MequonNow.com Community Watch
Community Watch: A Weblog of The Latest Local News
- Harley strike layoff hits local supplier
HB Performance Systems, a Mequon supplier of brakes for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, has laid off 83 of about 210 union employees as the result of Harley's plant shut down in York, Pa."While unfortunate, I would like to stress that this action is temporary and meant to only last until the Harley-Davidson strike is over and demand is reinstated," Rand McNally, HB president and CEO said in a written statement. The assembly line at Harley's largest manufacturing plant went idle Feb. 3 when 2,800 union workers went on strike. Other Milwaukee area Harley suppliers also have been affected by the shut down. - County road crews working overtime
The Ozaukee County Highway Department sent out 26 plowing and salting units as of 3:15 p.m. today to handle the lake-effect snow that is falling in the county, said Bill Tackes, the highway department's patrol superintendent. The highway crews normally work until 3:30 p.m., but the snow forced a full complement of crews to work overtime, Tackes said. Their work day may extend to 8 p.m. Moderate snow was continuing to fall across all of Ozaukee County, according to Hit-and-run crash reported
Mequon police are investigating a reported hit-and-run accident at Port Washington Road and Mequon Road. According to police radio dispatches, a white pickup truck rear-ended a car and then left the scene at a high rate of speed. - Accident reported in Thiensville
Emergency crews are responding to a three-vehicle crash at Main St. and Green Bay Road in Thiensville. Two people have reportedly been injured. The extent of the injuries wasn't immediately known. - Massart named president of money manager
David A. Massart has been appointed president of Next Generation Wealth Management Inc., Mequon, succeeding David A. Braaten. Massart had been a principal of the investment advisory firm. Braaten had been one of the founders of the firm, which began in 2005. Both men had worked at the old Strong Capital Management Inc. - Former Mequon fire chief faces prison
Former Mequon Fire Chief James L. Wucherer is likely going to be sent to prison for embezzling public funds to feed his gambling habit, according to plea agreement aired in Ozaukee County Circuit Court today. Wucherer, 56, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, two counts of forgery and three counts of misconduct in public office, all felonies. In exchange, 23 other counts were dismissed. Ozaukee County District Attorney Sandy Williams recommended to Circuit Judge Joseph D. McCormack that Wucherer be sentenced to five years in prison followed by six years of extended supervision and eight years probation. Also as part of the plea agreement, the dismissed counts, as well as several other incidents dating back to March 1999, will be read into the record for the purposes of sentencing and restitution. Wucherer was charged in May with gambling with money he stole from a firefighters' charity, a Hurricane Katrina relief fund, city credit cards and by forging expense reports. He resigned as fire chief in January 2006. Sentencing is scheduled for April 26. - Red-letter day: Four Highlanders sign on
It was a day to celebrate both the athletic and academic as four Homestead student/athletes signed national letters of intent for college on Wednesday. Three members of the WIAA State Division 1 football championship squad signed on as defensive end Erik Grimm will attend Minnesota State (formerly Mankato State), defensive lineman Qortney McLeod will go to Minnesota-Duluth and linebacker Dillon Forbes will venture to North Dakota State. In addition, midfielder Abby Merrell of the WIAA State Division 1 runner-up girls soccer team will carry on a tradition by becoming the fifth generation of her family to attend Ohio State. Athletic Director Charlie Gross beamed with pride at this success as he noted that less than one percent of high school students get athletic scholarships. "At Homestead, we celebrate both the academic and the athletic success of our students," he said. "So this is a proud day when we get to see the two combine together, as these young people look to enhance their athletic potential and expand their academic futures. We also celebrate the parents for how much time and effort they've put into their development." Grimm, whose brother Adam plays football at Northern Illinois University, is undecided on his major. McLeod will study business, Forbes architecture and Merrell psychology. Head coaches Rich Dorn (soccer) and Dave Keel (football) were in attendance at the event as were many parents, family members and friends. - Crash reported in Mequon
Mequon police and fire crews are at the scene of a motor vehicle crash at Mequon Road and River Trail. A Thiensville paramedic unit has also been called to the scene. - Rosati's Pizza coming to Mequon
Rosati's Pizza will open at the Pavilion Shopping Center in a space formerly occupied by Nick-N-Willys Pizza. Michael Dwyer, who operates a Rosati's franchise in Fox Point, told the Mequon Plan Commission that he has developed a good North Shore client base since opening in that village in 2003. Rosati's, 10944 N. Port Washington Road, will seat 22 diners. The restaurant serves pizza and a wide variety of other items available for both dining in or takeout. Dwyer said he expects to open in about three months. - Mequon-Thiensville schools stay closed
Mequon-Thiensville School District students won't be going back to class tomorrow. This evening the district announced schools will be closed for a second day Tuesday due to extreme low temperatures. - UPDATE: Small fire reported at salon
Thiensville - A fire in a tanning bed in the basement of the Leather Strop Ltd. salon late this afternoon caused about $2,000 damage to the building and contents, said Deputy Chief Brian Reiels of the Thiensville Fire Department. No one was injured and the salon had re-opened for the evening as of 5:45 p.m. The salon will be open for business on Tuesday. The Thiensville Fire Department was called to the salon at 4:52 p.m. after a customer smelled smoke, went upstairs and notified employees. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within 5 minutes of arriving on the scene. The business is housed in a three-story building at 107 Buntrock Ave. An engine company from Mequon also responded to the scene. - Fire reported at Thiensville salon
The Thiensville Fire Department is at the scene of a reported fire at the Leather Strop Ltd. hairstyling salon, 107 Buntrock Ave. Thiensville units have asked for a Mequon Fire Department engine company to also respond to the scene. - Bowling alley site plan to be considered
Thiensville - A request for a zoning change needed to construct a condominium development on the site of the former Regatta 2 Family Fun Center is scheduled to be discussed by the Thiensville Plan Commission on Tuesday night. The fun center/bowling alley building at 601 N. Main St. was extensively damaged in a fire Oct. 28, 2004. As a result, the village ordered the building razed in May 2005, and the site has been vacant since then. - Ideas considered for anniversary
Mequon - The city's 50th Anniversary Committee has begun brainstorming ideas on how to celebrate the anniversary of the city's incorporation. The state approved the Town of Mequon becoming the City of Mequon on May 24, 1957. Among the ideas being considered: a family picnic in August; an event coinciding with the Memorial Day parade; having students work on oral history projects; creating a time capsule. The committee meets again at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at City Hall. - Candidate withdraws from race
Bruce Barnes, a candidate for the Mequon Common Council in the 4th District, has withdrawn from the race. In an e-mailed statement Barnes said he is withdrawing "for personal reasons." Due to balloting procedures his name will remain on the April 3rd election ballot. In a phone message Barnes confirmed the e-mail. Barnes, 52, was running against incumbent Alderman John Wirth who has held the seat for six years. Barnes also ran against Wirth three years ago.