Finance Committee Blocks Victim-Witness Specialist for DA’s Office; Solis Says Democrats Chose Politics Over Victims

Copied!
Top Row: Jeff Gentz (D) and Daniel Gashke (D)
Bottom Row: Sarah Kirby (D) and Frederick Brookhouse (D)
(File Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha County Board’s Finance and Administration Committee on Thursday, October 30, narrowly voted 4–3 against adding a Victim-Witness Specialist position to District Attorney Xavier Solis’s 2026 budget — a move Solis called “politically motivated” and “a slap in the face to victims of crime.”

Paid Advertisement
Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis At Finance Committee Meeting
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The position had been proposed weeks earlier as part of a budget resolution designed to strengthen support for victims navigating the court system. While the State of Wisconsin funds all prosecutor positions, Kenosha County must fund paralegals and victim-witness staff. The additional specialist would have expanded services in a department that has seen rising caseloads since 2020.

Paid Advertisement

Voting against the measure were Supervisors Jeff Gentz (D), Daniel Gashke (D), Sarah Kirby (D), and Frederick Brookhouse (D) — all of whom backed Solis’s opponent in last year’s district attorney race. Voting in favor were David Geertsen (R), Gabe Nudo (D), and Andres Gama (D).

Paid Advertisement

Solis said the defeat reflected politics over public service.

Paid Advertisement

“I am disappointed that Finance Committee Chairman Jeff Gentz and Supervisors Daniel Gashke, Sarah Kirby, and Brookhouse voted against funding a Victim-Witness Specialist,” Solis told Kenosha County Eye. “Their comments at the meeting were concerning and give the impression that they do not support victims of crime.”

Solis said he was invited to attend the October 30 meeting to answer questions but was given only a few minutes to speak before the vote. He noted that none of the four who voted “no” had ever reached out to his office beforehand.

Paid Advertisement

“Their comments, combined with their votes, show a lack of preparation for the meeting — or worse, a disregard for victims in favor of playing politics,” Solis said. “By voting no, these Supervisors have limited the ability of victims in their own districts to have their voices heard.”

Solis also stressed that the new position would have been fiscally responsible, since the State of Wisconsin reimburses part of the salary for victim-witness staff.

Paid Advertisement

“This position is not about politics or personalities,” Solis said. “It is about the people of Kenosha County and the duty to stand with victims.”

Under Marcy’s Law, victims have a constitutional right to be treated with dignity, be heard in court, and have their safety protected. Solis said the committee’s vote directly undermined those rights.

Paid Advertisement

“Victims do not care about political parties — they care about being treated with dignity, heard in court, and protected under the law…My office will continue to do exactly that,” Solis said.

Top Row: Andres Gama (D) and Gabe Nudo (D)
Bottom Row: David Geertsen (R)
(File Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Solis thanked Supervisors Geertsen, Nudo, and Gama for “putting victims first and choosing principle over partisan politics.”

Paid Advertisement
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman (R) At Finance Committee Meeting
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Sources inside county government told Kenosha County Eye that County Executive Samantha Kerkman chose not to include the Victim-Witness Specialist in her main budget proposal, instead pushing it to a separate vote — a move some believe was intended to ensure its defeat outside her budget package.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Author

Copied!
LATEST NEWS
Plus +

Kenosha Father Charged With Exposing Genitals To Child After Allegedly “Tea-Bagging” Autistic Son

Kenosha Police Department(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosah County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha father has been charged with a felony after prosecutors allege he exposed his genitals to his autistic son during a court-ordered visitation and later admitted to police he was attempting to “tea bag” the child as a joke. Michael J. Luzinski, 29, of Kenosha, was charged July 16

Plus +

Country Thunder Drug Bust Leads To Cocaine Delivery Charges Against Salem Pair; Man Held On $15,000 Cash Bail, Woman On $2,000

Jesse A. Berryman, 42, of Salem(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Jesse A. Berryman, 42, of Salem, and Kari L. Bose, 38, of Salem, are facing felony cocaine trafficking charges after investigators allege they sold cocaine during multiple controlled drug buys conducted in the area of the Country Thunder grounds in Twin Lakes over the past 16 months. Jesse A. Berryman, 42,

MORE TOP STORIES
Plus +

Judge Gives Father Two Weeks Of Freedom Before Work Release After Drunk Driving With Open Beer And Unbuckled 5-Year-Old, 1-Year-Old In Car

Jorge Micheal Rodriguez, 36, of Pleasant Prairie (Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Judge Heather Iverson gave Jorge Micheal Rodriguez, 36, of Pleasant Prairie, two weeks of freedom before requiring him to begin serving a 30-day work-release sentence after he pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated with his unbuckled

Categories
Archives
Authors

42 Responses

  1. Everyone in Kenosha County is responsible for this.

    We all have a hand in this.

