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Kenosha County Social Worker Honored With Hillcrest School’s Courage to Care Award

KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha County social worker who has spent years helping at-risk youth navigate challenges in school and life was recognized Thursday with a prestigious award celebrating compassion, advocacy, and service. Cheyenne Richards, a case manager with the Kenosha County Division of Children and Family Services’ Youth Justice Services Unit, received Hillcrest School’s 2026 Courage to Care Award during the school’s commencement and awards ceremony. Richards has served for the past four years as the Division of Children and Family Services liaison to Hillcrest School, a Kenosha Unified School District program serving middle and high school students who have experienced difficulties in traditional educational settings. Her role places her at the intersection of education, youth justice, and family support, helping students overcome obstacles and build pathways toward success.

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Carthage Employee Accused of Grooming Student Voluntarily Surrenders Wisconsin Counselor Licenses

Conner Olsen – Career Specialist for Undeclared and Engineering Science Students KENOSHA, Wis. — Connor David Olsen, a current employee of Carthage College who previously resigned from Westosha Central High School in lieu of termination after allegations that he groomed a student, has voluntarily surrendered his Wisconsin school counselor licenses, according to newly discovered state records. According to Carthage College’s website, Olsen remains employed by the college. While educators sometimes voluntarily surrender licenses for reasons unrelated to misconduct, such surrenders frequently occur in connection with disciplinary investigations or negotiated resolutions with regulators. In Olsen’s case, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction opened an investigation after receiving information related to the allegations that led to his departure from Westosha Central. Carthage officials have previously declined to answer questions from Kenosha County

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Police, K-9s, and Drone Deployed During Overnight Hunt for Allegedly Armed Suspect in Kenosha Neighborhood

Kenosha Police Looking for Armed Individual Saturday Morning(Photo by BC) KENOSHA, Wis. — A large overnight police operation involving a perimeter, a foot search, and numerous officers shut down portions of a residential neighborhood near 75th Street and 30th Avenue early Saturday morning as police searched for an allegedly armed suspect. Kenosha Police Looking for Armed Individual Saturday Morning(Photo by BC) Residents reported seeing a heavy police presence in the area, along with police dogs, a drone overhead, and multiple streets blocked off while officers searched for the suspect. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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75th Street Sewer Project Delayed; Completion Date Pushed Back After Whitecaps Residents Raise Concerns

KENOSHA, Wis. — A sanitary sewer project that prompted the closure of the intersection of 75th Street and 96th Avenue has been delayed, with city officials now saying the work will continue beyond its originally announced completion date. On May 5, the City of Kenosha announced that the intersection of 75th Street and 96th Avenue would close beginning May 18 as part of sanitary sewer lining work taking place along 75th Street between 99th Avenue and 94th Avenue. At the time, city officials said the closure was expected to last approximately three weeks. However, residents of the Whitecaps neighborhood have recently expressed frustration over what they describe as lengthy traffic restrictions despite little visible construction activity. In emails to city officials, residents questioned why portions of the roadway remained closed

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Carthage Employee Accused of Grooming Student Voluntarily Surrenders Wisconsin Counselor Licenses

Conner Olsen – Career Specialist for Undeclared and Engineering Science Students KENOSHA, Wis. — Connor David Olsen, a current employee of Carthage College who previously resigned from Westosha Central High School in lieu of termination after allegations that he groomed a student, has voluntarily surrendered his Wisconsin school counselor licenses, according to newly discovered state records. According to Carthage College’s website, Olsen remains employed by the college. While educators sometimes voluntarily surrender licenses for reasons unrelated to misconduct, such surrenders frequently occur in connection with disciplinary investigations or negotiated resolutions with regulators. In Olsen’s case, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction opened an investigation after receiving information related to the allegations that led to his departure from Westosha Central. Carthage officials have previously declined to answer questions from Kenosha County

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Police, K-9s, and Drone Deployed During Overnight Hunt for Allegedly Armed Suspect in Kenosha Neighborhood

Kenosha Police Looking for Armed Individual Saturday Morning(Photo by BC) KENOSHA, Wis. — A large overnight police operation involving a perimeter, a foot search, and numerous officers shut down portions of a residential neighborhood near 75th Street and 30th Avenue early Saturday morning as police searched for an allegedly armed suspect. Kenosha Police Looking for Armed Individual Saturday Morning(Photo by BC) Residents reported seeing a heavy police presence in the area, along with police dogs, a drone overhead, and multiple streets blocked off while officers searched for the suspect. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Family Loses Home, Business, and Three Pets in Devastating Salem Lakes House Fire

