Oconomowoc band in running for Summerfest gig

9:08 a.m. | The Oconomowoc-based band Cellar Dream is among finalists in the Land the Big Gig competition. The top three bands, based on online votes, will play at the Big Gig and win some cash, too.

Watch their video and vote for them at landthebiggig.com. Note that they are incorrectly identified as the Axe Brothers, another project between two of the bandmates. Click on Axe Brothers to watch Cellar Dream play and vote for them if you think they deserve to Land the Big Gig.

Watch for more on their story in Thursday's Oconomowoc Focus.

Hartland considers allowing crematories

7:46 a.m. | The Village of Hartland is considering amending an ordinance to allow crematories to operate under conditional-use permits in the M-1 zoning district. The district allows limited manufacturing and wholesale business.

Read more in Thursday's Lake Country Reporter.

Sussex discusses development in closed session

May 22, 2012 8:43 p.m. |  Village of Sussex - For the second time in a month, Village trustees have met behind closed doors to privately discuss the possibility of providing real estate tax incentives for the development of a commercial park on the west edge of the village.

MLG Commercial is in the process of trying to obtain nearly 400 acres of farm land from Bielinski Brothers construction company and the Johnson Bank located near the intersection of Hwy. V V (Silver Spring Road) and Hwy. 164, according to village officials..

 MLG representatives have said they want to develop a commercial park on the land because other commercial parks they have developed in Sussex have been successful. MLG would also like the commecial park included in a new village Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.

Real estate tax revenues from the district would be used to help pay for public improvements associated with the development of the commercial park.

Village President Greg Goetz was asked before tonight's Village Board meeting why the closed sessions was necessary.

AHS, KM golfers move to sectional

May 22, 2012 7:12 p.m. |  Arrowhead and Kettle Moraine both advanced through WIAA Division 1 boys golf regionals on Tuesday. Both will play in next week's sectional.

AHS won the Brookfield Central at Wanaki with 289 score. Brookfield Central was second at 304. Hartford (318) and Brookfield East (323) also advanced.

Arrowhead's Matt Ross was the medalist with a 2-under-par 71. Other AHS scores were JohnLanghoff with 71, Matt McIntosh 73, Paul Lyons 76 and Connor Thiel 82.

KM finished second at the Waterford regional at Rivermoor Golf Club. Waterford won with 301 and KM had 319. Other qualifiers were Waukesha West (328) and Waukesha North (338).

Ryan Franklin led the Lasers with 73. Other KM scores were Dylan Patscot with 80, Nick Cieslak 82, Ross Baker 84 and Mike Chase 87.

Sweeney shoots 66

May 22, 2012 7:06 p.m. |  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.

KM, Arrowhead and Hamilton ranked top in nation

May 22, 2012 4:04 p.m. | Newsweek has ranked three area schools among its top 1,000 nationwide for 2012. Kettle Moraine ranked 459th while Arrowhead was 510 and Hamilton at 973 according to information from Newsweek's The Daily Beast.

Newsweek's recenlty released list of America's Best High Schools 2012 it says, "highlights the best 1,000 public high schools in the nation — the ones that have proven to be the most effective in turning out college-ready grads."

Kettle Moraine issued a press release Tuesday to announce the news. Superintendent Patricia Deklotz shared her excitement.

"The Newsweek recognition is one of several recent acknowledgements of Kettle
Moraine School District and the transformational practices that are making a
difference. It is a strong affirmation of the culmination of learning and experiences
that occur in and outside of our classrooms," Deklotz said.

Newsweek ranked the schools based on data submitted by school officials, graduate rate and test scores among other things.

Pewaukee Hindu temple selected for sacred ceremony

May 22, 2012 3:34 p.m. | Hundreds of Hindu faithful from around the Midwest will gather in Pewaukee on Saturday for what is likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many: a celestial wedding performed by priests from one of the most-visited holy places in the world.

Seven Vedic priests of the Tirupati temple in southern India are bringing the ancient ceremony known as the Kalyanam to the United States for only the second time. And the Hindu Temple of Wisconsin is one of 13 sites to host it this year.

"Tirupati is one of the most sacred temples in India. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have them here," said Lakshmi Bharadwaj, a member of the Pewaukee temple's board.

Hinduism is the world's oldest and third-largest religion, with more than 1 billion adherents.

The Kalyanam, meant to bring peace and prosperity to the community and to those who participate, is performed on a smaller scale each month at the Pewaukee temple.

Delafield merges administrator, public works director posts

May 21, 2012 9:46 p.m. |  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.

Delafield council rejects one way streets

May 21, 2012 9:08 p.m. |  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.

