KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man who was present when a woman was found dead inside an apartment earlier this month is now facing a new felony bail jumping charge, after authorities say he violated bond conditions in a separate drug case. Despite the circumstances surrounding the death, Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II set bail at just $2,000 cash.
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KENOSHA, Wis. — As the community continues to grapple with the shocking killing of Makayla Marie Rutka Plaza, a fundraiser has now been launched to help support her three young children and surviving family members as they face funeral costs, legal expenses and the difficult transition ahead. The GoFundMe was organized by Aaron Pletz, who described himself as Makayla’s stepfather since she was
KENOSHA, Wis. — Residents dealing with fallen branches and storm debris after Thursday night’s severe weather will be able to take advantage of curbside pickup services offered by the City of Kenosha. City crews from the Department of Public Works and Parks Department are expected to begin surveying impacted neighborhoods in the coming days following the April 2 storms. Residents are being asked
Kenosha Storm of April 3, 2026(Submitted by Reader) KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Strong storms tore through Kenosha County Thursday night, leaving behind downed trees, damaged homes, toppled power lines and thousands of residents without electricity. Many readers sent Kenosha County Eye photos overnight and early Friday morning showing the widespread
Kenosha Police Chief Pat Patton at Press Conference this Evening(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) Warning: The details in this case are disturbing and may be graphic for some readers. KENOSHA, Wis. — Police held a press conference at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Kenosha Public Museum, where they
KENOSHA, Wis. — Jake C. Wenzel, 30, of Antioch, Illinois, was charged Tuesday with four new counts of felony bail jumping and four counts of violating jail rules after prosecutors say he repeatedly communicated with Salem woman Savannah Lee Burm while both were locked up in the Kenosha County Detention
Kevin T. Anderson, 43, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of strangling his girlfriend’s daughter’s fiancé and battering another family member during a domestic disturbance was charged Wednesday and given a $5,000 cash bail by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. Kevin
Andrew Richardson Farah, 19, of Milwaukee(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 19-year-old Milwaukee man accused of leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Kenosha and Racine counties had his bail cut in half Thursday by Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II after originally being wanted on
Jeffery J. Schrock, 47, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) Update 4/3/2026 @ 6:22 p.m.: Attorney Benjamin Schwarz successfully moved to dismiss the child-neglect charge during Schrock’s initial appearance Thursday. Schrock now faces only the remaining counts of disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and resisting an officer. KENOSHA, Wis. — A
KENOSHA, Wis. — As the community continues to grapple with the shocking killing of Makayla Marie Rutka Plaza, a fundraiser has now been launched to help support her three young children and surviving family members as they face funeral costs, legal expenses and the difficult transition ahead. The GoFundMe was organized by Aaron Pletz, who described himself as Makayla’s stepfather since she was
KENOSHA, Wis. — Residents dealing with fallen branches and storm debris after Thursday night’s severe weather will be able to take advantage of curbside pickup services offered by the City of Kenosha. City crews from the Department of Public Works and Parks Department are expected to begin surveying impacted neighborhoods in the coming days following the April 2 storms. Residents are being asked
Kenosha Storm of April 3, 2026(Submitted by Reader) KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Strong storms tore through Kenosha County Thursday night, leaving behind downed trees, damaged homes, toppled power lines and thousands of residents without electricity. Many readers sent Kenosha County Eye photos overnight and early Friday morning showing the widespread destruction left behind by the storm. Images submitted to KCE showed large trees
Kenosha Police Chief Pat Patton at Press Conference this Evening(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) Warning: The details in this case are disturbing and may be graphic for some readers. KENOSHA, Wis. — Police held a press conference at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Kenosha Public Museum, where they laid out new details about the murder of Makayla Plaza, the nearly 30-hour
KENOSHA, Wis. — Jake C. Wenzel, 30, of Antioch, Illinois, was charged Tuesday with four new counts of felony bail jumping and four counts of violating jail rules after prosecutors say he repeatedly communicated with Salem woman Savannah Lee Burm while both were locked up in the Kenosha County Detention Center. Wenzel is already facing two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and
Kevin T. Anderson, 43, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of strangling his girlfriend’s daughter’s fiancé and battering another family member during a domestic disturbance was charged Wednesday and given a $5,000 cash bail by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. Kevin T. Anderson, 43, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in
Andrew Richardson Farah, 19, of Milwaukee(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 19-year-old Milwaukee man accused of leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Kenosha and Racine counties had his bail cut in half Thursday by Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II after originally being wanted on a $40,000 arrest warrant issued last month. Andrew Richardson Farah, 19, of Milwaukee(Kenosha
Jeffery J. Schrock, 47, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) Update 4/3/2026 @ 6:22 p.m.: Attorney Benjamin Schwarz successfully moved to dismiss the child-neglect charge during Schrock’s initial appearance Thursday. Schrock now faces only the remaining counts of disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and resisting an officer. KENOSHA, Wis. — A 47-year-old Kenosha man accused of leaving his 10-year-old son home alone while he
