In-person absentee voting begins on Tuesday, October 20 for the November 3 general election. The hours and locations vary.

The times provided on the lower level of Richfield Village Hall are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. And Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

A voter requests a ballot for in-person absentee voting, then completing the ballot and returning it to the local clerk. Voters will need to provide a photo ID to receive their ballots.

Absentee voting in the City of Hartford is for any qualified elector who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on Election Day. They may submit a request to vote an absentee ballot to their municipal clerk. A qualified elector is any U.S. citizen, who will be 18 years of age or older on Election Day, has resided in the ward or municipality where they wish to vote for at least 28 consecutive days before the election. The elector must also be registered to vote to receive an absentee ballot. Proof of identification must be provided before an absentee ballot may be issued.

Contact your municipal clerk and request that an application for an absentee ballot be sent to you for the primary or election or both. You may make written application to your municipal clerk for an absentee ballot in person, by mail, by fax, by email or at MyVote.wi.gov. Your written request, must include your voting address within the municipality where you wish to vote, the address where the absentee ballot should be sent, if different from the address above your signature and a copy of your photo identification.

City of Hartford Clerk Shanna Kreilkamp told WTKM that it's easy to register to vote. 

"You can register any time of the year at the municipal clerk's office. You just bring along your proof of residence and fill out a voter registration application. You can also register by mail. You have to complete and sign a voter registration application and then submit it to us along with your proof of residence. We need to receive it at least twenty days before the election."  

Hours and voting sites can be found at MyVote.wi.gov.

The Washington County Anti-Trafficking Advocates is a nonprofit organization that offers education, advocacy and resources to the community.

A free information lecture series is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20 at The Bend Theater beginning at 7 p.m. The experience will walk audiences through a sextortion scam as it unfolds in real time, helping with warning signs and understand the tactics offenders use.

Washington County Anti-Trafficking Advocates' Founder Wendy Smith told WTKM that it's going to be a bit different.

"This is the first time we will do it this way, and I've been working hard on this presentation to make it more interactive and immersive. The experience is going to take the audience from the first message and then all the way through the initial contact from a perpetrator to the victim. We will be discussing decisions and emotions as we work our way through."

Representatives from the Washington County Sheriff's Office and West Bend Police Department will be in attendance.

The presentation will be appropriate for ages 12-years-old and up, parental discretion is advised.           

Law enforcement impersonation scams are active across Wisconsin.

Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt told WTKM that the use of real names in law enforcement are used on a regular basis during scams.

"Those types of people are making phone calls to the public all the time during a scam call. They are impersonating law enforcement, and it can be from a sheriff's office, police department or fire department. Sometimes they are using real names. They will try and scare potential vicitims with threats of a fine or jail time. We will never demand payment over the phone and would never threaten anyone." 

Sheriff Schmidt encourages area residents to not trust your caller ID.

Scammers use real names of local sheriffs, actual badge numbers, fake caller IDs and personal data to build trust.

Look up the official non-emergency number for your local sheriff's office or police department online and call them directly to check if they actually tried to reach you.

Hartford Fire and Rescue responded to the report of an apartment building on fire on Evergreen Drive, on Saturday, October 17 at 1 a.m. in Hartford. Multiple Hartford Police officers arrived on the scene to find fire pushing out the front window of an apartment unit on the 1st floor. Officers quickly helped residents exit the building and attempted to search the 2nd floor, but were stopped by the thick black smoke. One officer utilized several fire extinguishers, spraying them through the front window in an attempt to slow the fire. Two officers went to the rear of the building, finding three occupants trapped on the 2nd floor balcony. Those occupants jumped from the smoke - filled building and were caught by the officers at the rear of the building.

The crew quickly deployed a preconnected hose line, briefly spraying water into the room that was on fire from the outside before entering the building. The growing fire was quickly located in the bedroom of the 1st floor apartment and extinguished. Hartford’s ladder truck arrived and laddered the roof to check for fire. Another crew checked for fire in the apartment unit above. Next arriving mutual aid engine crews provided assistance with extra personnel, searching the building, overhauling fire areas to assure no smoldering embers remained. A total of ten pets were successfully rescued from the apartment building.

A total of twelve occupants were displaced from the 8-unit apartment building due to smoke and fire damage. One occupant had minor injuries. Two Hartford police officers were evaluated at a hospital and released. No fire or EMS personnel were injured during this incident.

Assistance was provided by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Hartford Police Department. Mutual Aid was provided by the St. Lawrence Fire Compnay, Slinger Fire Department, Neosho, Richfield, Jackson and Lifestar EMS.

