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Secret Salem Lakes Facebook Group Packed With Elected Officials Raises Open Meetings Law Concerns

SALEM LAKES, Wis. — A private Facebook group packed with Salem Lakes elected officials and other prominent government figures was created by James Beinecke and his wife, Margaret Beinecke, two well-known local internet trolls who routinely ridicule people with whom they disagree online. James Beinecke, whom Kenosha County Eye previously profiled in January as part of its “Internet Troll” series, started the private “Salem Lakes Community Voice” group to encourage “shit-talking.” The page has since grown to approximately 234 members and still includes a majority of the Salem Lakes Village Board. Four of the six current Village Board members are in the group, including Village President Rita Bucur and Trustees Angela Brooks, James Woodke and Dennis Faber. Before Trustee Amanda Procknow resigned, five of the seven Village Board members were

56-Year-Old Woman Killed In Pedestrian Crash At Washington Road And 30th Avenue

KENOSHA, Wis. — A 56-year-old woman was killed Friday after being struck by a vehicle near Washington Road and 30th Avenue in Kenosha, according to Kenosha Police Capt. Leo Viola. Viola told Kenosha County Eye the woman was a pedestrian and that police do not currently suspect criminality in connection with the crash. Police radio traffic reviewed by KCE showed a significant police presence at the scene. At one point, an officer directed someone to the car wash at Washington Road and 30th Avenue to retrieve tents being used at the scene. Later radio traffic referenced officers clearing from the accident. The available radio traffic does not identify the woman, the driver or the vehicle involved, and additional details about exactly how the crash occurred were not immediately available. Police

Kenosha Jury Unanimously Acquits Former KUSD Bus Driver Of All Charges In Child Sexual Assault Case

KENOSHA, Wis. — A 12-member Kenosha County jury unanimously found Peter E. Johnson III, 45, of Kenosha, not guilty Thursday of all four felony charges against him following a two-day jury trial before Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Heather Iverson. Assistant District Attorney Sarah Norkus prosecuted the case, with Assistant District Attorney Ben Woolley also appearing for the state during the trial, while Johnson was represented by Assistant State Public Defender Zebulon Patek. Johnson, who had worked as a Kenosha Unified School District bus driver through First Student, had been accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting two children over a period of several years. Johnson was charged in November 2025 with two counts of repeated sexual assault of the same child and two counts of child enticement involving sexual contact. The

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‘I’ve Been Waiting For A Nig*er Like You’: Kenosha Woman Allegedly Armed With 6-Foot PVC Pipe, Husband Charged In Road-Rage Beating

John Michael Angotti, 44 and Tanya Nicole Angotti, 45, Both of Kenosha(facebook.com) KENOSHA, Wis. — Tanya Nicole Angotti, 45, and her husband, John Michael Angotti, 44, both of Kenosha, have been charged in connection with an alleged road-rage attack in which prosecutors say Tanya Angotti got out of a vehicle armed with a white PVC pipe measuring four to six feet long before she, her husband and her minor son surrounded and beat another driver. Prosecutors also allege Angotti had moments earlier yelled a racial slur and told the man, “I’ve been waiting for a nigger like you.” Tanya Angotti, who has also been known as Tanya N. Schneeberger, Tanya Williams and Tanya N. Angotti, and John Angotti are each charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct. John Michael Angotti,

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Journey Church Defends Former Pastor Kevin Taylor Through Legal Counsel As Judge Knocks Mills Explicit-Photo Felonies Down To Misdemeanors

Gabriel E. Mills, 43, of Kenosha in Court Being Re-Arrested(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — Journey Church’s Board of Deacons is defending former Lead Pastor Kevin Taylor’s handling of the Gabriel Mills criminal investigation, telling Kenosha County Eye through legal counsel that Taylor “was not free to disclose” what the Board characterized as privileged pastoral communications. But body-worn camera footage from the investigation shows Taylor telling Kenosha Police that he “would choose not to disclose” the information after saying church attorneys had advised him that he did not have to. Mills was a Journey Church pastor who was criminally charged after police alleged he sent himself explicit photographs from multiple women’s phones without their consent. His criminal cases remain ongoing, although Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge

Kenosha Jury Unanimously Acquits Former KUSD Bus Driver Of All Charges In Child Sexual Assault Case

KENOSHA, Wis. — A 12-member Kenosha County jury unanimously found Peter E. Johnson III, 45, of Kenosha, not guilty Thursday of all four felony charges against him following a two-day jury trial before Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Heather Iverson. Assistant District Attorney Sarah Norkus prosecuted the case, with Assistant District Attorney Ben Woolley also appearing for the state during the trial, while Johnson was represented by Assistant State Public Defender Zebulon Patek. Johnson, who had worked as a Kenosha Unified School District bus driver through First Student, had been accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting two children over a period of several years. Johnson was charged in November 2025 with two counts of repeated sexual assault of the same child and two counts of child enticement involving sexual contact. The

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‘I’ve Been Waiting For A Nig*er Like You’: Kenosha Woman Allegedly Armed With 6-Foot PVC Pipe, Husband Charged In Road-Rage Beating

John Michael Angotti, 44 and Tanya Nicole Angotti, 45, Both of Kenosha(facebook.com) KENOSHA, Wis. — Tanya Nicole Angotti, 45, and her husband, John Michael Angotti, 44, both of Kenosha, have been charged in connection with an alleged road-rage attack in which prosecutors say Tanya Angotti got out of a vehicle armed with a white PVC pipe measuring four to six feet long before she, her husband and her minor son surrounded and beat another driver. Prosecutors also allege Angotti had moments earlier yelled a racial slur and told the man, “I’ve been waiting for a nigger like you.” Tanya Angotti, who has also been known as Tanya N. Schneeberger, Tanya Williams and Tanya N. Angotti, and John Angotti are each charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct. John Michael Angotti,

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Kenosha Man Accused Of Drunkenly Crashing Into Barbershop, Injuring Passenger And Fleeing; Passenger Charged With Xanax Possession

KENOSHA, Wis. — Elijah M. Smith, 23, of Kenosha, is facing criminal charges after prosecutors say he drunkenly drove at a high rate of speed, lost control while attempting a sharp turn and slammed his car into Kenz Smooth Cuts before running from the scene, leaving an injured passenger behind. Nathaniel R. Presterl, 25, of Kenosha, who police say was riding in the front passenger seat, was separately charged after officers allegedly found Xanax in his pockets. Smith was ordered held on a $750 cash bail Friday by Supplemental Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum, while Presterl was released on a no-cash bail. Elijah M. Smith Nathaniel R. Presterl You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Salem Lakes Man Accused Of Violating Domestic Abuse No-Contact Order Hours After Release, Found Hiding In Bushes; Now Wanted After Missing Court

Brandon Wayne Smith, 25, of Salem Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SALEM LAKES, Wis. — Brandon Wayne Smith, 25, of Salem Lakes, is charged with disorderly conduct as an act of domestic abuse and contact after a domestic abuse arrest after prosecutors say he returned near the home of a woman protected by a mandatory 72-hour contact prohibition only hours after being released from jail. Deputies allegedly found Smith hiding in bushes near the residence early Thursday morning. Smith was scheduled to make his initial appearance Friday afternoon before Supplemental Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum, but he failed to appear. Kellum authorized a warrant for Smith’s arrest and set cash bail at $500, ordering that Smith must post the bail or be held for court. Court records also indicate previously posted

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Kenosha Man Accused Of Stealing Breast Pump, Lactation Supplies From Target Before Running From Security

Thomas M. Degroot, 50, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A 50-year-old Kenosha man is facing a misdemeanor retail theft charge after police say he stole a breast pump and other lactation supplies from the Pleasant Prairie Target before running from store security. Thomas M. Degroot, 50, of Kenosha, was charged Friday with misdemeanor retail theft, intentionally taking merchandise worth $500 or less. Court records show Degroot previously posted $200 cash bail on Aug. 18. His initial appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 1 p.m. before Supplemental Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum. Thomas M. Degroot, 50, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP: “Catch & Release” Kellum Gives No-Cash Bail AGAIN To Woman Now Facing More Than 77 Years, 12 Felony Bail-Jumping Charges In Six Cases