AHS girls roll past West

May 21, 2012 8:55 p.m. |  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.

West Bend undefeated in LOL West

May 20, 2012 5:40 p.m. |  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.

Hail stones hit Hartland

May 20, 2012 5:36 p.m. |  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 beats Pewaukee in LOL West

May 19, 2012 6:20 p.m. |  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.

Delafield Hero legislation advances

May 18, 2012 1:20 p.m. | 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.

Oconomowoc farmers market opens Saturday

May 18, 2012 10:37 a.m. | Head to the St. Paul's Church parking lot in downtown Oconomowoc tomorrow morning for the start of the city's farmers market.

The market at, 210 E. Pleasant St., runs from 7:30 a.m. to noon through Oct. 27.
Local farmers will be selling produce and the market will feature gardening/environmental programs, health/wellness information, kid’s gardening programs, natural cleaning products, dairy products, farm fresh meats, herbs and plants, ongoing musical entertainment and more
A detailed schedule of weekly market events and favorite is at www.oconomocwoc.org. Or call the chamber office at (262) 567-2666 for more information.
 

Big Bend Library hosts basic digital camera class

May 18, 2012 8:14 a.m. |  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. 

Three days of polka starts Friday

May 18, 2012 12:00 a.m. | 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.

Oconomowoc's new website goes live today

May 17, 2012 5:02 p.m. | The City of Oconomowoc will unveil its new website, www.oconomowoc-wi.gov at 5 p.m.

The new site has been in the works for several months and allows the city to provide a functional informational tool for residents and visitors as well as provide an improved image and representation for the city, Economic Development Director Bob Duffy said.

“The old site was focused on information, whereas the new site will include service as well,” Duffy said.

The new site includes:

• A new central menu, which will help users navigate the site
• A new global navigation
• A request section where residents can report concerns such as potholes or street lights that are out and get responses from staff in addressing those comments
• Videos and available commercial properties
• Citizen updates using Facebook & RSS feeds

Where will the band shell be?

May 17, 2012 12:36 p.m. |  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. 

Walworth Fairest of the Fair meeting set for next week

May 17, 2012 9:40 a.m. | 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.

Dousman-Summit fire districts merged

May 16, 2012 9:30 p.m. |  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.

Former HR manager charged with embezzling more than $500,000

May 16, 2012 12:34 p.m. | A former human resources manager working for a Pewaukee-based manufacturer has been charged in federal court with embezzling more than $576,000 over five years, according to court documents.

Susan D. Tatro, 44, was indicted last week on 30 counts of fraud.

According to the indictment:

Tatro was human resources manager for Waukesha Bearing Corp.'s Antigo operation. The company makes turbomachinery-related products. Its parent company is Dover Industrial Products.

Between 2006 and 2011, Tatro secretly wrote checks to herself off a company petty cash account. She used the embezzled money for "unauthorized and personal expenses," according to the indictment.

Whooping cough at Arrowhead

May 16, 2012 9:17 a.m. | Three cases of whooping cough (pertussis) have been reported at Arrowhead High School, according to a note to parents from school nurse Kristi Kirk.

The affected students are in grades nine, 11 and 12.

Pertussis is usually spread by repeated indoor face-to-face contact with a person who is sick with the disease, according to the Waukesha County Health Department.

The department is conducting an investigation to identify close contacts who might be at risk of catching pertussis. Those people will be notified.

Lake residents invited to water talk

May 16, 2012 8:26 a.m. | Area municipalities are addressing residents' questions and concerns about high water affecting their lives at a special meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Little Theatre at Oconomowoc High School.

The City and Town of Oconomowoc and Village of Oconomowoc Lake have been working together to manage operations of dams in their municipalities. The Village of Lac La Belle, Lake Country Engineering and the state Department of the Natural Resources (DNR) have also been involved.

Lake Country Engineering will present information about lake levels and flooding and representatives from the state Department of Natural Resources will also be on hand to discuss dam operations. There will be time for question and answer at the end of the one-hour presentation.

Delafield considers financing help for housing development

May 16, 2012 7:00 a.m. | A developer who's proposing 64 apartments in Delafield wants the city to spend $1.1 million to pay for new sewers, streets and other public improvements tied to the project.

Madison developer Joe McCormick is proposing Delafield Woods, with two 32-unit apartment buildings and 13 single-family homes, for a site bordered generally by Bleeker and Division streets, according to information filed with city officials. 

McCormick wants the city to pay for the development's public improvements through a tax incremental financing district that would encompass the apartment buildings.The improvements would include a public recreation trail.

