Peace Officers Memorial Day is Friday, May 15 honoring federal, state, and local officers who died or were disabled in the line of duty. It’s observed annually during National Police Week, which runs from May 10 to May 16. 

Flags are flown at half-staff on all government buildings, public spaces, and military installations from sunrise to sunset.

The 2026 Washington County Law Enforcement Officer Memorial ceremony, hosted this year by the Jackson Police Department, is Friday, May 15 at the Jackson Municipal Complex at noon. 

The event honors Washington County law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as part of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Week events held every May. This year, guest speakers will be Washington County District Attorney Barry Braatz and Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney.

Jackson Police Chief Ryan Vossekuil will emcee the event, which will include an invocation by Chief (Ret.) Doug Larsson, Honor Guards with Germantown, Hartford and West Bend police departments and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, West Allis Patrolman Philip LaSpisa (Ret.) playing Taps, and performances by the Living Word Lutheran High School band and choir and the Greater Milwaukee Fire and Police Pipes and Drums.

Refreshments will be served after the program, courtesy of the Kettle Moraine Lodge 10 Fraternal Order of Police.

Following the ceremony, the Washington County Law Enforcement Memorial Committee will announce plans for a proposed permanent site for the Washington County Law Enforcement Memorial. Renderings of the memorial will be on display, showing where future memorial ceremonies will be held each May. 

Bright blue lights highlight Main Street in downtown Hartford in honor of the dedicated men and women of the Hartford Police Department during National Police Week. 

The City of Hartford expressed their gratitude for the service, sacrifice, and commitment the officers demonstrate each and every day to help keep our community safe. 

Photo of the Hartford City Hall by WTKM's Tom Jeffery on Friday, May 15.

 

The 16^th annual Classic Car Show on Main Street in downtown Hartford is Saturday, May 16.

It’s put on by the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce and Hartford Business improvement District.

It’s a fun event for the family, according to Hartford Chamber Event and Program Manager Barb Bielmeier.  

"Bring the kids, we'll keep them busy while we support our downtown businesses. You will take your passport, you get a sticker in it and you get into the business and see what's in there. You get to see what the business is all about. It's a great partnership. So, come out and check out the cars and take your kids into businesses you might not have been into. Let's come together and kickoff the summer as a community."    

It runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cars and trucks may start to arrive at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event to park.

Awards will be handed out at 2:30 p.m. in front of Scoop De Ville, including specialty trophies for Best in Show, Best Paint, Best Interior and Spectator's Choice.  

Pre-registration numbers are ahead of schedule for this year's Classic Car Show, compared to previous years, according to Hartford Chamber Executive Director Kate Carroll.

"The last few years we have averaged just over ninety pre-registered cars. Obviously, we know those car enthusiasts are watching the weather. On a sunny day, they come out of the woodwork on the day of the show. Last year, we had a little rain but two years ago we had a great day and around one hundred sixty cars that came in same day registration. That was a huge car show two years ago."

It is tempting, but the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce asks classic car and truck owners not to rev your engine. 

Photo by WTKM's Tom Jeffery.

   

The Washington County Sheriff's Office Communications Center received multiple 911 calls regarding a single vehicle rollover crash on Highway 28, east of I-41 near Farm Lane in Wayne. 

A woman from Lomira, who was the only one in the vehicle at the time, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The accident occurred on Thursday, May 14 at 3:44 p.m.

The vehicle failed to negotiate a curve and overturned in a farm field.

The incident remains open.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Washington County Medical Examiner's Office.     

A vote turned into a walkout Wednesday afternoon, May 13 at Watertown High School.

The vote of 7-1 by the Watertown School District Board of Education, which was conducted Tuesday evening, May 12 during a regular board meeting, will remove a song which was scheduled for the upcoming Watertown High School Spring Concert on Monday, May 18. The song that was up for discussion by the board was an instrumental piece, "Mother of Revolution," which celebrates Marsha P. Johnson, an activist who was dedicated to social justice for transgender communties in the 1960s and 1970s.

The song is not in line with district policy, according to the Watertown School Board. 

The walkout by current students at Watertown High School was organized in order to protest the decision by the Watertown District School Board. 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending an armed male subject believed to be experiencing a mental health crisis, following a domestic disturbance investigation which started in Dodge County. It happened around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13.

The incident began after Dodge County authorities received information regarding a domestic-related investigation involving a 62-year-old man who had reportedly left a Dodge County residence armed with a rifle, while making statements indicating possible suicidal intentions. 

The subject was ultimately located inside a motorhome, parked on a farm property on Arthur Road in the Town of Hartford. Due to credible information that the subject was armed with an AR-15-style rifle, had made threatening statements, and a female subject was sheltered in place inside the home directly adjacent to the RV, a large-scale law enforcement response was initiated. 

Deputies quickly established containment around the property while nearby roadways, including portions of Arthur Road, County Highway U and Airport Drive, were temporarily shut down. Public safety also coordinated closely with personnel from the Hartford Municipal Airport, as airport operations were interrupted because emergency egress to the area necessitated crossing active runways during the emergency response.

