Waukesha – A judge Monday sentenced Megan L Mikush, 26, of Town of Delafield, to five years in prison for her role in the drug overdose death of Mallory Feldmann in August 2009.

Feldmann, 22, asked Mikush to get her some oxycodone and Mikush made arrangements to get the pills from Adam J. Clark, 31, of Waukesha, Aug. 14, 2009.

After snorting the pills at about 5 a.m., Aug. 15, Feldmann fell asleep and she was heard to be snoring, according to the criminal complaint. At about noon that day, Feldmann was found with blue lips and her face was cold and she was taken to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Mikush was also sentenced to five years of extended supervision. Clark was sentenced in December to five years in prison and five years of extended supervision. Mikush had entered guilty pleas to charges of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and manufacture/deliver narcotics.

Clark, 32, entered guilty pleas to felony charges of manufacture/deliver narcotics and maintaining a drug trafficking place

 After several months of remodeling 909 Perkins Dr., Gearbox Express will officially open its doors this evening during a grand opening celebration from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m.

During the formal program, which begins at 6 p.m., visitors will hear keynote speakers including Chris Schoenherr, Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration, Paul Jaden, CEO of Wisconsin Economic Development and Jeff Anthony, Director of Business Development for the American Wind Energy Association. The event is by invitation only. 

Gearbox Express founding partners Bruce Neumiller of Delafield, Brian Hastings of Delafield and Brian Halverson of Hartland began the one of a kind company to remanufacture wind turbine gearboxes. 

Look for the full story in next week's Mukwonago Chief. 

Village of Pewaukee – A 31-year-old Village of Pewaukee man was so intoxicated early Sunday morning he did not know he had just been hit by a freight train even though he had suffered severe injuries, according to police.

Thomas J. Boersma apparently passed out on the Canadian Pacific railroad tracks just east of Forest Grove Drive. The conductor of the 76 car freight train said he saw a person laying on the gravel and resting his back on a rail. As the eastbound train approached the conductor said the man did not turn around. The train hit Boersma about three-tenths of a mile east of Forest Grove Drive.

The train, which had been traveling at 48 mph, stopped and the conductor and engineer looked for the man but could not find him.

Police were contacted at about 3:30 a.m. and eventually found Boersma, who was wearing camouflage.  Boersma was conscious but was not aware he had just been hit by a train, the police report said. Though Boersma suffered severe injuries to his buttocks and left arm he refused medical treatment, was agitated and combative, the report said.

Police noted Boersma walks along the railroad tracks on a regular basis and he had been found passed out on the tracks before. Police cited Boersma with trespass to railroad property.

Prom 2012 at Mukwonago High School will be held on Saturday, May 12 at the Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc.  The night will include the traditional dinner and dance with a post prom event taking place at the Pabst Farms YMCA in Oconomowoc from 11 p.m. to  3 a.m.  Any junior or senior who purchases an $80 Prom ticket will have the option of attending the post prom event. Juniors and seniors who won’t be attending the dance can still purchase a ticket to the post prom pvent for $15.  Coach buses will provide transportation to and from both the prom and the post prom that evening from Mukwonago High School.

This is the third year for the Post Prom event, sponsored by the MHS Parent Teacher Group (MHS PTAG).  In the past, the event has been held at the high school in the commons, gymnasium, library and Center. This year, however, the group decided to move off campus to the YMCA.  The main reason for the move was student input, according to post prom coordinator Sue Vock. Students indicated in a survey given to juniors and seniors that their preference would be to have a post prom event at a venue other than the high school. 

This event wouldn’t be possible without the volunteer efforts of parents and teachers at MHS.  In the past, more than 25 volunteers worked together to provide food, raffles, and security at post prom.  This year, the PTAG group has struggled to recruit volunteers to help with the night.  Only 10 people are currently committed to volunteering.  There is a need for individuals to help check kids in to the YMCA when they arrive, provide security throughout the building and help set up, serve and clean up the food areas.  Volunteers can work two-hour shifts or stay the entire night.  

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Vock at (262) 424-1872 or by email at suevock@wi.rr.com  

 The girls fastpitch softball teams from Arrowhead and Kettle Moraine, tied for first place with 5-1 records in the Classic 8 Conference, will play at Arrowhead on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The winner will take over sole possession of first place.

Arrowhead won Tuesday, defeating Mukwonago 6-3. KM lost its first game to Catholic Memorial, 4-2.

Mukwonago High School will be hosting Your Choice, an alcohol and drug awareness program on May 8 from 6:30 to 8:30pm for parents and students. 

Hear an honest presentation about the devastating effects of drug and alcohol abuse on young people and families.Understand what addiction really looks like in the life of a suburban student, explained from young people who have lived it. Learn how to resist substance abuse, from youth who successfully said no or pulled back. 