Users KENOSHA, Wis. — At this point, Kenosha County residents could be forgiven for wondering whether someone is playing a joke on them. Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum certainly appears determined to live up to his nickname. One week after Krystyna M. Rogers, 36, of Kenosha, allegedly picked up four new felony bail-jumping charges within hours of Kellum releasing her without requiring a penny, Rogers is back with yet another criminal case, two more felony bail-jumping charges and maximum incarceration exposure that has now ballooned to 77 years and three months. Rogers is now facing 16 open criminal charges across six cases, including 12 felony bail-jumping counts. Kellum’s response Friday? No-cash bail. Again. The latest case was filed Friday and charges Rogers with two more counts

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Admitted Child Predator Who Abused Girl From Age 6 Pleads Guilty, Back In Custody And Faces Up To 40 Years In Prison

Greg R. Douma, 59, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Greg R. Douma, 59, of Kenosha, is back behind bars after pleading guilty Thursday morning to repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl whose account indicated the abuse began when she was just 6 or 7 years old and continued for years. Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Heather Iverson accepted Douma’s guilty plea, found him guilty, revoked his bail and immediately ordered him taken into custody. Greg R. Douma, 59, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Secret Salem Lakes Facebook Group Packed With Elected Officials Raises Open Meetings Law Concerns

SALEM LAKES, Wis. — A private Facebook group packed with Salem Lakes elected officials and other prominent government figures was created by James Beinecke and his wife, Margaret Beinecke, two well-known local internet trolls who routinely ridicule people with whom they disagree online. James Beinecke, whom Kenosha County Eye previously profiled in January as part of its “Internet Troll” series, started the private “Salem Lakes Community Voice” group to encourage “shit-talking.” The page has since grown to approximately 234 members and still includes a majority of the Salem Lakes Village Board. Four of the six current Village Board members are in the group, including Village President Rita Bucur and Trustees Angela Brooks, James Woodke and Dennis Faber. Before Trustee Amanda Procknow resigned, five of the seven Village Board members were

New Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge David Hughes Celebrates Investiture In Historic Ceremonial Courtroom

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge David O. Hughes formally celebrated his investiture Thursday afternoon during a 4:15 p.m. ceremony in the newly restored Ceremonial Courtroom at the Kenosha County Courthouse, surrounded by family, fellow judges, attorneys, elected officials and members of the community. Hughes began serving earlier this year after Gov. Tony Evers appointed him to succeed retired Branch 4 Judge Anthony Milisauskas. Although Hughes has been on the bench since January, he intentionally delayed his ceremonial investiture until restoration work on the historic courtroom was completed over the summer. “Hosting an investiture in September after an appointment in January seems like a little bit of an odd choice,” Hughes told those gathered. “But I cut my teeth and I spent my earliest time practicing in this

New Randall District Administrator Pledges Transparency, Accountability And Focus On District Finances

BURLINGTON, Wis. — Randall Consolidated School J1’s new District Administrator, Dr. Jeffrey Fleig, says transparency, accountability, organizational culture and responsible financial stewardship will be among his top priorities as he takes over leadership of the western Kenosha County school district. Fleig comes to Randall with more than 30 years in public education and nearly three decades in school administration, having served as a middle school assistant principal, high school associate principal, middle school principal, high school principal and superintendent. Most recently, Fleig spent four years as Superintendent of the Fond du Lac School District. Fleig says that during his tenure there, the district’s statewide ranking improved from 375th to 205th, an improvement he credits to developing stronger systems, empowering staff and improving student outcomes and employee engagement. After retiring from

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson To Headline UW-Parkside 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Friday

SOMERS, Wis. — Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson will headline a September 11 remembrance ceremony Friday at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, marking 25 years since the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. The “Remembrance Remarks” ceremony, organized by Parkside Student Government, will begin at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the entrance to the UW-Parkside Student Center. Organizers are inviting students, faculty, staff and members of the public to attend the event under the theme, “Honor. Remember. Unite.” Thompson To Deliver Keynote AddressThompson, who served as Wisconsin’s governor from 1987 to 2001, will serve as the keynote speaker. He later served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush and was president of the University

