Council supports limiting aldermanic directives of city workers
The Kenosha City Council supported a measure tonight barring aldermen from leaving the chain of command when making requests of city employees.
Aldermen voted 13-3 in favor of the resolution by Alderman Patrick Juliana, directing aldermen to take most of their requests to the mayor, the city administrator, department directors, superintendents or directors of divisions or their respective designees. Supporters said it would address an intimidation factor between aldermen and workers, while detractors argued it would affect their ability to represent their constituents.
For more on this story, check later at kenoshanews.com and see Tuesday's Kenosha News.
Red Wings beat Blackhawks, 3-1
The Detroit Red Wings scored two goals within a minute of each other in the second period and held on to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 in Game 3 of their playoff series.
Detroit leads the best-of-seven series 2-1 with Game 4 Thursday in Detroit.
Update: Oklahoma tornado death toll rises to 51
MOORE, Okla. (AP) - The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office says a growing death toll from a massive tornado that struck outside Oklahoma City this afternoon now stands at 51. Spokeswoman Amy Elliott says the death toll is again expected to rise. Elliott says children are among those killed by the storm.
Severe thunderstorm watch issued
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for 20 counties in southern Wisconsin, including Kenosha County.
The watch is in effect until 3 a.m. Tuesday.
Tornado kills 37 in Oklahoma
MOORE, Okla. (AP) - A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs today, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 37 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.
The storm laid waste to scores of buildings in Moore, south of the city. Block after block of the community lay in ruins. Homes were crushed into piles of broken wood. Cars and trucks were left crumpled on the roadside.
Bradford baseball beats rival Tremper
The Bradford baseball team defeated host Tremper, 5-2, in a Southeast Conference game on Monday.
Answer to History Mystery coming soon
Just where was the Lamb School in Kenosha County? For the answer to that wooly History Mystery question, plus a full story, check kenoshanews.com later today or read the Kenosha News tomorrow.
Update: Children rescued from rubble of Oklahoma school
MOORE, Okla. (AP) - Several children have been pulled out of the rubble alive at a school in an Oklahoma City suburb.
An Associated Press photographer saw several children being pulled out of what was left of the Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla., today after a massive tornado hit the region.
Report: Increase in poor children in Wisconsin schools
MADISON (AP) - The percentage of children in Wisconsin public schools who come from families poor enough to receive free and reduced-priced lunches has increased for the ninth year in a row.
The state Department of Public Instruction reported Monday that 43.2 percent of children in public schools are on the programs, up from 42.5 percent the previous year. There are nearly 359,000 students in Wisconsin in the programs.
Chicago police restrain protesters
CHICAGO (AP) - Police in downtown Chicago took several people into custody who were protesting the planned closing of several schools.
Police put plastic wrist ties on protesters Monday afternoon at Chicago City Hall and led them away. The protesters were delivering petitions with thousands of signatures opposing Chicago Public Schools planned closings. They then blocked elevator access at City Hall and chanted against Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Update: Monstrous Oklahoma tornado had winds up to 200 mph
MOORE, Okla. (AP) - A monstrous tornado as much as a mile wide with winds up to 200 mph roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs today, flattening entire neighborhoods, setting buildings on fire and landing a direct blow on an elementary school.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths, but the storm laid waste to scores of buildings in Moore, south of the city. Block after block of the community lay in ruins, with heaps of debris piled up where homes used to be. Cars and trucks were left crumpled on the roadside.
Kenosha real estate sales continue to improve, but prices fall
Real estate sales in Kenosha County are up strongly over last year, but the median sales price continue to decline. According to data from the Wisconsin Realtors Association, home sales in the county have increased nearly 22 percent through April, compared with the same time last year. While sales increased, prices fell here while increasing in the region and statewide. In the county, the median sale price in the first four months of the year was $100,000, a 9 percent decline compared to the same period last year.
Tornado hits elementary school in Oklahoma
MOORE, Okla. (AP) - Authorities say an elementary school in an Oklahoma City suburb took a direct hit from a mile-wide tornado.
Gary Knight with the Oklahoma City Police Department says there is no word of injuries from the elementary school. Knight says the school suffered "extensive damage" this afternoon. He did not say which school was hit.
Work requirement would reduce state food stamp recipients
MADISON (AP) - A proposed work requirement for food stamp recipients in Wisconsin is projected to knock half of the people off the program.
Gov. Scott Walker's proposal is scheduled to be voted on Tuesday by the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee.
Judge reduces jury award in retaliation case
A federal judge ordered a Kenosha man to accept a $1.35 million reduction of the $1.8 million jurors awarded him or retry part of his retaliation case against the Department of Veterans Affairs.
District Judge William Conley ruled last week that $1.5 million in punitive damages and $300,000 compensatory damages jurors awarded Gary Wistrom last September was excessive compared to similar cases.
