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$750K Bail Set For Woman Accused Of First-Degree Reckless Homicide In 2022 Kenosha Overdose Death

Kelly M. Shondel, 46, of California in Court Today(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. – A California woman accused of causing a 2022 Kenosha overdose death appeared in court on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, after being extradited from the West Coast, where she was arrested last month. Kelly M. Shondel, 46, of California(Kenosha County Sheriff) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Kenosha Man Accused of Violent Lakeshore Robbery Held on $15,000 Bail

Jacob A. Morzfeld, 30, of Kenosha in Court Today(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 30-year-old Kenosha man is accused of brutally attacking a former classmate and stealing thousands of dollars in cash during a confrontation near Simmons Island late last month. Jacob A. Morzfeld, 30, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

BDSM Claims, Blood Trail, and Bruises: Kenosha Man Accused in Disturbing Garage Incident

KENOSHA, Wis. – A 37-year-old Kenosha man with a felony record is facing new criminal charges after police say a shocking scene involving blood, bruises, and bizarre sexual claims unfolded near the Bullseye Bar last week. According to the criminal complaint, witnesses called 911 on August 7 after spotting a crying woman, barefoot and bleeding from her leg, being pulled into a garage on 60th Street by Nicholas S. Ocana. One bystander told officers the woman appeared terrified and injured. Responding officers followed a trail of fresh, bright red blood leading up the driveway to the garage, where they encountered the woman, dirty, bruised, and with dried blood on her face. Her left foot was wrapped in a black T-shirt and duct tape. When questioned, the woman—identified as Ocana’s girlfriend—gave

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Racine County Sheriff’s Deputy Placed on Leave Again After Second Domestic Incident

Emil J. Ortiz, 41, of Somers, WI(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — A Racine County Sheriff’s Deputy who was previously arrested in April for an alleged drunken domestic assault is once again on leave after a second domestic disturbance was reported at his home in Somers. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Salem Lakes Administrator Leaving Amid Scandals—Board Still Signals Support for Contract Renewal

SALEM LAKES, Wis. – Cassandra Hiller, the embattled Village Administrator of Salem Lakes, is preparing to leave her position after a tenure filled with controversy, public backlash, and strained government relations. But in a move that has left many residents baffled, Village officials—including President Rita Bucur—reportedly knew she was planning to depart and still expressed support for renewing her contract. Hiller has not formally announced her resignation to the public or the full Village Board. However, several board members, including Bucur, are believed to have been aware of her intentions but chose not to inform taxpayers. Her updated LinkedIn profile confirms she is “open to work” and seeking new full-time executive positions, with a flexible start date and interest in roles across Wisconsin and Illinois. Trustee Pete Poli—the board’s lone

Extra Prosecutors, Tax Cuts, and Dunes Protection: What Kenosha Gets in the New State Budget

MADISON, Wis. – The recently signed 2025–27 Wisconsin state budget includes several key wins for Kenosha County—ranging from added muscle in the District Attorney’s Office to millions in environmental preservation and taxpayer relief. State Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R–Pleasant Prairie) touted the package as a hard-fought, Republican-led effort that delivers tax cuts, education investments, UW System reforms, and funding for local priorities long championed by her office. “This budget puts Wisconsin families first,” said Nedweski, who played a central role in securing major provisions for Kenosha County. “We delivered a $1.5 billion tax cut, reformed the bloated UW System, and protected one of our county’s most cherished natural areas—without new taxpayer spending.” Prosecutor Positions a “Critical Investment in Law and Order” Among the most impactful wins for Kenosha is the addition

Man Faces New Felony Charges Including Possession of Child Pornography, Escape

KENOSHA, Wis. – A 34-year-old Kenosha man with a prior felony conviction is facing four new criminal charges after authorities allege he fled from police during a probation check and was later found in possession of child pornography. Jeremy D. Walker was formally charged Wednesday with two counts of possession of child pornography, one count of escape, and one count of obstructing an officer. Each charge carries a repeater enhancer due to a 2024 felony conviction for exposing genitals to a child. According to the criminal complaint, Kenosha police and probation agents had arranged to meet with Walker on June 24, 2025, to seize his electronic devices as part of an ongoing Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation. When Walker failed to respond to contact attempts, his GPS ankle monitor

Man Charged with Possessing Image of Naked Child; $10,000 Bail Set

SALEM LAKES, Wis. – A 62-year-old Salem Lakes man is facing a felony charge after authorities say he possessed a sexually explicit image of a naked child on his cell phone. Thomas P. Moffat was in court Thursday, where he was formally charged with one count of possession of child pornography. Court Commissioner William Michel II set cash bail at $10,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 11. The charge stems from a July 2 incident at the Kenosha Community Health Center, where two employees assisting Moffat with email attachments allegedly saw a troubling image on his phone. According to the complaint, the photo showed a fully nude child, estimated to be between three and five years old, standing in a bathtub with soap running down her body. The

