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More Than 30,000 We Energies Customers Without Power In Kenosha County; Utility Warns Repairs Could Take Multiple Days

KENOSHA, Wis. — A powerful line of thunderstorms has left tens of thousands of We Energies customers across southeastern Wisconsin without electricity, and the utility is warning some residents that the damage is so extensive that restoring power could take multiple days. As of about 9:20 p.m. Monday, We Energies was reporting 78,322 customers without power across its service territory, including 30,643 customers in Kenosha County alone. Kenosha County had the highest number of reported outages of any county served by the utility. Milwaukee County was reporting 14,748 customers without power, followed by Outagamie County with 14,695, Winnebago County with 9,863, and Racine County with 3,516. In total, We Energies was tracking 771 separate outages. Many customers also received an automated phone call from We Energies advising that widespread storm

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Kenosha Man Charged With Sexual Assault Of 9-Year-Old Child

William E. Frazier Jr., 58, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — William E. Frazier Jr., 58, of Kenosha, has been charged with first-degree child sexual assault after prosecutors allege he had unlawful sexual contact with a child under the age of 13 in 2024. The Class B felony carries a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison. William E. Frazier Jr., 58, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

City Of Kenosha Announces Early Voting Schedule, Key Deadlines For August Partisan Primary

KENOSHA, Wis. — The City of Kenosha is reminding residents that the 2026 Partisan Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, while also announcing expanded in-person absentee voting hours and important deadlines for voters who plan to cast absentee ballots. In-person absentee voting will take place in Room 104 of City Hall, 625 52nd Street, beginning Tuesday, July 28. The City Clerk’s Office will offer extended evening hours on July 29 and Aug. 5, remaining open until 7 p.m., as well as extended hours until 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, the final day of in-person absentee voting. Voters wishing to vote absentee by mail can submit requests by mail, email or through MyVote.WI.Gov. The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug.

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Taco John’s Closes Kenosha And Racine Restaurants Less Than Two Years After Expansion

KENOSHA, Wis. — Two southeastern Wisconsin Taco John’s restaurants have quietly closed their doors for good, ending the chain’s brief run in Kenosha and Racine and generating significant discussion on social media among customers. Google now lists both the Kenosha restaurant on 75th Street and the Mount Pleasant location on Washington Avenue as permanently closed. The Racine-area restaurant opened in August 2024 with hopes of expanding the brand’s footprint in southeastern Wisconsin. The Kenosha location followed as part of the company’s efforts to grow in larger metropolitan markets after decades of focusing primarily on smaller Midwestern communities. The closures appear to have taken place within the last week. Residents first noticed traffic cones blocking the Kenosha parking lot, while others reported arriving at the restaurants only to find them closed.

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Kenosha Man Charged With Sexual Assault Of 9-Year-Old Child

William E. Frazier Jr., 58, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — William E. Frazier Jr., 58, of Kenosha, has been charged with first-degree child sexual assault after prosecutors allege he had unlawful sexual contact with a child under the age of 13 in 2024. The Class B felony carries a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison. William E. Frazier Jr., 58, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

City Of Kenosha Announces Early Voting Schedule, Key Deadlines For August Partisan Primary

KENOSHA, Wis. — The City of Kenosha is reminding residents that the 2026 Partisan Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, while also announcing expanded in-person absentee voting hours and important deadlines for voters who plan to cast absentee ballots. In-person absentee voting will take place in Room 104 of City Hall, 625 52nd Street, beginning Tuesday, July 28. The City Clerk’s Office will offer extended evening hours on July 29 and Aug. 5, remaining open until 7 p.m., as well as extended hours until 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, the final day of in-person absentee voting. Voters wishing to vote absentee by mail can submit requests by mail, email or through MyVote.WI.Gov. The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug.