Students and parents stay together for the first 60 minutes of the program, then break-out to separate sessions for the remainder of the program. There will be time for questions.

Young adults will candidly share their real life stories and personal experiences to present a clear picture of the consequences and rewards of the choices we make during the student presentation.  Presenters are either recovering addicts or those who chose to stay away from alcohol and other drugs.

Parents of children who got involved with drugs and alcohol will give their perspective on what went wrong and how their child's abuse impacted their families during the parent presentation. In a frank and insightful manner, these parents tell you what they wish they had known. 

Reservations are not necessary, but for planning purposes an RSVP is greatly appreciated.To RSVP or for more information about this event, please email: yourchoice.live@yahoo.com.

For further information about Your Choice, please visit our website www.yourchoice-live.org

Learn more about VA Pension Benefits from Attorney Joanne Leifheit. from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on May 9 at The Caring Place Adult Day Center, 810 N. East Ave. in Waukesha. 

Joanne is an Author, Attorney, and a VA Accredited Attorney. Learn what options are available for Veterans and their families during the “Caregiver Chat.”

Please RSVP before May 7 by calling (262) 928-2314 or (262) 542-6388. 

Complimentary copies of Joanne’s book will be made available to those in attendance.

The Little Book of Big Tips:

Veterans Pension Benefit Handbook for Seniors and Their Families

A  fun event open to all Oconomowoc residents and businesses is being held to raise funds for a good cause. 

The First Annual Panther Prowl will be held May 18,  from 3:45 - 7 p.m.  at  Park Lawn Elementary School, 300 Park Lawn Street.  This event will include a walk, fun stations, low cost dinner, bounce house, dunk tank and Audio Trio DJ.  All proceeds will go towards purchasing accessible playground equipment that can be used by children of all abilities.

Oconomowoc Public Library is planning a free Teen Game Day for students in grades 7-12.
Play your favorite games, old and new: Twister, Pictionary, Apples to Apples, and more! 
Teen Game Day will be held on   Wednesday,  May 9, 4-6 pm at  Oconomowoc Public Library, 200 W. South St..   No registration required. 

 The Town of Mukwonago Board is meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall, W320 S8315 Beulah Rd. to discuss and possibly act on a resolution that would establish the Country Bliss subdivision utility district. 

The board will take into consideration information collected during an April 23 public hearing on the creation of the district. 

Check back for an update on what the board decides. 

The Town of Mukwonago Board voted against the creation of a utility district for the Country Bliss subdivision that would have covered overages and maintenance of a pipleline project that would have helped alleviate flooding concerns in the subdivision during a special meeting this evening. After a half hour of conversation, the board voted 4-1 against the creation stating that not enough residents were in support of a subdivision wide utility district. Peter Topczewski was the only member in favor of creating the district.

Watch for the full story in next week's Mukwonago Chief.

Old World Wisconsin is taking reservations for its Mother's Day Brunch in the historic Clausing Barn on May 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The museum opens at noon and all mothers will receive free museum admission.  Cost of the brunch is $18 for adults and $9 for children age 5 to 9. Children under 4 are free. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the museum at www.oldworldwisconsin.org or (262) 594-6301. 

On Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum is also hosting a "Rituals of Spring Weekend: Women, Work and Reform" event featuring the tasks and issues of women in the late 1800s and early 1900s. 

Admission:  All moms receive free museum admission on Mother's Day. Adults cost  $16; children (5-17) are $9; 4 and under free; students and seniors (65 and older) are $14; family tickets with up to two adults and two or more dependent children ages 5 through 17 are $43.

Everyone has probably been at a Knights of Columbus sponsored event, such as a dinner or dance.

Or, perhaps we’ve been at an event in which members have been present in their distinctive purple plumed hats, black capes and swords.

But not many people realize that the Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 and that their charities have included local, national and international projects such as Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity and Food for Families. They’ve donated $1.4 billion to charity in the past decade.

People who pick up their chicken BBQ dinners on Sunday at St. Paul Catholic Church in Genesee Depot probably will be thinking more about the delicious meal they’re about to have than about the charities benefitting from the money raised.

The Conversion of Paul Council 15276 Knights of Columbus at St. Paul will be serving the take-out only dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Each dinner includes a chicken leg quarter, potato salad, cole slaw, beans and roll.

Cost is $8 in advance or $9 at the door. Tickets are available before and after Mass at St. Paul’s Church in Genesee Deport or from Knights of Columbus members.

Bring two nonperishable food items and get $1 back per meal. Items will be donated to the Loaves & Fishes Committee.

You could call it a win-win situation … a great meal for a great charity!

About 900 people walked in the Mukwonago ParkWalk Saturday morning at Mukwonago County Park. Preliminary figures indicate more than $52,000 was raised for local cancer research in the event sponsored by ProHealth Care.

