Dec. 14, 2020 10:40p; Updated at 12-15 3:15 with Amber Alert canceled
From WGTD News:
An Illinois-based developer who's sinking capital into Kenosha's proposed, nine-block downtown redevelopment believes the project is ultimately fueled by the migration of people and businesses from Illinois to Wisconsin. Mark Matthews of Chicago-based Argent Group spoke just before a pair of city council committees unanimously recommended approval of the $450 million deal. Argent is a co-developer of the project. Matthews told one committee that the migration is a long-term trend that will "profit (your) long term vision and our similar commitment." Major elements of the plan include construction of a new city hall, a residential high-rise, a performance arts center and a new city park.
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The pandemic and another tight budget year ahead is prompting Racine Unified administration to seek permission to speed up the closure of elementary schools. The district was already planning on closing Giese Elementary at the end of the school year. Up for consideration is a plan to accelerate by several years the planned closure of North Park. A decision from the school board is expected to come next week. RUSD Chief Operating Officer Shannon Gordon said the pandemic has resulted in a steeper enrollment decline than would have been the case otherwise. The recommended closures are part of a massive school consolidation plan that was approved in a referendum earlier this year by just five votes. The result is being challenged in court, with a decision expected in February.
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A 10-year-old Village of Walworth girl was found safe Tuesday morning in Indiana in the company of her biological father. 33-year-old Jonathan Van Duyn was taken into custody without incident by the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office, according to a news release from the Wisconsin Dept. of Justice. An Amber Alert had been issued Monday night for the girl.
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A Kenosha woman who was stabbed 18 times last Friday, purportedly by her mentally-ill nephew was well enough to appear by phone in Kenosha Court Monday. Karen Robenson asked Court Commissioner Larry Keating to set a high cash bond. That's exactly what Keating did when he ordered a bond of $700,000. According to the complaint, 30-year-old Jarron Johnson attacked Robenson without provocation or warning when he went to visit his aunt in her apartment. The attack was interrupted by a neighbor who saw what was happening and struck Johnson with a heavy ash tray. After leaving the apartment, Johnson jumped on top of a squad car with the officer inside, then ran around the parking lot before being arrested. Police initially believed he was on some type of drug. But Robenson said in court Monday that her nephew had mental problems.
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A new use has been found for a large, vacant building in LakeView Corp. Park. Snap-on plans to use the building once occupied by MG Design for storage purposes. MG Design went out of business two years ago. The company designed and built trade show exhibits.
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Four Racine Unified Schools will compete Wednesday to see who can raise the most amount of food to be donated to Racine food pantries. The idea behind the "COVID Canned Food Wars" came from student government at Horlick High School. Horlick, Case, Park and the REAL School---Racine Engineering, Arts and Leadership--will accept donations of canned food Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Each school put up an entry fee. The school which collects the most by weight will be able to donate the entire pot of money to the non-profit of its choice.
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