Flight for Life’s third annual Blood drive and Community Event is scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, at the Flight For Life – Waukesha Hangar, 2661 Aviation Road, Waukesha County Airport.

Sign up to donate blood at www.bcw.edu/ffl by clicking on Waukesha, June 1. Select the time you would like and enter your information. For those who can’t make it today, donate at any BloodCenter of Wisconsin location. Just give them Sponsor Code SPON004481 and your donation will be added to the Flight for Life total units donated.

Today's participants can have a snack after donating including the Flight for Life helicopter cookies; get a free chair massage and receive a Computerized Health Assessment provided by RiverLakes Pain and Wellness Center.

Interactive gaming consoles will be provided while you wait and donors will be entered in a drawing for a prize from Best Buy.

For assistance with registering, call (414) 778-5435.

I-94 construction closures in Waukesha County for today and tonight include:

Daytime single lane closure north and southbound Moorland Road under I-94,

Overnight single lane closure north and southbound Highway F over I-94. 

Overnight full closure I-94 eastbound exit ramp to Highway 164/Highway J 7:30 p.m.-5:30 a.m.

Overnight full closure I-94 eastbound exit ramp to Moorland Road

Overnight full closure Highway 18 entrance ramp to I-94 eastbound

Overnight single lane closure I-94 westbound and I-94 eastbound at Brookfield Road and Springdale Road only one lane open to traffic

Four teenagers were transported to the hospital after their car veered off the roadway, rolled, and hit a tree on Edgewood Avenue just east of Center Drive, Big Bend at 5:54 a.m. on Sunday, May 29. Occupants of the vehicle were a 17 year old boy from the Town of Mukwonago who was the driver, an 18 year old man from the Town of Mukwonago, a 17 year old girl from the Village of Mukwonago, and a 15 year old boy from the Town of Vernon. The Jaws of Life was required to remove the 17 year old girl from the vehicle.  

The accident caused major damage to the vehicle, but no major injuries to the occupants. Detective Steve Pederson of the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department said all four occupants were conscious at the scene.

The three teens were transported by ambulance to Children’s Hospital for level one criterion for trauma due to the severity of the vehicle’s damage. The adult was transported to Waukesha Memorial Hospital by ambulance. Detective Pederson said that all four occupants were treated and released except for the driver, who was still being treated at Children’s Hospital as of Monday, May 30 for what the Sheriff’s Department is saying are non-life-threatening injuries. Vernon Fire Chief Alex Felde said it was too foggy for the occupants to be transported by Flight for Life.

Chief Felde said that all occupants were wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident, which played a roll in their survival.

Detective Pederson expects citations to be issued to the driver, possibly for reckless driving or driving too fast for the foggy conditions.

The Waukesha Sheriff’s Department was on scene, and is still investigating the accident.
 

Check for photos in the Wednesday, June 8 edition of the Mukwonago Chief.
 

Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) is introducing legislation extending the compliance deadline for schools currently subject to a Department of Public Instruction (DPI) mandate to change their school mascot. The DPI has ordered Mukwonago, Kewaunee, and Osseo-Fairchild school districts to change their mascots under 2009 Act 250.

Under the legislation circulated by Lazich, school districts have until November 1, 2012 to comply with the DPI mandate.

“The legislation I am circulating relieves a burden from school districts facing a costly rebranding process. This gives school districts more time to comply with a government mandate without breaking the bank.”

Lazich is also looking into legislation to reform Act 250.

“Currently, school districts are assumed guilty of discrimination and must prove innocence,” Lazich said. “This is a fundamental departure from our country’s legal tradition of assumed innocence and needs to be addressed.”

Mukwonago residents Rusty Schoolcraft and Craig Vertz, through the law firm of Crivello Carlson, filed a Motion for Summary Judgment today seeking a final order from the Waukesha County Circuit Court declaring Wisconsin's Indian Mascot Law unconstitutional. The motion is set for oral argument and ruling by Waukesha County Judge Donald Hassin, Jr. on July 20.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that the nickname and mascot law violates the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution in that the law and related administrative code provisions establish a process and procedure that is surrounded by the Department of Public Instruction's "clear bias which disfavors school districts once any disgruntled resident files a complaint with the DPI, according to a press release from Attorney Samuel Hall, Jr. with Crivello Carlson.