The Red Cross assisted, a temporary warming shelter was established in the City of Hartford’s City Hall.

Hartford Fire units remained on scene until 4 a.m. Fire investigators from Hartford Fire and Hartford Police remained on scene until noon.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Photo by the Hartford Fire and Rescue Department.

An 81-year-old Village of Jackson resident reported losing $49,800, after falling victim to an online scam. The resident had clicked on what appeared to be an antivirus notification on his computer. Unfortunately, it was a scammer who eventually convinced the victim to visit his bank and wire nearly $50,000 to a Bank of America account. Once the money was transferred, the scammer disappeared.

Detective Gerke, of the Jackson Police Department, was assigned the case and went to work trying to track down the stolen money. Her investigation revealed that the bank account had previously been used to transfer funds to China. Investigating financial crimes involving different jurisdictions and international transactions can be extremely challenging, according to the Jackson Police Department.

Through extensive investigative work, subpoenas, and financial records, she discovered that $44,020 of the victim's money remained in the account. She obtained and executed a seizure warrant, resulting in that money being returned. 

Detective Gerke's investigation also led her to identify and assist another fraud victim in New Jersey.

This isn't the first time Detective Gerke has successfully recovered a substantial amount of money for a fraud victim, according to the Jackson Police Department. Earlier this year, she recovered nearly $25,000 for another resident in Jackson who had been scammed.

That's nearly $70,000 recovered for fraud victims in just a few months.

A resolution, which will initiate a grant program for countywide emergency medical services funding was approved by the Washington County Board.

"Washington County has an opportunity to use the tools available to us to address a countywide problem," said Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, in a press release. "We've developed a responsible solution that maintains our tax rate, strengthens emergency services and keeps local control where it belongs. It puts taxpayers first."

It is scheduled to begin in 2027 and will support local fire and EMS departments throughout Washington County.

It was approved by the board with a vote of 18-2.

The funding system provides fire and EMS departments with consistent funding in order to continue to serve communities in Washington County at a high level, while handling operational costs.

Due to the forecasted weather, the weekend-long closure of westbound Highway 60 originally scheduled from Friday, October 16 to Monday, October 19, in Slinger has been rescheduled to Friday, October 23 to Monday, October 26.

Reported improvements by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation include widening and realigning the right turn lanes at the I-41 southbound offramp to improve visibility. Adding traffic signals at the southbound ramp terminal. Partial deck removal and widening to increase the length of the Highway 60 left-turn lane to the I-41 northbound on-ramp. Pavement resurfacing is also involved, along with new pavement markings and signage.  

Cooler temperatures are expected through southeast Wisconsin, after a stretch of rain.

Winds are expected to reach 25 to 40 mph for Friday, October 16. Scattered light showers may linger.

Low temperatures will dip into the 30s for Saturday morning, October 17. 

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, approximately 89% of Wisconsin's corn crop has reached maturity at the time of this writing. For crops that have already hit peak maturity, the impending frost is not a threat and will actually aid farmers by speeding up the natural dry-down process of the grain.

Sunshine returns Saturday afternoon, but temperatures will stay cool, with highs in the mid-50s.

Sunday, October 18 will see temperatures climb to around 60 degrees. Breezy conditions return, with wind gusts around 30 mph.

Hartford Union High School Student Council invites local military Veterans and a guest to pull up a chair, share a warm meal, and spend the morning together at the annual Veterans Day Breakfast on Wednesday, November 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the HUHS cafeteria.
The morning is all about celebrating community heroes, sharing stories across generations, and saying a genuine "thank you" to those who have served. Guests will be treated to a delicious, hot breakfast served by HUHS students and staff, complete with great conversation and hospitality.
Alongside breakfast, the program features heartfelt student presentations, an inspiring guest speaker, and the event's most cherished traditions: roll call and mail call, where veterans receive personal, handwritten notes of thanks from the student body.

To ensure plenty of food and seating for everyone, veterans and their guests are asked to RSVP by Friday, October 30. Please reach out to Ms. Marie Hoppe by email at marie.hoppe@huhs.org or by phone at 262-670-3200 ext. 4110 to save your seats.

Fall leaf pick-up for the City of Hartford will begin. 

Hartford city residents can rake leaves into the curb and gutter area of their street.

City of Hartford’s new public works director Nate Wendelborn told WTKM that it is expected to start either Monday, October 19 or Tuesday, October 20.

"Yes, our crews are getting ready. We are hoping to get out either Monday or Tuesday. We have colder temperatures coming, with high winds. We will be ready."   