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Kenosha Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Girl As Young As 5, Held On $75,000 Cash Bail

Miguel Medrano, 23, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Miguel Medrano, 23, of Kenosha, was charged Thursday with first-degree child sexual assault involving a child under 13 and resisting an officer after prosecutors alleged he repeatedly sexually assaulted a girl who was as young as 5 while staying overnight at her family’s home. Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum set Medrano’s bail at only $75,000 cash during an initial appearance Thursday afternoon. The alleged victim asked the court for a high cash bail and for Medrano to have no contact with her or her children. Miguel Medrano, 23, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Hope Council Marks National Recovery Month As Two Kenosha Women Celebrate 25 Combined Years Of Recovery

KENOSHA, Wis. — Alderman Dominic Ruffalo presented Hope Council Executive Director Michelle Sandberg with a City of Kenosha proclamation Aug. 25 recognizing September 2026 as National Recovery Month, as the local organization highlighted two women whose recovery journeys now total 25 years. Hope Council thanked Ruffalo, Mayor David Bogdala and members of the Kenosha Common Council for recognizing recovery efforts in the community. Sandberg’s title and spelling are confirmed by Hope Council, which lists her as its executive director. Hope Council employees Susan Benning and Shelly Becker are both celebrating major milestones this year. Benning recently marked 15 years in recovery, dating back to Aug. 24, 2011, while Becker marked 10 years, beginning Aug. 27, 2016. Benning said reaching 15 years is proof that long-term recovery is possible and that

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Second Juvenile Charged As Adult In Threats To Kill Kenosha Police Officer; 16-Year-Old Also Accused Of Firing Gun Near Children

Sherman Marquise Howard Jr., 16, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Sherman Marquise Howard Jr., 16, of Kenosha, became the second juvenile charged as an adult in connection with alleged threats to kill a Kenosha Police officer. Howard was also charged in a separate case accusing him of firing a handgun near children during a July 4 gathering. Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum set only $5,000 cash bail in the threat case and $30,000 cash bail in the shooting case Thursday, for a combined $35,000. Sherman Howard Jr. Sherman Howard Jr. Justin J. Sumeland Jr., 17, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) The charges come less than three weeks after prosecutors charged Justin J. Sumeland Jr., 17, of Kenosha, with threatening to cause bodily harm to a person involved

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Man Charged With Exposing Himself, Masturbating In Front Of 17-Year-Old Dollar General Employee

Nehemiah RJ Carr, 21, of Mount Pleasant(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Nehemiah RJ Carr, 21, of Mount Pleasant, was charged Wednesday with a felony after prosecutors say he walked through a Kenosha Dollar General with his genitals exposed and masturbated while staring at a 17-year-old employee. Carr is charged with exposing genitals to a child, a Class I felony; lewd and lascivious behavior; and disorderly conduct. Nehemiah RJ Carr, 21, of Mount Pleasant(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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“I Did Not Drink And Drive; I Just Drank”: Twin Lakes Man Accused Of Drinking At Bar, Carrying Marijuana While Out On Felony Bond

Joseph R. Schwarz, 59, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — Joseph R. Schwarz, 59, of Twin Lakes, was charged Thursday with three counts of felony bail jumping, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia after Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputies allegedly found him drinking at a Twin Lakes bar while under felony bond conditions. Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum set only a $1,000 cash bail during Schwarz’s initial appearance Thursday. Joseph R. Schwarz, 59, 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 Woman Charged With 3rd OWI After Allegedly Running Red Light, Nearly Causing Crash

Allyson J. Jacobs, 49, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Allyson J. Jacobs, 49, of Kenosha, was charged Thursday with third-offense operating while intoxicated after police say she ran a solid red light and caused two drivers to brake to avoid a collision. Liberal activist supplemental court commissioner Daniel E. Kellum gave Jacobs a no-cash bail Thursday afternoon. Allyson J. Jacobs, 49, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Kenosha Woman Charged After Allegedly Pulling, Sparking Taser Near Reuther High School