The June 1 filings seek a finding that the law is unconstitutional and demonstrate that both DPI Superintendent Dr. Tony Evers and Consultant Paul Sherman has an "undeniable bias against the use of Native American-related nicknames prior to the hearing that involved Mukwonago.

"Neither Dr. Evers nor Mr. Sherman could identify any conceivable way in which Mukwonago could have won its hearing with the DPI and thereby have been permitted to retain the "Indians: nickname that has been a long-celebrated tradition within Mukwonago and many other school districts throughout the state," said Hall in the press release. "This law creates an unconstitutional process that disfavors districts and their taxpayers throughout Wisconsin and should be struck down by the courts."

Waukesha – The teen accused of killing his grandfather May 8 is not competent to stand trial for murder, but maybe will be competent in the near future if he takes his medications.

That was the finding of a psychologist who examined Richard B. Wilson, 17, of Fox Point, who is accused of bludgeoning Ron Siepmann with an ax at Siepmann’s Town of Merton home. Siepmann is the founder of Siepmann Realty in the City of Pewaukee.

Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge William J. Domina Thursday accepted a report by Dr. Deborah Collins who concluded Wilson has an "active psychotic condition." However, Collins concluded Wilson is "likely" to become competent to stand trial once he undergoes treatment, Domina said.

Domina remanded custody of Wilson to the state Department of Human Services and ordered a report on Wilson’s condition be given to the court every 90 days.

Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel said after the hearing that state statute allows for a suspect to be in treatment for up to a year to determine if he can be tried on the charges.

Based on Collins’ report, Schimel said "that could happen in a matter of weeks." Schimel noted that when Wilson was on his medications "he was in better condition."

Wilson suffers from schizophrenia and was not taking his medications at the time of the slaying.

Schimel said Wilson most likely would be sent to the Mendota state mental health facility.

Arrowhead's varsity girls Red lacrosse team won the conference championship Wednesday night, defeating Brookfield in the title game, 10-9. By winning,  the Warhawks earned the right to play for the state championship on Friday against Verona in Whitewater at 6 p.m.

Seniors Mikayla Henry and Mariah Wnuk  and junior Rachel Martell led the way with two goals each. Others scoring goals were Sarah Hopkins, Erin Mortensen, Keersi Edwards and Katherine Roznick. Collecting assists were Hopkins (2) and Hannah Bird.

Goalie Madier Berg had 15 saves.

I-94 closures in Waukesha County for Thursday, June 2 include:

Daytime single lane closure northbound and southbound Moorland Road under I-94.

Parking lane closure westbound and eastbound Bluemound Road at Elm Grove Road.

Pparking lane closure westbound Bluemound Road at Underwood Pkwy.

Rolling single lane and parking lane closure eastbound Bluemound Road from 124^th Street to Highway 100. 

Overnight single lane closure northbound and southbound Highway F over I-94. 

Overnight full closure I-94 eastbound exit ramp to Highway F from 7:30pm-5:30am and Highway F entrance ramp to I-94 westbound.

Visit www.repave94.org for more information.

Visiting Mukwonago handed the Kettle Moraine varsity baseball team a 9-0 Classic 8 Conference setback Thursday night at Wales Community Park. KM finished the game with just three hits, including a double by Austin Wolf for their only extra base hit.

KM fell to 3-2 in league play, the same as Mukwonago. Waukesha West leads the conference standings with a 4-1 record. Four teams, KM, Mukwonago, Arrowhead and Milwaukee Pius have two losses each.

Led by a brilliant pitching performance from sophomore Delaney Osterday, the Oconomowoc girls fastpitch softball team upset host Arrowhead Thursday afternoon in a WIAA regional championship game, 10-2.

The win vaulted the fifth-seeded OHS team into the sectional Tuesday against No. 1 seeded Menomonee Falls. Falls eliminated Kettle Moraine on Thursday, 11-5.

