Fond du Lac---Prosecutors aren't saying whether they plan to retry a Kenosha man who'd been accused of killing a Sturtevant woman in 1990. The jury that heard the case against 62 year-old Dennis Brantner deadlocked Wednesday after two-and-a-half days of deliberations. Brantner was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Berit Beck. Beck was traveling from her home in Sturtevant to Appleton for a work seminar when she disappeared. Her van was found a few days later, and her body was later found in a ditch. Brantner was charged on the basis of a fingerprint match.
Kenosha---The Best Western Harborside Hotel has lost its status--at least temporarily--with Best Western International. The hotel has been dropped from Best Western's reservations web site. In a statement, the company says the hotel won't be able to regain the franchise label until it complies with city building and fire codes. City officials ordered the hotel closed this week, forcing guests to go elsewhere.
Kenosha---Donald Trump may call himself a successful businessman, but his wealth--won and lost several times--is based on a business that really isn't. That's the view of Art Cyr, Director of the Clausen Center for World Business at Carthage College. Speaking on the "Morning Show" this week, Cyr called the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee a "leach" for building his fortune on casino operations. "There are hotels that are classy that people go to but he's someone who's failed twice tremendously in business because it's not really business--it's not really commerce because it's a con game at a gigantic level," Cyr said. The full Morning Show interview is here.
Washington---SC Johnson Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson was one of five witnesses who spoke at a U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs roundtable discussion Wednesday on the Zika virus. Johnson said a multi-prong strategy--if implemented to the proper degree--can stop the virus from spreading. SC Johnson is the world's largest manufacturer of insect repellents and household insecticides. The virus is spread through mosquito bites. The company has stepped up production of OFF!, and has donated millions of dollars of product.
Kenosha---Unless something changes, the fire department's next chief will be drawn from the rank and file. The Police and Fire Commission voted three to two Wednesday to skip an external search for John Thomsen's replacement. Thomsen recently retired. At least eight Kenosha firefighters are expected to apply for the job.
Milwaukee---A former general manager of Kenosha radio stations WLIP-AM and WIIL-FM has been named publisher of the Milwaukee Business Journal. Kira Lafond succeeds Mark Sabljak, who recently retired.
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