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Kenosha Man Accused Of Fifth-Offense OWI After Deputy Says He Spotted SUV Speeding Through City; $10,000 Cash Bail Set

Justo J. Rodriguez, 52, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Justo J. Rodriguez, 52, of Kenosha, is facing a felony fifth-offense operating while intoxicated charge after prosecutors allege a Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputy observed him driving at such a high rate of speed that the deputy could not read his license plate before following him to his residence. Court Commissioner Tracey Braun set Rodriguez’s cash bail at $10,000 during his initial appearance Monday. Justo J. Rodriguez, 52, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Man Accused Of Threatening To Kill Girlfriend, Breaking Three Ribs While Out On Multiple Felony Bonds Held On $10,000 Cash Bail

James K. Erwin, 60, of Kansasville(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — James K. Erwin, 60, of Kansasville, is being held on a $10,000 cash bond after prosecutors allege he brutally attacked his longtime girlfriend, threatened to kill her, fractured three of her ribs, and strangled her while he was already free on multiple felony cases. Court Commissioner Tracey Braun set the cash bail Monday and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Aug. 4 at 9:30 a.m. James K. Erwin, 60, of Kansasville(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Man Accused Of Leading Second High-Speed Police Chase Weeks After Release On $2,500 Cash Bail In Similar Felony Case

Angel Johnathan Angeles, 19, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — What is the worst-case scenario when someone charged with serious felonies—including felony fleeing and eluding an officer—is released on a low cash bail? According to prosecutors, it’s that they allegedly go out and commit the same type of crime again. That’s exactly what prosecutors now allege Angel Johnathan Angeles, 19, of Racine, did by leading Wisconsin State Patrol troopers on another high-speed chase that reached 130 mph, just weeks after his release on a $2,500 cash bond in a similar Racine County felony case. Angel Johnathan Angeles, 19, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Illinois Man Charged With Felony Stalking After Police Allege Multi-State Campaign That Included Dumping Purple Paint On Ex-Girlfriend’s Car

Kenosha Police Department(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — An Illinois man is facing a felony stalking charge after Kenosha police say he carried out a multi-state campaign of harassment against his former girlfriend that included pouring purple paint over her vehicle, repeatedly driving past her new Kenosha home, and sending violent text messages threatening to seriously injure her. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Man Accused Of Dumping Reptile Food On Woman’s Car, Breaking Off All Four Door Handles

Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — Jamearr Donte Maben, 20, of Racine, is facing two misdemeanor charges after Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office deputies say he dumped reptile food across a woman’s vehicle, snapped off all four exterior door handles, and threw her belongings into the street following a domestic dispute at a Kenosha apartment complex. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Chicago Woman Accused Of Using Fake Oxycodone Prescription Captured After Kenosha Police Drone First Responder Program Tracked Her To Hiding Spot Behind Garbage Cans

Chanell Jones, 27, of Chicago(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Chicago woman accused of attempting to obtain 90 oxycodone tablets using a forged prescription at a Kenosha CVS was ordered held Friday on a $1,500 cash bail after prosecutors alleged she fled through an emergency exit and was tracked by the Kenosha Police Department’s Drone First Responder program before officers found her barefoot hiding behind two garbage cans in a nearby residential yard. Chanell Jones, 27, of Chicago(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Third-Offense OWI Defendant Misses Court Three Times After No-Cash Bail, Finally Ordered To Post Only $500 Cash Bail

KENOSHA, Wis. — More than three years after Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment expanding the factors judges may consider when setting bail, a third-offense OWI defendant who repeatedly received no-cash bail and then failed to appear in court three times was finally ordered Friday to post only $500 cash to secure his release. Michael P. Henley, 60, of North Chicago, appeared Friday before Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey Braun after being arrested on a bench warrant issued when he again failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing. Braun vacated the warrant and ordered Henley held on only a $500 cash bail despite his repeated failures to appear throughout the case. She also ordered him not to possess or consume alcohol, controlled substances without a prescription, or drug

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Man Accused Of Threatening To Kill Library Patron, Allegedly Brandishing Knife, Hammer And Scissors At Kenosha Public Library

Ladell N. Hughes, 38, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man is accused of threatening to kill another man and brandishing a knife, hammer and scissors during a disturbance at the Kenosha Public Library on Thursday, according to a criminal complaint filed Friday. Ladell N. Hughes, 38, of Kenosha, is charged with two counts of disorderly conduct with a dangerous weapon, one alleged as an act of domestic abuse, along with resisting an officer and obstructing an officer. Hughes was scheduled to make his initial appearance Friday afternoon before Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey Braun. Ladell N. Hughes, 38, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Man Given No-Cash Bail After Police Accuse Him Of Reaching For Gun During Traffic Stop

