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Kenosha County DA’s Office Declines All Criminal Charges Against Mathewson after Judge’s Stalking Complaint, Cites Free Speech and Constitutionally Protected News Reporting

“The dignity of a wise and righteous judge needs not the artificial safeguarding which is a heritage of the old days when if dissent found a tongue the public executioner cut it out. The Bench will be sufficiently respected when it is no longer a place where dullards dream and rogues rob . . . That the corrupt practices in our courts of law be uncovered to public view, whenever that is possible, by . . . the press.”— Ambrose Bierce KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office has declined every criminal charge referred against Kenosha County Eye editor Kevin Mathewson following an extraordinary Wisconsin State Capitol Police investigation prompted by complaints from Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad Kerkman (D). The investigation, which involved Wisconsin State Capitol

Former Foster Parent, Youth Pastor At Daybreak Church Jailed On Child Incest, Repeated Sexual Assault Allegations

KENOSHA, Wis. — Dale Robert Nixon, 43, of Kenosha, a former foster parent, adoptive parent and youth pastor at Daybreak Church in downtown Kenosha, was taken into custody Tuesday by Kenosha Police Department Sensitive Crimes detectives in connection with allegations of incest with a child and repeated sexual assault of the same child. Nixon remained in the Kenosha County Jail Wednesday and is expected to be formally charged Thursday. Nixon was booked into the jail at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday as a newly charged prisoner following his arrest by the Kenosha Police Department. Jail records currently list two felony allegations: incest with a child related by blood or adoption and repeated sexual assault of the same child involving at least three alleged violations of first-degree sexual assault. Kenosha County Eye has

KUSD Board Sees Its Shadow: Two More Years Of Weiss Despite Bipartisan Opposition

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Unified School Board voted Tuesday night to give Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss another two years on the job, with an option for a third, despite pointed bipartisan opposition from board members, parents and community members. Weiss has presided over severe financial problems, seven school closures, a failed $115 million referendum and repeated controversies involving sexual misconduct and other alleged employee misconduct. Critics questioned whether Weiss has demonstrated the leadership and competence necessary to continue running one of Wisconsin’s largest school districts. The opposition crossed political lines. Prominent local Democrat and School Board member Sabrina Landry voted against Weiss’s extension, while Republican Assembly candidate Valerie Kretchmer publicly urged the board to reject it. Board member Bob Tierney also voted no, while Doviel Hill, Amanda Meyer, Arik Espinoza

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Day After Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum Dismissed 25-Year Child-Enticement Felony, Prosecutors Charge Wilmot Volunteer With New Felony Involving Same 13-Year-Old

Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SALEM LAKES, Wis. — Just one day after Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum dismissed a Class D child-enticement felony carrying up to 25 years in prison against Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes, prosecutors charged Scaletta Wednesday with a new felony involving the same 13-year-old girl. The new charge, sexual misconduct by school staff or volunteer, carries only 3½ years in prison. Scaletta is now facing a combined maximum of 235½ years of imprisonment across his two remaining cases. Had Kellum not dismissed the child-enticement charge Tuesday, Scaletta’s total potential exposure would be 260½ years. Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of

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KUSD Board Spends $26,000 To Begin Process Toward Yet Another Referendum After Voters Rejected $115 Million Tax Hike

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Unified School District Board of Education voted Tuesday to spend $26,000 on professional polling as it begins exploring yet another operating referendum after voters rejected the district’s previous $115 million request. Board members Bob Tierney and Sabrina Landry opposed the expenditure, while Board President Carl Bryan, Rebecca Stevens, Todd Price, Robin Cullen and Mary Modder voted to move forward. The previous referendum sought $23 million per year for five years, or $115 million total. Despite that rejection, the district is now formally exploring whether to pursue another referendum in April 2027. District documents say the new polling could help determine whether to pursue a referendum, how much money to request and what might be included. Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss and his administration recommended hiring Morris Leatherman