Steil Votes for Bill to Cut Taxes, Strengthen Border, and Protect Seniors

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) cast a key vote this week in favor of H.R. 1, sweeping legislation aimed at reducing costs for families, delivering tax relief to seniors, and bolstering border security. The bill, which passed both chambers of Congress, now heads to President Trump for signature. “This bill is a win for Wisconsin workers, families, and seniors,” said Steil in a statement Wednesday. “The bill prioritizes American families over illegal immigrants, delivers a $6,000 tax cut for seniors, implements work requirements for able-bodied adults, invests in securing our border, and encourages and rewards hard work with no tax on tips and overtime.” Among the major provisions of the bill: . Steil emphasized that the legislation does not reduce Social Security or Medicare benefits, a concern often

Another Judge Steps Aside in Vanderzee Murder Case, Citing Past Contact with Defendant

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Yet another twist unfolded in the high-profile Vanderzee murder case when Judge Jason Rossell formally recused himself on June 24, citing prior contact with one of the defendants during his time as a prosecutor. According to the court record, Rossell stepped down from presiding over the case due to “prior contact with the defendant as an ADA.” Rossell served a brief stint as an Assistant District Attorney in Kenosha County before being appointed to the bench more than a decade ago. Rossell is the second judge to exit the case. Judge Angelina Gabriele recused herself earlier, acknowledging that she had knowledge of the case from her time as Deputy District Attorney under former DA Michael Graveley, whose administration declined to bring charges. Gabriele had previously scheduled

Third Arrest in Less Than a Month for Kenosha Man Accused of Repeatedly Violating Court Orders

KENOSHA, Wis. – A 40-year-old Kenosha man who already faced charges in two felony cases was arrested for a third time in just over three weeks—this time for allegedly violating a domestic abuse no-contact order and making illegal jailhouse calls to the victim. Ryan M. Phillips was formally charged Thursday with one count of felony bail jumping and two counts of contact after a domestic abuse arrest. Court Commissioner William Michel II set Phillips’ bail at $7,000 cash. He remains in custody at the Kenosha County Jail pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 11. This marks Phillips’ third arrest since June 6. The first case, filed June 11, charged him with maintaining a drug house, harboring a felon, and threatening to shoot a Kenosha police officer. He posted $5,000

Mother Accused of Threatening Officers, Neglecting Children at Pool While Allegedly Intoxicated

KENOSHA, Wis. – A Kenosha woman is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly passing out at a public pool while responsible for three young children, including her own, and later threatening to have police officers killed. Lauren M. Leipzig, 37, was in court Thursday and formally charged with eight counts stemming from a July 2 incident at the Shagbark Apartments pool on Washington Road. Her charges include one felony count of child neglect, three misdemeanors for neglect of other children, three felony threats to law enforcement officers, and one count each of disorderly conduct and obstruction. Court Commissioner William Michel II set Leipzig’s cash bail at $5,000. She is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on July 11. According to the criminal complaint, police were dispatched

Kenosha Inmate Charged Again After Second Alleged Jail Assault

KENOSHA, Wis. – A Kenosha County Jail inmate already facing felony charges for a previous cell block assault has been charged again—this time for allegedly striking a different inmate in another altercation inside the jail. Kristina Faith Sargeant, 28, appeared in court Thursday to face six new counts stemming from a July 2 incident. The charges include felony battery by prisoner, disorderly conduct, and four counts of violating state or county jail rules. Although she remains in custody on her earlier case, Commissioner William Michel set cash bail at $5,000 for the new file—though the amount is effectively moot due to her existing confinement. According to the criminal complaint, Sargeant was captured on surveillance footage in the N-block of the Kenosha County Jail’s Pre-Trial Facility arguing with another inmate outside

City Employee Who Stole Rebate Funds Sentenced to 45 Days in Jail

KENOSHA, Wis. – A former City of Kenosha arborist who admitted to stealing rebate checks from the city’s Parks Department was sentenced to 45 days in jail Wednesday by Judge Gerad Dougvillo, who called the theft “a betrayal of public trust.” Jamie D. Watkins, 54, previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft in a case stemming from his unauthorized use of Menards rebate checks totaling over $600. The checks had been issued to the city but were redeemed by Watkins for personal purchases including household items and food. Assistant District Attorney Alex Huber argued that Watkins’ actions were aggravated due to both his employment status and the fact that the victim was a taxpayer-funded government entity. “The people who are really being deprived are the taxpayers of the city of Kenosha

