Overnight bitter cold temperatures again caused problems for local firefighters addressing a house fire in the Town of Eagle.

A call came in around 11:30p.m. regarding a fire at W347 S7281 Sprague Road in the Town of Eagle. Sprague Road was temporarily blocked off on both sides of the scene while crews addressed the blaze.

Twelve units from Waukesha, Walworth, and Jefferson county responded to the four alarm fire. During the blaze units had to address frozen equipment challenging their water supply and icy conditions as temperatures dipped into single digits and windchills well below zero.

North Prairie Auxiliary and City of Waukesha Metro ambulances were dispatched to provide shelter and warmth for those on scene. The scene was cleared after nearly 6 hours fighting the blaze.

The fire is thought to have started from a fire place in the basement of the home. The residents were alerted by working fire alarms and were able to evacuate safely and report the fire. According to the Eagle Fire Department, those residents have been set-up to stay with family.

Andy Shird, Deputy Chief of Eagle Fire Department said that there is expansive damage to the home and the family will be displaced for quite some time.

Mukwonago residents James Schoolcraft and Craig Vertz appealed a Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision to the Wisconsin Supreme Court today in a continuing effort to challenge the constitutionality of a Wisconsin law barring some Indians nicknames and logos.  

The petition filed by Attorney Sam Hall, from Crivello Carlson, claims that the Court of Appeals decision violates the Supremacy Clause in the United States Constitution. The petition argues that the local taxpayers have standing to sue based on the United States Supreme Court ruling that have prohibited "state efforts to burden, frustrate or discriminate against federal claims" like the federal constitutional claims raised by the Schoolcraft and Vertz. The petition also maintains that the law and its application violate taxpayers' due process and equal protection rights.

Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Donald Hassin, Jr. previously ruled that an official from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction had violated the constitutional rights of taxpayers in the Mukwonago Area School District to change its Indians nickname and logo, which have existed for nearly 100 years, according to a news release from Hall. The circuit ruling stated that the DPI official who held the hearing, Paul Sherman, testified that he understood that the DPI supported the elimination of all Indians nicknames, regardless of how they were used in individual schools, and that Sherman "could see" how people may have concerns with impropriety because he was responsible for issuing the decision.

On appeal, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals overturned the decision and instead ruled that the taxpayer did not have standing to bring the constitutional claims. The court held that Schoolcraft and Vertz should have attempted to become parties to the hearing by filing a request with Sherman or should have sought judicial review under state law rather than filing their federal civil rights lawsuit. Since the court ruled that Schoolcraft and Vertz did not have standing, the court did not consider whether the law violated the constitution.  

The Village of Big Bend is in the process of exploring a possible library expansion.

The idea was brought to the plan commission at its Jan. 24 meeting that the library could buy a trailer or modular unit and, with minimal rennovation, add much needed space. The plan as it stands now also has the potential to allow for an extra room to be designated for the Big Bend Police Department, which shares the building. 

A major traffic delay has been taking place at the intersection of Highway 16 and I-94 for the last 90 minutes. The bumper-to-bumper delay started at 6:45 a.m. and was still going on at 8:25 a.m.

Trafiic is backed up on Highway 16 eastbound beginning at WCTC. The same delays are taking place on eastbound I-94 in Waukesha County.

Eastbound traffic on Highway 16 from Highway 83 is traveling at 40 miles per hour or slower. Both eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 16 from HIghway 83 to the I-94 intersection are slippery in certain spots.

Waukesha — A 36-year-old man from Oconomowoc was charged with allegedly point a gun at another man he thought was from Illinois during a Jan. 4 driving dispute.

Michael J Bukosky, 525 Frederick Ct. in Oconomowoc, was charged on Jan. 31 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with a misdemeanor count of pointing a firearm at another.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police were dispatched to the area of N. Grandview Boulevard and Silvernail Road at approximately 6:35 p.m. on Jan. 4. Complainant Nathaniel Forseth said he was driving westbound on I-94 and exited at Grandview Boulevard. In so doing, he said he accidentally cut off another vehicle.

The driver of the other vehicle then followed Forseth, with each of the drivers trying to speed up and get in front of one another. The other driver got in front of Forseth and began slamming the brakes intermittently, at which point the defendant said he switched lanes.

Both vehicles stopped at the intersection of Grandview Boulevard and Silvernail Road. Forseth told police that he and defendant began cursing at each other, with Bukosky allegedly saying, “I’m going to kick your [expletive] to your state.” Forseth said the vehicle he was driving belonged to his grandfather and had Illinois license plates.

Forseth said Bukosky then allegedly pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at the complainant saying, “That’s right, don’t [expletive] around in a [concealed] carry state.”

Both the complainant and Bukosky called police. Bukosky told police he thought Forseth pulled out a gun during the incident, and pulled out his gun in response. Forseth told police he did not possess a handgun and a search of his vehicle did not turn up any weapons. Forseth was not charged.

If convicted of all charges, Bukosky could face up to nine months in prison, $10,000 in fines, or both.

His next expected court date is Feb. 11.

 A 23-year-old woman from Delafield was charged with resisting arrest and battery after allegedly biting a police officer during a Feb. 1 arrest in Waukesha for drunken driving.

Breanna K. Vetterman, N6 W31610 Huckleberry Way S in Delafield, was charged on Feb. 1 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with battery of a peace officer, resisting an officer and causing soft tissue injury, operating while intoxicated, second offense, and operating while revoked.

According to the criminal complaint:

A police officer initiated a traffic stop at approximately 12:20 a.m. on a vehicle with a burned out brake light on Sunset Drive in the City of Waukesha. The officer said the driver, Vetterman, allegedly smelled of liquor and had slurred speech. Vetterman told the officer at the time she only had one glass of wine, but later allegedly said she had two.

She failed several field sobriety tests administered, and had a reported value of .134 on a preliminary breath test. She was convicted of drunken driving in September of 2010, and as a result was supposed to have an ignition interlock device on her vehicle.

The defendant was placed under arrest and transported to Waukesha Memorial Hospital for a blood test. She was allegedly “extremely upset” and swearing at the officer transporting her to the hospital.

At the hospital, she refused to submit to a blood test. Three officers attempted to restrain the defendant as she thrashed around, handcuffing her to the bed. She then allegedly bit one of the officers on the forearm, leaving a mark. The blood was eventually drawn and the bitten officer was treated at the hospital.

If convicted of all charges, Vetterman could face more than 12 years in prison, $20,000 in fines, or both.

Her next expected court date is Feb. 28.

Vernon, Big Bend, Mukwonago and multiple other fire departments are on scene of a two story residential structure fire at S63W24695 Townline Road in the Town of Vernon in Waukesha County.

