While firing up the grill, soaking in some fireworks, or cheering on a water ski team this Memorial Day, take a moment to think about the various wars America has fought and the numerous casualties we have suffered.  Regardless of the provocation or politics behind each conflict, we owe our thanks to the service men and women who bear the brunt of decisions made thousands of miles away.  To the lost, the injured, and those out on the battlefield today, let us salute them with a raised beer, a steamy brat, and a darned spectacular fireworks show.

Memorial Day activities in Lake Country include:

• Veteran's Festival at Village Park in Pewaukee, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday.
• Ceremony and service hosted by the Genesee VFW Post 5270, 1 p.m. Sunday at the War Memorial at Genesee Town Park.
• A brat fry open to the public at St. John's UCC in Merton, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday.
• Presentations throughout Dousman by the American Legion Post 405 (see the Weekend Happenings blog for details).
• The Pewaukee Lake Water Ski Club show, 5:30 p.m. Monday, at Pewaukee Beach.
• Parades: 10 a.m. Monday in Pewaukee, starting at Pewaukee High School; and 10 a.m. Monday in Merton, starting at Fireman's Park.

Bobby Thomas Jones, aka Tom Jones, 66, of the Village of Mukwonago, was arrested in Green Bay on May 12 for allegedly using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and exposing a child to harmful material. Jones serves on the Village of Mukwonago Board of Building and Zoning Appeals.

According to a release from the Green Bay Police Department, the department was contacted April 14 about a computer crime class that was being taught at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Jones apparently contacted someone in the class who was posing as a 14-year-old girl and began chatting with her online. The conversation turned sexual, and the Police Department set up a sting operation and began the investigation.

Jones travelled to Green Bay where he thought he was going to meet the 14-year-old. Instead, he was greeted by officers and taken into custody without incident, according to the report.

Village of Mukwonago Police were contacted by Green Bay Police to help search Jones’ house, said Lt. Kevin Schmidt.

Jones has been charged with the use of a computer to facilitate a sex crime and second-degree sexual assault of a child. He is to have no unsupervised contact with minor females and is prohibited from using computers. Jones was released on $5,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is set for June 4.

Enriching yourself with outdoor activities, live entertainment and grilled summertime food: Great.  Enriching others through charitable work or donations: Even better.  Put the two together and what do you get?  An unbeatable combination that makes it easy to be awesome.  Examples of fun events with a purpose this weekend:

• Enjoy live music from the Erik Kanter Trio, The Red, Black and Blues, Jordan Elder, and the Awakening, during the Concert For Eve, 2:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, at the Lapham Peak State Park Summer Stage.  Proceeds will help fund a wheelchair accessible van for Eve Karcher, a girl with cerebral palsy.
• Double D's Pub & Eatery in Mukwonago is giving away a free brat or hot dog lunch and offering prizes in a raffle, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, to benefit the Mukwonago Food Pantry.
• Bring a nonperishable food item for the Hartland Food Pantry to Out-N-About in Hartland, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, and enjoy free refreshments, children's activities, local artwork, and a scavenger hunt, throughout downtown Hartland.
• Help young people help others by raising funds for a youth summer servant trip at Galilee Lutheran Church's carnival, barbeque lunch and car wash, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Check out other events at the Weekend Happenings Blog.

Taking part in the Brookfield Central WIAA Division 1 sectional at Wanaki  Golf Course Monday, the varsity boys golf teams at Arrowhead and Kettle Moraine both qualified for next week's WIAA state meet at University Ridge in Madison on Monday and Tuesday. Only the top teams from each sectional earn state meet berths.

Arrowhead won the team title with 293 strokes. KM and Brookfield East tied for second at 298, forcing a 10-man playoff. KM and East tied on the first hole with four-man scores (4 of 5 scores count for each team) of 20. On the second playoff hole, KM defeated East by a 17-19 score.

However, the meet didn't end there as some controversy arose after the second playoff hole. KM junior Eric O'Neil was questioned by tournament officials on whether  he violated a rule prior to his second shot on the first playoff hole.

After tournament directors contacted the WIAA and Wisconsin State Golf Association officials, it was finally decided, after more than an hour of discussion, that O'Neil had not violated any rules, thus giving KM the second state berth.