KUSD Board Sees Its Shadow: Two More Years Of Weiss Despite Bipartisan Opposition

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Unified School Board voted Tuesday night to give Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss another two years on the job, with an option for a third, despite pointed bipartisan opposition from board members, parents and community members. Weiss has presided over severe financial problems, seven school closures, a failed $115 million referendum and repeated controversies involving sexual misconduct and other alleged employee misconduct. Critics questioned whether Weiss has demonstrated the leadership and competence necessary to continue running one of Wisconsin’s largest school districts. The opposition crossed political lines. Prominent local Democrat and School Board member Sabrina Landry voted against Weiss’s extension, while Republican Assembly candidate Valerie Kretchmer publicly urged the board to reject it. Board member Bob Tierney also voted no, while Doviel Hill, Amanda Meyer, Arik Espinoza

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Day After Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum Dismissed 25-Year Child-Enticement Felony, Prosecutors Charge Wilmot Volunteer With New Felony Involving Same 13-Year-Old

Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SALEM LAKES, Wis. — Just one day after Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum dismissed a Class D child-enticement felony carrying up to 25 years in prison against Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes, prosecutors charged Scaletta Wednesday with a new felony involving the same 13-year-old girl. The new charge, sexual misconduct by school staff or volunteer, carries only 3½ years in prison. Scaletta is now facing a combined maximum of 235½ years of imprisonment across his two remaining cases. Had Kellum not dismissed the child-enticement charge Tuesday, Scaletta’s total potential exposure would be 260½ years. Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of

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Third Sister Charged 16 Months After Fatal Pleasant Prairie Hit-And-Run; Driver Serving 7½ Years In Prison, Other Sister In Jail

Kayla J. Dodson, 29, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Nearly 16 months after Briona A. Bishop, 35, of Pleasant Prairie, struck and killed 26-year-old Tobi Moeri while he was riding a scooter and fled the scene, prosecutors have charged a third sister in connection with the case. Bishop is now serving 7½ years in prison as part of a 15-year sentence, Alexis J. Dodson, 27, of Pleasant Prairie, is serving one year in the Kenosha County Jail for helping Bishop avoid apprehension, and now Kayla J. Dodson, 29, of Pleasant Prairie, is accused of going to the active crash scene, monitoring police and feeding information about the investigation back to Alexis. Kayla J. Dodson, 29, Briona A. Bishop, 35, and Alexis J. Dodson, 27, All

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Woman Charged After Animals Found Living In Feces, Mold And Maggot-Filled Squalor Allegedly Caught With Animals The Very Next Day; “Catch & Release” Kellum Gives Her No-Cash Bail Again

Lauren J. Madsen, 38, of Somers(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — Lauren J. Madsen, 38, of Somers, allegedly lasted just one day before violating Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum’s order that she have no contact with animals after being charged in a shocking animal-neglect case involving feces, mold and maggot-filled squalor. Kellum apparently thought no-cash bail and a court order would be enough to keep Madsen compliant. After she was allegedly caught back at the property with three cats at her feet and tending to horses, most people with a law degree might think it was time to ramp up the bail. Kellum went the other direction Wednesday, keeping Madsen on no-cash bail in both cases. Lauren J. Madsen, 38, of Somers(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) Condition Inside

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Liberal Judge Gives 4th-Offense Felony Drunk Driver Only 120 Days With Work Release After He Crashed Into Parked Truck

Justin J. Johnson, 43, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Justin J. Johnson, 43, of Kenosha, was sentenced to only two months of work release for his felony 4th-offense OWI, underscoring liberal Judge Jodi L. Meier’s (D) tolerance and support of felony repeat drunk drivers. Justin J. Johnson, 43, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) Liberal Activist Judge Jodi Meier (D)File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)a You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Paddock Lake Man Accused Of Threatening To Shoot Couple, Grabbing Man By Throat During Wild Family Fight; Only $800 Cash Bail

