Racine-based Burn Pit BBQ coming to Wisconsin Walmart stores in April

From JSOnline:

Business grew out of pandemic-era hobby

Francesca Pica

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Burn Pit BBQ, a small Racine-based barbeque seasoning business, is moving into the world's largest brick-and-mortar retail chain.

Walmart will carry Burn Pit BBQ's garlic seasoning and Memphis-style barbeque rubs at 70 Wisconsin stores starting April 19. It's a dramatic expansion for a business that grew out of a pandemic-era hobby.

Founders Ben Kreple and Greg Fischer, former soccer teammates at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, bonded after graduation over a shared love for grilling.

"It was a way to continue to get our families together," Kreple told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Racine residents saw more neighbors fire up their backyard grills, some for the first time. So, they started a blog offering recipes and tips.

"When Greg and I first started grilling together, we would reach out to ask questions, and there'd be times you'd get trounced on for asking certain questions," Kreple said. "Our vision was to have something for the newer, beginning grillers to feel free to ask questions."

Soon, Kreple and Fischer began experimenting with their own recipes. They opened an online store, Burn Pit BBQ, in 2020.

Burn Pit BBQ specializes in barbeque sauces, seasonings, and hot sauces. Sauces and seasonings run $12 per bottle, and hot sauces cost $15 per bottle.

The business boasts all-natural ingredients and gluten-free options. Kreple and Fischer said they wanted to offer a healthy, Wisconsin-made option for new grillers and enthusiasts alike.

After a couple years of online sales growth, Burn Pit BBQ expanded to a few local retailers. Among them are Metcalfe's Market in Wauwatosa, Butcher Block Meat Market in Oak Creek, and Harry Hansen Meat Service in Caledonia.

Walmart's Open Call program provided an opportunity

Last spring, a friend made Kreple and Fischer aware of Walmart's Open Call program, which invites small businesses to pitch for a chance to put their products on the retail giant's shelves. They applied online and were invited to meet with a buyer at Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.

"We got 30 minutes to pitch our brand and our products, and after that 30
minutes, we were told that they'd like to give us a shot," Fischer said.

The pair run Burn Pit BBQ with the help of partner distributors and co-packers, but this new expansion has them looking bring on more people in the next few years. If all goes well, they hope to grow regionally.

"We want to focus on our backyard," Kreple said. "That's always been our goal – focus really heavily on Wisconsin, where we're from, and the Midwest."

Kreple and Fischer, both of whom served in the U.S. military, also host an annual "Back Yard Bash" fundraiser at Greendale's Explorium Brewpub to support local veterans' organizations. The event has raised more than $30,000 since it began five years ago.

"Being a veteran-owned business, it's very important for us to continue to remember our service as well as those that have served and continue to serve," Fischer said.

During this period of rapid growth, Kreple and Fischer want to keep accessibility central to Burn Pit BBQ.

Each online product description offers a rundown of flavor profile and which meats are best paired with it. Burn Pit BBQ's blog posts weekly recipes and grilling advice.

It's a part of helping others continue to bond over the grill, they said.

Francesca Pica can be reached at fpica@usatodayco.com.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/2026/03/27/racine-based-burn-pit-bbq-coming-to-wisconsin-walmart-stores-in-april/89330883007/

UW-Parkside launches artificial intelligence fluency initiative

From The Journal Times.com:

Ryan Patterson

SOMERS — The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is starting an initiative to help students, faculty and staff become fluent in artificial intelligence by 2028.

The university plans to integrate artificial intelligence into curriculum and campus operations to prepare graduates for the workforce through partnerships with companies including Microsoft and Ordify AI.

Mike Egan, Microsoft TechSpark general manager, said in a news release that the initiative “shows how institutions can prepare students to use AI responsibly and effectively, strengthening both the workforce and the regional economy.”

The university defines AI fluency as the ability to use AI tools critically, ethically and effectively, according to the release.

It also means discerning when these tools add value and when they do not. The initiative aims to ensure that human judgment remains the final authority.

Akey

"Artificial intelligence isn't an appropriate substitute for learning; it is a tool,” said Matt Cecil, Parkside interim provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, in the release. “At UW-Parkside, we are committed to leveraging these tools where they make sense to advance teaching and learning and enhance the efficiency of our organization.”