Negotiators from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and assisting agencies established communication with the subject and worked for an extended period to peacefully de-escalate the situation. 

During the tactical operations, the female occupant who had sheltered in place inside the residence on the property was safely taken out by law enforcement utilizing the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office armored rescue vehicle. Additionally, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office armored rescue vehicle was strategically deployed to block and immobilize the RV, preventing the subject from leaving the property. 

The subject surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody at 6:57 p.m. A firearm was later recovered from inside the RV.

“This incident highlights the critical role our crisis negotiators play during high-risk situations involving individuals in crisis,” said Sheriff Martin Schulteis in a press release. “Their patience, professionalism, and ability to build communication under extremely tense circumstances were instrumental in bringing this situation to a peaceful resolution. Because of their efforts, along with the coordinated response of all assisting agencies, everyone involved went home safely tonight.”

Their collective efforts helped bring the situation to a safe and peaceful conclusion.

The investigation remains ongoing through the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office. Additional information regarding any potential charges will be released by that agency.

The Love > hate Project’s mission is ending interpersonal violence, while promoting forgiveness in the presence of love.  
The project’s continued growth of their Forgiveness Program inside Wisconsin state prisons is making a difference. This year, they added two new facilitators to their team, meaning six facilitators will now bring “The Forgiveness Class” to inmates across seven state prisons.

Founder and Executive Director Buck Blodgett told WTKM that the class takes time.

"It's really cool, because it's the first thing we've done that's a long sustained program. You are not going to cause permanent transformations in people's actions, behavior and thinking in a one and done, typically."   

That means their programming will now reach 20 percent of the prisons in Wisconsin, according to Blodgett.

"It's research-based from Dr. Robert Enright out of UW Madison. He is a world leader in forgiveness research. The essence of the forgiveness class is that forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door, that stops the cycle of generational abuse and trauma. We are seeing it happening."

Dr. Enright is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

They create space during the forgiveness class for accountability, healing, growth, and hope, even in places where many feel forgotten.

It was time for a shower. 

The City of Hartford Water Utility had a contractor pressure wash the exterior of the city's water tower at Highway K and Monroe Avenue. This cleaning is part of a routine maintenance cycle that's performed every three to four years to keep the tower in good condition.

The underside of the bowl always looks dirtier than the top because rain, dew, and humidity run down the tower and collect underneath, creating a damp spot where dust, pollen, and algae like to stick, while the top stays cleaner because it dries out quickly in the sun.

This maintenance work is conducted strictly on the exterior and does not affect the water inside the tower. Keeping the exterior clean helps protect paint and coating, slows corrosion, and makes it easier to spot small issues before they turn into bigger repairs.

The Farmer’s Market in the City of Hartford returns for a new season on Saturday, May 16.

Hartford Chamber Event and Program Manager Barb Bielmeier told WTKM that their vendors are anxious to get started.

"We are back at Jordan Park, by the Hartford Rec Center. We are packed this year for our farmers market. We are getting popular. We have all of our regulars back, all of our farmers have returned. Look for all of our produce, all of our sourdough breads, all of our flowers."                                               

It will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon at Jordan Park, near the Hartford Rec Center through October 31.

Look for seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, bakery, honey, organic eggs, bread goods, along with arts and crafts this season.  

Gas prices are high, with many people feeling the toll at the pump.

Wisconsin's jump in gas prices was part of a surge, with the top five price increases in the U.S. coming from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Analysts at GasBuddy attribute the rise to refinery outages, especially in Indiana and the conflict in the Middle East.

Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County is a community-based nonprofit organization which helps seniors in the county remain independent. One of the services they provide is offering transportation. Interfaith Caregivers' Transportation Director Sophia Reynolds discussed the increase in fuel prices with WTKM.

"I oversee a good number of our van drivers. We have fourteen vans throughout the county. It's amazing to see how much of a difference these people who are taking time out of their day and want to give back to our older adults in the community. We certainly have enough funding, but we are always looking for more donations to help cover the cost. Those rides in the vans are going down to the VA Hospital and Froedtert. We are doing all of those for free for our older adults here. We certainly would appreciate a little extra donation."

High fuel prices, which remain above $4, continue to have an impact. 

The national average price of gasoline has risen 5.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.48 a gallon. The national average is up 37.3 cents per gallon from a month ago.      

 

 

Hartford Union High School (HUHS) proudly congratulates four talented students who were recognized through the prestigious Jerry Awards program for their outstanding work in HUHS’s 2025 production of The SpongeBob Musical.
Sophomore Kenny Schmidt and junior Paige Kaiser received awards for Outstanding Lead Performances for their roles as SpongeBob SquarePants and Sandy Cheeks.

Their memorable performances entertained audiences during the school’s fall production and showcased exceptional talent, energy, and stage presence.   

