The case of a bicyclist who was killed by a hit and run driver Friday evening in Caledonia may be one of distracted driving, according to a criminal complaint. The suspect--27 year-old Tyler Martinez--purportedly told police he'd been adjusting his radio when he hit something that he initially thought was a mailbox. Instead of stopping, Martinez continued on and called his father. The victim has been identified as 39 year-old Michael Fuchsgruber. He'd been bicycling with his son. The boy wasn't hurt. Martinez' record includes a citation last year for inattentive driving. No word on whether the victim's bike had a reflector or a light of some sort. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in Friday's accident.
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A member of Gov. Walker's job creation agency board wants to see in advance the state's contract with Foxconn before having to vote on it. Democratic State Senator Tim Carpenter of the Milwaukee area issued a news release Monday. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. is said to be finalizing its contract with Foxconn for $3 billion in incentives. A WEDC vote that had been scheduled for last week was delayed because of an unspecified problem. A WEDC spokesman says the agency is following the same process as it does for any incentive award.
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Incoming Racine Mayor Cory Mason wants to avoid blowing open a big political fight with some of the people he needs to accomplish his agenda. Mason—and a majority of the city council—appear to be at odds over whether a proposal to build a downtown arena/convention center complex is viable. Last week Interim Mayor Dennis Wiser accused Mason, as well as his opponent in the campaign, of spreading misinformation about the deal, which has yet to receive final council approval. Speaking on WGTD’s Community Matters program Saturday, Mason stood by his belief that the project should be scuttled.
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A new hotel is being planned for an area in Pleasant Prairie near I-94 and State Highway 165 while another nearby development could include a second hotel along with space for several stores, a restaurant and a gas station, according to a report in the Milwaukee Business Journal. The first hotel is expected to be a 108-room Fairfield Inn and Suites. A brand for the second hotel has not yet been identified as the project is in its early stages. The impetus for both projects is believed to be the new industrial park that's being developed by the Village on the west side of I-94.
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A high-speed chase through the heart of Racine County during morning rush Monday resulted in the arrest of a 35 year old man and his 39 year-old passenger. It began when a deputy on Highway 20 near Old Yorkville Rd. pulled over Ken Evans for having a loud muffler and a missing window. Evans drove off at a speed that reached 104 miles per hour, according to a news release. Evans pulled over for good several miles down the road and was arrested, along with the passenger, a 39 year-old woman, Lucrecia Butler. In addition to the traffic charges, Evans was taken into custody on drug and firearms charges. He also had a Milwaukee County warrant for armed robbery. Butler faces drug charges and is being held on a bail jumping charge.
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Expect a rainy and windy Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for winds that could gust as high as 45 miles per hour on Tuesday. In addition, a gale warning for Lake Michigan will be in effect. We could receive nearly an inch of rain through Tuesday evening.
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