As part of the initiative, the university is establishing an AI fluency task force. The group will recommend policies, design professional development programs, identify best practices for classroom integration and recommend training to ensure that students graduate with a competitive edge.

"Equipping our students and workforce with AI fluency directly invests in the economic vitality of Southeastern Wisconsin," Chancellor Lynn Akey said in the release. "By training our graduates to use AI ethically and effectively, we provide regional employers with the high-level talent they need to remain competitive. This initiative extends our mission to serve as a catalyst for growth, ensuring our region leads technological shifts with integrity and vision."

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/education/article_141ec8e3-0764-4092-9d40-7a0a91116258.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

UW-Parkside reopens after threat, shelter-in-place

UW-Parkside threat investigation, campus reopens | FOX6 News Milwaukee

UW-Parkside partners with AI company to help students and businesses

From The Journal Times.com:

Ryan Patterson

SOMERS — The University of Wisconsin-Parkside has formed a partnership with an artificial intelligence company to give students hands-on experience and help businesses.busine

The college recently announced that it is collaborating with Ordify AI to prepare students for AI careers and work with businesses on AI solutions.

The initiative is set to start in the spring semester, which begins Jan. 28.

Work with local businesses is scheduled to start in summer 2026, according to a news release.

Guided by UW-Parkside faculty, students, including those in the college’s App Factory, will create custom AI agents to address business problems and create AI solutions.

Steve Donovan, UW-Parkside executive director for Parkside Works, said in the release that the partnership “represents the future of applied learning.”

“Students involved in the program will gain invaluable practical skills, including client-facing AI development, solution architecture and proposal writing, equipping them with the essential soft skills needed to thrive in this new AI age,” he said.

Local businesses can then use Ordify's no-code AI platform.

Roger Lam, Ordify AI CEO/founder, said in the release that the company is excited about the partnership.

"Our no-code platform, combined with the fresh perspectives and technical expertise of UW-Parkside students, will deliver powerful, cost-effective AI solutions that can truly transform businesses by automating complex processes and enhancing operational efficiency,” he said.

The alliance was brought together by the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, a regional innovation hub.

Armstrong

Kelly Armstrong, Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood president, said in the release that the partnership “represents exactly the kind of innovative result KIN was created to foster.”

“By connecting UW-Parkside students with Ordify AI, we’re building a pipeline of AI-enabled talent while helping businesses solve real problems,” she said.

Businesses interested in participating can contact Donovan at parksideworks@uwp.edu.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/education/article_7c96f9e5-3431-422c-bb38-fdc1bf48499f.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

ArtRoot unveils Wall Poems of Racine No. 7

From The Journal Times.com:

ArtRoot, a collaboration of artists and art advocates in Racine, held an unveiling ceremony for its seventh Wall Poem of Racine on Sunday on a wall of the Karlsen Plumbing building at 1951 Grove Ave. The mural, which was designed by UW-Parkside student Samantha Cibrario and painted by Dean Tawwater, features an excerpt from Mboya Sharif’s poem “I am a Woman.”

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/art-root-wall-poems-racine-photos/article_bcfc4bc0-7394-11ef-a73f-07c5ced0c235.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Racine woman charged in Somers stabbing in fight involving group of women

 An alleged fight between a group of women in a parking lot in Petrifying Springs Park, near the University of Wisconsin-Parkside campus, Tuesday ended with one person stabbed and an 18-year-old Racine woman facing two felony charges.

Makyla D. Murphy, of the 900 block of 11th Street, is charged with felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and substantial battery, along with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, all with the use of a dangerous weapon.

The recklessly endangering safety charge carries a possible maximum prison term of 7.5 years, while the battery charge carries a possible prison term of 18 months.

Murphy, who posted a $500 cash bond, has a preliminary hearing set for Dec. 28 before Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Larry Keating.

According to the criminal complaint, a deputy with the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department responded to Froedtert Kenosha Hospital to meet with a female who had been stabbed. The victim had been driven there by friends after an apparent fight.

Read more: https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/racine-woman-charged-in-somers-stabbing-in-fight-involving-group-of-women/article_418d35f8-ff37-5d8a-8fe1-2fd171f568d1.html

UW-Parkside reaches 70 percent vaccination rate

From TMJ4:

Photo by: vaccine

A coronavirus vaccine is now available in Russia.