Arrowhead senior Mike Sorenson was medalist for the day, shooting a round of 1-under-par 70. Other AHS scores were Steve Sorenson 73, Matt Ross 73, Sam Weber 77 and Clayton Jones 90.

KM senior Sam Frank was second with an even-par round of 71. Other KM scores were Mike Cabush with 74, Ryan Franklin 76, Nic Johnson 77 and O'Neil 78.

City of Delafield - The Common Council unanimously approved tonight merging the City of Delafield Fire Department into the Lake County Fire Department, which presently serves the villages of Nashotah and Chenequa.

The vote followed a 45 minute discussion by the council of the proposed consolidation agreement developed during the past year by a nine member committee with three representatives from each of the three communities.

Nashotah village trustees are expected to ratify the agreement on Wednesday night and the proposal will be present to the Chenequa Village Board for its likely approval on Monday, June 8.

If approved, the consolidation will merge the Delafield department with its $1.5 million annual budget and eight full time fire fighters and paramedics into the Lake Country department, created in 2001, with a budget of about $150,000 and force of all volunteer fire fighters.

"They have some skills that we don't have and we have some skills they don't have," said Alderman Gerald MacDougall, who was a member of the consolidation committee.

The consolidation will enable city residents on the east side of Lake Nagawicka to be served by fire fighters and paramedics assigned to a fire station in Nashotah rather than the city having to build and equip a new fire station on the east side in the near future, according to city officials.

In addition to having, for the first time, full time fire fighting services, residents of Chenequa and Nashotah will also be served 24 hours a day, seven days a week by the paramedic service developed by the City of Delafield that also provides contractual emergency medical services to five other surrounding communities and paramedic ambulence patient transfer services for Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital.

Arrowhead's varsity baseball team defeated visiting Waukesha South Tuesday night in a Classic 8 Conference game, 12-5. The win was the sixth straight foe the Warhawks, now 6-2 overall and 5-0 in league play.

AHS broke open a 1-1 game by scoring six runs in the third inning.

Josh Henkel and Jared Kavinsky had big nights at the plate for the winners. Kavinsky had three hits and two RBIs and Henkel was 2-for-2 with three runs batted in. Andrew Bauer also had two hits for the Warhawks.

Justin Mortensen pitched five innings and earned the win.

Arrowhead will host MIlwaukee Marquette on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

The Lake Country Lutheran varsity baseball team defeated Johnson Creek in eight innings on June 2, 10-9 at Roosevelt Field. It was the first game of the post-season for the Lightning (18-8 overall).

Eric Schumacker had three hits for the winners. Mark Babel went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBIs.

Josh Paliafito was the winning pitcher in relief of Matt Brueser.

The win moved Lake Country Lutheran to the WIAA Division 4 Regional final on Wednesday at Living Word Lutheran.

The Town of Vernon Board plans on discussing the resignation of Big Bend-Vernon Fire Board member Michael Doble at tonight's meeting.

Doble, who has been a member of the fire board for three years, cited "slanderous misstatements made by the town board regarding decisions made by the fire board," as the main reason for his resignation.

It's that golden time of the year when the bitter cold is far behind us and the thick summer humidity has yet to weigh us down.  The days are warm and mild, the nights have a comfortable spring snap, and greenery is bursting everywhere we look.  There are several events this weekend that take advantage of the weather, so get outdoors and enjoy the blooming renewal of nature before the mosquitos get wind of our activities and hunt us down. 

• All Wisconsin State Parks are open for free this Sunday, so enjoy a picnic or a hike at Lapham Peak, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Participate in a National Trails Day hike along the Ice Age Trail in Monches, 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
• The 4th annual Yellow Brick Road 5K Run/Walk & Kids Run begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, at Fowler Park in Oconomowoc.

Other fun outdoor activities:

• Gear up for festival season with live entertainment, a car show, a softball tournament and more during the Stone Bank Firefighter's Festival, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday, at Fireman's Park in Stone Bank.
• The Pewaukee Police and Fire Departments are hosting a Safety Day event featuring children's activities, food, and a soccer tournament, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, at Wagner Park.
• Help raise money for a wheelchair accessible van while enjoying live music, raffles, games and food at the Gerry Barwick Fundraiser, 5 p.m. Saturday, at the American Legion Post in Hartland.

More events are listed on the Weekend Happenings Blog.

