Saturday, November 14, 2026
Friday, November 13, 2026
Democrat lawmakers, Crowley building marijuana legalization plans
From JSOnline:
Colby Lamb
Colby Lamb
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MADISON – Democratic legislative leaders hope to fully legalize marijuana in 2027 but have not settled on a timeframe or details about how it will be executed.
Democrats in the Badger State have a trifecta in state government for the first time in 16 years. One of the slew of issues likely to be addressed is the long-time battle over legalizing marijuana, both medicinal and recreational. Democrats have argued the state is losing millions in tax revenue.
When asked whether marijuana legalization would be signed into law through a stand-alone bill or in the upcoming state budget, incoming Senate Majority Leader Dianne Hesselbein said, "to be determined," at a Capitol press conference.
Incoming Assembly Speaker Greta Neubauer said at a separate press conference on Nov. 10 that marijuana legalization will be a top issue for her caucus.
"It's a priority for us, and we're figuring out exactly where it fits, but we do hope to pass marijuana legalization in the coming year," said Neubauer.
Democratic Gov.-elect David Crowley has repeatedly called for legalizing marijuana during his campaign for governor and has said he plans to use the tax revenue to fund some of his priorities, including expanding pre-kindergarten options.
"We have to go towards full legalization because this is [an] opportunity that we're missing out on as a state," Crowley said during the Oct. 21 debate hosted by WISN. "Look, Governor Pritzker literally thanks Wisconsin residents because they have made $30 million in sales tax collection just from Wisconsin residents."
Crowley took the same stance in a previous statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
"Wisconsin is falling behind and losing hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue as residents cross state lines to purchase legal products and pay taxes in other states," Crowley said. "Legalization would allow us to regulate the market, set safety standards, and direct revenue toward priorities like education, health care and public safety."
During Crowley's time in the Legislature, he was one of the Democratic lawmakers to introduce the 2019 version of legalizing marijuana, permitting both recreational and medical uses.
Brandon Weathersby, a spokesman for Crowley, refused to ask Crowley questions sent by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel inquiring about Crowley's thoughts on the one-year timeframe suggested by Neubauer.
Incoming Senate Minority Leader Julian Bradley, a Republican from New Berlin, did not close the door to the idea.
"We've got to talk. We've got to see the bill. Hypotheticals I can't speak on today. Plain and simply, we've got to see what the language looks like, and we'll have discussions," he said at a news conference earlier this week.
Bradley did not respond to requests for a follow-up comment. Incoming Assembly Minority Leader Tyler August, R- Walworth did not respond to requests for comment.
Democrats have proposed marijuana legalization for 13 consecutive years, all of which were shut down by the GOP-controlled Legislature. Gov. Tony Evers has proposed decriminalizing recreational marijuana and creating a medical marijuana program.
The most recent bill from Democratic lawmakers was in February. The bill would have allowed anyone 21 or older to legally possess cannabis, and anyone 18 or older could possess it for medical purposes. The bill also would have allowed Wisconsinites to produce, process and sell it with a license. The bill officially died on March 23.
Wisconsin is one of six states to allow CBD oil only for medicinal purposes.
Twenty-four states have fully legalized marijuana; plus, Washington, D.C.; 15 states allow it for medicinal purposes; it is fully illegal but decriminalized in North Carolina and it is fully illegal in four states, according to the DISA Global Solutions Marijuana and THC Legality Map.
Jessie Opoien of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.
Colby Lamb can be reached at clamb@usatodayco.com.
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
The Only Air-Cooled 1904 Mitchell in the World
Enjoy Alan Travis sharing his running and driving historic 1904 Mitchell "Light Car" runabout, built in 1903 by the Mitchell Wagon Works of Racine, Wisconsin, as one of their first cars. Authentic verified history: Alan and his wife Mary bought it from Don Mitchell, great-grandson of one of the founders, out of the Mitchell family museum. It is the only air cooled Mitchell left in the world. See all the highlights around the car, listen to it start and idle, and then we drive it around.
- Built from a 1902 to 1903 parts catalog, on a buckboard wagon
- A 9 horsepower air cooled twin with a three-speed transmission
- A Roots plenum fed by an 1873 Keystone forge blower spinning 10 to 20,000 RPM, and the bearings Alan added
- Checking the oil with no dipstick, and a total loss oiling system pressurized by the exhaust
- The bell, horns and Yankee grade meter
- Telegraph pole number license plates, chain drive and wagon brakes
- Multivibrator coils, and how to start it with the choke and hand crank
- The drive, and why you work the timing and the exhaust cutout as you go
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Riding Around
Street Legal E-Bike and Cargo Trailer - Don't break your neck when you whipsaw to get a look!
