Rep. Barca asking that Dem ideas on business be considered
Peter Barca
The Republican Party may be seen as the party of business.
But state Rep. Peter Barca, the Democrat who represents a northside Kenosha district, has sent a letter to incoming Republican Gov. Scott Walker in Barca’s role as minority leader asking that his party’s ideas be heard.
In the letter Barca says:
While we will certainly find policy areas where we will not agree, I believe that job creation is a strong common goal we share. Democrats are ready to be part of the solution. Creating jobs is not a partisan effort. It is far too important to let it be tainted by partisanship or slowed by unnecessary road blocks. Continuing to put Wisconsin citizens back to work must be the priority for all of us who serve as elected officials.”
Gov. Walker is reportedly willing to meet with Barca on the topic.
Committee chairmanships for Kerkman announced
Samantha Kerkman
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman has been named chairman of one Assembly committee and co-chairman of another.
Speaker-elect Jeff Fitzgerald announced Thursday that Kerkman will be the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and co-chairman of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
Said Fitzgerald:
“Since she first took office in 2001, Rep. Kerkman has served on the Joint Audit Committee and has consistently demonstrated a commanding knowledge of the issues addressed by the committee, particularly those surrounding Wisconsin Shares, Family Care, and FoodShare. In addition to her experience with the Joint Audit Committee, Rep. Kerkman also has previous experience in serving as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee during the 2007-2008 Session. I believe she is a good fit for the role of chair of both committees.”
Kerkman, a Republican who lives in Randall, represents the 66th Assembly District, which includes most of Western Kenosha County and most of Somers.
Unit responding to jail for woman in labor
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 6:50 p.m., a Kenosha Fire Department medical unit is responding to the Kenosha County Jail, 1100 55th St., for a woman in labor.
Units responding to crash at 39th Avenue and 75th Street
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 3:08 p.m., Kenosha police and fire departments personnel are responding to a report of a two-vehicle crash at 39th Avenue and 75th Street, Kenosha.
Dispatch reports that an electrical box of some type may have been struck.
UPDATE 3:10 p.m. – Police officer reports that traffic signals at scene not working. Traffic being diverted from eastbound lanes of 75th Street.
Deputies responding to crash on I-94
Photo by kconnors via morgueFile.com
At 2:52 p.m., sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of a crash on I-94, in the northbound lanes north of Highway 50.
Dispatch reports two vehicles are involved, no injuries are being reported and the vehicles are not blocking traffic.
Units responding to crash at 60th and Sheridan
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 2 p.m., Kenosha police are responding to a report of a two-vehicle crash at 60th Street and Sheridan Road.
Dispatch reports that there are no injuries.
Units responding to pre-trial center for woman in labor
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 1:55 p.m., a Kenosha Fire Department medical unit is responding to the Kenosha County Pre-Trial Center, Ninth Avenue and 55th Street, for a woman who appears to be in labor.
Deal of the Day: Gift certificate for Epic Audio half off
Have you heard about our new feature at KenoWi.com? We call it Deal of the Day and it will offer you great values on goods and services from local businesses.
Here’s how it works. We offer a gift certificate or gift card from a local business for half price of its face value. For example, you get a $50 gift card but only pay $25 for it. Now that’s a deal!
Our offering today is from Epic Audio, 635 58th St., Kenosha, 262-764-0280. Epic Audio’s mission is simple: to provide the best high-fidelity components available at prices designed to fit any budget. They are an authorized dealer for such outstanding audio product lines as PS Audio, Quad, Cambridge Audio, Wadia, Creek, Epos, Music Hall, KEF, Harman-Kardon, Shanling and more. They also offer the best used gear available, fully-tested and with a 60-day warranty on all pieces except digital players. Owner Craig Swanson would love for you to see — and hear– his store’s equipment. He has a sound solution for every budget. We are offering a $100 gift certificate for $53 ($3 processing fee). The certificate will be valid for six months from purchase on any merchandise Epic Audio handles. Full description of Deal of the Day conditions is available here. Click the button below to buy the Deal of the Day.