University Lake School freshman Molly Seidel added to her mantle with a state championship Friday in the 1,600 meters while competing at the WIAA track and field year-end meet in LaCrosse.

Seidel, the top seed in both Division 3 distance races, held of a late charge from Carli Kronstedt of Pittsville, who used a strong kick to take the lead from Seidel in the final stretch of the race. Seidel kicked back and won the race in 5:02.52, just shy of the Division 3 state record (5:01.31, set by Heather Murphy of North Crawford in 1991).

Seidel also won the Division 3 state cross country title last fall. She will compete in the 3,200-meter run tomorrow.

Follow state track updates and ruminations at the Preps Alcove.

After being arrested for his involvement in a sex sting, Bobby T. Jones, aka Tom Jones, 66, of the Village of Mukwonago, resigned from his positions on the Village Board of Building and Zoning Appeals and on the Fox River Commission.

Jones was arrested in Green Bay on May 12 for allegedly using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and exposing a child to harmful material after he began emailing a college student posing as a 14-year-old girl. When the email conversations turned sexual, the Green Bay Police Department set up a sting operation.

Jones has been charged with the use of a computer to facilitate a sex crime and second-degree sexual assault of a child.

Jones’ preliminary hearing was held in Green Bay June 4, where a waiver of preliminary hearing form was filed. Jones is set for arraignment July 28 at 10:30 a.m.

Hamilton girls basketball coach Dan Heckman has chosen to step down from his position after 17 years working within the program in some capacity.

The school sent an official release detailing the situation.

"Earlier in the year, school administrators conducted an investigation prompted by concerns raised by several parents," the release said. "The investigation determined Heckman’s coaching practices to be appropriate. Even though administrators recommended that Heckman remain as head coach, Heckman said the situation has created division and a distraction for the team."

Said Heckman, “This decision has been difficult, but I sincerely believe this is best for the team at this time."

Hamilton principal Candis Mongan offered praise for Heckman.

“I believe he has had a positive impact on many students throughout his coaching career,” Mongan said. “He will be missed by many.”

The Kettle Moraine soccer team lost a heartbreaker in Beaver Dam on Saturday in the WIAA Division 1 soccer sectional final, ending the Lasers season.

With a berth in the state tournament on the line, the Wolverines defeated KM in double overtime, 2-1. Katie Richter converted a penalty kick in the second extra session to seal the victory.

Meagan Wanecke scored for the Lasers off a corner kick by Melissa Leister in the 31st minute. West was the No. 1 seed in the sectional, and the Lasers were No. 3.

Kettle Moraine senior Samantha Berg and University Lake School freshman Molly Seidel won state championships last Friday and Saturday at the WIAA state meet at Memorial Stadium at UW-La Crosse.

Berg won the 300-meter low hurdles for the KM girls team. The UW recruit was timed at 45.30. She also finished second in the 100 high hurdles (14.98).

Seidel became the first Lake Country area track athlete to win two individual events at a state high school track meet. Seidel won the 3,200 with a meet record time of 10:49.98. The day before she won the 1,600 at 5:02.52. That missed setting a record by just over one second.

A large tree splits and just misses hitting the house on the corner of Highway ES across from Walgreens.

A tree knocked down during Monday's afternoon storm blocks Highwy ES between Oakland Avenue and Maple Street in the Village of Mukwonago.

The Lake Country Lutheran varsity baseball team was scheduled to play in the WIAA Division 4 Sectional semifinal on Tuesday in Beaver Dam. The game has been postponed until Wednesday due to heavy rains in the Beaver Dam area.

At 1:30 P.M. on June 10, the Lightning meet Burlington Catholic Central. Winners of the game between the Lightning and the Hilltoppers meet the Algoma-St. Mary's Central winner at 5 p.m. for a state tournament berth.

Oconomowoc's varsity baseball team lost at Riverside Park in Janesville on Tuesday 9-7 to the host team, Janesville Craig. The Raccoons (11-16 overall) held a lead until the fifth inning. Walks (7) hurt Oconomowoc. Nash Bell was the losing pitcher. He walked six in five and two thirds innings. Zach Wilson and Blake Holbrook also pitched.

"Things were sailing along pretty well, but we got to the fifth inning and things changed, when they scored four runs," Pat Neary, Oconomowoc's head coach said.

