Updated at 10:50p to reflect new information in Twin Lakes PD story
Racine---Saying the city should set an example, Mayor Cory Mason is vowing to pay all city employees at least $15 an hour within four years. The first step will come Wednesday night when the City Council is scheduled to vote on a proposal to increase the minimum wage for part-time employees to a little over $10 an hour. The move is expected to cost the city nearly $200,000. In a news release, Mason said he strongly believes that the city should lead by example if it doesn't want private employers to pay poverty wages. Mason cites statistics that show that in a family of four in Racine, with two working adults and two school-age children, both adults must be making $15 an hour to sustain their family. The city has had problems finding qualified workers for some positions at the wage levels currently offered.
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Kenosha---A tavern that has drawn the attention of authorities because of the off-premises behavior of some of its patrons now has some suggestions from city officials. Members of the License and Permit Committee are recommending that the Red Zone make a point of stationing security personnel in its parking lot whenever music is played, and that additional security cameras be installed. Also, the committee wants security personnel to work more closely with the police department. The committee asked that the Red Zone owners report back in 45 days. Committee members came up with their recommendations during a 50-minute closed-door meeting. The bar's attorney has alleged that some council members have singled out the place for closer scrutiny because it plays hip hop music on weekends, a charge that the aldermen have denied.
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Twin Lakes---The second in command of the Twin Lakes Police Dept. is under investigation for allegedly illegally removing prescription drugs from the department. According to a news release, Capt. Dennis Linn has been placed on administrative leave. Linn has been a full-time member of the department for the past 17 years. Citing an affidavit, WITI TV reported Monday that Linn had told a detective that his wife was recently cut off from her pain medication, and that she was in a lot of pain. A search of Linn's home reportedly turned up empty bottles of prescription medication that had the names of neither Linn or his wife.
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Racine---The harsh winter weather has taken a toll on many of us, including the Racine County Sheriff's Dept. In the last four weeks, the department has lost three squad cars due to crashes. The latest occurred Monday morning when a squad was rear-ended as the deputy was tending to a vehicle that had gone into a ditch. Both the deputy who'd been in the squad and his canine partner, along with the driver of the car, escaped serious injury. Another rear-end collision involving a squad car occurred earlier this month on the Burlington bypass. The driver of the offending vehicle suffered serious injuries. The deputy was out of his car at the time of the crash. The third accident occurred on I-94 when a vehicle failed to slow down in an accident zone and fishtailed into another squad. The deputy wasn't hurt.
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Somers---An environmental program for 5th graders in the Kenosha/Racine area that's conducted by the Hawthorn Hollow Nature Center in Somers is expanding, thanks to a $20,000 grant it recently received from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program. The award was announced by State Senator Bob Wirch who sits on the Council's board. Hawthorn Hollow's WATERshed Program was started in Racine Unified in 2009 and was expanded last year to include some 5th graders from Kenosha Unified. The grant will enable the non-profit to reach a greater number of students.
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A nursing student from Carthage College is looking for help from middle school students. According to a news release from the school, volleyball team member Tony Allen will be hosting a nutrition and physical activity health course this Sunday from noon until three in the Carthage fieldhouse. Allen is promoting healthy lifestyles while collecting data for his senior project. He's looking to enroll between 40 and 50 students. The day will include scavenger hunts, volleyball, relay races and team-building exercises. There'll be raffle prizes. Allen is asking parents of middle school students who might be interested to email him at tallen@carthage.edu.
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