Haste makes waste

A recent energy audit of the Western Racine County Sewerage District plant near Highway 36 concluded that an up-front investment of six figures could help save the facility around $26,000 a year in energy costs. The facility, which serves both the town and village of Waterford along with Rochester, could function just as well with far less energy consumption, according to the findings of the study. Friday, September 03, 2010

Stimulating job growth

Reeling from one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, Racine County recently received a Federal grant which officials are hopeful will result in a decline in the number of residents who are out of work. Last month the Racine County Workforce development Center learned that it would be on the receiving end of more than $560,000 in Federal stimulus funds that are being filtered to the department through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Village assessor retained

The Village of Waterford recently agreed to retain the service of its longtime assessor, albeit at a reduced rate from what she was previously earning to perform those services. Under the service agreement recently ratified with Assessor Kathy Romanak, the village is expected to incur a total savings of around $5,200 over what it had previously paid for her under the prior payment schedule for a non-assessment year. Monday, August 23, 2010

Panes no more

The Village of Waterford is working toward a resolution with the general contractor responsible for building the Waterford Public Library to fix several windows that were installed improperly and, as a result, have caused moisture damage. Problems with the installation surfaced several months ago when paint along the east wall on which the windows were installed incorrectly began bubbling, according to officials. Sunday, August 22, 2010

Going to the dogs: Former ProHealth building to become veterinary clinic

The Village of Rochester's loss is a local veterinary group's gain as the former ProHealth Care building at the intersection of highways 36 and D is expected to become the new home of Fox Valley Veterinary Service. The veterinary practice, which has operated out of a site in downtown Waterford for the past 37 years now, recently executed an agreement on an offer to purchase with Waukesha Health Care, which up until two years ago operated a health care clinic out of the building. Saturday, August 21, 2010

Bleeding red

Despite the department of Veterans Affairs reallocating more than $21 million in funds from its successful home for veterans in King to the financially ailing facility in Union Grove, the facility located along the Wisconsin Southern Center grounds continues to bleed red. The financial drag which the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove continues to have on the agency has put both centers at risk, as an audit conducted by the state Legislative Audit Bureau has determined that projected losses at both homes during the next two years could lead to the eventual depletion of the surplus funds that have kept them operating. Friday, August 20, 2010

Problem properties a concern

Poised to issue a raze order against a dilapidated home within the village, Rochester officials reconsidered doing so Monday night after receiving a letter from the property owner's attorney at the 11th hour. The condition of the home located at 208 S. Front St. prompted village officials to order that a special inspection take place on the property. Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Pending road projects prove costly to village

With some costly road repairs already confronting Rochester, one official cautioned that the village is going to have to budget for the continued improvement of the roads within its borders or risk them falling into a further state of disrepair. Village officials got a taste of the costly repaving projects to come from Public Works Director Christopher Birkett, who presented the board with three resurfacing projects that will total around $1.4 million. Monday, August 16, 2010

New Village Hall plans move ahead tentatively

Since the referendum last spring that put an end to acquiring the former ProHealth Care building and turning it into the new Rochester Village Hall, officials have been working at a tentative pace in seeking a replacement site. With recent objections voiced by members of the Rochester Fire Department about building a new Village Hall near their station, village officials have turned their attention toward a site near the Rochester Public Library. Sunday, August 15, 2010

Union Grove resident seeks to unseat Lehman

Union Grove resident Bob Gulan recently entered the political arena, hoping to end Sen. John Lehman's tenure as the 21st District representative. Gulan, who will be running as a Republican candidate, blames Lehman and other Democrats such as Gov. Jim Doyle for the situation the state currently finds itself in. Saturday, August 14, 2010

Six-figure sum coming Norway's way

The Towns of Norway and Raymond are both expected to receive financial compensation in the form of a six-figure sum resulting from the expansion of a landfill in Milwaukee County. Under an agreement recently reached between Waste Management and the Waste Facility Siting Committee comprised of members from several communities, Waste Management would be allowed to expand the Metro landfill it operates and - in exchange - share some of the tipping fees by nearby affected communities. Friday, August 13, 2010

OSHA fines CPI $721,000

A Burlington company whose employee spent several hours trapped inside a grain bin back in February is the target of a six-figure fine proposed by the U.S. department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on Wednesday. The agency, which investigated the accident at Cooperative Plus Inc. back on Feb. 9 that led to Phil Adsit, 60, of East Troy being trapped in a silo of soybeans, alleges the company failed to take the necessary safety precautions that could have prevented the near tragedy from playing out. Monday, August 09, 2010

Local man charged for fight at fair

A Burlington man is facing several felony and misdemeanor charges after an alleged marijuana binge and attempted theft at the Racine County Fair Saturday. Jordan Parker, 19, is facing felony charges of marijuana possession as a repeat offender as well as misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia, battery and theft. If convicted of all charges, he could face more than five years in jail and fines up to $31,500. Sunday, August 08, 2010

Waterford Farmers Market rolls out

Starting on Wednesday Waterford residents will have their very own farmers market to venture to on a weekly basis as the Waterford River market makes it debut. The market, which will set up in Ten Club Park, is a Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce event that's being sponsored by Runzheimer International. Saturday, August 07, 2010

School funding picture improves

While school officials in the Waterford Graded School District braced for the worst when it came to shared revenue for the 2010-2011 school year, the doom and gloom forecast predicted never came to fruition. As a result of the tight fiscal discipline displayed by the district and budgeting for a zero-percent increase in funding from the state, the district finds flush with around $400,000 more than it expected to receive to help support the forthcoming school year. Friday, August 06, 2010

High on her hogs

When Missy Kempken entered the arena to sell her two hogs at the Racine County Fair Livestock Auction last Saturday, the bids immediately started flying and the crowd began to clap in unison - there was electricity in the air. While her hogs weren't champions, the tremendous support was for their owner - a special young lady who is fighting cancer. Thursday, August 05, 2010

County Fair kickoff is Wednesday

The wait for revelers both old and young is only a few days away as the Racine County Fair is scheduled to kick off in fine fashion beginning Wednesday, July 28. The annual event, which will take place on the fair ground property along Highway 11 in Union Grove, will feature a multitude of contests, demonstrations and animals on parade during its five-day run. Saturday, July 24, 2010

Waterford teen charged in Union Grove burglary

A 17-year-old Waterford High School student was charged in Racine County Circuit Court Tuesday in connection with a burglary he allegedly committed back in May against a Union Grove business. Brady W. Gibney was charged with one count of burglary to a building and one count of criminal damage to property. Friday, July 23, 2010

Full Moon Four-Miler, canoe and kayak outing set for Aug. 7

Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce will present its 7th annual Waterford Full Moon Four-Miler Run/Walk on Saturday, Aug. 7 at 8:30 p.m., sponsored by Runzheimer International. Friday, July 16, 2010

Chiwaukee Tri-County Academy Aug. 2-6 in Burlington

Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois are invited to participate in Chiwaukee Tri-County Academy held at the Burlington Learning Campus from Aug. 2-6. Friday, July 16, 2010