Property taxes from the apartments would pay off the city's $1.1 million debt, plus interest, within an estimated 16 years. Once the debt is paid, the property taxes would go to the city, its school district and other local governments.

The new streets and sewers also would serve Delafield Woods' single-family homes, even though those properties wouldn't be included in the 11.4-acre tax district.

KM, AHS softball game rained out

May 15, 2012 9:45 p.m. |  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.

Henschel to resign at AHS

May 15, 2012 9:42 p.m. |  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.

Sussex says no to roundabouts

May 15, 2012 8:42 p.m. |  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.

Bigfoot in Eagle?

May 15, 2012 1:52 p.m. |  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

GOP lawmaker failed to get right to work bill

May 15, 2012 11:21 a.m. | Madison - State Rep. Chris Kapenga said he drafted but didn't introduce right to work legislation last session.

The Republican from Delafield said there weren't enough votes last session to pass the proposal, which would prohibit requirements that workers pay union dues even if they don't join the union. Kapenga said he didn't believe the proposal could pass in the next legislative session either.

"It's very evident that we did not have the votes to pass it," Kapenga said.

The issue of right to work has gained more attention after video footage was released last week showing Gov. Scott Walker talking about the proposal with a wealthy donor. Kapenga's support for right to work legislation was first put forward by a liberal blog.

Walker has declined to say whether he would sign such a proposal, saying only that he would not pursue it and did not expect it to pass. Kapenga said he would continue to push for the proposal but emphasized that he didn't speak for Walker.

Seven apply for Board vacancy

May 15, 2012 11:19 a.m. | 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. 

Mukwonago angler wins Walmart BFL event on Mississippi River

May 15, 2012 11:05 a.m. | Caleb Kuphall, 28, of Mukwonago weighed a five-bass limit of 17 pounds, 4 ounces to win the Walmart Bass Fishing League Great Lakes Division event held Saturday on the Mississippi River near La Crosse. Kuphall earned $4,575 for the victory.

Kuphall caught most of his fish on a homemade, 3/8-ounce green pumpkin-and-chartreuse jig with a green pumpkin trailer. He fished Pools 7 and 8.

The fish were caught around weed edges, under algal mats and lily pads.

Despite having a solid limit of fish, Kuphall said he didn't expect to win the event as he was returning for the weigh-in.

“I figured I had around 16 to 16½ pounds, but I knew that last year in this event it took over 19 (pounds) to win," Kuphall said in a press release distributed Tuesday. "I figured I would get a check, but I was surprised to get the win. I got lucky and had a great co-angler draw as well, K.C. Shaible. He helped me out a lot, and definitely played a part in helping me get my victory today.”

Colgate Road to close in Lisbon

May 14, 2012 8:58 p.m. | 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.

Bid to reduce Waukesha County board position hits bumps

May 14, 2012 5:40 p.m. | Waukesha - A suggestion that the new Waukesha County Board chairman's job could be reduced to half time as soon as this month appears to have been overly ambitious.

Newly elected Chairman Paul Decker of Hartland, a business owner who took on the chairmanship in the belief that the board would vote to reduce the job to part time, got a mixed reaction to the change Monday from the County Board's Executive Committee.

Decker himself said that in his first four weeks in the office, he's learned the job is bigger and more time-consuming than he had expected, even as he tries to bring technological efficiencies to the County Board office operation.

He's asked staff to prepare information on the leadership responsibilities and comparisons with other counties. He'll schedule more discussion at future Executive Committee meetings, he said.

Supervisor Patricia Haukohl of Brookfield, the board's vice chairman who heads the Finance Committee, said at Monday's meeting that she didn't want to see the chairman's job diminished when it should be an equal partner with the executive and judicial branches of county government.

Special one-day compost bin sale coming to Retzer

May 14, 2012 4:50 p.m. | 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.”

Informational meeting set for 2013 road construction project in Big Bend

May 14, 2012 4:38 p.m. |  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. 

Pewaukee's Piano Blu closes, to reopen as Lakefront Grille

May 13, 2012 10:21 p.m. | Piano Blu, the lounge and fine-dining restaurant on Pewaukee Lake, closed after service Sunday and will reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday as Lakefront Grille, according to a post on Facebook.

The restaurant, at 179 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Pewaukee, will be remodeled and change up the menu; it says on social media that it will serve menu items such as burgers and flatbreads but also seafood and steaks.

Muskies defeat Brookfield Bulldogs

May 13, 2012 6:55 p.m. |  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.