Martin Anacleto Jr., 38, of Paddock Lake(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PADDOCK LAKE, Wis. — Martin Anacleto Jr., 38, of Paddock Lake, is facing misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct charges, both with domestic abuse modifiers, after prosecutors say a chaotic family argument escalated into Anacleto threatening to shoot his fiancée’s daughter and her boyfriend before grabbing the boyfriend around the throat and squeezing hard enough that he had difficulty speaking. Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum set Anacleto’s bail Wednesday at only $800 cash. Martin Anacleto Jr., 38, of Paddock Lake(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Kenosha Man Accused Of Terrorizing Girlfriend, Calling Her More Than 30 Times While On Felony Bail; Faces More Than 18 Years Behind Bars, Gets Only $500 Cash Bail

Christopher R. Frederick, 34, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Christopher R. Frederick, 34, of Kenosha, was charged Wednesday with disorderly conduct as a domestic abuse repeater after prosecutors say he screamed profanities at his girlfriend, called her degrading names, slammed things around her home and frightened her enough that she called police. Frederick was already out on felony bail in another domestic abuse case and allegedly called the woman more than 30 times later that same day despite his bail conditions. Prosecutors initially charged him with three counts of felony bail jumping as a repeater, but Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum dismissed one of those felony counts Wednesday and set Frederick’s bail at only $500 cash. Frederick still faces more than 18 years

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Racine Man Charged With Two Felonies In 2022 Kenosha Theft, Comic Book Store Burglary

Oscar O. Higginbottom, 54, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Oscar O. Higginbottom, 54, of Racine, was charged Tuesday with two felonies stemming from a pair of thefts in downtown Kenosha nearly four years ago, including the burglary of Inner Child Comics & Collectibles and the theft of more than $6,600 in equipment from a neighboring business. Higginbottom faces one count each of felony burglary and felony theft. Oscar O. Higginbottom, 54, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Kenosha Woman Accused Of Threatening To Have Nephew “Shoot Up” Man’s House, Held On $1,200 Cash Bail

Rasheena V. Davis, 43, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Rasheena V. Davis, 43, of Kenosha, is facing two criminal charges after police say she threatened a man during an ongoing dispute, including allegedly threatening to have her nephew go to his house and “shoot it up.” Davis, who has a prior felony conviction and was already out on no-cash bail in another criminal case, was charged Wednesday with misdemeanor bail jumping and telephone harassment, both as a repeat offender. Rasheena V. Davis, 43, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Kenosha Man Accused Of Felony For Battering Elderly Mother May Have Committed Another Felony With Google Copyright Claim Over KCE Photos

KENOSHA, Wis. — Michael William Joseph Sindelar, 31, formerly of Kenosha, was charged last year with felony physical abuse of an elder person after police said he punched his elderly mother in the head. Sindelar ultimately pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery and received 18 months of probation with no jail by liberal activist judge Jodi Meier (D). When Kenosha County Eye covered Sindelar’s case, KCE Editor Kevin Mathewson personally photographed him in court. KCE also obtained Sindelar’s booking photograph from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. Both photographs were used in the story. More than a year later, on August 25, 2026, Sindelar demanded that KCE remove the article, writing, “you have 1 day to remove this article, my photos and videos are protected by dmca and any unauthorized use of

In Wisconsin, a 65-Year-Old Man Can Be Charged With a Felony for Having Sex With a 16-Year-Old Girl — But If the Lights Are Off, It’s Probably a Misdemeanor

Note: Explicit Descriptions Below State of Wisconsin — Wisconsin’s criminal code contains a gap so absurd that it sounds invented. It isn’t. It’s sitting in black and white in Chapter 948 of the Wisconsin Statutes, and as far as this publication can tell, no one in Madison has ever bothered to close it. Here is the plain-English version. Under Wis. Stat. § 948.09, an adult who has consensual sexual intercourse with a 16- or 17-year-old — someone below the state’s effective age of consent but above the threshold where the law treats the conduct as child sexual assault — is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Maximum penalty: nine months in jail, a $10,000 fine. No mandatory sex offender registration. That’s the law as written, and it applies whether the