The ParkWalk for Cancer funds clinical research taking place right in Mukwonago at the Regional Cancer Center in the D.N. Greenwald Center.  The Regional Cancer Center's research program provides patients with an opportunity to receive the most advanced cancer treatments available.

Prairie View Elementary School sixth grader Rachel Hammond is one of five individual finalists who will present their idea to Warren Buffet hoping for a chance to win $5,000 in Secret Millionaires Club “Grow Your Own Business Challenge,” sponsored by CreditReport.com. In addition, the grand prize winners’ teachers will each receive $1,000 and the other finalists’ teachers will each receive $250.

Starting today through May 14, people can vote online for the best business idea at www.smckids.com/vote. 

Read the complete story in the May 9 Mukwonago Chief.

Mukwonago Village Players announces auditions for the "world premiere" of the new stage musical, "ELVIS: I'll Remember You," which will be performed July 13 through 22 on the Mukwonago High School stage.

Auditions will take place on Sunday, May 20 and Monday, May 21 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Waukesha State Bank community room located at 1160 N. Rochester Street. The Village Players need actors and singers between the age of 5 and 85. All auditioning should prepare eight to 16 bars of music to be performed without accompaniment. Non-singing actors are needed also.

Questions about auditions can be directed to Director Tony Davis at (262) 501-0564.

 City of Delafield - On the eve of the gubenatorial recall primary election, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation wants a recount. However, state highway officials are interested in recounting cars, not votes.

City officials said tonight they have received a letter from Wisconsin DOT saying it will be counting the number of vehicles using the Hwys 83 and 16 interchange. The traffic counts are intended to address "general skepticism" expressed by municipal officials of Delafield and other surrounding communities regarding DOT's project traffic growth at the interchange.

State highway officials have said that based on the traffic growth projections they are proposing a $8 million expansion of the interchange including additional lanes and bridges. However, City of Delafield officials have questioned the need for the project  because it violates the city's comprehensive land use plan and Hwy. 83 north of the interchange is likely to remain a two lane road.

Delafield officials have asked DOT representatives to appear before the Common Council and explain why they feel the project is necessary.

Micheal R.Treazise, project manager, said in the April 30 letter that the department would reevaluate its conclusions about the project after the traffic counts are completed. He said the department would meet with Lake Country municipal officials later this summer to discuss the DOT's evaluation of the traffic counts. 

 The Pauline Haass Public Library in Sussex will be closed on Friday for regular staff training. The library will reopen at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 12. 

Materials can be renewed online at www.cafelibraries.org. Outside book drops will still be available. 

Residents may still use most other Waukesha County Libraries during the closure. 

 Arrowhead's varsity girls fastpitch softball team rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh inning Tuesday to score a come-from-behind 9-8 win over host Waukesha Catholic Memorial. AHS is now 10-2 on the season.

The Warhawks lead the Classic 8 Conference standings with a 7-1 record.

Noelle Weiss was the winning pitcher for Arrowhead and Carly Brengosz had three hits. She's batting a blistering .512 for the year. Amanda Bauer, Maddie Goodwill and Morgan Jacobs had two hits each.

The Warhawks host second-place  Waukesha North Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in what could be the game of the the year in the conference.

 Paced by a three-hit, 12 strikeout performance by Delaney Osterday Tuesday, the Oconomowoc varsity girls fastpitch softball team stopped the Owls in a Wisconsin Little Ten Conference game, 3-1. The win was the eighth in a row for the Raccoons, who are 9-4 overall and 6-3 in league play.

Ofensively, Osterday, Brianne McGuire and Brooke Little had one RBI each for the winners. Lexi Punzel and McGuire had two hits apiece.

McGuire is batting .489 on the season and Renate Meckl is hitting .475, Zoe Quinette .419 and Osterday .400.

 Village of Sussex - Despite the objections of two village trustees, the Village Board tonight approved allowing village employees to serve liquor at the "Sounds of Sussex" summer concert series at Weyer Park.

"I think there should be a family environment at village events and I would just prefer they not sell liquor at those events," said Trustee Jim Batzko.

"You will have village employees selling beer across a folding table. I just don't think that is enough control of the situation and I think that is putting too much responsibility on our employees," added Trustee Jason Wegner

However, Village President Greg Goetz, along with three other trustees, said they had no objections to the employees selling the liquor on behalf of the village. Goetz noted the employees will have to take a training course on how to responsibly selling and serve liquor.

Village Attorney John Macy explained that state law exempts the village from any liability resulting from the municipal sell of liquor at municipally sponsored events.

Village Administrator Jeremy Smith explained after the meeting that last year the local Lions Club sold beer and other alcoholic beverages at the concerts in the park behind Village Hall.

