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 →2025 Salem Lakes Annual Easter Egg hunt is April 12
The Salem Lakes Annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place Saturday, April 12 at 10 a.m., at Schmalfeldt Park in Silver Lake.
Children ages 0-10 are invited to participate. Children will be divided into three age groups with a staggered start.
The Parks Commission hosts the event. Bring your own basket or bag. Take a photo with the Easter Bunny after the hunt. Organizers of the event ask that you arrive early to allow for parking and line up.
County Executive Kerkman elected president of Board of Directors of the Wisconsin County Executives and Administrators Association
From Kenosha County Executive’s Office:
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman was recently elected as the leader of a statewide organization of county officials.
Kerkman will serve a two-year term as President of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin County Executives and Administrators Association.
Formed in 1981, this organization’s full membership generally meets twice yearly, during the Wisconsin Counties Association’s fall annual convention and spring legislative conference. The Board of Directors meet more frequently to discuss matters of concern to counties, such as the state budget.
“I’m pleased to take on this role, representing Kenosha County’s interests along with those of counties across Wisconsin,” Kerkman said. “I look forward to sharing our success stories with my colleagues from around the state, and bringing best-practice ideas from elsewhere back to Kenosha County.”
Kerkman will serve as the board’s leader alongside President-Elect Nick Trimmer, Price County administrator; and Secretary-Treasurer Larry Bierke, Iowa County administrator.
Other board members include Past President/Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, and Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach, Door County Administrator Ken Babich, Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson and Lincoln County Administrative Coordinator Renee Krueger.
Wisconsin Counties Association Vice President of Government Affairs Kyle Christianson and Director of Outreach & Member Engagement Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf are also board participants.
Silver Lake-Salem Jt 1 School District (Riverview School) issues post referendum passage statement
Silver Lake-Salem Jt 1 School District (Riverview School) issued the following statement after the passage of its capital referendum in Tuesday’s Election:
On April 1, voters approved the Silver Lake School District’s $7 million capital referendum. According to the District, the money will be used to address critical facility needs, improve safety and security, and renovate the science lab at Riverview Elementary School.
Superintendent Kim Taylor said she was very pleased by the positive result of the referendum and thanked voters for their support. Mrs, Taylor further commented that the community has been supportive all along the way and the board couldn’t be happier with the overwhelming margin of support shown in the results. The School Board will discuss next steps at its upcoming meeting. The first step will be to work with Performance Services, Inc, the design-build firm the Board selected for the project. Working together with the District, they will now begin design and planning processes. Taylor said the community will be informed about progress as the referendum projects are completed.
Salem School District statement after failed referendum
The Salem School District issued the following news release after voters defeated its $2 million per year for the next three years operational referendum in Tuesday’s election:
Salem School District is providing an update following the operational referendum question that appeared on the ballot on Tuesday, April 1.
According to preliminary election results, the proposed referendum was not approved by voters. As a result, the district will not be able to raise its state-imposed revenue limit to meet rising operational needs.
“We are deeply grateful to our community members who participated in this important process,” said Superintendent Dr. Vicki King. “Although the outcome was not what we hoped for, the conversations we’ve had and the relationships we’ve built throughout this process have been truly meaningful and valuable.”
Like many school districts across Wisconsin, Salem is facing the ongoing challenges of rising costs, a state funding formula that has not kept pace with inflation, and insufficient increases in public school aid in recent years. Without the ability to increase its revenue limit, the district will now begin the difficult process of evaluating potential reductions in programs, services, and staffing for the upcoming school year.
“While this particular solution was not the right fit at this time, we remain committed to finding ways to support our students and staff,” said Dr. King. “We will continue to seek out additional revenue-building strategies and explore options to ensure the long-term success of our district.”
In the immediate future, and in an effort to minimize the impact on student learning, the Board has made the difficult decision to dip further into fund balance reserves, bringing them below the recommended 20% threshold. While this approach is not ideal or sustainable, it is a necessary step at this time to help maintain the stability of our school and support our students in the months ahead.
Salem School District will provide further updates to families, staff, and community members as next steps are determined.
“We sincerely thank everyone who took the time to vote, engage in conversation, attend community events, and ask thoughtful questions,” said Dr. King. “We look forward to strengthening these connections through continued outreach and meaningful partnerships.”
Units responding for investigation along I-94
At about 7:20 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue, Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue and Newport Fire Protection District units are responding to the 7500 block of the southbound lanes of I-94 for an investigation.
Per dispatch: Caller reporting a strong smell of gas between Highway C and Highway 50.