Osterday tossed a six-hitter against the normally hard-hitting Warhawks. She struck out eight and walked one. Osterday also belted a two-run homer over the left-center field fence in the six-run seventh.

OHS is now 16-7 on the season. The Arrowhead year finished at 18-6. AHS was the No. 4 seed in the sectional.

Kettle Moraine varsity girls fastpitch softball team, the No. 9 seed in the sectional, lost in the WIAA regional championship game Thursday to the No. 1 seeded host Menomonee Falls team, 11-5. Falls broke open a tie game by scoring six runs in the sixth inning

KM finished the year at 9-11 and the Falls improved to 18-1.

Katie McCann and Maria Crawford had two hits each for the Lasers amd Maddie Churches belted a three-run homer for KM in the third inning.

With all the high-tech toys to amuse us it's nice to have a holiday like the Fourth of July that does things the old-fashioned way. Parades, festivals, picnic food and fireworks are timeless ways to celebrate.

But if you want to experience a Fourth of July like they did in the 19th century, you'll have to head over to Old World Wisconsin in Eagle where an old-fashioned celebration begins at 10 a.m. Monday with the firing of a cannon, ending a 5 p.m.

Throughout the day there'll be trotting races, a cornet band playing patriotic music of the era, a tug-o-war match -- with winner taking on the oxen team -- and other old-time games like sack races, egg toss, horseshoes and giant pick-up sticks.

The 1:30 p.m. parade features the Goddess of Liberty and suffragettes. 

You'll be able to sample homemade lemonade or take part in the Country Picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with vintage tastes like cider roast chicken, creamy cucumber and onion salad, vanilla cake and sweet tea.

For more information and prices, visit www.oldworldwisconsin.org or call (262) 594-6300.

I-94 closures in Waukesha County for today include:

Daytime single lane closure northbound and southbound Moorland Road under I-94.

Parking lane closure westbound and westbound Bluemound Road at Elm Grove Road.

Parking lane closure westbound Bluemound Road at Underwood Pkwy.

Rolling single lane and parking lane closure westbound Bluemound Road from 124^th Street to Highway 100. 

Overnight single lane closure northbound and southbound Highway F over I-94. 

Overnight full closure I-94 eastbound exit ramp to Highway 18 from 10:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. and Barker Road entrance ramp to I-94 eastbound from 10:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. 

Visit www.repave94.org for more information.

The Washington Post announced its ranking for high schools nationwide based on Advanced Placement offerings, participation, and proficiency. Once again, Kettle Moraine High School has been recognized for its high quality staff and student achievement, ranking fifth in Wisconsin and 859^th among the approximately 27,000 high schools in the nation. 

“This accomplishment is the result of hard work that begins in our elementary schools, is supported in our middle school, and culminates in our high school. We are a team – staff, students, parents, and community – all working together to make a difference." said Superintendent Pat Deklotz.

More information on school rankings can be find found at apps.washingtonpost.com/highschoolchallenge/schools/2011/list/wisconsin-schools/

University Lake School phenom Molly Seidel obliterated the old Division 3 state record in the 1,600 meters, winning yet another state title Friday morning at the WIAA state meet in LaCrosse.

Seidel ran 4:51.54, almost 10 seconds better than the mark set in 1991 by Heather Murphy of North Crawford (5:01.31). The ULS junior crossed the line more than 15 seconds ahead of Sarah McMahon of Colfax for the gold.

Seidel now has five track and field titles and will get her shot Saturday at another in the 3,200 -- she is the two-time defending champion in that event and already holds the state record with her time of 10:39.88 last year. Seidel also has three cross-country titles to her name and five track titles overall. She remains on line to become just the second female athlete in state track and field history to win two events all four years.

Photo: Molly Seidel runs to a state record in the 1,600 meters (photo: Todd Ponath)

The first Badgerland Ski Show of the season will take place on Thursday, June 16, from 7 to 8 p.m., on Fowler Lake in Oconomowoc.

Moonlit Movies will also kickoff its sixth season following the waterski show.

The combined Lake Country Lutheran-University Lake School varsity girls soccer team earned a spot in the WIAA Sectional after a 2-0 victory Saturday.

