West of the I

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:

Note: The following is a paid announcement from Westosha Head Start — DH

Are you looking for a high-quality preschool experience for your child? Westosha Head Start offers a warm, nurturing, and engaging learning environment, where children ages 3 to 5 years old can learn, grow, and thrive. As a federally funded program, Head Start helps children build the skills they need for kindergarten and beyond. Through hands-on learning activities that focus on social emotional development, early literacy, math, science and creative play; our goal is simple, to help every child enter school confident, curious, and ready to succeed. Families love knowing that children do not need to be potty trained to enroll, making it easier for every child to get the strong start they deserve.

Westosha Head Start is proud to be a five-star YoungStar program, with classrooms led by caring and highly-qualified teachers who hold bachelor’s degrees, and are dedicated to helping children reach their full potential. The early years matter! The opportunities your child receives today can make a lasting difference tomorrow! NOW ENROLLING children ages three to five. Don’t wait! Spaces fill quickly! Call Westosha Head Start today at 262-862-6168 to learn more or begin the enrollment process.

At 5:31 p.m., Wheatland Vol Fire Department, Town of Randall Fire Department and Twin Lakes Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to the 7800 block of 352nd Avenue in Wheatland for a possible fire.

UPDATE 5:35 p.m. — Deputies on scene report no smoke or flames.

UPDATE 5:43 p.m. — Wheatland unit on scene and investigating.

UPDATE 5:45 p.m. — Wheatland unit at the scene returning to quarters.

Old Settlers County Park Beach is closed to swimming and Hooker Lake boat launch under a swim caution after testing by Kenosha County showed elevated E.coli levels 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 that prompted the closure and caution were:

Old Settlers County Park Beach — 1120.0 E.coli/100 mL.

Hooker Lake boat launch — 727.0 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 55 E.coli/100 mL; DeWitt Park on Silver Lake 3 E.coli/100mL; Lake Shangri-la 220th Ct. 153 E.coli/100 mL; Center Lake 11 E.coli/100 mL; Rock Lake 73 E.coli/100 mL; Camp Lake 27 E.coli/100 mL

Paddock Lake — Old Settlers County Park beach 1120 E.coli/100 mL; Hooker Lake launch 727 E.coli/100 mL; Hoag Park 60 E.coli/100 mL; North Shore Association 31 E.coli/100 mL; PHLA beach 70 E.coli/100mL; PHLA diving board 22 E.coli/100 mL.

Wheatland — Lilly Lake 19 E.coli/100 mL.

Twin Lakes — Lance Park on Lake Mary 166 E.coli/100mL

Randall (reported by the District of Powers Lake) — Powers Lake Beach 22 E.coli/100mL

The National Weather Service has extended its extreme heat warning.

The warning is now set to be in effect until Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The weather for Tuesday and Wednesday is very similar to what we all experienced Monday, says the latest, local NWS forecast. High temperatures in the mid 90s. Heat index values about 105. Lows about 77.

Temperatures are expected to continue to be high Thursday, but there is a chance of rain, especially Thursday night.

High temps may only be in the 80s Friday through Monday.

The Paddock Lake Area Lions Club is holding a diaper drive (all sizes) and wipes for One Hope, which provides foster parents with many needs associated with fostering. 

For more information on their needs contact them at onehopeunited.org.

A Collection bin is located at Walgreens at the corner of Highways 83 and 50 in Paddock Lake through mid July.  Donations can also be brought to Old Settlers Park during Rhythm on the Lake on Thursdays, where the Lions are providing the concessions.

The Paddock Lake Area Lions Club works to raise funds and support many area needs as well as well as state and regional efforts.  For more information about the Paddock Lake Area Lions  call Lion Donna Deuster at 262-332-0023.

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:

There are designated cooling centers that local people can access during this extremely hot weather.

Here are Western Kenosha County locations:

• Bristol Village Hall, 19801 83rd St., Bristol 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. M-F. Call 262-857-2368 or 262-857-2711 for weekend hours.
• Randall Town Hall, 34530 Bassett Road, Bassett, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-Th.
• Twin Lakes Village Hall, 105 E. Main St., Twin Lakes, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. M-F.
• Kenosha County Center, Highways 45 & 50, Bristol, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. M-F.
• Twin Lakes Community Library, 110 S. Lake Ave., Twin Lakes, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. M-Th., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. F-Sa.
• Salem Community Library, 24615 89th St., Salem, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. M-Th., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. F-Sa.
• The Sharing Center, 25700 Wilmot Road, Trevor, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (closed Th.)

Some locations may be closed for holidays or other reasons.