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Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum Dismisses Child-Enticement Case Against 19-Year-Old Accused Of Trying To Have Sex With 13-Year-Old

Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SALEM LAKES, Wis. — Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum dismissed a Class D felony child-enticement case Tuesday against Austin Carl Scaletta, 19, of Twin Lakes, who prosecutors alleged was trying to have sex with a 13-year-old girl. According to information obtained confidentially by KCE from a Kenosha County courthouse insider, Kellum dismissed the charge because he believed the alleged enticement had to actually be completed. Wisconsin’s child-enticement statute, however, expressly includes an attempt to cause a child to enter a vehicle, building, room or secluded place for an unlawful sexual purpose. We know that Kellum is sympathetic to violent criminals and repeat OWI convict, but this suggests that he may be sympathetic to alleged sex offenders.

Wisconsin Examiner Calls Itself “Nonpartisan.” Its Deputy Editor Erik Gunn’s Own Words Tell A Different Story : Opinion

KENOSHA, Wis. — Wisconsin Examiner Deputy Editor Erik Gunn (D) is apparently working on another story involving me. I don’t know what the story is, what supposed news event prompted it, or why Gunn remains so interested in me. I asked him. He wouldn’t tell me. On Tuesday, Gunn told me that neither he nor his editor would provide any comment for this story. That’s their right. It’s also my right to take a closer look at the journalist who is taking a closer look at me. And after reviewing Gunn’s public social-media activity and years of Wisconsin Examiner coverage, I have reached a pretty simple conclusion: Erik Gunn is a liberal partisan hack activist pretending to be a neutral journalist while working for a publication that advertises itself as

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Three Repeat Offenders Charged After Wild 132 MPH Kenosha County Chase, Squad-Ramming And Violent Crash Injures Three: $50,000 Cash Bail Each

Sable Russell, 34, Ace Leo Frank, 34, of Elkhart, Indiana, and Cody Luigi Frank, 22, of Hudson(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — Three people are facing a combined 30-plus criminal charges after prosecutors say an attempt to arrest a wanted felon at a Kenosha Walmart erupted into two simultaneous high-speed police chases, a rammed sheriff’s squad, a 100-plus-mph pursuit through Kenosha County, a violent crash that injured three innocent people and a second chase into Illinois that ended with a suspect running into the woods. Charged are Ace Leo Frank, 34, of Elkhart, Indiana; Sable Russell, 34, whose residence is listed as unknown; and Cody Luigi Frank, 22, of Hudson, Wisconsin. All three are charged as repeat offenders. Ace Leo Frank, 34, of Elkhart, Indiana(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) Cody

City Of Kenosha Warns Property Owners To Clean Up Alleys Or Face Citations, Cleanup Costs

KENOSHA, Wis. — The City of Kenosha is putting property owners on notice that they are responsible for keeping the alleys bordering their properties clean and maintained, with citations, cleanup costs and additional fees possible for those who fail to comply. The city issued a reminder Tuesday that under Kenosha Ordinance 5.11, property owners and other responsible parties must maintain the alley abutting their property all the way to the centerline. Alleys must remain free of garbage, trash, junk, paper and other debris. When snow and ice are not present, they also must be kept clear of dirt, dust, ashes, mud, oil and similar substances. City officials say keeping alleys clear is not simply an appearance issue. Vehicles, pedestrians, emergency responders and city crews need to be able to safely

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Homeless Kenosha Man Charged With Felony After Allegedly Threatening To Kill Police Officers: Released On No-Cash Bail

Donald L. White, 65, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Donald L. White, 65, a homeless man from Kenosha, was charged Tuesday with a felony after prosecutors say he ran from police, resisted arrest, was found with alleged drug paraphernalia and threatened to kill police officers after being taken into custody. Despite the allegations and a police officer specifically citing White’s “extreme criminal history” and unpredictable behavior, Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum released White on a $10,000 no-cash bail Tuesday. Donald L. White, 65, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Pleasant Prairie Police Department Swears In New K-9 Rex