I-43 traffic congested around Big Bend

May 11, 2012 4:28 p.m. | If you're planning to head south on I-43 near Big Bend, you might want to build  some extra time into your schedule.

Traffic in the area is congested, thanks to construction.

Bear-ly here

May 11, 2012 10:46 a.m. | 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.

Help your garden grow

May 11, 2012 9:57 a.m. | Whale-Tales Archery is offering a special Food Plot Seminar at 6 p.m. Monday, May 14, at 109 Main St., Dousman.

Learn the key to the proper and effective ways to use food plots to your advantage. Those attending will receive 10 percent off any food plot items bought that night. There will also be door prizes.

Call (262) 965-2825 to reserve a spot.

St. Paul's priest cleared

May 11, 2012 8:17 a.m. | JSOnline has reported that the Rev. Mark Molling will return to his duties at St. Paul Catholic Church in Genesee Depot this weekend, after being cleared of accusations of child molestation.

Read more here.

Celebrate spring at Saturday’s Garden Day

May 11, 2012 12:00 a.m. | “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.

Final year of Stone Bank Fourth of July parade?

May 10, 2012 2:10 p.m. | 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.

Quad sales dip a bit; company pays down debt

May 10, 2012 9:04 a.m. | SUSSEX - Quad/Graphics sales dipped in the first quarter compared to last year. The printing company's net sales for the first quarter 2012 were $990 million versus $1,022 million for the same period in 2011. First quarter 2012 Adjusted EBITDA was $126 million versus $142 million for the same period in 2011.

Company head Joel Quadracci said the results are in line with expectations as the company continues to pay down debt and finalize its acquisition of Worldcolor.

“Our performance during the first quarter gave us a solid start to the year,” said Quadracci. “We are pleased with the progress we made on our key priorities to improve productivity, reduce costs, lower our debt and meet our synergy objectives, which enabled us to generate significant Recurring Free Cash Flow and improve upon our already strong credit metrics.”

 The company reported that the results reflect expected volume and pricing pressures, which were partially offset by continued productivity improvements and incremental synergy savings totaling $25 million during the quarter and $221 million since the Worldcolor acquisition. Recurring Free Cash Flow was $107 million, demonstrating the Company's ability to generate strong, consistent cash flow.

“We are proud of the progress we continue to make in strengthening our balance sheet through the repayment of $90 million in debt during the quarter, and $415 million since the Worldcolor acquisition,” said John Fowler, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. “Correspondingly, we improved our leverage ratio to 2.2x, which remains in our targeted range of 2.0x to 2.5x, and reduced our first quarter interest expense by $8 million or 28%. We continue to generate significant Recurring Free Cash Flow to support our disciplined capital deployment strategy. Our quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share will be payable on June 22, 2012, to shareholders of record as of June 11, 2012.”

Rostagno drafted into the USHL

May 09, 2012 5:00 p.m. |  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.

Town of Mukwonago considering other funding options for Country Bliss

May 09, 2012 3:44 p.m. | 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.

Community-wide rummage in Eagle this weekend

May 09, 2012 12:01 p.m. | 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.

Eagle Poppy Days this weekend

May 09, 2012 11:05 a.m. |  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. 

Duffy out of the running for Hartland administrator

May 09, 2012 8:12 a.m. | City of Oconomowoc's Director of Economic Development Bob Duffy announced Tuesday that he is no longer in the mix of candidates for Village of Hartland administrator.

Longtime Village Administrator Wally Thiel announced this year that he will retire. Last week, it was reported that Duffy was one of five candidates being considered for the post.

Duffy said that a local businessperson encouraged him to apply for the job; he has been with the city since 2001.

In a phone message left Tuesday, Duffy said he is no longer pursuing the position because he wants to continue work on city projects that he has been instrumental on since their start. Those could include the construction of the new community center and a potential new mixed-used development across from the rec center site that the city is currently in private negotiations on.

KM girls win softball game

May 08, 2012 9:55 p.m. |  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. 

Sussex employees sell beer at concerts

May 08, 2012 9:52 p.m. |  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.

Osterday leads OHS to victory

May 08, 2012 9:49 p.m. |  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.

AHS girls win eighth straight

May 08, 2012 9:45 p.m. |  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.

Pauline Haass Public Library will be closed Friday

May 08, 2012 1:56 p.m. |  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. 

Mukwonago man charged in fatal crash

May 08, 2012 12:39 p.m. | Waupaca - A 23-year-old Mukwonago man was charged with vehicular homicide in an October 2010 crash that killed two people, WaupacaNow reported.

Christopher Royer was charged Monday with two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and two counts of homicide with a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance.

