The 2013 new year started on a frigid note in the Lake Country area as temperatures dipped below zero at one Lake Country area community.

The official weather station at Merton Intermediate School reported a temperature of minus 1 as of 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday. Hartland and Delafield had temperatures of plus 1 and Pewaukee reported in at  plus 2 degrees.

If 2013 is your year for a new, more fit you, the next Living Kettle Moraine Sunday offers 13 ways to get fit and stay with an exercise program from experts at the Mukwonago Athletic Club and the Mukwonago YMCA.

"First up, we cannot achieve what is not defined.  So, what is fitness?" asks Brent Reichert, M.S. general manager at the Mukwonago Athletic Club. "The most basic components are cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility/mobility, and body composition (the percentage of your body weight that is fat vs. lean body mass, such as bone, muscle, etc.).  This needs to be noted, because most just focus on cardio this time of year, which is only one aspect of fitness." 

Reichert outlines 13 tips for getting fit in 2013, while Nicki Kolinske, fitness and wellness director at the YMCA of Central Waukesha County-Mukwonago YMCA provides 13 tips for sticking with that fitness resolution throughout the year.

From setting goals, to knowing what activity you enjoy and having fun with fitness, Kolinske points out the need to mix up workouts, make exercise and yourself a priority, incorporate physical activity into your daily activities and never give up on that goal to be more fit in 2013.

City of Delafield - Unless someone mounts a successful write in campaign for the April 2 municipal election, the Common Council will have to make an appointment to fill a vacancy in the Third Aldermanic District or hold a special election sometime later this year.

Incumbent Jane Lazynski, a downtown commercial property owner who served on the council for less than a year, filed documents shortly before Christman with City Clerk Gina Gresch indicating she is not running for reelection.

Gresch said this morning that no one has filed candidacy petitions for the Third District. The district's boundaries include most of the south Nagawicka Lake shore and downtown business and residential districts. Wednesday was the deadline for filing municipal candidacy petitions.

Lazynski was elected to the council in 2012 when new district boundaries were drawn as a result of the once a decade federal census. Long time Third District incumbent Erv Sadaowski no longer resided in the district as a result of reapportionament.

The council has the option of either appointing someone to fill the vacancy or conducting a special election, according to Gresch.

 However, Mayor Ed McAleer said there is no point in holding a special election if no one in the district expresses an interest in the position.

"It is up to the people who live in the district to come up with someone who wants to represent them on the council," the mayor said.

Three other incumbents Alds. Jeff Krickhahn of the First District, Gerald McDougall in the Fifth District and Tim Aicher of the Seventh District  have all filled candidacy petitions and none of the three incumbents have opposition, so far.

 With three open seats for Village of Mukwonago trustee, four candidates have filed election papers for the two-year term. Incumbents James Decker, Mark Penzkover and Michael Sellenheim will be challenged by Elliot Bakst in the spring election. Incumbent Village President Fred Winchowky will be unopposed on the ballot. 

 The Village of Big Bend president and three trustees will all be unopposed on the spring ballot. Incumbent Village President James Soneberg will seek re-election for the two-year term of president, while incumbents Mike Conn, Ron Peterson and Bob Heinemann will be on the ticket for another two-year term as village trustees.

 While Town of Vernon chairman and treasurer candidates will face no opposition on the spring ballot, two candidates will battle for the position of clerk and two supervisors will be opposed in the spring election.

Newcomer Jim Slawny will be unchallenged for the two-year term of town chairman, and incumbent treasurer Laureen Dashek will also run unopposed for her two-year term. 

Sandy Porter and Karen Schuh will vie for the town clerk seat. Rodell Singert will challenge incumbent Thomas Bird for Supervisor #2 and Daniel Scherbarth faces incumbent Bill Craig for the seat of Supervisor #4. All terms are for two-years.

Two Town of Mukwonago supervisors will be challenged in the spring election, while incumbent Town Chairman Dave Dubey runs unopposed. Supervisors Peter Topczewski and Lyle Boucher will face James Hintz for two open supervisor seats on the spring ballot. 