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — The Pleasant Prairie Police Department officially welcomed its newest four-legged officer Monday when K-9 Rex was sworn into service during the August 24 Pleasant Prairie Village Board meeting. Village Clerk Jane Snell administered the official oath to Rex during the ceremony, formally welcoming him to the department. Rex, a Dutch Shepherd born in Poland, will work second shift with K-9 Handler Officer Joshua Girdaukas. Rex will turn two years old on September 21. Before beginning service in Pleasant Prairie, Rex was imported to Canine Deployed in Lafayette, Indiana. Girdaukas and Rex spent approximately three weeks training together there, earning their certification and developing the working relationship necessary for K-9 operations. Trained For Narcotics, Tracking And Apprehension According to the Village, Rex is certified in several areas

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Kenosha Man Charged After Allegedly Making False “Shots Fired” Call Following Somers Tavern Altercation

Jorge Varible Martinez, 26, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — Jorge Varible Martinez, 26, of Kenosha, was charged Tuesday with three misdemeanors after prosecutors say he falsely reported that shots had been fired at a Somers tavern after he was kicked out, prompting multiple Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office deputies to respond. Martinez allegedly later admitted that he never saw a firearm and that no shots were actually fired. Jorge Varible Martinez, 26, 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 Shoving Disabled Girlfriend Into Bathtub, Refusing To Help Her Out: Released On No-Cash Bail

Heidi A. Arndt, 44, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Heidi A. Arndt, 44, of Kenosha, is facing two domestic-abuse charges after police say she shoved her disabled longtime girlfriend backward into a bathtub, causing the woman to strike her head on tile, and then refused to help her get out. Heidi A. Arndt, 44, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Kenosha County DA’s Office Declines All Criminal Charges Against Mathewson after Judge’s Stalking Complaint, Cites Free Speech and Constitutionally Protected News Reporting

“The dignity of a wise and righteous judge needs not the artificial safeguarding which is a heritage of the old days when if dissent found a tongue the public executioner cut it out. The Bench will be sufficiently respected when it is no longer a place where dullards dream and rogues rob . . . That the corrupt practices in our courts of law be uncovered to public view, whenever that is possible, by . . . the press.”— Ambrose Bierce KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office has declined every criminal charge referred against Kenosha County Eye editor Kevin Mathewson following an extraordinary Wisconsin State Capitol Police investigation prompted by complaints from Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad Kerkman (D). The investigation, which involved Wisconsin State Capitol

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Liberal Judge Gives Only Work Release To Kenosha Man Who Drove Drunk And High Through Yard, Nearly Hit Father And Two Young Children

David R. Petretti Watring, 39, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — A Kenosha man who was originally facing three felonies after authorities say he drove drunk and high through a Somers family’s yard, narrowly missing a father and his two young children before plowing into a garage, received only 90 days of work release from Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Jason Rossell. David R. Petretti Watring, 39, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Jason Rossell (D)(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Burlington Man Charged With Felony After Alleged Road-Rage Encounter Ends With Motorcyclist Knocked Off Bike: Released On No-Cash Bail

Brian J. Koldeway, 57, of Burlington(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) WHEATLAND, Wis. — Brian J. Koldeway, 57, of Burlington, was charged Monday with first-degree recklessly endangering safety after an alleged road-rage encounter in which authorities say he intentionally drove into the wrong lane toward a motorcyclist, forcing the rider to slow nearly to a stop, before later allegedly swerving into the motorcycle and knocking the rider off his bike. Despite the serious Class F felony charge and allegations that his conduct created a high likelihood of death or great bodily harm, Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum released Koldeway on no-cash bail Monday afternoon. Koldeway faces up to 12½ years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted. The charge requires allegations of recklessly endangering another person

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