By Anita Blatnik Correspondent Jim Phillips shared a dream a few years ago with his friends Kathy Lester-Ross and David Ross and, before long, all three Waterford residents started planning for the community’s first hot air Balloon Festival, which launched in 2011. Back then, in the planning stages, no one […]
News
News from throughout Western Racine County.
Toxic field rumors are booted about
By Jason Arndt Correspondent Parks officials are working to quell concerns that the converted Stokely property – now being used for a soccer field – is the former site of a toxic landfill, an issue recently raised online by a citizen of Union Grove. “This was never a toxic landfill […]
Former bank officer sentenced for fraudulent loans at local bank
Kenosha man had brief stint at Fox River State Bank By Ed Nadolski Editor in Chief A former loan officer at Fox River State Bank, Burlington, has been sentenced to 35 months in prison for originating fraudulent loans of more than $1.45 million at the Burlington bank and a credit […]
Meet Burlington’s first family of mailboat jumpers
Local siblings leap at the chance for national exposure By Jennifer Eisenbart Staff Writer Call mailboat jumping a family tradition for the Vogt siblings of Burlington. And call a little national media attention for the Lake Geneva Cruise Line some welcome exposure. Put the two together, and it was a […]
Elementary schools to start, end 5 minutes later next year
By Tracy Ouellette Staff Writer The Waterford Graded School District Board voted unanimously Monday night to adjust the start and end times of the district’s three elementary schools – Evergreen, Woodfield and Trailside. The school day will run from 8:35 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. starting this fall. The move comes […]
Unclear rules on firefighters’ residency need interpretation
By Jason Arndt Correspondent Fire Commission officials remain unclear about the new residency requirements contained in Assembly Bill 40 and will continue to have a “wait and see” approach, according to the report given to the Union Grove Village Board Monday night. The residency requirements indicate that paid on-call firefighters […]
OSHA cites Echo Lake Foods for 27 safety violations
Company struck by Jan. 30 fire faces $150,000 in fines Echo Lake Foods of Burlington has been cited for 27 safety violations carrying possible fines of $150,000 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA announced the citations – which involve two of the company’s area facilities – in […]
Staff cuts eyed to save money in Sanitary District
By Dave Fidlin Correspondent Wheels are turning in such a way that office hours and in-house staffing could be cut in a cost-savings plan discussed last week by Commissioners with the Town of Waterford Sanitary District No. 1. Commissioners did not take any formal action toward reductions at their July […]
City officials waylaid by denial of train horn quiet zone
Relief from horns could be 18 months away as crossing safety is addressed By Jennifer Eisenbart Staff Writer Mayor Bob Miller calls it a “one size fits all” ruling. A handful of area citizens call it reason to ask for City Administrator Kevin Lahner’s head on a platter. Still others […]
Just how invasive are the train horns? Have a listen
While people debate the need for train horns through downtown Burlington – where there hasn’t been a train-vs.-car crash for 30 years – it has become clear not all train operators are on the same page when it comes to the duration of the horn blasts. The required signal for […]