Breaking News
Long-Time Detective Resigns Amid Internal Investigation into Mishandled Cases
Kenosha, Wis. — A longtime Kenosha police detective has resigned just days before the conclusion of a sweeping internal investigation that sources say uncovered years of mishandled cases and investigative shortcuts. Detective Jason Melichar, who joined the Kenosha Police Department in 1999, resigned effective April 2, 2025, according to a department spokesperson. KPD confirmed that Melichar stepped down before the internal inquiry had concluded but declined to comment further, citing the investigation as a personnel matter. Melichar had a decades-long
Long-Time Detective Resigns Amid Internal Investigation into Mishandled Cases
Kenosha, Wis. — A longtime Kenosha police detective has resigned just days before the conclusion of a sweeping internal investigation that sources say uncovered years of mishandled cases and investigative shortcuts. Detective Jason Melichar, who joined the Kenosha Police Department in 1999, resigned effective April 2, 2025, according to a department spokesperson. KPD confirmed that Melichar stepped down before the internal inquiry had concluded but declined to comment further, citing the investigation as a personnel matter. Melichar had a decades-long career with the department, eventually rising to the rank of Detective Sergeant. After about a year and a half, he voluntarily stepped down from the supervisory position, reportedly preferring the work of a front-line investigator. He also served for years as a board member of the Kenosha Professional Police Association
Ziminski’s Bid for Early Prison Release Denied by Kenosha Judge
Kenosha, Wis. — Joshua Ziminski, the man who fired the first gunshot during the August 2020 riots in Kenosha, has been denied early release from prison. Ziminski, 40, is serving a three-year prison term after pleading guilty last year to armed robbery and armed burglary stemming from an August 2022 incident. Prosecutors said Ziminski and his wife, Kelly, robbed a man at knifepoint and attempted to withdraw cash from his bank account. As part of a plea deal, former prosecutor T. Claire Binger dropped all charges related to the 2020 Kenosha riots, including arson and disorderly conduct. In March, Ziminski filed a petition for sentence adjustment, citing strong institutional evaluations, program participation, and family support. He earned his high school equivalency diploma, completed anger management and parenting courses, and received
Pleasant Prairie Police Department Opens Doors to the Public with State-of-the-Art Facility
Pleasant Prairie, Wis. — Residents in Pleasant Prairie will get their first public look inside the community’s new police station during an open house on Saturday, April 12, offering a glimpse into what law enforcement officials say is a facility built for both the present and the future. Located just south of Village Hall at 10111 39th Avenue, the new 58,000-square-foot station represents a significant leap forward for the Pleasant Prairie Police Department. After years of planning and construction, the department has fully transitioned into its new headquarters and will welcome the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for tours, demonstrations, and a chance to meet officers and staff. Admission is free and parking will be available on-site. The new building replaces the department’s longtime home in the Roger
High-Speed Chase Ends in Courtroom: One Faces Potential Child Pornography Charges
Kenosha, Wis. — A 23-year-old Milwaukee man who led sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase through western Kenosha County is being held on $75,000 cash bail as prosecutors weigh possible child pornography charges related to his relationship with a 16-year-old girl. Jose Luis Soto-Nunez appeared in Kenosha County Circuit Court on March 27 and faces six felony charges stemming from the March 26 incident, including fleeing police, multiple counts of recklessly endangering safety, and operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent. The teenager, who was riding in the back seat at the time of the chase, told the court the two were in a romantic relationship. According to a criminal complaint, Soto-Nunez was driving a stolen 1997 Honda Civic when he failed to stop for deputies and reached speeds of
