This is Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week
NOAA stock photo /public domain
April 11 to 15 has been proclaimed Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week, by Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser and Gov. Scott Walker.
During this time a statewide tornado drill is scheduled for Thursday, April 14 (Note: I’m checking on this to see whether this day or date is correct since Friday is April 15 Corrected day now — DH).. At approximately 1 p.m., a mock tornado watch will be issued for the entire state and at approximately 1:20 p.m., a mock tornado warning will be issued for all of Southeast Wisconsin, which will include the sounding of Kenosha County’s Outdoor Warning sirens. The drill will conclude at 2 p.m. If severe weather should be present in the state on Thursday, April 14, the mock tornado drill will be cancelled.
As part of Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week, Kenosha County will be sponsoring a free Advanced Tornado Spotter’s Class on Thursday April 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Kenosha County Center (Highways 45 and 50). Though the class is free, people need to RSVP to Kenosha County Emergency Management at 605-7900 to reserve a spot. A Basic Tornado Spotter’s Class is required prior to taking the Advanced Class.
“The Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week and the mock tornado drill offer opportunities for schools, businesses and families to discuss and practice for severe weather activities. It’s important that everyone regardless of where they are at when severe weather strikes, know what to do and where to go,” Kreuser said.
“The purpose of Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week, is to get people thinking about not only tornadoes and what one needs to do to protect themselves, their families and their property, but other types of severe weather as well,” said Lt. Ed Van Tine, Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department and director, Kenosha County Emergency Management. “People need to be aware of the dangers of severe thunderstorms/lightning which cause an average of 93 deaths and 300 injuries per year nationwide; flash floods/floods which kill nearly 140 people per year nationwide and cause millions of dollars in damages.”
Eight apply for Gateway Technical College Board seats
Eight candidates have applied for the three Gateway Technical College Board seats up for appointment, including three who are seeking re-appointment to the board.
Current board members Pamela Zenner-Richards (Racine), Ram Bhatia (Racine) and Neville Simpson (Kenosha) are seeking re-appointment. Frederick Brookhouse (Pleasant Prairie), Erin Decker (Silver Lake), Fred Loomis (Kenosha), John Skalbeck (Pleasant Prairie) and Edward Potter (Mount Pleasant) are candidates, as well.
Appointments begin July 1 and end June 30, 2014.
County Health Department publicizes services during public health week
Raising awareness nationally and locally of public health’s critical role in ensuring a healthy America is the focus of National Public Health Week, which was this week.
The week long celebration, started by the American Public Health Association in 1996, educates the public, policy-makers, and public health professionals about issues important to improving the health of all Americans.
The Kenosha County Division of Health would like residents to know that “Public Health is Everywhere.” From the food you eat, the water you drink, the home you live in, and the way you get to work every day. Public health is all around us – protecting your health by safeguarding the places where you live, work, and play.
If you can answer “yes” to any of the questions below, the Kenosha County Division of Health (KCDOH) may be able to help you.
Hazardous weather outlook issued for area this weekend
National Weather Service graphic
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for an region that includes the Kenosha area.
The statement says there is a chance for severe thunderstorms stating tonight and continuing through Sunday night. Showers of some kind are in the forecast through Monday.
Units responding to kids on church roof
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 7:41 p.m., Kenosha police are responding to a report of juveniles playing on the roof of a church in the 2000 block of 80th Street, Kenosha.
Units responding to report of crash on I-94
Photo by kconnors via morgueFile.com
At 6:52 p.m., sheriff’s deputies and state patrol are responding to a report of a crash in the northbound lanes of I-94, at the Highway N overpass.
Units responding to crash at Green Bay Road and 60th Street
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At 6:22 p.m., a sheriff’s deputy is responding to a report of a crash at Green Bay Road and 60th Street (Highway K), Somers.
Police find individuals involved in possible child enticements; suspects say it was a prank
The Pleasant Prairie Police Department reports that three individuals have been identified in connection with three recent reports of possible child enticement incidents. All three teens told police that this was a prank, that they were out driving around and yelling at kids and that they never intended to harm anyone.
39th Avenue reconstruction to start April 18
Construction on 39th Avenue in Kenosha — expected to last most of the summer – is set to begin April 18.
This is a full reconstruction project: curb, roadway, and sidewalks. This project’s main focus is the repair of the roadway due to the soft soils underneath, said Dan Whitefoot, the engineer who’s heading up the project.
The project will cost $1.28 million.
Pleasant Prairie PD working to ID vehicle involved in child enticement attempts
Pleasant Prairie Police have identified a car similar to this as being used in recent child enticement attempts. /Pleasant Prairie Police photo
Pleasant Prairie Police have been working with witnesses to more closely identify the make and model of a vehicle involved in recently reported incidents of attempted child enticement. Witnesses have potentially identified the vehicle as a 2002 – 2004 model year, Chrysler 300, which is gold in color and bears Illinois license plates.
Pleasant Prairie Police would like to remind residents to please be watchful of children when they are outdoors, particularly during times when they may be walking to or from a school bus stop.