SALEM LAKES, Wis. — A Salem Lakes family lost their home, a family business, and three beloved pets Saturday morning after a fast-moving fire tore through a residence on Shorewood Drive, prompting a large multi-agency response and a Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) activation, a regional mutual-aid network that allows fire departments to quickly summon personnel and equipment from neighboring communities. Firefighters were dispatched to 7718 Shorewood Drive shortly after 5:15 a.m. for a reported structure fire. Initial reports indicated a dog and two cats were still inside the home and that smoke and flames were visible from the residence. According to scanner traffic, a deputy initially reported smoke coming from the home. Minutes later, firefighters reported smoke and flames showing from the structure and upgraded the response. At

Standing-Room-Only Crowd Packs Stella Ballroom as Beller and Gonzalez Face Tough Questions, While Empty Zoerner Chair Looms Over Sheriff’s Forum

KENOSHA, Wis. — Nearly 200 people packed the gorgeous ballroom at The Stella Hotel & Ballroom Thursday night for the Kenosha County Sheriff Republican Primary Forum hosted by Kenosha County Eye. About 150 chairs had been set up for the event, but that was not enough. For much of the night, the forum was standing room only, with residents lining the walls and standing in the back of the room while more than 10,000 additional viewers watched online across multiple platforms. The elephant in the room was not just Sheriff David Zoerner’s absence. It was the empty chair on stage with his name tag in front of it. While Capt. James Beller of the Kenosha Police Department and Capt. Tony Gonzalez of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office answered tough questions

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Tremper Technology Education Teacher Placed on Leave After Reports of School Bus Crash; District Says No Students Were Injured

Casey Cushman – Teacher, Tremper High School KENOSHA, Wis. — Tremper High School Technology Education teacher Casey Cushman was placed on administrative leave Friday after Kenosha Unified School District officials were confronted with multiple reports alleging that he was involved in a crash involving a school bus. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Accused 7th-Offense Drunk Driver Held on $25,000 Cash Bail After Allegedly Ramming State Trooper’s Squad Car Multiple Times

Keith A. Stich, 54, of Bristol(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — In a surprise move that caught the attention of courthouse insiders, Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Michael “No Money” Masnica on Friday ordered a $25,000 cash bail for Keith A. Stich, a 54-year-old Bristol man accused of his seventh OWI offense, fleeing police, ramming a Wisconsin State Patrol squad car multiple times, and recklessly endangering a state trooper. Several court insiders told Kenosha County Eye they were surprised Masnica imposed what they considered a relatively high cash bail, given his reputation for routinely setting significantly lower bonds. However, those same insiders said they did not believe the bail was high enough considering the allegations that Stich repeatedly rammed a squad car, endangered law enforcement officers and other motorists,

“SMILE, THIS IS A ROBBERY, I HAVE A GUN”: Judge Iverson Approves Generous Plea Deal for Kenosha Bank Robber Who Could Serve Less Than a Year

KENOSHA, Wis. — Despite being accused of threatening a Chase Bank teller’s life during a robbery by passing a note that warned, “THE BANKS MONEY IS INSURED, YOUR LIFE ISN’T,” Oscar Giovan Fonseca, 27, received what many Kenosha County residents view as a generous plea deal Friday after Assistant District Attorney Sarah Norkus agreed to a reduced charge and Heather Iverson imposed a sentence that could result in him serving less than a year behind bars. While the victim may live with the emotional consequences of the robbery for the rest of her life, Fonseca’s sentence includes eligibility for programs that could substantially reduce the time he actually spends in prison. The case stemmed from a June 4, 2025 robbery at Chase Bank, 2901 Washington Road, where prosecutors alleged Fonseca

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Kenosha Man Previously Sentenced to Prison for OWI Causing Injury Charged in Fifth-Offense Drunk Driving Case; Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Michael “No Money” Masnica Sets $5,000 Cash Bail