In addition, seniors Owen Linehan, Student Director, and Lukas Lichtenwalner, who portrayed Patrick Star, earned the Spirit Award in recognition of their dedication, leadership, and strong work ethic throughout the production process.
The Jerry Awards ceremony will be held on June 7 at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison. HUHS students will have the opportunity to participate in and perform during the celebration.
Congratulations to these outstanding students on this well-deserved recognition!

The 16^th annual Classic Car Show on Main Street in downtown Hartford is Saturday, May 16.

It’s put on by the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce and Hartford Business improvement District.

It’s a fun event for the family, according to Hartford Chamber Event and Program Manager Barb Bielmeier.  

"Bring the kids, we'll keep them busy while we support our downtown businesses. You will take your passport, you get a sticker in it and you get into the business and see what's in there. You get to see what the business is all about. It's a great partnership. So, come out and check out the cars and take your kids into businesses you might not have been into. Let's come together and kickoff the summer as a community."    

It runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cars and trucks may start to arrive at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event to park.

Awards will be handed out at 2:30 p.m. in front of Scoop De Ville, including specialty trophies for Best in Show, Best Paint, Best Interior and Spectator's Choice.  

Pre-registration numbers are ahead of schedule for this year's Classic Car Show, compared to previous years, according to Hartford Chamber Executive Director Kate Carroll.

"The last few years we have averaged just over ninety pre-registered cars. Obviously, we know those car enthusiasts are watching the weather. On a sunny day, they come out of the woodwork on the day of the show. Last year, we had a little rain but two years ago we had a great day and around one hundred sixty cars that came in same day registration. That was a huge car show two years ago."

It is tempting, but the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce asks classic car and truck owners not to rev your engine. 

   

The road construction season in the City of West Bend has seven total road and infrastructure projects, including six projects by the city and one from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. 
The City of West Bend has identified $3.95 million in total investment for the 2026 construction season. Around $3 million comes from capital funding approved by the West Bend Common Council as part of the 2026 budget, with the remaining funds coming from utility resources and previously allocated dollars.  

The projects scheduled for the construction season include Kilbourne Avenue (Indiana Avenue to Winchester Drive), for a full reconstruction project which includes utilities, sidewalk improvements and new pavement. Heather Drive (Eder Land to Sylvan Way) for road reconstruction with utility upgrades and pavement replacement.  

Routine street maintenance and pothole repairs conducted by the Department of Public Works will continue throughout the season and are not included in the project totals above, according to the City of West Bend.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources changed the inland musky fishing season to a unified statewide opening date of May 2. It starts in 2026 and replaces the previous split opener with the northern and southern zones. It is scheduled to run through December 31.

Wisconsin's northern zone usually opened up on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The thinking behind it is that muskies up north are in cooler water and they need those two or three extra weeks to be able to properly spawn. Muskies can be more aggressive, and they move into shallow water primarily to feed and regulate their metabolism. 

There has been some debate regarding this change.

Jim Piwowarczyk is a state representative of the 98th Assebly District in the Wisconsin State Assembly. He is leading the charge to change the northern zone musky fishing opening date back to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

"For some reason that is still not clear to me, the DNR this past year changed it. I have talked with numerous musky experts throughout the state, I've gone to musky shows. There is no musky expert out there, fishermen or guides that were in favor of this happening. Already we're seeing numbers of muskies decline in Wisconsin."

Piwowarczyk told WTKM that he introduced a bill to change it back. He went on to say that it's important to preserve our musky fishing. Up north in Wisconsin, businesses and resorts count on muskies. 

The bill will be reintroduced in January in the new session so it can get the proper hearings and get to the floor.  

   

    

 

After being notified by a resident, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam involving callers who claim you missed federal jury duty, and now have a warrant for your arrest.

In some cases, the caller is using the real names of local law enforcement officers or court officials to appear legitimate.

The caller may demand immediate payment to avoid arrest, often requesting payment through gift cards, or payment apps.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office:

• Law enforcement will never call you demanding payment.

• Courts do not collect fines over the phone by calling you.

• Jury duty notices are sent through the mail, not by phone.

• Incoming calls can have spoofed numbers. Believe your instincts, not your eyes.

If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and do not provide any personal information or payment, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

The Volunteer Center of Washington County continues to make a difference.

They offer opportunities to give back and volunteer.

85 students from St. John's Lutheran in West Bend took part in volunteering recently as part of a service project focused on random acts of kindness.

Director of Development Jen Gerber told WTKM about their mission.

"We are a nonprofit organization which serves as a community resource that connects people who want to give to meaningful volunteer opportunities. The mission is to inspire, engage and empower people to volunteer and make a positive impact in the community."   

The Volunteer Center is based in West Bend, but serves all of Washington County.

Employers have taken part in their “Do Good Bus” program. The Volunteer Center drives their 15-passenger van and picks up a group of employees to take them to a nonprofit to volunteer.

They also offer kindness projects to businesses, schools, churches and other groups or families to put together and donate to multiple nonprofits. These projects include calming kits, birthday kits or animal kits.