A passenger in Royer's car, Danielle Belanger, 21, of Oshkosh, died in the accident. Milton Barnhart, 75, of Waupaca, who was in the other vehicle, died in November 2010 of injuries suffered in the accident.

Community speaks out on library project

May 08, 2012 7:53 a.m. | Residents, Library Board members and staff mbmers at the Alice Baker Memorial Library spoke out about what they like about the library, as well as what they don't, during recent focus group discussions. The library is considering a building project, which could expand the existing space or put up an entirely new building. Read more in this week's Mukwonago Chief.

State highway officials want recount

May 07, 2012 8:57 p.m. |  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. 

Judge rejects bid to block public access at North Lake

May 07, 2012 5:08 p.m. | An administrative law judge has rejected a request by North Lake property owners to block construction of a public boat access on the lake's west shore.

The state Department of Natural Resources properly complied with wetland and navigable stream protection regulations in November 2010 when it approved construction of a boat ramp, road and parking lot for 16 vehicles and trailers as well as two car-only stalls, according to the judge's May 4 order.

Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey D. Boldt in Madison criticized lake property owners for creating "fictional" reasons to oppose the project because they were unhappy to be sharing the lake with the public.

One fiction was the suggestion by opponents that the DNR was willing to eliminate a stream on the property in approving the need to grade more than 10,000-square-feet of the property and fill up to 0.16 acres of wetland, according to Boldt. There is a depression on the shore that holds water during flooding but there is no stream channel to the lake that drains the upland surface, he said.

The 437-acre lake is the largest water body in Waukesha County without public access.

Audition for Village Players Elvis musical

May 07, 2012 12:36 p.m. | 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.

Sussex Main St. closed at bank Tues.-Weds.

May 07, 2012 11:01 a.m. | There will be a lane closure on Main Street near the Silver Spring intersection in Sussex beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday.

The lane closure is accommodating work on the curb and driveway by Associated Bank. The roadway will be open to traffic in both directions. The east bound Main Street left-hand turn lane at the Silver Spring intersection will be closed to allow west bound traffic on Main Street to get around the construction work.

If you have any questions about the road work, contact Melissa Weiss at (262) 246-
5200.

Voting has started for Grow Your Own Business Challenge

May 07, 2012 4:00 a.m. | 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.

Hundreds walk for a cure to cancer

May 05, 2012 12:34 p.m. |

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.

Funeral services set for reporter Jim Stevens

May 04, 2012 3:39 p.m. | Funeral arrangements have been made for Lake Country Publications reporter Jim Stevens, who died Wednesday of a heart attack at his Pewaukee home.

Visitation is planned for 10 a.m. until the 2 p.m. funeral service Monday, May 7, at the Yonke and Son Funeral Home, 205 Prospect Ave., Pewaukee. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, also in Pewaukee.

St. John's recognized for support of Guard, Reserve employees

May 04, 2012 10:55 a.m. | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy was honored with an “Above and Beyond” award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employees who serve in the Wisconsin National Guard and Reserve.

The Wisconsin Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, gives out the award to employersthat  provide support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits which complement coverage provided by the military when their employees are mobilized.

Discover your antique's worth at Butler Library

May 04, 2012 9:35 a.m. | Have your antique appraised at Butler Public Library today. Mark F. Moran will appraise items for $10 starting at 4:30 p.m. at the library,12808 W. Hampton Ave.

Moran is the author of dozens of antiques reference guides. He has bought and sold antiques for more than 30 years, specializing in vintage folk art, Americana, and find art.

For more information, call the library at (262) 783-2535.

Winner, winner chicken dinner!

May 04, 2012 12:00 a.m. | 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.

Severe thunderstorm watch in effect

May 03, 2012 1:10 p.m. | The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for much of Southeastern Wisconsin, including Waukesha County, until 7 p.m.

Enjoy Mother's Day at Old World Wisconsin

May 03, 2012 12:30 p.m. | 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.

Hartland library delays reopening

May 03, 2012 12:12 p.m. | The Hartland Public Library, which is undergoing an expansion project, was scheduled to reopen Monday, but some minor construction delays have pushed that opening off until Thursday.

Say a prayer tonight

May 03, 2012 9:14 a.m. | Join the Lake Country community in a gathering of prayer and praise during Lake Country Day of Prayer at 7 p.m. today at Lake Country Lutheran High School.

The event is held in conjunction with National Day of Prayer which is today. The YMCA at Pabst Farms is sponsoring the local event. This is a free, community-wide prayer event in which all churches come together for the purpose of praying for our communities, churches, families, nation and world.