Leaf pick-up will continue periodically until the end of November. Residents are urged to get their leaves raked curbside.

Raked, loose leaves will be picked up at the curb line this month and next month only.

A special fundraiser will take place on Sunday, October 18 at Hartford Union High School’s Gib Mahr Field, at 1 p.m.

It’s Fall for Hall.

Kristen Helms is a math teacher and H-Club advisor at Hartford Union High School. She told WTKM about her friend Angie Hall, who is battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

"I have been spending time with my friend, who has been dealing with ALS the last few years. While the disease is progressing, she is just remarkable. Her attitude and her positive outlook on every day, it's incredible."

Angie Hall was a teacher at Hartford Union High School and an EMT with the Hartford Fire and Rescue Department.

All of the proceeds from the fundraiser on October 18 go to the Hall family.

There will be food, games, bounce houses, music and the treat tunnel.  

The School District Boundary Appeal Board will hear presentations from the Hustisford School District, and the public regarding the Hustisford School Board’s order to dissolve.

On October 20 and 21, they will hold public hearings to gather information before making a decision by January 15, of 2027 to affirm or deny the Hustisford School District's dissolution.

The Hustisford School District will be giving its presentation to the School District Boundary Appeal Board on October 20 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.  at Hustisford High School.

Interim Hustisford Superintendent Todd Bugnacki shared his point of view regarding the students with WTKM.

"When you think about the kids, it's about opportunities. How do we continue to afford great, robust opportunities for our kids when you have shrinking resources, declining enrollment, funding at the state level is not keeping up and there are pressures from increasing prices. Those type of pressure points have hit Hustisford." 

The hearing is open to the public and will allow the School District Boundary Appeal Board to gather facts and information. The hearing is the final step in the dissolution approval process.

On July 20, of this year the Hustisford School District Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a motion to dissolve the school district, pending approval by the state School District Boundary Appeal Board.

The Hartford Police Department has released information regarding an incident that occurred on Friday, October 9 at the Hartford Union High School Homecoming Parade, in downtown Hartford.

A Hartford police officer noticed a vehicle pulling out of an address in the 400 block of N. Main Street and drove directly into the parade route, even though there were road closed signs posted, orange cones, police cars and department of public works vehicles on the roadway. Several participants in the parade had to move to avoid being struck. She was stopped, pulled into a parking lot, continued on and attempted to pull into the parade route a second time.

The officer was able to positively identify her by her driver's license photo. A citation for reckless driving-endangering safety was issued to a 26-year-old Hartford woman.

No injuries were reported.

Hartford Common Council met Tuesday night, October 13 at Hartford City Hall.

A Hartford City Taxi fare increase next year was recommended. The Hartford City Taxi budget includes a recommendation for an increase of 50 cents for all in city shared ride trips. The current fare is $4.25 while the senior and handicap fare is $4. The last time the fare was increased was last year.

Last night’s council meeting had many visitors. Many of them with an interest in expressing their opinion of flock cameras. The discussion regarding the flock cameras in the City of Hartford was not an action item last night.

Hartford City Administrator Steve Volkert told WTKM that flock cameras are valuable.

"It's another tool that the police department uses to be able to identify vehicles in which are being sought for crimes, Amber Alerts and Silver Alerts. The flock camera is an incredibly valuable tool, but because everyone is afraid  that someone is going to misuse it, they want everyone to shut it down."  

A presentation by the Hartford Police Department discussed what has been put into place in the City of Hartford to make sure what has happened in other communities regarding flock cameras, will not happen in Hartford.                                           

It was an informational session. Hartford Council members did not ask whether the flock camera contract should be renewed, which will not come up for two more years.

Dodge County Deputies were dispatched to a single?vehicle crash involving an International straight truck with a dump body on County Highway P near N. Columbus Street in Randolph Tuesday night, October 13 at 7:30 p.m.

The truck was traveling westbound with the dump body in a raised position when it struck an overhead wire. This caused the truck to overturn, trapping the driver inside.

The driver was a 71?year?old man from Randolph. He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The name of the driver is being withheld pending family notification.

This crash remains under investigation by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office Crash Investigation Team.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a concrete truck that had rolled over at the intersection of Highway 164 and County Highway E, on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:21 a.m.

Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded along with the Wisconsin State Patrol, Slinger Fire Department, and Lifestar Rescue. Upon arrival of the Wisconsin State Patrol, the driver of the Schmitz Concrete truck was found to have only minor injuries.

