A tornado watch that includes Kenosha County has been extended by the National Weather Service .
The watch is now set to expire at 7 p.m.
Tornado watch issued
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for an area of Wisconsin that includes Kenosha County.
The watch is set to be in effect until 6 p.m.
Warm maybe wet Wednesday, then cooler for a bit
Wednesday should see hot temperatures and likely some rain later, but high temps are expected to moderate noticeably for a few days starting Thursday, says the latest, local National Weather Service forecast.
Wednesday’s high temp is expected to reach 90. The high temperature Thursday is expected to be 76. High temps are expected to continue to be in the high 70s, low 80s through Monday.
Rain and maybe a thunderstorm is likely later Wednesday and Wednesday evening. The next significant chance of rain after that is 50 percent on Saturday.
Units responding for crash in Paris
At about 9:28 p.m., Paris Fire and Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash at Highways 45 and 142 in Paris.
Per dispatch: Two vehicles involved.
UPDATE about 9:30 p.m. — Personnel at the scene reports to dispatch no apparent injuries.
Deaths July 15, 2025: Austin Hunter Merkling, David John Leto
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 →July 15, 2025 lake test results: Center Lake, Rock Lake, North Shore Association, Paddock Hooker Lakes Association beach closed to swimming; PHLA diving board area under swim caution
Center Lake, Rock Lake and North Shore Association and Paddock Hooker Lakes Association beach on Paddock Lake are closed to swimming and the PHLA diving board area is under a swim caution after testing by Kenosha County showed elevated E.coli levels 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 results from Monday that prompted the closures and caution were:
- Center Lake 2419.0 E.coli/100 mL.
- North Shore Association 2419.0 E.coli/100 mL
- PHLA beach >2419 E.coli/100mL
- Rock Lake 1300 E.coli/100 mL
- PHLA diving board 387 E.coli/100 mL
Those locations were scheduled to be re-sampled Tuesday.
Results from testing by Kenosha County on Monday (except where noted) were:
Salem Lakes – Silver Lake County Park beach 3 E.coli/100 mL; Silver Lake DeWitt Park 91 E.coli/100mL; Lake Shangri-la 220th Ct. 81 E.coli/100 mL; Center Lake >2419 E.coli/100 mL; Camp Lake 20 E.coli/100 mL; Hooker Lake Boat Launch 5 E.coli/100 mL; Rock Lake 1300 E.coli/100 mL
Paddock Lake — Old Settlers County Park beach 33 E.coli/100 mL; Hoag Park 23 E.coli/100 mL; North Shore Association >2419 E.coli/100 mL; PHLA beach >2419 E.coli/100mL; PHLA diving board 387 E.coli/100 mL.
Wheatland — Lilly Lake <1 E.coli/100 mL.
Twin Lakes — Lance Park on Lake Mary 14 E.coli/100mL.
Randall (reported by District of Powers Lake) — Powers Lake beach 75 E.coli/100 mL
Agenda: Paddock Lake Village Board meeting July 16, 2025
The Paddock Lake Village Board is scheduled to meet Wednesday starting at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall (municipal building).
Agenda items include:
- Authorize village staff to pay Asphalt Contractors, Inc in the amount of $87,597.26as a final pay request for the 2024 Street Improvement Project.
- Authorize Village Administrator to issue purchase order #5989 to Morton Salt for the purchase of 125 tons of road deicing salt at a price per ton of $87.42, totaling $10,927.50
- Discussion of yard waste collection bid results and possible action on yard waste collection bid results.
- Authorize the village staff to pay Wade Landscaping, Inc for tub grinding services, at a cost not to exceed $10,687.50
- Authorize Village Staff to pay Asphalt Contractors, Inc in the amount of $4,371.83 as final pay request for the 2024 village hall parking lot improvement project.
Salem Lakes dedicates Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station #1
A box that a parent looking to anonymously give up an infant can use was dedicated at Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue Station 1 Monday afternoon.
The Safe Haven Baby Box at the fire station is the 346th such structure in the US and fifth in Wisconsin, said Jessi Getrost of Safe Haven Baby Boxes. The boxes are located in 24 states.
The project to locate the box at the station was initiated by village administrator Cassandra Hiller over a year ago, she said. She asked Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue Chief Al Carr and the fire department to take it on. Shortly thereafter, Kenzie Gaede, an NREMT with the department, became a key person in driving the project, which received the appoval of the Village Board.
“The Safe Haven Baby Box is more than a structure,” Carr said in his prepared remarks. “It’s a symbol of compassion and safety … Together we have created something that will save lives.”
The box offers a secure and anonymous way a parent can give up a baby that can’t be otherwise cared for. Here Gaede explains how it works:
Carr thanked everyone in the community that contributed to the project, but held out special thanks for an anonymous donor.
“This would not have been possible without them,” Carr said.