UPDATE 7:31 p.m. — Bristol unit on the scene reports strong smell of natural gas in the 12300 block.
County executive calls for inaugural Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award nominations
From Kenosha County Executive’s Office:
County Executive Samantha Kerkman … announced the establishment of a new award honoring outstanding veterans in Kenosha County.
The Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award seeks to honor veterans for their achievements and contributions after their time in service.
This year’s award will be presented at Kerkman’s annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic, to be held May 30 at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park.
Nominations for the inaugural award are being accepted until 5 p.m. April 30 through an online form available at https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/VeteranOfTheYear. Paper forms are also available by contacting the Kenosha County Veterans Service Office at 262-605-6690.
“We’re excited to shine a spotlight on the remarkable veterans in our community,” Kerkman said. “I encourage anyone who knows an outstanding veteran to consider making a nomination.”
The award winner will be chosen by a selection committee including Kerkman and members of the Kenosha County Veterans Service Office staff. All nominees will be notified that they were nominated, although the nominator may choose to remain anonymous to the nominee.
Nominees must be Kenosha County residents.
“This award is a way to honor the veterans in Kenosha County who make a difference in the community,” said Veterans Service Officer Jennifer Blasi. “My staff and I look forward to reviewing what we expect will be an impressive list of nominees.”
More details about the Kenosha County Division of Veterans Services and the functions it serves are available at https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/Veterans.
A word from our sponsors: Polish your golf game year round at Westosha Sports Complex
Note: Westosha Sports Complex is a westofthei.com sponsor. This is a paid announcement. — DH
Weather or season never gets in the way of your golf game at Westosha Sports Complex in Silver Lake.
Westosha Sports Complex is a professional training facility where players up their game, practice their swings, and just have fun.
Westosha Sports Complex features Full Swing, the worldwide leader in cutting edge indoor golf simulation technology. Full Swing simulators are in the homes of top Tour Pros including Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Jim Furyk, Padraig Harrington, and many more. Its patented dual tracking technology delivers superior ball tracking data and makes Full Swing the only simulator that actually measures ball flight indoors. With over 30 years of experience, Full Swing provides the most accurate and realistic golf experience you can find. There are 15 different courses you can play.
Hours are: Monday through Tuesday 3-9 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. If you are looking for an earlier tee time call us at least 48 hours in advance and we will try and accommodate you. Refreshments, including beer, are avilable for purchase.
If your game is baseball or softball, stop in for Westosha Sports Complex’s HitTrax baseball/softball hitting simulator.
HitTrax is not your average batting cage. Its patented technology measures real-time data and displays live results for immediate feedback. Analyze key performance metrics to identify tendencies before stepping onto the field.
With HitTrax, players are further engaged, in-depth performance reports are generated. Whether it’s hitting leagues, tournaments or home run derby’s, HitTrax brings the excitement of the outdoor game into this facility.
Click here for full pricing details.
Westosha Sports Complex is located at 1215 N. Pryor St, Silver Lake.
Heavy rain Wednesday
Heavy rain and maybe a thunderstorm are in Wednesday’s National Weather Service forecast for Western Kenosha County.
We could see as much as 1 to 2 inches of total rainfall Wednesday.
Rain is expected to continue through mid afternoon and could extend into the evening. A thunderstorm is most likely between about 7 and 11 a.m.
Wednesday will be windy too, with winds to 25 mph and gusts as high as 40 mph.
Wednesday’s high temp should reach 66.
UPDATE 9:07 a.m.
Spring election 2025: Randall Consolidated School District board results
Voters in the Randall Consolidated School District had a contested election for school board on the spring election ballot.
Two seats will be filled.
At about 9:18 p.m. with 2 of 3 polls reporting what may be incomplete, unofficial results:
- Mary Thornton 1010 (33.79%)
- Jeff Swanson 994 (33.26%)
- Melissa Grochowske 964 (32.25%
Spring election 2025: Wilmot Union High School capital referendum results
Voters in the Wilmot Union High School district had a capital referendum on the spring election ballot.
At 9:14 p.m. with 7 or 8 polls reporting what may be incomplete unofficial results:
- Yes 4175 (57.31%)
- No 3110 (42.69%
Spring election 2025: Silver Lake-Salem Jt. 1 School District (Riverview School) capital referendum results
Voters in the Silver Lake-Salem Jt. 1 School District (Riverview School) had a capital referendum on the ballot.