He said the Lions could not sell this year because the concerts exceeded the number of events in which the Lions were licensed to sell and serve liquor. Three concerts have been scheduled this year. The Lions sell beer and liquor at several other events in the village.

 Kettle Moraine's girls fastpitch softball team snapped a three-game losing streak Tuesday by defeating Waukesha West, 7-3. KM is now 6-3, all Classic 8 Conference decisions.

Ashley Ausprung was the winning pitcher for the Lasers.

Hannah Foltz, batting .571 for the Lasers, led the offense with four hits, including three doubles. Steph Wenig and Kaitlin Waniorek had three hits each. 

 Members of the Eagle American Legion Auxiliary Unit 535 will distribute handcrafted memorial poppies, made by veterans for veterans on May 11 and 12 at various locations in Eagle. 

 The 900,000 members of the American Legion Auxiliary, the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization, are asking everyone to wear a Poppy on Memorial Day weekend. “Wear it in honor of the millions of Americans who have willingly served our nation, all too many whom made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Karen Matters, Eagle American Legion Auxiliary president.

 The red paper flowers were established as a memorial tribute to World War I causalities who are buried near the battlefields of Flanders in Belgium, where poppies grew wild amid the ravages of war. Wisconsin’s disabled veterans at the Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee make the red crepe paper Poppy. These poppies provide financial and therapeutic benefit to veterans who call Zablocki home, as well as the thousands of veterans and their families who also benefit from the donations collected from the poppy donations. 

The Eagle Business Association (EBA) will be holding its 18th annual community rummage this weekend. Village and Town of Eagle residents will be participating in the rummage from Thursday through Sunday, May 10 through 13 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Map and address sheets listing rummage sites are available today after 4 p.m. at various  EBA member establishments. Look for the yellow Rummage Maps Available Here signs on their door or window.

Town of Mukwonago Chairman Dave Dubey  has issued the following press release regarding how the town will move forward with flooding concerns in the Country Bliss subdivision:

The most recent proposal to deal with the drainage issues at the Country Bliss Subdivision had a number of requirements that needed to be addressed prior to implementation, including funding for any overages and long term maintenance. At the Town Electors meeting earlier this year, a Town Wide utility district was specifically rejected as a method of funding. At a recent Town Board meeting, a subdivision utility district was rejected for a number of reasons. There are no other practical funding options for maintenance and project overages acceptable to the Town Electorate. Based on these facts, this proposal is not viable.

The Town Board is considering other options to address the drainage issues at the Country Bliss Subdivision. For example, the Town Board has been working on an emergency management contingency and operational plan, and is considering, as an option, writing this plan to include acquisition of a portable pump and associated piping and/or hose to facilitate water removal of Country Bliss during emergency conditions. The routing of this temporary hose or piping would need to be worked out in the plan, but would likely follow right-of-way or utility easements to an outfall point at Jericho Creek on county highway NN.

The Town is pursuing State and Federal funding for components of this plan.

 Tristan Rostagno of Hartland, 15, a freshman at Arrowhead , was drafted in the fifth round last week by the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the United States Hockey League. Rostagno was an all-conference defensiveman for the Warhawks this past season in the Classic 8 Conference.

He's the first Arrowhead player ever to be selected  by a USHL team. He was one of just two boys from Wisconsin drafted this year. Only 96 players from the United States, Canada and Europe were drafted last week.

Rostagno will play for Arrowhead next year as a sophomore and will then finish his final two years of high school in Muskegon.

One of Stone Bank’s most beloved summer traditions could be in jeopardy unless the community gets involved, organizers said Thursday.

The Lion’s Club has sponsored the Fourth of July parade and its accompanying community festival since 1954, but parade planners say an aging membership can no longer shoulder the burden of the festivities on its own.

“Due to increased work and less members, the Stone Bank Lion’s Club is discussing the possible end to a fifty plus year tradition,” a press release from the Lion’s Club read.

Stone Bank Lion’s Club President Joanne Heup said the all-volunteer force that mans the parade’s posts, directs traffic, lines up floats and fire trucks, grills the corn on the cob and pours the beer could use a helping hand.

“If the parade is going to continue, we’re going to really need some help from the community, in terms of stepping up and volunteering in any capacity,” Heup said in an interview.

The community service organization hopes the community will step up to the plate to help with setup, the parade, and the festival that follows. More than 8,000 people fill the streets for the annual parade.
Heup said people need not become members of the Lion’s Club to help.

“We’re certainly always welcome for people to join the Lion’s Club, but they don’t have to join the Lion’s Club just to help out for a little bit - if they would be willing to come and pitch in,” she said.

Boy Scouts and church groups have historically assisted in running the event, but with so many Lion’s Club members in their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, the need is growing and perhaps greater than ever.