Monday, November 9, 2026
What Secrets Did This Corrupt Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Take to His Grave?
Must have had a guilty conscience...
Timothy Joseph Zarzecki, 63 years young, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, February 1, 2026, as the result of a heart attack.
Tim was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on May 6, 1962, to the late Thomas and Barbara (née Spinski) Zarzecki Sr. He attended St. Edward's and St. Joseph's Schools and graduated from St. Catherine's High School. Tim went on to attend the University of Wisconsin–Parkside while working full time, eventually earning a degree in Business.
Tim began his working career at Racine Cyclery. He later worked at the Piggly Wiggly on Spring Street before beginning his law enforcement career as a Wisconsin State Trooper. On January 17, 1988, Tim transferred to the Mount Pleasant Police Department patrol division. He was later promoted to Sergeant, supervising all three patrol shifts.
Well respected among his peers, Tim was eventually promoted to Chief of Police, a role in which he proudly led the department for 10 years. He retired on November 9, 2018, after 30 years of dedicated service. Never one to sit still, Tim also served as Interim Village Administrator for the Village of Mount Pleasant during the final year and a half of his police career, a position in which he excelled. With tremendous amount of experience, Tim also taught criminal justice at Gateway Technical College. In retirement, Tim continued his commitment to service as a fraud investigator for Educators Credit Union, a position he held at the time of his passing.
He tried and failed to become a double dipping POS.
UNION GROVE (AP) -- A Wisconsin police chief has been arrested after a domestic incident.
Racine County Sheriff Chris Schmaling says Mount Pleasant Police Chief Tim Zarzecki was arrested Friday night, June 8th at his home in Union Grove on suspicion of disorderly conduct-domestic abuse. He was taken to the Racine County Jail, where he was booked and released after posting bail.
The sheriff said the chief was very cooperative. The sheriff would not give details of the incident.
Mount Pleasant Police Capt. Brian Smith says it was Zarzecki's wife who called police. He says the investigation has to run its course, but he does not believe the chief did anything wrong and that he'll be vindicated.
Zarzecki does not have a listed phone number and could not be reached for comment.
https://www.fox6now.com/news/mount-pleasant-police-chief-arrested-after-domestic-incident
Outgoing Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling: The Self-Serving Sheriff Who Built A Florida Real Estate Portfolio While Questions Of Favoritism And Personal Misconduct Followed Him
From Kenosha County Eye:
RACINE, Wis. — After 16 years as Racine County’s top law enforcement officer, outgoing Sheriff Christopher Schmaling is preparing to leave office with questions surrounding his private business interests, political relationships, and personal conduct. Among the most controversial allegations is a claim documented in a 2018 Kenosha Police Department investigation that Schmaling exchanged intimate text messages with Kelly Kruse, a former Racine County Board supervisor and longtime executive director of Downtown Racine Corporation. Kruse has denied having an affair with Schmaling, and the messages have not been independently authenticated by Kenosha County Eye. Schmaling did not respond to two communications from KCE seeking comment.
Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling is preparing to leave office after 16 years as the county’s top law enforcement officer. His tenure has included controversial personnel decisions, private business interests, and allegations concerning his personal conduct. (Photo courtesy of Racine County Sheriff’s Office)
Schmaling, who took office in January 2011, has served four consecutive four-year terms as sheriff. During his tenure, a private security company associated with him began operating in Wisconsin, while public property records identified two Florida real estate transactions under his name totaling approximately $1.19 million. Schmaling is also reportedly a real estate agent, and allegations that he has spent substantial time working outside Wisconsin in recent years raise further questions about how he balances private employment with his responsibilities as sheriff. His administration also faced disciplinary controversies involving senior employees, including Captain Cary Madrigal and Deputy Emil Ortiz.
Read more at: Kenosha County Eye
WHOOPS! More problems from Racine County.