It's time for the annual Milwaukee Bucks "Library Reading Challenge" at the Oconomowoc Public Library. Students  in grades 3-10 may pick up a special scorecard at the library, on which they keep track of how many pages they read.

When they reach 500 pages, they get a voucher for a free ticket to a Milwaukee Bucks game, where they will also receive a special Bucks t-shirt. Students who read 750 pages become "Overtime Readers" and enter into special drawings at the game they attend.

All scorecards are due to the library by Feb. 27. Scorecards and complete details are available at the library.

Local municipalities are using technology to make things easier on residents. Read how in this week's Living Lake Country Sunday.

The host Waukesha West girls basketball team moved to 6-0 and remained in sole possession of first place in the Classic 8 Conference standings Friday night by scoring a 58-50 win over Arrowhead. The Warhawks fell to 5-1 in league play.

Lizzy Connors had 16 points for West and Michelle Farrow had 15 points and Dani Rhodes 9.

Arrowhead was led by Lauren Peterson and Megan Douglas with 12 points each and Jenny Goulet had 11, all coming in the third quarter in a span of 3:39.

Arrowhead's boys basketball  team turned in a brilliant defensive effort Friday night and downed visiting Waukesha West in a Classic 8 Conference battle, 58-36. AHS remained undefeated in league play.

Kyle Keranen had 10 points for the Warhawks and DomTodarello had 9.

Golden Guernsey Dairy, based out of Waukesha, stunned many of its  longtime customers Saturday morning by locking its doors. No milk service was available at that time. The dairy is not expected to reopen.

Several outlets that sell their popular dairy products,  including many in the Lake Country, were informed of the decision to close Saturday. The Waukesha location was locked up on Saturday.

Despite the closing of Golden Guernsey Dairy in Waukesha on Saturday, Mukwonago Area School District schools don't expect to see a disruption in service, according to Food Service Supervisor Pam Harris.

"Our distributor, Mapleton Dairy Haulers in Oconomowoc, contacted me at home twice yesterday to let me know that we already have enough milk for today, and they have negotiated an arrangement with Kemps Dairy in Cedarburg," Harris said. 

Mapleton Dairy Haulers told Harris they did not expect a disruption in milk service to the Mukwonago Area School District. 

The Oconomowoc Arts Center Cabaret Cafe Series will feature Pat McCurdy at shows planned for Friday and Saturday, Jan. 11 and 12.

Known locally, regionally and nationally, this singer-songwriter has an unusual off-beat sense of humor and is a crowd favorite. He is well known for his comic lyrics and hilarious observations on life, love and “vacation with mom and dad.”

Look into the dinner and show package available. 

 Show Only
Adults $22
High School Students & Younger $12

Dinner Package: Includes Show Ticket & Dinner
Adults $32
High School Students & Younger $20

Tickets are available through the OAC Box Office and online
Service fees may apply

www.theoac.net or (262) 560-3172

The Mukwonago High School Local Scholarship Application is now available for all MHS seniors, according to MHS guidance counselor Paige Patenaude. 

One short application, with no essay portion, qualifies seniors for more than 30 different scholarships available to MHS seniors only. Visit the MHS website at www.masd.k12.wi.us/mhs/ under “Guidance” and then under “scholarships.”

There are a variety of criteria for the different scholarships, many of which do not regard GPA but focus on intended major, involvement or financial/personal hardships, Patenaude explained. Applications must be submitted online or to the MHS guidance office by Feb. 21.

Local businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring a scholarship can contact Patenaude at patenpa@masd.k12.wi.us. There are no minimums and the criteria for the recipient can be determined by the sponsor.

“Thank you to all our past and current sponsors for your support of our amazing MHS students to pursue their post secondary aspirations,” Patenaude added. 

City of Delafield - The Common Council observed a moment of silence tonight in honor of Tom Maney, the city's building inspector for a quarter of a century, who died earlier today at the age of 62 at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc.