Playing at home the Lightning defeated Palmyra-Eagle in a WIAA Division 3 Regional final match.

Junior forward Jamie Schnuck scored twice for the Lightning (20-3-1). Junior goalie Kelly Swofford got the shutout.

Molly Seidel of University Lake School, Derek Watt of Pewaukee and Russ Sandvold of Arrowhead all won individual events on Friday and Saturday at the WIAA state high school track meet at Memorial Stadium at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Seidel was the star of the meet. The ULS junior not only won the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs for the third straight year but did so in state record times in both events. Seidel won the 1,600 at 4:51.54 and then won the 3,200 with a clocking of 10:33.15. Seidel was competing in Division 3 but had the best times at thsi year's state meet.

Watt, competing in Division 2, won the shot put with a toss of 56-9. He won by 21 inches. His brother won the same event five years ago. Watt is a senior.

Sandvold, a junior, won the 1,600 run with a clocking of 4:12.98. He won that race by two-hundreths of a second. He also was second in the 3,200 run (9:20.37).

The two Arrowhead teams finished second in the team scoring

Arrowhead's varsity girls lacrosse team won its fifth state championship in the six-year history of the sport on Saturday by defeating Verona at Perkins Stadium in Whitewater,  9-3. AHS outscored Verona 6-1 in the second half.

Hannah Bird led the Warhawks with three goals. Rachel Martell chipped in with two goals and Mikayla Henry, Keersi Edwards, Katherine Roznick and Sarah Hopkins also scored goals.

On defense, the Warhawks got big efforts from Allie Jorgensen, Erin Mortensen, Kailey Robbins and Madie Berg in the goal.

Host Pewaukee got a grand slam home run from ninth hitter Drew Volkmann in the bottom of the seventh inning Sunday afternoon as the Muskies rallied past Monches, 4-3 in a Land O' Lakes Western Division game.

Other scores Sunday saw Sussex edge Merton 4-2, Brookfield Blue Sox stop Lannon, 3-2 in 10 innings, Brookfield Bulldogs whip Hartland 11-1, Oconomowoc edge Menomonee Falls 2-1 and West Bend down North Lake, 5-1.

The Brookfield Bulldogs lead the league with a 6-0 mark. West Bend is second at 6-1 and Pewaukee is 5-1.

Arrowhead's varsity boys lacrosse team won two games last week in the state playoffs and have now advanced to the semifinals, where they will play Milwaukee Marquette on Wednesday at Uihlein Soccer Park at 6 p.m. The winner of that game will play for the state championship.

AHS whipped Waukesha, 14-0 as Dan DiGiacomo scored seven goals. Ross Broderick, Bradley Anderson and Drew Meyer also played well. Goalies Nick Fisher and Mark Pucek turned in the shutout.

The Warhawks then knocked off No. 1 ranked Verona on Saturday, 11-6. DiGiacomo fired in five goals for the winners and Meyer had three goals and five assists.

State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) will hold three Town Hall Meetings this weekend.
The first Town Hall Meeting will be Friday, June 10, 2011, at the East Troy Village Hall 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. in meeting room A.
Two meetings are scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2011. The first Town Hall Meeting Saturday is scheduled 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the Waterford Village Hall.  The second Town Hall Meeting Saturday is 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Franklin Public Library in Fadrow Room A.
Citizens of Senate District 28 are invited to attend any of these meetings.

 

Arrowhead's varsity boys golf team, the four-year reigning WIAA Division 1 state champions, stand in second place after the first day of play at the 2011 state tournament at University Ridge in Madison.

Middleton leads the team scoring with 308 strokes. Arrowhead is second at 311 and Milwaukee Marquette is third at 318. Kette Moraine struggled, falling to a tie for eighth place at 332.

AHS was led by Matt Ross with 75. Other Arrowhead scores were Kyle Driscoll with 77, John Langhoff 77, Matt McIntosh 82 and Connor Thiel 83.

KM was led by Ryan Franklin with 78.