By: TMJ4 Web Staff

Posted at 8:01 PM, Oct 28, 2021

 

and last updated 8:01 PM, Oct 28, 2021

KENOSHA, Wis. — UW-Parkside in Somers announced on Thursday that the student vaccination rate has exceeded 70 percent.

UW System President Tommy Thompson visited UW-Parkside on Thursday to celebrate the university’s achievement. Thompson congratulated the faculty, staff, and students of the university.

“I saw first-hand the amount of hard work that UW-Parkside put in to make this possible," he said. "Chancellor Deborah Ford, faculty, and staff deserve a great deal of credit for this achievement.”

The UW system has implemented a “70 for 70” campaign to encourage students to get the vaccine. In this system, fully vaccinated students who attend a university above the 70 percent threshold are eligible to win one of 70 scholarships, each of which is worth $7,000. This campaign ends on Oct. 31. Several other UW campuses, including UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, and UW-Whitewater, have already passed the threshold.

UW-Parkside Chancellor Debbie Ford touted the achievement as a great day for the campus community.

“We have all worked very hard to achieve this goal, and with that achievement strengthen the commitment we made to each other when this pandemic first hit – to protect the safety and health of everyone at Parkside. Let’s keep going," Ford urged.

To learn more about UW-Parkside vaccination efforts, including more information on the “70 for 70” campaign, visit www.uwp.edu/RangerRecovery/70-for-70.

From: https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/uw-parkside-reaches-70-percent-vaccination-rate

App Development Competition Here Saturday

From Racine County Eye:

by Paul Holley

RACINE – The Smart City App Development Competition, sponsored by Tech-Prize and Visioning a Greater Racine, will be held live and virtually from 9 to 11:30 a.m. this Saturday at Gateway Technical College’s Racine campus. The public is invited to watch via Facebook live here.

The competition has drawn entries from as far away as India, Europe and Africa. A juried panel will select the winners through a technical evaluation. There are $58,000 in scholarship awards available for the winning teams from event sponsors, University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Gateway Technical College. All attendees will engage in the Popular Vote so that everyone can participate. The winner of the popular vote will receive an Amazon Gift Card rewards. The nine entries received so far cover a broad spectrum of ideas, according to Kiran Vedak, a Tech-Prize volunteer. Here is a sampling:

• A team of five students from Racine’s Case High School have developed an app to connect Racine residents with jobs, internships, scholarships and volunteering opportunities.
• A student from UW-Parkside has developed an indoor software mapping app that helps administrators better understand their facilities and communicate that information with visitors.
• Krishna Raghavendran, 11-year-old middle school student from India and winner of an MIT App competition, has created an app that connects help seekers to help givers, improving the efficiency of providing aid during a crisis.
• An award-winning team of three juniors from Palm Harbor (Florida) University High School have submitted Person-to-Person platform called Rentathon that connects photography enthusiasts on a platform that allows them to conveniently rent out photography equipment.

The Smart City App Competition is the first Tech-Prize event scheduled for this year. Tech- Prize, encompassing six events, draws its inspiration from the City of Racine’s 20th century reputation as “invention city.”

Tech-Prize was originally planned for the summer of 2020 but was postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic. A series of events – revolving around idea development, process and education – will take place in Racine on Sept. 10-18.

For more information on upcoming Tech-Prize events, visit here.

From: https://racinecountyeye.com/app-development-competition-here-saturday/

UW-Parkside staffer tests positive for COVID-19; Parkside community urged to monitor for symptoms

From The Journal Times.com:

Lee Newspapers

A case of COVID-19 has been confirmed at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, the Kenosha County Division of Health and UW-Parkside announced jointly Wednesday. 

One staff member tested positive and is presently in isolation, per Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Kenosha County Division of Health recommendations.

The county Division of Health is working with the University to assist in identifying and reaching close contacts of this individual, who will also be required to quarantine for 14 days from the last date of exposure.

Close contacts include those who: 

Had direct physical contact with an infected individual (e.g.: a hug or handshake).

Were within six feet of a COVID-19-positive individual for more than 15 minutes.

Had contact with respiratory secretions from an infected individual (e.g.: were coughed/sneezed on, had contact with dirty tissue, or shared a drinking glass, food or towels or other personal items.