Temps could top 50 Friday
Photo by cohdra via morgueFile.com
The warming today that has melted much of the snow cover hereabouts could get downright balmy for late December on Friday. The National Weather Service is calling for a high of 52 degrees on New Year’s Eve.
That much warmth, of course, should finish off the snow. But the temps are not expected to stay warm for long, with the high Saturday forecast for 27 and 24 for Sunday.
And in case you were wondering, the county’s snowmobile trail system has been officially closed. There’s no real snow in the forecast so far. You can check the snowmobile hotline at 671-4944 to check trail conditions anytime.
Pleasant Prairie woman killed in Illinois crash
Giselle McComb, 22, of Pleasant Prairie, died Tuesday night in a traffic crash in Illinois caused by traffic signals that were not functioning due to a power outage, the News-Sun website is reporting.
McComb’s car collided with a semi-tractor trailer in the intersection of Highways 41 and 173. More details here.
Appeals court upholds Jensen murder conviction
A state Appeals Court has upheld the conviction of a Pleasant Prairie man convicted of poisoning his wife, the Associated Press is reporting.
Jensen was found guilty of first degree intentional homicide and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Mark Jensen’s attorney says he will ask the state Supreme Court to hear the case.
Pleasant Prairie Historical Society forming
Photo by Billy Alexander via stock.xchng
Do you have an interest in Pleasant Prairie history?
The Pleasant Prairie Historical Society is a newly formed volunteer-based, non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting locally important archeological, historic and cultural materials, and providing educational opportunities to promote an appreciation of Pleasant Prairie’s historical significance.
More info, including how to get involved, is available at the village’s website.
Units responding to crash on I-94
Photo by kconnors via morgueFile.com
At 9:49 p.m., sheriffs deputies and state patrol are responding to a report of a crash on I-94 north of Highway E.
Dispatch reports the crash may involve as many as four cars and a semi-tractor trailer.
UPDATE 9:50 p.m. — Paris Fire and Rescue responding. Semi-tractor trailer is reported rolled over. Scene is in southbound lanes (Paris).
UPDATE 9:54 p.m. — One lane being blocked off.
UPDATE 9:56 p.m. — State trooper reporting that rolled over semi is in the ditch. Two vehicles are in median.
UPDATE 9:59 p.m. — Dispatch reports one person with head injury and another with a knee injury.
UPDATE Thursday 7:35 a.m. — Fox 6 reporting that truck was carrying sodium hydroxide and the road was closed down for four hours. Semi driver taken to a Kenosha Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Good video at CBS 58.
Units responding to snowmobile on fire
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 6:56 p.m., Somers Fire and Rescue units are responding to a report of a snowmobile on fire at Highways S and H, Somers.
Dispatch reports that black snowmobile is involved. Everyone is a safe distance away.
Units responding to crash with injuries in Somers
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 5:12 p.m., Somers Fire and Rescue and sheriff’s deputies are responding to a report of crash on Highway S west of Green Bay Road, Somers.
Dispatch reports that vehicle involved is a van and has run off the road.
UPDATE 5:13 p.m. — Deputy on scene reports that driver is out and walking around.
Units responding to pre-trial center for medical call
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 4:50 p.m., Kenosha Fire Department medical units are responding to the Kenosha County Pre-Trial Center for a report of an unconscious female.
Fire Department responding to CO alarm on Sheridan Road
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 4:30 p.m., Kenosha Fire Department units are responding to a report of a CO alarm in the 7400 block of Sheridan Road.
Firefighters responding to alarm
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At about 4:05 p.m., Kenosha firefighters are responding to a report of a supervisory alarm in the 6500 block of 77th Ave.
UPDATE 4:12 p.m. — First personnel on scene reports no signs of fire showing from outside.
Dairyland greyhounds still awaiting adoption
Public domain photo
Dairyland Greyhound Park has been closed for almost a year, but greyhounds from Wisconsin’s last pari-mutuel track are still awaiting adoption through Grethounds Only Inc., this article from the Suburban Life newspaper chain says.
Currently Greyhounds Only Inc. has more than 65 greyhounds in various kennel locations in Chicago and Wisconsin and foster homes.
