Washington state looks to raise revenue from Zyn tax

COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Now Available At Meijer Locations

Residents can now register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a number of Meijer locations in the area. (Shutterstock)

 OAK CREEK, WI – Residents can now register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a number of Meijer locations in the area.

In order to register, customers can text COVID to 75049 to receive a link to register, of they can go online to https://clinic.meijer.com/.

Residents can also visit the Meijer Pharmacy and answer three brief questions that will allow the pharmacy to properly determine which vaccine phase the patient is in.

Customers will be contacted with a date for their vaccine as doses become available. They will also have the opportunity to decline the date that is offered to them while still remaining in the registration group for a future date.

Read more: https://patch.com/wisconsin/oakcreek/covid-19-vaccine-registration-now-available-meijer-locations

Rare Snake Found Near Proposed Racine Bridge Project, DNR Says

From Mount Pleasant - Sturtevant Patch:

The presence of the state endangered Queensnake has been confirmed in the vicinity of the project site, and it may affect the project

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation wants to replace the existing historic structure at the West 6th Street Bridge in Racine. (Google Street Map)

RACINE, WI — A rare and endangered snake population was found near a proposed bridge replacement project in Racine, state officials said.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation wants to replace the existing historic structure at the West 6th Street Bridge in Racine, and upgrade the road that approaches on either side to match the new structure.

Officials say the DOT project may result in the "incidental taking" of a rare snake under an authorization the Department of Natural Resources proposes to issue for the project.

The presence of the state endangered Queensnake has been confirmed in the vicinity of the project site, DNR staff said. DNR staff also determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes, according to a news release.

Read more: https://patch.com/wisconsin/mountpleasant/rare-snake-found-near-proposed-racine-bridge-project-dnr-says

New Details Made Public About New Oak Creek Outdoor Movie Theater

Marcus officials say their aim is to get the theater operational as soon as possible, and run the outdoor theater until Sept. 30.

By Scott Anderson, Patch Staff

Jun 23, 2020 3:10 pm CT

Marcus officials said the show would be a daily double-feature. (Image Via Google Street Map)

OAK CREEK, WI — Marcus Theaters is asking Oak Creek for approval of a new outdoor movie theater, and new details of the project have been made public.

Members of the Oak Creek Plan Commission will review plans for a temporary outdoor movie theater at the South Shore Cinema location at 7261 S. 13th Street. Marcus officials say their aim is to get the theater operational as soon as possible, and run the outdoor theater until Sept. 30. According to a Milwaukee Biz Times report, Marcus said they're planning to open their Parking Lot Cinema on June 26.

According to Plan Commission documents, Marcus Theatres would mount a screen to the east wall of the cinema and create a Drive In parking field.

The outdoor cinema operation at South Shore would have the location open daily at 7:30 p.m. with a show start at dusk.

Under the plans, the cinema would show the films on a 48-foot wide screen mounted to the north side wall. The sound will be transmitted via a low power FM radio transmitter.

Marcus officials said the show would be a daily double-feature of titles rated G, PG, or PG-13 or "visually appropriate" films only, and the site would be limited to 120 cars.

All movie tickets would be sold online or via the Marcus Theaters app. Social distancing of at least 6 feet would be maintained at all times, officials said.

Under the plan, people would remain in their vehicles or immediately in front of their vehicles, and there would be no socializing between cars.

Security would patrol the lot at all times, officials said.

Guests will be required to wear face coverings whenever they are outside their vehicle, according to plans. The Oak Creek Plan Commission will review the plans Tuesday night.

"Just like we opened a Parking Lot Cinema at our Brookfield Majestic location a few weeks ago, we are now adding another drive-in concept to our South Shore Cinema in Oak Creek," Marcus officials told Patch in an email. "It is scheduled to start June 26 and will be our fourth overall Parking Lot Cinema."

From: https://patch.com/wisconsin/oakcreek/new-details-made-public-new-oak-creek-outdoor-movie-theater

Oak Creek Neighbors Renew Coal Dust Concerns After Fence Falls

From Racine County Eye:

The fence, officials said, was put in place to slow winds down. (Scott Anderson, Patch Staff)

OAK CREEK, WI — Officials with WE Energies says it will only be a matter of days before repairs are complete on several panels of fencing that had fallen last week due to storms and high winds that moved through the area.