Ziminski’s Bid for Early Prison Release Denied by Kenosha Judge
Kenosha, Wis. — Joshua Ziminski, the man who fired the first gunshot during the August 2020 riots in Kenosha, has been denied early release from prison. Ziminski, 40, is serving a three-year prison term after pleading guilty last year to armed robbery and armed burglary stemming from an August 2022 incident. Prosecutors said Ziminski and his wife, Kelly, robbed a man at knifepoint and attempted to withdraw cash from his bank account. As part of a plea deal, former prosecutor T. Claire Binger dropped all charges related to the 2020 Kenosha riots, including arson and disorderly conduct. In March, Ziminski filed a petition for sentence adjustment, citing strong institutional evaluations, program participation, and family support. He earned his high school equivalency diploma, completed anger management and parenting courses, and received
Pleasant Prairie Police Department Opens Doors to the Public with State-of-the-Art Facility
Pleasant Prairie, Wis. — Residents in Pleasant Prairie will get their first public look inside the community’s new police station during an open house on Saturday, April 12, offering a glimpse into what law enforcement officials say is a facility built for both the present and the future. Located just south of Village Hall at 10111 39th Avenue, the new 58,000-square-foot station represents a significant leap forward for the Pleasant Prairie Police Department. After years of planning and construction, the department has fully transitioned into its new headquarters and will welcome the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for tours, demonstrations, and a chance to meet officers and staff. Admission is free and parking will be available on-site. The new building replaces the department’s longtime home in the Roger
High-Speed Chase Ends in Courtroom: One Faces Potential Child Pornography Charges
Kenosha, Wis. — A 23-year-old Milwaukee man who led sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase through western Kenosha County is being held on $75,000 cash bail as prosecutors weigh possible child pornography charges related to his relationship with a 16-year-old girl. Jose Luis Soto-Nunez appeared in Kenosha County Circuit Court on March 27 and faces six felony charges stemming from the March 26 incident, including fleeing police, multiple counts of recklessly endangering safety, and operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent. The teenager, who was riding in the back seat at the time of the chase, told the court the two were in a romantic relationship. According to a criminal complaint, Soto-Nunez was driving a stolen 1997 Honda Civic when he failed to stop for deputies and reached speeds of
New Christian School Opens in Kenosha With Free Tuition for Eligible Families
Kenosha, Wis. — A new private school offering free tuition for qualifying families has opened in Kenosha, thanks to a partnership between Shining Star Christian Schools and Heritage Baptist Church. The new campus is located inside Heritage Baptist Church at 2313 17th Ave., and enrollment is now open for students entering kindergarten through eighth grade. Pastor Curtis McMiller, who leads the church, said he’s excited to welcome families and provide children with access to a quality, faith-based education. “We’re blessed to be part of something that will make a real difference for our community,” McMiller said. Tuition is fully covered for families that qualify under the school’s voucher program, but the deadline to apply for free tuition in Kenosha is April 17. After that, families can still enroll, but a
Salem Man Gets Two-Year Sentence in Fond du Lac Despite High-Speed Chase, Firearm, and Drug Allegations