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Detective Tim Hackbarth spoke on behalf of that donor, who he called a “pillar of our community.”
“To them, their personal believe is that Jesus saved us…” Hackbarth said. “They also wanted to show that love to other people. Prayerfully, it never gets used, but if it does it’s here for those people.”
Getrost said the cost of a box is about $20,000 including installation.
Carr also praised Gaede’s efforts, saying she “worked tirelessly” and was “instrumental in making this happen.”
Other people speaking at the ceremony were County Executive Samantha Kerkman, state Rep. Amanda Nedweski, and Hiller.
Here is video of the program:
Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue Station one is located at 11252 254th Ct., Trevor.
The baby box is operational as of Monday, Hiller said.
Deaths July 14, 2025: Michael Robert Demske, Arthur Allen Burgeson
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 →Agenda: Twin Lakes #4 School District (Lakewood School) board meeting July 14, 2025
The Twin Lakes #4 School District (Lakewood School) board is scheduled to meet Monday, starting at 6 p.m. in the school library.
Agenda items include:
- Retirement Recognition: Stacy Destree 33 years of service
- Community, Open Enrollment In/Out
- Operating Referendum (Discussion): April 2026, November 2026, April 2027
- Budget Update for 2025-2026 (Discussion)
- Motion to approve insurance plan with UnitedHealthcare
Agenda: Bristol Village Board meeting July 14, 2025
The Bristol Village Board is scheduled to meet Monday, starting at 7 p.m. at Village Hall.
Agenda items include:
- Discuss and consider for approval the request of Chad Olson, Mosmatic Real Estate Inc. (Applicant), 8313 196th A venue, Bristol, WI 53104 for a Site Plan Review tax parcel 4-121-083-0435, located at PT SE 1/4 SEC 8 Tl R 21, Village of Bristol, Kenosha County, State of Wisconsin. For informational purposes, this property is located at the southwest corner of 194th A venue and 84th Street in Bristol, WI 5. Mosmatic is proposing to build a cold storage facility.
- Consider for approval the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Village of Bristol and Kenosha County to transfer tax parcel 37-4-121-123-0200 from Kenosha County to the Village of Bristol for the Horizon Development.
Agenda: Wheatland Town Board meeting July 14, 2025
The Wheatland Town Board is scheduled to meet Monday, starting at 6 p.m. at Town Hall in New Munster.
Agenda items include:
- ATV 2nd reading
Agenda: Randall Town Board & Plan Commission meeting July 14, 2025
The Randall Town Board is scheduled to meet Monday, starting at 6 p.m. at Town Hall in Bassett.
Agenda items include:
- DEBRA L. PARTRIDGE DECLARATION OF TRUST, 8745 406th Ave., Genoa City, WI 53128 (Owner), Jasonn Weber, 1553 South 38th St., Milwaukee WI 53215 (Agent), requesting a variance (Section 12.27.060(a)(1)(a): Solar energy systems located in a residential district on parcels less than one acre in area shall have a capacity not to exceed seven kilowatts in rated capacity) to construct a solar energy system with a 20 kW ac system capacity in the R-3 urban Single-Family Residential District on Tax Key Parcel #60-4-119-182-0390, Town of Randall. Discussion, consideration, and action if any.
- Kaskin park baseball field. Discussion, consideration, and action if any.
- Possible change of Town Board and Plan Commission meeting day. Discussion, consideration, and action if
any. - Innovation Planning Grant study questions. Discussion, consideration, and action if any.
- Crop Canon discussion, consideration and action if needed.
2025 Bristol Progress Days parade coverage (PHOTOS & VIDEO)
The Bristol Progress Days Parade took place Sunday afternoon.
The parade — known for the quantity of candy thrown by entrants — worked its way through central Bristol ending at Hansen Park, where the rest of the days activities are held.
Along the way you could hear music and see a variety of parade entries from local organizations, businesses, fire departments, the Sheriff’s Department and more.
Here is video of fire equipment portion of the parade, with horns and sirens blaring:
Here is video of the marching bands in the parade, the hometown Westosha Central High School Marching Falcons, and the Rambler Band and Band of the Black Watch from the Kenosha Unified School District:
Here is video of the Tebala Motor Patrol:
Here are many more photos from the parade:
Continue reading →Units responding for crash in Trevor
At about 2:20 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash at 128th Street and Antioch Road in Trevor.
Per dispatch: Vehicle rolled over. Injuries being reported.
A word from our sponsors: July 13, 2025 open houses from Bear Realty’s Glenda and Butch Dupons
Note: Glenda and Butch Dupons, of Bear Realty, are westofthei.com sponsors. This is a paid announcement — DH
Here are open houses being hosted today by Glenda and Butch Dupons, of Bear Realty:
Twin Lakes PD K9 Jaxx medically retired
The Twin Lakes Police Department’s K9 Jaxx will be medically retired after action by the Village Board Monday.