Go to volunteernow dot net to learn more.   

A piece of history was brought out into the daylight.

City of Hartford officials, including Mayor Dennis Regan were on hand in downtown Hartford as a time capsule was extracted with the help of Bill Wagner Construction. 

They successfully extracted a time capsule hidden in the walls since 1930 at Hartford City Hall. History from nearly 100 years ago waiting to be rediscovered.

The City of Hartford encourages residents to stay tuned to the city's social media pages, as they prepare to reveal what was inside. 

Hartford Union High School (HUHS) announced this week that it has once again been recognized as a 2025–2026 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. HUHS is among a select group of high schools across the United States to receive this honor for its ongoing commitment to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in career-connected learning.
Through its PLTW course offerings—Principles of Biomedical Science, Medical Interventions, Human Body Systems, and Biomedical Innovations—HUHS continues to provide students with opportunities to explore real-world challenges while developing critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. These experiences help students build transferable skills necessary to succeed in an ever-evolving global workforce.
To be eligible for the Distinguished School designation, HUHS met rigorous criteria during the 2024–2025 school year. This included expanding access to PLTW coursework, maintaining strong student enrollment in PLTW programs, and encouraging students to take multiple courses within the pathway.
“We are incredibly proud of our students, staff, and community for earning this recognition once again,” said Superintendent Dr. Gahan. “This honor reflects our shared commitment to providing meaningful, future-focused learning experiences that prepare students not only for college and careers, but for lifelong success. Our PLTW programs continue to inspire curiosity, innovation, and a passion for learning that extends beyond the classroom.”
As HUHS celebrates this continued recognition, the school looks forward to building on its success and expanding opportunities for students to explore, innovate, and lead in their chosen pathways.

The City of Hartford is experiencing unprecedented growth, with new subdivisions and even more projects in the planning stages.

New homes, new neighborhoods, and new opportunities are taking shape all across the city including from Partridge Hollow and Harvest Creek, Fairway Meadows near the golf course and Copper Trails along the golf course. And this is just the beginning, according to Hartford City Administrator Steve Volkert. 

"We are coming off a strong development year here in the city. You will see a lot more developments turning into houses in the coming year. Last year we had around a dozen new homes that were started, and or completed. This year you will probably see around fifty or sixty homes pop up."    

The North Main Street reconstruction project, from Yellowstone Drive included paving of the roadway, while the contractor addressed landscaping work in the ditches and centerline pavement markings. New phone lines were added in the area.

The construction included new sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer culverts, ditching, and roadway improvements. 

Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis stopped in for a visit. He was ready and a bit excited to discuss various topics about law enforcement, technology, the Washington County Co-Responder Unit and traffic safety.

Schulteis said the department is busy and will be welcoming a second patrol K9 in the near future. Law enforcement is evolving and changing consistently. 

"It is, sure but our mission remains the same. We are here to protect people, keep the peace and serve our community. The expectations of the job have become more complex, the types of calls that we respond to and the tools we use have changed."

Sheriff Schulteis continued on the trends of law enforcement on a local level and what it looks like in Washington County. The biggest area seems to be the role of technology and how it plays with the role of policing.

"That affects both how crimes are committed and how we investigate them. A case that once had photos and written statements now involves phones, surveillance videos, social media, text messages, cameras and online investigations."

Mental health related calls have increased exponentially in Washington County. Those type of calls can be very serious. Co-Responder Units have been formed at the Washington County Sheriff's Office and involves pairing law enforcement with a clinical social worker. Schulteis told WTKM that in those tense moments, the job of law enforcement is to protect and stabilize the situation.

"It's a partnership between Washington County Human Services that pairs a deputy with a clinical social worker. In our county now, we have four teams of two that work sixteen hours a day, seven days a week. The unique part of it is the deputy addresses the safety and law enforcement concerns while the clinical social worker assesses the mental health needs and connects the person to services."

This high level of teamwork has been effective and continues to make a difference during crises calls. Those type of calls often involve public safety issues and behavioral health issues. This approach with the Washington County Co-Responder Unit addresses both sides. There is a proactive approach and reactive. The sheriff's deputy will stabilize the scene and then immediately bring in the clinical social worker to help with the assessment and to help deescalate the situation.

"There is also the proactive part," according to Schulteis. "It's when they are not responding directly to crisis calls. They are out, they have case loads where they are dealing with individuals and follow-ups with other individuals that might not otherwise get services. The goal is to keep them out of the criminal justice system."

The sheriff went on to say that those unit members want to be involved with it and are extremely committed. The four deputies currently serving on the Co-Responder Units in Washington County have a higher level of training. Patience and judgement are a big part of it.        

We switched gears with the Washington County Sheriff and discussed staying safe on the roads this time of the year. He said traffic safety is one of the most visible and important parts of what they do.

"When it comes to speeding, distracted driving, reckless behavior and impaired driving they all create a serious risk. One of the challenges is that dangerous driving behavior can become normalized when people see it often enough. The risks are real. For us, traffic enforcement is not about writing tickets for the sake of it, it's about reducing crashes, preventing injuries and keeping the roads safe for everyone."