Those who do not receive a phone call from the Division of Health were likely not in contact with the COVID-19-positive individual and are therefore not considered to be in a higher-risk group.

“UW-Parkside has prioritized ensuring the health and safety of the campus community while delivering our academic mission,” said Dr. Renee Kirby, director of Student Health, Counseling and Disability Services.

“As we transition between the summer and fall terms, most faculty and staff are still working remotely. UW-Parkside requires all members of the learning community to wear face coverings in campus facilities; maintain appropriate social distancing; and wash their hands frequently. The University plans to maintain a dashboard of COVID-19 test results performed on campus and of positive COVID-19 cases reported by members of the UW-Parkside learning community.”

Every member of the UW-Parkside learning community is urged to monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms, including but not limited to: Fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, headaches, etc. Employees who become symptomatic should call their health care provider and students should contact the Student Health Center.

Read more: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/uw-parkside-staffer-tests-positive-for-covid-19-parkside-community-urged-to-monitor-for-symptoms/article_04238f70-ddd1-53a3-b83b-30543b04cc74.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

Shakespeare, music goes virtual

From The Journal Times.com:

• Journal Times staff

SOMERS — College of Lake County will partner with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside to present a virtual series of Shakespeare readings this summer. The acting company, made up of students from theater departments of both schools, will perform three plays on Sundays in June and July.

“We’ve been exploring other ways to keep our theater students engaged and stay connected with the Lake County community,” said Craig Rich, CLC theater department instructor and chair. “This partnership is a terrific collaboration to keep the arts alive this summer in a way that benefits both theater students and community members who miss being in the audience.”

The students involved are hungry for action after theater performances were recently canceled due to COVID-19. They will participate as designers, stage managers, assistant directors and actors in these virtual performances.

To watch the performances, register online at uwp.edu/rita to watch them on Zoom. Dates and shows are:

• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28, directed by Rich.
• “Macbeth,” 5 p.m. Sunday, July 12, directed by Brian Gill, UW-Parkside and CLC instructor.
• “Twelfth Night,” 5 p.m. Sunday, July 19, directed by Fabrice Conte-Williamson, UW-Parkside instructor.

Melodious Mondays

The UW-Parkside Music Department continues to create in the time of COVID-19 with a series of livestream interviews and music highlighting the work of four UW-Parkside faculty in Melodious Mondays at 7 p.m. The schedule:

June 29 — “Melodious Monday: Russ Johnson.”

• Emmy-nominated jazz musician and faculty member Russ Johnson’s music and an interview by department chair James Crowley.
• July 13 — “Melodious Monday: Parkside Range.” Music by contemporary a cappella group Parkside Range with faculty member Ami Bouterse and senior singer-songwriter Kalyn Harwood. Interview by Donna Hewitt.
• July 27 — “Melodious Monday: James Crowley.” Music by composer and department chair James Crowley and an interview by Laura Rexroth, faculty member and director of bands.
• Aug. 10 — “Melodious Monday: Alvaro Garcia.” Alvaro Garcia, symphony director and associate dean, performs on viola with an interview by James Kinchen, choral director.
• Follow UW-Parkside music on social media at facebook.com/uwparksidemusic.

Exhibitions

UW-Parkside also has some virtual exhibitions available to view right now including Deb Sokolow’s “Loose History” and Sky Hopinka’s video exhibit.

For more information, go to uwp.edu/rita.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/shakespeare-music-goes-virtual/article_872b946c-231a-51fe-9e70-d06ab7037d85.html

Police called on black business owner in Parkside parking lot; 'I wish she knew me'

From The Journal Times.com:

•                         Adam Rogan                         

Gus Harris, an immigrant from Liberia who now owns Flex and Burn Fitness Center, leads a class at his gym in Downtown Kenosha. He is an avid runner, but following an incident on May 17 when the police were called on him while he was in a parking lot after going for a run, he fears someone else may call police on him the next time he's running. Since May 17, he's started running with a GoPro video camera. SEAN KRAJACIC, LEE NEWSPAPERS  

SOMERS — While protests have taken place throughout the nation following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, there have also been extensive discussions on concerns of people calling police on people who are black simply for being in a park or sitting in a car.

That is what happened to Gus Harris.