Jaxx joined the force in 2021.
Jaxx will be sold to his handler Officer Jeffrey Comp for $1, as the contract governing the program calls for in the case of a medical retirement.
Jaxx suffered a spinal cord injury in 2023 during training, but eventually recovered and returned to active duty after extensive therapy.
In April, the dog was to be sold for $3,000 to Comp, who at the time was planning to move to Florida. Chief Katie Hall said at that time that she did not think Jaxx would be suitable to work with another handler on the department.
But Comp’s plans changed shortly after the sale was approved by the Village Board and he — and Jaxx — did not leave the TLPD, Hall said Monday.
“The dog was never sold to him,” Hall said.
While Jaxx returned to duty after completing his lengthy rehab for the injury, he began to have difficulty again.
At some point, Jaxx also was diagnosed with chronic intervertebral disc disease. Currently, “he’s having a lot of trouble getting on the couch or walking,” Hall said.
From a letter to Hall from veterinarian Karen Turner:
Based on his current condition and the risks of further injury or paralysis, it is not sustainable to continue to work Jaxx on patrol and detection. He requires assistance with basic activities and could be considered a liability to his handler or himself being unable to perform to the full extent required of a K-9 unit. It is my professional recommendation that K-9 Jaxx be medically retired from his position.”
The vote to medically retire Jaxx and sell him to Comp for $1 was unanimous on a voice vote with village President Howard Skinner absent.
A word from our sponsors: July 12, 2025 open houses from Bear Realty’s Glenda and Butch Dupons
Note: Glenda and Butch Dupons, of Bear Realty, are westofthei.com sponsors. This is a paid announcement — DH
Here are open houses being hosted today by Glenda and Butch Dupons, of Bear Realty:
Mindy Cooling is 2025 Bristol Outstanding Citizen
Mindy Cooling was named the 2025 Bristol Outstanding Citizen at the Bristol Progress Days banquet Friday night at the Parkway Chateau.
Naming of the outstanding citizens is a feature of the banquet, which kicks off the annual three-day community festival.
Cooling was unable to attend due to being out of town.
In her nomination, Cooling was praised for her extensive community involvement in a number of ways:
“This nominee is by far one of the most actively involved members of her community and most generous business people I have ever known, She shines brightly by her selfless service to others … This person’s compassion and caring nature is shown through her business relationships and sponsorships of both local and international organizations such as The Children’s Hear Project, the Ronald McDonald House, One HOPE, Kenosha County park music series, the Summer Reading Program, Helping Hands, veteran’s breakfast, Bristol Progress Days events including the 5K run, … and countless holiday and special events …It is impossible to document all of the good that this person has been a part of.”
Mary Gillmore is 2025 Miss Bristol
Mary Gillmore was named 2025 Miss Bristol at the Bristol Progress Days banquet Friday evening at the Parkway Chateau.
Gillmore was one of two contestants in this year’s contest, which is an annual part of the Bristol Progress Days community festival.
Second runner up and Miss Congeniality was Melissa Jozwiak.
Gillmore will be a senior at Westosha Central High School this fall. She serves as the captain of the girls wrestling team and earned honorable mention for Academic All-State. Gillmore has been on the honor roll every semester of high school and woodworking is one of her favorite courses. Outside of school, she is a member of the Bristol CHallenge 4-H Club and shows dairy, beef and hogs at the Kenosha County Fair. After school, she plans to join the operators union and become one of the very few female heavy equipment operators. She works at Elfering Dairy Farm, ValleyCroft Farms and in the custodial department of Bristol Grade School. She has volunteered for Marleigh’s Ministry and helped her family host OakVue Farm’s annual live nativity. She is part of the seventh generation of her family to live on the farm.
Mary Gillmore is the sister of 2024 Miss Bristol Margaret Gillmore. Organizers believe this is the first time a sister has succeeded her sister as Miss Bristol in consecutive years.
Grayson Burnett & Audrey Schroeder 2025 Bristol Junior Outstanding Citizens
Grayson Burnett and Audrey Schroeder were named the 2025 Bristol Junior Outstanding Citizens.
The announcement was made at the first night of Bristol Progress Days banquet Friday evening at The Brat Stop/Parkway Chateau.
Audrey is 12 years old and attends Bristol School. She participates in drama and plays the clarinet. SH eis a member of the Bristol Strivers 4-H Club and is a Girl Scout. She also participates in American Royal Spirits, volunteers at the WI Human Society.
Grayson is 11 years old and attends Bristol School. He has earned math awards and has been involved with Math 24 for the past two years. He has been playing the piano for six years and is also now in the school band and jazz band. He has been involved in gymnastics for seven years and this year earned places at state and regionals.
Each year a girl and a boy are named outstanding citizens as part of the Progress Days community festival.