    We elect our own individual supervisors.
    We all elected Sam.

    This is just another reason why I’m not voting for Sam again. She obviously didn’t want to lead here.

    As a conservative I hate when lots of things are included in big budget bills when they could have been voted on separately. But in this case including it in the overall budget would have ensured its success. Something I want !
    Almost as if Sam is working against us.

    Looking for the next County Executive.
    Is that you ??

    53
    3
  2. They approved a raise for that dumb shit Greg Bolt, after hiring him at the highest possible wage just over a year ago.

    He’s the most worthless piece of shit in Kenosha County, second only to Kerkman.

    48
      1. Need more quad axles to haul away all of Freitag’s bullshit. Everything that comes out of his weasley mouth is bullshit.

        17
        1. While Freytag is a fucking ass, Kool-Aid drinking, piece of shit
          be very careful what you wish for because when he gets fired, mickelson would be in charge and that is simply frightening

          3
          4
          1. How do you know Mickelsen, why not Edquist? He’s the second stupidest, laziest fucker in there. That’s promotion material in Kenosha County.

        1. Gentz may make really bad decisions but Kenosha County isn’t paying him over $100k a year to fuck shit up on a daily basis, like they are Bolt and Freitag.

    1. Rino.
      She’s screwed Repubs in multiple ways and I’ll never vote for her again.
      Also, that freshly-rolled-out-of-bed look makes her seem unkempt, unprofessional and unprepared.
      Two thumbs down.

      14
      1
  3. Nit wanting to wish harm, but
    If these four had a tragedy in their family, they would want help. These four think because of their position, they’d be able to cruise thru the criminal web in Keno. That is favoritism. They forgot their oaths.

    And Sam, you are failing on real important stuff. The job is filled with hard, real life and sometimes ugly stuff. You are a dismal failure in protecting the poorest of the poor or the most hurt of victims. Oh, I will say hi to you with a smile as I always have but behind my smile is absolute disgust.

    18
    2
    1. Whenever one says “but” in a sentence after a statement you’re invalidating what you just said. I think you wish for tragedy in their family.

      17
      4
      1. your opinion, which does not make it fact.

        People have a very different view on crime when it touches them. these are lucky. it hasnt touched them closely. if it had, they would see the light and whonder where they have been all this time in their thinking. as said, favoritism exists and they would take advantage of it. You on the other hand wil go kicking and screaming and scratching for information, times, access, info for the simplest of things. Try stating with a simple police report. hint-dont hold your breath. you will die standing at the counter.

        1
        1
  4. A song Kerkman can sing.

    Lines form on my face and hands
    Lines form from the ups and downs
    I’m in the middle without any plans
    Trying to be Malibu Barbie as much as I can

    21
    2
  5. Can we talk about how Kreuser had in the budget to add an elevator in the Kenosha County Center building and Kerkman removed it and refuses to add one. There is an entire second floor that cannot be used due to no elevator. So much wasted space!

    17
    1. The second floor is mostly used up by mechanicals – HVAC & Boilers. The only available space is a roughly 2000 sq. ft. room previously used as office space for Sheriff’s substation. It might already be used County offices displaced by the enlarged Sheriff substation – unknown by me right now. The public never accessed this area. However, an elevator would have been very useful for staff that need to access this area whether they be law enforcement, maintenance, or office people.

      1. … how when this building was built in the early 1990’s it was not required to have a elevator.
        The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) was new law right around this time.
        Would surely (don’t call me Shirley) have been covered under that law.
        Maybe they got it built before that law was enacted.

        They issued “their own permits” to themselves so it is possible they just decided this was a cost saving measure.

        Anyone from that time have any knowledge of that ?

  6. Those egotistical individuals seem to ignore that there’s a law called Marsy’s Law and the provisions regarding victims’ rights. Of course, they will deny everything they can to the Republican DA. They seem to forget that their voters are the people—the same people who need victims and witnesses services. They also feel untouchable, but you never know; maybe someday they or their relatives will need a V&W specialist, and there won’t be one available.