In particular, Heup said, the group needs help serving the rush of people that file into Stone Bank Community Park for food and drink after the parade’s conclusion. The parade begins every year at 11 a.m., and the two hours that follow are the busiest. Parade setup begins at 9 a.m., when organizers could use assistance from the community as well.

At stake is a Lake Country tradition as American as apple pie and fireworks.

Said Heup, “We have parade marshals that honor longstanding members of the community. Ewald usually donates the use of some cars for our dignitaries to ride on, so it’s a real community event that’s just been happening for so many years. It’s really amazing how many people are here on the Fourth of July.”

The parade and festival represent the biggest event and fundraiser of the year for the Lion’s Club, which distributes its funds for college scholarships, the food pantry, and various other local groups in need.
Running from Stone Bank School to the park, the parade includes fire engines from various Lake Country area fire departments, floats, and even horses ridden by area residents.

“It’s just one of those nice, little, hometown Fourth of July celebrations,” Heup said.

To volunteer, contact the Stone Bank Lion’s Club at StoneBankLionsClub@yahoo.com

“May” just sounds like spring with its new life and new hope. It’s the month we celebrate Mother’s Day and graduations. It’s the month we can be most certain of the end of the snowy season and the beginning of blooms and a new crop of birds.

May is also the month we plant flowers. Avid gardeners simply can’t wait to start playing in the dirt and are always on the lookout for new plants and supplies.

This Saturday, why not celebrate all that is wonderful about spring at Pewaukee Garden Day. Downtown Pewaukee promises to be filled with the signs of spring from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At the old Sentry lot on Oakton Avenue there will be a hanging basket sale.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., behind the Old Main Street Building, you’ll find a variety of native plants for sale.

And if you have an abundance of perennials looking for new homes, bring them to the perennial exchange at the Pewaukee Library from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Throughout downtown you’ll find garden art for sale, children’s craft projects plus gardening demonstrations and sales at downtown merchants.

For more information about Pewaukee Garden Day, visit www.positivelypewaukee.com or call (262) 695-9735.

It’s quite likely that the City of Oconomowoc hosted a wildlife visitor recently that was just bear-ly here.

On May 8, about 8:30 p.m., police received a call reporting the sighting of a bear in the Nature Hill area that was not aggressive and ran off after being noticed.

Attempts to locate the bear were unsuccessful and a representative of the DNR said the bear was likely just passing through. For more on the story, read the Tuesday edition of the Oconomowoc Focus.

 Pewaukee's Land O' Lakes Western Division baseball team edged the defending league champion Brookfield Bulldogs on Sunday, 4-3. Greg Harder broke up a 3-3 tie by singling in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth, scoring John Sarcia with the winning run.

Adam and Brian Dominick pitched for the Muskies. Kurt Sarcia and Nick Wichser had two hits each and Wichser drove in a pair of runs. Andy Monigal had three hits for Brookfield.

Other games saw Oconomowoc edge Sussex 4-3, Menomonee Falls down North Lake 10-8, Merton stop Monches 11-6, West Bend whip Lannon 12-2 and the Brookfield Blue Sox blank Hartland 5-0.

 The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting to discuss the proposed improvements to Highway 164 from Henneberry Avenue to I-43  from 4 to 6p.m. on May 30, 2012 at the Big Bend Village Hall, W230 S9185 Nevins Street. 

This section of roadway includes all of Highway 164 within the Village of Big Bend. According to the DOT, the proposed project includes reconditioning Highway 164 from Henneberry Avenue to I-43.  Within the Village of Big Bend, the roadway will be reconstructed with concrete pavement.  New traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of WIS 164 and County L. Highway 164 will be closed to through traffic during construction, which is currently scheduled for 2013.

The informational meeting is being provided to answer questions and give input concerning the project. 

To encourage more residents to try backyard composting, Waukesha County recycling staff will hold a special one-day sale of compost bins on Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Retzer Nature Center, S14W28167 Madison Street, Waukesha, according to a news release from Rebecca Mattano, recycling specialist for Waukesha County.

The Home Composter bin will sell for $45 on this day only.  Any additional bins left over from the sale will be available through Retzer’s gift shop for $55. Rain barrels will also be sold at a special price of $61; however, they must be reserved in advance by calling (262) 896-8300 by Friday, May 11.

For more information, visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/recycling and www.waukeshacounty.gov/cleanwater

According to Wisconsin waste management specialists, almost 25-percent of household trash is organic material that could be composted instead of going to the landfill. Organic materials that have traditionally been considered waste – grass clippings, leaves, vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds, for example – can sidestep the trash can and become a valuable soil amendment. 