Derek Doudna had three hits for Oconomowoc. Fernando Viso knocked in three runs for the Raccoons.

"Walks killed us, Neary added.

Arrowhead's varsity boys golf team, ranked No. 1 in the state all season, lived up to that lofty billing on Tuesday by winning its third consecutive WIAA Division 1 state title by finishing the two-day, 36-hole meet with a 596 score. That's the second-lowest winning score in meet history.

AHS became the fifth school to capture three straight state titles. Madison West did it twice and Racine and Middleton also won back-to-back-to-back state crowns.

Arrowhead defeated second-place Kettle Moraine by 11 strokes.

If AHS wins the state title next spring, they'll be the first team in state history to capture four straight state championships.

Arrowhead was led by senior Mike Sorenson, who tied for seventh overall with a 147 total. He had rounds of 76-71 to finish at 3-over-par.

Other AHS scores were freshman Matt Ross in ninth at 148 (73-75), junior Steve Sorenson in 10th at 149 (71-78), junior Sam Weber in 21st at 152 (76-76) and senior Clayton Jones in 53rd at 163 (81-82)

Kettle Moraine's varsity boys golf team, ranked No. 2 in the state most of the season, finished in second place Tuesday afternoon at the WIAA Division 1 state tournament at University Ridge in Madison.

Arrowhead won the team title with a 596 total. KM was second at 607. The Lasers finished five strokes ahead of third-place Lake Geneva Badger.

The second-place finish is the best in school history. KM was playing in the state meet for the fifth time.

UW recruit Sam Frank led the Lasers,  shooting an even-par score of 144. Frank had rounds of 73-71 and tied for fourth place. The winning score was a 139 by Anthony Aicher of Wausau East. Frank finished third last year and seventh in 2007.

Other KM scores were Nic Johnson at 150 (74-76), Mike Cabush at 153 (76-77), Eric O'Neil at 160 (81-79) and Ryan Franklin at 169 (85-84).

Arrowhead's varsity baseball team improved to 7-0 in Classic 8 Conference play Tuesday night by scoring a come-from-behind 6-2 win over host Mukwonago. The Warhawks exploded for five runs in the top of the seventh inning when the Indians committed four errors.

AHS finished with just five hits, its second lowest total of the season. Brian Crook, batting .484 on the season, had two hits. Karl Sprung had a hit and an RBI and is now batting .483.

Justin Mortensen pitched a five-hitter for the Warhawks. The senior left-hander had 10 strikeouts and walked just two.

AHS will host Catholic Memorial in a key Classic 8 Conference game Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Kettle Moraine High School graduate Scott Matyas was pick No. 885 by the New York Yankees on June 10 in the 2009 Major League Baseball amateur players draft.

Matyas a right-handed pitcher and  four-year starter at Kettle Moraine, recently completed his junior season for the University of Minnesota baseball team where he enjoyed a great deal of success on the mound for the Golden Gophers

Pewaukee – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has stepped forward to help three local Brett Favre fans launch a grassroots effort to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Palin has autographed 60 copies the book “Letters To Brett Favre: A Fan Tribute” written by Wisconsin author Thomas Hapka and Favre fans Erick and Adam Rolfson. The fans are sponsoring an online auction through their Web site, letterstobrettfavre.com, featuring the books signed by Palin, as well as additional copies signed by past and present Green Bay Packer players.

The Rolfsons and Hapka will be kicking off their eBay auction fundraiser with a press conference and ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Monday, June 15, in the main conference room of the Pewaukee Public Library, 210 Main St.

The books will be sold to the highest bidders, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Special Olympics.

Erick Rolfson describes the effort as the continuation of a grassroots movement. “This has become like the butterfly effect, and we’re seeing more people stepping forward to get involved,” Rolfson said. “Other political figures and members of the NFL have already agreed to sign books and help us raise money for this wonderful cause.”

 To confirm attendance, call (414) 736-4852 or send an e-mail to contactus@letterstobrettfavre.com.

According to the calendar, summer officially begins Sunday, June 21.  But according to the smell of brats wafting through the air, the sounds of live music filling the outdoors, and the sight of people dancing, laughing, and smiling in the evening warmth, summer is right here, right now. 