    15
    1
    1. The DA is pandering. He is already doing way more than is required under “Marsy’s Law” and is creating unnecessary work. He’s got more money and more “victim witness” positions than he needs.

      2
      13
  7. Samatha Kerkman knew if she added these positions to her budget, it would raise the county tax levy above 3%. With re-election around the corner, she put the positions in the budget resolution with the funding coming out of the general reserves. This way she can say, I tried to the Republican’s while keeping the tax levy under 3%. Samantha Kerkman has once again demonstrated she is way out of her league and needs to go. Everyone is talking about her poor judgement and jeopardizing her own budget.

    17
    2
  8. It’s about time someone like Solis got placed in that position! He has the right mindset for the job and the positions he oversees. He’s holding people accountable not only when facing them in court, but also speaks out about those who do wrong within his rank and file. He stands for what’s right and wrong, not political affiliation or what’s going to best serve him. Shame on those who were appointed into these positions that choose to be self-serving.

    It is not a question or fallacy that victims of domestic abuse grossly under-report their abuse and their abuser. It is largely to do with how a victim get revictimized time and time again going through the process -reporting, the questions from the investigating officers, questions from the DA staff, the questions from their “team” when going through a trial and most of all during cross examination. All while in an open court in front of whomever is sitting in the stands. Having to face their abuser. (Yes this is when the victim finally goes through with pressing charges, which typically comes after months/years of abuse and the mental struggles that the victim go through to get the courage to actually stand up and fight their abuser). And this is all if, the DA chooses to press charges!

    Unless you’ve been in a position of a victim, many don’t realize that a victim of abuse goes through most of this and the DA has ultimate authority to say whether or not they’ll move forward with prosecuting the abuser!! The victim is the one on the stand testifying and fighting for their rights – having to relive the trauma on repeat which can be even more traumatic when being cross examined. The abuser never has to testify to prove their innocence. Never is an abuser forced to getting on the stand and be attacked and undermined in an attempt to prove innocence/guilt.

    To not vote in favor of a victim advocate position and the marked indifference these people have for protecting and ensuring the victim is properly protected throughout this process further causes victimization. Regardless of the victims age, gender, color or social status. They chose their own political lines and pockets over their responsibility to protect these people.

    May they all be voted out when its election time and people put in place to actually help these people already fighting so hard for themselves. And thank you Solis for standing up for victims and theor rights! If only there were more people like you, this world would be a much better place.

    13
    4
  9. The Victim Witnesses have too much power already. The don’t just advocate for the victim, they solicit the DA office for additional charges with the hopes to get a plea bargain. They have gone behind the backs of investigators trying to sway them into a different mindset of charges. I have also seen the VW office tell LE they have more information, but never pointing LE to that information directly. VW will say they cannot get involved but yet in many ways they do.

    As for you extremists , look into the time the VW people attend “special interest group” meeting. Look into these “teams” they belong to and ask yourself, who is benefitting from these teams? #1. If there is too much work maybe they should attend less meetings. #2 What group or non governmental office benefits from these meetings? Do your research!

    It’s not about the victims…it’s about their jobs.

    1. The previous District Attorney had two more witness and victim specialist positions than the current DA. One of whom was terminated due to criminal charges. The other, whose performance was widely regarded as disastrous, either quit, was terminated, or perhaps both, depending on how you look at it. The current DA is simply trying to restore the same number of positions the prior administration had, ideally by hiring someone more motivated and less prone to assaulting people outside the office. So, is this really about power, or is it about efficiency?

      1. You both made a point. Watcher, some of them have to go once the house cleaning is completed; however, others are great, such as this lady Regina and stick strictly to their job descriptions. Efficiency, those two are part of the rotten apples, and there are still a couple left there.

        3
        1
  10. Meanwhile, the liberal judges and court commissioners hand down lenient sentencing (if any) to criminals
    who go right back out and reoffend—creating more victims! Disgusting.

    9
    1
  11. By all marks, this year has shown how the Democrats react when they lose elections to Republican candidates. Nearly 80% of the Democratic ADAs have fled the county, leaving behind what many now describe as scorched land for the incoming Republican DA, Mr. Solis. The transition has been anything but smooth.

    An imperial decree, issued under the authority of the king judge, has drawn sharp criticism from legal observers and civil rights advocates alike. The order restricts media access to court proceedings, allowing only images approved by local authorities while barring independent media from obtaining and therefore being able to publish their own photos.