Robert J. Schmidt Sr., 53, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — A Twin Lakes man accused of stealing thousands of dollars in cash, jewelry and mailed checks from an elderly man who allowed him to live in his home for years was given a $7,500 cash bail Thursday by Court Commissioner William Michel II. Robert J. Schmidt Sr., 53,
Ramon Morales, 46, of Waukegan(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 46-year-old Illinois man accused of repeatedly stealing roofing materials and shingles from Menards stores had his cash bail reduced Thursday after his arrest Wednesday, while his alleged co-defendant, Juan Zavala Gonzalez, 41, remains at large. Ramon Morales, 46, of Waukegan(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Two people are dead after a house fire early Thursday morning in the 2500 block of 116th Street in Pleasant Prairie. Police were reportedly the first to arrive at the home, where they found heavy flames coming from the rear of the house. Officers indicated the fire was too intense for them to safely enter the residence without proper
Lorilei L. Barwick, 53, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Kenosha woman accused of stealing more than $2,100 worth of merchandise from Target and Nike over two separate dates was charged Wednesday and given a $2,500 cash bail by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. Michel also ordered 53-year-old Lorilei L. Barwick to have no contact with
Kenosha Police Department(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 24-year-old Chicago man is wanted in Kenosha County after prosecutors charged him with allegedly using a fake funeral donation scam to try to steal thousands of dollars from shoppers outside two Kenosha stores. Court Commissioner William Michel II issued a $10,000 warrant for Kion E. Harris after charges were
KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Hometown Heroes Commission is once again seeking nominations for local veterans to be recognized during the second quarter of 2026. The program honors men and women who have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces and who have a connection to the City of Kenosha. Eligible nominees must have been born in Kenosha, currently
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha residents will once again be able to drop off brush, branches and compostable materials beginning Monday, April 6, when the city’s Compost/Brush Drop-Off Site reopens for the season. The site, located at 4071 88th Ave., will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays. The service is available only to City of Kenosha residents and
GREENDALE, Wis. — Republican gubernatorial candidate and Congressman Tom Tiffany unveiled two major economic proposals Tuesday, calling for an end to Wisconsin’s vehicle emissions testing requirement and promising to eliminate state income taxes on tips and overtime pay. During an event in Greendale, Tiffany said Wisconsin’s emissions testing system is outdated and places unnecessary burdens on drivers in seven southeastern Wisconsin counties. He
KENOSHA, Wis. — Four longtime Kenosha community leaders who died in 2025 and 2026 will be honored later this month during the City of Kenosha’s annual Arbor Day observance, with memorial trees planted in their names at parks across the city. The Arbor Day commemorations will take place April 24 and will recognize John Hawley, Dr. Paul Capelli, William “Bill” Rice Jr. and
Marckus L.A. Plaza, 33, of Kenosha (Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office)Crime Scene (Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) Warning: The details in this case are disturbing and may be graphic for some readers. KENOSHA, Wis. — District Attorney Xavier Solis and his team worked quickly with Kenosha police Wednesday to file a homicide charge and secure an arrest warrant within hours of Makayla Marie Rutka
Racine County Deputy Emil Ortiz, 37, of Somers (Mugshot)FLOCK Image Illegally Obtained by Ortiz KENOSHA, Wis. — The John Doe petition filed by Kenosha County Eye publisher Kevin Mathewson against Racine County Sheriff’s Deputy Emil Ortiz continues to move forward, with Chief Judge Wynne P. Lautenberg now assigning a Walworth County judge to oversee the case and Ortiz formally hiring two attorneys. You
KENOSHA, Wis. — In an unusual development following charges filed against Salem woman Savannah Lee Burm, both Burm’s sister and Burm’s attorney contacted Kenosha County Eye after the outlet published a story detailing allegations that Burm helped accused attempted homicide suspect Jake C. Wenzel avoid capture. Burm, 29, was charged on Nov. 26 with Straw Purchasing of a Firearm, Harboring or Aiding a
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha police have not officially confirmed the identity of the victim in Tuesday morning’s apparent homicide near 75th Street and 22nd Avenue, but sources indicate the victim is seemingly Makayla Marie Rutka Plaza, 28. The suspect is her estranged husband, 33-year-old Marckus L.A. Plaza, who remained the subject of a massive manhunt as of publication. Police were initially called to
KENOSHA, Wis. — Wisconsin Circuit Court records filed early Tuesday morning show the state Department of Revenue filed a delinquent income tax warrant against Solis in Kenosha County Circuit Court, case number 2026TW000318. The warrant, which carries the force of a civil judgment, reflects $8,024 in unpaid income taxes, $2,873.98 in penalties, and $2,710.60 in accrued interest, a total of $13,608.58. The underlying
KENOSHA, Wis. — A new U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down a Colorado conversion therapy ban is likely to place the City of Kenosha’s own ordinance banning the practice on shaky constitutional ground. On Tuesday, the nation’s highest court ruled 8-1 that Colorado’s law banning licensed therapists from providing conversion therapy to minors violated the First Amendment because it restricted speech based on
KENOSHA, Wis. — Nearly 49 years after Ralph Ambrose Gianoli was found beaten and strangled to death inside his home at 5310 25th Ave., Kenosha police on Tuesday publicly laid out how preserved evidence, modern DNA testing and years of renewed investigative work led to the arrest of a Tennessee man in one of the city’s oldest unsolved homicide cases. Police say James