Praise songs will be led by CommUNITY and snacks and fellowship will follow.

Lake Country Lutheran High School is at 401 Campus Drive, Hartland; the event will be held in the Great Hall. For more information call Bruce Osborn, YMCA Director of Spiritual Development, at (262) 567-7251 Ext. 145.

Lake Country Publications mourns loss of reporter Jim Stevens

May 03, 2012 8:30 a.m. | Lake Country Publications lost one of its own last night, and it is with tremendous sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we announce the death of reporter Jim Stevens.

Jim worked for LCP for decades, and is well-known at area police departments and the courthouse for his coverage of those beats. He covered the Town of Delafield and Village of Pewaukee for years, as well as many other stories in Lake Country.

He was a good reporter, a good friend and a good man, and the world is a better place having known him, as well as a sadder place at his loss.

Mukwonago Town Board votes no to Country Bliss utility district

May 02, 2012 6:45 p.m. | 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.

Country Bliss utility district meeting tonight

May 02, 2012 3:38 p.m. |  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. 

Middle man in Smith murder-for-hire files appeal

May 02, 2012 3:37 p.m. | Waukesha – Jack E. Johnson, sentenced to life in prison in the 2009 murder-for-hire case, has filed an appeal seeking to overturn his conviction. Currently there is no information indicating what the grounds of his appeal are.
According to court records, Johnson, 67, filed for an appeal last month. Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge James R. Kieffer appointed Delafield attorney Thomas Simon to represent Johnson.

Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder by a jury last year for acting as the middle man in the death of Kimberly Smith, 39, of Oconomowoc on Oct. 1, 2009. Smith’s former boyfriend, Darren M. Wold, 43, of Texas, had his longtime friend Johnson hire Justin P. Welch, 28, of California, to come to Wisconsin to kill Smith.
Wold and Smith had a bitter custody dispute over their son, who was 4-years-old at the time. Wold and Welch are serving life sentences, though Welch is eligible for parole at the age of 70 because he cooperated with prosecutors and testified against the other conspirators.
 

Stein Garden sues Oconomowoc over assessment

May 02, 2012 3:36 p.m. | Waukesha – The firm that owns Stein Garden Centers is suing the City of Oconomowoc claiming the city over assessed its property.
According to a lawsuit filed April 27 in Waukesha County Circuit Court, L & D Real Estate Investment of Milwaukee, claims its property on Oconomowoc Parkway should be assessed at $3,108,600 while the city assessed the property at $4,846,200 in 2011. The firm paid a tax of $79,246 but the suit claims the tax should not be more than $50,875.
L & D took the matter to the city’s Board of Review in July 2011, but the board sustained the assessment. In January, the firm filed a claim against the city for excessive assessment and the Common Council rejected the claim.
L & D is seeking a refund of $28,370.
 

Teen Game Day Planned

May 02, 2012 2:05 p.m. | 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. 

Event to raise funds for accessible playground equipment

May 02, 2012 1:54 p.m. | 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.

Learn more about VA pension benefits next week

May 02, 2012 12:00 p.m. | 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:

MHS hosts drug, alcohol awareness program

May 02, 2012 12:00 p.m. | 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. 

AHS, KM clash on Wednesday

May 01, 2012 10:07 p.m. |  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.

Volunteers needed for MHS post prom event

May 01, 2012 8:04 p.m. | 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  

Drunken Pewaukee man unaware he was hit by train

May 01, 2012 1:23 p.m. | 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.

Mukwonago's own Gearbox Express holds grand opening today

May 01, 2012 11:25 a.m. |  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. 

Woman gets prison for role in 2009 drug death

May 01, 2012 11:04 a.m. | 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

Live, from Mukwonago ...

May 01, 2012 7:50 a.m. | What do New York, Nashville and Mukwonago have in common? Radio co-hosts on the weekly This Week in Radio Tech (TWiT), a video show presented by the TWiT Network based out of Petaluma, Calif.

Chris Tarr is the local part of that triangle, going head-to-head each week with Kirk Harnack, vice president of Telos Products in Nashville, and Chris Tobin, president of Musicam USA in New York.

Read more about Tarr in this week's Mukwonago Chief.

Charter stays at Eagleville when doors open in fall

April 30, 2012 10:35 p.m. | Eagleville Elementary Charter School kept its end of the charter agreement with the Mukwonago Area School District by hitting enrollment numbers required by May 1 to allow the school to open its doors in September. As the Eagleville governance team met with the MASD School Board tonight, Parent Teacher Organization President Brek Zortman asked the Board to keep its end of the deal.