Maney worked with his father Floyd  in the family business, the Maney Hardward store, before he and Mark Miller created Miller Maney Inspectors in 1992. He served as the city's part-time contractual building inspector from 1986 to until his retirement last year. He served on the Plan Commission from 1979 to 1989.

A memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 7 at Christ the King Lutheran Church at 3p.m. Visitation will be at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m. Pagenkopf Funeral Home in Oconomowoc is charge of the arrangements.

St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Big Bend will kick off the nationwide Catholic Schools Week celebration with an Open House on Jan. 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Refreshments will be served.  The school band will perform, and there will be a Scholastic book fair.  Classroom tours will be given, and teachers will be available in their classrooms to welcome visitors and answer questions.  Join our students for mass at 8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. 

Other activities for the week-long celebration include Jump Rope/Hoops for Heart, a pep rally, career day, and Pennies for Patients service project to benefit leukemia research.

For more information, contact: Mrs. Susan Shawver, Principal, sshawver@stjoesbb.com.

According to a news release from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, each year, nearly 9,000 Wisconsin adults earn a certificate of high school completion, which opens doors to employment, further education, and opportunity. 

“A GED gives adults an option to improve their employment situation or pursue additional education,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers. “GED-completers have gone on to successful careers as engineers and doctors, mechanics and office workers. The GED is a second chance that opens doors to the future.”

Changes are on the horizon for the GED program in Wisconsin and across the nation. When the new computer-based series of tests is launched in 2014, scores from the 2002 Series GED will expire.

“December 13, 2013, is the deadline for anyone who started taking the current GED series of tests to finish,” Evers noted. “The Department of Public Instruction is partnering with testing center, adult basic education, and community-based organization staff; literacy group volunteers; and corrections personnel to reach out and find people who started the current GED series and help them finish before they must start over with the new tests.”

Adults who want to complete the 2002 Series GED must physically go to a testing center to take the tests but do not have to finish the series at the same testing center where they started. While information about the GED program and finishing the 2002 series GED is available online, the GED test cannot be taken online. GED tests can only be taken at an official GED testing center. Wisconsin’s GED website, which includes a list of testing centers in the state, is available here ged-hsed.dpi.wi.gov/.

“We estimate there are 43,000 adults who took one or more of the 2002 GED tests at Wisconsin testing centers but have not completed the five-test series. My message to those who started taking the GED but haven’t finished is: Get it done. Your future is calling,” Evers said.

 The Mukwonago High School choral department hosts its annual Night on Broadway on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Contact Charlotte Kolby for further information.

The Arrowhead High School boys and girls hockey programs have received a generous donation from the Don Mullett family. Mullett has graciously pledged to donate $30,000 to the two hockey programs this season.

Mullett also will be pledging additional funds to the two programs over the next few seasons.

The Mullett Ice Center on the Arrowhead campus is named after Don Mullett's  father, Howard G. Mullett.

Visiting Mukwonago's girls basketball team rallied in the second half Friday night to score a 50-44 Classic Conference victory over Arrowhead. The win was the ninth straight for Mukwonago as they improved to 12-1 on the year and 6-1 in league play.

The loss dropped Arrowhead to 7-5 and 5-1 in league play.

Bre Cera had 12 points for the Indians and Jenny Tuttle had 11.

Arrowhead was led by Ally May with 10 points.

Host Pewaukee's boys basketball team defeated Greendale Friday night in a Woodland Conference game, 69-60. The win moved the PHS record to 11-4 overall.

PHS enjoyed a 36-28 advantage in the second half.

Ryan Stepanovich had 16 points for the Pirates and Eric Lutzen had 13 and Dave Girmscheid 12.

