Disaster Relief Available for Kenosha Residents

By: Emily Jacobs - WLIP - 05/17/13

Small companies and private nonprofit organizations in Kenosha County affected by recent flooding are eligible to apply for disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Applicants may seek up to $2 million-dollars for home repairs, replacement of household items and the cost of temporary housing.Applicants may apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 10, 2014.

Click it or Ticket Campaign

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Departmentwill kick off their annual Click It or Ticket campaign from May 20 to June 2. Approximately 400 law enforcement agencies throughout the state are expected to participate in this year’s operation. The effort is a joint project with the transportation department.  Now through Police will be watching for seat-belt violators, as well as people driving while impaired. 

Register Now for Job Fair

People looking for a job in southeastern Wisconsin have until Friday to register for a job fair set for next week. The Southeast Wisconsin Career Expo will take place Wednesday at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha. The event is free and runs from noon to 4 p.m. Job seekers must complete a one-on-one counseling, develop a professional cover letter and resume and complete other pre-screening activities. Registration and other event information is available at http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/

Gateway Approves Budget

The Gateway District Board approved a $160 million 2013-14 system budget on Thursday. Estimated property taxes for a home in the Gateway district, which includes Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties, will increase about 1 percent. 

Ryan Defends Flex Time Bill

(Kenosha)--Congressman Paul Ryan says that a bill passed in the House will not do away with overtime or time and a half. Ryan says the measure will allow workers to get overtime if they choose or be able to take that time off at a later date. Ryan told WLIP that union contracts have contained that measure for years. The bill, HR 1406, passed 223-104. It’s unclear if the democratically controlled Senate will pass the bill. 

Walker Adds 60-Thousand+ Jobs

Gov. Scott Walker's administration reports that Wisconsin generated more than 62,000 private sector jobs over the first two years of his term, less than a quarter of the quarter-million he promised to create by 2015. The Department of Workforce Development released the numbers, which can't be compared to other states until June. Walker has been releasing the figures before they are published officially on June 27^th by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Rescued Reptiles in Good Condition

By: Emily Jacobs - WLIP - 05/16/13

Reptiles removed from a Kenosha home on Tuesday are in surprisingly good condition. The Racine Zoo assisted the Kenosha Police Department in collecting a number of exotic animals from a vacant residence in the 14-hundred block of 53^rd street. Among the animals taken from the site were five rattlesnakes, two large American alligators, a snapping turtle and a Gila monster. To make a donation to help the Zoo care for these animals, visit racinezoo.org/cash-donations

Beth on Drunk Driving

(Kenosha)--Sheriff David Beth said he could support changing legal blood alcohol level from point zero-eight to point zero-five. He told WLIP’s Happenings Q and A that it could save lives. Beth said that he also supports increased penalties for drunk driving.  The National Traffic Safety Board recommended the change this week saying it would put the U.S. in line with other industrialized nations. 

Home Invasion was Targeted

Police believe two Kenosha men shot during a home invasion were targets. The two men, age 22 and 24, were shot numerous times in the 45-hundred block of 29th Ave. According to police, the victims were in the home when two male suspects came in and opened fire. The victims were alive and giving information to police.  No information is currently available about the suspects. 

Man Shot While Fleeing Armed Robbery

In a separate shooting incident, a 45-year-old Louisiana man was shot in Kenosha early Tuesday morning. The victim said he was walking near the 5400 block of 16th Avenue around 1 a.m. when a man approached him with a handgun. As the victim ran away, he was shot in his lower rear, but his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. The Kenosha Police Department is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Kenosha Area Crime Stoppers at 656-7333.

Park and Ride is Gaining Momentum

Plans to develop a 1.7-million-dollar park-and-ride facility at Prairie Springs Park are gaining momentum. Village officials are hosting a public open house meeting from 4:30 to 6 p.m. tonight at the Wruck Beach Pavilion, off Lake Andrea. Kenosha residents will have a chance to learn more about the project, ask questions and offer input.

Alligators Found at Kenosha Home

By: Emily Jacobs - WLIP - 05/15/13

Police discovered both dead and living reptiles at a Kenosha residence on Monday. The Kenosha Police Department was called to the 14-hundred block off 53rd St. for a possible animal cruelty complaint, when found numerous, and potentially dangerous, exotic animals. Inside, officers found a live Gila monster, crocodile, snakes, alligators and a snapping turtle.  The Racine Zoo will care for the animals as long as it can, but the court will ultimately decide their fate. No charges have yet been filed as the investigation continues.

Plans for Majestic Warehouse Approved

Plans were approved Monday night for a California company to build a massive warehouse in Pleasant Prairie. The Majestic Badger Logistic Center would be constructed on approximately 87.5 acres of land east of 88th Avenue (Highway H) and south of Bain Station Road. The facility has been designed to accommodate up to four occupants. Approximately 25 percent of the site will remain open to green space. Though no defined users of the facility have been announced, Majestic plans to begin construction later this summer.

Kenosha Man Charged in Death of Girlfriend

A Kenosha man is being charged with homicide for the death of his girlfriend. 44-year-old Michael Murphy appeared on court on Tuesday for the murder of Sheila Quillin.  According to police, Quillin was found unconscious in the basement of Murphy’s home, back in September. She passed away four days later at a Milwaukee hospital, and according to an autopsy, she died of a traumatic head injury.Murphy will next appear in court May 23 for a preliminary hearing.

Fatal Train VS. Car Accident in Racine County

The driver of a car struck by an Amtrak passenger train on Tuesday has died. Racine police say the crash took place at the Kraut Road crossing in Franksville. Family members say the victim was 29-year-old Ben Glaeser. He was allegedly suffering from depression and other mental illness and family members believe he parked his car on the tracks to commit suicide. There were no injuries to passengers on the train, and the investigation is ongoing.