Initial scanner reporters indicate flames visible on scene.

We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Firefighters walk down Townline Road as multiple units, including Vernon, Big Bend, Mukwonago, Wales-Genesee, New Berlin, Tess Corners, and Town of Waukesha fire departments responded to a house fire in the Town of Vernon. 

Smoke billows above trees as firefighters battle the blaze. According to scanner traffic, the fire was under control shortly before 4 p.m. after fighting the fire for more than two hours. 

No further information is available at this time.

Dana M. Hooper, accused of stabbing her infant daughter to death last September, was found to be not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect at a court hearing on Feb. 4.

Judge William J. Domina ordered the 33-year-old Oconomowoc resident to remain in institutional care for life and denied conditional release because of the potential threat Hooper could pose to herself or others.

Two court-appointed psychiatrists, Dr. Deborah Collins and Dr. John Pankiewicz, determined that Hooper suffered from a psychotic disorder. Hooper said that in the weeks leading up to the murder of her child, she was suffering from mood swings, hallucinations and frequent periods of sleeplessness, made worse by an antidepressant she was prescribed. She told medical personnel before her arrest that she suffered from postpartum depression.

"Somehow, this act was motivated by 'God' or 'The Devil' or a person with strength that could not be ignored," Domina said.

The judge said that Hooper had made clear psychological progress since the incident and was deemed competent, meaning that she will be allowed to make decisions regarding her psychiatric care.

However, that decision can be reconsidered by the court in the future.

Hooper was visibly relieved by the judge's sentence, but broke down in tears at the end of the hearing.

"I hope you find balance and understanding, so that you can help others who end up on this path," Domina said in closing. "Because, in your case, that did not happen."

According to the criminal complaint:

On Sept. 15, Hooper told medical personnel at Rogers Memorial Hospital that she was suicidal and that she killed her baby, the criminal complaint reads.

"I'm going to tell you the truth," she allegedly told the nurse. "I thought there was spiritual warfare at our house. Voices in my head, God's voice, told me to kill my baby because it was satanic."

Police arriving at Hooper's residence on Lisbon Road in Oconomowoc met with Kevin Hooper, the husband of the defendant, who has been charged with failure to report the death of a child.

Kevin Hooper, 34, allegedly told police that he had  wrapped the baby in a blanket and placed her in a laundry basket. 

"It was immediately evident that the baby was deceased," the complaint reads.

Asked why he waited several hours before contacting police, Kevin Hooper allegedly told police he was afraid and was waiting for Dana's father to arrive.

He also allegedly told police he moved the child into a plastic laundry basket because he didn't want the baby bleeding all over the carpet.

In regards to the charges filed against him, Kevin Hooper is next expected to appear in court on March 4.

 Kettle Moraine Middle School is experiencing a temporary electrical outage. The electric company is working to resolve the issue. All students are in the building and working on a modified schedule. 

The outage is also impacting phone service to both the middle school and Dousman Elementary. Text messages were sent out to notify parents of the situation.

Kettle Moraine School District (KMSD) Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, Carole Witt Starck announced her retirement effective June 30, 2013. Witt Starck joined the district in 2011 in this role and also serves as KMSD Director of Learning for art educators K-12. 

Kettle Moraine High School Associate Principal, Kehl Arnson tendered his resignation effective June 30, 2013. Arnson will be leaving KMHS to complete a doctoral program and to pursue a future role in district leadership. Arnson serves as president on the Kettle Moraine Education Foundation (KMEF) board and KMSD Director of Learning for 6-12 English educators. 

“We wish Carole and Kehl every success as they go forward and thank them for the contributions made during their service to our students, schools and community,” commented Superintendent Pat Deklotz. 

The Kettle Moraine Middle School experienced an electrical outage during the morning hours today. The electric company restored power as of 9 a.m.

All middle school and Dousman Elementary phone service are functioning and students are operating under a normal schedule again.  

KMHS Jazz Ensembles and Laser Jazz presents “A Taste of New Orleans” on Saturday, Feb. 9 beginning at 6 p.m. in the KMHS Cafeteria. 

Enjoy Cajun flavors and unique New Orleans cuisine thanks to the collaboration and donations of time, talent, and tastes from KM Perform seminar students, parent volunteers and Kettle Moraine’s very own Kathy Sewell-Jensen, Family and Consumer Education Teacher. The menu includes southern favorites such as jambalaya, red beans and rice, bananas foster and bread pudding.

Reservations requested through Terri Catania at cataniat@kmsd.edu or call (262) 968-6273 x4502. Tickets may be purchased for $25 at the door (food and entertainment) or $10 (entertainment only).

Due to a band of heavy snow showers that arrived in the Lake Country area beginning at 10 a.m., driving conditions have quickly turned to very slippery throughout the area.

At 11 a.m., Highway 83 from Highway 16 to I-94 was snow-covered and very slippery. Traffic was going just 30 miles per hour in both directions.

Highway 16 from Highway C to Pewaukee was also snow-covered and very slippery in both the east and west-bound lanes. Traffic was going just  35 miles per hour.

Road conditions also were very slippery in the Village of Hartland. Some intersections were especially slick.

A warrant was issued on Feb. 4 for two Oconomowoc residents who allegedly scammed law enforcement officials out of $150 in marked bills during a police sting gone wrong.

 City of Waukesha - A 30-year-old man was charged after allegedly smashing a pint glass on a man’s head, causing a skull fracture, at a wedding at the Country Springs Hotel last August.

Randy S. Lunda of Racine was charged on Feb. 4 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with a felony aggravated battery, repeater.

Lunda previously pleaded guilty to fleeing or eluding an officer and resisting arrest in 2006, according to online court records.

According to the criminal complaint:

Jamyn Rukavina, a guest at the wedding, was outside the Country Springs Hotel, 2810 Golf Rd. in Waukesha, smoking a cigarette with another man. Steve Martin, the bartender at the wedding, said Rukavine was drunk and he stopped serving him earlier in the evening, “because he was being a jerk.”

The mother of Lunda’s girlfriend said that Rukavina had been making a scene during the wedding reception and causing a disturbance.

The defendant came up to Rukavine and told him, “If you have something to say, then say it to my face,” the complaint reads. Lunda then allegedly smashed a pint glass into Jamyn’s face, chipping a tooth and knocking Rukavine unconscious for three or four minutes.

The bartender said he had served Lunda approximately 10 beers throughout the night.

Rukavina told police a week later that he had visited the hospital multiple times, and had been diagnosed with a skull fracture and six centimeter brain bleed as a result of the incident.

Lunda had fled the scene before police arrived, but was contacted by police on Aug. 23. He told police Rukavina had been making inappropriate comments about his girlfriend’s son.

