The Waukesha Freeman

08/02/2024

On Monday evening, the Waukesha Finance Committee received a presentation about the City Financial Management Plan, a planning tool for the current operating budget and a roadmap for the future. With no action, the city's operating budget will be at an $800,000 deficit in 2025 and the deficit would balloon to $8.5 million in 2028.

WAUKESHA – On Monday evening, the Waukesha Finance Committee received a presentation about the City Financial Management Plan, a planning tool for the current operating budget and a roadmap for

08/02/2024

With the August 13 partisan primary election less than two weeks away, we asked the candidates running for the newly-reconfigured state Assembly District 99 to talk about their priorities and the main issues facing the district. With redistricting, current state Rep. Cindi Duchow was drawn out of the the 99th District, while Barb Dittrich was drawn into the 99th from the 38th District. Dittrich faces Jeff Pfannerstill, who is also the village president of Hartland, in the primary.

HARTLAND — Redistricting in state Assembly District 99 has resulted in a primary election in August between two Republicans. Hartland Village President Jeff Pfannerstill announced his bid for the seat

08/02/2024

It all started with a scoop of frozen custard. Forty years ago, Susie Taylor started working for Oscar's Frozen Custard & Sandwiches in West Allis on the day it opened. Her future husband Jim owned it along with his uncle Charlie Randa, who owned other restaurants and bars.

WAUKESHA — It all started with a scoop of frozen custard. Forty years ago, Susie Taylor started working for Oscar’s Frozen Custard in West Allis on the day it opened.

08/01/2024

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, we've got you covered:

National Night Out, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, Sussex Civic Center, N64-W23760 Main St.

08/01/2024

On Monday, Carroll University President Dr. Cindy Gnadinger was announced to be the next chair of the Higher Education Regional Alliance of Wisconsin. HERA is comprised of 17 southeastern Wisconsin public and private, two- and four-year colleges and universities and partner organizations.

MILWAUKEE — On Monday, Carroll University President Dr. Cindy Gnadinger was announced to be the next chair of the Higher Education Regional Alliance of Wisconsin, known as HERA. She will

08/01/2024

A Brookfield man who struck another patron outside a Hartland wine bar last summer was convicted Thursday of murder. Kevin Sehmer, 65, hung his head in court after the verdict, reached by a jury of five men and seven women after more than 2.5 hours of deliberations, was delivered.

WAUKESHA — A Brookfield man who struck another patron outside a Hartland wine bar last summer was convicted Thursday of murder.

08/01/2024

A month after halting a bike giveaway program, a nonprofit has started it back up again. The White Stone Warriors, an organization that feeds the homeless throughout southeastern Wisconsin, announced in late June it was no longer giving away donated bikes until a better system was in place to make sure they go to people in need.

WAUKESHA — A month after halting a bike giveaway program, a nonprofit has started it back up again.

08/01/2024

Update: Karen has been found safe.

***Silver Alert Cancellation - Karen has been located safe*** (8/1/2024 1:24pm)

***Update - Karen is still missing and local law enforcement is requesting to check any outbuilding on your property. Karen has been known to travel to Big Bend and Hales Corners.*** (7/30/2024 4:17pm)

Silver Alert issued in Waterford for missing Karen Wandrey, 85, White, Female, 5 ft 1 inches, 114 lbs., with blue eyes, blond shoulder length hair, with a birth mark on side of face. Missing on foot. Last seen wearing eyeglasses and an unknown clothing description.

Missing from 8500 block of Big Bend Road Waterford, Wisconsin
Date and Time Last Seen: 07-29-24 at 3:00 PM (spoken to) and seen during the morning before noon.

Anyone with information is asked to call Waterford Police Department at 262-534-5166.

08/01/2024

While taking photos of the demolition of Gyros West and the other buildings on Moreland Boulevard near Manhattan Drive in Waukesha on Wednesday, Freeman editor Karen Pilarski bumped into longtime Gyros West customer Craig Prosenick, who stopped a bike ride to watch the demolition progress.

WAUKESHA — After 33 years in business, Gyros West, 1538 E. Moreland Blvd., shuttered its doors in December 2023 to make room for an auto sales and car dealership. On

08/01/2024

Have an event happening this autumn?

Submit the event’s details, including date, time and place, to get your event listed in our 2024 Fall Fun Guide! Send submission to [email protected].

Events should take place between Sept. 13 and Nov. 28. The deadline to submit is Aug. 5.

08/01/2024

No one was injured in a small house fire on Wednesday night on the 1200 block of S. Grand Avenue in Waukesha.

WAUKESHA — No one was injured in a small house fire on Wednesday night.

08/01/2024

Whether you have children or you are a kid at heart, this Saturday's "Make it Take it" art crawl in downtown Waukesha is made for you. The event highlights local artists and galleries and this month's edition will feature fun art projects you can either complete on-site or take home with you to do later.

WAUKESHA — Don’t miss a special Make it, Take it edition of Waukesha’s Downtown Art Crawl on Saturday from 2–8 p.m. Galleries open as early as 10 a.m. for early

08/01/2024

Campaign finance reports filed July 15 reveal that state Assembly District 24 candidate Dan Knodl is nearing $60,000 in contributions, seven times more than what his Republican primary opponent Janel Brandtjen has collected thus far.

MADISON — Campaign finance reports filed July 15 reveal that state Sen. Dan Knodl, R-Germantown, is nearing $60,000 in contributions, seven times more than what his opponent Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee

07/31/2024

The Vernon Village Board will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday to discuss a facilities study for constructing a new fire station and Village Hall/DPW building. The cost is estimated at $23.15 million.