    Sources within the courthouse have revealed the existence of secret memoranda, conducted by the Clerk of Courts at the request of the so called “king,” later redacted and sent directly to the so called Republican and former wife County Executive. These documents allegedly contain information extracted from court employees under duress and, more disturbingly, instructions to identify which court officials and deputies have been “friendly” with journalists who have covered the judicial system for years.

    Meanwhile, Democratic officials have resisted the appointment of a long awaited additional witness and victim specialist for the District Attorney’s Office. The move appears less about fiscal restraint and more about undermining the office’s mission and, in the process, deepening the wounds of victims who continue to seek justice in a fractured system.

    It’s time, more than ever before, to keep the EYE focused on the court system as well as on the expenses approved by the county, particularly how much unnecessary spending continues to be authorized while the approval of another victim and witness specialist is being denied. Now, more than ever, let’s keep The EYE well informed of any irregularities in the spending of public funds on behalf of the board member and everyone else.

    6
    1
  12. From now on, let’s hold these so called public servants accountable for every single dime they spend. We must gain access to or subpoena all financial records and demand full not redacted explanations for every expenditure. If the numbers cannot be properly justified, then we, the people, must demand their prosecution. Let’s report to KCE every shady thing we learn about. Enough is enough. This must start tomorrow.

  13. We all are against lenient sentences.

    What is the daily cost to house a jailed offender ?
    How much is the cost for a Huber offender ?
    How much is the cost of an ankle monitored offender ?

    How much space is available in the county jail for all these offenders ?
    Is any of the above “part” of anyone’s thought process when handing down sentences ?

    I get it, none of that should matter but, does it ??

    1
    1
  14. Have you ever heard about the deterrent aspect of the law? Apparently, judge Russell hasn’t either. We can’t deport U.S. citizens. Are you suggesting that those committing crimes should not be incarcerated due to a lack of funds for the county jail and KCDC? That would lead to total chaos, just look at Chicago the democrat paradise. Unfortunately, they must be locked up. Perhaps legislators in Madison should consider deducting money from their paychecks once they’re released in order to reimburse the state. But that’s unlikely with all those liberals in the mix.

  15. The writer of the first response to this story seems to lack an understanding of the budget process and funding sources other than Kenosha taxpayers.
    First, information from unidentified ‘sources inside County government’ is hardly a basis for taking a stand on decisions made by elected officials. Second, let’s assume for a minute that Sam purposely left the funding for the position outside of the budget to force a vote in Committee where Dem’s showed their colors before an election. I’d say that is brilliant move and a great campaign issue for the Dems Republican opponents in what has been otherwise a two-year cycle with very little to differentiate County Supervisors from each other. This was truly a gift for the Republicans. I’m glad simple-minded folks who fire off comments like ‘Elections have consequences’ did don’t have the courage to run for public office.

    1
    1

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST NEWS
Plus +

Kenosha Father Charged With Exposing Genitals To Child After Allegedly “Tea-Bagging” Autistic Son

Kenosha Police Department(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosah County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha father has been charged with a felony after prosecutors allege he exposed his genitals to his autistic son during a court-ordered visitation and later admitted to police he was attempting to “tea bag” the child as a joke. Michael J. Luzinski, 29, of Kenosha, was charged July 16

Plus +

Country Thunder Drug Bust Leads To Cocaine Delivery Charges Against Salem Pair; Man Held On $15,000 Cash Bail, Woman On $2,000

Jesse A. Berryman, 42, of Salem(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Jesse A. Berryman, 42, of Salem, and Kari L. Bose, 38, of Salem, are facing felony cocaine trafficking charges after investigators allege they sold cocaine during multiple controlled drug buys conducted in the area of the Country Thunder grounds in Twin Lakes over the past 16 months. Jesse A. Berryman, 42,

Plus +

Already Out On $2,500 Cash Bail In Shooting Case, Kenosha Man Gets Just $5,000 Cash Bail From Liberal Court Commissioner On 40-Year Sexual Assault Charge

Stephon P. King, 24, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man who was already free after posting $2,500 cash bail on charges that he recklessly endangered public safety by allegedly firing an AR-15-style rifle during a Fourth of July incident was ordered held on just $5,000 cash bail Friday after being charged with second-degree sexual assault, a Class C

Plus +

Illinois Man Accused Of Attacking Child’s Mother, Kicking Kenosha County Deputy At Country Thunder Held On $2,500 Cash Bail