I-94 construction closures in Waukesha County for today include:

Daytime single lane closure north and southbound Moorland Road under I-94 

Daytime parking lane closureeast and westbound Bluemound Road at Elm Grove Road 

Overnight full closure I-94 eastbound exit ramp to Moorland Road

Overnight full closure I-94 north and southbound Moorland Road entrance ramps to I-94 eastbound

Overnight full closure I-94 eastbound exit ramp to Highway F

Overnight full closure I-94 Highway F entrance ramp to I-94 westbound 

Overnight single lane closure north and soutbound Highway F over I-94

Fore more information visit www.repave94.org.

Village of Pewaukee  - The Pewaukee Park and Recreation Department recently posted a water quality advisory due to rising E. coli bacteria levels at Village Beach, but the advisory was lifted Tuesday afternoon.

According to the department’s website, the levels were at 326 and 518 units per 100 ml of water. Levels under 235 units are good under the federal EPA’s good water quality guideline. The levels were not high enough to warrant closing the beach. The results from Monday's sampling showed the levels had dropped to 41 and 17. 

Waukesha – Mark M. Benson, the once prominent orthopedic surgeon from the Village of Summit who was convicted of killing three people while under the influence of prescription drugs, will appear in court Wednesday morning to argue he was sentenced on inaccurate information.

Benson, 58, was sentenced in August 2009 for the deaths of Jennifer Bukosky, 39, of Town of Oconomowoc, her daughter, Courtney, and unborn child, Sophia. Injured were her son Zachery, 13, and Deborah Gibbs, 11.

Benson was driving on Highway. 67 when his Cadillac Escalade slammed into the rear of Bukosky’s Honda Accord, which was stopped in traffic on Highway. 67 in the City of Oconomowoc April 25, 2008. A traffic reconstructionist said the Escalade was traveling about 50 mph at the time of impact.

While Benson had not consumed alcohol that day he had taken Oxycodone, Xanax and Ambien, according to court documents.

Jerome Buting, Benson’s attorney, argued in motion filed April 8 that an expert witness for the defense incorrectly estimated the level of Ambien, a drug to treat insomnia, in his blood system.

Benson avoided a trial when he entered no contest pleas to three counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, one count of injury by intoxicated use of vehicle, and one count of causing injury while under influence.

Bukosky was a popular principal at Oconomowoc High School.

Teen Book Club-June 15: Teens in grades 7 through 12 are invited to join the summer Teen Book Club. The first selection is Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The inaugural meeting will be moderated by Lindsay Fournier. The event starts at 6 p.m.

Family Storytime-June 15: Maria Hinners will present a Family Storytime at 7 p.m. Kids are invited to wear pajamas and bring a pillow for sitting.

Recycling in Your Community-June 16: Kids can learn about responsible citizenship and recycling to save energy and avoid waste at 1 p.m.

TGEL Teen Games-June 17: Teens in grades 7 through 12 are invited for an evening of open gaming-cards, board games, and Wii. Use library games or bring games from home. Snacks will be provided. Event starts at 7 p.m.

Family Art and Reading with Gus-June 20: Bring the family to enjoy a group art project and to read to Gus the therapy dog. Event starts at 2 p.m.

Baby Lapsit Storytime-June 21: Lynette Carpenter will conduct the next Baby Lapsit Storytime at 9:30 a.m. The event will be brief and is planned for babies two years of age and younger.

All events will take place at the Alice Baker Library, 820 E. Main St., Eagle.

For more information call (262) 594-2800 or visit www.alicebaker.lib.wi.us

Playing against  No. 1 seeded  Menomonee Falls in the WIAA sectional Tuesday afternoon in the Falls, the No. 5 seeded Oconomowoc varsity girls fastpitch softball team recorded one of its biggest victories in school history as they knocked off the Indians in a semifinal game in eight innings, 5-4.

The win vaulted the Raccoons into the sectional championship game for the just the second time in school history. OHS (18-7) will play against host Watertown Friday at 7 p.m. in the sectional championship game. The winner will advance to next week's state meet in Madison.

Cooney fell behind the Falls (19-2) 3-0 after three innings but then rallied to tie the game at 3-3 with a three-run outburst in the top of the fourth. Renate Meckl, Brianne McGuiore and Keely Rolbiecki scored those runs as Lauren King had the only RBI in that rally with a clutch, two-out single.

