Saturday, June 7, 2025
Dad says son "may never be the same" after alleged hazing
Friday, June 6, 2025
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Outrage erupts in Minneapolis as drug raid mistaken for ICE operation
23-year-old charged with possessing child pornography
Holly Gilvary
MOUNT PLEASANT — A 23-year-old Mount Pleasant man was arrested Monday following cyber tips from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children.
Zachary Herzog is charged with 13 counts of possession of child pornography and 29 counts of sexual exploitation of a child – produce, perform, etc. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both, for each count of possession; and up to 40 years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both, for each count of sexual exploitation.
The court also will impose a surcharge of $500 for each image or each copy of an image associated with the crime. Further, if convicted, the court will impose a bifurcated sentence that includes a term of initial confinement for at least five years.
During an initial court appearance June 3, Racine County Circuit Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch set Herzog's cash bond at $200,000. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing June 11.
Last month, the Racine County Sheriff's Office began an investigation into a Kik account associated with one of Herzog's email addresses, according to the criminal complaint.
RCSO traced the IP address to a home in the 900 block of Langdon Court in Mount Pleasant.
Investigators searched several Kik accounts associated with Herzog's email addresses and reportedly found multiple images and videos of alleged child pornography and evidence that the account holder shared the material with others.
RCSO searched Herzog's residence June 2 and reportedly found 13 videos containing child pornography associated with the Kik accounts and that child pornography had been distributed 32 times over Kik, according to the complaint.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Milwaukee County trades fireworks for drones for its July 3 celebration
Vanessa Swales
Milwaukee, get ready to celebrate Independence Day with a slight tech-savvy twist this year.
Milwaukee County, in collaboration with the Milwaukee Parks Foundation, plans to use drones instead of fireworks for its long-standing McKinley Beach July 3 celebration. The drone show will blend "cutting-edge drone technology with an original synchronized soundtrack for a dazzling 45-minute performance," featuring images of Milwaukee's iconic landmarks as well as patriotic and local themes, according to the county.
“Milwaukee County is at its best when we come together to create memorable, inclusive experiences for everyone," Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in a news release. "We’re proud to bring the community together for this first-of-its-kind drone show, highlighting not just our beautiful lakefront but the creativity and collaboration that make Milwaukee County so special."
The switch marks a national shift in other cities across the country, including Napa, Tahoe City, and Salt Lake City, that have chosen drone shows over fireworks for July 4 celebrations. For many cities, the use of drones offers a safer, eco-friendly and noise-free spectacle. The City of Wauwatosa has also decided to ditch traditional fireworks, replacing them with a drone show July 2.
“This drone show is an exciting and environmentally conscious way to celebrate our community," Guy Smith, executive director of Milwaukee County Parks, said in the release. "Unlike traditional fireworks, drone shows reduce noise and air pollution while still delivering an unforgettable experience ... It’s about making memories and ensuring everyone feels welcome in these shared spaces.”
The display is expected to start around 9:15 p.m., with public viewing areas available at McKinley Beach and McKinley Park.
In 2024, Milwaukee County canceled its annual July 3 lakefront fireworks show due to a lack of sponsorship funding. The county's parks department previously shared that the fireworks display usually cost roughly $350,000 for pyrotechnics and $20,000 for additional staffing and service costs related to the event. The event typically draws in over 100,000 people from across Wisconsin.
Smoke over southern Wisconsin to continue into Thursday
Smoke from the Canadian wildfires will hang over southern Wisconsin into Thursday, authorities said.
Improving air quality is expected to move into Wisconsin from the northwest on Wednesday, but a red advisory for unhealthy air will continue for southern and eastern Wisconsin until noon Thursday, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said late Wednesday morning.
The latest information is available online.
Air quality for southern and eastern Wisconsin currently is rated as unhealthy, meaning everyone should limit their time outdoors, limit outdoor exercise and consider wearing a mask outside. People who are more sensitive to the smoke should try to stay indoors.
Read more about the weather and safety tips.
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Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and rain obscures the downtown skyline of Minneapolis on Tuesday. Despite rain and wind pushing through the upper Midwest, unhealthy air was expected to persist as the fires continue to burn and winds blow from the northwest to the southeast. Mark Vancleave, Associated Press |
The fires have forced more than 27,000 Canadians in three provinces to flee their homes, and the smoke has even reached Europe, the Associated Press reported.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow map showed a swath of red for “unhealthy” conditions across Wisconsin and northern Iowa. Northern Michigan was also the site of many unhealthy zones, the agency said. The Air Quality Index was around 160 in many parts of the upper Midwest, indicating unhealthy conditions.
The Air Quality Index — AQI — measures how clean or polluted the air is, focusing on health effects that might be experienced within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. It is based on ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Particulates are the main issue from the fires
The index ranges from green, where the air quality is satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk, to maroon, which is considered hazardous. That level comes with health warnings of emergency conditions where everyone is more likely to be affected, according to AirNow.
There were areas of reduced air quality all over the U.S. on Wednesday, with numerous advisories about moderate air quality concerns as far away as Kansas and Georgia.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Beer garden on tap at Island Park this summer
Holly Gilvary
Perspective Brewing Company will offer craft beer, and guests can also expect local food vendors, live music and a family/dog-friendly atmosphere at the park, 1700 Liberty St.
The beer garden will be available June 20-22, July 18-20, Aug. 22-24 and Sept. 19-21. It will be open from 4-8 p.m. Fridays, noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, according to the city.
Other beer gardens in Racine County include the Franksville Craft Beer Garden in Franksville Memorial Park, 9614 Northwestern Ave., Franksville.
Monday, June 2, 2025
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Wildfire smoke will likely block northern lights in Wisconsin before humid, stormy weather
Hope Karnopp
Smoke from Canadian wildfires will linger above Wisconsin Sunday and Monday, making the sun and sky look hazy. But air quality has improved, and people shouldn't be able to smell smoke.
"I don't really expect much down at the surface, it should all just be quite a bit further up in the atmosphere," National Weather Service meteorologist Andy Boxell said.
A statewide air quality advisory was issued May 30, with conditions especially unhealthy for sensitive groups. Advisories for June 1 and 2 look unlikely.
The smoke is coming from wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Rising heat, winds, and dry air sparked blazes in those Canadian provinces. Thousands have been evacuated.
Much of the country, even states further south, has a good chance to see northern lights Sunday night.
But the wildfire smoke will become thicker tonight over Wisconsin and likely obstruct any view of the phenomenon.
"It's hard to say exactly how much (the smoke) would block it out, but that's definitely going to impede anyone's ability to see the northern lights, unfortunately," Boxell said.
Storms, humid air likely in Wisconsin Tuesday and Wednesday
After the smoke moves out, humid air will take its place.
Rain showers and thunderstorms are most likely Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. The system is expected to bring steady rainfall, but severe storms don't look likely.
"By Wednesday afternoon, things should be winding down," Boxell said.
Monday and Tuesday could hit a high of 83 degrees in Milwaukee, with temperatures cooler along the lake. Temperatures will fall to around 70 degrees for the rest of the week.