At 9:10 p.m. with 2 polls out of 2 reporting what may be unofficial, incomplete results:
- Yes 1091 (66.52%)
- No 549 (33.48%)
Spring election 2025: Salem School District referendum results
Voters in the Salem School District had an operational referendum on the spring election ballot.
As of 9:06 p.m., with 2 polls of 3 reporting:
- No 1906 (53.34%)
- Yes 1667 (46.66%)
Spring election 2025: Wilmot Union High School district board results
Voters in the Wilmot Union High School District had a contested race for school board on the spring election ballot.
At 9 p.m., with 7 polls of 8 reporting what may be incomplete, unofficial results:
- Amy Regnier 3624 (39.93%)
- Michael J. Faber 3012 (33.19%)
- Charles Anderson 2354 (25.94%)
Spring election 2025: Bristol School District #1 board results
Voters in Bristol School District #1 had a contested election for school board on the spring election ballot.
Two seats will be filled.
As of 8:53 p.m., 2 out of 5 polls are reporting what may be incomplete unofficial results:
- Tina M. Elfering 480 (34.43%)
- Victor Nightingale 355 (25.47%)
- Abigail Stanislawski 295 (21.16%)
- Paige J. Sefton 257 (18.44%)
Spring election 2025: Randall town supervisor #3 results
Randall voters had a contested race for town supervisor #3 on the spring election ballot.
As of 8:97 p.m., with one poll of 1 reporting what may be incomplete, unofficial results:
- Nancy Kemp 574 (50.17%)
- David Soderman 562 (49.13%
Spring election 2025: Randall town chairman results
Randall voters had a contested race for town chairman on the spring election ballot.
As of 8:47 p.m., with one poll of 1 reporting what may be incomplete, unofficial results:
- Mark Nordigian 669 (54.61%)
- Sue Hughes 548 (44.73%)
Spring election 2025: Twin Lakes village trustee results
Twin Lakes voters had a contested race for village trustee on the spring election ballot.
Three at-large seats are to be filled.
At 8:41 p.m., with 1 poll of 1 reporting what may be unofficial, incomplete results :
- Aaron Karow 1148 (24.65%)
- Kevin Fitzgerald 1112 (23.88%)
- Jim Baxa 842 (18.08%)
- Bryan Neal 838 (17.99%)
- Tim Infusino 676 (14.52%
Spring election 2025: Salem Lakes village trustee results
Voters in Salem Lakes had a contested election for village trustee on the spring election ballot.
The canddiates with the top three vote totlas will fill the setas.
As of 8:31 p.m., with 1 poll of 5 reporting:
- Bill L. Barhyte 670 (24.99%)
- Peter Poli 589 (21.97%)
- Angela Brooks 513 (19.13%)
- Doug Randolph 492 (18.35%)
- James Woodke 382 (14.25%)
Spring election 2025: Paddock Lake village trustee results
Voters in Paddock Lake had a contested election for village trsutee on the spring election ballot.
The top three candidates in vote totals will fill the three available seats.
At about 8:27 p.m., with one poll reporting what maybe by incomplete, unofficials results:
- Renee Brickner 642 (29.42%)
- John Poole 582 (26.67%)
- Keelin Cannon 477 (21.86%)
- RJ Howard 463 (21.22%)
UPDATE — Above numbers are now complete, unofficial results.
Spring election 2025: Westosha Central HS District-Brighton seat results
Voters in the Westosha Central High School District has a contested race for the Brighton seat in the April 1 election.
At 8:15 p.m., early results of incomplete, unofficial results are:
- Jay Nutting 296 (58.5%)
- Neil Lakomiak 206 (40.71%)
UPDATE 8:20 p.m. — Latest incomplete, unofficial results are:
- Nutting 1020 (52.01%)
- Lakomiak 927 (47.27%)
UPDATE 8:22 p.m. — Latest incomplete, unofficial results are:
- Nutting 1420 (52.23%)
- Lakomiak 1274 (46.86%)
UPDATE 8:36 p.m. — With 7 polls of 17 reporting incomplete, unofficial results:
- Nutting 1888 (52.99%)
- Lakomiak 1644 (46.14%)
UPDATE 9:26 p.m. — With 16 of 17 polls reporting incomplete, unofficial results:
- Nutting 2998 (53.93%)
- Lakomiak 2510 (45.15%)
UPDATE 10:16 p.m. with 17 of 17 polls reporting complete, unofficial results:
- Nutting 3436 (53.02%)
- Lakomiak 2988 (46.1%)
Deaths April 1, 2025: Margaret “Marleen” K. Lorenz, Kathleen M. Howe
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 →A word from our sponsors: Why your tires matter and how Hartnell Tire Outlet can help
Note: This is a paid announcement from Hartnell Chevrolet — DH
Tires are a crucial component of your vehicle, directly affecting safety, performance, and fuel efficiency. Over time, tires can wear down or degrade, leading to various issues that may compromise your driving experience.