Teen Previously Convicted in School Shooting Case Faces New Felony Gun Charge

KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha teenager who was previously adjudicated delinquent in connection with a 2022 shooting near Frank Elementary School is now facing five new criminal charges, including felony possession of a firearm, after police say he was caught with a loaded 9mm handgun and marijuana during a traffic stop on July 1. Jason Isom Jr., 18, appeared in court Wednesday where cash bail was set at $10,000. He is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on July 10. Isom is charged with one count of possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent—a Class G felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison—as well as misdemeanor counts of carrying a concealed weapon, two counts of bail jumping, and possession of THC. According to a criminal

Neglect Charge Filed After Disabled Uncle Found Malnourished and Soiled in Somers Home

SOMERS, Wis. – A Kenosha man has been charged with negligent abuse of an at-risk individual after deputies found his disabled uncle lying incoherent, half-naked, and surrounded by feces in their shared home. Robert Jeremy Warden, 37, appeared in court Tuesday and was charged with one count of negligently subjecting an at-risk individual to abuse—specifically, conditions not likely to cause bodily harm. The charge is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. He was released on bond and is due back in court on July 25. According to the criminal complaint, a Kenosha County sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to Warden’s residence on 61st Avenue around 2:45 p.m. on July 1 after Adult Protective Services received a concerning report. Warden’s uncle, James

Kenosha Man Accused of Tasing and Slapping Teen at Graduation Party

WHEATLAND, Wis. — A 34-year-old Kenosha man appeared in court Wednesday on accusations that he tased and slapped a 17-year-old at a graduation party in the Town of Wheatland, allegedly using a stun gun while intoxicated and then threatening violence when confronted. Jeffery W. Grundman faces three charges: physical abuse of a child with intent to cause bodily harm, possession of an electric weapon, and disorderly conduct—all as a repeater. The most serious charges, both Class H felonies, each carry a maximum of six years in prison, plus additional time due to his prior felony conviction. Court Commissioner William Michel II set cash bail at $1,500. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 11. According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a home on Geneva Road

Neglect Charge Filed After 3-Year-Old Found Wandering Kenosha Street Alone

KENOSHA, Wis. — A 35-year-old Kenosha woman is facing a felony child neglect charge after her 3-year-old son was found outside alone, wearing only underwear, in a high-traffic neighborhood early Sunday morning. Mary E. Spates was arrested and charged Wednesday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with one count of child neglect involving a child under six, a Class I felony. Prosecutors added a repeater enhancer based on her prior misdemeanor convictions. Court Commissioner William Michel II set cash bail at $1,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 10. According to the criminal complaint, Kenosha police were dispatched around 6 a.m. on June 29 to the 2500 block of 53rd Street after neighbors discovered the young child alone, crying and calling for his mother. Officers found the child across the

Prospect Heights Man Identified in Fatal Highway 50 Crash

SALEM LAKES, Wis. — Authorities have identified the man killed in last week’s single-vehicle crash on Highway 50 as John B. Douglas, 69, of Prospect Heights, Illinois, according to an update issued Wednesday by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. Douglas was driving a full-sized pickup truck eastbound along the 22400 block of State Highway 50 on the evening of Friday, June 27, when the vehicle veered off the south side of the roadway, struck a large rock, and then collided with a tree. He was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The Kenosha County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) was dispatched to the scene and continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Officials have not yet released any findings regarding the cause. The Sheriff’s Office

Kenosha Judge Rejects Leniency, Jails Former Teacher in Grooming Case

KENOSHA, Wis. – Former Kenosha middle school teacher Christian Enwright was sentenced Tuesday to 15 months in jail and three years of probation after pleading guilty to 15 counts of disorderly conduct stemming from what prosecutors described as a months-long grooming relationship with a 14-year-old student. Judge Gerad Dougvillo handed down a sentence stiffer than most misdemeanor cases. Enwright, 30, will not be eligible for work release. “Students deserve to feel safe at school,” Dougvillo said during a lengthy rebuke from the bench. “Instead, you took that responsibility and trust and used it to corrupt a child.” Though Enwright faced only misdemeanor charges due to limitations in state law at the time of the offense, the judge made clear the behavior at the center of the case—hundreds of late-night messages,

Colorado Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Minor at Country Thunder