Weather enthusiast gets 9 inches over Christmas on Kenosha lakefront
Kenosha resident and self-described weather enthusiast Steven Bourelle reported on his weather blog SE Wisconsin Weather that he received 9 inches of lake effect snow over Christmas Eve and Christmas.
That included 8 inches in just three hours on Christmas Eve:
It was a pretty wild three hours. The heavy snow would come in waves that lasted about 20-30 minutes with periods of light snow in between. This was some of the heaviest snowfall I’ve seen since moving to Wisconsin.”
Pleasant Prairie to seek reimbursement from railroad for derailment costs
Pleasant Prairie will be seeking the assistance of the Wisconsin Commissioner of Railroads in collecting payment from the Union Pacific Railroad for personnel and services provided by the village during a Feb. 8 train derailment.
Based on services provided and the number of personnel who responded, an invoice was mailed to Union Pacific for the village fire and rescue department’s response to the derailment. The expenses totaled $10,593.03.
Kenosha got worst of lake effect snow in Wisconsin
In case you were wondering, it appears eastern Kenosha County got the worst of the region’s lake effect snow.
But weather woes may not be done for the week, Come Thursday and Friday, warmer temps and significant rain may make for a different kind of mess — maybe even some flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
National Weather service issues lake effect snow advisory
The National Weather Service has issued a lake effect snow advisory for all of Kenosha County until Sunday, noon.
UPDATE Sunday a.m. — Daytime accumulation of 1 to 3 inches forecast.
Tour of Christmas Lane 2010
Taking a spin along Christmas Lane in Kenosha — otherwise know as 68th Street at 60th Avenue — is a holiday tradition for many area residents. If you missed getting out there this year, or you’d like to see it again, enjoy this virtual tour we taped last weekend:
Happy holidays to all from KenoWi.com
Units responding for report of crash at Birch Road and 22nd Ave.
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 10:38 p.m., Kenosha Fire and Rescue units are responding to a report of a crash with injuries at Birch Road and 22nd Avenue, Kenosha.
White Christmas? About 3 inches more so says NWS
Art by Agata Urbaniak via stock.xchng
The latest National Weather Service forecast for snow calls for about an inch of snow accumulation during the day, another inch tonight and yet another Christmas.
Units responding to crash in Somers
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 3:53 p.m., sheriff’s deputies and Somers Fire and Rescue are responding to a report of a crash at Green Bay Road and 18th Street, Somers.
Units responding to report of smoke from building on 22nd Ave.
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 2:50 p.m., several Kenosha Fire Department units are responding to a report of smoke coming from a lower unit of a building in the 5100 block of 22nd Avenue.
Occupants are evacuating.
UPDATE 2:52 p.m. — First fire unit on scene is investigating.
UPDATE 2:57 p.m. — Initial investigation appears to point to a dryer vent in a neighboring building being the source of smell and smoke. Most units returning to station while one stays behind to wrap-up investigation.
Kenosha PD 12 Days of Christmas
The Kenosha Police Department’s take on the 12 Days of Christmas went viral last year. But you can never see it too much. Enjoy:
Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie and state work out agreement on Highway 50 widening
Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie and the state have come to an agreement on how to share costs for a widening of Highway 50 from I-94 to 43rd Avenue.
The state will cover the majority of the costs associated with the future improvements, and in return, both the village and the city will take ownership of portions of Highway 50 east of Highway 31, a statement on Pleasant Prairie’s website says.
“The county, city and village worked together to save a substantial amount of money,” said Pleasant Prairie administrator Mike Pollocoff. “The savings are significant. Typically, the state covers 75 percent of project costs, while municipalities cover the remaining 25 percent. In this case, the state will cover approximately 95.6 percent in exchange for the transfer of the roadway.”
Major improvements on Highway 50, from roughly I-94 to 43rd Avenue are slated for construction during 2018. The total estimated cost of the project is $87.9 million.
The state will cover an estimated $84,067,600, while the City and Village will cover the remaining $3,840,200 with an approximate 50/50 split.
The state will begin preliminary planning within the next year or two. Public meetings related to the project and future proposed designs are expected to begin sometime during 2013. The transfer of ownership of the road will take place after the project is complete.