Local favorities Big Al & the Hi Fi's will take the stage one more time to benefit the new Veterans Memorial Park in Oconomowoc. The Honor & Valor event will take place at Olympia Resort & Conference Center on Feb. 2.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. Okauchee guitarist Michael Beglar will be the starting act. Big Al & the Hi Fi's will take the stage around 7:30 p.m. There will be auction items, bracelets and memorial bricks available for purchase at the event. Appetizers are included in the cost of the ticket.

 Tickets are $50 and are available at www.honorandvalor.org or at First Bank Financial Centre locations. For additional information contact Maribeth Bush at mbush@wi.rr.com or Megan Welsh at megangwelsh@gmail.com.

Kimberly Joy Krueger, parent coach and mother of 12, presents the six-week parenting program, Parenting the Love and Logic Way, which is designed for parents of children of all ages to provide practical skills that can be used immediately.

A free one-hour sample class will be offered on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran, 1936 Emery St. East Troy.

Classes are held for six Sundays beginning Feb. 10 through March 17 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Call (262) 642-3310 with questions.

The 2013 Whole Farm Workshops at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy begin Friday, Jan. 18 with Cultivating Organic Fruie Market from 9 a.m. to noon adn Managing Weeds for Vegetable Production from 1 to 4 p.m. Course cost is $40 or $32 for CRAFT and FairShare members.

For more information visit here.

 Village of Chenequa - Village trustees indicated tonight they would be willing to allow an 11 acre parcel of land on the village's southwest corner to be annexed into the Village of Nashotah to facilitate the construction of a new church.

The parcel is owned by the Lake Country Bible Church which wants to construct a 20,000 square feet sanctuary. church office and meeting rooms on a dead end at the east end of Watertown Plank Road. The property south of Hwy. 16 is in the Village of Chenequa but adjacent to the Village of Nashotah.

Church officials want to annex into the Village of Nashotah in order to access sewer service provided by the Delafield-Hartland Water Pollution Control Commission which has a sewer main that serves the Village of Nashotah that ends next to the church property.

Chenequa Village President Robert Foote Jr. said the village board would have no objections to the annexation provided that the land use and building construction met Chenequa codes.

Nashotah Village President Rich Lartz told the Chenequa trustees that the conditional use permit that would be issued for the church would be drafted to insure the building and land use complied with both municipal codes.

In addition, there are light pollution and storm water control issues raised by Nashotah residents that the church officials will have to resolve before the permit is issued.

The Mukwonago Area School District Finance Committee will meet on Monday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. in the District Office, 385 County Rd NN East. 

Meeting agendas can be found on the district website.

Pewaukee's girls basketball team won its seventh straight game Tuesday night as they overwhelmed visiting Shorewood in the second half, 65-40. PHS outscored the Greyhounds (9-6, 5-6) in the final two periods, 39-21.

The win moved the Pewaukee record to 12-2 overall and 8-2 in Woodland Conference play.

Freshman forward Abby Gerrits had a huge second half for Pewaukee,  scoring 17 of her team-high 20 points. She also grabbed 8 rebounds. Katie Wood chipped in with 10 points and Lindsay Wisniewski added 8 for the winners.

Robbie Holland scored 25 points for Shorewood.

St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, 410 Hwy NN West Mukwonago, will hold an Epiphany Concert on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 6:30pm. Numerous musical groups including choirs, bells, chimes, and the St. John's contemporary band and choir will be presenting.

An all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner, hosted by Ignite Student Ministry, will proceed the concert beginning at 5 p.m.  Cost of the spaghetti dinner is $8 for adults and $5 for children 5 to 12. Children under 5 are free Tickets available at the door or by calling (262) 363-4999. 

 An 18-year-old man was charged with four counts of misdemeanor burglary on Jan. 15 after allegedly stealing from vehicles in the Village of Pewaukee and Village of Hartland last October.
Jesse D. Reed was arrested at his residence in the Village of Hartland on Dec. 10 after a warrant for his arrest was filed for an unrelated drug charge. According to the criminal complaint, items allegedly belonging to the victims, including a Pakistan buck knife, a Sanyo camera, a JVC car stereo and a Garmin GPS unit, were found in the defendant’s backpack.
A heroin kit and oxycodone pill were also alleged to have been found in Reed’s possession. He is subsequently also being charged with one count of possession of narcotic drugs and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
The thefts took place in the area of Quinlan Drive in the Village of Pewaukee and Hill Street and Ridgeway Place in the Village of Hartland.
If convicted of all counts, Reed could face up to 36 months in prison, fined up to $40,000, or both. The charges against him were filed in Waukesha County Circuit Court.