WTKM appreciates the sheriff's time. The entire interview is available on wtkmnews.com, under podcasts - "WTKM on Demand."      

The Village of Slinger is constructing a new, 27,000-square-foot police station on Enterprise Drive, with completion expected in 2026. It’s a $15.5 million project, which will replace the current facility.

Slinger Police Chief Kyle Arendt told WTKM that their service to the community will not change.

"It will give us more of an opportunity for growth in the future, but also gives us a little more comfortable quarters for doing our job that we do every day. Having specialty rooms and having dedicated spaces for things that are important, especially being right off of Highway 60. We will still have the same patrol area, downtown will still be patrolled on a daily basis. The new location gives us multiple avenues out, in case there is an accident somewhere that we need to access from a different point."

The Slinger Police Department currently operates out of the same  building as Slinger Village Hall. The facility houses administrative offices on one side and the police department on the other. Staffing levels have increased to keep up with population growth.

The Slinger Village Board decided on a new, standalone facility rather than expanding the existing building. 

The 75th National Day of Prayer is observed on Thursday, May 7. The theme is "Glorify God Among the Nations - Seeking Him in All Generations."

Millions are expected to gather nationwide for prayer, coinciding with the U.S.A.'s 250th anniversary celebrations.

The National Day of Prayer was established in 1952 as an annual day of observance designated by the United States Congress.

Participants pray for the nation, families, schools and leaders.

WTKM's National Day of Prayer program will play at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 7.  

  

 

It's road construction season.

The City of Hartford has two street reconstruction projects, according to Hartford City Administrator Steve Volkert.

"It includes Budd Street, it's one long city block with total reconstruction. We also have a part of Center Street which we are also doing this year."

Usually every year, the City of Hartford plans on two road improvement projects. 

They also address pavement maintenance with roads that do not have any infrastructure issues.

The City of Hartford Public Parking Lot directly south of the Pour House, will be temporarily closed on Friday, May 8 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for re-striping of the painted parking spaces.

Once opened, the new paint in the lot will be safe to drive on. The goal of the new configuration is to make parking access safer and easier for visitors. The number of spaces overall will remain the same.

 

The Washington County Farm Bureau Food Stand is a popular spot at the Washington County Fairgrounds every summer.

It's a busy stand and it's not uncommon for them to serve around 5,000 burgers and 3,200 orders of fries in a given week at the Washington County Fair.

Operating the food stand at the fair is the primary source of fundraising for the Washington County Farm Bureau. The food stand is over 25 years old and is in need of expansion and upgrades. A few contractors are lined up to do an addition on the stand.

They are looking to add on to the south end of their building. They will take the cooking hood and fryers that are in the main building right now and move it out to the addition. It will help to get some of the heat away from their volunteers.                                       

Donations are being accepted for this expansion and upgrade project for the Washington County Farm Bureau Food Stand, which costs $85,000. Due to the past successes, the board has allocated $40,000 for the project. The goal is to have funds raised and the improvements completed by this year’s Washington County Fair.

Donation forms are on the Washington County Farm Bureau Facebook page, or mail it out to:

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

Washington County Farm Bureau Food Stand Fund

P.O. Box 5550

Madison, Wisconsin  53705 

 

Photo by WTKM's Tom Jeffery.

John Hassig is always smiling. Hartford's Schauer Arts Center's executive director joined WTKM on the cusp of a new performing arts season. And there is a lot to be thankful for.

"It was a milestone year and we couldn't be happier," exclaimed Hassig.

He is referring to the Schauer Center's 25th anniversary and over 15,000 showgoers walking through their doors, anxious to be entertained. Over 43 shows were presented last season. Visitors from 21 states and 350 different cities bought tickets and made the trip to Hartford, Wisconsin for the chance to catch a show. 

Business is booming for the Schauer Center. 

"It was a great season. We hope to carry that momentum straight into this upcoming season and build on our success," said Hassig. "We truly offer something for everyone."

The executive director started his dream job in the beginning of July last year. 

"I have always had a lot of passion for the theater. This job is more than I could ask for, I'm really enjoying it. I feel like the Schauer Center is a valued community asset. The arts are a multibillion-dollar industry in the state of Wisconsin. We are doing our best here in the city to provide a meaningful spot for people to gather and experience world class art."

The Schauer Courtyard Series returns for another summer of free outdoor concerts. Cooper Box kicks off the summer series on Thursday, June 11 while the Ryan Meisel Quartet will perform on Thursday, June 18. The concerts begin at 6 p.m. all summer long.

This season's list of tribute shows include Michael Jackson on September 17, Fleetwood Mac on September 25, Bee Gees on October 2, The Doors on October 9, Allman Brothers on October 23 and Johnny Cash on March 4.

"There are a couple that I'm super excited about," Hassig said. "There is a show toward the end of the season with the final tour of Judy Collins. She has been performing for sixty-five years. This is her farewell tour. We are just so honored to have her come and celebrate a great legacy."