Harris, who owns Flex & Burn Fitness Center in Downtown Kenosha, went for a run just before noon in Petrifying Springs Park on Sunday, May 17. While leaving, he pulled into a University of Wisconsin-Parkside parking lot to talk to a friend over the phone.

Unbeknownst to Harris, a woman called Kenosha County Dispatch’s nonemergency number. She provided Harris’ license plate and said there was a “suspicious” person wearing a ski mask who was circling around cars, according to copies of the police report, 911 call and police body cam footage.

“He is wearing a full ski mask ... I have gotten my car broken into by a car circling,” she said, according to a recording of the call obtained via open records request.

While Harris was talking to the friend, a Parkside police officer drove up to talk to him. The officer immediately recognized Harris from Downtown Kenosha.

The officer addressed the situation directly but candidly, body camera footage shows. The officer said to Harris: “They see a big black man walking around, running around and you’re suspicious? … It ain’t right, but that’s exactly what it is.”

Read more: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/police-called-on-black-business-owner-in-parkside-parking-lot-i-wish-she-knew-me/article_a503dc13-5f76-5b02-9eab-8db5e87c58ce.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1


People who do this should be arrested.  The woman provided false information to police.  She was wasting police resources.  BUST these racist assholes.

Foxconn's first Earn and Learn Program session Wednesday and Thursday

From The Journal Times.com:

• Journal Times staff

Dan Talsky, daniel.talsky@journaltimes.com

RACINE COUNTY — The first information sessions about Foxconn’s newly announced Foxconn Earn and Learn Program for college students will be held Wednesday and Thursday.

On Friday Foxconn announced the new program. It said the program will allow students enrolled in select technical colleges and universities to work for Foxconn for up to six months as full-time employees in training. Furthermore, students will be provided time allowances to continue their studies to “earn and learn.”

Gateway Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside are partners in the program.

The sessions will be held:

• From 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the SC Johnson iMET Center, 2320 Renaissance Blvd.;
• From 4-7 p.m. Thursday in Gateway’s SC Johnson Student Life Center in the Downtown Racine Lake Building, 1001 Main St.; and
• From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16 in upper Main Place in UW-Parkside’s Wyllie Hall. A university spokesman said Foxconn is working to have students preregister to meet with company representatives within that time frame, but the details were still being worked out. In any case, students can show up and meet with a company representative.

In partnership with Wisconsin technical colleges and universities, Foxconn also is launching the trainee program in Milwaukee, Madison, Eau Claire and Green Bay.

The company did not say when the new program will start.

From: https://journaltimes.com/business/local/foxconn-s-first-earn-and-learn-program-session-wednesday-and/article_f4e835b7-64a8-516a-a691-1210df380e6a.html#anchor_item_1

Was UW-P scam preventable? Ex-employee, university differ as to level processes in place to thwart fraud

From The Journal Times.com

:

TERRY FLORES Lee Newspapers 

 KENOSHA — A former University of Wisconsin-Parkside employee believes an email phishing scam which defrauded the institution of more than $300,000 could have been prevented.

The college was lacking formal written processes in place for detecting such fraud at the time it occurred, according to Debi Rigney, former lead accounts payable specialist in the university’s business services department.

Rigney quit her job last month after 5½ years after she claims she was placed on “unpaid suspension” for five days in late July and issued a performance improvement plan after the university was defrauded.

According to documents related to her suspension, which Rigney shared with the Kenosha News, university officials faulted her for not developing “clear, secure and effective” accounts payable processes that they said directly led to the breach.

The university learned of the scam June 19 when a bank notified it of an issue with a new account. According to the university, an employee had changed the bank account routing numbers of two UW System vendors, after having been fooled by the email phishing scam.

According to Rigney’s personnel documents, an investigation determined that the banking information was changed by a Parkside graduate between May 1 and May 14, for two different vendors for the amounts of $125,000 and $190,000. The requests were then placed in an accounts payable box.

Rigney, who was on family medical leave at the time the scam occurred, said another employee had covered for her while she was gone.

According to the document, the employee reportedly followed what the employee believed the process to be for receiving and making vendor requested changes. That employee was also punished, Rigney claimed.

Read more:  https://journaltimes.com/news/local/was-uw-p-scam-preventable-ex-employee-university-differ-as/article_27e234cd-92e1-58ab-b048-0927c35c3865.html