Stimulating job growth

Reeling from one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, Racine County recently received a Federal grant which officials are hopeful will result in a decline in the number of residents who are out of work. Last month the Racine County Workforce development Center learned that it would be on the receiving end of more than $560,000 in Federal stimulus funds that are being filtered to the department through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Monday, August 23, 2010

Local man killed in motorcycle crash

Union Grove resident Donald J. White, 57, was killed in a motorcycle crash Sunday at the intersection of Highway 45 and Highway K in the Town of Bristol. The crash, which occurred at 2:30 p.m., involved a pick-up truck driven by Marilyn M. Crum, 58, of Bristol. Monday, August 23, 2010

UGHS student in court on drug charge

A Union Grove High School student was charged in Racine County Circuit Court with a drug offense after allegedly providing medication to a student who later suffered an overdose. Kevin A. Dorn, 17, was charged Tuesday with one count of manufacturing/delivering schedule IV drugs. Sunday, August 22, 2010

Bleeding red

Despite the department of Veterans Affairs reallocating more than $21 million in funds from its successful home for veterans in King to the financially ailing facility in Union Grove, the facility located along the Wisconsin Southern Center grounds continues to bleed red. The financial drag which the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove continues to have on the agency has put both centers at risk, as an audit conducted by the state Legislative Audit Bureau has determined that projected losses at both homes during the next two years could lead to the eventual depletion of the surplus funds that have kept them operating. Saturday, August 21, 2010

$1.7 million UGHS spending proposal outlined

With less than a month remaining before voters will decide the political fate of a $1.7 million referendum, Union Grove Administrator Al Mollerskov is ready to make his public pitch. Mollerskov, along with other officials from Union Grove High School, are scheduled to host a presentation outlining the planned improvements to both the athletic fields and science labs at the school. Friday, August 20, 2010

Union Grove resident seeks to unseat Lehman

Union Grove resident Bob Gulan recently entered the political arena, hoping to end Sen. John Lehman's tenure as the 21st District representative. Gulan, who will be running as a Republican candidate, blames Lehman and other Democrats such as Gov. Jim Doyle for the situation the state currently finds itself in. Saturday, August 14, 2010

Six-figure sum coming Raymond's way

The Towns of Norway and Raymond are both expected to receive financial compensation in the form of a six-figure sum resulting from the expansion of a landfill in Milwaukee County. Under an agreement recently reached between Waste Management and the Waste Facility Siting Committee comprised of members from several communities, Waste Management would be allowed to expand the Metro landfill it operates and - in exchange - share some of the tipping fees by nearby affected communities. Saturday, August 14, 2010

A class act

The Union Grove High School Class of 1939 met for a very special reunion last Saturday in Union Grove. You see, it's not too often classmates are still getting together 71 years after graduation. Joann Kesser of Crossville, Tenn., and her husband Charlie, enjoy making the yearly trip to Union Grove for the reunion. "It's a day I really look forward to," Joann said. Friday, August 13, 2010

First Banking Center examines its options

Continued losses due to loan defaults combined with the challenge of raising capital in a poor economy could force Burlington-based First Banking Center to sell a majority interest to new investors or be acquired by another financial institution, according to CEO Brantly Chappell. He said the first of those options is preferred and most likely, but he couldn't rule out a sale to another bank if sufficient capital can't be raised. Monday, August 09, 2010

OSHA fines CPI $721,000

A Burlington company whose employee spent several hours trapped inside a grain bin back in February is the target of a six-figure fine proposed by the U.S. department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on Wednesday. The agency, which investigated the accident at Cooperative Plus Inc. back on Feb. 9 that led to Phil Adsit, 60, of East Troy being trapped in a silo of soybeans, alleges the company failed to take the necessary safety precautions that could have prevented the near tragedy from playing out. Sunday, August 08, 2010

Local man charged for fight at fair

A Burlington man is facing several felony and misdemeanor charges after an alleged marijuana binge and attempted theft at the Racine County Fair Saturday. Jordan Parker, 19, is facing felony charges of marijuana possession as a repeat offender as well as misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia, battery and theft. If convicted of all charges, he could face more than five years in jail and fines up to $31,500. Saturday, August 07, 2010

High on her hogs

When Missy Kempken entered the arena to sell her two hogs at the Racine County Fair Livestock Auction last Saturday, the bids immediately started flying and the crowd began to clap in unison - there was electricity in the air. While her hogs weren't champions, the tremendous support was for their owner - a special young lady who is fighting cancer. Friday, August 06, 2010

Racine County Fair a resounding success

This year's Racine County Fair closed out in fine fashion, as officials said it proved to be a banner year for the long-running event. While final numbers were still unavailable as of Tuesday night, Fair Director Ron Christensen said it's expected that more than 80,000 people passed through the turnstiles of the fair during its five-day run. Thursday, August 05, 2010

County Fair kickoff is Wednesday

The wait for revelers both old and young is only a few days away as the Racine County Fair is scheduled to kick off in fine fashion beginning Wednesday, July 28. The annual event, which will take place on the fair ground property along Highway 11 in Union Grove, will feature a multitude of contests, demonstrations and animals on parade during its five-day run. Sunday, July 25, 2010

Waterford teen charged in Union grove burglary

A 17-year-old Waterford High School student was charged in Racine County Circuit Court Tuesday in connection with a burglary he allegedly committed back in May against a Union Grove business. Brady W. Gibney was charged with one count of burglary to a building and one count of criminal damage to property. Saturday, July 24, 2010

Dover Police Department disbanded

With the writing clearly on the wall following the results of last week's recall election, all members of the Dover Police Department immediately resigned from their posts. That action was a foreshadowing of things to come as the a grass-roots group opposed to the formation of the department declared a political victory July 13 by sweeping two members of the current town board out of office. Friday, July 23, 2010

Yorkville Church welcomes new pastor

The Rev. Sue Leih has been appointed as pastor at Yorkville United Methodist Church. Friday, July 16, 2010

Welcome to the great outdoors

Since the statewide smoking ban took effect on July 5, local restaurant and bar owners have received mixed reactions. Friday, July 16, 2010

Upset in Dover

The Town of Dover recall election results came in late Tuesday evening and the news was not favorable to Town Chairman Ray Gromacki or First Supervisor Mario Denoto. Friday, July 16, 2010

Booze still flows from to underage drinkers

Attempts to crack down on alcohol sales to underage people throughout Racine County still prove a daunting task - especially in Burlington - if recent results from compliance checks are any indication. During the checks conducted through a coordinated effort between Focus on Community, the Racine County Youth Coalition and local law enforcement agencies, 15 out of 96 establishment's countywide sold alcoholic beverages to underage people who were recruited to help with the project. Wednesday, June 30, 2010