If convicted, Lunda could face up to 10 years in prison, $10,000 in fines, or both.

His next expected court date is Feb. 25.

February is American Heart Month and a time to raise awareness about the risks associated with heart disease in women. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease kills one in three women each year – that’s approximately one woman every minute.

As owners of The Woodhouse Day Spa franchise in Mukwonago, Susie Hotz and Cheryl Berg have been serving women in their community since 2006 and feel it’s their duty to bring attention to this growing health problem. That’s why on Monday, Feb. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m., The Woodhouse Day Spa will host a Go Red for Women event and blood drive at 325 Bay View Rd., Suite F in Mukwonago.

           “Heart disease has affected all of us in one way or another and we wanted to host an event that provides educational services for women as well as relaxing spa treatments in honor of AHA’s Go Red For Women campaign,” said Hotz.

             Guests at the event will have the opportunity to speak with various health professionals on hand about preventing heart disease, including a nutritionist, personal trainer and experts from ProHealth Care. Complimentary skin analysis, mini massages, lip exfoliation with red lipstick application and a red polish change will also be available as well as 10-percent off any service booked the night of the event. Those who wish to donate blood through Blood Center of Wisconsin can do so anytime between 3 and 7 p.m. and will receive 10,000 Woodhouse Reward Points.

Guests are asked to R.S.V.P. for the event by calling the spa at (262) 363-8878. Blood donors should also set an appointment time between 3 and 7 p.m. by visiting the spa website or calling the spa.

 A 30-year-old Waukesha man has been charged with allegedly striking a woman’s two toddlers on Feb. 3 and later "violently" shoving an arresting officer to the ground.

Daniel G. Fife, 1522 Big Bend Rd., Unit E, was charged on Feb. 5 in the Waukesha County Circuit Court with two felony counts of child abuse, one count of felony battery to a peace officer and two counts, one misdemeanor and one felony, of resisting an officer.

He was also charged on Feb. 5 with misdemeanor disorderly conduct for a previous, unrelated incident.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police were dispatched to the Pick ‘n Save grocery store at 1220 W. Sunset Drive in Waukesha on Feb. 3. They met with the complainant Gabrielle Myhre, who told police that Fife had allegedly stolen a 12-pack of beer from the store and was trying to get into her car. Myhre told police Fife was a neighbor in her apartment complex.

The beer was turned over to a grocery store employee without incident, but Fife refused to get out of Myhre’s car, so she decided to give him a ride back to his apartment.

Myhre said that she had to drop off items at a friend’s house before driving Fife home, and left the defendant in the car with her friend Jennifer Mundt and Myhre’s two children, ages five and three.

When she returned, she was told that Fife had allegedly hit her kids. Mundt told police Fife was yelling at her and the two children told him to “shut up,” at which point he struck the two children in the head.

Officers found the defendant in his apparent and he appeared drunk. He was told he was being arrested for allegedly hitting the children, at which point he took a “boxer-type stance.”

He then was alleged to have “violently” pushed one of the officers, knocking the wind out of her. Two other officers tried to control the defendant, but he continued to resist.

The officers used a stun gun, which was mildly effective, and eventually managed to transport him out of the residence.

It could have been worse, neighbor Brian Hunt told police. He said the defendant was drunk and told him prior to the arrest that if police came, he would go after him.

“He would slice the throats of the police officers with a butcher knife and bust their heads,” he allegedly told Hunt.

Fife was also charged with disorderly conduct for an incident earlier that day.

He allegedly locked himself in a Walgreens Store bathroom in Waukesha and was allegedly heard by employees to be cursing and yelling. A manager went to investigate and found a broken wine bottle on the floor.

When the manager asked what happened, Fife exited the store, dropping a wallet with identification in the process.

If convicted of all charges, Fife could face more than 24 years in prison, $50,000 in fines, or both.

His next expected court date is Feb. 14.

A Teen  Chess and Checkers Tournament  is planned for Saturday,  Feb. 16, at 10 a.m. at the Oconomowoc Public Library. Players of all abilities in 7th-12th grade are welcome to attend.

There will be prizes, snacks and fun, and it’s all free.  Bring your friends.

For more information, please email Betsy at bbromley@cooney.lib.wi.us or call (262) 569-2193, ext. 210.

 A 26-year-old Brookfield man was charged with several misdemeanors on Feb. 5 after he rolled his vehicle on Interstate 94 and then allegedly tried to hide from police in a bystander’s back seat with a loaded semiautomatic pistol.

Zachary P. Iller, 14465 Lindsay Drive in Brookfield, was charged on Feb. 5 in the Waukesha County Circuit Court with possession of a firearm while intoxicated, obstructing an officer and drunken driving, second offense. Iller was previously convicted of drunken driving in May 2007.

According to the criminal complaint:

The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of an accident on I-94 westbound near the CTH F/Redford Boulevard exit at approximately 2 a.m. on Feb. 5.

A vehicle allegedly driven by Iller was heavily damaged, its windows shattered and the contents expelled. A second vehicle, operated by Ryan Tentoni, was parked nearby with its hazard lights on.

Tentoni told police the vehicle had shot past him going approximately 80 or 90 miles per hour. The driver apparently tried to exit onto Redford Boulevard, he said, but lost control of the vehicle, rolling it three or four times before crashing into a tree.

He then whispered to the officer that he needed help; the alleged operator of the vehicle was hiding in his car.

Police looked into Tentoni’s vehicle and found Iller laying in the back seat with a cut bleeding on his forehead.

The defendant allegedly admitted to police he had been drinking “a little.”

Tentoni said when he came across the scene, the defendant seemed “anxious and frantic,” with his face covered in blood. Iller allegedly grabbed his back pack and jumped into Tentoni’s vehicle, demanding a ride home before police arrived.

While the defendant was being questioned, he allegedly blurted out: “I have a gun.” Police then restrained the man and asked him where the gun was located.

A loaded semiautomatic handgun was found in Tentoni’s car. Officers decided against administering a field sobriety test because of safety concerns and the defendant was transported to Waukesha Memorial Hospital for a blood test.

If convicted, Iller could face more than a year in prison, $20,000 in fines, or both.

His next expected court date is Feb. 7.

 A gun reported as stolen last October in Pewaukee was recovered in a Milwaukee drug house and an 18-year-old Waukesha man was charged with its alleged theft.

Jesse D. Reed was charged on Feb. 5 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with felony theft of movable property and Kirstie L. Bartlett, 20, was charged with receiving a stolen firearm, also a felony.

Reed has been arrested six times for various offenses in the last year and was charged most recently in January with four counts of misdemeanor theft, according to online criminal records.

