JT IRREGULARS: 6/7/26

From JSOnline:

Cathy Kozlowicz Steven Martinez

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Videos showing a Menomonee Falls teenager's arrest have raised concerns among the boy's family about excessive use of force while the village's police department defends the encounter as "reasonable" and "effective."

The videos – police body camera footage and a separate video recorded by the boy's sister – show officers around 9:30 a.m. May 21 interacting with the 13-year-old boy and some of his family members before taking the boy into custody and putting him in a squad car.

The boy's sister's video captures the arrest, which involved three officers restraining and ultimately handcuffing the boy as he tries to pull away from them. The video shows the boy repeatedly crying out for help from his grandfather and swearing at the officers while police hold him down.

In the boy's sister's video, a male voice can be heard shouting, "Don't put your hand on his throat," followed by a female voice saying, "His hand is on his throat."

William Sulton, the boy's attorney, said the arrest was targeted and excessive. Sulton plans to file a lawsuit against the department and wants the three officers fired.

Because it involves a minor, the Menomonee Falls Police Department declined to provide detailed information on the case, but released body cam footage of the encounter in response to the boy's sister's video, which the department said showed "only a portion of the arrest."

The department said in a news release that the officers remained calm during the arrest and continually requested the boy's cooperation. They only used the level of force necessary to take him into custody, police said.

"Consequently, it is our department's conclusion that the officers' actions in this incident were both reasonable and justified," the release said.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is not naming the boy because he is a minor.

Sulton said the arrest was wrong "all the way around," and cast doubt on whether it required multiple officers. He also said any police involvement in the matter was unnecessary since the incident that triggered the investigation was a "private joke among family."

Sulton said a school resource officer became involved after there was a dispute between the 13-year-old and his 11-year-old brother about a photo on one of their phones. Sulton described the incident as "just two brothers being weird."

The Menomonee Falls Police Department told the Journal Sentinel that the school resource officer was Ryan Young. The other two officers were Vincent Strom, a patrol officer, and Michael Schroeder, a K9 officer.

The boy has since been released from custody, Sulton said. He did not immediately have information on whether the boy was cited or charged in connection with the arrest.

The Menomonee Falls Police Department told the Journal Sentinel that they will not disclose information regarding possible charges because the arrest involved a juvenile.

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/west/2026/06/11/family-says-police-used-excessive-force-in-arrest-of-13-year-old/90420420007/

From The Journal Times.com:

Holly Gilvary

The deadline for candidates to file for 2026 elections in Wisconsin was 5 p.m. June 1. The Wisconsin Elections Commission on June 9 officially confirmed the candidates who will be on the ballot.

The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3. Some races will require a primary, which will be Aug. 11.

Here's who is running for districts representing Racine and Kenosha counties.

Incumbents are denoted with (i).

U.S. Congressional District 1

Bryan Steil (Republican) (i)

Miguel Aranda (Democrat)

Mitchell Berman (Democrat)

Peter Burgelis (Democrat)

Lorenzo J. Santos (Democrat)

State Senate District 11

Steven J. Doelder (Democrat)

Adam Duda (Democrat)

Nick Polce (Republican)

Ellen Schutt (Republican)

Sandy Wiedmeyer (Republican)

State Senate District 21

Jim Croft (Republican)

Trevor Jung (Democrat)

Wisconsin Assembly District 32

Greg Miller (Democrat)

Amanda Nedweski (Republican) (i)

Wisconsin Assembly District 33

Rick Bailey (Democrat)

Maria Elena Bisabarros (Democrat)

Rick Stacey (Republican)

Steve Wicklund (Republican)

Wisconsin Assembly District 62

Mike Bellagio (Republican)

Angelina M. Cruz (Democrat) (i)

Wisconsin Assembly District 63

Eddie Phanichkul (Democrat)

Robert Wittke (Republican) (i)

Wisconsin Assembly District 64

Ed Hibsch (Republican)

Tip McGuire (Democrat) (i)

Wisconsin Assembly District 65

Ben DeSmidt (Democrat) (i)

Valerie Kretchmer (Republican)

Wisconsin Assembly District 66

Gina Cefalu Paulick (Republican)

Greta Neubauer (Democrat) (i)

Wisconsin Assembly District 84

Chuck Wichgers (Republican) (i)

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article_5557082b-e0e2-4684-a412-9d23ca8e9974.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Recent stories by Racine Journal Times reporter Holly Gilvary

Just turn fire hoses on them.

If I was that dog, I would shoot that cat.

From The Journal Times.com:

Milana Doné

Nelson, an African penguin at the Racine Zoo, passed away June 3 following a terminal illness.

Courtesy of Racine Zoo

RACINE — Nelson, a 5-year-old African penguin who was born at The Racine Zoo on March 6, 2021, and could be recognized by his orange band and hunched back, has died.

Two days after Nelson hatched, he was joined by his twin brother, Ozzy, according to a news release from the zoo.

The zoo described them as a sweet, chaotic pair that sought love, attention and trouble. The penguins continued to recognize each other as brothers even as they grew into adulthood.

When Nelson was a chick, he developed a spinal infection that impacted the growth of his spine and resulted in a hunched posture, the zoo said. Although medical intervention was able to cure his infection, the shape of Nelson’s spine was permanent.

Nelson was able to do everything a normal penguin would, and the zoo prioritized a happy, healthy and comfortable life through special veterinary care, such as acupuncture treatments.

According to the zoo, Nelson formed more of a bonded relationship with hiskeepers than any of the other penguins. He clung to their shoes and responded to scratches with his own “preening” of the keepers’ fingers.

The zoo said animal care staff recently noticed changes in Nelson’s behavior and appetite that indicated something was wrong.

After exams determined a terminal illness, staff considered quality of life and declining condition. Nelson was euthanized June 3 surrounded by the animal care team, who the zoo said will remember and miss him.

African penguins live along the coast of South Africa and are the only species of penguins that live on the continent.

Their typical lifespan is 15-20 years in the wild and 20-30 years or longer in human care.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/article_a6fdf43b-88e6-4bfe-b2cb-929eec2ba897.html