Kenosha Unified School District Refuses To Identify Somers Elementary Teacher Under Criminal Investigation – Kenosha County Eye Identifies 49-Year-Old Mount Pleasant Man
SOMERS, Wis. — Parents of students at Somers Elementary School are furious with the Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) after school officials sent a vague notification Friday morning informing families that an employee was under investigation, without identifying the employee or explaining the nature of the allegations. Kenosha County Eye has learned that the employee is Charles Thomas Basaldua, 49, of Mount Pleasant, a fifth-grade teacher at the school who is under criminal investigation concerning allegations of inappropriate conduct toward students. Basaldua denied any wrongdoing when contacted by Kenosha County Eye Friday, maintaining that he is being falsely accused.
Read more at: Kenosha County Eye
Just Say "NO!"
U.S. — Men broke out in rejoicing upon learning that in the wake of the midterms, all the lovely, gorgeous liberal women of America were ready to end their sex boycott.
With abortion set to become more broadly legal post-election, progressive ladies alerted men that the sex boycott, which had been in place since the fall of Roe v. Wade, was finally over.
"Wow, how exciting. Just look at these beautiful women that are back on the market," said local man Brett Chandler. "It sure has been a tough few years without these blue-haired angels. What a relief!"
Read more at: The Babylon Bee
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil’s girlfriend arrested for domestic assault
The girlfriend of Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil was arrested Sunday for reportedly striking the singer.
Rainbow Hannah Andreani, 45, was booked in Williamson County, Tenn., for alleged domestic assault, according to arrest records viewed by the Los Angeles Times. Andreani posted a $5,000 bond and was released Monday. She is due in court Dec. 3, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.
Andreani’s arrest occurred after she allegedly hit Neil, 65, TMZ reported.
The makeup artist, who goes by “Rain Hannah,” and Neil have been in a relationship since 2011, according to People. In 2025, she was aboard Neil’s Learjet when it was involved in a fatal crash in Scottsdale, Ariz. The aircraft left the runway when landing, collided with a parked plane and killed one pilot. Neil was not on the plane.
Read more at: LA Times
Racine County Sheriff Candidate Cary Madrigal Lost Court Fight After Records Show She Seemingly Tried To Cover Up Misconduct Tied To Deputy Later Convicted Of Child Sexual Exploitation and Pornography, Bestiality
Past history of Racine County Republicans in LE at Racine County Sheriff's Office shows a pattern:
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. — Racine County Sheriff candidate Captain Cary Madrigal lost her attempt to keep disciplinary records from public view after arguing in court filings that release of the records would unfairly damage her reputation, candidacy and privacy interests. A judge ultimately ordered the documents released, records that detail allegations she failed to properly respond to concerns involving a deputy who was later convicted in a major child pornography and child sexual exploitation case.
Sex Offender and Former Racine County Sheriff’s Deputy Preston K. Kite, 37, of Union Grove
The records include allegations and witness statements involving a possible personal relationship between Madrigal and former deputy Preston Kite outside the workplace, including claims Kite rented property from her, concerns investigators re-interviewed Madrigal after receiving information they believed was inconsistent with portions of her earlier statements, and allegations she warned an employee he was on “thin ice” after referring to Kite as a “pedophile.” The records ultimately resulted in Madrigal receiving a 10-day suspension without pay tied to her handling of complaints involving Kite.
The records show Madrigal received a 10-day suspension without pay after an internal Racine County Sheriff’s Office investigation concluded she violated departmental policy in her handling of complaints and concerns involving former deputy Preston Kite.
According to the disciplinary findings, sheriff’s office employees raised concerns in 2023 about Kite allegedly sending “dick pics” and engaging in troubling conduct. Investigators concluded Madrigal failed to properly elevate the concerns, failed to ensure documentation was created and failed to take sufficient supervisory action despite serving as a captain and one of the highest-ranking members of the agency.
The file also contains witness statements suggesting some employees believed Madrigal had a personal relationship with Kite or that Kite rented property from her. The investigation materials do not establish a romantic relationship between the two, but investigators documented concerns from employees who questioned whether Madrigal’s relationship with Kite affected their confidence she would take action against him.
Read more at: Kenosha County Eye
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Racine County Epstein Class Republicans
Your children will never be safe around these alleged Racine County Child Predators:
RACINE, Wis. — Racine County Sheriff's Captain Cary Madrigal was placed on paid administrative leave Friday, barred from restricted areas of the Sheriff's Office, and is now at the center of growing questions involving four powerful public officials who supported her failed campaign for sheriff: Racine County Sheriff Chris Schmaling, Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner, Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson (D), and Union Grove Union High School Board President Diane Skewes. The revelation that Skewes also publicly endorsed Madrigal is particularly significant because Thomas Johnson, 51, the Union Grove school administrator charged with two child pornography felonies, reportedly told investigators that Skewes knew his phones were "clean" and suggested someone from the Racine County Sheriff's Office had contacted her. Madrigal, who lost Tuesday's election, told Kenosha County Eye she had "no comment" when contacted by telephone. With both sheriffs and the district attorney politically connected to Madrigal, questions are mounting about who could independently investigate any improper disclosure of confidential information. Officials have not disclosed why Madrigal was placed on leave, and no evidence has established that she leaked information to Johnson or Skewes.
Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson (R)
Read more at: Kenosha County Eye
Secret Affairs, Sex at School, Explicit Voicemails, Alleged Lies And Sudden Resignation: Explosive Court Documents Expose Scandal Behind Union Grove Superintendent’s Child Pornography Arrest
Union Grove WI. — Thomas William Johnson, 51, of Burlington, the married Union Grove Union High School District administrator charged Thursday with two child pornography felonies, is at the center of an explosive scandal involving a secret six-year affair with Danielle Marshall, 56, of Mount Pleasant, a longtime Union Grove Elementary School teacher who submitted her retirement or resignation Friday after 30 years with the district. Newly obtained court documents reveal allegations of sexual encounters on school property, sexually explicit voicemails, deleted phone records, and conflicting statements to investigators. Marshall, who is also described as married in the investigative records, submitted her retirement/resignation request just two days after Johnson's arrest and on the same day Kenosha County Eye began questioning school officials about the affair and alleged sexual activity at the elementary school.
Read more at: Kenosha County Eye
Friday, November 6, 2026
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Monday, November 2, 2026
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Friday, October 30, 2026
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Mt. Pleasant police propose purchase of armored vehicle using data center tax revenue
From The Journal Times.com:
Brian Rosenzweig
Brian Rosenzweig
The Mount Pleasant Police Department is considering the purchase of a $363,000 armored rescue vehicle using property tax funds generated by the Foxconn and Microsoft Tax Incremental District.
The Lenco BearCat G3 would be used by MPPD and the Caledonia Police Department as part of their Joint Tactical Response Team.
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A Lenco BearCat G3. Mount Pleasant Police Department is considering the purchase of one of the armored vehicles, which retails at about $363,000, utilizing property tax revenue generated by TID 5. Photo by Matti Blume, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons |
The BearCat boasts an all-steel exterior construction and can seat 10-12 fully-outfitted officers, according to the company’s website.
The Mount Pleasant Committee of the Whole discussed, but did not make a decision about the purchase during its Oct. 26 meeting.
In a letter to the Village Board, MPPD Police Chief Robert Botsch said the BearCat would be an “essential” tool for assisting the JTAC in situations that involve an active shooter, barricaded subject or hostage situation.
“A BearCat would allow TRT operators to move protected personnel (Police, Fire & EMS) into the danger area, provide a ballistic shield and protected platform, and remove injured or endangered citizens and officers when a conventional police or fire vehicle cannot safely do so,” the letter stated.
Botsch said the BearCat would be an important community safety asset as Mount Pleasant’s population grows. Additionally, he said the armored vehicle could help to protect infrastructure and properties in Tax Incremental District 5, home to the Foxconn and Microsoft data center campus.
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Construction continues on a second Microsoft data center May 20, 2026, in Mount Pleasant. The company’s first data center in Mount Pleasant went online in early April. USA Today Network |
“The sheer size and scale of these campuses present unique challenges during an emergency, including the potential for incidents to occur a significant distance from an access point or emergency staging area and the need to move police, fire and EMS responders safely across large properties,” Botsch said. “Our public safety response capabilities need to evolve to meet these challenges.”
He said the fortified vehicle also could support rescue and evacuation missions during severe weather, flooding and “other large-scale emergencies.”
The proposed purchase was supported by the Racine and Caledonia’s police chiefs and by Alan Karr, a special agent at the Milwaukee Field Office of the FBI.
“The addition of an armored vehicle for these two communities will increase JTAC’s capabilities and effectiveness supporting collaborative investigations requiring tactical assets to safely execute high risk arrest warrants while ensuring safety for the public and law enforcement,” Karr said in a letter of support.
A motion to approve the purchase of the BearCat could be considered by the Mount Pleasant Village Board during a future meeting.
Botsch said the police department could either purchase the vehicle in full, or lease-to-own through seven annual payments of about $63,879.
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Recent stories by Racine Journal Times reporter Brian Rosenzweig |
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