Davohntae L. Lott, 18, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A routine traffic stop could have ended very differently yesterday. Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey Braun ordered an 18-year-old Kenosha man released on a $2,500 no-cash bail Friday after prosecutors charged him with carrying a concealed weapon following a traffic stop in which police say he repeatedly reached toward his waistband, prompting officers to believe he was attempting to grab a firearm. Davohntae L. Lott, 18, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Early Morning Fire Forces Evacuation Of 360 Workers At Kenosha Amazon Warehouse

KENOSHA, Wis. — An early morning fire at Amazon’s HMW3 fulfillment center in Kenosha forced the evacuation of approximately 360 employees Friday, prompted a massive multi-agency emergency response, and temporarily left first responders scrambling to account for several workers believed to still be inside the smoke-filled warehouse, according to the Kenosha Fire Department and scanner audio reviewed by Kenosha County Eye. The fire was reported at 2:01 a.m. at the Amazon HMW3 warehouse, 10601 38th Street, after dispatchers received reports of an active fire accompanied by water-flow alarms. The first Kenosha Police Department officers on scene confirmed smoke inside the building. According to scanner audio, arriving officers immediately began interviewing Amazon employees in an effort to locate the fire before firefighters entered the massive warehouse. Employees directed officers toward what

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Former Wilmot High Student Convicted Of Three Child Pornography Felonies Following Months Of Community Outrage

Jason Kotarba In Court(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — Former Wilmot Union High School student Jason A. Kotarba was convicted Thursday of three felony counts of possessing child pornography, resolving a criminal case that triggered months of outrage over his initial no-cash release, reported return to school and the Wilmot district’s handling of the controversy. Jason Kotarba Being Taken Into Police Custody In Court(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) Jason Kotarba, 17, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Pleasant Prairie Investigating Absentee Ballot Mix-Up; USPS, Election Officials Reviewing Incident

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Pleasant Prairie election officials are investigating an absentee ballot mailing mix-up after a village voter reported receiving the wrong ballot in the mail, prompting reviews by the Wisconsin Elections Commission and the United States Postal Service. According to Village Clerk Jane C. Snell, the issue came to light on Saturday, July 18, when a Pleasant Prairie absentee voter reported receiving a City of New Berlin ballot instead of a Pleasant Prairie ballot. The voter also reported that the outer mailing envelope appeared to have been taped. The village reported the matter to the Kenosha County Clerk, the Wisconsin Elections Commission, and the United States Postal Service for investigation. The City of Muskego later notified Pleasant Prairie that one of its absentee voters had received a Pleasant

City Of Kenosha To Begin Accepting Applications For More Than $1 Million In Community Development Grants

KENOSHA, Wis. — The City of Kenosha will begin accepting applications next week from eligible nonprofit organizations seeking funding through its 2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, with more than $1 million expected to be available for qualifying projects. According to the City of Kenosha’s Department of City Development, applications will be accepted beginning Monday, July 27. The city anticipates distributing approximately $1,010,806 through the federally funded program during the 2027 funding cycle. Grant funds will be awarded in accordance with the city’s Community Development Fund Allocation Plan, and proposed projects must align with the priorities outlined in the City’s 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan. To qualify, each funded activity must meet at least one of the federal Community Development Block Grant program’s national objectives, including:   The city said funded

Country Thunder 2026 Generates 345 Calls For Service, 32 Criminal Arrests In Kenosha County

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office responded to 345 calls for service during the 2026 Country Thunder music festival, resulting in 32 criminal arrests or criminal charges and 310 county traffic and ordinance citations, according to figures released Friday. The figures provide an early snapshot of law enforcement activity during the four-day event, but they are not expected to represent the festival’s final crime totals. In previous years, many reported sexual assaults have not been disclosed until days or weeks after the festival concludes as investigations continue and victims come forward. Among the 32 criminal arrests and charges were five counts of disorderly conduct, five counts of resisting or obstructing an officer, two misdemeanor bail jumping cases, two battery cases, one domestic violence battery, one battery to a

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Woman Accused Of Using Master Key To Enter Nearly 20 Apartments While Carrying Baseball Bat; Liberal Activist Court Commissioner Lisa Bouterse Sets Just $250 Cash Bail