According to the criminal complaint:

Dustin Liebenthal, 580 Foxtail Drive in the Village of Pewaukee, first reported the theft of his .22 caliber handgun on Oct. 16, 2012. He told police the gun and two magazines were taken from the center console of his vehicle sometime during the previous night.

On Nov. 14, Liebenthal was contacted by Jordan Lagalbo, who said his sister Chelsea Lagalbo had been dating Reed. He said he was picked up by sister a week prior and Reed was in the back seat. In a backpack, Reed allegedly had GPS units, radar detectors, an iPod and a handgun. Reed allegedly told Jordan he had stolen the gun from a truck.

Chelsea Lagalbo told police she was no longer dating Reed, but he had allegedly told her that he had stolen items out of cars in the Pewaukee area.

Bartlett was contacted by police on Dec. 10. She told police that Reed had allegedly given her the gun before Thanksgiving in exchange for money he owed her for heroin. She allegedly told police she sold the gun to a drug dealer on Milwaukee’s West Side for $100 worth of heroin.

Reed was arrested on Dec. 10 and charged in January with several misdemeanor thefts, after police said they found several items in his possession they suspected were stolen from vehicles in Lisbon, Hartland and Pewaukee.

The Milwaukee Police Department performed a search on a Milwaukee “drug house” on Jan 15 and found the gun they believe belonged to Liebenthal. It contained the original magazine with four unfired .22 caliber hollow point bullets.

Detective Craig Drummy of the Pewaukee Village Police Department said he did not know if the gun had been fired since its theft.

If convicted, both Bartlett and Reed could each face up to six years in prison, $10,000 in fines, or both.

Bartlett’s next expected court date is Feb. 18.

Reed’s next expected date Feb. 6.

Rodell Singert, Daniel Scherbarth, and Sandy Porter have chosen not to participate in tonight's forum for Town of Vernon candidates.

In a letter addressed to the neighbors and fellow electors of Vernon, the group outlined their reasons for choosing not to participate in the Feb. 6 forum at Town Hall.

There are four main points, two of which explain that the forum schedule for March 5th would be sufficient. They believe that forum would be more effective seeing as it is closer to the election and "voter interested is high and informed citizens enthusiastic to learn of the concerns and issues facing our town."

The group also states that they feel the moderator chosen does not meet the required qualifications for moderator. They claim a "conflict of interest and questionable bias." They would like to participate in the selection of the moderator for the March forum.

The group also said they were never approached about availability for the forums and would like input for agreement on one date in March that works best for all candidates.

Singert is challenging Supervisor Thomas Bird for the Supervisor 2 position. Scherbarth is challenging Supervisor Bill Craig for Supervisor 4. Porter is one of two new candidates, facing off with Karen Schuh for the clerk position.

Students from the seventh and eighth grade classes at Merton Intermediate School had the opportunity to prove that, indeed, they could dance, in an international competition with a United Kingdom school last week.

The competition was set up using Skype’s video phone service, allowing students from Merton and Woodham Academy in England to watch each other’s performances from almost 4,000 miles away.
Matt Pomeroy, the physical education teacher at Merton, said he organized the event online.

“After we started our competition, we put out on Twitter, ‘Hey, anyone want to compete with our school,’” he said.

Jon Tait, assistant head teacher at Woodham, took Pomeroy up on his offer.

The P.E. Geeks online community, the brainchild of Tait, is where Pomeroy turned when he was looking for competitors. Tait said via email he founded the community to, “promote global collaboration, shared resources & expertise.”

P.E. teachers communicate through Twitter and share work sheets, lesson plans and other resources through cloud storage website Dropbox.

Tait said via email that he founded the community on Jan. 7 and it has already attracted 2,000 followers.

“We have moderators in 3 different time zones driving the conversations forward — UK & Europe, USA, and Asia,” he said. “All of this has happened in less than one calendar month!”

Pomeroy had his hands full organizing the competition at Merton, which involved 50 different dance teams. They decided to have family and friends of the students vote online for the best classes, eventually narrowing it down to five classes which would dance for Woodham.

The girls from the two schools judged each other’s performances based on various elements of performance, Tait said, but there were no winners or losers.

If you haven’t guessed, technology in the classroom is a big priority for both Tait and Pomeroy.

Both Woodham and Merton P.E. instructors have begun implementing Apple iPads in their curriculum.

Pomeroy said they are working on creating an “Amazing Race” style event for April or May, where students will have to scramble to read Quick Response Codes (QRC) using their tablets.

Tait said Woodham has begun filming students while performing and then instantly review and analyze how they did.

Both teachers said the competition was a wonderful opportunity for the girls (and few boys) who participated and they are trying to get another school involved for a competition in early March.

“I would hope to get a school on a different continent, at least a different country,” Pomeroy said.

Tait said he has not even sent out inquiries yet, but has already heard from interested teachers in Canada and others in the U.K.
Students will no doubt be excited to see their English friends from across the pond again.

One student, identifying herself as “Ellie” on Tait’s blog, wrote: “It was a blast to watch you guys dance and I couldn’t get over your accents! They were so cute!! Thanks for a great day!” 

Mukwonago High School DECA student Ambryn Dittmer is one of five finalists in the DECA ICDC 2013 t-shirt design contest. 

Winners are selected by the most votes on Facebook received by Feb 15.  Scroll to the t-shirt design finalists to cast a vote for Dittmer's t-shirt design.

The snowstorm has caused the cancellation of the Oconomowoc High School Boys Basketball game for tonight. The team was scheduled to play at Beaver Dam.

Bill MacCluskey sent an email to the Richmond School District Friday morning saying he wants to withdraw as a candidate for the district's school board after it was revealed he had paid $72,000 in back taxes and penalties in the last 10 years.

He said via email he would like to spend more time taking care of his ailing mother.

"I thought I could manage, but tonight made me realize that taking care of my mother needs to be a top priority," he wrote. 

Superintendent George Zimmer said that MacCluskey's name will still appear on the ballot despite his withdrawal and he can still win as a candidate.

According to online court records, The Department of Revenue has pursued three different civil suits against MacCluskey for state tax delinquency since 2002.

MacCluskey, 45, said he sent out his last payment approximately three weeks ago. Altogether, he has paid almost $40,000 in back taxes and an additional $32,342 in penalties and interest.

“I am ready to hire a tax lawyer,” MacCluskey said.

According to court records, the delinquent tax warrants were filed in May 2002, Feb. 2012 and April 2012.

In 2002, he was delinquent on $17,377 in taxes and paid $8,391 in interest and penalties. In Feb. 2012, he was delinquent on $13,355 in taxes and paid $18,428 in interest and penalties. In April 2012, he was delinquent on $8,167 in taxes and paid $7,353 in interest and penalties.