The fence, officials said, was put in place to slow winds down, effectively limiting the wind power that could blow coal dust into area neighborhoods.

“The good news is that because of what happened, [there is] zero impact to any of the coal piles there. We obviously understand neighbors’ concerns. We’re incredibly sensitive to them, but the good news is — and everyone should be aware of — there is no evidence at all that any coal dust has left that site since nearly two years ago,” We Energies spokesperson Brendan Conway said in a CBS 58 report.

The utility’s position on the presence of coal dust inside and outside neighbors’ homes has been a bone of contention for more than 10 years.

The utility has power washed homes and cars, done coal testing inside and outside homes, and gone as far as buying homes around the plant to create a buffer zone around the plant.

But not curbed production of coal around the plant.

Oak Creek and Caledonia residents who live near, or downwind of the plant, say coal dust is the source of respiratory and other health issues they have suffered over the years.

The utility denies that coal dust is the culprit.

“I’m not aware of anybody in our local that has a chronic respiratory issue that is working at the power plant,” a WE Energies spokesperson said during a 2018 community meeting. “The coal is dirty. Absolutely. It’s hard to get out of your laundry? Absolutely. As far as it being a respiratory issue. I’m not aware of that.”

Still, a number of neighbors have voiced their concerns and a number of them have joined the Clean Power Coalition. And many neighbors still want to move.

The Racine County Eye Contributed To This Report

---

Racine County Eye and Patch are partnering up to provide readers with more local content and provide local advertisers with a larger audience to connect with.

From: https://www.racinecountyeye.com/oak-creek-neighbors-renew-coal-dust-concerns-after-fence-falls/

Budget Warch

From Racine Community Media:

 

Racine Mayor John Dickert’s 2016 City Budget Calls For Raising Property Taxes, Raising Fees and Fines, Doubling The Amount Budgeted For Outside Legal Attorney’s, And Borrowing Money To Pay For Raises For City Employees.

Get involved Racine residents, pay close attention, seek the truth and speak out.

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/ticket-costs-could-increase/article_4b015ae9-f8b4-5968-b22f-18b3f4ac0907.html

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/garbage-juice-and-taxes-among-issues-brought-up-at-city/article_4c98c829-e0ad-5ba3-adb9-d74a51e80506.html

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/proposed-city-budget-maintains-services-calls-for-some-raises/article_8dac928d-e518-52cf-935b-36d6437da06a.html

Read more:  http://racinecommunitymedia.tumblr.com/post/133025791603/racine-mayor-john-dickerts-2016-city-budget-calls

Caledonia Patch and Mt Pleasant -Sturtevant Patch to Close

Heather Asiyanbi

From Mount Pleasant Patch:

"Farewell, Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patchers"

"Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patch is coming to an end on Oct. 15. What we created together was important and means more than you could ever know."

Posted by Heather Asiyanbi (Editor) , October 08, 2013 at 01:46 PM

Read more:  http://mountpleasant.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/farewell-mount-pleasantsturtevant-patchers

From Caledonia Patch:

"Thank You, Caledonia Patch, and Good-Bye" 

"Caledonia Patch comes to an end on Oct. 15, and Editor Heather Asiyanbi just wanted to let you all know how much she appreciates working with you."

Posted by Heather Asiyanbi (Editor) , October 08, 2013 at 06:43 PM

Read more: http://caledonia.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/thank-you-caledonia-patch-and-goodbye

Damn, damn, damn!  I hate to see the closing of any local news site.  The Patches were part of my daily routine (obsessiveness, some would say) of checking local news sites.  Damn!

Thank you, Heather Asiyanbi  and Denise Lockwood.  

If I were a rich man, I would fund a revival of the Racine Post.  I wouldn't care what Dustin Block was doing; I'd make him an offer he couldn't refuse. If I were a rich man.

"Police: Man Devours Fish Dish, Ditches Bill"

From Mount Pleasant Patch:

Posted by Heather Asiyanbi (Editor) , September 20, 2013 at 07:27 PM

"Mount Pleasant police say a man with a history of eat-and-run at local restaurants was at it again at Wells Brothers Pizza.

"Terrance Kitt, 33, of Mount Pleasant, was charged Friday in Racine County Circuit Court with one misdemeanor count of theft. If convicted, he faces up to nine months in jail and/or up to $10,000 in fines.