Legendary singer-songwriter Judy Collins will perform on May 7.

WTKM is proud to welcome country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress Pam Tillis on Friday, October 16. She is the eldest child of country singer Mel Tillis.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra returns to the Schauer Center on December 16 for a holiday concert.

Truly, another season with a wide array of talent. 

We'll see you at the show!   

 

     

The Hustisford School District is receiving support from the Dodgeland School District, as Hustisford continues to go through the process of closing down the school district.

On April 7, during the spring election, a two-year $3.75 million operational referendum for Hustisford schools was voted down. 58 percent voted for it, while 42 percent cast their vote against the referendum. It is the fifth consecutive Hustisford Schools' operating or capital referendum since 2021 that failed to pass.

Hustisford Schools' Interim Superintendent Todd Bugnacki told WTKM that the future of the students is being considered.         

"When you think about the kids, it's about opportunities. It's an issue when you have shrinking resources, declining enrollment and funding at the state level is not keeping up. Those kind of pressure points have hit Hustisford and so now we have to think about what's the best path forward for our kids. We want to make certain that our kids are afforded the opportunities that kids have in other districts. We want them to have a soft landing through this entire process."

Bugnacki recently expressed his appreciation to Dodgeland Schools for adopting Hustisford as a neighboring district to work through and offer all of their students an opportunity in their district next year.

Under the tuition agreement, approved by both the Dodgeland and Hustisford Boards of Education, Hustisford students will be able to remain officially as Hustisford students during the school year of 2026-2027, including potentially, the final Hustisford High School graduating Class of 2027. Hustisford will transport its students to Dodgeland Schools, where they will receive a full education, including special education.

For those families who prefer to ask other neighboring districts to accept their children through the state's open enrollment program, the Hustisford Board of Education granted permission for neighboring districts to provide transportation to Hustisford students. Horicon and Mayville have indicated they wish to send their buses into Hustisford to pick up students approved for open enrollment.

Cedar Community's acquisition of The Gardens, assisted living, located in Hartford, and The Heritage, independent living, assisted living, and memory care, located in Watertown is complete. The acquisition of the two campuses follows a period of realignment and reinvestment in Cedar Community’s business operations and signifies the nonprofit’s dedication to expanding its presence and services into the surrounding areas.

Hartford's location is now The Gardens of Cedar Community. Community Relations Manager Julianne Aulenbacher told WTKM that it's a blessing and they will continue to serve.

"We are blessed to be continuing with The Gardens and their mission along with Cedar Community's mission with serving our seniors and the community of Hartford. We are so grateful for their partnership and to be able to have additional hands-on and hearts of Jesus walking around in our facility."

The acquisitions mark a new era for Cedar Community. 

Since 1953, Cedar Community has been a nonprofit provider of faith-based care and services for seniors aged 55 and better in West Bend.

Cedar Community President and CEO Nicole Pretre told WTKM that it has been a very exciting time for them.

"When we had the opportunity and consideration of bringing The Gardens into our extended family with Cedar Community, we really were very excited. We also were able to at the same time bring in The Heritage of Watertown, which was another part of the extended family. It just made so much sense for us."

Pretre went on to say that this milestone for Cedar Community is a testament to their ongoing commitment to creating communities where older adults, families, and team members can thrive with purpose, dignity, and joy.

It ensures that they are financially well-positioned to continue their work for generations to come. 

Hartford Fire & Rescue responded to the report of a large outdoor fire originally reported near 5840 Highway 60, on Monday, May 4 at 12:47 p.m. Hartford units were updated by dispatch that the fire’s location was closer to or behind 6000 Hwy 60 at the Hartford Conservation and Gun Club, which the Hartford Police Department also located. The first arriving incident commander found a large grass fire that was being lit and tended to by a person at the Gun Club property. Upon further assessment, there were fires located adjacent to and downwind of the current controlled burn fire area. Dispatch was able to confirm that the fire had been reported to their online controlled burn log, but that information was not immediately available at the time of the fire department activation and deployment.

The following apparatus was deployed from Hartford Fire & Rescue to begin
extinguishment efforts: two brush trucks, an off-road UTV, three fire engines, two water
tenders, two ambulances, two SUV’s for personnel movement, and the incident command post. Under direction of the incident commander, a coordinated fire attack deployed the initial brush units to operate off-road and begin extinguishing the fires. Due to the very high wind conditions pushing burning embers through the air and landing in other dry areas from very low relative humidity (RH) at the time of the fire, crews needed further assistance from surrounding fire departments, which was requested through the MABAS system at the Working Still level. Spreading fires were also located by crews behind UFP Packaging at the extreme North end of Franklin Drive, just South of the railroad tracks. An additional growing fire was also found to be just North of the railroad tracks and spreading toward Hilldale Drive. The growing locations of the fires required three different operational areas and multiple types of resources. Additional assistance was requested to the 1st Box level to ensure enough personnel and apparatus were on scene to handle the growing fire areas.
Fire burning in a heavily wooded area with a large amount of dead trees, along with the high wind conditions, created serious hazards as tree branches and tree tops were snapping off and falling to the ground. This prevented ground crews from safely advancing in and extinguishing all of the fire that was burning at the base of an up the trees. Marsh area in and around the wooded area prevented any heavy apparatus from being able to drive any closer to the fire. Brush truck crews and UTV crews worked quickly and carefully to extinguish any fire they could reach, with tenders supplying water to refill their tanks. 