Breanna N. Litz, 31, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 31-year-old Kenosha woman is accused of using a master key to unlock or attempt to unlock nearly 20 apartment doors while carrying a baseball bat before burglarizing a neighbor’s apartment, stealing cash, and vandalizing property. Despite the allegations—and despite already being on probation in another criminal case—Liberal Activist Court Commissioner Lisa Bouterse ordered Breanna N. Litz held on just $250 cash bail during her initial appearance Thursday. Breanna N. Litz, 31, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Two Kenosha Men Charged With Felony Voter Fraud; Initial Court Appearances Set for September

Brian Douglas Conner Jr., 47, and Torrey A. Booker, 47, Both of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Two Kenosha men have been charged with felony voter fraud after prosecutors allege they illegally voted in the November 5, 2024, General Election despite being legally prohibited from doing so because they were serving felony sentences. If convicted, each man faces up to 3 years and 6 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. Torrey Booker Brian Conner Jr. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Man Accused Of Inflicting Serious Injuries On Woman Ahead Of Trial Faces Felony Charge; Held On $5,000 Cash Bail

Michael A. Allen, 53, of Milton(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Michael A. Allen, 53, of Milton, has been charged with felony substantial battery and misdemeanor bail jumping after prosecutors allege he severely beat a Kenosha woman, leaving her with a concussion and a head laceration requiring seven stitches, just days before she was expected to testify in an upcoming jury trial involving Allen. On Wednesday, Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey Braun ordered Allen held on $5,000 cash bail. If convicted of both charges, Allen faces a maximum sentence of 4 years and 3 months in prison and $20,000 in fines. Michael A. Allen, 53, of Milton(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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OWI 3 Driver Who Admitted “I Definitely Had Too Much To Drink To Drive,” Then Blew .229 Granted Just $250 Cash Bail

Parker Stanton, 28, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — Parker Stanton, 28, of Twin Lakes, is charged with third-offense operating while intoxicated after allegedly admitting, “I definitely had too much to drink to drive,” before registering a preliminary breath-test result of .229. At his initial appearance Thursday, Liberal Activist Court Commissioner Lisa Bouterse set just $250 cash bail, highlighting what critics describe as her soft-on-crime approach to repeat OWI offenders. Stanton also faces charges of operating while revoked and failing to install a court-ordered ignition interlock device. Parker Stanton, 28, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Driver Accused Of Drunken Driving After Crash With Two Children In Vehicle Given No-Cash Bail By Liberal Activist Court Commissioner Lisa Bouterse

Rene Baltazar Escalante, 39, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Racine man accused of driving drunk after crashing his vehicle while two young children were passengers was given a no-cash bail Thursday by Liberal Activist Court Commissioner Lisa Bouterse. Rene Baltazar Escalante, 39, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Indian Trail Principal Acknowledges Some Teachers “Weaponize” Grades; Refuses To Explain What He’s Doing About It Amid Years Of Employee Misconduct

KENOSHA, Wis. — The principal of the largest high school in Kenosha County has acknowledged that he knows of teachers who use grades as “weaponry,” but has refused to explain what he meant, identify whether any teachers have been disciplined, or say whether improperly assigned grades have been corrected. Scott Kennow, principal of Indian Trail High School & Academy, made the statement during communications with Kenosha County Eye. The remark immediately raised concerns, prompting follow-up questions asking him to explain exactly what he meant by “weaponize” grades, how widespread the problem is, whether students have been harmed, and what corrective action has been taken. Kennow declined to answer. Kenosha County Eye also sought answers from Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss, asking whether he shared Kennow’s concerns, what oversight

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Judge Kerkman Sued in Federal Court Over Custody Proceedings, Due Process Claims, and Alleged Civil Rights Violations

Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad Kerkman (D)(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad Kerkman is again finding himself as a defendant in a federal civil rights lawsuit, this time over allegations involving child custody proceedings, procedural due process, and alleged constitutional violations. The case was filed by Milwaukee resident Octavia Winters under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Among her principal allegations is that Kerkman transferred custody and/or placement of her minor child to the child’s father even though a child abuse restraining order had prohibited contact by the father and associated third parties. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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