 “The end result of composting is a nutrient-rich, soil-like material that can be used in many ways”, stated Karen Fiedler, Waukesha County Solid Waste Supervisor. “People can spread it on their lawn and around trees and shrubs or use it in their gardens. The benefits to the soil and to the community are great.”

Town of Lisbon - Colgate Road, which for decades served Lisbon residents as a north-south connector road to Highway Q, will be closed permanently sometime between June 5 and June 15.

The road will be closed about a mile south of Highway Q at the Canadian National Railway vehicle crossing which has been ordered shut down by state railroad authorities.

Town Administrator Jeff Musche said according to the railroad commissioner's order Canadian National must close the crossing within 10 days prior to June 15.

State officials were requested by the railroad to close the crossing for safety reasons over the objections of town officials and despite the fact there had not been an accident at the crossing in decades.

Railroad and state rail safety officials said the railroad tracks crossed the road at such a sharp angle that it obstructed motorists ability to see oncoming trains.

Musche advised  that motorist who use Colgate Road to access Highway Q should begin using either Town Line Road or North Road, which links HIghway Q and North Lisbon Road.

The Town Board tonight approved a $106,621 contract for construction of cul de sacs at the north and south sides of the railway crossing which will be fenced. Most of the construction costs for the cul de sacs will be paid for by the railroad, according to Town Chairman Matt Gehrke. 

However, a T shaped closure may have to be temporarily installed this summer while the town negotiates with a property owner over right of way needed to complete the cul de sac located on the south side of the closed crossing..

Seven people have submitted applications for the Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of long-time Board member Susan Kay.

 Applicants include: Paul Barribeau, Joseph Carroll,  Kevin Glaser, Dave Guckenberger,  Steve Schalig, George Stumpf, and William Thiel.

The candidates were given packets that must be filled out and returned by May 18. The Board will then schedule interviews. 

 We have quite the "beast " of a story this week. Check it out: http://www.livinglakecountry.com/mukwonagochief/news/bigfoot-in-eagle-fp5dj88-151543445.html

 Village of Sussex - The Village Board during an informal and unexpected roll call vote tonight rejected the idea of installing three roundabouts as part of the reconstruction of Main Street scheduled for 2015 or 2016.

'I am sure roundabouts have their place, but not in the Village of Sussex," said Village President Greg Goetz.

"The public is against roundabouts and as far as I am concerned they are off the table," added Trustee Jim Batzko.

An estimated 125 village residents showed up for the meeting that was a workshop style discussion between village trustees and their consultants regarding various alternatives for the reconstruction and resurfacing of a one mile segment of Main Street from Locust to Waukesha Avenues.

Included was a proposal to install three roundabouts which highway engineers said would move traffic more safely and efficiently through the village. But residents and business owners strongly opposed the roundabouts.

They argued roundabounts would speed traffic through the village, pose safety issues for pedesterians and bicyclists, particularly children, and could detract from the quaint, small town atmosphere of the village.

The consultants told the Village Board that more than 70 percent of the public comments about the roundabouts, expressed in writting at four public information session, were opposed to them.

Trustee Pat Tetzlaff said she had recently received 74 telephone calls regarding the roundabouts. She said 71 callers were opposed to the roundabouts,one supported them, and two callers indicated they might support a roundabout at one of the three proposed locations.

The board was not scheduled to make a decision at the meeting. However, as Goetz asked each trustee their opinion, it became clear the board uanimously opposed the roundabouts.

One village resident asked Goetz if he was going to take a formal roll call on the issue.

Goetz indicated it wasn't necessary.

'It is not an item on our agenda for tonight, but they are off the table," he said..

 Jean Henschel, the varsity boys volleyball coach at Arrowhead High School, will resign from that post later this week.  Henschel is resigning to spend more time with her family.

Henschel coached the Warhawks on two separate occasions.

 The Arrowhead at Kettle Moraine varsity girls softball game was rained out Tuesday afternoon after two inings. There was no score at the time of the rain.

It will be made up on Tuesday, May 22. Going into Tuesday, Arrowhead was tied for  first place with Waukesha North for the Classic 8 Conference lead with 8-2 records. Kettle Moraine is next at 7-3.

 Village of Dousman - The governing bodies of the communities of Dousman, Ottawa and Summit tonight gave final approval to the consolidation of the Summit and Dousman fire districts.

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, The Dousman Fire District will provide fire and emergency medical services to the villages of Summit and Dousman and most of the Town of Ottawa.

The Summit Fire District, which serves the Village of Oconomowoc Lake and a portion of the Village of Summit, will be dissolved at the end of the year.

The Village of Oconomowoc Lake will contract with the Okauchee Fire Department for emergency services. The North Prairie Fire Department will continue serving the southeast corner of the Town of Ottawa.