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — A Colorado man appeared in a Kenosha County courtroom Monday to face serious felony charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a minor during the 2017 Country Thunder music festival in the Town of Randall. Ronnie O. Crews, 57, of Parker, Colorado, is charged with second-degree sexual assault of a child under 16, child enticement, and another sexual assault-related charge. The accusations stem from an incident that allegedly took place inside a recreational vehicle on July 23, 2017, during the final night of the festival. According to the criminal complaint, the victim was 15 years old at the time and had consumed alcohol to the point of intoxication. The complaint states that after the victim became ill, Crews physically assaulted them, placed them in

KUSD Announces Honor Roll Students for 2024-2025 School Year

It is with great pride that we share our honor roll students with you. Congratulations to each of our students whose hard work and dedication resulted in this amazing achievement. Keep up the great work! – KUSD Bradford High ‘*’ Indicates straight A’s Students in Grade 9 Elaina Barnard, Alexander Bokota, Charlotte Bradley, *Jocelyn Calero, Kaydi Caron, Morgan Christian, Sophia Coniker, *Dominik Dahlberg, *Max Dunham, Mason Englund, Carlee Erickson, *Gina Ferraro, *Maria Ferraro, *Gabriella Fiallo, Trysta Geiger, Auriana Gilliland, *Marvin Jones, Jenna Keiffer-Zagar, *Vaughan Kroeger, *Jeisy Laboy Vazquez, *Easton Ledding, Isla Ledding, Kayla Loewen, Logan Lorenzo, Hailey Luvianos, Rhyan Marden, *Elric Meyer, Grace Ochandategui, Caiden Ochranek, *Johnathon Oglesby, *Elisabeth Palao Frideres, Arch Praphaphannurat, *Melia Royal, *Catalina Sbarounis-Rodriguez, Lennon Sielski, Adalyn Stoner Students in Grade 10 Vivienne Alcocer, Carter Allen, *Wyatt

Interstate Car Theft Ring Busted After KDOG Investigation Leads to Federal Indictments

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. –An abandoned license plate found on a rural Kenosha County highway in 2022 has unraveled what officials say was a highly sophisticated, multi-million-dollar interstate car theft and money laundering operation. The Kenosha County Drug Operations Group (KDOG), working in collaboration with federal and local partners, has helped bring federal charges against 23 individuals, the Sheriff’s Department announced Wednesday. Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner credited his detectives’ persistence in tracing the origins of the plate to a stolen vehicle out of Milwaukee. That single lead turned into a sweeping investigation spanning multiple states over the past three years. Search warrants executed in Wisconsin cities including Milwaukee, Madison, Racine, Sun Prairie, and La Crosse—as well as in Chicago—led to the identification of key suspects: Diaunte Shields, Casha Griffin, Brianna

House Fire Destroys Silver Lake Home — Help the Peterson Family Rebuild

On a tragic day in Silver Lake, Jim and Lisa Peterson lost everything when a fire tore through their home on East Depot Street. The fire moved fast and left behind nothing but devastation. While Jim and Lisa thankfully escaped with their lives, they are now left without a home, clothes, or the basic necessities we so often take for granted. Their family and friends are stepping in to help — and asking the community to rally around this kind and generous couple during their time of urgent need. This GoFundMe campaign, organized by Jim’s sister Jennefer Covelli, is intended to help cover the Petersons’ immediate and essential needs, including: . Every donation — big or small — will help Jim and Lisa begin the long road to recovery. They

Judge Ends Leniency for Trenton Kmiec with 7-Year Prison Sentence

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. – After years of what many saw as unusually light treatment across multiple counties, 25-year-old Trenton B. Kmiec was sentenced Monday to seven years in prison and another seven years of extended supervision. The son of embattled attorney and former politician Ted Kmiec, Trenton appeared before Judge Gerad Dougvillo for sentencing in two Kenosha County felony cases after violating probation. Judge Dougvillo made it clear that the court’s patience had run out. “You’re not a kid anymore,” the judge said. “Everyone’s willingness to look the other way or to give breaks here and there has put us in this situation… At some point, the light has to come on and shine on you for the decisions that you’re making.” Dougvillo ordered that the new sentence be served

Man Accused of Choke Slamming Ex-Girlfriend Now Facing Battery Charges

KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man with a prior felony conviction is facing new misdemeanor charges after allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend during a violent domestic dispute last week. Deshaun J. Banks, 23, was charged Tuesday with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct, both as a repeater due to a 2024 theft conviction. He is next due in court for a district attorney pre-trial hearing on July 25. According to the criminal complaint, Banks allegedly choked and slammed his ex-girlfriend to the floor of her apartment on June 23, pinning her by the neck and saying he loved her. The next day, during another argument, he reportedly grabbed her by the tank top, which ripped, and scratched her arm after she demanded he get out of her car. The woman initially told

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