RACINE — A teen who said in a group chat he was going to bring a gun to school was tracked down Thursday and identified as a 15-year-old Horlick High School student. Sgt. Kristi Wilcox, of the Racine Police Department, said they were contacted by several concerned citizens and personnel from the Racine Unified School […]
Author Archives: Dee Hölzel
Posted inLocal news, Schools
UPDATE: Amidst upset, Raymond School to remain on ‘soft lockdown’ through Friday, Sept. 29
RAYMOND — Parents of students attending Raymond School were notified a “soft lockdown” would remain in place through Friday. The school was placed on “soft lockdown” Wednesday by Superintendent Michael Garvey almost without explanation. Although a notice to parents said the lockdown was to avoid possible disruptions to student learning, the superintendent did not indicate […]
Posted inLocal news, Schools
Raymond School witness asks, ‘What’s more disruptive than a lockdown?’
RAYMOND — Raymond School experienced a “soft lockdown” Wednesday over concerns about unnamed disruptions, but the person who may have been at the center of the disruption said he was just there to obtain public documents. Mitch Berman said he stopped into the office after dropping his daughter off for kindergarten. He made his open […]
Posted inElections, Government, Local news, Politics
Wanggaard begins effort to have voter ID requirement added to state’s Constitution
MADISON — An effort is underway in the Wisconsin Legislature to have the voter ID requirement added to the state Constitution. Wanggaard and Snyder introduce amendment Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) Representative Pat Snyder (R-Schofield) Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Representative Pat Snyder (R-Schofield) introduced the amendment. The amendment will be similar to current state law: […]
Posted inBreaking, Local news, Schools
Raymond School Board votes not to renew principal’s contract Wednesday; Peterson placed on administrative leave and escorted out of the building Thursday
RAYMOND — The Raymond School Board voted 4-1 in a closed session on Wednesday not to renew the contract of Principal Jeff Peterson. Audrey Kostuch, president of the board, read from a prepared statement, “Please understand this does not mean that Mr. Peterson’s employment is terminated or even that his contract is non-renewed.” She told […]
Posted inLocal news, Schools
Raymond School tosses social-emotional learning curriculum in the garbage amid board controversy
RAYMOND, Wis. — In a decision that raised eyebrows and generated community debate, the board of Raymond School has abandoned its social-emotional learning curriculum, Second Step, to shift its focus toward “character education.” Michael Garvey Superintendent Michael Garvey directed staff to throw the entire curriculum into the garbage without having a replacement ready, which led […]
Posted inBreaking, Government, Local news, National News
King expelled from North Korea, is back in U.S. custody after 71-day detainment
SEOUL, South Korea — Racine Army Private Travis King, who dashed across the border into North Korea in July, was expelled from the country on Wednesday. The Associated Press quoted two unnamed sources confirming the Private was back in U.S. custody; though, where he was exactly was not clear. US Army Private 2nd Class Travis […]
Posted inCity Hall, Environment, Government, Health, Local news
City joins 20+ Wisconsin municipalities in PFAS water contamination lawsuit
RACINE — The city has joined more than 20 other Wisconsin municipalities in national litigation over PFAS water contamination. Chemical companies like 3M, DuPont, Chemours and Corteva have begun settling billion-dollar lawsuits with municipalities over contaminated drinking water. The Common Council voted in the affirmative Tuesday on a retainer agreement with Napoli Shkolnik to represent […]
Posted inCity Hall, Development, Government, Local news
City moves forward in process for YMCA acquisition with 10-2 vote in favor
RACINE — The Community Development Authority is a step closer to acquiring the YMCA property at 725 Lake Ave. The Common Council voted Tuesday in favor of giving the CDA the authorization to negotiate with the YMCA to acquire the property for blight elimination and redevelopment. The YMCA was built in 1960, but the organization […]
Posted inCity Hall, Development, Government, Local news
YMCA building declared blighted; issue moves to City Council
RACINE — The Community Development Authority voted unanimously on Monday to declare the YMCA, 725 Lake Ave., a blighted property. The former downtown YMCA, 725 Lake Ave., has been declared a blighted property. – The declaration is the first step necessary for the city and ultimately the CDA to acquire the building and raze it […]
Posted inGovernment, Local news, Schools
Neubauer hosts education forum focusing on Racine
RACINE — Advocates for public education met with Representative Greta Neubauer over Zoom on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing challenge of providing quality public education without sufficient funding. The Racine Unified School District is projecting a $34 million revenue shortfall in 2025 and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has an immediate $5.3 million deficit and has […]
Posted inLocal news, Police and fire
Motorcycle collision claims life of Racine man Sept. 16
RACINE — A Racine man was fatally injured in a motorcycle collision with a vehicle on Saturday. Daniel E. Vander Leest, 48, was unresponsive at the scene of the collision. The Racine Fire Department rescue squad transported Vander Leest to the hospital where he died from injuries sustained in the collision. According to a written […]
Posted inLocal news, Police and fire
Man wanted on felony warrant flees from law enforcement – leaving his 2 children behind
RACINE —A man wanted on a felony warrant from the Department of Corrections was apprehended Thursday after a vehicle and foot pursuit through the city. In his attempt to get away from law enforcement, he jumped out of his car and fled on foot – leaving his two children behind in the car. Jordan D. […]
Posted inLocal news, Police and fire
Parents outraged: Dance instructor arrested on child porn charges
MOUNT PLEASANT — Some parents whose children take dance lessons at Dance Arts Center, 5331 Spring St., expressed outrage when they learned one of the instructors was arrested on charges of possession of child pornography and families were not notified. Gilbert Mata, 37, was arrested in April 2023. He is an instructor and choreographer for […]
Posted inCourts, Local news
Woman pleads guilty to reduced number of charges in 2019 fatality
RACINE — A woman charged with homicide by vehicle after a 2019 collision in Burlington was in Racine County Circuit Court on Tuesday where she pleaded guilty to a reduced number of charges. Anne T. Stark, 54, of McHenry, Illinois, pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless homicide and reckless driving causing great bodily harm. The defendant […]