The Book Club for 7th and 8th graders will discuss The Hobbit, by J.R. Tolkien at the Oconomowoc Public Library.

The group will meet from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Interested parties can register at  at
http://hobbitbookclub.eventbrite.com
 

Register and read the book and then join the group for conversation and tasty snacks. For more information, please contact Betsy Bromlet at   (262) 569-2193 or bbromley@cooney.lib.wi.us

 A retirement reception honoring Jackie Gotz after 30 years with the East Troy Public Library will be held on Thursday, Jan. 17 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at Ivan's Backstage, 2087 Division St., East Troy. 

An hors d'oeuvre buffet will be hosted by the Village of East Troy.

KM Global will hold a parent information night on Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at KM Global located in Kettle Moraine High School.

A community showcase, where students present their first semester research work, will be held on Monday, Jan. 28 in the Kettle Moraine High School library at 6 p.m.  

This is an excellent opportunity for interested parents and students to see what KM Global is about.

After working with OpenGate Capital, the Hunger Task Force has been able to recover dairy products from the recently shut-down Golden Guernsey Dairy in Waukesha.

Mukwonago Food Pantry was just one recipient of several cases of Golden Gurnsey pint-sized milk today with their normal delivery of senior Stock Boxes, a federal program that assists low-income seniors.

Sherrie Tussler, Executive Director at Hunger Task Force, said that yesterday alone the organization was able to recover nine semi-trucks full of dairy products. Tussler expected an additional six or seven trucks full to be recovered today and plans to continuously disperse them products throughout the state.

"Some products were already expired but we are taking as much as we can," Tussler said. "We will continue to recover things that have been refrigerated and stored properly and that still have good dates."

Tussler explained the products taken from the plant have a Jan. 21 or 22 best if sold by date and typically can be consumed safely for a week after that. 

"People can enjoy the milk until approximately Jan. 29," Tussler said.

The seniors receiving Stock Boxes from Hunger Task Force and the Mukwonago Food Pantry at Eagle Meadows in Eagle were thrilled with this month's extra surprise.

Dan Wenzel, a resident, said it's nice to get milk, especially in pints.

"I can open one up and drink it, I don't have to worry about freezing the big one," Wenzel said.

Tussler says that Hunger Task Force is happy to continue to distribute the recovered products as long as they can to various programs, food pantrys and others in need.

More information on Senior Stock Boxes, the Mukwonago Food Pantry, and how much they enjoyed their special Golden Guernsey treat in the next issue of The Mukwonago Chief.

 City of Pewaukee — Charges have been filed in Waukesha County Circuit Court against a 19-year-old West Allis man who allegedly led police on a 2.7 mile high speed car chase through the City of Pewaukee Wednesday morning.

A Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, occupied only by the defendant, Donte J. Delamar, at about 1:39 a.m. on Jan. 16 as it drove the wrong way on Highway 164 at Tower Place, according to the criminal complaint. The vehicle fled west on Tower Place and turned into a parking lot, where it “recklessly weaved” through the lot and exited south onto Pewaukee Road, where it failed to stop at a red signal, according to the complaint.

The vehicle eventually reached speeds of 90 to 100 miles per hour on Pewaukee Road, speeding through lights at Northview Road and Moreland Boulevard, before crashing into two telephone poles near Buena Vista Avenue, the complaint reads.

Officers ordered the defendant out of the vehicle, and he complied. Delamar allegedly told police after being transported to Waukesha Memorial Hospital for possible neck injuries that “he panicked,” according to the complaint.