"According to the criminal complaint, Mount Pleasant police were called Thursday to Wells Brothers Pizza, 2148 Mead Street, for a report of theft involving a diner who said he didn't have any money to pay his bill. When officers arrived, they asked the defendant why he ordered food when he didn't have any money to pay for it.

"'I don't know, to get out of the house,' he answered, the complaint reads.

"Waitstaff told officers that Kitt ordered a $2 root beer and a $9.95 fried pollock meal. When he was done eating, he asked to use the Wells Brothers phone and went into the bathroom. Police say after he emerged from the restroom, Kitt exited the restaurant.

"Witnesses stopped him and reminded Kitt that he didn't pay so he told them he had friends coming to help him out. A few minutes later, Kitt admitted he didn't have friends coming with money and that waitstaff should "call someone to give him a ticket," the complaint reads.

"Police say Kitt has a slew of municipal citations for ditching his bill after ordering and eating a meal at local restaurants. When one of the restaurant owners arrived, they told officers that Kitt has pulled this before, but was allowed to owe Wells Brothers on occasion. Kitt was told he was no longer welcome at the restaurant and owners told police they wanted to press charges.

"Kitt remains in the Racine County Jail as of Friday night on a signature bond of $250. He has a pre-trial conference on Oct. 17."

Read more:  http://mountpleasant.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/police-man-devours-fish-dish-ditches-bill


If he stays in jail, he can eat for "free."  Unfortunately, no Wells Brothers food in the big house.

Poll: "How Will The Green Bay Packers Do This Season?"

From Waukesha Patch:

"Posted by Sarah Millard (Editor) , September 07, 2013 at 07:00 AM

"Football season is here as the Green Bay Packers take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The Packers face the team they lost to in the playoffs last year.

"The complete Packers schedule is available on the team's website.

"How do you think the Green Bay Packers will do this year? Take our poll and tell us in the comments what you think will be key to the Packers' success and where you think the team will struggle."

poll by twiigs.com

Read more: http://waukesha.patch.com/groups/sports/p/how-will-the-green-bay-packers-do-this-season

If the Packers' regular season is like their preseason, Madame Zoltar will be inconsolable.

"Belle City Man's 'Ship My Pants' Wins Awards"

From Mount Pleasant Patch:
 

"Sean Burns is a YouTube sensation, and, unless you remember him from Park High School's Class of 1984, you've probably never heard of him.

"Burns and his creative partner Howie Ronay at DraftFCB in Chicago are the creative forces behind Kmart's "Ship My Pants" commercial that caught fire on YouTube. The pair were awarded four Cannes Lions, the very top award in the advertising world, according to a story in The Journal Times.

 

“'It actually doesn’t get more prestigious than (Cannes),' Burns told the newspaper. 'In recent years it has become the premier advertising award show in the world.'

"'Ship My Pants' has almost 20 million views as of Saturday evening.

"But Burns wasn't finished. He and his team had fun again playing with words for Kmart, bringing "Big Gas Savings" to life earlier this summer. That ad has almost six million views."

 

Read more:  http://mountpleasant.patch.com/groups/business-news/p/belle-city-mans-ship-my-pants-wins-awards

Here's a previous blog on this subject, including the video:
http://www.jtirregulars.com/2013/04/ship-my-pants.html

Congratulations, Sean Burns!

"Hot Bike Power Tour Rumbles Into Racine"

From Caledonia Patch:

"The HOT BIKE Power Tour™ makes its grand finale stop THIS Wednesday, Aug. 28 at Racine's Pershing Park, 800 Pershing Park Dr.

"The 2013 tour started in Little Rock, Ark., on Saturday, Aug. 24 and traveled to Jackson, Tenn., Bowling Green, Ky., and Anderson, Ind., before arriving in Racine. About 150 to 200 motorcycle enthusiasts, known as 'longriders' are expected for the entire five days.

"In Racine, one-day registration opens at 9 a.m. at Racine Harley-Davidson, 1155 Oakes Rd. Registration is $25.

"Riders already on the tour are expected to arrive at Pershing Park along Racine's lakefront throughout the afternoon. They will enter Racine County on Green Bay Road (Highway 31) and head to the lakefront via Durand Avenue (Highway 11), Wisconsin Avenue and Main Street. Access to Pershing Park and Pershing Drive will be limited to tour participants.