Zortman pointed to 30 open enrollment students who have agreed to come to Eagleville next year, bringing additional revenue and validating the marketing the charter has done to fulfill the requirements for the five-year contract signed by the School Board in December.

Some confusion existed over the wording in the contract that required the charter to maintain a 75-student enrollment to remain open. After clarification on contract stipulations and adding a third date in January as an enrollment checkpoint for the Charter School, the Board agreed not to move the charter to a different building, provided the student numbers were maintained at each checkpoint throughout the school year.

Read the complete story in Wednesday's Mukwonago Chief.

Kay resigns from School Board

April 30, 2012 10:40 a.m. | The Oconomowoc Area School District Board of Education is accepting letters of interest to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education due to the resignation of Susan Kay, effective following the May 15 meeting.

 It is the intent of the Board to appoint a replacement whose term will end April 2013. In order to qualify for a position on the Board, a candidate must be a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the State of Wisconsin, and the Oconomowoc Area School District. Additionally, a candidate must be at least 18 years of age.

Those interested should submit a letter of interest and background information by Friday, May 11, 2012 to: Board President Don Wiemer, Oconomowoc Area School District,  W360 N7077 Brown Street,           Oconomowoc, WI   53066

Parent volunteer charged with assault of 8-year-old in classroom

April 30, 2012 10:04 a.m. |  

A 42-year-old City of Oconomowoc man was arrested last week and charged with sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl while he was volunteering in her classroom.

According to the criminal complaint, Anthony R. Pico, 717 Browning Circle, came to Summit School every Friday as a parent volunteer, alternating classrooms each week. On April 20, he was volunteering in  the second-grade class when the incident allegedly occurred. 

For more on the story, read tomorrow's Oconomowoc Focus.

Not so good for reading, but it makes a delicious lunch

April 30, 2012 8:21 a.m. | Customers who attempted to purchase a Nook at a couple area stories recently got less than they bargained for when they discovered the box filled with nothing but potatoes.

Read more in tomorrow's paper.

Pewaukee wins LOL opener

April 29, 2012 6:44 p.m. |  Pewaukee's Land O' Lakes Western Division baseball team opened the 2012 season Sunday by defeating the host Brookfield Blue Sox, 12-7.

Other games Sunday saw Lannon whip Hartland 13-3, Brookfield Bulldogs blank North Lake 13-0, Oconomowoc down Monches 9-1, Sussex edge Merton 7-5 and West Bend outlast Menomonee Falls 10-8.

Nickolaus won't run for re-election as Waukesha County clerk

April 28, 2012 11:00 p.m. | Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus, widely criticized over the conduct of elections in her county, announced Saturday she has decided not to seek re-election in November.

But the embattled clerk said in a prepared statement that she would not relinquish "any authority or responsibility" for upcoming elections through the end of her term because "I am the Waukesha County constitutional officer charged with the responsibility of elections."

After problems in the election earlier this month, Nickolaus reportedly agreed under pressure from County Executive Dan Vrakas to cede election responsibilities to her deputy for the upcoming recall races.

Her campaign manager said Saturday she "never ever agreed to hand over the responsibility given to her constitutionally as clerk" to administer the elections. "Kathy is still in charge," said the manager, Dan Hunt, adding Nickolaus was unavailable for comment.

The deputy clerk will serve as liaison between municipal clerks and county clerks, oversee election result processes and make sure the results are reported to the Government Accountability Board, Hunt said.

Killer ordered to pay restitution to cover cost of his child

April 27, 2012 12:39 p.m. |

A judge Thursday ordered convicted killer Darren Wold to pay the family that is taking care of his child nearly $74,000.

A judge ruled Wold, who is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Kimberly Smith in 2009, pay restitution to Laurie and Robert Zanotti. Laurie Zanotti is Smith’s sister and is taking care of Smith and Wold’s son, who is now 6.

The restitution is to cover the costs of supporting the child until he reaches 18-years-old. Wold was convicted of hiring a California man, through a friend of Wold’s, to kill Smith.

Customer Appreciation Days at Rocky Mountain Chocloate Factory April 27 & 28

April 27, 2012 10:24 a.m. | Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is hosting Customer Appreciation Days from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28, at its Downtown Delafield store, at Clock Tower Square, 807 Genesee St.,
 

This special thank you from owners Harry and Mary Schaff offers free samples, drawings and gifts (with a $15 purchase or more).

For more information, call (262) 646-7778. For coupons, drawing and contest entry forms click here or visit www.rmcf.com/WI/Delafield50820

Mukwonago icon Harold Koeffler dies

April 27, 2012 7:21 a.m. | Harold Koeffler, who owned Koeffler Chevrolet in Mukwonago for decades, died Wednesday at age 100.

Visitation is planned for 2:30 until the Masonic service on Sunday, April 29, at the Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home, 930 Main St., Mukwonago. A second visitation is planned for 10:30 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Monday, April 30, at the funeral home. The family will have a private burial at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Mukwonago.

Memorials are suggested to the Mukwonago Public Library or Timber Tree.

Koeffler was involved in numerous community organizations and efforts, including membership of the Mukwonago Kiwanis and Kiwanis Foundation Board, the Mukwonago Library Board, Shriners, 32nd-degree Mason, Scottish Rite and Mukwonago Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of Cousin Otto's Clown Alley under the name "Wheels." He was the Waukesha Coin Club's oldest member, attending his last coin show and negotiating sales last month.

He loved to travel, and visited every continent. He was an invited member of the first USA business delegation to China, walked on Antarctica icebergs at age 82 and explored Iceland at 92.

Feel good about yourself at free clinics

April 27, 2012 12:00 a.m. | Knowing you’re healthy can bring peace of mind. But sometimes the costs associated with simple tests can be daunting.

If you’re looking for some free peace of mind, why not visit the Touched Twice Lake Country Free Clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Two churches in Delafield are hosting all sorts of free screenings and other activities to make you feel good about yourself.

Oakwood Church, 3041 Oakwood Road, is offering medical screenings, vision and chiropractic care and haircuts.

At Westbrook Church, 1100 Highway 83, you can visit the food pantry, have your teeth checked or get family photos.

Hot meals will be served at both churches.

Effort renewed to honor Civil War hero from Delafield

April 26, 2012 5:00 p.m. | A decades-long effort to get the Medal of Honor awarded to a Civil War hero from Delafield appears to be on track again.

Sen. Herb Kohl and Rep. Ron Kind, both Wisconsin Democrats, introduced legislation Thursday that would allow the president to award the nation's highest medal to Alonzo Cushing, an artillery officer killed at the battle of Gettysburg.

Just 22 when he was killed during Pickett's Charge, Cushing refused to leave his guns even though severely wounded. The 1st lieutenant was buried beneath a headstone inscribed "faithful until death" at his alma mater, West Point.

In 2010 the secretary of the Army approved the request for a Medal of Honor for Cushing by a group of people who had campaigned for the award since the 1980s. Normally, a recommendation for the Medal of Honor must be made within two to three years of the heroic action, and the medal must be awarded within three to five years.

Because 149 years have passed since Cushing fought for the Union Army, Congress must waive the time limits, which is what the legislation is requesting. If that is done, the president must then approve the nomination.

Dispose of your old medications this weekend

April 26, 2012 11:56 a.m. |  Waukesha County Drug Collection and Awareness will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 28 at various locations throughout the county.

Properly and safely dispose your old medications, ointments, sprays, inhalers, creams, vials, herbals and pet medications. 

Collection locations are:

D.N. Greenwald Center, 240 W. Maple Ave., Mukwonago

Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital, 791 Summit Ave., Oconomowoc (Regional Cancer Center entrance)

Mukwonago man injured in motorcycle accident Wednesday

April 26, 2012 8:29 a.m. |  A 41 year old Mukwonago man was taken to Froedtert Hospital via Flight for Life yesterday after crashing his motorcycling on Green Lane in the Town of Waukesha yesterday. 

The man sustained head and internal injuries. He was found unconscious next to his motorcycle in the tree line approximately 30 feet off of the road. The man was not wearing a helmet at the time. 

The initial investigation indicates the motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Green Lane and lost control in a curve south of Sunset Drive. The motorcycle went down on the roadway, slid across the westbound lane, and came to rest in the tree line. The wet road surface appears to be a factor in the crash.

The incident remains under investigation by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.

Witte named new AHS girls cage coach

April 25, 2012 3:17 p.m. |  Rick  Witte, the top varsity assistant under former coach Heidi Hamilton for the last three seasons at Arrowhead, hasbeen named the new AHS head girls basketball coach. Athletic director Kevin Flegner made the announcement Wednesday.

Witte, 28, the Dean of Students and a math teacher at Arrowhead, will take over his head coaching duties immediately. He met with his team Wednesday afternoon to tell them of the school's decision.

Hamilton resigned as the head coach three weeks ago to spend more time with her family.

Witte is the fifth person to coach the varsity girls team at Arrowhead and sixth head coach overall. Hamilton coached the Warhawks two different times. Other AHS coaches have been Jean Neuser, Pete von Allmen and Ron Reichle.