The Town of Ottawa will save about $60,000 in emergency service costs in the first year of the consolidation agreement. The Village of Summit will save about $20,000 during the first year, according to District Fire Chief Steve Totzke.

However, the Village of Dousman's fire protection and emergency medical service costs will increase about $60,000, according to village officials.

The reason for the increased cost for Dousman is because the new funding formula for the fire district takes into account the number of emergency calls in each of the three communities.

Dousman has the highest number of calls and nearly two thirds of those calls come from residents of the Three Pillars Senior Living Communities.

The extended care  facility is operated as a  not for profit owned by the Masonic Lodge and is exempt from paying real estates taxes which usually help local government pay for  fire and emergency medical services.

Representatives of the Masonic Lodge and the Village of Dousman are expected to begin negotiations over whether the Masons will make lump sum payments to the village in lieu of real estate taxes or be assessed a special fee for emergency calls.

The Ottawa Town Board and Summit Village Board have each agreed to contribute an additional $20,000 to the newly formed fire district until the Village of Dousman can raise the additional revenues without having to increase real estate taxes.

The Village of Dousman will repay Ottawa and Summit after the payment in lieu of taxes or the special fees generate enough revenue to pay the additional costs which is expected to occur by the end of 2014.

Dousman officials have expressed confidence the consolidation will reduce village fire and emergency medial cost in the future once the intial costs are absorbed.

The Walworth County Fair is looking for contestants in the annual Fairest of the Fair competition, which will be held September 2 at 11:30 a.m. on the fairground’s Park Stage.  There will be an informational meeting held at the fair office on Thursday, May 24 at 6 p.m. This round table is going to be a relaxed atmosphere. Its purpose is to answer any and all questions the contestants may have.

This competition is meant to recognize young women who have a passion for the fair and desire to share their enthusiasm with others throughout various speaking engagements and have an interest in representing the largest county fair in the State of Wisconsin. Contestants must be 18 by January 1, 2014 and no older than 25 as of August 29, 2012.

For further questions, please contact Emily Schaid or Susan Pruessing at susan@walworthcountyfair.com or by phone at (262) 723-3228.

 Members of the Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and Village of Mukwonago will be in Indian Head Park this afternoon to determine the exact location of a proposed band shell within the park. 

For more information on the project, click here www.livinglakecountry.com/mukwonagochief/news/chamber-seeks-approval-for-band-shell-6h595vc-150583975.html

Look for an update on the chosen location in next week's Mukwonago Chief. 

How can you not be happy when you’re dancing the polka?

Apparently people have felt that way since it was introduced in the early 1800s in Bohemia. It quickly spread throughout Europe. From Prague to Vienna, Paris to London, the quick-stepping dance found popularity wherever it went.

Once it hit America in the 1840s it became more popular than even the more sedate waltz.

It polka is in your blood, come on down to the Wisconsin State Polka Festival this weekend at the Olympia Resort, 1350 Royale Mile Road in Oconomowoc.

The three days of nonstop polka music featuring 10 great bands starts at 4 p.m. Friday. There will be a polka Mass at 11:15 a.m. Sunday.

Admission for Friday or Sunday is $12; Saturday admission is $15. A three-day pass is $35. Kids 18 and younger are free.

For more information, visit wisconsinpolkaboosters.com.

 The Big Bend Library will be presenting a class on learning about your digital camera from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday, June 4 at the library, W230 S9175 Nevins St. 

The class will be taught by WCTC instructor David Denemark, who has been teaching photography for many years. Some of the topics he will cover include: knowing your camera, photo editing and more. 
 

Please bring your camera. 

Registration is required and is limited to 20 people. Please call (262) 662-3571 to register. 

WASHINGTON D.C. - Legislation introduced by two Wisconsin congressmen which would enable President Obama to award the Medal of Honor to Delafield Civil War hero Alonzo Cushing has been approved by the House of Representatives but still has a ways to go in the legislative process.

U.S. Reps James Sensenbrennder of Menomonee Falls and Ron Kind of LaCrosse introduced earlier this week an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act which waives a deadline by which a president must act upon the nomination of a medal of honor recipient. The defense appropriation, along with the amendment, was approved by the House early Friday.

Waiving the deadline would enable Obama to award the nation's highest medal of valor posthumously to Cushing who died during the Battle of Gettysburg as he and the troops under his command fought to repelled "Pickett's Charge," an unsuccessful attack by confederate soliders that is considered by some historians as  a turning point in the Civil War.

The amendment must also be approved by the U.S. Senate and possibly survive a House-Senate conference committee in the event the House and Senate approved different versions of the defense appropriations authorization which may be likely.

 Pewaukee's Land O' Lakes Western Division baseball team lost to host West Bend on Saturday, 7-3. West Bend scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. West Bend is now 3-0 and Pewaukee is 2-1.