Grady A. Nielsen, 23, of Antioch, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Grady A. Nielsen, 23, of Antioch, Illinois, is facing one felony and seven misdemeanor charges after prosecutors allege he assaulted the mother of one of his children, fought with multiple people at Country Thunder, resisted deputies, and kicked a Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office deputy during his arrest. A court commissioner

Plus +

Third-Offense OWI Driver Accused Of Crashing Truck, Blowing .22 And Carrying Drugs Released On Just $750 Cash Bail By Court Commissioner

Todd F. Schanstine, 63, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Todd F. Schanstine, 63, of Racine, was released from the Kenosha County Jail Friday after a court commissioner set just $750 cash bail despite allegations he crashed his pickup truck while driving drunk, blew a .22 on a breath test—nearly three times Wisconsin’s legal limit of .08—and was found carrying drugs.

Plus +

UPDATE: Twin Lakes Man Charged Again As Prosecutors Allege He Violated Nine Separate Bonds

Craig C. Cantwell, 47, of Twin Lake(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — Craig C. Cantwell, 47, of Twin Lakes, a member of a well-known local family, has been charged yet again after prosecutors accused him of harassing golfers at the Twin Lakes Country Club while already free on bond in numerous criminal cases involving drunk driving, posting an intimate image of

UPDATE: Sheriff’s Office Says Driver Died By Apparent Suicide After Crashing Truck Into Randall Home

RANDALL, Wis. — The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office says a 23-year-old man died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after crashing a pickup truck into a home in the Town of Randall early Friday morning, providing new details about a fatal incident that initially prompted a large emergency response. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at 2:38 a.m. Friday to a

Plus +

Judge Gives Father Two Weeks Of Freedom Before Work Release After Drunk Driving With Open Beer And Unbuckled 5-Year-Old, 1-Year-Old In Car

Jorge Micheal Rodriguez, 36, of Pleasant Prairie (Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Judge Heather Iverson gave Jorge Micheal Rodriguez, 36, of Pleasant Prairie, two weeks of freedom before requiring him to begin serving a 30-day work-release sentence after he pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated with his unbuckled 5-year-old and 1-year-old children in the vehicle while an open beer sat within

Pickup Truck Crashes Through Randall Home, Driver Killed After Apparent Return To Wreckage

RANDALL, Wis. — A pickup truck crashed completely through a home in the 39400 block of 104th Street early Friday morning, killing the driver after the vehicle penetrated roughly 10 feet into the residence. The homeowners escaped without injury despite the extensive structural damage. According to emergency radio traffic, dispatchers received the call at approximately 2:40 a.m. Initial reports indicated the driver had

Plus +

Former KUSD Board Member Charged Nearly 20 Months After KCE Broke Story On Alleged Grooming-Like Behavior

Antonio “Tony” I. Garcia, 69, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Antonio “Tony” I. Garcia, 69, of Pleasant Prairie, a former Kenosha Unified School District Board of Education member, former KUSD bilingual community liaison, and former Kenosha public works employee, has been criminally charged nearly 20 months after Kenosha County Eye first reported allegations of grooming-like behavior involving multiple students.

Plus +

Liberal Kenosha Artist And “Witch” Charged With Felony Election Fraud After Allegedly Voting Twice

Jill Colleen Zgorzelski, 44, of Kenosha(Facebook.com) KENOSHA, Wis. — Jill Colleen Zgorzelski, 44, a liberal Kenosha artist and outspoken supporter of Kenosha Pride, has been charged with felony election fraud after prosecutors allege she intentionally cast two ballots during the Feb. 20, 2024 spring election. Jill Colleen Zgorzelski, 44, of Kenosha(Facebook.com) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Appleton Man Charged With Sexual Assault After Allegedly Entering Kenosha Teen’s Home Through Basement Window

Antjuan J. Zeutzius, 20, of Appleton(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Antjuan J. Zeutzius, 20, of Appleton, is charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old Kenosha girl after prosecutors allege he entered her family’s home through a basement window during the early morning hours Wednesday. Zeutzius made his initial appearance Thursday, where Court Commissioner Lisa Bouterse set a $15,000 cash bond and ordered

Plus +

Two Milwaukee Men Charged In Alleged $16,500 ‘Grandparent’ Scam Targeting Elderly Salem Lakes Man

Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) SALEM LAKES, Wis. — Raul Hernandez-Carrasco, 21, and Maximiliano Mendez, 29, both of Milwaukee, have been charged with four felonies each for allegedly participating in a large, multi-jurisdictional “grandparent” fraud ring that tricked an elderly Salem Lakes man into handing over $16,500 in cash during two visits to his home. You must

Plus +

Repo Man Says Vehicle Owner Beat Him, Stole His Phone, Rammed SUV During Violent Kenosha Repossession Attempt

Josue Diaz-Baez, 49, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Josue Diaz-Baez, 49, of Racine, is facing four criminal charges after prosecutors say he assaulted a repossession agent, stole the man’s cell phone, repeatedly rammed the victim’s vehicle with an SUV, and fled the scene following a violent confrontation during a repossession attempt outside a Kenosha business. Josue Diaz-Baez, 49, of Racine(Kenosha

Plus +

Accused Drug Dealer Arrested on Domestic Violence Warrant, Then Allegedly Caught With 40 Oxycodone Pills Hidden in Squad Car

Damarious Darsean Thompson, 22, formerly of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Damarious Darsean Thompson, 22, formerly of Twin Lakes and now listed as living in Racine, is facing two new felony cases after Kenosha police arrested him on a domestic violence warrant and allegedly discovered 40 oxycodone pills he is accused of trying to hide inside a squad car. Prosecutors

Plus +

“Are You Going To Take My Baby?”: Illinois Woman Gets 20 Days Of Work Release After Child-OWI Conviction

Kaitlyn A. Krigers, 37, of Richmond, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Judge Jason A. Rossell on Wednesday sentenced an Illinois woman to 20 days on work release after she admitted to driving while intoxicated with a child under the age of 16 in her vehicle. Kaitlyn A. Krigers, 37, of Richmond, Illinois, pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated with a minor

4-Year-Old Boy Reunites With Kenosha County Deputies Who Helped Save Him After Serious Home Accident

KENOSHA, Wis. — After suffering a serious injury in a recent accident at his home, 4-year-old Zechariah “Zech” Byles had one request during his recovery: he wanted to see the Kenosha County deputies who responded to his family’s emergency so he could thank each of them with a hug. That heartfelt reunion recently took place as Deputy Lyyski, Deputy Gursky, Deputy Ali, Deputy

5-Year-Old Pleasant Prairie Boy’s Lemonade Stand Aims to Raise $5,000 So Local Children Can Have Beds of Their Own

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Most 5-year-olds dream about new toys or their next birthday. But when Caden Graham learned that some children don’t have a bed to sleep in, he asked his mother a question that changed everything: “Can I give them my bed?” That heartfelt response inspired Caden and his mother, Carly Graham, to apply for Riley Construction’s Good Stand Project, an

Steil Touts Housing Law, Reports $6.1 Million War Chest as Re-Election Campaign Ramps Up

JANESVILLE, Wis. — U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) is highlighting both a legislative victory and a commanding fundraising advantage as he prepares for the 2026 election, announcing this week that a bipartisan housing affordability package he helped author has been signed into law while his campaign has amassed more than $6.1 million in cash on hand. Steil’s campaign announced that he raised more

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Forces Kenosha to Close Pools, Golf Course, Drop-Off Sites

KENOSHA, Wis. — Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires prompted the City of Kenosha on Thursday to temporarily shut down several public facilities and cancel events as air quality deteriorated across southeastern Wisconsin. The closures come as state and federal officials warn that unhealthy air conditions could persist into Friday or longer. The City of Kenosha announced that Anderson Park Pool and Washington Park

Plus +

AI Litigant Behind Felony Stalking Case Sees Two Federal Lawsuits Dismissed; Judge Orders Him To Explain Why He Shouldn’t Be Sanctioned

Mathiew R. Fox, 38, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office)(Background Photo is AI-Created becuase Humor, Irony) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man who has openly acknowledged using artificial intelligence to help prepare a barrage of lawsuits spanning state and federal courts has suffered another major legal setback after a federal judge dismissed two nearly identical civil-rights lawsuits and ordered him to explain why he

Plus +

Kenosha Man Held on $100,000 Cash Bail on Child Sexual Assault Charge

Zachary R. Jenrette, 25, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Zachary R. Jenrette, 25, of Kenosha, was ordered held on a $100,000 cash bond Wednesday after Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Stephanie McIntosh found probable cause to proceed on a charge of first-degree child sexual assault. Prosecutors allege the victim was a relative who was under the age of 13 at

