West of the I

The Wheatland Town Board is asking state legislators to limit battery energy storage systems.

The board unanimously approved a resolution Monday asking “the Wisconsin State Legislature to put clear limits on large, battery energy storage systems and only allow them when they can be safely and responsibly built, operated, and decommissioned.”

The timing of that resolution is pertinent as Robin Energy Storage has filed a application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, making good on statements from company officials last month that they will seek a state route to approving the project in the face of continued local opposition.

BESS has been a focus in Wheatland since late 2025, when a proposal to place a facility in the town emerged. Community opposition also developed. In January, three of four land use requests related to the 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 29-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 near 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 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.

In May, Robin hosted another meeting to answer questions about the project, saying it would consider going through a state process to win approval if the local route proved unworkable for them.

Meanwhile on May 19, Kenosha County passed a moratorium on consideration of new BESS permits for one year.

The Wheatland action is timely because Robin on June 18 filed a plan for a BESS for the Wheatland site with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. However, Robin officials stated in January that a freestanding BESS facility not connected to an energy generation facility such as a solar farm may not be within the PSC’s jurisdiction.

The town resolution passed Monday also asks the state to adopt Kenosha County’s BESS ordinance. Kenosha County was the first county in Wisconsin to adopt such an ordiance when it did so in 2024. Subsequently, Pleasant Prairie and Bristol have passed local ordinances governing BESS.

You can read the whole Wheatland resolution here.

Information and documents regarding the Robin application to the PSC is available here.

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.

Madison Knipp  of Twin Lakes was named to the Carroll University Dean’s List for Spring 2026.

Carroll University is a private university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and located in Waukesha. Established in 1846, Carroll was Wisconsin’s first four-year institution of higher learning. 

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 swim closure has been lifted for Hooker Lake boat launch and swim cautions have been lifted for Hoag Park beach and Paddock Hooker Lakes Association beach on Paddock Lake after resampling by Kenosha County showed E.coli levels with acceptable 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 that prompted the lifting of the closure and advisories are:

• Hoag Park beach: 5 E.coli/100 mL
• Hooker Lake boat launch: 128 E.coli/100 mL
• PHLA beach: 61 E.coli/100 mL

To slightly alter an old song, “they call it stormy Wednesday,” around here at least lately.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for much of Wisconsin and northern Illinois including Kenosha County.

The watch is set to be in effect until 10 p.m., 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.”

This is the third Wednesday in a row of weather rough enough to warrant NWS watches and warnings.

Here’s an update from the NWS Facebook page as of about 4:45 p.m.

The Wheatland J1 School District board is scheduled to meet Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m. in the school library, Room 124.

Agenda items include:

• Certified Staff Contract Addendums
• 2026-27 School Fees
• 2026-27 Lunch Fees

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 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.