With the score tied going into the eighth, OHS scored twice in that inning as Megan Finn got hit with a ptich to start the inning and winning pitcher Delaney Osteday belted a double to put runners on second and third. A walk to Meckl loaded the bases with no outs.

Finally, after a couple of baserunning guffaws by the Raccoons, Oconomowoc scored their first run when Kaitlyn Ballman walked with the bases loaded to score pinch-runner Lexi Punzel. Osterday then scored on a passed ball.

Falls scored once in their half of the eighth but Osterday retired the final hitter on a pop up to second to end the game.

Arrowhead's No. 1 ranked varsity boys golf team, the four-year reigning WIAA Division 1 state champions, had to settle for second place Tuesday afternoon as Middleton snapped Arrowhead's championship run by winning the 2011 state title with 608 strokes. Arrowhead was second at 618 and Marquette was third at 629.

Kettle Moraine took seventh place in the 16-school field with 654 strokes.

Ben Skogen of Onalaska won the individual title with a 1-over-par score of 145.

Kyle Driscoll led Arrowhead as he tied for fourth place at 150 (77-73). Matt Ross was seventh at 152 (75-77).

Nic Johnson led Kettle Moraine by tying for 13th with a 155 total (82-73).

Hartland – In an effort to assist in the relief efforts for those affected by devastating tornadoes and floods that have ravaged the country this spring, Culver’s restaurants will sponsor a “Day of Giving” with participating restaurants nationwide, dedicating 10 percent of all sales Tuesday, June 14 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Local participating Culver’s include Culver’s of Hartland, 701 Industrial Court; Culver’s of Johnson Creek, 525 Village Walk Lane; Culver’s of Menomonee Falls, W186 N9581 Bancroft Drive; Culver’s of Oconomowoc, 1177 Summit Ave; Culver’s of Sussex, W249 N6620 Highway 164; Culver’s of Watertown, 1722 Church St.; Culver’s of Waukesha, 1720 Highway 164, 840 W. Sunset Drive and Culver’s of Waukesha, 2600 N. Grandview Blvd.

“Culver’s has a rich history of giving back to our communities in times of need. These are our communities and our guests that are affected,” says Phil Keiser, President and Chief Operating Officer. “Raising badly needed funds for food, shelter, and emotional support during these difficult times is part of the Culver’s True Blue spirit.”

Many of Culver’s restaurants have been involved in disaster relief efforts on the local level this spring through percent of sales days, donation canisters and other methods. The “Day of Giving” will complement those ongoing efforts.

For more information, visit www.culvers.com, www.culvers.com/facebook or www.twitter.com/culvers.
 

Waukesha – A judge this morning denied a motion to re-sentence Mark M. Benson, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison for a fatal crash that killed three people in the City of Oconomowoc in 2008.

Benson, 58, sought to have his sentenced reduced because he claims he was sentenced on inaccurate information regarding how much prescription drugs were in his system at the time of the crash. Killed in the Aug. 25, 2008 crash on Highway 67 were Jennifer Bukosky, 39, of Town of Oconomowoc, her daughter, Courtney, and unborn child, Sophia. Injured were her son Zachery, 13, and Deborah Gibbs, 11.

Benson’s attorney, Jerome Buting filed a motion claiming that Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge J. Mac Davis used information from a defense expert, Dr. Frances M. Gengo, of Buffalo, N.Y., who is an expert pharmacologist, wrote in his report misinformation regarding how much Ambien was in Benson’s system at the time of the crash.

Buting’s motion said Gengo has "poorly worded sentences" and inferred Benson had a much greater level of the drug in Benson’s system than what he had. Gengo’s report inferred Benson had 10 to 15 times the level of what he should have.

Davis in his ruling said he did not depend on the level of the drug but rather the fact Benson did not brake when he slammed into the rear of Bukosky’s vehicle, which was stopped for a traffic light. Davis said Benson was intoxicated at the time and his sentencing "did not depend on the level of Ambien."

Buting said after the hearing the matter would be appealed. He did not say what he believed an appropriate sentence should be.