An initial investigation showed that the concrete truck was traveling southbound on Highway 164, turning onto westbound County Highway E. The loaded concrete truck took the corner at a high rate of speed and rolled into the eastbound lane of traffic, narrowly missing an eastbound car. The driver of the eastbound car was not injured, however, the vehicle sustained minor damage from debris.

County Highway E at Highway 164 was closed in both directions to assist in accident cleanup. The Washington County Highway Shop assisted with debris removal. 

Photo by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Corn silage and soybean harvests are well underway in Wisconsin with favorable overall crop progress as of late last month, and early this month.

Waukesha County Farm Bureau Vice President Jim Renn told WTKM how things are going on his family farm.

"A lot of soybeans have come off in the last couple of weeks. Soybeans dry down naturally. Thirteen percent is where they need to be, so if we get rain they actually absorb that moisture."                                    

Corn for silage harvest is ahead of the 5-year average, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Jim Renn told WTKM about the greatest thing for farmers this time of the year. 

"I think to reap the benefits. We put that seed in the ground and dependent on Mother Nature, giving us that awesome weather. We have been pretty lucky around here." 

Over 90 percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage,  according to the USDA.

The West Bend Fire Department was dispatched to Oak Street for a report of smoke near a building on Sunday, October 11 at 11 a.m.

Light smoke was in the area. It was coming from inside the building and a visible fire could be seen from the exterior.

Due to the size and condition of the building, accessing and finding the fire proved challenging.  The incident was upgraded to a Working Still Level, which brought an additional West Bend Chief, MED 12, an Engine and Chief from the Allenton Fire Department, a Rapid Intervention Team from the St. Lawrence Fire Company. Additionally, an Engine and Chief from the Newburg Fire Department along with a MED Unit from the Germantown Fire Department responded.  

The fire appeared to originate in a room inside the large building where multiple items were found to be on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished but the building remained charged with smoke. The crews worked to remove the smoke from the building and completed a primary and secondary search of the building.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, will conduct compliance checks of registered sex offenders throughout the Trick-or-Treat season.

The operation is intended to help verify that individuals subject to sex offender registry requirements and applicable supervision conditions are complying with court-ordered restrictions, registration obligations, and other legal requirements.

Compliance checks may include verification of residence, employment, vehicle, and internet identifier information, as well as compliance with conditions restricting contact with minors. During this high-risk period, the Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin Department of Corrections will increase proactive compliance efforts to ensure supervised offenders are following all applicable conditions, including strict curfews; keeping exterior porch lights off; and refraining from displaying Halloween decorations, distributing candy, or participating in trick-or-treat-related activities.

“Our priority is the safety of children, families, and neighborhoods during Halloween activities,” said Sheriff Martin Schulteis. “These coordinated compliance checks are one of several proactive steps taken to help ensure registered offenders are following the conditions placed upon them.”

The Sheriff’s Office reminds parents and guardians to supervise children during Trick-or-Treat activities, plan routes in familiar neighborhoods, and report suspicious activity or immediate safety concerns by calling 911. If you suspect a registered offender under active state supervision is violating rules, such as participating in Halloween activities, you can also contact the DOC SAFE tip hotline at 1-877-234-0085, active Monday–Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Members of the public may also access Wisconsin sex offender registry information through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ Sex Offender Registry website.

Village of Slinger President Scott Stortz will not run for re-election.

In a letter to the residents of Slinger, which was posted on Facebook, Stortz made the formal announcement.

"After many months of consideration, and well in advance of the December deadline to officially declare non-candidacy to rerun as your Village President, I'm choosing to make this formal announcement in order to give as much time as possible for as many others to consider running for this very important position."

Stortz went on to say that it has been an honor to serve over the last five and a half years.   

Menomonee Falls firefighters responded to Carl Ross Drive, in Menomonee Falls on Saturday, October 10 around 11:26 a.m.

A vehicle in an attached garage was on fire. Heavy smoke was reported from the closed garage door, eaves, and roof vents from a single-family residential building.

All of the residents were accounted for.

The fire started in the garage and extended into the attic.

Smoke and water damage were reported throughout the home.

No injuries were reported. Two firefighters were transported to a hospital for evaluation.

The Red Cross was requested.

The incident is under investigation.  

It's certainly shaping up to be a colorful fall around Wisconsin.

Fall Foliage reports say the north woods and Bayfield turned first in late September and early this month, while southern Wisconsin and the Madison area continues to create bold colors throughout October.

Northern Wisconsin has reached, or is certainly near peak fall foliage, while central and southeran parts of the state are still developing. 