Multiple reports of attempted child enticement incidents have recently been received. Two incidents were reported to have occurred on Monday, April 4, one near the 12200 block of 36th Avenue and one near the 3500 block of 116th Street. In both instances, the suspects were described as three male subjects, between the ages of 20 and 30 years of age, traveling in a gold colored 4-door car that could possibly have Illinois license plates.
Kenosha Common Council acts on license matters
The Kenosha Common Council acted on a number of license related matters at Monday’s meeting:
Kenosha Unified School Board results
At a little before 9 p.m., with 9 of 83 polls reporting, Kenosha Unified School Board results are Jo Ann Taube 1334, Robert Nuzzo 1241, Tamara Coleman 952, Todd Jacobs 931.
The top two vote getters will get seats on the board.
UPDATE 9:36 p.m. — Possibly still incomplete results show the same finishing order as above.
Somers chairman and supervisor results
With two of four polling places reporting partial results at 8:38 p.m. in the Somers town chairman race, Vernon Wienke has 675 votes to Larry Harding’s 537.
In the contested supervisor no. 1 race, Edna Highland has 707 votes to Stephen Delcuze’s 457.
UPDATE 9:49 p.m. — Possibly still incomplete results with four of four polls reporting show the same finishing order in both races as above.
Kenosha and Somers FDs fighting grass fire
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
At about 5:25 p.m., Somers Fire Department is assisting the Kenosha Fire Department in fighting a fire at 15th Street and 15th Avenue.
Pleasant Prairie PD says two child enticement incidents reported
Note: The Pleasant Prairie Police Department issued the following press release today:
The Pleasant Prairie Police Department would like to remind residents to please be watchful of children when they are outdoors, particularly during times when they may be walking to or from a school bus stop. Multiple reports of attempted child enticement incidents have recently been received.
Two incidents were reported have occurred on Monday, April 4, one near the 12200 block of 36th Avenue and one near the 3500 block of 116th Street.
It’s Election Day
The polls will be open today for the spring election, which will decide local municipal and school board seats.
Polls will be open in your municipality from 7 a.m. today until 8 p.m.
Remember to check KenoWi.com tonight for election results.
Local races with contests include Somers town chairman and Kenosha Unified School Board.
Enough signatures for a Wirch recall collected, says group
The campaign collecting signatures for a recall of state Sen. Bob Wirch says it has enough signatures to force that election, but will continue to collect more signatures, JSOnline is reporting.
Wirch’s 22nd Senate District includes all of Kenosha County, except Wheatland.
Wirch became a target of a recall after he and 13 other Senate Democrats left the state to avoid a quorum for a vote on Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill. That bill included among its provisions reductions in the collective bargaining power of public employees.
Severe thunderstorm watch until 3 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstrom watch for Kenosha County.
The watch is in effect until 3 a.m. Monday.
Nine other counties are included in the watch area.
Gateway to host Earth Day event
NASA photo/Public domain
Gateway Technical College will hold its annual communitywide Celebrate Earth Day event 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 16 at Gateway’s Kenosha Campus, 3520 30th Ave.
The popular Earth Day celebration will include many hands-on demonstrations and informational opportunities to show attendees how they can positively impact the environment.
The first 750 families will receive a free reusable grocery bag, courtesy of event sponsor, Snap-on Incorporated. The event is free and open to the public.
Most activities take place inside. For complete, up-to-date event information see www.gtc.edu/earthday
Event highlights include:
Units responding to report of burning violation
Photo by kconnors with morgueFile.com
First Fridays start today at Visitors Information Center
The Visitor Information Center at I-94 & Hwy. 165 serves as the gateway to Wisconsin for countless Illinois travelers. Beginning today, April 1, the first Friday of every month April through September will offer visitors the opportunity to meet Kenosha Area business and attraction operators, enjoy tasty food samples, win a hotel stay, and more at the First Friday events. The open house-style event runs from noon to 3 p.m. and is free.
The center is one of two visitor information centers operated by the Kenosha Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. First Fridays will offer samples, coupons, raffles, demonstrations, games and much more from a variety of local businesses and attractions. Visitors and residents alike are encouraged to stop by to see what is going on in the Kenosha Area. Attendees may enter to win a free hotel stay and take their photo with Tripp the Tourist to win prizes. KACVB staff will be on hand to offer travel advice, give directions, and provide local and select Wisconsin literature.
Alderman proposing disclosure of health care costs ordinance
Photo by Adam Ciesielski via stock.xchng
Kenosha Alderman Anthony Nudo (11th Dis.) has proposed an ordinance requiring disclosure of health care costs before providers may administer services to consumers, except in the case of emergencies.
The ordinance seeks to reduce the cost of heath care by encouraging consumer choice and provider competition through the requirement of disclosing the cost of services and products from health care providers, Nudo said in a press release.
“The health care system is broken,” Nudo said. “We need to infuse competition and consumer choice based on free market principles into a system that lacks both. The free market system that works in almost every other industry, where price and quality transparency exist, is almost completely absent in the health care industry.