“The defendant indicated that his thoughts were blank and he felt as if he weren’t in control of himself,” the complaint reads.

The defendant has been charged with one count of attempting to flee or elude a traffic officer. The charge carries a maximum penalty if convicted of three years and six months jail time, $10,000 in fines, or both.

The defendant was found to be in possession of what appeared to be marijuana, the complaint reads, and was issued a citation for possession of THC.

Delamar’s next expected court date is Jan. 18.

 City of Oconomowoc — A 40-year-old man was charged with one count of mistreatment of animals and another count of obstructing an officer in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Jan. 16 for allegedly torturing and killing his cat because he believed it was “Satan.”

According to the criminal complaint, James P. Walker knocked on the door of his neighbor asking him for help at about 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 1. He told his neighbor that he was kicked out of the Marines because, “he couldn’t stop killing,” and asked him to look at something in his apartment, the complaint reads.

When the neighbor arrived at the apartment, he noticed broken glass on the kitchen floor and the refrigerator was pulled away from the wall. In the bedroom, the cat laid between the bed and wall, visibly dead, according to the complaint. The defendant, when asked, allegedly said he had killed it, and the neighbor helped the defendant dispose of the cat into an outdoor trash bin, according to the complaint.

The neighbor contacted police shortly thereafter, concerned Walker may hurt someone. Officers arrived at the defendant’s apartment and he allegedly told them that he “snapped,” strangling and stomping on the cat, the complaint reads. He also said that he tortured the animal because, “he believed it was Satan and evil,” the complaint reads.

The defendant was transported to Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital, 791 Summit Ave., to be treated for scratches on his arms. On Jan. 2, police received a call from medical personnel requesting assistance in the emergency detention of the defendant. The defendant became upset after being denied narcotic medication, according to the complaint.

When he tried to leave his room, an officer told him he could not and he allegedly responded, “I’m going to talk to him and you can’t stop me,” according to the complaint.

The officer warned Walker that he would use his stun gun if he did not calm down, to which the defendant allegedly said, “Go ahead and [expletive] tase me. You’re not going to stop me,” the complaint reads.

He was stunned and subsequently transported to Mendota Mental Health Facility, according to the complaint. Walker is alleged to suffer from bipolar disorder and depression, according to the pretrial screening report, and may have issues as a result of four previous concussions.

If convicted of all charges, Walker could face up to four years and three months in jail, $20,000 in fines, or both. Walker’s next expected court date is Jan. 25.

Classes at Kettle Moraine High School and Wales Elementary School will resume on Friday, Jan. 18. Classes and after-school activities have been cancelled for Wednesday evening and Thursday after an alleged bomb threat was discovered in the school. Final exams originally scheduled for Thursday will be taken on Friday.

Check the district website for the most current information regarding the situation.

Even though we don’t have a foot of snow and arctic temperatures, our winter weather still keeps us in our homes, for the most part.

Yet, there are so many activities that get us out of the house for food and fun.

Over at Swallow Elementary School in Hartland there’s a Father/Daughter Hoe-Down Dance from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday. Admission is $14 with each additional cowgirl, $8.

Hartland Elementary School is celebrating the 100^th day of school with readings of the book “100 Snowmen at Night ,” crafts, hot cocoa and an indoor snowball fight with snowmen. The event is 5:30 to 7 p.m.  Friday.

The North Lake Nomads are celebrating winter with its Fourth Annual Winter Fest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Monches Ball Park, Highway E and Center Oak Road, Monches.  The family event is free and includes Clydesdale sleigh rides, vintage snowmobile show, snowmobile rides, games, meat raffle, fire pits, food and refreshments. Bring donations for the food pantry.

If seafood is your thing, head over to Peace Lutheran Church &; Academy on  Maple Avenue in Sussex for its shrimp and fish fry from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday. If you’ve got a hankering for chili, St. James Church in Menomonee Falls is having a chili dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.

To see more weekend events, check out Weekend Happenings at LivingLakeCountry.com.