No citizens or fire or EMS personnel were injured during this incident.

Assistance was provided by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with dispatch services and Deputies for traffic control, and Hartford Police Department with law enforcement assistance. Mutual Aid assistance was provided by St. Lawrence Fire Company, Slinger Fire Department, Neosho Fire Department, Allenton Volunteer Fire Department, Richfield Fire Department, Iron Ridge Fire Department, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Jackson Fire Department who provided an engine at change of quarters, Lifestar EMS who provided an ambulance and responded to the simultaneous EMS call, and Germantown Fire Department who provided an ambulance at change of quarters to cover Hartford’s EMS service area while Lifestar was on assignment. Hartford Water Utility assured that there were no water supply concerns.

The Village of Slinger has a lot going on and a lot to look forward to in the future.

2025 continued to see new businesses open. 

This year, it will be even more exciting with the expected completion of the new police station, which will then allow them to begin the remodeling of the library and Slinger Village Hall. Additionally, construction of the new "Reiser Center," which will be a public gathering space bridging the two buildings and funded by private donations.

When completed in 2027, their reimagined Village Campus will be the place to go to meet, share and learn.

Village of Slinger President Scott Stortz told WTKM about some of the growth.

"We are happy with the growth, our population is just shy of six thousand seven hundred and our residential growth has increased by more than twenty-six percent in the last ten years. Percentage wise, the Village of Slinger continues to be the fastest growing community in Washington County. Our net new construction last year was healthy and manageable." 

The Slinger Village Board approved an architectural design agreement with Plunkett Raysich Architects, setting plans in motion to remodel the existing Village Hall and Library buildings. These updates will include construction of the new Slinger Center. When complete, the Slinger Library and Village Hall will be connected through the Slinger Center which will feature flexible space with rooms for everything from civic events and business meetings to community programs.   

More pancakes please!

It's a popular request every year at the Dodge County Dairy Promotion Committee's Dairy Brunch. And there will be enough for everyone on Sunday, June 7 at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. Brunch will be served from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Dodge County Dairy Ambassador Brenda Conley told WTKM that all of the funds raised from the brunch stay in Dodge County.

"It's a big fundraiser for us and all of the funds from this stay in the community. It goes for dairy promotion, my Dairy Ambassador Program where we teach the public, especially the youth in the classrooms. It also goes to organizations that need it and the committee's annual scholarship program."

The Dodge County Dairy Promotion Committee also is a big supporter of 4-H.

The menu includes scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, pancakes, cheese curds and assorted cheeses. Ice cream, milk and juice will also be served.

A community church service will begin at 8:30 a.m. and everyone is welcome. Educational booths in the Dairy Youth Barn will provide the opportunity to learn about dairy farming and other areas of agriculture. The Cheese Pairing Tent is back by popular demand along with local vendors from Dodge County.   

Tickets are sold at the door, with a $10 charge for adults and $5 for children ages five to 11. Children ages four and under are free. 

  

The City of Hartford's Avenue of Flags is sacred. It's also a beautiful sight.

This solemn, patriotic display features 100 casket flags, each honoring a specific veteran. The row of flags are on display at Sawyer Park, 111 Branch Street, from sunrise to sunset for national holidays and special events.   

The Avenue of Flags was added to the park in 2017, when the VFW Post 8834 had holes installed along the pathways with the addition of flag poles. Hoisting the flag is a meaningful moment, conducted by members of the VFW, American Legion, United Vietnam Veterans and volunteers. Each flag has a veteran’s name embroidered, and the war they fought in. 

Hartford's VFW Post 8834 and Avenue of Flags Chairman Ron Schnorenberg told WTKM that the Avenue of Flags is growing.

"We are now up to one hundred and ten. The families of loved ones give us the flags and we embroider their name on it, what branch they had and what war they were involved with. We just ran out of room, so we were able to invest some money in it to expand it. It means a lot to many people."

The flags are scheduled to be raised on Friday, May 15 in honor of National Peace Officers Memorial Day, a day dedicated to honoring law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The Avenue of Flags will also fly proudly on Saturday, May 16 for National Armed Forces Day which honors all personnel currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces including Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard.

  

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources asks the public to check fire conditions. So far this year, 283 wildfires have burned 704 acres of land.

Spring is the most critical fire season in Wisconsin, and warm, windy weather can allow fires to easily escape control. Even a few days between precipitation can dry out grasses, pine needles and leaf litter, creating hazardous conditions.