"The Hot Bike magazine Manufacturer Midway is open 1-8 p.m. Everyone is invited to see the motorcycles and displays at no charge. The Test and Tune Motorcycle Dyno, ABATE burnout pit and Reaction Racing are among the planned activities for tour participants. GRS Finest Street Bike Stunt Show starts at 2 p.m. The band 'Burn' performs from 2-4 p.m. and 'Georgia Overdrive' takes the stage from 6-8 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Click HERE for the full event schedule.

"The tour wraps up with awards on Thursday and many participants will head to Milwaukee for the opening of the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Celebration.

"The HOT BIKE magazine Power Tour is presented by GEICO Motorcycle and co-presented by Official Oil AMSOIL. Real Racine, Racine County's destination marketing organization, is the local presenter.

"Registration fees for bike and riders include entry for all the prizes and giveaways. Call 1-877-413-6515 or visit www.hotbikeweb.com/2013/powertour for details."

Read more:  http://caledonia.patch.com/groups/real-racines-blog/p/hot-bike-power-tour-rumbles-into-racine_af52077c


Coinciding with Harley-Davidson's 110th Anniversary in Milwaukee, this could be a huge event.  Be careful driving.  Keep your eyes and ears open for motorcycles. 

Fawns From Hell Descend Upon Wisconsin

From Caledonia Patch:

"Man Injured After Fawn Crashes Into His Motorcycle "

http://caledonia.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/man-injured-after-fawn-crashes-into-his-motorcycle


Thank God that the DNR is hunting down and exterminating these dangerous creatures.

"Angel Investor Could Give Dino's Its Wings"

From Mount Pleasant Patch:

"Dave Ferderer, grandson of founder Dino Dominici, told Patch Monday that an old friend of Dino's is willing to step forward to help keep the doors of the iconic restaurant open.

"'Dino has helped a number of people through the years immigrate from Italy and set up their own businesses,' he said. 'One of those individuals is potentially willing to step forward to make a deal with the bank to keep the restaurant open.'

"Ferderer said a meeting this morning laid the groundwork for how a deal might be reached, effectively postponing the auction Tuesday of the restaurant's equipment. Only the items with the Dino's name and/or logo on it would stay with the family.

"'We sat down this morning to hammer out the details,' he stated.

"Patch has left a message with a representative from Tri City National Bank, and we will update this story when we hear from them."

Read more: http://mountpleasant.patch.com/groups/racine/p/angel-investor-could-give-dinos-its-wings


Previous blog: http://www.jtirregulars.com/2013/07/dinos-closing-after-60-years-in-racine.html

"Dino's Closing After 60 Years in Racine"

From Mount Pleasant Patch:

"After nearly 60 years of serving Racine, Dino's Restaurant will close its doors at the close of business on Sunday.

"Dino Dominici opened the restaurant at the corner of 16th Street and Phillips Avenue in 1955. Now 82, he said it feels terrible to see his life's work closing.

"'I've been here for 58 years, paying the bills and now the bank doesn't want to work with us,' he said. 'We're doing good business and we have good customers.'

"Dominici said the trouble began over two years ago when he had to have open heart surgery and couldn't keep up with the payments. When he was on the mend, the family tried to get the bank - Tri-City National Bank - to work with them, but the family couldn't meet the cash requirement.

"Dave Ferderer, Dominici's grandson, told Patch Monday that the business is going through foreclosure despite an agreement that the bank would own the building and the restaurant would lease. Then, he said, he got a call from the family's lawyer saying the deal was a bust and foreclosure proceedings would commence.

"'We started going through this two years ago, trying to get them to work with us, but they just wouldn't,' he said. 'For some reason, they'd rather see an empty building than give a local business another chance.'"

Read more: http://mountpleasant.patch.com/groups/business-news/p/dinos-closing-after-60-years-in-racine


I've dined there only a couple of times.  The food was good.  It's disappointing to see another locally owned business go belly up.

Edit: Racine Uncovered has a "Letter from Dino’s Restaurant to the community" posted: http://racineuncovered.org/2013/07/letter-from-dinos-restaurant-to-the-community/

"Woman Receives 13th Citation For Driving With Suspended License"

From Caledonia Patch:

"A Racine woman misjudges the driveway into her workplace, and winds up in a running stream of water, but then gets her 13th citation for driving with a suspended license from the Caledonia Police Department."