Leaves are usually green during the growing season because they contain chlorophyll, which is a pigment that helps trees use sunlight to produce energy. Shorter days and cooler temperatures during autumn mean trees are preparing for winter. They gradually stop producing chlorophyll, allowing other pigments that were already present in the leaves to become visible. 

Harvest the Arts Festival is Saturday, October 10 in downtown Hartford from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

It’s showcasing artists and their artwork.

Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kate Carroll told WTKM it's a chance to show.

"What would be lovely, we know that it's not always possible for an artist to be able to demonstrate at our event. But, some are able to. What I love about this concept, is that people can see what you are creating and how long it takes you to actually make a piece. They can see it come to life. And the best part is that kids get to watch it."

Quad is the presenting sponsor for the annual event. They will once again host two Art Tours at their facility, at 1900 W. Sumner Street in Hartford during Harvest the Arts. All of the Quad plants are filled with art, including many Wisconsin artists. The tours will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Registration is required.

Food vendors will also be featured.  

The 83^nd annual meeting of the Washington County Farm Bureau was held on Tuesday, October 6 at The Columbian, in West Bend.

President John Falk told WTKM that there are concerns regarding current fuel prices. 

"Our biggest thing is, we need the government and our politicians to start focusing on the farm stuff. We have to get this fuel stuff under control. It's not where it should be. I think you are going to see a lot of farms struggle through this, it's going to be tough for some to continue. I hope as many of them as possible can stay farming, because that's what we need. I hope the government can get some stuff figured out." 

Wisconsin Farm Bureau annual meetings provide members with opportunities to connect with fellow farmers, agricultural leaders and rural community members across the state.

County Executive of Washington County Josh Schoemann was in attendance. He told WTKM that fuel prices are certainly an issue, and he is hoping for a change.

"I think I heard it four or five times tonight. Fuel prices are just a killer now. We can hope our legislators in Washington D.C. are hearing it. Hope is out there, but people are frustrated."

The 79th Alice in Dairyland Anastasia Poull was the special guest. 

These meetings help shape the Farm Bureau's priorities, while giving members a chance to stay informed on issues impacting Wisconsin agriculture. 

Homecoming seems to officially begin with encouraging words painted on storefronts. It really fills downtown Hartford with plenty of school spirit.

And then, all of the fun begins.

Hartford Union High School students brought plenty of cozy vibes on the first day, dressed in pajamas for "Vacation of Your Dreams Day." 

There were many cool cats with leather jackets on the second day of Homecoming, along with Hawaiian shirts for "Surfers vs Bikers Day."

Wednesday, October 7 featured one of the most popular Homecoming events, as the freshmen played the juniors and the sophomores faced the seniors in powderpuff football games at Gib Mahr Field. All of the proceeds go toward the Hartford Food Pantry. The juniors and seniors earned a spot in the championship game, with the seniors crowned Powderpuff Champions this year. It was well deserved. 

The halls were full of color as everyone represented their class on the third day.

Seniors: Blue Juniors: Red Sophomores: Green Freshmen: Yellow Staff: Purple.

Hartford's Homecoming Parade is Friday, October 9 at 1:30 p.m. in downtown Hartford.

"The parade is a tradition for the kids," according to Hartford Union High School Activities and Athletic Director Scott Helms. "Our teams and clubs are represented. They work hard on the floats and get creative with it. We look forward to it."

The Homecoming football game between Hartford and Slinger Friday night, October 9 at Hartford Union High School is much more than a game. It’s about raising funds that go directly to cancer research and support.

Slinger High School head football coach Bill Jacklin told WTKM how it started. In October of 2011, with Slinger football coach  Kevin Wilkinson and his wife Julie. They initiated the first Coaches vs Cancer football game fundraising event in collaboration with Hartford Union High School. 

"One of my assistant coaches started it, Kevin Wilkinson, with the first year of the Slinger and Hartford football game. He had postate cancer and died a month after the season. He started this whole thing and I think he would be proud of what it has become. Hartford's coach, John Redders and I understand that cancer has affected both of our lives. It's more than a game, more than football. It's both communities coming together."  

A traveling trophy was created and has been rededicated a number of times to become the Wilkinson-Redders-Jacklin Memorial Trophy.  

Last year, the event raised $20,592.95—bringing their 15-year total to well over $200,000.

T-shirt sales also contribute to the event, along with various fundraising efforts that traditionally take place during the game.

This year’s Homecoming theme for Hartford Union High School is "Night in Paradise."