MacCluskey fully paid off the back taxes for all three claims within a year of their filings.

He said the delinquency was the result of misplaced checks from businesses with which he worked. MaCluskey said he owns his own business, selling large computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools in over 24 states.

Wisconsin school boards are entrusted with the execution of the budget, school district account reviews and business procedures, according to the Wisconsin Association of School Boards website.

The primary is on Feb. 19. The election is on April 2.

With the snow getting heavier with each passing hour, driving conditions in the Village of Hartland have become slippery. Most village streets are snow-covered.

Highway 16 eastbound from Highway 83 to I-94 is wet with some slush starting to build up in each lane. Traffic was going between 45 and 50 miles per hour for the most part.

Many Waukesha County activities have been cancelled for Thursday night.

As much as 7 inches of snow is expected to fall by late Thursday night.

The snow is causing quite the headache for drivers throughout the area.

Multiple calls for vehicles in ditches, single car and multicar accidents came across the scanner just as the afternoon commute started to be in full swing.

A reporter is on scene at an accident on Highway 67 and Road X where calls on the scanner indicate there is at least one passenger pinned after an accident.

Drive safe, leave a lot of room and take your time out there. 

We'll bring you additional information as it becomes available. 

Driving conditions in the Lake Country area  area very poor on most roads. A total of 6 inches of snow has fallen in Hartland since 9 a.m.

Highway VV between North Lake and Merton was very slippery at 6:30 p.m. Highway E southbound from Highway VV to Hartland had several inches of snow on the road and cars were going just 30 miles per hour.

Many of the side roads in Hartland had several inches of snow on them.

There are lots of sweet things to do this Valentine’s season in Lake Country, and most of them center on food.

Friday is fish fry night and there’s a good one from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Agnes Parish, 12801 W. Fairmount Ave., in Butler. Eat in or carry out your dinner for just $8.

If you’re looking for a hearty meal Sunday morning with entertainment and kids activities try the Breakfast on Broadway from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Arrowhead High School North Campus, 800 North Ave., Hartland. The meal includes pancakes, sausage, fruit juice, coffee and milk. There will also be entertainment by Broadway Company students, arts, crafts, kids' games and door prizes. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for ages 3 to 12 and free for children 2 and younger. Call (262) 369-3612, ext., 4741 for more information.

At the Hawks Inn Visitors Center in Delafied, kids will have a blast at the Valentine Cookie Decorating Party from 1 to 2 p.m. and also from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.  Sunday. The center is located at 426 Wells St., Everyone will receive a dozen cookies plus frosting and decorations. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $5 per child. Reserve a spot by emailing hawksinn@wi.rr.com.

On Valentine’s Day, Thursday, the Sussex Community Center will present a program called Valentine’s Day Past and Present from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities will start at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and entertainment at noon. Call (262) 246-6747 for reservations.

 James “Anthony” Swift, charged in Waukesha County Court on Feb. 21 with misdemeanor negligent handling of a weapon and a felony count of substantial battery, will be brought to trial, despite prosecuting attorney Timothy Westphal’s admission at the Feb. 7 hearing that the case might have “trial issues.”

Judge Thomas Pieper presided over the preliminary hearing and found that there was probable cause that a felony or felonies had been committed.

Swift, 40, was charged with allegedly stabbing Gregory Mix, 55, with a knife and beating him on the night of Jan. 18. Mix said he and his daughter’s fiancée Aaron Wright  had confronted Swift over things Swift had said about Vera Mix, 24, who is eight months pregnant.

Gregory said Swift had allegedly touched his daughter inappropriately and made lewd comments about her.

Swift, however, told police that Wright had allegedly started the fight in Vera’s apartment, punching him in the head and neck.

Gregory then started punching him and he responded in self-defense. He said Gregory grabbed the knife and he wrestled the older man to the ground, the knife always in Mix’s hands.

Three Waukesha Police Department officers were called to testify at Swift’s hearing.

Officer David Neill said he was with Gregory after he was transported to the officer. He said Gregory told him that Swift “crouched over him with a knife, doing something,” but the officer said Gregory did not say specifically what was done.

Neill also said he was not sure if Swift was invited to Vera’s apartment, but Vera had never asked him to leave.

None of the officers who testified could say whether the knife in question had been fingerprinted or if DNA on the knife had been tested.

An arraignment hearing, where formal charges will be brought, was scheduled for March 7.

Westphal told Piper he needed more time to decide what to charge with.

“I just want to be careful that I don’t overcharge or undercharge,” he said.

After the hearing, Westphal told the police officers called to testify: “I am still going to charge him with felonies, its just deciding which ones.”

A man and woman were charged with a series of alleged home burglaries that took place in the Towns of Delafield and Genesee in May and August of last year.

Amaryllis J. Becker, 21, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Feb. 7 with four counts of burglary. James W. Walters, 28, was charged on Feb. 7 with three counts of burglary.

According to the criminal complaint:

A Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department officer was dispatched to W288 S5088 Rockwood Trail in the Town of Genesee on Aug. 25, 2012. The homeowners, Clifford and Darlene King, told police that during the previous night someone entered their home and stole a laptop, a wallet with approximately $150 in it and a purse containing approximately $17 and Target gift cards.

Two other residents in the neighborhood also reported break-ins, but that nothing seemed to be missing.

On Aug. 28, another robbery was reported at W290 S5587 Holiday Rd. in the Town of Genesee. Resident Nancy Wilson said she woke up at 1 a.m. and went into her living room, where she found a person wearing a black ski mask standing near the sliding glass door. Nancy woke up her husband Michael Wilson, who chased the subject out the door but did not catch him.

Nancy’s purse, containing her driver’s license, credit cards, checkbook and a digital camera, was missing.

Detectives contacted the Target Corporation and asked whether the stolen Target gift cards had been used. Target personnel said they received a call from a phone number belong to Steven Windward inquiring about the balance on the cards. When contacted, Windward said his friend Jeremy Dixon had asked him to make the call and Dixon had used the cards on August 25.

On Sept. 7, police contacted Dixon. Dixon said he had received the gift cards as a birthday present from Becker and Walters. Dixon said that the couple had allegedly told him previously that they had just committed a burglary and almost got caught.

They were pulled over as they were fleeing the area, but let go because Walters pretended he had a medical issue and needed to go to the hospital.

On Sept. 10, police searched Becker and Walter’s residence in Jefferson County. Several prescription bottles allegedly belonging to Linda Olsen were seized in the search.