Plus +

Illinois Woman Charged With Felony After Allegedly Driving SUV At Crowd Outside Kenosha Bar

Aniya M. Ayers, 24, of Zion, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Aniya M. Ayers, 24, of Zion, Illinois, has been charged with one count of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, a Class F felony, after prosecutors allege she intentionally drove her SUV toward a crowd of people outside Shenanigans Bar before crashing into two parked vehicles and nearly striking a pedestrian. Aniya

Plus +

Pleasant Prairie Man Charged With Felony Stalking, Accused of Scattering Homemade Tire Spikes at Ex-Girlfriend’s Home

James M. Bulik, 44, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — James M. Bulik, 44, of Pleasant Prairie, has been charged with felony stalking after prosecutors allege he subjected his former girlfriend to a months-long campaign of harassment that included repeatedly contacting her after their breakup, allegedly scattering homemade metal tire spikes throughout her driveway, creating fake social media accounts to

LATEST NEWS
Plus +

Kenosha Father Charged With Exposing Genitals To Child After Allegedly “Tea-Bagging” Autistic Son

Kenosha Police Department(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosah County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha father has been charged with a felony after prosecutors allege he exposed his genitals to his autistic son during a court-ordered visitation and later admitted to police he was attempting to “tea bag” the child as a joke. Michael J. Luzinski, 29, of Kenosha, was charged July 16

Plus +

Country Thunder Drug Bust Leads To Cocaine Delivery Charges Against Salem Pair; Man Held On $15,000 Cash Bail, Woman On $2,000

Jesse A. Berryman, 42, of Salem(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Jesse A. Berryman, 42, of Salem, and Kari L. Bose, 38, of Salem, are facing felony cocaine trafficking charges after investigators allege they sold cocaine during multiple controlled drug buys conducted in the area of the Country Thunder grounds in Twin Lakes over the past 16 months. Jesse A. Berryman, 42,

Plus +

Already Out On $2,500 Cash Bail In Shooting Case, Kenosha Man Gets Just $5,000 Cash Bail From Liberal Court Commissioner On 40-Year Sexual Assault Charge

Stephon P. King, 24, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man who was already free after posting $2,500 cash bail on charges that he recklessly endangered public safety by allegedly firing an AR-15-style rifle during a Fourth of July incident was ordered held on just $5,000 cash bail Friday after being charged with second-degree sexual assault, a Class C

Plus +

Illinois Man Accused Of Attacking Child’s Mother, Kicking Kenosha County Deputy At Country Thunder Held On $2,500 Cash Bail

Grady A. Nielsen, 23, of Antioch, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Grady A. Nielsen, 23, of Antioch, Illinois, is facing one felony and seven misdemeanor charges after prosecutors allege he assaulted the mother of one of his children, fought with multiple people at Country Thunder, resisted deputies, and kicked a Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office deputy during his arrest. A court commissioner

Plus +

Third-Offense OWI Driver Accused Of Crashing Truck, Blowing .22 And Carrying Drugs Released On Just $750 Cash Bail By Court Commissioner

Todd F. Schanstine, 63, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Todd F. Schanstine, 63, of Racine, was released from the Kenosha County Jail Friday after a court commissioner set just $750 cash bail despite allegations he crashed his pickup truck while driving drunk, blew a .22 on a breath test—nearly three times Wisconsin’s legal limit of .08—and was found carrying drugs.

Plus +

UPDATE: Twin Lakes Man Charged Again As Prosecutors Allege He Violated Nine Separate Bonds

Craig C. Cantwell, 47, of Twin Lake(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — Craig C. Cantwell, 47, of Twin Lakes, a member of a well-known local family, has been charged yet again after prosecutors accused him of harassing golfers at the Twin Lakes Country Club while already free on bond in numerous criminal cases involving drunk driving, posting an intimate image of

UPDATE: Sheriff’s Office Says Driver Died By Apparent Suicide After Crashing Truck Into Randall Home

RANDALL, Wis. — The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office says a 23-year-old man died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after crashing a pickup truck into a home in the Town of Randall early Friday morning, providing new details about a fatal incident that initially prompted a large emergency response. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at 2:38 a.m. Friday to a

Plus +

Judge Gives Father Two Weeks Of Freedom Before Work Release After Drunk Driving With Open Beer And Unbuckled 5-Year-Old, 1-Year-Old In Car