Pewaukee's girls basketball team won its eighth straight game Thursday night as they trounced host Whitnall in a Woodland Conference battle, 67-38. PHS is now 13-2 overall and 9-2 in league play.

The Pirates took charge immediately, grabbing a 20-4 first period lead. At halftime, Pewaukee led by a 34-10 margin.

Abby Gerrits led the winners with 17 points, 10 of which came in the first half. Lexi Klotz added 12 points for Pewaukee, Lindsay Wisniewski had 11 and Danielle Jasinski 8.

Village of Pewaukee — Karl Reinelt, A 51-year-old felon, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with one count of election fraud after voting in the Nov. 6, 2012 election.

Mukwonago Village Players are looking for five women to play nuns in their April production of Nunsense: A Musical Comedy by Dan Goggin.

Auditions will be Jan. 21 and 22 and 7p.m. and will be held at St. James Parish Center, Room 11 located at 830 Cty Rd NN East in Mukwonago.

Those who would like to audition are being asked to prepare 32 bars of a song with sheet music. An accompaniest will be provided.

Rehearsals begin Feb. 25 and performances are April 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28.

Contact Pat Hitt with any questions via e-mail: HittPhotos@aol.com. 

 City of Waukesha — A 17-year-old Waukesha boy was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Jan. 17 with being party to the crime of vehicle theft after allegedly going on a “joy ride” with another 16-year-old boy on Dec. 24.

The two teenagers allegedly stole a 1996 Geo belonging to Jose J. Lopez Cruz around 2 a.m. on Dec. 24, according to the criminal complaint. The defendant discovered the car was unlocked with the keys inside, said the defendant’s friend, and asked him if, “he wanted to go for a ride,” the complaint reads.

They allegedly drove to Milwaukee and picked up friends and went to a mall in Brookfield, according to the complaint.

They also allegedly lost control of the vehicle at one point, sliding into a ditch on W. Sunset Drive near St. Paul Avenue, according to the complaint.

An officer identified Cruz’s vehicle outside Kwik Trip Gas Station, 1908 W. Saint Paul Ave., and defendant and his friend were reported to be inside the car. The defendant contradicted the other teenager in his statement, saying that they came across the vehicle stuck in a ditch in the snow and decided to take it for a joy ride, according to the complaint.

If convicted, the defendant could face up to six years in prison, $10,000 in fines, or both. The defendant’s next expected court date is Jan. 28.

Mukwonago Community Library welcomed Jane Ameel as interim director this week. This comes after Nick Weber, former library director of more than 4 years, left for a similar position in Illinois.

Jane Ameel retired as the Waukesha Public Library director after 28 years of service in May and is excited about the interim position with Mukwonago.

"I just found out that I like productive activity and liked having co-workers and a good structure," Ameel said.

Right now, Ameel's appointment is expected to last approximately 6 months. The search process is under way for a permant replacement.

For more information on Ameel, see next week's issue of the Mukwonago Chief.

Pewaukee's varsity boys basketball team defeated visiting Whitnall  in double overtime  Friday night in a Woodland Conference game, 71-65.

Junior center Eric Lutzen had 26 points and a 22 rebounds for the winners.

Arrowhead's boys basketball team whipped host Muskego Friday night in a Classic 8 Conference game, 60-36.

Kyle Keranen led the Warhawks with 10 points and Brian Wilman and Dom Todarello had 8 each.

Arrowhead's girls basketball team lost to visiting Muskego Friday night in a Classic 8 Conference game, 55-49.

Kelly Smith had 16 points and Tori Miller 13 for the Warhawks.

JSOnline is reporting that a 32-year-old Milwaukee man scuba diving at Nagawicka Lake drowned Saturday, Jan. 19. Read more on the story here.

 City of Waukesha — Kelly A. Shaw, who is accused of causing a four hour standoff with police last December after allegedly pointing a gun at his wife’s head, was arrested outside Froedtert Medical College of Wisconsin after allegedly violating the terms of his bail.