Olsen said that she noticed on Aug. 14 that several pill bottles and an Xbox 360 with games were missing from her home at W304 N2518 Maple Ave. in the Town of Delafield. She did not report the items as stolen. She said someone had also entered her home on May 18 and stolen a laptop, but that she had not reported that incident either.

Police spoke to Becker on Nov. 28. She was being held on probation at a correctional facility in Fond du Lac County. She allegedly told police that she remembered participating in the burglaries for which Walters and her were charged. She also allegedly said that others, not yet charged, participated in the burglaries.

Walter’s did not provide a statement.

If convicted of all charges, Becker could face up to 50 years in prison, $100,000 in fines, or both.

Walters could face more than 37 years in prison, $75,000 in fines, or both, if convicted of all charges.

Becker and Walters’ next expected court date is Feb. 18.
 

The Mukwonago United Church of Christ is hosting a Valentine Craft Fair.

An aray of craft vendors and baked goods will be available for those looking to pick up something for their special Valentine.

The event will be held tomorrow, Sat. Feb. 9 from 10a.m. to 3p.m. at the Mukwonago United Church of Christ, S93W30740 Highway NN in Mukwonago.

 Town of Delafield — The 31-year-old Delafield man shot by police on Jan. 9 after allegedly pointing a shotgun at his father and refusing to relinquish the weapon was charged with two misdemeanors on Feb. 7.

Justin G. Ebbe was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with negligent handling of a weapon and disorderly conduct. Justin pleaded not guilty to the charges at court on Thursday and was released on a $5,000 signature bond cosigned by his father.

According to the criminal complaint:

Deputies from the Waukesha and Walworth County Sheriff’s Departments were dispatched to the Ebbe residence at N2 W31808 Twin Oaks Drive in Delafield on the afternoon of Feb. 7.

Ebbe’s parents, Paul Ebbe and Jane Graff, told police that Justin was in a bedroom upstairs with a loaded shotgun, threatening to commit suicide. Paul Ebbe was in the room with his son trying to stop him.

Justin had just recently moved in to his parent’s Delafield home in August 2012, according to his pretrial screening report. Paul told police that he and his wife had brought Justin home after Justin’s wife filed for divorce.

Justin Ebbe’s parents told police that he came home at approximately 1:15 p.m. with beer and hard liquor, telling his parents that he had quit his job. His mother said he was an alcoholic, so when he opened a beer she took it away from him.

Justin Ebbe then went upstairs with the shotgun, his mother said. Paul and Graff said they did not know that Justin had a shotgun.

His mother followed after him and attempted to take the shotgun away. A struggle ensued and Justin fired a shot into the floor near her feet.

“…She felt a burning on her skin, but was not sure if it was from the shotgun round passing near her foot or ankle area or from the shotgun actually touching her after the round was fired,” the complaint reads.

Graff said she thought he fired the round to scare her into leaving. Paul arrived home shortly thereafter and Justin said he would talk to his father if his mother left the room. Graff then called police.

Three officers, led by Deputy Michael Doud, 52, made their way to the second-floor bedroom. Doud said he allegedly saw the defendant pointing a shotgun in the direction of his father. The officer ordered Justin Ebbe to drop the weapon, and when he failed to do so, the deputy fired three rounds, two of which struck Justin Ebbe.

Ebbe was subsequently taken by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital for treatment and released l

If convicted of all charges, Ebbe could face up to a year in prison, $11,000 in fines, or both.

Ebbe’s next expected court date is March 4.

Section Elementary School hopes to pilot a new personalized learning model, Innovative Personal Learning Communities (IPLC), during the 2013-14 school year. IPLC would include two multiage groups, grades one through three and four through six, in an environment designed to engage learners in the rigorous, Common Core Standards-based curriculum tailored to the learning needs, styles and specific interests of students.

Section staff members will present a fully developed pilot plan to the School Board Learning Committee at 6:45 p.m. tonight, at the district office on Highway NN.

Advance tickets for the Mukwonago High School performance of “Beauty and the Beast.” can be purchased at Mukwonago High School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 by using the east or commons entrance or during lunch hour in the commons from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Feb. 13, 14, 15, 20 and 21 by using the visitor entrance. 

Reserved seating is $11 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students and children. Tickets at the door are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $9 for students and children. 

Performances are at 7 p.m. Feb. 22, 23, 24, March 1 and 2 and at 2 p.m. March 2 and 3 in the MHS auditorium. 

For more information, contact Mary Coughlin at (262) 613-2048 or mhs.annual.musical@gmail.com. 

All ticket sales are final. 

Former Arrowhead and Wisconsin Badgers standout defensive tackle Nick Hayden has signed an NFL contract with the Dallas Cowboys. Hayden previously played with the Carolina Panthers and Cincinnati Bengals.

Hayden missed all of last year's regular season after suffering a season-ending leg injury in the final pre-season game for Cincinnati last year.

Highly successful defensive coach Monte Kiffin is the new Dallas defensive co-ordinator for the Cowboys.

 Town of Lisbon - Emil Glodoski, former president of the Pauline Haass Library Board, tonight appeared at a town board meeting to defend the library board's plans to sue the Town Board for control of land donated to the town by  the late Pauline Haass.

"It is a legal question that has to be resolved," Glodoski told the Town Board.

Glodowski said legal action was necessary because Town Chairman Matt Gehrke has said there is a possibility the town might not extend beyond 2014 a joint library funding agreement with the Village of Sussex.

The town and village jointly fund library operating and building expenses. A portion of the town's share of the cost is paid for by rent the town collects on the farm land.

Town officials have contended for years they have exclusive control over the land. Some town officials are unhappy the town will have to help pay for the legal expenses.

The Library Board has filed a Notice of Claim for the land because it was donated to the town "for library purposes."

Gehrke has said the town will reject the claim which means the libary board must either file a law suit or drop the claim.

The Lisbon board last month voted to rescind Glodski's appointment to the Library Board. He was one of three representatives appointed to represent the town on the library board.

Gehrke said Glodoski did not vote in the best interests of the town when he supported the legal action.

Library Director Kathy Klager defended Glodoski saying he and the library board had a legal obligation to seek contriol of Haass land because according to state law the land should be under the control of the library board.

Ironically, Glodoski was replaced as board preseident by another Lisbon resident, Robert Williams, a former town supervisor, who served as Library Board vice president and vehemently opposed the legal action.

 City of Waukesha — A 34-year-old homeless man was charged with misdemeanor resisting an officer and disorderly conduct after allegedly screaming obscenities and refusing to leave the Alano Club, a “bar” for recovering alcoholics, on Feb. 9.

Jacob J. Smith was “extremely intoxicated” according to the criminal complaint, registering a .267 on a police administered breath test.