Here are a few signs you might need new tires:
- Uneven Wear: This can indicate alignment issues or improper inflation, affecting your vehicle’s handling and safety.
- Low Tread Depth: Tires with insufficient tread can significantly reduce traction, especially in wet or slippery conditions.
- Dry Rotting: Cracks or brittleness in the rubber can lead to tire failure, posing a serious safety risk.
- Age of Tires: Even if they appear visually sound, tires over six years old may need replacement due to the breakdown of materials.
- Check these items or have a trained tire profession do an inspection for you!
At Hartnell Tire Outlet, we understand the importance of reliable tires. Our expert team is here to assist you in assessing your current tires’ condition. We offer free tire inspections to help you identify any issues. If new tires are needed, our certified technicians can professionally install them, utilizing our state-of-the-art laser alignment system to ensure optimal performance.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—visit Hartnell Tire Outlet at Hartnell Chevrolet today for a free thorough tire inspection and let us help keep you safe on the road!
www.hartnelltireoutlet.com 262-843-2361
Westosha Central High School Performing Arts Booster Club spaghetti dinner fundraiser is April 5
The Westosha Central High School Performing Arts Booster Club is hosting its annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Saturday, April 5, at Westosha Central High School.
The event includes the dinner, student performances, a silent auction and raffles.
Dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for seniors (65 plus)/student ticket (10 to 17 years) and $8 for children (3 to 10 years). 2 years and under are free. Tickets can be pre-ordered through April 1 here. Tickets also will be available at the door, at a higher rate.
All proceeds benefit the Performing Arts Booster Club, which supports choir, band and drama programs at Central High School.
County clerk provides reminders for voters
From the Kenosha County Clerk’s Office:
County Clerk Regi Waligora is providing the following reminders for voters participating in the 2025 Spring Election on April 1:
- If you’re planning to go to the polls on Tuesday, you can check the Wisconsin Election Commission’s MyVote.wi.gov website to verify your registration status, find your polling place, see what’s on your ballot, and more.
MyVote.wi.gov allows you to verify your polling place as well as what will be on your ballot. You can also track the status of your absentee ballot. If you have questions about the status of your absentee ballot, contact your municipal clerk. - Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. countywide.
Polling place hours are the same throughout the county. You need to be in line by 8 p.m. to vote. - If you’re not registered to vote, you can do so at your polling place on Election Day.
Go to MyVote.wi.gov to see whether you’re registered to vote. If you’re not, you can fill out a registration form at your polling place (as long as you’re an eligible elector) and then proceed to vote. In order to register, a proof-of-residence document with your name and a current address is required. Learn more at https://elections.wi.gov/Register. You may also contact your municipal clerk for registration questions.. Online voter registration for this election is closed. After the April 1 Spring Election, online voter registration will resume. - If you haven’t already returned your absentee ballot, do so as soon as possible.
All absentee ballots must be received by your municipal clerk no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. At this point it is too late to mail back a ballot and have it be counted. - You need an acceptable photo ID to vote and your ID for voting does not need to show your current address.
Most voters already have the photo ID they need to vote, such as a Wisconsin driver license or ID. If you have photo ID questions, please visit https://elections.wi.gov/photoid or call 1-866-VOTE-WIS for information. A voter who does not have an acceptable photo ID must be offered a provisional ballot and the opportunity to submit a photo ID before 4:00 p.m. on the Friday after the election. - If you’re a voter with a disability, you have additional options when returning your absentee ballot.
Pursuant to the Voting Rights Act, any Wisconsin voter who requires assistance with mailing or delivering an absentee ballot to their municipal clerk due to a disability must be permitted to receive assistance from a person of the voter’s choice. This person cannot be the voter’s employer or an agent of the employer. This person also cannot be an officer or agent of the voter’s union. Contact your municipal clerk if you have questions. - Election officials are the most reliable source of information about elections.
Be cautious when engaging with election information, especially when it is unsolicited. We recently learned about unsolicited communications from third-party groups that may be providing inaccurate or misleading election information. Sometimes, these misleading communications even appear to mimic communications from an official government source. When it comes to voting information, voters should make sure to rely upon accurate, official sources. This includes the WEC’s official MyVote.wi.gov website. You can also contact your municipal clerk, who can confirm your registration status and answer any questions you might have. You can find your clerk’s contact information on the MyVote website. - Be patient when waiting for Tuesday night’s results, which will be unofficial.