A high temperature of 77 degrees on Monday, May 4 with strong winds and dry air could result in elevated fire concerns. Outdoor burning is not recommended. Clouds will increase in the afternoon with showers possible. Warm temperatures, low relative humidities and breezy winds will combine to make for elevated fire weather conditions on Monday. 

The Hartford Fire and Rescue Department reminds residents to use caution if grilling, or using equipment that causes sparks.  

 

Officers with the Germantown Police Department conducted a traffic stop that resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of suspected drug paraphernalia, suspected controlled substances, including cocaine and fentanyl.

Offices initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle near County Line Road and Falls Parkway due to the vehicle not having any visible registration plate displayed. During the traffic stop, officers identified the driver as a 31-year old man from Sullivan, and a passenger as a 37-year old woman from Milwaukee.

During the investigation, a police K9 conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics inside, including cocaine and fentanyl, according to the Germantown Police Department.

While searching the vehicle, a Germantown police officer was exposed to a substance suspected of being fentanyl. The officer began experiencing adverse side-effects resulting in the officer being administered Narcan. The officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment and has since been released and has returned to duty.

The 31-year old man faces multiple charges, including felony possession of narcotic drugs, several counts of felony bail jumping, and additional drug related offenses.

This case has been referred to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

 

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation safety and pavement improvement project for the interchange at Highway 60 and I-41 continues in Slinger.

A $6.8 million safety improvement project was approved by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers at the I-41 and Highway 60 interchange in Washington County.

The planned improvements include:

- Reconstructing the Highway 60 on-ramp to I-41 southbound to address merging conflicts.

- Widen and realign the right turn lanes at the I-41 southbound off-ramp to improve visibility.

- Addition of traffic signals at the southbound ramp terminal and extension of the westbound Highway 60 left turn lane.

- Partial deck removal

- Pavement resurfacing, new pavement markings and signage.

 

This project will require a combination of long-term and overnight closures along Highway 60 and the on and off-ramps to and from I-41. Detours will be posted. Single lane closures on I-41 will be limited to off-peak hours for bridge improvements.

Access to local businesses and residences will be maintained.

Work is scheduled for completion this fall.

The fourth annual Wine Walk in downtown Hartford is Saturday, May 2 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Hartford Business Improvement District joins the Hartford Rotary Club for a chance to visit 20 local businesses and sample wines and snacks. You can enter to win valuable prizes.

The theme is country hoedown, so dress in your best western attire. 

"This is a great event," said Hartford Business Improvement District President Jason Wix. "It's great to visit and support the businesses, you see friends and family. It's fun and there is a map with all of the participating businesses on it. All of the proceeds stay in the community." 

Tickets are available at Infinity Design and The Local Collective, or online at hartfordrotary-wi.org.   

 

It's a special weekend with the Hartford Community Chorus.

"We Lift Our Voice" Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. 

"I kiddingly say that the audience will leave feeling red, white and blue," Hartford Community Chorus' Artistic Director Mark Weller teased.

The patriotic performances will include dedications to those who have served in preserving and maintaining our country's freedom. The "Unsung Hero" will be performed, recognizing the POW-MIA, American prisoners of war and missing personnel, featuring the slogan "You Are Not Forgotten." 

Weller told WTKM that an American Flag folding ceremony will be conducted, with the 13-fold procedure.

"We will have one person telling what each fold means. Then I'm going to have those people in the audience who have family members who have died in combat, in service to come forward from their chairs to stand in front of the stage. The folded flag will be presented to them as we sing the song, "Folded Flag." 

The performances include Saturday, May 2 at Holy Hill beginning at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 at the Schauer Arts Center, in Hartford at 3 p.m.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center received a 911 call on Thursday, April 30 at 5:40 p.m. regarding a vehicle that ended up in a ditch and overturned on County Trunk M, in Farmington. The caller and additional bystanders made their way to the car and found the driver unresponsive. The Newburg Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the scene.

The driver was extricated from the vehicle and additional life saving efforts were attempted with the assistance of the West Bend Fire Department. The driver, a male in his 70’s from Trenton, was declared deceased at the scene.

The initial investigation revealed that the vehicle was traveling southbound on Cty Tk M when it went onto the southbound shoulder and then across the northbound lane and into the east ditch.

The Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team responded to complete further scene documentation, and the investigation is still open.

A portion of Cty Tk M was closed for three hours. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Washington County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026  on April 30, with a 224-200 vote, reauthorizing agricultural programs through 2031, according to Congress.gov. It's 800 pages long, $390 billion deep with 12 different titles. 

The bill proposes a $60 billion increase in farm subsidies while implementing roughly $187 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), alongside new regulations for industrial hemp.

The Farm Bill boosts funding for risk management tools, crop insurance, and farm subsidies. Implements significant cuts to SNAP, including changes to benefits and stricter eligibility, while allowing recipients to purchase hot, prepared foods. Reauthorizes voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs and introduces a state soil health program. 

The bill must still be reconciled with the Senate's version before becoming law.