He has been arrested 35 times since the age of 17, according to the complaint, and had just been released from prison on Jan. 31. He was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court on Feb. 11.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police found Smith laying down inside the Alano Club, 318 W. Broadway, at around 7:45 p.m. on Feb. 9. Patron Michael Mann said Smith was yelling at people outside on Broadway before coming inside and saying he was homeless. Mann bought Smith food and coffee and the man allegedly began screaming obscenities and causing a disturbance.

Smith was alleged to be so loud an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting upstairs in the premises was disrupted and members came down to see what all the yelling and commotion was about.

Smith then laid on the floor and refused to leave. Police arrested Smith, who shouted slurs at the arresting officers.

While police were walking him to the squad car he tensed up and allegedly appeared to be ready to lunge at one of the officers. Smith was further restrained and placed within the squad car.

He was refused entry at the jail because of his extreme drunken state and was instead taken to the hospital for clearance.

If convicted of all charges, Smith could face up to a year in prison.

His next expected court date is Feb. 28.

A 40-year-old woman was charged on Monday with allegedly robbing the independently owned Books & Company bookstore on Summit Avenue in the City of Oconomowoc on Feb. 5.

Heather J. Preiss, 419 Summit Ave. in Oconomowoc, was charged on Feb. 11 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with robbery with threat of force, repeater. Preiss was previously convicted of possession of narcotics with intent to distribute in 2011, for which she was sentenced to two years probation and 50 hours community service.

Justin J. Thielen, 24, was charged on Feb. 14 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with misdemeanor receiving stolen property. Thielen was originally charged with being party to the crime of robbery, but those charges were dropped. 

According to the criminal complaint:

City of Oconomowoc Police was dispatched around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5 for a robbery in progress at Books & Company, 1039 E. Summit Ave.

The robber had fled in a brown Toyota Camry before police arrived, but employees managed to write down the vehicles license plate number.

Patricia Swift was working the register when a woman in a thick, gray hoodie sweat shirt, blue jeans and sunglasses entered the store. Swift told police the woman came up to the front desk and told the employees to open the register drawer and give her the money.
Swift asked her if she was serious and she allegedly said, “Yes, do it before anyone gets hurt,” the complaint reads.

Swift emptied the money into a plastic grocery bag the robber had and the woman quickly walked out the front door. She allegedly got into the vehicle with three men inside and drove off.

Police searched the license plate number and determined that the vehicle was registered to Ashippun resident Jeffrey Thielen, 24. Detectives contacted Jeffrey’s mother, Gloria Thielen, who told police that her son had been using the vehicle during the time of the robbery.

Detectives also spoke with Alexandra Reed, who said she wanted to give a statement regarding the robbery. She allegedly said her mother, Preiss, had committed the robbery, but had told her to lie to police about the incident.

Reed told police she was sitting at her grandparent’s house in Pewaukee waiting for Thielen, her boyfriend, to pick her up on Feb. 5. He arrived with Preiss and Preiss’ boyfriend Timothy Owen in the car.

Preiss’ allegedly asked Reed if they could use her vehicle to drive to West Allis, and when Reed asked why, Thielen said, “because your mom did something [expletive] stupid,” the complaint reads.

Preiss then allegedly told Reed she had committed the robbery, wearing thick clothing and covering her hair to hide her identity.

Preiss refused to give a statement regarding the incident, but her boyfriend Owen provided one. He said he had been in a relationship with Preiss for 17 years. He told police he did not know Preiss was allegedly going to commit the robbery.

He also told police that Theilen allegedly received approximately half of the money for driving Preiss to the store.

After the robbery, Owen said that Preiss, Reed, Thielen allegedly purchased some heroin and shot up in a McDonald’s parking lot.

If convicted, Preiss could face up to 19 years in prison, $50,000 in fines, or both.

Her next expected court date is Feb. 21.
 

East Troy FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team The 4th Motor is one of many FLL teams world-wide attempting to win the FLL Global Innovation Award. Voting began this week for the award, which is being sponsored by the X-Prize Foundation and Edison Nation in cooperation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and AARP. 

FLL teams are encouraged to submit the innovative solutions their teams came up with during this season’s FLL Senior Solutions competition.  Teams that finish in the top 10 in voting will be included as one of 20 teams considered for one of three finalist teams that will be invited to the USPTO office in Virginia to present their invention as well as a chance to be awarded up to $20,000 to use to develop, produce and take their product to market. 

The 4th Motor submitted its Fall Detection System invention, SS 240, a bracelet that detects when a senior falls and can notify emergency personnel of the fall. Learn more about the team, its invention and vote for The 4th Motor here. People can vote as many times as they want each day. Currently the team has collected more than 2,000 votes with the top inventions receiving more than 14,000 votes so far.

More information on the Global Innovation Award can be found here. 

A 52-year-old Waukesha woman was charged with two misdemeanors and felony substantial battery after allegedly throwing a pair of scissors at her fiancé on Feb. 10, cutting his arm.

The woman, who will not be identified to protect the alleged victim, was charged on Feb. 11 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with disorderly conduct, negligent handling of a weapon and substantial battery.

According to the criminal complaint:

The incident took place around 1:30 a.m. in an apartment on S. West Avenue in the City of Waukesha. The woman’s fiancé said the couple, who had been living together for five months, got into an argument.

She was calling him names and he allegedly slapped her in the face. The woman then allegedly threw a pair of scissors at him, which cut his forearm and required three stitches at the hospital.

The wound was, “bleeding significantly,” the complaint reads.

The woman allegedly admitted to police she threw the scissors, saying she was going to cut herself with them, but decided against doing so.

The woman’s fiancé said that originally the woman would not drive him to the hospital, but she acquiesced.

They decided to drive to Aurora Summit Hospital for treatment because Waukesha Memorial Hospital and Waukesha Police had not treated them well during previous visits.

If convicted of all charges, the woman could face more than four years in prison, $20,000 in fines, or both.

Her next expected court date is Feb. 18.

 Village of Pewaukee — A 19-year-old man faces a year in prison after allegedly refusing to put out a lit cigarette at a Friday night party and shoving an arresting officer.

Aaron T. Malmberg, 466 Park Ave. in Pewaukee, was charged on Feb. 11 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with misdemeanor resisting an officer and disorderly conduct.

According to the criminal complaint:

The Pewaukee Village Police Department was contact Feb. 8 about an underage drinking party at 466 Park Ave., apt. unit 8. The responding officer said he could hear “extremely loud noises” coming from inside the apartment, including what sounded like two men shouting at each other.

A man opened the apartment door and the officer said he saw numerous alcohol bottles in the apartment and several individuals the officer recognized as being under the age of 21.

