Rescue Crews at Lake Michigan

Rescue crews are on the scene near the Kenosha Lighthouse on reports of people in the water. This is a rescue effort but no further details are avaliable.

Crew Respond to Pedestrian Struck by Train in Racine

By: Emily Jacobs - WLIP - 06/13/13

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a train in Racine County on Wednesday. According to police, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene by the Racine County medical examiner. The crash took place at Old Spring Street and Stuart Road just before noon. The train came to a stop shortly after the incident and shut down both roadways during the initial investigation. The victim’s name was not available Wednesday, pending the investigation and proper notification of family members.

Police Who Identify Man in Crash

A Kenosha man who died after crashing his vehicle Tuesday morning has been identified. 28-year-old Ryan Sturkol was stopped by police in the 53-hundred block of 30^th Avenue around 2 a.m. During that stop, Sturkol allegedly fled the scene at a high rate of speed and lost control of his vehicle. He struck a traffic light and a utility pole at the intersection of 30th Avenue and Roosevelt Road, before crashing into a yard. Sturkol was freed from the vehicle and taken to a Kenosha hospital, where he later passed away.

Four More Charges for the Whites

The couple accused of starving horses and other animals at their Kenosha County farm were charged with four more counts of animal mistreatment.  The charges were filed against David White and Paula Moctezuma-White at their preliminary hearing Wednesday morning. Investigation into the situation at the farm continues, and more charges could come later.

Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery

A Kenosha man accused of robbing a TCF Bank in December pled guilty to robbery charges on Wednesday. With his conviction, 27-year-old Michael Smith could serve up to 25 years in prison and 15 years supervision. He is due back in court later this summer. The getaway driver, 19-year-old Garry Climmons Jr., also of Kenosha, requested more time to talk to his attorney before entering a plea. He is next due in court in July.

Overnight Closure on I-94

A bridge installation at Rawson Avenue will close Interstate 94 fully in both directions this weekend. The closure is scheduled to run from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday. It will affect the southbound lanes at Rawson Avenue and the northbound lanes at the Racine-Milwaukee county line. Traffic in both directions will follow a detour route involving 27th Street.

“Catholic Alternative” to Boy Scouts

Now that the Boy Scouts of America have voted to allow openly gay scouts, at least one Catholic Church in Kenosha is hoping to give young boys another option. Father Dwight Campbell at St. Therese said there have been discussions about launching a new scout-like group called the "Catholic Scouts of St. George." According to Campbell, it’s a work in progress. The program would be similar to the Boy Scouts of America, but with a more Catholic focus.

Driver Killed in Tuesday Morning Crash

A 28-year-old Kenosha man died after fleeing from police and crashing his vehicle Tuesday morning. The man fled the scene of a traffic stop in the 5300 block of 30th Avenue at a high rate of speed. The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, then struck a traffic light, a utility pole, and then traveled through several residential yards before stopping. The victim’s name was not available Tuesday, pending the investigation and proper notification of family members.

Teen Gets Prison for Mob Beating of Cops

By: Emily Jacobs - WLIP - 06/12/13

A Kenosha teenager will spend 18 months in prison for his role in the mob beating of two undercover police officers. 17-year-old Keshawn Jenkins was the first of three teenagers charged in the August attack, which left two officers with minor injuries. Two co-defendants charged as adults await their fate; a fourth boy charged as a juvenile was sent to detention for his role in the attack.

Couple in Horse Case Due in Court Today

The Kenosha couple accused of mistreating animals at their Pleasant Prairie farm is due in court this morning on two separate charges. In one case, the village is requesting that David White and Paula Moctezuma-White begin paying for upkeep, or give up ownership of the animals. A second civil case today orders the Whites to fix hazards on their property. Both White and Moctezuma-White face 18 months in prison, if convicted.

Wirch Does Not Like Budget

(Madison)--State Senator Bob Wirch says he’s not a fan of the proposed state budget that the Joint Finance Committee passed last week. Wirch also says he upset that many of the items in the budget were passed by an all night committee session. Wirch says he sees budget items like voucher school expansion and changing residency requirements as measures that expand big government and take control away from local municipalities. Wirch and his fellow Democrats have been very vocal against the budget largely put together by Republican majorities in the Assembly and State Senate. 

Gordmon’s on Track to Open @ Former Target

A new department store making its way to Kenosha is now taking applications, with its doors expected to open in July. Gordmans is a Nebraska-based retailer that is now making their first push into southeastern Wisconsin. According to a company spokesman, roughly 100 employees will be hired for the Kenosha store. The Kenosha location will occupy one of two spaces in the former Target store, in Southport Plaza, off Green Bay Road. The Kenosha location is set to open July 25, with a grand opening celebration in August.

KUSD Summer Meal Program Begins Monday

The Kenosha Unified School District will offer meals to children during the summer starting Monday at 10 sites throughout the city. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. It provides food when “free and reduced-price” school meals are typically unavailable. According to KUSD spokeswoman, Tanya Ruder, free meals are available to anyone under the age of 18.

Simmons Field Contract Headed to Council

Higher-than-expected bids are forcing Kenosha's new baseball franchise to cover additional expenses in the Simmons Field renovation. The City Council will vote next week on a contract agreement with Camosy Construction to complete work on the stadium, including new dugouts and a decorative concrete field wall. The team, which is to begin play next year, will cover a-quarter-million-dollars in other stadium improvements, plus another $80,000 for lights and seating.

Loretta Pollock Gives Kidney to her Uncle

By: Emily Jacobs - WLIP - 06/11/13

The investigation continues in the death of a young woman who was killed while walking along Interstate-94 on Friday. State police are awaiting toxicology reports for 24-year-old Loretta Pollock, whose vehicle was later found in a retention pond nearby. In her passing, Loretta unknowingly gave life to someone she loves. Her kidney went to an uncle who was on a donor waiting list. A celebration of her life is planned for this weekend in Kenosha.