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Racine declares apartment complexes and bar to be nuisance properties

From The Journal Times.com:

Holly Gilvary

RACINE — The City of Racine has formally declared four properties as nuisances, citing repeated building code violations and a "significant volume" of police calls.

In the past 60 days, the city has recorded 33 police calls and 11 building code violations at the Mitchell Wagon Factory Lofts, 815 Eighth St. 

Journal Times file photo

The Mitchell Wagon Factory Lofts at 815 Eighth St., the Arcade Apartments at 413 Main St., and bar and restaurant Mahoffers on Main at 236 Main St. were declared nuisances this week. Last month, the city declared McMynn Tower Apartments, 110 Seventh St., a nuisance property.

In the past 60 days, the city has recorded seven police calls and 45 building code violations at the Arcade Apartments, 413 Main St.

Journal Times

In the past 60 days, the city has recorded 33 police calls and 11 building code violations at the Mitchell Wagon Factory Lofts, and seven police calls and 45 building code violations at the Arcade Apartments.

Journal Times

McMynn Tower has received more than 800 police calls since 2022.

According to the city, the ongoing building code violations and public safety issues at the properties "have reached a point where formal action is necessary to protect residents and the surrounding neighborhoods." 

City departments have attempted multiple interventions to resolve the issues at the Mitchell Wagon Factory Lofts and the Arcade Apartments, but the conditions have persisted, according to a news release.

With the nuisance declarations now in place, all properties must provide formal abatement plans to the city that outline specific corrective actions and timelines to address outstanding safety violations, reduce police-related incidents and ensure the properties are managed responsibly going forward.

The Mitchell Wagon Factory Lofts and the Arcade Apartments are both owned and managed by The Michaels Organization, a national housing operator based in Camden, New Jersey. The company is not affiliated with the Wisconsin-based Michels Corporation.

If the property managers do not meet the requirements laid out in the abatement plans, the city may pursue further enforcement actions, including municipal citations, cost recovery or additional legal remedies permitted under city ordinances.

"We expect The Michaels Organization to correct these issues quickly and demonstrate a renewed commitment to the people who live in their buildings," Mayor Cory Mason said in the release.

Unacceptable behavior

The police have received more than 50 calls for service at Mahoffers on Main since the establishment opened in July, with the calls including physical fights, disorderly conduct and loud music complaints, according to the city. Several of the incidents were categorized as "serious" and required "significant police response."

Mahoffers on Main, 236 Main St., has had more than 50 police calls for service since opening in July, according to the City of Racine.

Journal Times file photo

Racine Police Chief Alex Ramirez said the police department expects business owners to "operate responsibly and to be good neighbors in our community."

"This owner has not demonstrated that level of responsibility," Ramirez said in a statement. "The volume and nature of these calls — some of them serious — are deeply concerning from a public safety perspective. This behavior is not acceptable, and it places an unnecessary strain on police resources."

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/government-politics/article_2f5591a4-b8ff-4250-8bd3-6484bf518b04.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

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38-year-old charged in connection to alleged sexual assault

From The Journal Times.com:

Caroline Neal

YORKVILLE — A 38-year-old Cudahy man has been arrested in connection to an alleged sexual assault in the Village of Yorkville.

Michael Wezyk faces one count of second degree sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age, which is a felony.

The maximum sentence upon conviction is a fine of up to $100,000, imprisonment of up to 40 years, or both.

Online court records show that Racine County Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch set Wezyk’s cash bond at $10,000 during an April 22 hearing. Wezyk is scheduled to appear in court April 30.

According to a criminal complaint, the Racine County Sheriff’s Office began investigating following a report from the child’s biological father.

The complaint alleges Wezyk took the child to a bar and assaulted her between January and May 2024.

Wezyk also reportedly made inappropriate comments about the child and her sister, according to the criminal complaint.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_7a274518-2a57-4ae2-8df2-b5fb8d059617.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage

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38-year-old charged in connection to alleged sexual assault

From The Journal Times.com:

Caroline Neal

YORKVILLE — A 38-year-old Cudahy man has been arrested in connection to an alleged sexual assault in the Village of Yorkville.

Michael Wezyk faces one count of second degree sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age, which is a felony.

The maximum sentence upon conviction is a fine of up to $100,000, imprisonment of up to 40 years, or both.

Online court records show that Racine County Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch set Wezyk’s cash bond at $10,000 during an April 22 hearing. Wezyk is scheduled to appear in court April 30.

According to a criminal complaint, the Racine County Sheriff’s Office began investigating following a report from the child’s biological father.

The complaint alleges Wezyk took the child to a bar and assaulted her between January and May 2024.

Wezyk also reportedly made inappropriate comments about the child and her sister, according to the criminal complaint.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_7a274518-2a57-4ae2-8df2-b5fb8d059617.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage

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Miller High Life releasing vinyl record featuring dive bar sounds. And it’s infused with beer

From JSOnline:

Hannah Kirby

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

What Wisconsinite needs a white noise machine when they could fall asleep to the familiar sounds of a good ol' dive bar?

Miller High Life is releasing "Dive Bar Sounds," a limited-edition beer-infused vinyl record — yes, it's made with The Champagne of Beers inside — with seven original tracks featuring dive bar sounds, according to a news release.

Here's a sampling of the vinyl's tracks and their descriptions:

• "Welcome to the Dive": An upbeat rhythm built from the percussive sounds of pool balls, with subtle notes of the classic High Life jingle woven throughout, capturing the energy of game night at your favorite bar.
• "Regular's Remix": A laid-back track where the familiar murmur of regulars and clinking High Life bottles create the soundtrack to a perfect night at the bar.
• "Champagne Nights": An ambient sound led by the signature hiss of The Champagne of Beers being opened and the effervescent dance of bubbles rising to the top.
• "Last Call Symphony": A low-fi melody featuring the hum of High Life neon signs and a closing time bell that feels like your final waltz out of the dive bar.

The announcement comes just in time for Record Store Day on Saturday.

The vinyl is serving as the kickoff to "The Soundtrack to the High Life," a new, yearlong music platform that will feature a range of music experiences, including the sponsorship of Teddy Swims' 2025 North American tour, the release said.

More info and upcoming "Soundtrack to the High Life" announcements will be shared on millerhighlife.com/soundtrack and Miller High Life's Instagram, @millerhighlife.

How to buy Miller High Life's new 'Dive Bar Sounds' beer-infused vinyl record

A limited quantity of "Dive Bar Sounds" will be available at millerhighlife.com/divebarsounds for pre-order over multiple days: Thursday, Friday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The vinyl costs $18 and buyers have to be at least 21, the release said

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/beer/2025/04/10/miller-high-life-beer-infused-vinyl-record-dive-bar-sounds/83023706007/

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