Saturday, July 4, 2026
Residents sue Microsoft over alleged noise emissions from Mt. Pleasant data center
Holly Gilvary
MOUNT PLEASANT — Three people living near Microsoft's newly completed data center in Mount Pleasant are suing the tech giant over alleged excessive noise emissions coming from the facility at 4800 90th St.
Liddle Sheets P.C., a law firm based in Detroit, and Milwaukee-based Hansen Reynolds LLC have filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of the residents claiming the center is creating a nuisance by emitting excessive noise throughout the neighboring residential area, according to news release issued Thursday by the firms.
Plaintiffs Garrett Ostergaard, David Wade and Joy Wade alleged that about 1,000 residential properties within about one-and-a-half miles of the data center are impacted by noise from the facility, which they describe as a hum.
According to the release, Ostergaard said he changed to his shift at work because of sleeplessness caused by the alleged noise from the data center. David and Joy Wade said they cannot enjoy their home or their yard as frequently as they would like because of the noise.
The data center's reported noise pollution comes from its diesel generators and HVAC systems, including chillers, cooling towers, air-handling units and condenser fans, according to the complaint.
A Microsoft spokesperson on Thursday said the company is aware of the lawsuit, adding that Microsoft is "committed to being a good neighbor in the communities where we build, own, and operate our datacenters."
Mount Pleasant Communications Director Sean Ryan said the village has received no formal complaints related to Microsoft's properties "since the company completed the adjustments that were announced in mid-April to resolve a humming sound from the data center."
"Village officials stand ready to respond if people do reach out to us, and will continue to ensure Microsoft is a good corporate citizen and a good neighbor," Ryan said Thursday.
From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/article_c693aad1-c2fe-45c5-9e84-a97f715f34ad.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
City installs audible traffic signals, updates traffic signal timing Downtown
Holly Gilvary
RACINE — The city on Wednesday completed the installation of audible traffic signals at six intersections and implemented new traffic signal timing along Main Street between State and Seventh streets.
In a news release, the city said the two measures will improve pedestrian safety and encourage slower vehicle speeds through Downtown Racine.
The audible pedestrian signals provide locator tones and audible walk indications to assist pedestrians who are blind or have low vision in crossing the street safely, according to the city.
The updated traffic signal timing is designed to calm traffic by encouraging drivers to travel at a slower and more consistent speed. Because of the timing of the lights, drivers who try to accelerate between intersections to avoid a red light will encounter longer waits at the next signal, the city said.
The city evaluated several options in response to downtown businesses' and community stakeholders' concerns about vehicle speeds on Main Street. One alternative would have rerouted State Highway 32 off Main Street, which was estimated to cost more than $1.5 million and, according to the city, would not have directly addressed speeding concerns.
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The Racine Department of Public Works installed new signage at intersections with the audible pedestrian signals, such as this one at Fourth and Main. |
Previously, driving between State and Seventh streets during peak traffic periods took an average of 83 seconds. With the new traffic signal timing, the trip will take about 50 seconds longer on average, which the city said will create a safer environment for pedestrians and reduce incentives to speed through downtown. Traffic analysis found the revised timing would increase travel through the corridor to about two minutes while maintaining acceptable traffic operations.
Racine man accused of possession of bestiality, child pornography
Milana Doné
RACINE — A 36-year-old Racine man was charged Thursday in connection to obscene electronic material allegedly found in his possession.
Justin Erhardt faces two counts of possession of bestiality and one count of possession of child pornography.
According to the Racine County Sheriff's Office, an investigator with the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that a person in the City of Racine had uploaded child sexual abuse material to a Snapchat account.
The account reportedly contained one video depicting child sexual abuse material and two videos depicting bestiality, according to an RCSO news release.
Investigators contacted Erhardt, who reportedly admitted that the Snapchat account belonged to him, and he was taken into custody Tuesday.
During a search of Erhardt's residence on the 400 block of Haven Avenue, RCSO seized several electronic devices.
Erhardt initially appeared in court Thursday and his cash bond was set at $2,500.
He is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing July 16.
Friday, July 3, 2026
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Downtown Racine offers free music Fridays and Saturdays this summer
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Incorruptibles performs in 2025. The band will be back in concert in Racine during the Music on the Monument concert series in Downtown Racine on Aug. 28. |
RACINE — The Downtown Racine Corporation has announced the return of two outdoor concert series: Music on the Monument on Fridays and Saturday Sounds on the Square on Saturdays.
They will offer free live music at Monument Square every Friday and Saturday through Aug. 29, with performances from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Seating is available, as well as room for dancing, a beer garden and food vendors.
The Friday Music on the Monument schedule includes:
- July 3: Ivy Ford Band (5-8 p.m. during First Friday)
- July 10: Rust Belt
- July 17: Kyle Young Band
- July 24: Walking Birds
- July 31: Identity Crisis
- Aug. 7: All The Kings Men (5-8 p.m. during First Friday)
- Aug. 14: Mean Jake
- Aug. 21: Route 66 Belle City Band
- Aug. 28: Incorruptibles
- Sept. 4: Alexandra Smith (5-8 p.m. during First Friday)
Saturday Sounds on the Square will include:
- June 27: Jill Plaisted Band
- July 11: Scarlet Curve
- July 18: Mathew Haeffel Trio
- July 25: Ghosts in the Gravel
- Aug. 1: Saturday June Band
- Aug. 8: Infusion
- Aug. 15: Easy-Flo
- Aug. 22: Lori Lewis
- Aug. 29: Would You Kindly
In the event of severe weather, concerts may be canceled without a makeup date. Weather updates will be posted on the Downtown Racine social media pages.
Parking is available at the McMynn Ramp, Lake Avenue Ramp, Shoop Ramp, Gaslight Point Ramp, and Festival Hall Ramp. All ramps offer all-day parking for $4.
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