According to the criminal complaint, Shaw, 58, allegedly became irate after being refused service at the medical facility, asking an employee if, “anybody died yet today?”

Shaw’s wife also works near Froedtert, and he allegedly told personnel that he was going to her place of employment later, according to the complaint. Personnel, concerned for their safety, asked police to notify Shaw that he was no longer welcome at the facility.

Police said in the complaint they did so, but Shaw still returned and was arrested for trespassing. A knife was also allegedly found on Shaw, violating the terms of his release on bail.

On Dec. 5, Shaw refused to exit his home, located at 3001 E. View Court in Waukesha, causing a four hour standoff with police. When he finally exited, he allegedly told police, “I wish I knew you were outside, I would be dead and hopefully two or three cops would be dead,” the complaint reads.

Shaw had firearms hidden throughout his house, according to the complaint, including a 12 gauge shotgun, an AK47 and several handguns.

Shaw’s wife said in the complaint he had allegedly pointed a gun at her three weeks before the standoff. He was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with one count of intentionally pointing a firearm at a person and two counts of disorderly conduct.

If convicted of bail jumping, he faces up to nine months in prison, $10,000 in fines, or both. His next expected court appearance is Jan. 28.

Sweep out the cobwebs in your mind,  strap on your thinking cap and get ready to match wits for a worthy cause.

St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church in Hartland is holding a trivia night fundraiser and silent auction to benefit the Lake Area Free Clinic.

The event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26,  at 7 p.m., following a pot luck supper. There is a maximum of eight players per team allowed, ages 12 and up. Cost of participation is $15 per person, which includes trivia, snacks and childcare.

For ticket information contact Bill Webster at billw1220@ Hotmail.com, or call 414-640-0557.

 City of Waukesha – An 18-year-old man was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Jan. 17 with disorderly conduct, possession of narcotic drugs and carrying a concealed weapon, among other charges, after allegedly trying to force his way into a classroom at Waukesha North High School on Jan. 16.

Jordan T. Hartz, charged with two felony counts of burglary last October, told police that he had been trying to contact a girl at the school the morning of the incident, according to the criminal complaint.

He became upset during the conversation, allegedly telling a friend of the girl who was also on the phone, “I got heat” and “I’m gonna put a boot through your jaw,” the complaint reads.

Hartz then drove to the school and was let into the building by another student.

Hartz was allegedly expelled from the school and told not to return to the premises, according to the complaint. He found the classroom the student was in and, according to the complaint, tried to force his way into the room, screaming “Who the [expletive] was I talking to before.”

A teacher and students reportedly held the door shut and the defendant eventually fled, according to the complaint. He was arrested after fleeing the scene and was allegedly found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, heroin, and two hunting knives, one with a 10 inch blade and another with a six and a half inch blade.

Besides the charges previously listed, Hartz is also being charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping.

Hartz’s next expected court date is Jan. 25.

City of Waukesha — A Waukesha man was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with a felony count of strangulation, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor disorderly conduct on Jan. 18 for allegedly strangling his niece.

The 48-year-old man allowed his niece to use his computer to search for jobs on Jan. 16, according to the complaint. An argument ensued and the niece said she threw the computer along with her cigarette onto the floor and walked back to her bedroom, according to the complaint.

The defendant then allegedly grabbed his niece and “in one movement” pushed her onto the bed with his hand around her throat, according to the complaint.

She tried screaming for her mother, but could not, the complaint reads.

The alleged victim’s mother did arrive and an argument ensued between all members of the family, according to the complaint.

The mother told police that her daughter was strangled, but that she had kicked and punched the defendant.

The complaint states that the alleged victim is only 120 pounds, whereas the defendant is in excess of 350 pounds. Marks indicating strangulation were found on the alleged victim’s neck, according to the complaint.

If convicted of all charges, the defendant could face up to seven years in prison, $21,000 in fines, or both.

The defendant’s next expected court date is Jan. 28