Jorge Micheal Rodriguez, 36, of Pleasant Prairie (Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Judge Heather Iverson gave Jorge Micheal Rodriguez, 36, of Pleasant Prairie, two weeks of freedom before requiring him to begin serving a 30-day work-release sentence after he pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated with his unbuckled 5-year-old and 1-year-old children in the vehicle while an open beer sat within

Pickup Truck Crashes Through Randall Home, Driver Killed After Apparent Return To Wreckage

RANDALL, Wis. — A pickup truck crashed completely through a home in the 39400 block of 104th Street early Friday morning, killing the driver after the vehicle penetrated roughly 10 feet into the residence. The homeowners escaped without injury despite the extensive structural damage. According to emergency radio traffic, dispatchers received the call at approximately 2:40 a.m. Initial reports indicated the driver had

Plus +

Former KUSD Board Member Charged Nearly 20 Months After KCE Broke Story On Alleged Grooming-Like Behavior

Antonio “Tony” I. Garcia, 69, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Antonio “Tony” I. Garcia, 69, of Pleasant Prairie, a former Kenosha Unified School District Board of Education member, former KUSD bilingual community liaison, and former Kenosha public works employee, has been criminally charged nearly 20 months after Kenosha County Eye first reported allegations of grooming-like behavior involving multiple students.

Plus +

Liberal Kenosha Artist And “Witch” Charged With Felony Election Fraud After Allegedly Voting Twice

Jill Colleen Zgorzelski, 44, of Kenosha(Facebook.com) KENOSHA, Wis. — Jill Colleen Zgorzelski, 44, a liberal Kenosha artist and outspoken supporter of Kenosha Pride, has been charged with felony election fraud after prosecutors allege she intentionally cast two ballots during the Feb. 20, 2024 spring election. Jill Colleen Zgorzelski, 44, of Kenosha(Facebook.com) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Appleton Man Charged With Sexual Assault After Allegedly Entering Kenosha Teen’s Home Through Basement Window

Antjuan J. Zeutzius, 20, of Appleton(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Antjuan J. Zeutzius, 20, of Appleton, is charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old Kenosha girl after prosecutors allege he entered her family’s home through a basement window during the early morning hours Wednesday. Zeutzius made his initial appearance Thursday, where Court Commissioner Lisa Bouterse set a $15,000 cash bond and ordered

Plus +

Two Milwaukee Men Charged In Alleged $16,500 ‘Grandparent’ Scam Targeting Elderly Salem Lakes Man

Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) SALEM LAKES, Wis. — Raul Hernandez-Carrasco, 21, and Maximiliano Mendez, 29, both of Milwaukee, have been charged with four felonies each for allegedly participating in a large, multi-jurisdictional “grandparent” fraud ring that tricked an elderly Salem Lakes man into handing over $16,500 in cash during two visits to his home. You must

Plus +

Repo Man Says Vehicle Owner Beat Him, Stole His Phone, Rammed SUV During Violent Kenosha Repossession Attempt

Josue Diaz-Baez, 49, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Josue Diaz-Baez, 49, of Racine, is facing four criminal charges after prosecutors say he assaulted a repossession agent, stole the man’s cell phone, repeatedly rammed the victim’s vehicle with an SUV, and fled the scene following a violent confrontation during a repossession attempt outside a Kenosha business. Josue Diaz-Baez, 49, of Racine(Kenosha

Plus +

Accused Drug Dealer Arrested on Domestic Violence Warrant, Then Allegedly Caught With 40 Oxycodone Pills Hidden in Squad Car

Damarious Darsean Thompson, 22, formerly of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Damarious Darsean Thompson, 22, formerly of Twin Lakes and now listed as living in Racine, is facing two new felony cases after Kenosha police arrested him on a domestic violence warrant and allegedly discovered 40 oxycodone pills he is accused of trying to hide inside a squad car. Prosecutors

Plus +

“Are You Going To Take My Baby?”: Illinois Woman Gets 20 Days Of Work Release After Child-OWI Conviction

Kaitlyn A. Krigers, 37, of Richmond, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Judge Jason A. Rossell on Wednesday sentenced an Illinois woman to 20 days on work release after she admitted to driving while intoxicated with a child under the age of 16 in her vehicle. Kaitlyn A. Krigers, 37, of Richmond, Illinois, pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated with a minor

Categories
Archives
Authors

Wake Up to What You Missed

Get notified of new articles. We'll never share your email address.