Two groups benefit from Randall School's fundraising efforts
Staff members put their hair on the line as an incentive for Randall School students to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Students from the classrooms that raised the most money in the Pennies for Patients Project lopped off the locks of fourth-grade teacher Renee Sproul and pre-kindergarten aide Susie Rogness today. The school raised more than $2,900 for the cause.
More on this story at kenoshanews.com and in tomorrow's Kenosha News.
Attorney facing 5th OWI lands new charge for drinking
An attorney charged with drunken driving has been unable to abstain from alcohol, police say, racking up five bail jumping cases after being caught drinking when he had been ordered to abstain.
Charles Labanowsky, 62, was initially arrested April 30, 2012, after police said he was drunk when his car jumped a curb. He was charged with his fifth drunken-driving offense after that. The bail jumping case filed against him last week was the fourth since his 2012 arrest.
Conditions of his release from jail included that he not drink any alcohol. He is currently under a deadline of June 3 to decide whether to accept a plea deal the District Attorney's Office has offered him; if he does not accept by then, he will be heading to trial. In court today, he said he had not yet had time to contact the attorney representing him on the prior cases, and asked for two more days to line up representation.
Read more later at www.kenoshanews.com or in Tuesday's Kenosha News.
Man dies after fall from back door of party bus in Ellsworth
ELLSWORTH, Wis. (AP) - A River Falls man has died after falling out of the back of a party bus.
Police say 23-year-old Joel Velure fell out of the back door of the bus on Saturday in Ellsworth and was pronounced dead at the scene. The death remains under investigation.
New approach to local EMS training shows success
A joint effort between three community entities has seen success in a new approach to a traditional emergency medical service training program.
Students this year have been exposed to the new training process organized by leaders from the Kenosha Fire Department, Gateway Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Kenosha Fire Department's Division Chief of EMS Jim Poltrock said in the past, Gateway had its students complete their field time with the department, but there was little organization and consistency to the process. The new approach to the program now assigns students to work with a specific EMS preceptor in order to establish a relationship and better develop their skills and evaluate students more accurately.
For more information, go to kenoshanews.com later today or see tomorrow's Kenosha News.
I-94 resurfacing extends to KR
Beginning today, I-94 from Highway 142 to Highway KR will be resurfaced.
As part of the I-94 North-South Freeway Project, I-94 will be resurfaced from WIS 142 to Highway KR in Kenosha County.
I-94 will be restricted to 2 lanes in each direction during the day and 1 lane in each direction overnight.
These lane restrictions will extend the existing Highway 50 - Highway 142 work zone north to Highway KR.
The lane closures are expected to last until early July.
All I-94 EAST (southbound) lanes will be open between 12 p.m. on Friday until 6 a.m. on Tuesday for the Memorial Day holiday.
Today's Weekday Report is up at kenoshanews.com
Take a look to find out more on our top stories, including the potential purchase of two buildings by Kenosha County and HarborMarket moving back outdoors.
Trial begins for man accused of strangling Trevor woman at Illinois Burger King
Jury selection began today for the murder trial of James Ealy, accused of killing a Trevor woman seven years ago.
Mary Hutchison was beaten and strangled in the Nov. 27, 2006 attack. She was the manager of a Burger King in Lindenhurst, Ill. She was found stabbed and strangled with her uniform's bow tie. Police arrested Ealy, a former employee of the store, and charged him with her murder.
Alligator captured after running loose in Kenosha
An alligator was found loose in Kenosha late Sunday night and was captured.
A Kenosha resident reported seeing a large lizard in the 4600 block of 19th Place around 11 p.m. on Sunday, according to Kenosha police reports. Officers found the alligator in a ditch line along 47th Avenue south of 19th Place.
It was captured on scene and held in a crate before it was transported to the Racine Zoo. Zoo staff identified the reptile as an American alligator, approximately 4 to 7 years old. It measured around 3 feet long and was approximately 20 pounds.
For more information, go to kenoshanews.com later today or see tomorrow's Kenosha News.
GOP move gives state more control on construction
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Democrats say a move to standardize erosion control rules for commercial construction sites is simply another Republican effort to take away local authorities' power.
The Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee added the provision to the state budget last week. It would keep local governments from enacting ordinances that are stricter than rules enforced by the state Department of Natural Resources. Democratic Rep. Cory Mason, of Racine, told the Wisconsin State Journal that the provision caters to corporate interests by letting the state set standards as low as possible. Mason also says it would prevent communities from offering developers incentives to encourage green development. Republicans, however, say the measure would save cities money because they won't have to set up their own standards.
Gasoline price rise
Average retail gasoline prices in Wisconsin have risen 13.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.92/gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 3,112 gas outlets in Wisconsin.
This compares with the national average that has increased 8.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.67/gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.
Latest Video
Web Only Content
Latest Gas Prices
| Area Gas Prices provided by GasBuddy.com |