Here is a list of all sites countywide.

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

Celebrate Independence Day in Twin Lakes with one of the community’s most beloved traditions—Libertyfest! 

 Friday, July 3 | 4:00–10:00 PM | Lance Park
Kick off the festivities with an evening full of summer fun—food, drinks, music from the DJ, and a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the night sky over the lake. It’s the perfect way to gather with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate everything we love about our hometown.

Saturday, July 4 | 11:00 AM | Parade
Join us for the annual Libertyfest Parade, with a new route beginning at Lakewood School and making its way to Lance Park. Line the streets or walk with us as we celebrate community pride, patriotism, and togetherness.

Keeping Tradition Alive
Libertyfest is more than just an event—it’s a tradition that brings our community together year after year. Your support helps make it all possible, especially the breathtaking fireworks display that so many look forward to. Every donation, big or small, makes a meaningful impact and ensures we can continue celebrating for years to come.

Be part of the tradition. Celebrate with us. Support the magic.

The heat wave has begun and for emphasis the National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for southern Wisconsin including Kenosha County.

The warning will go into effect at noon Monday and is scheduled to stay in effect until 7 p.m., Tuesday.

The high temperature is expected to reach 94 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the latest, local NWS forecast says. Heat index values as high as 105 care expected Monday and Tuesday.

Low temperatures are expected to be in the 70s through Friday night.

Precautionary steps in the warning text include: “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Stay cool, stay hydrated, stay informed.”

Note: The following is a paid announcement from H&R Block — DH

H&R Block is excited to share updated office hours for our Paddock Lake office during the non-tax season! As always, our goal is to make it easier and more convenient for you to access the professional services you need throughout the year.

Updated Business Hours

• Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Friday: ·9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4 PM (New extended hours!) *(Saturdays and/or hours may vary. Call for availability.
• Sunday: Closed

Here for You Year-Round

We are proud to remain open year-round, providing reliable support whenever you need it-not just during tax season.

Expanded Availability to Serve You Better

With these updated hours, including extended Thursday evenings and newly adjusted Saturday hours, we’re happy to offer greater flexibility to accommodate your schedule. Whether you need help with:

• Accounting services
• Business support and consulting
• Personal or business tax need

Our team is ready to assist you.

We’re Here When It Works for You

We understand that life and business don’t always fit into a 9-to-5 routine. That’s why we’ve expanded our availability-to better serve our valued clients in and around the Paddock Lake community.

Stop by during our new hours or reach out and call us at 262-843-3557 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you succeed all .year long!

At about 11:14 a.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue and Kenosha Fire Department units and law enforcement are responding to a crash in the 14400 block of Highway 50 along the Bristol-Kenosha border.

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:

Paddock Lake’s 2026 Fourth of July Bike & Golf Cart Parade will take place Saturday, July 4.

Lineup starts at 9:30 a.m. at McAlonan Park. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and will make its way north and east, then south and end up at Village Hall on 236th Avenue.

Post parade, hot dogs, chips and lemonade will be served at Village Hall. Prizes will be awarded for best decorated bikes and best decorated registered golf cart.

The annual event is organized by the village government.

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

Celebrate Independence Day in Twin Lakes with one of the community’s most beloved traditions—Libertyfest! 

 Friday, July 3 | 4:00–10:00 PM | Lance Park
Kick off the festivities with an evening full of summer fun—food, drinks, music from the DJ, and a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the night sky over the lake. It’s the perfect way to gather with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate everything we love about our hometown.

Saturday, July 4 | 11:00 AM | Parade
Join us for the annual Libertyfest Parade, beginning at Lakewood School and making its way to Lance Park. Line the streets or walk with us as we celebrate community pride, patriotism, and togetherness.

Keeping Tradition Alive
Libertyfest is more than just an event—it’s a tradition that brings our community together year after year. Your support helps make it all possible, especially the breathtaking fireworks display that so many look forward to. Every donation, big or small, makes a meaningful impact and ensures we can continue celebrating for years to come.

Be part of the tradition. Celebrate with us. Support the magic.

Over 60 American Legion Riders of Wisconsin gather at the American Legion in Twin Lakes for their ride. The three-day ride will raise money for the National Legacy Run – Veterans & Children Foundation, WI American Legion Auxiliary – Badger Girls State program & WI Sons of the American Legion – Operation A.L.F.

They will be stopping in Palmyra, Delafield, and Mayville. They will also be going to Fond du Lac, Chilton, Manitowoc, and Green Bay. They will end the ride in Medford.

Laying a wreath at the base of the American flag at Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park.

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 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.