William E. Boyd Jr., 60, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — William E. Boyd Jr., 60, of Kenosha, was charged Friday with felony operating while intoxicated as a fifth or sixth offense after police allegedly found him sitting behind the wheel of a running vehicle with a preliminary breath test result of 0.26, more than three times Wisconsin’s legal limit. Despite Boyd’s extensive history of drunk-driving convictions, including a prior Kenosha County conviction for OWI causing injury that resulted in a prison sentence, Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Michael “No Money” Masnica set cash bail at just $5,000 Friday, a decision critics say underscores how lightly the commissioner treats repeat drunk drivers. William E. Boyd Jr., 60, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to

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Man Accused of Threatening to Kill Police Officers and Eat Their Faces Released on $500 Cash Bail by Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Michael “No Money” Masnica

Zachary T. Morrison, 35, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 35-year-old Kenosha man accused of threatening to kill police officers and eat their faces was released on a $500 cash bond Friday after appearing before Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Michael “No Money” Masnica. Prosecutors had requested a $3,000 cash bond. The bail amount underscores Masnica’s soft stance on crime against police officers. Zachary T. Morrison, 35, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Twin Lakes Man Charged With Felony After Admitting He Had Electrical Work Done But Couldn’t Pay Contractor

Brett T. Hartley, 62, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — A 62-year-old Twin Lakes man is facing a felony charge after police say he hired a contractor to perform electrical work at his home and then admitted he did not have the money to pay for the completed job. Brett T. Hartley, 62, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Kenosha Man Charged After Allegedly Beating Family Dog and Threatening Brother While Out on Two Bonds

Demar D. Hill, 23, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) A 23-year-old Kenosha man is facing three new criminal charges after police say he beat a family dog, threatened his younger brother, and committed the offenses while already out on bond in two separate misdemeanor cases. Demar D. Hill, 23, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Armed Robbery, Robbery, and Strangulation Allegations Rejected as DA Declines Charges Against Two Kenosha Residents

Russ H. Dion, 42, and Vanessa Catherine Olle, 32, both of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Russ H. Dion, 42, and Vanessa Catherine Olle, 32, were both arrested by the Kenosha Police Department on serious felony allegations, including armed robbery, robbery with use of force, and strangulation, but prosecutors declined every one of those charges. The only criminal case filed is a misdemeanor disorderly conduct-domestic abuse charge against Dion arising from a separate June 4 incident involving his roommate. Catherine Olle Russ H. Dion You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Kenosha Woman Accused of Tossing Fully Automatic Glock From Car During Police Chase; Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun Sets $15,000 Cash Bail

Wykesicia Detashia Scott, 35, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 35-year-old Kenosha woman is facing two felony charges after prosecutors allege she threw a modified fully automatic Glock pistol from the passenger window of a fleeing vehicle during a police pursuit through a residential neighborhood. Wykesicia Detashia Scott, 35, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Children Allegedly Warned Mom She Was “Drinking and Driving” Before Crash; Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun Grants No-Cash Bail in OWI Case

Elizabeth R. Estrada, 35, of Salem(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Salem woman whose own children allegedly warned her she was “drinking and driving” before she crashed into another vehicle was released on a $2,500 no-cash bail Thursday by Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun. Elizabeth R. Estrada, 35, of Salem(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Felony Retail Theft Charge Filed Against Kenosha Man After Kohl’s Theft Caught on Camera

KENOSHA, Wis. — Prosecutors have charged Raymond A. Cole III, 50, of Kenosha with felony retail theft after investigators say he stole more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from Kohl’s and was identified through surveillance footage, facial recognition technology, store rewards records, and a distinctive tiger tattoo on his forearm. No initial appearance had been scheduled as of Thursday afternoon. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Man Accused of Jabbing Longtime Partner With Cane, Calling Her ‘Bitch’; Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey ‘Low-Bail’ Braun Orders No-Cash Bail

Joseph J. Perroni, 61, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — Joseph J. Perroni, 61, of Racine, was charged Thursday with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct, both as acts of domestic abuse, after authorities say he repeatedly jabbed his longtime partner with a cane, shook her awake by the head, and threw coffee at her during a disturbance in Somers. Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun ordered a no-cash bail Thursday despite prosecutors requesting cash bail. Joseph J. Perroni, 61, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Children in Vehicle Confirmed Punch to Mother’s Face, Illinois Man Charged in Domestic Abuse Case

