin The Wheel and win a prize. (A little birdie told me that H&R Block upped their game and have some new prizes to win!)

Did you know we can do more…a whole lot more…than just taxes!? We offer Bookkeeping, Payroll, & Business Services, to name just a few. Stop by our booth. Stop by one of our local offices in Paddock Lake, Twin Lakes and Genoa City. If help is what you need with your taxes or your Small Business, chances are we can help!!

See you soon at the 2025 Kenosha County Fair! August 13th – 17th

The air quality is still unhealthy and is expected to remain so for tomorrow.

Smokey conditions have improved since Thursday, and the air quality is expected to continue to improve over the weekend.

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.

Lake Shangri-la remains under a swim closure; and Hoag Park beach and Rock Lake are under swim cautions after resampling Wednesday showed 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 Wednesday that prompted the closures and cautions were:

• Hoag Park 517.0 E.coli/100 mL
• Lake Shangri-la 1120.0 E.coli/100 mL
• Rock Lake 613.0 E.coli/100 mL

Those locations were scheduled to be resampled.

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 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air
Quality Advisory for Smoke across all of southern Wisconsin until noon of Friday.

Widespread Unhealthy (Red) AQI for PM2.5 is expected across Wisconsin on Thursday, with NowCast AQI values in the Very Unhealthy (Purple) category possible. Conditions are expected to slowly improve beginning Friday. However, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) to Unhealthy (Red) AQI will remain possible through the weekend.

People who are sensitive, or have asthma or heart problems should take caution.

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: