Put some Spring in your step this weekend

May 24, 2013 12:00 a.m. | Put some Spring in your step and enjoy an energetic dance performance this weekend.

At the Oconomowoc Arts Center, 641 E. Forest St., the OPUS 9 Dance Performance will feature community dancers performing contemporary, hip-hop dance pieces, variations from “Swan Lake,” “Don Quixote,” “Raymonda” and “La Fille Mal Gardee.” The performance is 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $16. Call (262) 567-3172 or visit www.oasd.k12.wi.us for more information.

Students will show off all they’ve learned at the Aspire Dance Studio Spring Recital at 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday at Hamilton Fine Arts Center, W220 N4915 Town Line Road, Sussex.  Tickets are $5 to $12. For more information call (414) 732-0178 or www.hamiltonfineartscenter.com

If you’re looking for some unique artistic creations visit the Art & Wares Show on Saturday at Amy’s, S42 W31428 Highway 83, Genesee Depot. Vendors will sell their wares in the parking lot and grassy area.

KM softball team upsets No. 1 seed

May 23, 2013 8:48 p.m. | Kettle Moraine's  girls softball team, seeded eighth in the WIAA sectional, upset No. 1 seeded Mukwonago Thursday afternoon, 2-1. The Lasers had lost twice to Mukwonago during the Classic 8 Conference season.

With the score tied at 1-1, the Lasers scored once in the top of the seventh when Ashley Madsen  delivered a two-out infield single that scored Linley Achtenhagen with the winning run.

Ashley Ausprung stopped the Classic 8 Conference champions on eight hits. She walked just one and struck out four.

KM is now 7-12 on the season. They will play third-seeded Watertown on Tuesday.

Citizens seek to block Milwaukee Street project

May 23, 2013 2:12 p.m. |  City of Delafield - About a dozen residents who live on, or in the vicinity of, Milwaukee Street have notified the city of their intent to seek  legal action blocking the widening of the scenic, tree lined street that winds its way through some of the city's lake shore residential neighborhoods and into the downtown business district.

The neighbors have filed a Notice of Claim contending that the city is failing to comply with its master plan, is violating an ordinance that requires voter approval of public works projects of more than one million dollars, and is adding to storm water pollution of Lake Nagawicka by planning to construct a curb and gutter storm water control system.

City Administrator Tom Hafner said the Notice of Claim has been turned over the city's insurance company whose lawyers are expected to advise the city on whether to reject the claim.

Individuals intending to file legal actions against local governments must first file a Claim of Notice to provide the public body with an opportunity to either settle the dispute out of court or reject the claim. The individuals have the option to file a law suit if the municipality rejects the claim.

City officials are planning on widening the street in order to allow for additional space for pedesterians and bikers and improve storm water run off  as well as traffic safety. Many of the residents living on, or near, the street objected; arguing the project was not necessary and would destroy hundreds of trees.

Congressmen fight for recognition of Delafield's Civil War hero

May 23, 2013 1:53 p.m. | According to a news release from DC, U.S. Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced legislation to posthumously award Lieutenant Alonzo Cushing with the Medal of Honor.

Lt. Cushing, a Wisconsin-born Civil War hero, played a pivotal role in the Union victory at Gettysburg and July 1-3 of this year marks the 150th anniversary of that battle.

A native of Delafield, WI, Cushing is best remembered for his actions on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg when he helped turn the tide during Pickett’s Charge. On July 3, 1863, the third day of battle, Cushing commanded 110 men and six cannons positioned on Cemetery Ridge. They received the full force of Confederate artillery and Pickett’s Charge of 13,000 infantry. In a period of just a few hours, all of his officers had been killed and Cushing himself was wounded though he refused to withdraw from the field. He continued to fight, and sustained two more wounds before finally succumbing to his injuries.

"Lt. Cushing was a courageous leader who gave his life to protect our sovereign nation,” Sensenbrenner said. “This brave soldier from Wisconsin should be awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic service.”

Recommendations for the Medal of Honor must be formally made within two years of the heroic action and awarded within three years. This bill, strongly backed by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, makes it possible to waive this requirement with an act of Congressional approval and the President’s signature.

WCTC fills vacant seats

May 23, 2013 10:09 a.m. | Waukesha County Technical College has announced today that three vacated seats on the district board have been filled.

According to a news release, the seats will be filled by Elizabeth Thelen, Mary Baer and Pauline Jaske. Thelen is filling the expired term for an Additional Member and will serve July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2016. Baer is filling the expired term for an Employee Member and will serve July 1, 2013 –June 30, 2016. Jaske is filling the expired term for an Employer Member and will serve July 1, 2013-June 30, 2016. 

Since 1998, Thelen has been self-employed as a coach/facilitator for Be! Business Growth Consulting. She also serves as the talent and education advisor for The Water Council of Waukesha and served on the Oconomowoc School District Board from 2010 to 2013. Her areas of expertise include employee development, performance management and leadership development. Thelen resides in Ixonia.

Mukwonago selects new Village Administrator

May 23, 2013 2:15 a.m. | The Village of Mukwonago board has appointed John Weidl as Village Administrator.

In a closed session meeting on May 21, the village appointed Weidl who accepted the position and will start his work with the village on July 1.

Weidl is the current Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer/Director of Public Works for the City of Princeton in Princeton, Wis. 

According to his public LinkedIn profile, Weidl began his position in Princeton in January of 2011. Prior to that he worked in the Office of the Administrator in Lake Zurich, Ill.

Weidl's profile also states his education includes a BA in Political Science and European History and an MPA in Urban Management and Development both from Northern Illinois University. Prior to his education, it also states that Weidl was part of the U.S. Air Force and is an Iraqi War veteran.

Lake Country fire talks continue

May 22, 2013 9:10 p.m. |  City of Delafield - Although they had some sharp verbal exchanges tonight, representatives of four Lake Country communities are trying to avoid an impasse in their negotiations to consolidate the City of Oconomowoc Fire Department into Lake Country Fire and Rescue (LCFR)

Representatives from the City of Delafield and the villages of Nashotah and Chenequa who control LCFR balked at a proposal tonight from Mayor Jim Daley of the City of Oconomowoc that the three communities will pay Oconomowoc an annual credit of about $350,000 as part of a formula to fund the proposed consolidated fire department.

Daley argued the credit would help ensure that the city saved money as a result of the consolidation and it would also recognize that in future years ithe city would be paying the largest share of the department's operating  expenses.

He said the credit would be worth it to the communities because of the savings they would experience in their municipal  budgets as a result of the consolidation. The savings would range from about $100,000 for the City of Delafield to about $8,000 for the Village of Chenequa.

Delafield Mayor Ed McAleer said the credit would be politically unacceptable unless it was phased out over a period of years. McAleer noted in future years Oconomowoc would be receiving the most services from the consolidated department because of growth in both residential and commercial developments.

AHS, KM golfers move to sectionals

May 22, 2013 5:56 p.m. | The Arrowhead and Kettle Moraine boys golf teams earned sectional berths Wednesday at two different WIAA Division 1 regional sites. The top four teams from each regional earn sectional berths.

AHS finished second (320) at their own regional at Naga-Waukee. Cedarburg won with a 307 score.

Kettle Moraine grabbed the fourth and final sectional berth at the Waukesha West regional at Morningstar with a score of 323.

Both will play in sectional events next week.

Prairie View holds benefit bake sale tonight

May 22, 2013 4:04 p.m. | Prairie View Elementary is having a Cookie's for Cancer bake sale tonight from 5 to 7 p.m.

The first graders will host the event to support pediatric cancer research in the school's lobby.

DNR board approves acquisition along Oconomowoc River

May 22, 2013 1:01 p.m. | The Natural Resources Board on Wednesday approved, on a 7-0 vote, the purchase of 140 acres in the Town of Erin for land that will become part of the Loew Lake unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

The Department of Natural Resources will buy the parcel with funds from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund. The price: $720,000, which was below appraisals.

The land is owned by Renotta and Robert Thompson and includes 1,275 feet along the Oconomowoc River.

The Journal Sentinel’s Don Behm described the project in a story earlier this week.

Zion collects items for Oklahoma families

May 22, 2013 12:04 p.m. | Zion Episcopal Church in Oconomowoc is collecting donations to send families in Moore, Oklahoma.

Rev. Michael Caldwell said they're accepting all kinds of donations like non-perishable foods, diapers, packing supplies, bottled water, blankets, soaps etc.

You can drop off items at Zion Episcopal, located at 135 Rockwell, from 12-5 p.m. this Sunday, May 26. They are also happy to accept donations outside of those hours and you can call (262) 567-7505 to make arrangements.

The truck with donated goods will drive down on Monday, May 26. 

Brick sale supports Veteran Park improvements

May 22, 2013 11:24 a.m. | City of Oconomowoc -  Members of the Honor and Valor committee that are raising funds to refurbish Veterans Memorial Park will be on hand during and after the City of Oconomowoc's Memorial Day Parade to sell personalized bricks.

A table will be set up in the parking lot of Spinnakers Restaurant on Wisconsin Avenue for the sale.

The bricks can be purchased in honor or memory of a veteran and proceeds from the sale will be used to support the park improvements.

 Brick prices are $125 for a 4×8 brick offering three text lines with 13 per line, or $150 for an 8×8 brick offering six text lines with 13 characters per line. A space is considered a character.

Mukwonago children will have new park this summer

May 21, 2013 10:27 p.m. |  The Village of Mukwonago board review the final plan for a Washington Park development that would place play equipment at the park near the library.

Made possible through the donation of play equipment from Joe and Karen McAdams, the park will feature a play structure as well as a swing set component. 

The Village will have the responsibility of creating a connecting path to the sidewalk, providing chips for the play area, and moving a tree.

The park plans will now officially be set in motion. Chairman of the Health and Recreation committee and supervisor Mike Sellenheim said weather and plans permitting, the park should be complete at the end of July.

KM girls win softball opener

May 21, 2013 9:50 p.m. | Host Kettle Moraine's girls softball team blanked visiting Waukesha South in a WIAA Division 1 regional first-round game Tuesday, 10-0. KM scored nine times in the fifth inning.

KM, seeded eighth, will play against host No. 1 Mukwonago Thursday at 5 p.m.

Ashley Ausprung pitched a three-hitter and struck out four for the Lasers.  Hannah Foltz had two hits and three RBIs for the Lasers and Ashley Madsen and Jordan Fink drove in two runs each.

Board approves relocatable units

May 21, 2013 9:40 p.m. | The Oconomowoc Area School Board voted tonight to purchase two relocatable classroom units to be installed at Meadow View and Ixonia Schools before the start of the 2013-14 school year. The measure will help alleviate capacity issues at the schools.

For more on this story, read the Thursdsay edition of the Oconomowoc Focus.

Weiss, Hawks win softball opener

May 21, 2013 6:34 p.m. | Spurred on by a one-hitter by junior southpaw Noelle Weiss, Arrowhead's girls softball team opened play in the first round of the WIAA Division 1 regional by blanking visiting Wauwatosa West, 3-0. The win vaulted Arrowhead into the regional championship game Thursday against host Menomonee Falls.

Weiss struck out nine, walked two and hit a batter. Only one ball was hit out of the infield against Weiss.

AHS  (10-6) scored once in the second and twice in the third. Abby Kolbow and Kara Olsen had RBIs for the Warhawks and Olsen, batting a team-best .422, had two hits as did Taylor Jacobs.

Big Bend businesses battle construction

May 21, 2013 4:31 p.m. |  Hammer Rehab and Fitness will be hosting a "Road Construction Survival Party" this Friday, May 24 at their facility on Big Bend Drive in Big Bend.

The business plans to have music, food, games and prizes from 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. to foster a postive attitude and give a reason to celebrate despite dramatic and confusing construction in the area.

Look for more information on the party, as well as how other businesses in Big Bend are dealing with the construction in tomorrow's Mukwonago Chief.

Pewaukee Ski Club announces clean water donation

May 21, 2013 2:36 p.m. | The Pewaukee Lake Water Ski Club announced Tuesday that they will be donating $7,000 toward local projects dedicated to improving the area’s waterways.

According to the press release, the three beneficiaries of this donation are the Water Resource Fund, the Wetland Fund and the Water Quality Testing Program. All three programs are administered by the Lake Pewaukee Sanitary District.

“It is with continued support from our sponsors and the community that we are able to be part of the solution toward achieving cleaner and healthier lakes for the community,” said club president Jean Russell.

Last year, the Pewaukee Lake Water Ski Club donated funds to purchase “Eagle Eye” technology. It’s been a successful bird deterrent system that contributed to the decrease in alarming E. coli tests last year, allowing the beach to remain open all summer long.

A ceremony commemorating the event is scheduled for May 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Lakefront Park. The Pewaukee Lake Ski Club will present a ceremonial check to Richard Nowacki, Chairman of the Lake Pewaukee Sanitary District Board of Commissioners. Immediate after the ceremony, the ski club will perform its first show of the 2013 season.

Farmer's Market vouchers for Seniors

May 21, 2013 1:21 p.m. |  Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Inc. (CAC) is again administering the Senior Farmer’s Market Voucher Nutrition Program for Waukesha County.

Seniors must be 60 years of age or older (Native Americans 55 years of age or older) and will need to verify that their monthly income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline. Vouchers are disbursed on a first-come first-served basis and are limited to one pack of vouchers per household. This program will provide seniors with $25 worth of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. 

June 11                        10 – 11am                 Messnor Manor, Menomonee Falls

June 11                        2 – 3 pm                    High Ridge Manor, New Berlin, WI

June 13                        10 – 11 am                 Saratoga Heights, Waukesha

Pewaukee priest resigns over relationship with woman

May 21, 2013 12:40 p.m. | A young priest at a Pewaukee Catholic Church has resigned his duties as a result of a relationship he has had with a woman.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki said in a letter to Catholics Tuesday  that Father Sean O'Connell has stepped down as administrator of Queen of Apostles Parish for failing "to exercise good judgement in a relationship he has had with an adult woman."

"Father Sean will need to address his actions and he will receive assistance in doing so," Listecki said.

No additional information was immediately available about O'Connell or the circumstances involving the relationship.

O'Connell, 32, was ordained in 2009 and has been at Queen of Apostles since 2012.

St. John's Military Academy student leaves country after sexual assault

May 21, 2013 12:16 p.m. | Delafield -- 17-year-old Pablo Gonzalez Carbajal is just now facing serious charges for sexual assault of a child under 16 after attacking another student at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield last year.

According to the criminal complaints, a City of Delafield detective was contacted on June 28, 2012 after a 14-year-old boy, another student, told his family that he had been coerced into performing sexual acts last year.

Court records said the boy felt pressured by the Carbajal and “he did not tell anyone what happened because he was scared of what the defendant would do to him.”

City of Delafield Police Chief Scott Taubel said that the year long investigation has been difficult because Carbajal is a Mexican citizen who has since returned to Mexico City.

“We have made several attempts to contact him but we have not been able to interview him,” Taubel said.

Do you have Lake Country ties to Oklahoma tornado?

May 21, 2013 7:19 a.m. | Do you have Lake Country ties to the tornado in Oklahoma? Know someone who does? We'd like to talk to you. Drop us a line at lakenews@jcpgroup.com or call our newsroom at (262) 367-3272.

Waukesha County Sheriff Detective arrested for OWI Sunday morning

May 20, 2013 9:42 p.m. | Waukesha County Sheriff Dan Trawicki reported Monday evening that early Sunday, a Waukesha County Sheriff's detective was arrested for operating while intoxicated.

The release said the detective was arrested at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday by the Sparta Police Department. It states the detective has served on the Sheriff's Department for 23 years and was off duty at the time of the arrest.

The Sheriff's Department is investigating the matter and the detective has been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of the investigation, the release states.

Delafield debt sold at 1.3% interest

May 20, 2013 8:44 p.m. |  City of Delafield - The UMB Bank of Kansas City, Mo., has agreed to sell about $1.485 million in city debt at an interest rate of 1.3361 per cent.

The Kansas City bank was one of six financial institutions to bid on the selling of $1,477,589 in 10 year general obligation promissory notes. The interest cost will be about $136,500

The other bids ranged from 1.3604 per cent offered by Bankers Bank of Madison to 1.5871 per cent by BOSC, INC, a subsidiary of BOK Financial Corporation of Milwaukee. 

Since the debt is in the form of notes issued at $5,000 increments rather than bonds, the money loaned can be used on a wide range of city projects, according to the city's financial advisor, Philip L. Cosson of Ehlers.

Cosson, who is a senior financial advisor and director at Ehlers, said other municipalities in southeastern Wisconsin have received favorable interests rates on their municipal loans..

Prairie View holds Cookies for Kids’ Cancer bake sale

May 20, 2013 4:00 p.m. | Prairie View Elementary School first graders will hold a Cookies for Kids’ Cancer bake sale on Wednesday, May 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the school lobby, to support pediatric cancer research. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is committed to raising the funds to support research for new and improved therapies for pediatric cancer. 

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a not-for-profit organization committed to raising funds to support research for new and improved therapies for pediatric cancers. Through local bake sales, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer provides the inspiration and support for individuals, communities, and businesses to help fight pediatric cancer. Childhood cancers are the number one disease killer of children - more than asthma, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and pediatric AIDS combined. Nearly 13,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Survivors of childhood cancer face a broad range of physical and psychological challenges imposed by the disease, and some will suffer its long-term effects for the rest of their lives. Despite all these statistics, there has not been a new drug developed specifically for pediatric cancer in 20 years.

Go here to find how you can support Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

OHS girls softball team wins league title

May 19, 2013 5:35 p.m. | The Oconomowoc girls fastpitch softball team captured the outright championship Saturday by winning a Wisconsin Little Ten Conference doubleheader against host Beaver Dam. Cooney won those games by scores of 11-5 and 11-0.

OHS finished the conference season with a 13-1 mark, two games better than Watertown.

The conference championship was the second in school history for the Raccoons and the first in 31 years.

Senior catcher Renate Meckl leads Oconomowoc in hitting with a brilliant .590 batting mark. OHS is 15-4 on the season and they'll host a WIAA Division 1 regional title game on Thursday.

Blue Sox only undefeated LOL West team

May 19, 2013 5:30 p.m. | The surprising Brookfield Blue Sox improved to 3-0 on the season Sunday afternoon by shocking powerful West Bend on the road, 6-5. The Blue Sox are now the only undefeated team in the Land O' Lakes Western Division baseball league.

Other games Sunday saw Oconomowoc edge Lannon in 11 innings, Hartland nip Monches 5-4, Menononee Falls nip North Lake 11-10, Brookfield Bulldogs whip Merton 11-3 and Sussex stun Pewaukee, 12-0.

A full slate of games will be played this coming Saturday and Sunday.

Family pizza business opens in Oconomowoc

May 17, 2013 1:57 p.m. | Eric's Hand Tossed Pizza & Subs recently opened at 1280 Brown St. Owner Eric Hasler, 25, makes it all fresh at his business where you can find him and his brother, mom and even grandfather cooking up fresh pizza and subs on Friday night.
He delivers, too. Hasler said he'll deliver within a 10-mile radius from his Oconomowoc location.

Here's a fresh pizza he made for some hungry reporters who visited his business Friday.

Watch for more in Tuesday's Oconomowoc Focus.

Walmart, Sam's Club stores proposed for Pabst Farms in Oconomowoc

May 17, 2013 1:45 p.m. | A Walmart supermarket and discount store and Sam's Club store are being proposed for Oconomowoc's Pabst Farms site, where city officials had once hoped to see a regional mall developed.

The 151,000 square-foot Walmart supercenter and 136,000 square-foot Sam’s Club would anchor the western portion of the Pabst Farms Town Centre site, north of I-94 and east of Highway 67. That plan was announced Friday by Walmart, property owner and developer Pabst Farms Development Inc., and city officials.

Pabst Farms Town Centre would have approximately 1 million square feet of stores, restaurants and a cinema in an open-air retail center, according to the developer.

Preliminary construction on the Town Centre is expected to begin later this year. No date has been set yet for the construction of the new Walmart and Sam’s Club.

The Town Centre site is already zoned for retail use that includes large-format stores, said Jason Gallo, city planner.

Walk or run for good on Saturday

May 17, 2013 12:00 a.m. | May is filled with so many ways to enjoy the outdoors.

One of the best ways is to get in some exercise and at the same time contribute to a worthy cause.

This Saturday there are lots of runs and walks in Lake Country.

Only the quick and strong will survive the Wisconsin Zombie Mud Run at the Waukesha County Expo Center Grounds. Registration starts at 7 a.m. Go to www.wisconsinzombiemudrun.com for more information.

Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County is having its first 5K Home Run/Walk at Frame Park in Waukesha. The event will help raise funds for building efforts and spread awareness of organization’s mission. Go to www.hfhwaukesha.org for more information.

Waukesha County surgeon indicted; health care fraud alleged

May 16, 2013 6:02 p.m. | A Waukesha County surgeon has been indicted on 13 counts of federal health care fraud.

Cully White, 44, of Pewaukee faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on each count if convicted.

According to the U.S. attorney's office, from November 2010 to October 2011, White recruited another doctor to dictate reports that made it appear the second doctor had conducted "inner-operative nerve monitoring" while White performed surgeries, and paid the second physician $150 for each report. The other physician did not conduct the monitoring, or even have the required training to do so, according to prosecutors.

White then used the reports to submit claims of $265,000 to insurance companies for the nerve monitoring services. White only collected $82,000 on those claims, and paid a total of nearly $15,000 to the second physician, who is not identified in a U.S. attorney's office news release.

White is a doctor of osteopathic medicine. He operates Cully White, Neurosurgery and Spine, S.C., in Milwaukee.

Hartland motorcyclist killed in Tuesday accident

May 16, 2013 11:12 a.m. | A motorcyclist involved in a crash with a Pewaukee squad car Tuesday has died.

Joshua Lang, 27, of Hartland was pronounced dead later that day of injuries sustained in the crash.

At about 9:58 a.m. Tuesday, a Village of Pewaukee police officer was positioning his marked squad car along the side of Highway 16 near Capitol Drive to remove debris (about 10 paver bricks) from the roadway. The squad's emergency lights were activated.

Lang struck the right rear quarter panel of the squad car, which was along the median, and was taken to Froedtert Hospital by Flight for Life.

Village police had previously reported Lang was not wearing a helmet.

Oconomowoc ski hill won't open this season

May 16, 2013 10:15 a.m. | Highlands of Olympia ski hill is not anticipated to open this winter after the managers of the hill said the lifts need $50,000 to $60,000 worth of repairs and upgrades.

The ski hill managers told the property's new owners, Magna LLC, they were willing to make the investment if they could have a 10-year or longer, lease. A Magna spokeswoman said they could not grant that long of a lease.

Read more here.

Mukwonago Community Choir in concert this weekend

May 16, 2013 8:17 a.m. | The Mukwonago Area Community Choir, headed by John Anello III, will present a vocal jazz-pop concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Our Savior's Wesleyan Church, S93 W30580 Highway NN, Mukwonago.

Selections include, among others, "Africa," MoonGlow," "Hawaii Five O," "Take Five," "Moon River," "The Longest Time," "Loves Me Like a Rock," "Over the Rainbow" and more.
There is no admission charge, although donations for the Mukwonago Food Pantry are welcomed and encouraged.

Hirschfeld commits to Wisconsin

May 15, 2013 5:29 p.m. | Arrowhead junior standout defensive end/tackle  Billy Hirschfeld verbally commited to play football at the University of Wisconsin for the 2014 season.

Hirshfeld, 6 foot 6, 266 pounds, was one of the top defensive players in Wisconsin High School football last season when the Warhawks won the WIAA Division 1 state championship.

He was recruited by many prominent Division 1 programs the past year.

Mukwonago holds hazardous waste collection this Saturday

May 15, 2013 3:56 p.m. |  The Village of Mukwonago will be holding a special one-day collection of household hazardous waste open to any Waukesha County resident on Saturday, May 18^th from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The collection will take place at the Village Public Works Garage at 630 Hwy NN.

Old, unusable chemicals, pesticides, wood preservatives, solvents, oil-based paints, and mercury-containing products will be accepted. Latex paint and non-hazardous cleaning materials will not be accepted.

For more information, including a detailed list of acceptable household hazardous waste materials, visitwww.waukeshacounty.gov/hazardouswaste or call 262-896-8300.

This program is funded by Waukesha County and Veolia Environmental Services in partnership with the local municipalities. Proof of residency is required at all locations at all times.

Siergiej resigns at Arrowhead

May 15, 2013 3:21 p.m. | Successful Arrowhead girls hockey caoch Jinelle Siergiej resigned from that position earlier today. She's moving on to coach at Robert Morris University.

Siergiej turned the fortunes of the AHS girls program around in just a couple of seasons.

The school will post an opening for the coaching position today.

Dine out to support disaster relief

May 15, 2013 2:35 p.m. | Two area restaurants are among the eateries participating in the Dine for Disaster throughout Eastern Wisconsin on Thursday, May 16.

They are Emperor's Kitchen, Inc., 3149 Golf Road in Delafield and Hartland Inn, 110 Cottonwood Ave. in Hartland.

Participants will donate a portion of sales to benefit their local American Red Cross disaster relief and community disaster prevention and education.

While the Red Cross responds to big disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes each year, the most frequent threat people face is a fire in their own home. Disaster Action Team workers respond to an emergency every nine minutes around the United States. Locally, it was nearly 500 last year.

During a disaster, Red Cross provides a place to sleep, warm meals, clothing, emotional support and hope. Through community support, Red Cross offers individuals and families basic emergency needs to recovery guidance.

Donate at North Prairie blood drive

May 15, 2013 2:18 p.m. | A Red Cross North Prairie Community blood drive will be held at Highview Evangelical Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, S50W33042 Town Rd GE (located on the corner of Highway E and GE, about one mile north of North Prairie) on Thursday, May 30 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.  

Donors who donate blood between May 23 and 31 could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards. 

For an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit the website. 

High winds, rain hit Lake Country

May 14, 2013 9:01 p.m. | Wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour and rain hit the Hartland area at 8:51 p.m. Tuesday. There were some power outages in the Hartland area.

The area along I-94 in Delafield got heavier rain than in Hartland. High winds were also reported in Delafield and south of Delafield.

Law office will renovate building in downtown Mukwonago

May 14, 2013 4:03 p.m. | Jeffrey Nichols of downtown-Milwaukee-based Crivello Carlson has purchased 114 Main Street in downtown Mukwonago and is investing in the building in an effort to help revitalize the downtown community.

Nichols is most well-known in the Mukwonago community for his work representing the two people challenging the Mukwonago Indians nickname. 

See more in tomorrow's Chief. 

Highway 16 has been reopened

May 14, 2013 2:55 p.m. | All lanes of traffic have been reopened on Highway 16 in Pewaukee.

The road had been closed because of a serious motorcycle/squad car accident this morning.

Hy. 16 near Pewaukee closed

May 14, 2013 12:38 p.m. | Eastbound Highway 16 at Ryan Road in Pewaukee has been closed since about 11:45 a.m. due to an accident. One motorcyle could be seen laying in the right lane just short of the Ryan Road bridge in Pewaukee.

Westbound lanes were open. The road was still closed as of 12:36 p.m.

Eastbound traffic was being routed off of Highway 16 at Jungbluth Road about one mile west of the crash site. Heavy delays could be seen on Highway JJ going into Pewaukee.

T-shirt sale helps support Special Olympics

May 14, 2013 12:17 p.m. |  Help support Special Olympics.  The 2013 Law Enforcement Torch Run shirts are available for purchase at the Village Hall in Wales. Shirts are $15 and can be purchased by cash or check (payable to Special Olympics) and will be available until May 28. 

Kettle Moraine High School nationally certified for PLTW

May 14, 2013 12:02 p.m. |  Kettle Moraine High School announces that it has received national certification for its Project Lead The Way (PLTW) program.  PLTW, a nonprofit organization and the nation’s leading provider of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education programs, offers a rigorous world-class curriculum that allows students to apply what they are learning in math and science class to real-life biomedical science projects. PLTW also prides itself on high-quality professional development of its teachers and an engaged network of business, community and university partners to give students the fullest experience.

The national PLTW recognition program distinguishes Kettle Moraine High School for successfully demonstrating a commitment to PLTW’s national standards. Additionally, certification as a PLTW school provides students with the opportunity to apply for college credit or receive college-level recognition at PLTW affiliate universities when they successfully complete select PLTW coursework. PLTW has more than 40 affiliate college and university partners.

Read more in this week's Kettle Moraine Index.

Oconomowoc couple charged with home break-in

May 14, 2013 11:54 a.m. | An Oconomowoc man and woman were charged Friday with allegedly breaking into the Brookfield home of a family friend in May 2012 and stealing approximately $3,300 wortth of electronics. The woman told police that her boyfriend had stolen the items without her knowledge and they tried to break back in to return them.

Calvin G. Rolbiecki Dobson, 30, and Natasha Harland, 19, were each charged on May 10 in Waukesha County Circuit Court with burglary of a building or dwelling, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of more than 12 years in prison, $25,000 in fines, or both.

Several bench warrants had been issued for Harland in Waukesha and Jefferson County for failing to appear in court on various misdemeanor and felony charges, including drug-related offenses.

According to the criminal complaint:

City of Brookfield Police officers were dispatched to 17130 West Burleigh Place on May 29, 2012 after receiving reports of a burglary.

Click it or Ticket campaign starts May 20

May 14, 2013 11:07 a.m. | Big Bend Police will be teaming up with other area law enforcement during the state-wide Click it or Ticket it campaign  from May 20 to June 2 .  

Additional patrols will be instituted during this period in an effort to enhance driver safety through the seat belt laws according to Big Bend Police Chief Michael Hartert.

Westbound 16 reopens

May 14, 2013 10:53 a.m. | Westbound Highway 16 in Pewaukee has been reopened now that Flight for Life has left the scene of a motorcycle/squad car crash between Main Street and Capitol Drive.

Eastbound lanes, where the crash took place, remains closed.

Merton celebrates student writers at Concert Night

May 14, 2013 10:48 a.m. | Talented young writers from Merton School were let loose on May 7 at Camp Whitcomb for the 13th annual Writer’s Round-Up, an opportunity for students to let nature inspire them and learn about the publishing business from local artists.

The stories, plays, poems and various other artworks created at Camp Whitcomb will be featured at a “Concert Night” scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 29. The best pieces of writing will be read by students and a book with the collected works will be published and presented to participants.

The Writer’s Round Up was first envisioned by retired gifted and talented curriculum coordinator Roger Thorson in the 2000-01 school year. Sixth grade teacher Mary Susa said each grade K-6 teacher chooses a student who will spend a day finding inspiration in a non-school setting.

“Typically, we are looking at a kid who is strong academically, who could afford a day away, and who has exhibited a strong writing ability,” she said.

Students met with local author JoAnne Kaminski and illustrator Renee Love on May 7 to discuss the process of taking an idea and turning it into a published work. Kaminski is a former Milwaukee Public School teacher who has published several children’s books, as well as books on teaching and student reading. Renee Love is an illustrator for the Love of Books Publishing company.

Flight on way to Pewaukee crash

May 14, 2013 10:13 a.m. | Flight for Life is on the way to a crash on eastbound Highway 16 near Main Street in Pewaukee.

A motorcyclist hit the back of a squad car. Traffic will be diverted for a time while the victim is tended to and the accident scene cleaned up.