Benson entered no contest pleas to three counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, one count of injury by intoxicated use of vehicle, and one count of causing injury while under influence.

Bukosky was a popular principal at Oconomowoc High School.

The state Senate has passed a bill that would designate a state fair staple as Wisconsin's official dessert.

Fourth-graders from Clarendon Avenue Elementary School in Mukwonago have been pushing lawmakers to appoint the cream puff as Wisconsin's favorite treat. They convinced Republican Sen. Mary Lazich to introduce a bill after she visited their classroom earlier this year. The Senate passed the proposal on a voice vote on Wednesday. It goes next to the state Assembly.

The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Scholarship and Fellowship program announced the recipients for the 2011 Herb Kohl Fellowship awards in spring. This year, Kettle Moraine School District honors Kettle Moraine High School teacher Dana Broehl as a recipient. Broehl teaches World Languages and is an Assessment for Learning Coach for the district, according to a press release from the district.

Fellowship recipients are chosen for their superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, their ability to motivate others, and for their leadership and service within and outside the classroom.  Broehl exemplifies all of these traits through her dedication to students and her commitment to the implementation of a research-based assessment system that balances the use of formative and benchmark assessments throughout KMSD.

“As a district, we recognize Dana as an excellent educator and innovator. We know the impact that she has on our students as well as with the transformative work she is helping to facilitate at the district level. It is absolutely wonderful that others across our state also recognize her strengths and contributions,” explains Superintendent Pat Deklotz.

I-94 closures in Waukesha County for today and tonight include:

Parking lane closure east and westbound Bluemound Road at Elm Grove Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Single lane closure north and southbound Moorland Road under I-94 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Single lane closure I-94 westbound from Milwaukee County Line to Highway 16 from 11:59 p.m to 5:30 a.m.*

*Lane closure in addition to already in place long term lane closure

Visit www.repave94.org for more information

Back by popular demand, the Oconomowoc Public Library is hosting a Parents' Night Out  from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 24.

Parents can enjoy a night out while the children's librarian and local teens provide games, snacks and fun.

Pre-registration is required. Email childrens@cooney.lib.wi.us or call (262) 569-2193, ext. 210. Please provide your name, children's names and ages and your phone number. All children who attend must be potty-trained.

There is a suggested donation of $5 per hour, per child. All proceeds support the renovation of the Oconomowoc Public Library's Teen Area.

The Merton Community School District’s Board of Education met early this morning to formally offer the vacant superintendent position to Ronald Russ, the current principal at Nature Hill Intermediate School in the Oconomowoc School District.

Board Vice President Karl Melnick said that Russ accepted the position and will assume his new duties on July 1. Russ will succeed outgoing superintendent Mark Flynn, who is leaving to pursue a position as an adjunct professor at Cardinal Stritch University.

Russ cannot officially sign any contracts until after June 21 because of the language of his current contract in Oconomowoc, according to Melnick.

“He’s very energetic,” the board vice president said. “I think his views regarding curriculum is probably more in line with what some of the community was looking for.”

The Merton School District’s efforts to implement a 21st-century, project-based learning model into its curriculum was met with opposition from a large core group of parents that felt that the school district was getting away from the basics of a traditional education and focusing too much on technology.

Said Melnick, “I think that the staff and the community and the district is just looking for a fresh start, and he’s brining that."

Authorities are investigating the circumstances that lead to 46 year old Town of Genesee resident John Loncin's death while riding his ATV in Mukwonago earlier this week. It is believed that Loncin was off-roading in the construction zone along Highway 83 in Mukwonago around the time the accident occurred.

According to the Waukesha Medical Examiner's Office, Loncin was pronounced dead at 7:37 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is involved with the investigation, Town of Mukwonago Police report.

Look for further details in the June 15 edition of the Mukwonago Chief.

Waukesha Catholic Memorial's varsity girls soccer team stopped Pewaukee in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Semifinals on Thursday 2-0.

The game was played at Carroll University.

Senior midfielder Karly Lentz had both goals for the Crusaders. The second was a header off a corner kick from senior forward Nikki Condit.