Nothing spells summer like a street dance, and Oconomowoc is kicking off the season with live music from Genuine Draft, food, beverages, a beer tent, and a parade, all starting at 5 p.m. Saturday in Fowler Park.  Other summer-licious events:

• Enjoy an outdoor showing of the classic "ET" during the Cinema in the Sand series at dusk in Lakefront Park, Pewaukee.
• Experience an old-fashioned game of Base Ball as it was played in the 1860s, 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Old World Wisconsin in Eagle.
• Jerusalem Presbyterian Church in Wales invites the community to its annual chicken barbecue, 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
• Peruse the wares of over 650 sellers at Maxwell Street Days, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Field Park in Mukwonago.
• Support autism research during the Family Walk/Run and bake sale, 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday at Fowler Park.

For a complete listing of weekend events, check out the Weekend Happenings blog on the homepage.

Veteran fast-pitch softball coach Dan Bantin has decided not to coach at Pewaukee High School next season.

"Dan has decided to resign to spend more time with his wife," John Maltsch, Pewaukee' s Athletics Director said.

During his two years at the head of the program, Bantin complied a 20-26 record. This season, the Pirates defeated Whitnall in the opening round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs before losing against Cudahy.

City of Oconomowoc- ProHealth Care's Oconomowoc's Memorial Hospital will particpate in the nation's first joint military/civilian disaster drill from  5-9:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 18. The drill, called 'Operation Red Dragon,' is a homeland defense training exercise which will simulate a major chemical decontamination disaster.

The drill will include 30-40 mock victims, dozens of military personnel, decontamination tents, military vehicles and a BIDS (Biological Integrated Detection System) unit.  The prupose of the drill is to test coordination and communication between the military and area hospitals and to ensure their ability to respond and continue patient care in a large-scale incident. The exercise will play out at hospitals in seven counties in Southeast Wisconsin, including Waukesha Memorial.

Arrowhead's varsity baseball team improved to a school-record 9-0 in Classic 8 Conference  play Monday night by whipping visiting Waukesha  West, 18-1. The game was called due to the run-rule after five innings.

AHS improved to 12-3 overall and has won 12 of its  last 13 games.

Justin Mortensen pitched all five innings, striking out eight, allowing five hits and walking one. Mortensen is 3-0 on the season.

At the plate, the Warhawks exploded for 16 hits, tying its best total of the season. Connor Harmann was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and Ryan Passaglia and Andrew Bauer had three runs batted in each and two hits apiece. Others with two hits were Chris Pendergast, Brian Crook and Jared Kavinsky.

AHS blew the game open by scoring six runs in the first and eight in the second.

Interfaith Senior Programs, Inc. will hold its annual meeting on Monday, June 22, at Steinhafel's Community Room, located on the southwest corner of I-94 and Hwy. F in Waukesha. The meeting is free and open to the public and will highlight agency programs and accomplishments as well as financial results for the 2008 fiscal year.

Interfaith Senior Programs is a faith-based, non-profit organization serving Waukesha County. The agency coordinates a network of more than 1,500 volunteers serving over 1,000 individuals and 120 non-profit organizations and government agencies annually.

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department has identified  Town of Vernon residents Eric J. Solheim, 43, and Rhonda R. Miklos, 42, who were pronounced dead at the scene of a motorcycle accident on Oakdale Drive and Hillview Drive in the Town of Vernon at 7:50 p.m. Sunday June 14.

Solheim, who was driving the motorcycle, was traveling northbound on Oakdale Drive when he missed the turn at the intersection of Hillview Drive.  The motorcycle landed on its side, crossed into the southbound lane and struck a southbound car head on that was slowing to make a right turn onto Hillview Drive.  Miklos was a passenger on the motorcycle.

The 48-year-old Town of Vernon woman driving the car and her 15-year-old daughter were not injured. 

The accident is currently under investigation by the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department.

Town of Mukwonago- The Town Police are asking residents to lock their car doors and garage doors after a series of thefts from cars during the overnight hours of June 14 to 15.

Four thefts from cars took place in the Crossgate, High Cross Drive area that night.  So far, a GPS unit, radio speakers and a cell phone have been reported stolen.  Some of the overnight thefts involved someone entering unlocked garage doors and removing items from cars in the garages.

The Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Inc. (CAC) is administering the Seniors Farmer's Market Voucher Nutrition Program for Waukesha County. Seniors must be 60 years of age or older (Native Americans 55 years or age or older) and will need to verify that their monthly income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline. Vouchers are disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to one pack of vouchers per household. The program will provide seniors with $25 worth of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs.

The vouchers are being disbursed at various locations throughout the county including Monday, June 29 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at the Mukwonago Food Panty; Wednesday, July 1, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Oconomowoc Community Center; Wednesday, July 8 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Sussex Food Pantry and on Wednesday, July 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Associated Bank in Dousman.

For more information, please call the CAC office at (920) 262-9667, or the County;s Aging and Disability Resource Center at (262) 548-7848.

The Oconomowoc Community Dinner, a free monthly meal sponsored by the Cooperating Churches of Oconomowoc, will be held Monday, June 29, at Dr. Martin Luther Church, 325 S. Main Street.

This is not a need-based meal, it's a special dinner held to celebrate fellowship in the community. No freewill offering will be accepted. The Community Dinner is held from 5 to 6:30 p.m.,  on the last Monday of every month.

For more information, please call Kerri Johanning at (262) 560-1541.

A registered nurse from Oconomowoc, working at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, had her license suspended indefinitely by the Board of Nursing (BON).

According to information from the Wisconsin Department of Regulation & Licensing, Heidi K. Sutter withdrew 66 doses of oxycodone from the drug dispensing machine between June 12 and July 12 of 2007. A review found that only 19 of Sutter's withdrawls of oxycodone were fully charted as being administered to patients and in at least 10 cases, there was no documentation at all where references to pain and/or pain medication are to be charted. The BON order stated Sutter was evaluated at a counseling service and was not diagnosed with any substance abuse or dependence condition.

Sutter agreed to the BON's action which also granted an immediate stay of the suspension. This allows Sutter to continue working as long as she continues to submit to drug screens. If she does not continues with the drug screens, or tests positive for controlled substances, the indefinite suspension could be reinstated and further conditions could be places on her before being allowed to practice again.

Thunderstorms.  Humidity.  Beach parties.  Festivals.  No doubt about it, summer is here!  There are so many fun activities to choose from this weekend, I'll let them speak for themselves:

• Downtown Delafield will be abuzz with activity during the annual Delafield Block Party, featuring food and beer tents, live music, street dancing, family activities and more, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and 7 a.m. to midnight Saturday.
• Two area Lion's Clubs are hosting carnival rides, live music, food, and sports tournaments all weekend long: Okauchee Lion's Days in Okauchee Lion's Park, and Mukwonago Lion's Summerfeste at Field Park in Mukwonago.
• Participate in baseball and softball games, enjoy live music, and stuff yourself with summer treats druing the annual Monches Chickenfest, 2:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Monches Recreation Club.
• St. Anskar's Church in Hartland invites the community to a World Tour of Beer, also offering food and non alcoholic beer and beverages, 6 p.m. Saturday.
• Enjoy a performance showcase of singing, dancing and acting during SummerStage of Delafield, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, at Lapham Peak State Park.
• Local artists will display and sell pottery, jewelry, original and wearable art and more throughout downtown Oconomowoc's Sunday Artisan Faire, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Check out more events at the Weekend Happenings Blog on the homepage.

Pewaukee Land O' Lakes pitcher Aaron Sorenson came within two outs of the first no-hitter of the season in the Western Division Sunday afternoon as he rolled past host North Lake on Sunday, 11-0.

Sorenson retired the first 16 batters he faced before losing his perfect game when he walked Chris Sonier in the sixth.

He kept his no-hitter going after retiring one batter in the bottom of the ninth. North Lake catcher Jason Newbauer, batting ninth and hitting just .148 coming into the game, singled to left-center on a low pitch, breaking up the no-hit bid.

Sorenson finished with a one-hitter and had nine strikeouts.

Pewaukee (5-5) scored six runs in the eighth inning and three more in the ninth to pull away from a narrow 2-0 lead.

Mike Grabarczyk had two hits and four RBIs for the winners. Grabarczyk hit a three-run homer in the ninth. Tom Zimmerman and Jim Marlin had three hits each for the Muskies.

Other LOL scores Sunday were Oconomowoc over West Bend 4-2, Menomonee Falls over Hartland 22-4, Monches over Merton 10-0 and Lannon over Sussex 7-1. The Brookfield Bulldogs-Brookfield Blue Sox game was cancelled due to wet grounds.

