Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Racine Unified School District welcomes students back for summer school
RACINE — Many area districts begin summer school Monday, and it's expected to be a popular choice among families.
While students enjoy their summer break, some are opting in for summer school for various reasons including being able to receive in-person instruction.
Racine Unified School District is one of eight area districts welcoming students back.
Paul Tadder enrolled his two daughters in summer school for the first time this year to ensure they don't fall behind and get that face-to-face instruction.
"We feel it's better to have them continue their education that they may have lost," Tadder said.
He said while his children did not struggle too much in a virtual setting they still prefer being in the classroom. His daughter Bella said she's excited to be back because online school was difficult for her.
Update: Girl taken by Flight For Life Monday after pulled from Racine's Lake Michigan shores; Sheriff warns people to be cautious
Journal Times staff
Two youth died this week after they were pulled from Lake Michigan off Racine’s beaches and on Monday one more girl was taken by Flight For Life after she was pulled from the water, while another was rescued with just minor scratches.
According to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office:
On Monday, at 5:02 p.m., the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, and other emergency personnel, responded to North Beach, in the City of Racine, for one to two teenage girls who were experiencing an emergency in Lake Michigan.
Responding deputies observed what appeared to be a strong current pulling the girls into deeper water and into the rocks surrounding North Pier. The first girl was rescued with cuts and scratches to her body. The second girl received emergency medical attention at the scene and was ultimately transported to Children’s Hospital by Flight for Life.
Sheriff Christopher Schmaling stated in a release, “I encourage the public to enjoy the beaches of Racine County during this wonderful summer weather; however, people need to be smart, and be safe. It appears that recently Lake Michigan has had some extraordinarily strong currents that are pulling swimmers into life threating situations. I am deeply saddened by the recent deaths of two young lives, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the young lady who is currently receiving medical treatment at Children’s Hospital.”
Schmaling is holding a news conference on Tuesday at the Racine County Sheriff’s sub-station, which is located at 14116 Washington Ave., to discuss possible multi-agency solutions to these tragic events – including an examination of the funding that has been allocated to safety measures for beaches in the City of Racine.
The Racine County Dive Team will also be holding a public informational meeting at North Beach, on Saturday, June 26, 2021, to discuss water safety, the dangers of under tow currents, and the power of Lake Michigan.
On Saturday, two youths — 17-year-old Yaadwinder Singh of Franklin and 10-year-old Eisha "Naomi" Figuereo Colon of Racine — died in unrelated drownings at North Beach and Zoo Beach, respectively.
This story will be updated.
Monday, June 21, 2021
Quilts of Valor Foundation honors Racine-native veteran
MICHAEL IZQUIERDO
RACINE — On Friday, the Quilts of Valor Foundation awarded Maj. Gretchen Gaskins, an Army veteran and Racine native, with a handmaid quilt.
The event was held at the Racine Yacht Club, 1 Barker St., with friends and family of Gaskins present to recognize her service.
“It’s very humbling and sweet to be honored, but also nerve-wracking,” she laughs.
Gaskins has been stationed in numerous locations in the U.S. and abroad, from Fort Carson, Colorado, and Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, and the Pentagon, to Kandahar, Afghanistan and Erbil, Iraq.
One highlight of her career happened when she “conducted a patrol up a mountain to see the ruins of an outpost Alexander the Great built nearly 2,500 years ago.”
This happened when she was deployed to Kandahar, where she served as an Afghan liaison officer.
Supreme Court still considering whether Racine order to close schools was legal
Journal Times staff
MADISON — The Wisconsin Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision on June 11, ruled that Dane County didn’t have the authority to close all schools to most students in its jurisdiction amid its attempts to restrain the coronavirus pandemic.
However, a similar case against the City of Racine Public Health Department is still being considered by the state’s highest court.
In that case, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, the conservative law firm that represented complainants in the Dane County case, brought the lawsuit against the City of Racine in November, after the city’s health department ordered all schools in its jurisdiction to close following Thanksgiving and through Jan. 15.
After the June 11 decision, both the City of Racine and WILL were ordered to file letters “discussing the impact” of the decision on how it affects the Racine case. Those letters are due at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 22
Precedent
While state high court’s June 11 decision has little effect now that the school year is over, it is expected to set a precedent for future pandemics.
“The power to take measures ‘reasonable and necessary’ cannot be reasonably read as an open-ended grant of authority,” Justice Rebecca Bradley wrote for the majority, comprised of the court’s four conservative-leaning judges.
Racine woman named Miss Wisconsin 2021
MADISON, Wis. - A Racine woman is headed to the 100th annual Miss America competition to represent Wisconsin in September.
Jennifer Schmidt of Racine, previously Miss Rock River Valley, was crowned Miss Wisconsin 2021. After winning preliminary awards for both Talent (jazz dance to "Maybe This Time") and On-Stage Question/Social Impact Pitch, she captured the title among 21 other candidates.
Schmidt will go on to compete at the 100-year anniversary Miss America Competition in September 2021 and will dedicate her year of service to promoting her social impact initiative, "Diabetes: YOU Have the Control."
From: https://www.fox6now.com/news/racine-woman-named-miss-wisconsin-2021
Girl dies and a teen is in critical condition after drowning in Lake Michigan
RACINE — The Racine County Sheriff's Office is investigating an incident after a 9-year-old girl drowned in Lake Michigan. They say they got a call about a female possibly drowning at Zoo Beach around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Once they were able to remove the girl from the water they took her to the hospital.
Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries while hospitalized and passed away.
Just five minutes after the first call, the Racine County Communication Center received another call about a drowning off North Beach. A 17-year-old boy was located once responders were on scene, and he's currently in critical condition.
United States Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan Public Affairs Lieutenant Junior Grade Phillip Gurtler said it is vital people are strong swimmers before entering the lake.
"If you're not confident as a swimmer there's nothing wrong with wearing a life jacket, Gurtler said. "That is the number one thing that can really save your life."
Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project Executive Director Dave Benjamin said knowing survival strategies can also help you when you're in danger.
"If you are eve struggling in water over your head, we recommend you flip, float and follow," Benjamin said.
Other ways to stay safe includes having someone to swim with, having a flotation device and knowing your abilities as a swimmer.
Just this year there have been 13 Lake Michigan drownings and 30 Great Lakes drownings, according to Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project.
Racine resident Heather Yohn frequents North Beach and said there once were lifeguards present but not as of late.
"[Even] being an experience swimmer, [you] can still lose your balance and lose your way here," Yohn said.
She believes having lifeguards on duty can help save lives.
Both incidents are under investigation and there's currently no further details.
The Milwaukee Recreation Department is offering $5 swim lessons to three qualifying locations across the city this summer. Find out more details here.
From: https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/girl-10-dies-in-drowning-at-zoo-beach
Most Wisconsin school districts have gone to referendums to beg for money; leaders say the funding system is broken
From JSOnline:
The results of the referendum that would bring $1 billion over 30 years to the Racine Unified School District — and allow the district to revamp buildings dating back to the Civil War — came down to just five votes.
On April 7, 2020, voters approved the referendum by this impossibly thin margin. Little more than two weeks later, observers gathered in Festival Hall and held their collective breath as they watched the recount of 33,315 ballots.
Racine Unified School Board president Brian O’Connell said it felt like watching the final seconds of a championship. After six rounds of ballot-counting, the results were final: The referendum had passed.
It was a hard-fought campaign for the referendum, O’Connell recalled, one that met staunch opposition from HOT (Honest, Open and Transparent) Government, the same group that would later challenge the five-vote victory, appealing all the way to the state Supreme Court.
School officials are awaiting a final verdict from the high court before they break ground on the full slate of projects the referendum money would fund.
Despite its hefty $1 billion price tag, the district says the measure is not projected to increase the property tax rate — although any increase in assessed value will raise individual tax bills.
For now, referendum advocates in Racine applaud increased tax dollars that will allow the district to “right-size” by closing under-enrolled schools, refurbishing and expanding others, and adding new technology, including a science, technology, engineering, arts and math school.
O’Connell said there was no other way to raise the money.
“I think that’s why you see so many school districts, big and small, urban and rural, going to referendum,” he said. “If you find a school district that’s been able to raise money without going to referendum, please let me know.”
Sunday, June 20, 2021
COVID nearly canceled Racine Juneteenth; vaccine clinic at festival
RACINE, Wis. - A big Juneteenth celebration was held Saturday, June 19 in Racine. It was a good time for all, celebrating the new federal holiday at the Dr. John Bryant Community Center.
"We are doing this because people used to be slaves, and we are letting them have a freedom day," said Takyrie Payne.
"The reason why I think it’s important is it’s basically where all us Black people come together and celebrate all our hard times," said La-Cedric Richardson.
There were plenty of fun activities for parents and children. The festival almost didn’t even happen because of restrictions on crowd sizes due to COVID-19.
"Thirty days before the event it was lifted," said Lesia Hill-Driver, director of the John Bryant Community Center, chair of the Juneteenth Day Committeee. "We thought if we are going to have our Fourth of July, we have to have Juneteenth."
Organizers saw a big turnout and beautiful weather. Hill-Driver was honored for her dedication in making this happen.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to work with Juneteenth Day for 22 years and just keeping things alive," she said.
Along with all the activities, the event included a pop-up clinic for free COVID-19 vaccines.
"We are offering the Pfizer vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson," said Dr. Margaret Hennessey, Ascension All Saints. "We’re trying to bring the vaccine to people."
Overall, it was a fun, safe day celebrating progress made and yet to be made for equality.
"We are celebrating freedom, and my favorite thing is the bouncy house and the shops," said Payne.
From: https://www.fox6now.com/news/covid-nearly-canceled-racine-juneteenth-vaccine-clinic-at-festival
Girl, 10, dies; 17-year-old boy in critical condition after being pulled from Lake Michigan
 |
Lake Michigan shoreline in Racine SOURCE: WISN 12 News |
A 10-year-old girl has died after she was pulled from Lake Michigan off Zoo Beach in Racine.
Multiple agencies responded after numerous 911 calls were received at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
At about 6:54 p.m. the child was found, removed from the water, and taken by rescue personnel to an area hospital, where she died,
At 6:35 p.m. dispatch received a call for another possible drowning in Lake Michigan off North Beach in Racine.
Rescue crews found a 17-year-old boy about 200 yards off the beach.
He was taken to an area hospital, where he was in critical condition late Saturday night.
No other information has been released at this time.
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