Kenosha, Wis. — A 24-year-old Salem man with a long history of criminal charges was sentenced to just two years in prison last month after pleading guilty to multiple felonies tied to a 2021 high-speed chase that endangered motorists and law enforcement in Fond du Lac County. Trenton Benjamin Kmiec, the son of local attorney and ousted politician, Theodore “Ted” Kmiec, appeared before Fond du Lac County Circuit Judge Tricia Walker on Feb. 25, 2025. Walker accepted a plea deal negotiated by District Attorney Eric Toney—himself a failed candidate for Wisconsin Attorney General—that significantly reduced Kmiec’s potential prison exposure. Kmiec pleaded guilty to second-degree recklessly endangering safety, fleeing and eluding an officer, OWI and operating a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance. In exchange, prosecutors dropped a
Deputy Suspended Over Retaliatory Traffic Stop After Middle Finger Incident
Kenosha, Wis. — The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office has disciplined a deputy who conducted a questionable traffic stop after a driver gave him the middle finger — a gesture protected by the First Amendment. Deputy Manuel Mandujano Jr. received a one-day unpaid suspension and mandatory constitutional policing training following an internal investigation into the February 1 incident, which gained traction online after video footage was posted to the “LackLuster” YouTube channel. The footage showed Mandujano initiating a stop on a DoorDash driver after the driver flipped him off while passing in the Village of Bristol. According to disciplinary records obtained by Kenosha County Eye through an open records request, Mandujano admitted the gesture angered him and that it influenced his decision to pull the driver over. He initially claimed the
Salem Elementary Teacher Arrested After Alleged THC-Fueled Disturbance at Home
Kenosha, Wis. — A preschool teacher at Salem Elementary School was arrested late Saturday night after authorities say she ingested THC edibles and began behaving violently inside her Salem Lakes home. Melissa E. Briggs, 42, was taken into custody by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department just after 11 p.m. Deputies responded to the 10000 block of 256th Avenue after her husband called 911, reporting that Briggs was experiencing a mental health crisis and pounding on a door inside the residence. Briggs had reportedly recently lost a close family member and was struggling emotionally in the days leading up to the incident. Deputies found probable cause to arrest Briggs on suspicion of disorderly conduct and resisting/obstructing a peace officer, both misdemeanors. She was transported to the Kenosha County Jail and booked
Body Cam Footage Contradicts Pastor’s Claim of Cooperation in Youth Minister Sex Crime Case
Kenosha, Wis. – Despite publicly claiming that Journey Church was cooperating with police, newly released body-worn camera footage obtained by Kenosha County Eye reveals that lead pastor Kevin Taylor declined to give a statement to investigators following the arrest of a fellow pastor now charged with 15 felonies involving intimate images of two women. Gabriel Mills, a former “Guest Experience Pastor” at Journey Church in Kenosha, was first arrested on September 30, 2024. According to a criminal complaint, Mills allegedly accessed another church member’s phone under the pretense of downloading an audiobook, then used AirDrop to transfer private, sexually explicit photos of the man’s wife to his own phone. Mills was charged with two felonies: capturing an intimate representation without consent. He was released on a $7,500 cash bond. Just
Dominick Black Violates Probation, Faces Arrest Warrant If He Fails To Return To Wisconsin
KENOSHA, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has notified a Kenosha County judge that Dominick Black, a probationer best known for his connection to the Kyle Rittenhouse case, violated the terms of his probation and is being ordered back to Wisconsin. In a letter sent yesterday to Judge Angelina Gabriele, Probation and Parole Agent Kimberly Ruhle reported that Black failed a drug test, was kicked out of substance use programming, and missed a mandatory probation meeting. The violations stem from a sentence Judge Gabriele handed down just over two years ago, when Black pleaded guilty to fleeing police during what prosecutors described as a drug-induced crime spree. According to court records, the case began in May 2022 when officers attempted to stop Black for reckless driving in Kenosha County.