Deaths July 11, 2025: Ralph Young, Cynthia Delligatti
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 →Garage sales page updated
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.
Tornado watch issued
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for an area of Wisconsin that includes Kenosha County.
The watch is set to be in effect until 11 p.m., Friday.
The NWS says tornado watches are issued when “conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Their size can vary depending on the weather situation. They are usually issued for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches.”
Much of northeastern Illinois also under a tornado watch.
Thunderstorms expected Friday evening
Showers and thunderstorms are expected here this evening, says the latest, local National Weather Service forecast.
While the precipitation could begin as early as 6 p.m., it is most likely between 8 p.m. Friday and midnight, Saturday. Rain and maybe a storm could linger into later Saturday morning and possibly Saturday afternoon. Saturday’s high temperature is expected to hit 84.
Rain totals could be between .75 and 1 inch overnight Friday.
Sunday and Monday are expected to be dry with a high temp Sunday of 82 and a high Monday of 87.
July 11, 2025 lake test results: Rock Lake remains closed to swimming
Rock Lake remains closed to swimming after re-sampling by Kenosha County Thursday showed elevated levels of E.coli 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 result that prompted the continued closure was greater than 2419 E.coli/100mL
The site was scheduled for re-sampling.
A word from our sponsors: 2025 Bristol Progress Days is July 11, 12, 13
Note: This is a paid announcement from Bristol Progress Days — DH
2025 Bristol Progress Days, the annual community festival held the weekend after the Fourth of July in Bristol, will take place over three days on July 11, 12 and 13.
The theme for this year is “Bristol will Thrive in 2025.”
The festivities include the Miss Bristol crowning and the Outstanding Citizens Awards, which are announced on Friday at the coronation banquet. The sports tournaments are always a big hit and the fireworks show and parade draw people from all over the southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois area.
Here’s some of the other fun at Bristol Progress Days:
CORONATION BANQUET — This year’s Miss Bristol and the Outstanding Citizen announcements are made at the annual banquet held at the Parkway Chateau on Friday evening.
RUN/WALK — This year’s events will again include a 5K run/1.5 mile walk on Saturday morning, starting at Village Hall. Same day registration.
CAR SHOW — On Saturday, July 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. Must register. Limited space. Call Glen at 262-945-7339.
PARADE — The parade known for its large number of varied entries and its abundance of candy treats takes place starting at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. The parade route works its way through downtown Bristol and ends at Hansen Park, where the other Progress Days activities are held. Make sure to bring a container for all that candy!
FIREWORKS — The annual fireworks display takes place at dusk on Sunday.
INFLATABLES — The festival will host a variety of inflatables, with wristband specials on Saturday and Sunday for extended fun for the youngsters.
AXE THROWING — 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. by Hold my Beer.
AUCTION — A live auction will take place Sunday following the parade at 2:30 p.m.
MUSIC — Music in the beer garden will be provided: On Saturday (6-9 p.m.) by Lara Bell and on Sunday 3-(6 p.m.) by Alyssia Dominquez.
SOFTBALL — Softball tournaments will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
PEDAL PULL — Saturday starting at 11 a.m. at basketball court area
VOLLEYBALL — A volleyball tournament will take place at Hansen Park on Saturday.
CORNHOLE — A cornhole tournament will take place at Hansen Park on Friday. Registration is at 6 p.m. and the play begins at 6:30 p.m.
DART BALL — A Dart ball tournmanent will take place on Saturday, with registration starting at 10 a.m.
RAFFLES — Tickets are $5 each with only 1,000 sold. Drawing is at 8:45 p.m., Sunday. This year’s raffle prizes are: First place, two-might, three-day stay in a timeshare at Wisconsin Dells or Branson Missouri; second prize, $150 cash; third prize, $75. Drawing is at 8:30 p.m., Sunday.
PING PONG BALL DROP — Get your ping pong ball for $2 each. Prizes are gift cards to 45 DIner: $100, $50, $50 and $25 value. Drop is at 7 p.m., Saturday.
Units responding for crash in Salem Lakes
At about 6:03 p.m., Salem Lakes Fire/Rescue units and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash in the 8100 block of 312th Avenue in Salem Lakes.
UPDATE about 6:05 p.m. — Town of Randall Fire Department requested to respond for mutual aid.
UPDATE about 6:10 p.m. — Unit arriving on scene reports single vehicle involved on its side and in the ditch.
UPDATE 6:21 p.m. — Occupant freed from vehicle.
Deaths July 10, 2025: Justin Michael Skrzynecki, Paula Lee Cronin, Raymond Jan Rapacz
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 →July 10, 2025 lake test results: Rock Lake closed to swimming
Rock Lake is closed to swimming after testing by Kenosha County 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 result from Wednesday that prompted the closure was greater than 2419 E.coli/100. That location was scheduled to be resampled Thursday.