Holly M. Daniel, 18, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Holly M. Daniel, 18, of Kenosha, was charged Wednesday with carrying a concealed weapon after police say she pulled out and sparked a taser during an incident involving students near Reuther High School. Daniel was 17 when the alleged incident occurred. Holly M. Daniel, 18, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

“You Don’t Need To Listen And Obey The Mayor”: Residents Again Flood Kenosha City Council To Oppose Microsoft Data Center

KENOSHA, Wis. — For months, Kenosha-area residents have packed government meetings to deliver essentially the same message about Microsoft’s proposed hyperscale data center: slow it down, study the consequences and, in many cases, stop it altogether. That message continued Wednesday night at the Kenosha Common Council meeting, which was held at 7 p.m. Wednesday instead of the council’s usual Monday meeting date because of the holiday. The official agenda listed citizen comments, and the meeting transcript shows 31 speakers had signed up. The council ultimately had to extend the normal 60-minute citizen-comment period by another 30 minutes so the remaining speakers could be heard. The handwritten signup sheets show that the overwhelming majority of those appearing listed the data center as their subject. A handful spoke about other matters, including

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Trevor Woman Accused Of Drunkenly Storming Former Boyfriend’s Apartment, Trying To Take His 7-Year-Old Daughter

Traci L. Buccieri, 43, of Trevor(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Traci L. Buccieri, 43, of Trevor, was charged Wednesday with criminal trespass as domestic abuse, misdemeanor battery, and two counts of disorderly conduct after authorities say she caused a disturbance at the Riverside Inn, entered her former boyfriend’s apartment without permission and attempted to take his 7-year-old daughter. Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum continued Buccieri’s $1,000 cash bail, which had already been posted, and ordered her to have no contact with several people involved or the Riverside Inn/Tavern. Traci L. Buccieri Traci L. Buccieri You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Kenosha Man Accused Of Threatening To Shoot Cops, Trying To Grab Officer’s Gun; Also Charged In $14,000 Property-Damage Spree

Clayton Tyler Carpenter, 33, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Clayton Tyler Carpenter, 33, of Kenosha, is facing nine new criminal charges in two felony cases after prosecutors say he threatened to shoot police officers, lunged toward an officer’s gun, injured another officer while resisting arrest and admitted damaging thousands of dollars worth of property. Liberal activist supplemental court commissioner Daniel E. Kellum set only $5,000 cash bail in the police-confrontation case and no-cash bail in the property-damage case Wednesday. Clayton Tyler Carpenter, 33, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Riverport Chorus Fall Cabaret Set For Sept. 20 At Parkway Chateau

KENOSHA, Wis. — Riverport Chorus will present its annual Fall Cabaret, “Come Fly with Me,” on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Parkway Chateau in Kenosha. The show begins at 4 p.m., with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. Parkway Chateau is located at 12304 75th St., behind The Brat Stop near the Highway 50 interchange with I-94. Free parking is available. Music, Quartets And Special GuestsThe cabaret will feature performances by Riverport Chorus, the Wilmot Union High School Treble Choir, Meant2B Quartet, Joyful Blend Quartet, On the Spot, 2026 Diva Quest Champion Elle Kinney and a special youth ensemble. The event will also include raffle baskets, a 50/50 cash raffle and food and beverage concessions. “This year’s cabaret features an entertaining musical traveling adventure,” Riverport Chorus director Laurel Peterson said. “All are

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Caledonia Man Accused Of 3rd OWI With Toddler In Car, Threatening To Beat Up State Trooper

Junior A. Trejo Mayta, 30, of Caledonia(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Junior A. Trejo Mayta, 30, of Caledonia, is facing a felony and several misdemeanor charges after authorities say he drove drunk for a third time with a 1-year-old child in his vehicle, gave a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper a false name and threatened to beat the trooper up after being arrested. Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum set Trejo Mayta’s bail at only $3,500 cash Wednesday afternoon. Junior A. Trejo Mayta, 30, of Caledonia(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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