According to information from Oconomowoc Director of Economic Development, Bob Duffy, the city has contracted with KL Construction to remove the building at 315-317 E. Wisconsin Ave.

The removal will take place from Monday, June 23 through Tuesday, June 30. During this time, the sidewalk may be closed to ensure pedestrian saftey.

A commercial truck went off the road near the intersection of Highway 16 east and I-94. One lane was available around 9 a.m. and traffic is backed up to the Capitol Drive exit.

Those traveling east on 16 might want to take an alternate route to I-94 to avoid delays. No further details are availble at this time.

Veteran Pewaukee girls soccer coach Randy Staus has stepped down from his coaching post, Pewaukee Athletic Director John Maltsch reported.

Staus, who remains the head boys soccer coach at Pewaukee, needs to spend time with his family.

"He's got two young sons, and there just isn't enough time to do it all. We understand," Maltsch said.

Maltsch said the search for a replacement is under way.

Eat at Mama Mia's in Wales on Monday, June 29 from 4:30 until 9 p.m. and you'll be helping support a local man with cancer.

Gary Stein is battling cancer for the fourth time in 16 years.  Gary, his wife Dawn, and their three children have known cancer for far too long.  Dawn was seven months pregnant with their daughter when Gary's fight first began.  Gary is self-employed so the toll is not just emotional, but financial as well.

Mama Mia's, 200 W. Summit (Highway 18), has offered to donate 20 percent of their dinner proceeds to the Gary Stein Cancer Fund.

If you have any questions or would like to donate directly, please contact Cate Sabol at 262-902-2765.

Fifth District Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner will hold office hours Monday, June 29 at 11 a.m. at Dousman Village Hall, 11:45 a.m. at Genesee Town Hall and 12:30 p.m. at Wales Village Hall.

During the meetings, Sensenbrenner will respond to residents' questions and comments on federal issues as well as work with individuals regarding personal matters with federal government.

Sensenbrenner has invited area state legislators to join him for this upmcing meeting so they may answer questions on state issues. 

For more information, call (800) 242-1119 or (262) 784-1111. 

Waukesha – A Village of Pewaukee woman is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a substance abuse clinic in Waukesha.

Dawn R. Mackey, 45, of 1303 Meadowcreek Dr., was charged June 22 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with two felony counts of theft from a business setting.

According to the criminal complaint, Mackey was employed as a billing clerk at Quality Addiction Management (QAM) Clinic in Waukesha and is accused of not depositing customer payments into a bank. Accountants hired by physicians at the clinic an estimated $168,460 was missing since 2005.
Investigators found numerous cash deposits into Mackey’s account many occurring less than one week from a missing QAM deposit, the complaint said.
 

Oconomowoc Fire Department was called around 4:45 p.m. to a structure fire at 208 Franklin Road. The fire was extinguished but the owner said they could still see smoke coming from the residence.

Mutual aid from Ashippun Fire Department was called around 5 p.m. to help with clean up. No further details were available at this time.

Waukesha – A West Allis man irritated at a car dealership commercial is accused of sending a threatening message directed at the dealership spokesperson.

Jeffrey A. Blaha 48, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Wednesday with one felony count of threats to injury or accuse of a crime..

According to the criminal complaint, Mary Ann Scaffidi of Town of Merton was informed in April of a profanity laced posting on Craigslist that included a threat. The threat was posted on the Internet site Craigslist in a section known as “rants and raves.” Scaffidi is a spokesperson for the Heiser Automotive Group

Authorities learned the posting came from a computer belonging to Blaha. A Sheriff’s Department detective questioned Blaha who said he saw “three commercials featuring Scaffidi that ran three times back to back, and this set him off,” the complaint said.

Blaha is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court July 6.
 

Westbound traffic on Highway 16 was backed up during rush hour as motorists stretched their necks to look at a camper or RV that wound up deep in the ditch along the highway at the edge of the Legends at Bristlecone Pines golf course in Hartland.

The backup starts about a half-mile east of Jungbluth Road past the scene of the backup between Merton Avenue and Jungbluth, according to a witness.