A man who lived in the apartment approached the officer in an aggressive manner, the complaint reads, and was taken into custody. He had not been charged, as of Feb. 12.

Malmberg lit up a cigarette as the man was being taken into custody. The officer said he asked that Malmberg put out the cigarette, concerned that he could use it to harm officers.

Malmberg then allegedly began shouting at the officer, “I don’t have to [expletive] put any cigarette out, I am 18 years old,” the complaint reads.

While the officer was trying to place Malmberg under arrest, the 19 year old resisted, pushing the officer. He was eventually handcuffed, but continued to push the officer.

If convicted of all charges, Malmberg could face a year in prison, $11,000 in fines, or both.

At the Feb. 11 Village of Dousman Board Meeting, an agenda item regarding coyotes stood out among other business related bullet points.

According to Village President Jack Nissen, there have been increased reports of coyote sightings in urban areas. This includes one report that a group of coyotes killed a fawn during the day in the northern end of the city.

Nissen is urging residents to take caution, especially with pets.

"We would just like residents to know that they need to take cautionary measures," Nissen said. "They should not let dogs loose or even have them tied up outside for an extended period of time. That’s like bait for a coyote."

The same goes for cats and other small pets. Residents should also be especially sensitive to picking up trash and monitoring compost piles where coyotes often find food.

More information about what to do if you see a coyote and what the DNR says about coyote population growth in Thursday's Kettle Moraine Index.

Arrowhead's boys basketball  team rallied for a come-from-behind 56-51 Classic 8 Conference victory over visiting Mukwonago Tuesday night. The win gives the Warhawks at least a share of the league title.

Kyle Keranen scored eight points for the Warhawks in the final 2:51 to turn a 47-46 deficit into an eventual victory.

Arrowhead improved to 12-1 in league play and 18-3 overall, Mukwonago is second at 11-2.

The title is the third in the last five years for the Warhawks.

A 17-year-old Waukesha resident has been charged with stalking a former girlfriend, allegedly holding a knife to her throat and at one point threatening her through a self-penned rap song.

Michael J. Lexa, N24 W22505 Meadowood Lane in Waukesha, was charged on Feb. 12 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with felony stalking and a misdemeanor count of negligent handling of a weapon.

According to the criminal complaint:

The alleged victim, who Waukesha Now is choosing not to name because of privacy concerns, met with officers at the City of Waukesha Police Department on Feb. 10.

She told police she used to be in a relationship with Lexa and he was allegedly physically abusive, hitting and slapping her on numerous occasions.

About three weeks before speaking with police, she said she went to Lexa’s house. He was drinking alcohol and an argument ensued. She alleges that during the argument he took out a knife and held it to her throat. She pushed Lexa’s hands away, she told police, leaving cuts on her right hand. When the alleged victim said she was calling her parents to pick her up, he allegedly said he would stab them, too.

Rebecca Kozak, a teacher at Harvey Philip Alternative Charter School, told police she noticed the woman’s cut wounds in class. She asked her what happened. The woman was hesitant to respond, but told Kozak about the alleged incident.

Kozak told police the victim appeared in fear of Lexa and feared for herself and her family.

Lexa also allegedly contacted the woman through Skype, sending her a video he allegedly made threatening her with various weapons.

“Sorry [deleted], time for you to go,” Lexa allegedly told the woman. He allegedly held up a knife and a stun gun, telling her, “you want to talk to me, good luck.”

He also allegedly wrote a rap song where he threatened to harm her in the lyrics and told the woman's mother he would hack into the family's bank accounts.

Lexa allegedly told police he got into an argument with the woman in January, but did not say whether he had threatened her. He allegedly told police he kept trying to call her and contact her through Facebook.

He allegedly admitted to sending the video to the woman and writing the rap song, but said the song was just a way to “express his feelings” and that they were not real threats.

He allegedly told police he was drunk when he made the video.

If convicted of all charges, Lexa could face more than four years in prison, $20,000 in fines, or both.

His next expected court date is Feb. 20.

Village of Pewaukee — A 31-year-old man who allegedly jumped out of a bathroom window to elude police on Feb. 11 was charged with several counts of domestic abuse.

The Pewaukee man was charged on Feb. 12 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with felony disorderly conduct, felony criminal damage to property and misdemeanor obstructing an officer.

The disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property charges were upgraded to felonies because of previous domestic abuse charges brought against the suspect in January.

According to the criminal complaint:

Village of Pewaukee police were dispatched 146 Ormsby St. in Pewaukee at about 8:50 p.m. on Feb. 11 after receiving reports of a domestic abuse incident in progress.

A witness flagged down police and told them they had to get inside the residence because the suspect was allegedly punching his girlfriend in the face.

The witness told a responding officer that the alleged victim’s three children were also in the apartment.

The officer then entered the apartment and saw that several shelves had bee knocked over, its contents strewn throughout the apartment.

The alleged victim was visibly upset, the officer reported, and she asked what he was doing in her apartment.

He asked her if there was anybody else in the apartment, to which she said no, but the officer said he heard the bathroom door close shut behind him.

He announced himself as a police officer and then heard several items being smashed in the bathroom. He said he suspected someone was trying to barricade the door.

He tried to open the door and allegedly saw suspect holding the door shut on the other side. He heard somebody breaking glass and suspected the man was trying to crawl out of the window. He was able to get inside and allegedly saw the 31-year-old three quarters of the way through a ground level window.

He said he tried to incapacitate him with his stun gun, but the gun did not work and he escaped. He allegedly fled on foot, but was eventually discovered by a search team in a wooded thicket and was taken into custody.

He was transported to Waukesha Memorial Hospital to have a wound on his right thumb treated, believed to have been caused by the window’s broken glass.

The witness' girlfriend said she had allegedly seen the suspect grabbing and slapping the alleged victim earlier in the day. Her children were crying and begged the witness to help, the witness said.

The alleged victim said she was not injured during the incident and she had lied to police because she did not want the suspect to be arrested. She allegedly said he had head butted her during the incident.

The defendant told police he had been living with the alleged victim for a month and did not lay a finger on her.

If convicted of all charges, the man could face more than five years in prison.

His next expected court date is Feb. 21.
 

The Mukwonago High School Organizations and Mukwonago Rotary have teamed up with the nonprofit Simple Hope to hold a community packathon from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Feb. 16, at the high school.

This is an opportunity for local community members to help support the global community in providing food for impoverished areas of the world.

Each participant is required to raise $25. Volunteer time is estimated to be about one hour.

For more information, visit www.simple-hope.org/packathon or contact John Meiners at (262) 470-8519 or johnm@davidgoliath.com. Registration is required. Registering on the Simple Hope website will allow volunteers to sign up for a reserved time to work.