It was just the second loss of the season for Pewaukee, ranked second behind the Crusaders in Division 2 by the Wisconson Soccer Coaches Association.

Kettle Moraine's girls soccer team continued its underdog run through the WIAA playoffs, defeating Madison LaFollette on the road Thursday, 3-2, and advancing to Saturday's sectional final against Waukesha West.

Geena Swentik chipped a free kick from the top of the box over the outstretched hands of LaFollette's keeper midway through the second half, giving the Lasers the one-goal advantage. KM withstood a furious final 15 minutes from the Lancers to preserve the lead.

It was Swentik's second goal of the game. Emily Hotchkiss scored in the fourth minute, and the Lasers (9-9-2)  never trailed but saw LaFollette answer each of the first two strikes.

If you love cats and would love to spend a a few hours in the company of dozens of felines plan to visit the Waukesha County Expo Center this weekend for the Wisconsin-Illinois Cat Fanciers Silver Anniversary Show.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the expo located at 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha.

All seven juding rings at the show will be decorated in the silver anniversary theme as purebreeds including Maine Coons, Bengals, Persians, Sphynx, a hairless breed, as well as household pets show off for the judges. Judging will be held both days, with junior exhibitors on Sunday. Fourteen judges are being flown in from all over the United States for the show.

Representatives from the Humane Animal Welfare Society and Purebred Cat Rescue cat shelters will be available with cats and kittens to adopt. Both shelters would be grateful for any kitten food or litter donations brought to the show.

Admission for the cat show is $6, $5 for seniors 65 and older and $3 for children 10 and under. Parkinig is free.

Paul Argiewicz was only eleven years old when he was arrested by two SS officers in Nazi occupied Poland. His miraculous true story of heartrending tragedies, seven different concentration camps and spending his young life working in Nazi slave labor camps. His story will hold you spellbound even though more than 65 years have passed.

Come hear Paul's touching and extraordinary story told by him and written in his memoir, Number 176520, at 7 p.m. on June 14 at the Big Bend Library, W230 S9475 Nevins St., Big Bend.

Reservations requested by calling (262) 662-3571.

Host Arrowhead's varsity baseball team scored eight runs in the bottom of the first inning and smashed Waukesha South Thursday night in a Classic 8 Cofnerence game, 12-2.

Matt Gaberino pitched all five innings and earned the win. He allowed three hits, struck out four and walked four.

At the plate, Brady Williams was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Gaberino had two hits and three runs batted in and Zach Henkel drove in two runs.

AHS improved to 7-3 overall and 5-2 in league play.

Kettle Moraine's varsity baseball  team edged host Waukesha West in a Classic 8 Conference game Thursday night, 7-6.

Cory Ott pitched the  first six innings for the Lasers and earned the win. Austin Finn pitched a scoreless seventh for KM.

Keith Koehn had two hits and one run batted in for the Lasers. Scott Sayles added two hits to that total.

KM is now 4-4 overall and 4-2 in league play. West is also 4-2 in conference play.

I-94 construction closures in Waukesha County for today and tonight include:

Flagging operations north and southbound Elm Grove Road at Bluemound Road from 9am-3pm

Single lane closure north and southbound Moorland Road under I-94 from 9am-3pm

Single lane closure north and southbound Highway F over I-94 from 11:30pm-7:30am

Full closure I-94 eastbound exit ramp to Highway F from 11:30pm-7:30am

Full closure Highway F entrance ramp to I-94 westbound from 11:30pm-7:30am

Long term closures are still in effect in addition to these closures

Only long term closures will in effect over the weekend.

Visit www.repave94.org for more information

Oconomowoc's varsity girls fastpitch softball team defeated host Watertown Friday night in a WIAA Division 1 sectional championship game, 4-1.

The win vaulted the Raccoons to next week's state tournament in Madison. It will be the second state tournament appearance in school history.

Dalaney Osterday pitched all seven innings. She did not walk a batter.

With the score tied 1-1, Cooney scored two runs in the fifth and one more in the seventh. Megan Finn homered over the fence in the seventh.

Osterday and Brianne McGuire had two hits each for the winners.