KENOSHA, Wis. — As the community continues to grapple with the shocking killing of Makayla Marie Rutka Plaza, a fundraiser has now been launched to help support her three young children and surviving family members as they face funeral costs, legal expenses and the difficult transition ahead. The GoFundMe was organized by Aaron Pletz, who described himself as Makayla’s stepfather since she was
KENOSHA, Wis. — Residents dealing with fallen branches and storm debris after Thursday night’s severe weather will be able to take advantage of curbside pickup services offered by the City of Kenosha. City crews from the Department of Public Works and Parks Department are expected to begin surveying impacted neighborhoods in the coming days following the April 2 storms. Residents are being asked
Kenosha Storm of April 3, 2026(Submitted by Reader) KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Strong storms tore through Kenosha County Thursday night, leaving behind downed trees, damaged homes, toppled power lines and thousands of residents without electricity. Many readers sent Kenosha County Eye photos overnight and early Friday morning showing the widespread destruction left behind by the storm. Images submitted to KCE showed large trees
Kenosha Police Chief Pat Patton at Press Conference this Evening(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) Warning: The details in this case are disturbing and may be graphic for some readers. KENOSHA, Wis. — Police held a press conference at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Kenosha Public Museum, where they laid out new details about the murder of Makayla Plaza, the nearly 30-hour
KENOSHA, Wis. — Jake C. Wenzel, 30, of Antioch, Illinois, was charged Tuesday with four new counts of felony bail jumping and four counts of violating jail rules after prosecutors say he repeatedly communicated with Salem woman Savannah Lee Burm while both were locked up in the Kenosha County Detention Center. Wenzel is already facing two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and
Kevin T. Anderson, 43, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of strangling his girlfriend’s daughter’s fiancé and battering another family member during a domestic disturbance was charged Wednesday and given a $5,000 cash bail by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. Kevin T. Anderson, 43, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in
Andrew Richardson Farah, 19, of Milwaukee(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 19-year-old Milwaukee man accused of leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Kenosha and Racine counties had his bail cut in half Thursday by Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II after originally being wanted on a $40,000 arrest warrant issued last month. Andrew Richardson Farah, 19, of Milwaukee(Kenosha
Jeffery J. Schrock, 47, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) Update 4/3/2026 @ 6:22 p.m.: Attorney Benjamin Schwarz successfully moved to dismiss the child-neglect charge during Schrock’s initial appearance Thursday. Schrock now faces only the remaining counts of disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and resisting an officer. KENOSHA, Wis. — A 47-year-old Kenosha man accused of leaving his 10-year-old son home alone while he
Robert J. Schmidt Sr., 53, of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — A Twin Lakes man accused of stealing thousands of dollars in cash, jewelry and mailed checks from an elderly man who allowed him to live in his home for years was given a $7,500 cash bail Thursday by Court Commissioner William Michel II. Robert J. Schmidt Sr., 53,
Ramon Morales, 46, of Waukegan(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 46-year-old Illinois man accused of repeatedly stealing roofing materials and shingles from Menards stores had his cash bail reduced Thursday after his arrest Wednesday, while his alleged co-defendant, Juan Zavala Gonzalez, 41, remains at large. Ramon Morales, 46, of Waukegan(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Two people are dead after a house fire early Thursday morning in the 2500 block of 116th Street in Pleasant Prairie. Police were reportedly the first to arrive at the home, where they found heavy flames coming from the rear of the house. Officers indicated the fire was too intense for them to safely enter the residence without proper
Lorilei L. Barwick, 53, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Kenosha woman accused of stealing more than $2,100 worth of merchandise from Target and Nike over two separate dates was charged Wednesday and given a $2,500 cash bail by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. Michel also ordered 53-year-old Lorilei L. Barwick to have no contact with
Kenosha Police Department(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 24-year-old Chicago man is wanted in Kenosha County after prosecutors charged him with allegedly using a fake funeral donation scam to try to steal thousands of dollars from shoppers outside two Kenosha stores. Court Commissioner William Michel II issued a $10,000 warrant for Kion E. Harris after charges were
KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Hometown Heroes Commission is once again seeking nominations for local veterans to be recognized during the second quarter of 2026. The program honors men and women who have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces and who have a connection to the City of Kenosha. Eligible nominees must have been born in Kenosha, currently
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha residents will once again be able to drop off brush, branches and compostable materials beginning Monday, April 6, when the city’s Compost/Brush Drop-Off Site reopens for the season. The site, located at 4071 88th Ave., will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays. The service is available only to City of Kenosha residents and
GREENDALE, Wis. — Republican gubernatorial candidate and Congressman Tom Tiffany unveiled two major economic proposals Tuesday, calling for an end to Wisconsin’s vehicle emissions testing requirement and promising to eliminate state income taxes on tips and overtime pay. During an event in Greendale, Tiffany said Wisconsin’s emissions testing system is outdated and places unnecessary burdens on drivers in seven southeastern Wisconsin counties. He