Read more: http://caledonia.patch.com/articles/woman-receives-13th-citation-for-driving-with-suspended-license


Be sure to check out the comments on the above story:

 

"Let's see if one of the judges has the orbs to put her in jail!"

The orbs?  The orbs?

I'm not taking that as a compliment.  However, I appreciate the usernames Tuco (the ugly in "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly") and Django Freeman ("Django Unchained," Quentin Tarentino's latest contribution to the Django ethos, starring Jamie Foxx).

"Would You Miss CAR 25?"

From Mount Pleasant Patch:

"Racine's public access cable channel may disappear, if the city goes along with an alderman's proposal.

"Alderman Greg Helding wants to see the money the city spends on CAR25 put into the contingency fund, according to The Journal Times, and used to potentially keep future cuts in services from happening."

Read more: http://mountpleasant.patch.com/articles/would-you-miss-car-25

Also see:  http://car25.pegcentral.com/


I would miss CAR25's moderating power.  Councilmen and others who are aware they are being filmed are less likely to act like swine.  Of course, you could make the case that that drives all of lying John's backdoor deals, like the one he is trying to swing here by replacing the people who run CAR25 with his cronies.  I am so sick of a lying mayor playing dirty with us all of the time. That also goes for his lying cousin and the ass-kissing Ald. Helding.  Those three little pigs are destroying Racine.   

"Sex Offender Placement Moved Because It's Too Close to Victim"

From Mount Pleasant Patch:

"The state Department of Health Services confirmed Wednesday that convicted sex offender Michael Fink will not be moved to a home on Lathrop Avenue in Manree Park.

"In an email to Patch, DHS spokeswoman Claire Smith said the reason Fink's release is being relocated is because one of his victims lives in the area.

"'I can confirm that we will not be placing Mr. Fink at the location that was proposed,' she wrote. 'We make every effort to ensure that individuals who are placed in the community are not placed near their victims. Had we known that a victim lived within a block or two, we would not have chosen that location.'

"A public information meeting had been scheduled for Thursday at Fratt School to help explain to neighborhood residents the conditions of Fink's release from Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center, where he has been since 2008. That meeting is canceled now that Fink's placement is being re-evaluated."

Read more:  http://mountpleasant.patch.com/articles/sex-offender-meeting-cancelled


Where should we put these people?

"Shop Local on Small Business Saturday"

From Caledonia Patch:

"Big name national retailers take the spotlight on Black Friday as their deep price cuts pull in shoppers in droves.

"What about those mom-and-pop businesses all over the Racine-area and beyond that are the backbone of America’s economy? Just when do they get their day?

"That’s basically the question that was asked back in 2010 when the concept of Small Business Saturday was born."

Read more:  http://caledonia.patch.com/articles/shop-local-on-small-business-saturday-6b95a60c


I irregularly patronize Top Dog Hot Dogs and Kewpee's, both locally owned and operated.

"Supreme Court Will Review Curt Johnson Child Sex Assault Case"

From Mount Pleasant Patch:

"After waiting it out for a few months, it appears as though the state's highest court will review a portion of the Curt Johnson child sex assault case."

Read more:  http://mountpleasant.patch.com/articles/supreme-court-will-review-curt-johnson-child-sex-assault-case


I cannot reasonably discuss this matter.  Can you?

"Patch Meetup: Come Hang Out And Get Some Free Goodies"

From Caledonia Patch:

"I think it's time for a Patch meet-up!

"You've hung out with family, now come hang out with me, Patch editor Denise Lockwood, at 7 p.m. Saturday night at the Mosquito Inn. Meet other Patch readers, submit some story ideas, and of course we'll play a little trivia -- Patch trivia that is.

"I'll come up with a few Patch trivia questions ripped from the headlines of Patch stories and if you win, I'll be handing out some sweet Patch swag -- water bottles, pens, magnets, a few t-shirts and magnets."

Read more:  http://caledonia.patch.com/articles/patch-meetup-come-hang-out-and-get-some-free-goodies


Another local, online group getting together. That's good. Are any Irregulars going to attend this meet and cross-pollinate?