VERNON — The Vernon Village Board will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday to discuss a facilities study for constructing a new fire station and Village Hall/DPW building. The cost

07/31/2024

For most of July, the Republican National Convention was inescapable for southeastern Wisconsinites. Whether it was road closures, parking restrictions, news stories, or even spotting delegates and media out and about, the RNC was everywhere. Now that the hullabaloo has come to pass, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson took some time to chat with The Freeman about the impact of the event.

MILWAUKEE — For most of July, the Republican National Convention was inescapable for southeastern Wisconsinites. Whether it was road closures, parking restrictions, news stories, or even spotting delegates and media

07/31/2024

A Waukesha woman was sentenced to probation for damaging dozens of cars and residences near River Hills Park on Christmas Day.

WAUKESHA — A Waukesha woman was sentenced to probation for damaging dozens of cars and residences near River Hills Park last December.

07/31/2024

A Waukesha man who tried to kidnap a woman outside a liquor store in Pewaukee in January has been found guilty but not guilty due to mental disease or defect.

WAUKESHA — A Waukesha man who tried to kidnap a woman in Pewaukee has been found guilty but not guilty due to mental disease or defect.

07/31/2024

When 14-year-old Lily Levenhagen, of Pewaukee, reeled in a 41-inch northern pike on a fishing trip with her grandparents earlier this summer, she hoped her younger brother Isaac would catch an even bigger one. Thirty minutes later, 12-year-old Isaac pulled in a whopping 46-and-a-quarter-inch northern pike.

PEWAUKEE — When 14-year-old Lily Levenhagen reeled in a 41-inch northern pike on a fishing trip with her grandparents, she hoped her younger brother Isaac would catch an even bigger

07/31/2024

The former site of Gyros West on East Moreland Boulevard is now rubble. Lithia Motors, owners of Wilde Subaru, took the building down to make space for what will be a car dealership.

07/31/2024

The trial of a Brookfield man accused of punching a man at a Hartland bar who later died from his injuries opened Tuesday with prosecutors claiming he was the aggressor but a defense attorney saying his client acted in self-defense.

WAUKESHA — The trial of a Brookfield man accused of punching a man at a Hartland bar who later died from his injuries opened Tuesday with prosecutors claiming he was

07/30/2024

The Neighbors Bar and Grille in Waukesha is hosting a fundraiser Saturday for the family of an 8-year-old Oconomowoc nonverbal autistic boy who is on a waitlist to receive a service dog trained to provide comfort and help keep him calm.

WAUKESHA — Dane Cruz was diagnosed with non-verbal autism when he was 3. His mom, Alyssa Hink, described him as having a funny sense of humor, inquisitive and energetic. The

07/30/2024

A Sussex quarry company has filed suit against its insurer following the insurer’s denial of coverage as the company sought to repair wells damaged in quarry mining operations.

WAUKESHA — A Sussex quarry company has filed suit against its insurer following the insurer’s denial of coverage as the company sought to repair wells damaged in quarry mining operations.

07/30/2024

A Waukesha teen who was seen with a gun near Waukesha North High School last year will proceed to trial next month after being found competent to proceed in the case.

WAUKESHA — A Waukesha teen who was seen with a gun near Waukesha North High School last year will proceed to trial next month after being found competent to proceed

07/30/2024

Lynn Olenik, the long-time leader of the Humane Animal Welfare Society - HAWS of Waukesha, officially retired on Monday.

WAUKESHA — Lynn Olenik, the long-time leader of the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County (HAWS), officially retired on Monday. In January, Maggie Tate-Techtmann transitioned into the role of

07/30/2024

Deciding what food to eat at this year’s Wisconsin State Fair has gotten even harder with the addition of 100 new food options from new and returning vendors.

Deciding what food to eat at this year’s Wisconsin State Fair has gotten even harder with the addition of 100 new food options from new and returning vendors. From the

07/30/2024

***Silver Alert Cancellation - Karen has been located safe*** (8/1/2024 1:24pm)

***Update - Karen is still missing and local law enforcement is requesting to check any outbuilding on your property. Karen has been known to travel to Big Bend and Hales Corners.*** (7/30/2024 4:17pm)

Silver Alert issued in Waterford for missing Karen Wandrey, 85, White, Female, 5 ft 1 inches, 114 lbs., with blue eyes, blond shoulder length hair, with a birth mark on side of face. Missing on foot. Last seen wearing eyeglasses and an unknown clothing description.

Missing from 8500 block of Big Bend Road Waterford, Wisconsin
Date and Time Last Seen: 07-29-24 at 3:00 PM (spoken to) and seen during the morning before noon.

Anyone with information is asked to call Waterford Police Department at 262-534-5166.

07/30/2024

First responders were called to the scene of several accidents involving motorcycles over the weekend, including one during which the driver was killed on I-94 Saturday night.

OCONOMOWOC — First responders were called to the scene of several accidents involving motorcycles over the weekend, including one during which the driver was killed. The accidents coincided with more

07/30/2024

Leadership in the Waukesha County 4-H organization was notified verbally last Wednesday by a representative of the UW-Extension that it needed to clear out items stored in the 4-H Forum building by Monday or the items would be removed.

WAUKESHA — A call-to-action was put out on Facebook by Waukesha County 4-H Leaders Association Board President Barb Jones over the weekend, asking 4-H alumni, parents, and members to help

07/30/2024

Here is Part 2 of our sit-down interviews with Lesli Boese and Mike Thurston, candidates running in the August 13 primary for Waukesha County district attorney. In it, we cover the candidate's opinions the constitutional bail amendment, the pretrial screening assessment tool and some political donations.

WAUKESHA — Waukesha County Deputy District Attorneys Lesli Boese and Mike Thurston are both vying for district attorney in the Aug. 13 primary election.

07/30/2024

Despite some rain earlier today, families were treated to a free showing of “Wonka” tonight at Monday Night Movies in the Park at Cutler Park in Waukesha.