Unofficial election results take time. For local election results, visit https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/1405/Election-Results. After all precincts have been reported, the Kenosha County Election Results webpage will have language indicating that all votes have been counted. The unofficial election results will be pending until the completion of the County Board of Canvassers. For the results of statewide contests, it may not be until the early morning hours on Wednesday, April 2, or later that all of Wisconsin’s counties will post the full, unofficial results.
Wisconsin election officials prioritize accuracy over speed. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong if it takes a while for unofficial results to come in.
No matter what you see on TV or online, it will take weeks for Wisconsin’s unofficial results to become official. Over these weeks, officials at the municipal, county, and state level will review the results to ensure they are accurate.
Spring election 2025: It’s Election Day
Western Kenosha County voters can cast ballots in the spring non-partisan election Tuesday, April 1.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Salem Lakes will be using all three polling places: Salem Lakes Village Hall, Wilmot Fire Station and Silver Lake Village Hall.
Voters can find their polling place here.
Another statewide race will be for state Supreme Court justice. On the ballot are Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel. The incumbent, Ann Walsh Bradley, is not running for re-election.
Closer to home, here are the municipal elections with contested races:
In Randall, there are two contested races for town office. Sue Hughes and Mark Nordigian are running for town chairperson. Incumbent Tim Gaffron did not run for election. Nancy Kemp, the incumbent, and David Soderman are running for supervisor #3.
Here are the school board elections with contested races:
These school districts also will have referendums on the ballot:
Deaths March 31, 2025: Janet Anne Erickson
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 →Sponsored post: Vote James Woodke for Salem Lakes Village Trustee
Note: The following is a paid announcement from James Woodke for Salem Lakes Village Board Trustee Committee
On Facebook James Woodke for Salem Lakes Village Board Trustee Committee
Or http://www.woodke.com/home.html
PAID for by the James Woodke for Salem Lakes Village Board Trustee Committee.
2025 Spring Bling Fling Community Library fundraiser is April 4, 5, 11 & 12
Spring Bling Fling, the annual Friends of Community Library jewelry fundraiser, is back for two upcoming April weekends at the Salem Lakes branch.
Jewelry donations for the sale have been generous again this year, and just about any style of earrings, bracelets, watches, pins, necklaces and more are waiting for observant shoppers.
A friends members-only early sale is on Thursday, April 3rd, from 3 until 7. New memberships in the Friends of Community Library may be purchased at that time. The regular hours of the sale are Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
A second weekend is also offered on Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12.
All proceeds from the sale support youth services programs offered by Community Library.
The Salem Lakes library branch is located at the corner of 89th Street and Highway 83, south of Paddock Lake.
A word from our sponsors: Batting practice with data feedback at Westosha Sports Complex
Note: Westosha Sports Complex is a westofthei.com sponsor. This is a paid announcement. — DH
Weather or season never gets in the way of perfecting your baseball or softball batting at Westosha Sports Complex in Silver Lake.
Westosha Sports Complex is a professional training facility where players up their game, practice their swings, and just have fun.
Westosha Sports Complex’ features the HitTrax baseball/softball hitting simulator.
HitTrax is not your average batting cage. Its patented technology measures real-time data and displays live results for immediate feedback. Analyze key performance metrics to identify tendencies before stepping onto the field.
With HitTrax, players are further engaged, in-depth performance reports are generated. Whether it’s hitting leagues, tournaments or home run derby’s, HitTrax brings the excitement of the outdoor game into this facility.
How is golf your game? Westosha Sports Complex also features Full Swing, the worldwide leader in cutting edge indoor golf simulation technology. Full Swing simulators are in the homes of top Tour Pros including Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Jim Furyk, Padraig Harrington, and many more. Its patented dual tracking technology delivers superior ball tracking data and makes Full Swing the only simulator that actually measures ball flight indoors. With over 30 years of experience, Full Swing provides the most accurate and realistic golf experience you can find. There are over 100 different courses you can play.
Hours are: Monday through Tuesday 3-9 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. If you are looking for an earlier tee time call us at least 48 hours in advance and we will try and accommodate you. Refreshments, including beer, are avilable for purchase.
Click here for full pricing details.
Westosha Sports Complex is located at 1215 N. Pryor St, Silver Lake.