Billy Bynum hit a walk-off grand slam in for the winners in the bottom of the ninth inning off of Pewaukee pitcher Ben Walljasper.

 It's May 20 but that didn;t stop it from hailing in Harland at 5:27 p.m. on Sunday. Some of the hail stones were the size of marbles. The hail last about 10 minutes.

There was heavy rain at the same time along with lightning and thunder.

 West Bend improved to 4-0 in the Land O' Lakes Western Division baseball league Sunday by edging visiting Sussex, 12-11. 

Six other teams of the 12 in the league have just one loss each.

Other games on Sunday saw Pewaukee edge Oconomowoc 9-8, Brookfield Bulldogs outslug Lannon 16-8, Menomonee Falls whip Monches 12-3, Brookfield Blue Sox stop North Lake 9-3 and Merton rally past Hartland 11-3.

 Host Arrowhead's varsity girls fastpitch softball team whipped Waukesha West in a Classic 8 Conference game Monday, 15-3. The game was called after five innings due to the 10-run rule.

AHS belted out a season-high 17 hits, getting three from Morgan Jacobs. 

First baseman Morgan Graff had her best game of the season, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Becky Walker had two hits  and three runs batted in. Amanda Bauer, Abby Kolbow, Kelsey Wasilczuk and Carly Brengosz added two hits each for the winners.

Rebecca Dailey was the winning pitcher, allowing four hits.

AHS improved to 10-2 in league play, one game ahead of Mukwonago and Waukesha North. AHS will finish the league season with a game at Mukwonago on Thursday and a game at Kettle Moraine on Friday.

 City of Delafield - The idea of converting the city's two main thoroughfares into east and west one way streets was quickly dropped tonight by the Common Council.

Two weeks ago, Ald. Lynn Morrison suggested that converting Milwaukee and Main to east-west one way streets would move traffic more efficiently through downtown business and residential districts and provide safer access to pedesterians and bicyclists.

However, Mayor Ed McAleer told the Common Council tonight he received several phones call from business owners, residents, and public safety officials who opposed  the idea because of safety and other reasons.

Ald. Tim Aicher added that he proposed a similar idea about three years ago to the city's influencial Public Works Committee and it was rejected. Aicher, a member of the committee, said he believes a majority of the committee is still opposed to one way streets.

Aicher said the committee is likely to support a proposal to widen Main Street and add sidewalks extending from the downtown business district east to Firemen's Park.

The wider street with sidewalks is expected to relieve some of the vehicle and pedesterian traffic from Milwaukee Street. City Engineer  Mike Court estimated the cost of the project would be about $900,000.

Morrison said the city could save the cost of widening Main Street if Milwaukee and Main were converted to one way streets.

"But, if I am told it is a non starter, I will drop it," she said.

"it is a non starter," responded Aicher.

"Then I am done with it," Morrison replied.

 City of Delafield - The Common Council approved tonight merging two of the city's top executive positions into one job and perhaps saving taxpayers as much as a million dollars over ten years.

With one dissenting vote, the council approved promoting Public Works Director Tom Hafner into the postion of interim City Administrator/Public Works Director for a five month trial period.

If the experiment proves successful by the end of the year, Hafner will permanently take over the two positions.

City officials have estimated the plan could save about $110,000 to $120,000 a year in salary and benefits that would have been paid to a new city administrator. Incumbent Administrator Tim Schuenke is retiring in July.

Some of those savings will used to increase compensation for Hafner, some public works employees assigned new responsibilities, and Accountant Marie Williams who is being promoted to a new position, Finance Officer/Budget Anaylst, according to the plan.

The remaining savings could total a million dollars over a ten year period, according to Mayor Ed McAleer.

William's new title reflects the work she has been doing for the past  10 years in helping to craft the city's annual budget, according to city officials.

The council is in a closed session to discuss compensation for Hafner and Williams. Ald.Jeff Krickhahn, who voted against the interim position,  objected to the council voting to create the new positions in a public session and then meeting behind closed doors to discuss compensation. 

The state's open meetings law entitles government bodies to discuss compensation for individuals, but not positions, in closed sessions.

 Pewaukee senior Corey Sweeney fired a career-best 6-under-par 66 Tuesday afternoon at the Broadlands Golf Club in North Prairie to help lead his team to a second-place finish at the WIAA Division 2 regional. The top four teams earn sectional berths.

Sweeney shot 32 on the front and 34 on the back. The 32 tied his career-best nine hole score. Three weeks ago he shot 32 at Naga-Waukee.

Catholic Memorial won the team regional with 294. Other qualifying teams were Pewaukee at 306, East Troy 343 and Whitewater 346.

Other Pewaukee scores were Nick Clement with 73, Cal Condon 80, James Magliocco 87 and Justin Leeds 91.