Illinois Man Faces 46 New Charges, Possible Life In Prison After Multi-Agency Highway Pursuit
Kenosha, Wis. — An Illinois man already out on bond for multiple pending felony cases in Kenosha County was charged Thursday with 46 new counts in connection to a daytime police chase that spanned multiple jurisdictions and ended on the interstate. John S. Miller, 56, of Zion, now faces a staggering range of charges including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, criminal damage to property, fleeing and eluding police, and 36 counts of felony bail jumping. Prosecutors say Miller put the public at serious risk in a high-speed incident that involved officers from the Kenosha Police Department, Pleasant Prairie Police Department, and Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. At Thursday’s bond hearing, Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis said Miller’s criminal record stretches back to 1999, including prior felony convictions in Maricopa County, Arizona,
County Executive Kerkman Announces Call For Nominations For Inaugural Kenosha County Veteran Of The Year Award
County Executive Samantha Kerkman today announced the establishment of a new award honoring outstanding veterans in Kenosha County. The Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award seeks to honor veterans for their achievements and contributions after their time in service. This year’s award will be presented at Kerkman’s annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic, to be held May 30 at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Nominations for the inaugural award are being accepted until 5 p.m. April 30 through an online form available at https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/VeteranOfTheYear. Paper forms are also available by contacting the Kenosha County Veterans Service Office at 262-605-6690. “We’re excited to shine a spotlight on the remarkable veterans in our community,” Kerkman said. “I encourage anyone who knows an outstanding veteran to consider making a nomination.” The award winner
Kenosha Nurse Arrested for OWI After Son’s 911 Call, Claims Police Conspiracy
Kenosha, Wis. — A Kenosha nurse was arrested Friday evening for operating while intoxicated after her 9-year-old son called emergency services, saying he and his brother were home alone and hadn’t eaten. But what began as a routine OWI arrest has since spiraled into a bizarre string of conspiracy claims posted online by the woman at the center of the case. Police responded to the home around 7:30 p.m. on March 21 after the child reported that his mother, identified as 39-year-old Sarah N. Becker, hadn’t returned from work. When officers arrived, they found the two children had been left without adult supervision. Shortly afterward, Becker pulled into the driveway. According to police, when she entered the home, officers smelled intoxicants and noted that Becker was slurring her words. She
New Christian School Opens in Kenosha With Free Tuition for Eligible Families
Kenosha, Wis. — A new private school offering free tuition for qualifying families has opened in Kenosha, thanks to a partnership between Shining Star Christian
Salem Man Gets Two-Year Sentence in Fond du Lac Despite High-Speed Chase, Firearm, and Drug Allegations
Kenosha, Wis. — A 24-year-old Salem man with a long history of criminal charges was sentenced to just two years in prison last month after
Deputy Suspended Over Retaliatory Traffic Stop After Middle Finger Incident
Kenosha, Wis. — The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office has disciplined a deputy who conducted a questionable traffic stop after a driver gave him the middle
Salem Elementary Teacher Arrested After Alleged THC-Fueled Disturbance at Home
Kenosha, Wis. — A preschool teacher at Salem Elementary School was arrested late Saturday night after authorities say she ingested THC edibles and began behaving
Body Cam Footage Contradicts Pastor’s Claim of Cooperation in Youth Minister Sex Crime Case
Kenosha, Wis. – Despite publicly claiming that Journey Church was cooperating with police, newly released body-worn camera footage obtained by Kenosha County Eye reveals that
Dominick Black Violates Probation, Faces Arrest Warrant If He Fails To Return To Wisconsin
KENOSHA, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has notified a Kenosha County judge that Dominick Black, a probationer best known for his connection to
Illinois Man Faces 46 New Charges, Possible Life In Prison After Multi-Agency Highway Pursuit
Kenosha, Wis. — An Illinois man already out on bond for multiple pending felony cases in Kenosha County was charged Thursday with 46 new counts
County Executive Kerkman Announces Call For Nominations For Inaugural Kenosha County Veteran Of The Year Award
County Executive Samantha Kerkman today announced the establishment of a new award honoring outstanding veterans in Kenosha County. The Kenosha County Veteran of the Year
Kenosha Nurse Arrested for OWI After Son’s 911 Call, Claims Police Conspiracy
Kenosha, Wis. — A Kenosha nurse was arrested Friday evening for operating while intoxicated after her 9-year-old son called emergency services, saying he and his
Leadership Kenosha Announces 2025 Graduation Celebration and Award Winner
Leadership Kenosha is excited to announce its 2025 Graduation Celebration. The event will take place on Thursday, May 15, from 5-7 p.m. at The Stella
Gateway President Ritu Raju Exiting Amid Internal Turmoil, Board Politics
Kenosha, Wis. — Gateway Technical College President and CEO Dr. Ritu Raju is departing the school after just over two years on the job. The
Drag Performer and School Board Candidate Draws Community Scrutiny, Support Ahead of April Election
Kenosha, Wis. — Carl Bryan, a candidate for the Kenosha Unified School Board and an openly gay man, is facing criticism from some community members