Marquis L. Coleman, 36, of Gurnee, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Marquis L. Coleman, 36, of Gurnee, Illinois, was charged Thursday with domestic abuse-related offenses after prosecutors say he punched the mother of his child in the face during an argument while she was driving through Kenosha. During his initial appearance, Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun set a $650 cash bail, which Coleman later posted. Marquis L. Coleman, 36, of Gurnee, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Gun Found in Mercedes Leads to Additional Charge Against Kenosha Man Accused of OWI 3rd

Peter L. Debartelo, 58, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Peter L. “Debartolo” Debartelo, 58, of Kenosha, appeared Thursday before Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun and was charged with third-offense operating while intoxicated and carrying a concealed weapon after police allegedly found a Glock handgun in the center console of his vehicle following a crash. Braun set a $500 cash bail and imposed several conditions, including no alcohol or controlled substances without a prescription and no contact with three individuals. A victim addressed the court before bail was set. Peter L. Debartelo, 58, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Roadwork Season Continues: Major Projects Underway on Washington Road and 18th Street

KENOSHA, Wis. — Drivers in Kenosha will encounter traffic changes and construction activity at two locations beginning this week as the City of Kenosha moves forward with roadway improvement projects on Washington Road and 18th Street. The City announced Thursday that the final phase of a Wisconsin Department of Transportation construction project at the intersection of 30th Avenue and Washington Road is now underway. As part of the work, traffic has been shifted to the inside lanes while outside lanes are closed so crews can complete restoration work, remaining sidewalk construction, and retaining wall adjustments. The revised traffic pattern also restores left-turn movements in all directions at the busy intersection, a change expected to improve traffic flow while the final work is completed. City officials said the project is anticipated

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Illinois Man Told Police SUV Wasn’t His — Until Key Fob in His Pocket Unlocked It; Charged With Obstruction After Alleged High-Speed Chase

Kian Anthony Torres, 22, of Waukegan, Illinois(Lake County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Kian Anthony Torres, 22, of Waukegan, Illinois, a man with two prior aggravated unlawful weapon convictions in Lake County, Illinois, is facing criminal charges after Kenosha police say he fled from a vehicle during an attempted traffic stop, denied the SUV was his, and was later found carrying the key fob that unlocked it. Kian Torres Kian Torres Kian Torres You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Lance Middle School Raises Nearly $47,000 for Make-A-Wish Through Student-Led Fundraiser

KENOSHA, Wis. — Students at Lance Middle School raised nearly $47,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation through a school-wide walk-a-thon held Thursday, demonstrating a commitment to community service and student leadership. The event took place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lance Middle School, 4515 80th St., and marked the culmination of months of fundraising efforts by students, staff, families and community supporters. According to the school, this year’s campaign generated $46,933 to help grant wishes for children facing critical illnesses. Lance Middle School hosts a charitable walk-a-thon every three years. The beneficiary is chosen through a student-led process that requires students to research charitable organizations, prepare presentations and participate in a school-wide vote. This year, students selected the Make-A-Wish Foundation as the organization they wanted to support. School officials

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Silver Lake Man Accused of Violating Injunction Twice; Ex-Wife Tells Police He Bought Armored Truck to ‘Scare’ Her

Aaron M. Merrill, 41, of Silver Lake(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Aaron M. Merrill, 41, of Silver Lake, has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of knowingly violating a domestic abuse injunction after prosecutors allege he repeatedly contacted his ex-wife despite a court order prohibiting any communication. The woman also told investigators Merrill purchased a Brinks armored vehicle and had told mutual acquaintances he bought it to “scare” her. Aaron M. Merrill, 41, of Silver Lake(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Free Summer Concert Series Returns to Kenosha With Dozens of Performances Planned

KENOSHA, Wis. — Music fans will have no shortage of entertainment options this summer as the City of Kenosha announced the return of both its popular Peanut Butter & Jam concert series and the Tuesdays at the Shell concert series, offering free live performances throughout July and August. The Peanut Butter & Jam series will celebrate its 23rd season beginning July 9 at Veterans Memorial Park and Navy Memorial Park along Kenosha’s lakefront. Presented by the City of Kenosha and Happenings Magazine, the weekly concerts will feature daytime solo, duo and trio performances beginning at 11:30 a.m. and full-band performances starting at 6 p.m. The season opens with “Icons of Country,” a tribute show featuring the music of Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert. Other evening headliners scheduled throughout

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