Independence Day, arguably the biggest nation-wide party of the year, is upon us, but it’s not limited to the weekend of July 4. Several festivals and events are scheduled earlier, leading up to the main event. Get your patriotic celebrations underway at these summer events:

• Audacious Beer Celebration: Features draft beers, artisan cheeses, food and music, 6 to 11 p.m. June 26; 2 to 11 p.m. June 27, Nixon Park, 175 E. Park Ave., Hartland. www.audaciousbeer.com.
• Hartland’s Hometown Celebration: Live music, food and drinks, fireworks, a parade and more, June 26-28, Nixon Park, Hartland.
• Hartland Community Band & 132nd Army Band Concert: A patriotic selection of music, 6 p.m. June 26, Nixon Park, 175 E. Park Ave., Hartland. 262-567-5134.
• Kettle Moraine Days: Carnival rides, food, live music, games, fireworks and more, June 26-28, Eagle Village Park, 217 N. Main, Eagle.
• Kiwanis Beach Party: Children’s entertainment, volleyball tournament, food and music, 5 to 11 p.m. June 26; 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. June 27, Lakefront Park, 222 W. Wisconsin Ave., Pewaukee. www.pewaukeekiwanis.org.
• Amerifest: Activities include patriotic concerts, games, clowns, a picnic lunch and a car show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 28, Spring Creek Church, N35-W22000 Capitol Drive, Pewaukee. 262-695-2211.

Check out more weekend events on the Weekend Happenings blog.

Arrowhead's varsity baseball team got off to a fast start Monday night, scoring seven runs the first two innings before rolling to a title-clinching 10-2 victory over visiting Mukwonago.

The win was the 15th straight for the Warhawks in Classic 8 Conference play without a loss. Mukwonago is in second place with six losses. AHS has six games remaining. AHS is the first team in the 12-year history of the Classic 8 to start the year with 15 striaght wins.

Justin Mortensen pitched six and one-third innings, striking out five and walking five. He is now 5-0 in conference games.

Senior catcher Karl Sprung came up big for the Warhawks. Besides making a great play at the plate, he drove in three runs for the night, getting a two-run single in the first inning and then belting a long solo home run to right in the third.

Leadoff hitter Chris Pendergast had two hits and four RBIs for the winners. Connor Harmann also had two hits.

On defense, Sprung, Matt Mayoras and Josh Henkel all made clutch plays for AHS.

The Warhawks improved to 19-4 on the season.

Club Porticello owner Tony Pipito's liquor license will be renewed as he paid the more than $30,000 in delinquent property taxes he owed Tuesday. Pipito was just a few hours shy of the deadline to pay which is by the end of the business day June 30.

This marks the second year that Pipito has waited until the eleventh hour to pay his taxes before his license expires.

However, the notorious restaurant is back in the spotlight as the centerpiece of a legal battle between the state Department of Natural Resources and the City of Oconomowoc. The DNR is asking the court to overrule variances granted by the city Zoning Board of Appeals to Pipito to build Porticello within 75 feet of the shoreline. The hearing is scheduled for July 2, for more on this story, click,

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/oconomowocfocus/news/49436042.html

Arrowhead's varsity baseball team remained undefeated in the Classic 8 Conference through June, stopping Waukesha West at Waukesha West, 6-2. It's 16th win of the season in Classic 8 Conference play secured the league championship for the Warhawks.

Jordan Paszek was the winning pitcher for Arrowhead. He struck out 11 and walked seven. Andrew Bauer pitched the final inning for the Warhawks (20-4 overall).

Brian Crook went 3-for-3. Karl Sprung went 2-for-4 with three RBIs for Arrowhead.

Sentry Food Store, 630 E. Wisconsin Ave., announced Tuesday it will close July 31. A statement released by Bob Fleming of BKT Enterprises Inc., which owns the store, said a loss of business during the Wisconsin Avenue road construction was the major factor that contriubuted to the store's closing.

More on this story in the July 2 Living Oconomowoc Focus.

At a special library board meeting last week, the Library Board chose Uihlein Wilson as the architectural firm to carry out the Mukwonago Community Library addition.

In an effort to help the citizens of Mukwonago beat the heat, the Village would like to remind everyone that the swimming hole is open.  The swimming hole is located in Indianhead Park, 820 Main St., just north of the Village Hall.  There is no lifeguard on duty, so it is swim at your own risk.  There is no fee to swim.