WEST BEND — Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann became the first candidate from a major party to file papers to run for governor in the 2026 fall election is the second candidate to file papers for the 2026 governors race with independent candidate Alexander Kent also having filed papers to run Tony Evers has yet to file papers for the race according to the Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System The Daily News reached out to Schoemann’s campaign team for a statement on his running for governor but they declined to give one at this time Schoemann will make a formal announcement that he is running for governor on Sunday at a Summer Kickoff Cookout event The event is expected to last for two hours The Summer Kickoff Cookout is free to attend, but you must register to reserve your spot. You can register for the Summer Kickoff Cookout online, at tinyurl.com/mtwsp78m 10 things to know this week from the WOW counties (Waukesha Ozaukee and Washington) sent on Sundays Get the latest Washington County news delivered every day so you don't miss out on updates Have Washington County breaking news alerts sent to your inbox as they happen Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: When I read about the Paulding County Master Gardeners in the April 14 I have been a member of the Allen County Indiana I was co-chair of the Leo Grabill Garden Club We had many meetings with upward of 40 people The head of the Master Gardeners was Ricky Kimmrey but after he retired I did not remain an active member Fort Wayne has a National Garden Club but I have never participated Our Master Gardeners gave  lectures at the Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show and also sold seeds We had two plant sales each year and other projects One field trip was going to Meijer Gardens at Grand Rapids Michigan If the Paulding County Group would like a day trip and it is fun just to walk through and spend some time The Leo area has a million dollar private Garden but the gentleman will not be taking groups a great deal longer If your group has never visited Strait Gate Nursery at Hicksville A fun day trip would be to The Grabill Candy Store Souder and Sons General Store,) One of the few General stores in existence Ask Beth or Sasha at the candy store where the Grabill Secret Garden is It is patterned after The Purdue Secret Garden The Grabill Prairie has a 3/4 MI sidewalk encompassing a wetland with an abundance of wildflowers in summertime The Purdue Secret Garden was put in in 1923 and was patterned after that the popular book “The Secret Garden,” By Francis Hodgkin Looking back if you could plan events that young people might get interested in gardening We had several children show up on my established flower gardens in Grabill you need to find a way to turn things over to the youth Military History in Paulding County  FORGOTTEN SMELT? Master Gardeners  I’m Walking in Victory WT Grover Hill Elem. Announces April Students of the Month The Left Turn By: Mark Holtsberry Charles Frederick Pio was born October 25 Continue Reading → Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker What is a smelt I had heard of them but never had the pleasure of meeting one or eating one so the idea of a Smelt Fry peaked my interest Some of my friends told me this delicious smelt fry was… Continue Reading → has put a sign up on the entrance to the restaurant telling customers that the establishment has closed permanently in the city "I greatly apologize for this inconvenience and hope that you all continue to be guests at Applebee’s," read the note from staff "We enjoyed our time here with you as guests The restaurant is listed as "permanently closed" on its Facebook page Applebee’s website listing Wisconsin locations has also removed the West Bend Applebee’s from its listing The Daily News reached out to both the West Bend Applebee’s and Applebee’s media relations for comment on why the restaurant closed over the weekend Applebee’s in the surrounding areas have closed Company officials confirmed the West Bend Applebee's The company did not provide a reason for its closure The Delafield Applebee's, 3100 Golf Road, closed last month due to an unexpected eviction A company official confirmed the West Allis location permanently closed in March Other Milwaukee-area locations that recently closed More: McBrats and Teenie Beanies: West Bend woman reflects on 44 years at McDonald’s More: This fast-growing health and nutrition chain is opening a Bayshore and West Bend location Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application of West Bend passed away peacefully on April 27 at Froedtert West Bend Hospital surrounded by his loving family and dear friends in Milwaukee to Patrick and Lois Lathrop (nee Littmann) He worked for Marsh Electronics his entire career He specialized in sports and music memorabilia and cheering for his favorite teams – San Francisco Giants Those Tom leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife of 33 years Michael (Joan) Lathrop and Patrick Lathrop Jr; mother-in-law Kathleen Harmon; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and Dawn (Scott) Heibler; nieces and nephews and Helaina Heibler; niece and goddaughter Jack; as well as other relatives and friends VISITATION: Tom’s family will greet relatives and friends on Friday until 6:15 at Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service – 1315 W Washington St SERVICE: A Funeral Service in remembrance of Tom will take place at 6:30 p.m on Friday at the funeral home with Deacon Mike Koebel officiating Inurnment will be at Washington County Memorial Park at a later date memorials in Tom’s name can be directed to the American Kidney Fund or Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Froedtert West Bend Hospital and Fresenious Dialysis Center in West Bend for their care and compassion and Interfaith Caregivers for their kindness and transportation services over the years Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Tom’s arrangements For additional information or to leave an online condolence on the tribute wall Add to Calendar Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service - West Bend Add to Calendar This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors A preliminary layout and location of the new West Bend Skatepark in Regner Park shows roughly 23,700 square feet for the skate park WEST BEND — The West Bend Parks and Recreation Department in cooperation with the Friends of the West Bend Skatepark have begun fundraising efforts for the construction of the new West Bend Skatepark in Regner Park the city identified a need to either improve or relocate its skating facilities to address safety and space issues the West Bend Parks and Recreation Commission approved the location for the development of a new skate park electing to erect the new facilities at Regner Park now comes the process of actually funding the project the organization is offering the opportunity for community members to become "Regner Riders," and make a donation to help make this project a reality with each coming with its own "title" and bonuses: ■ $250 donors earn the "Regner Rat" designation and a T-shirt The city clarified that a "rat" refers to an individual who places a strong emphasis on their sport of choice ■ $500 donors earn the Regner Ripper" designation and two T-shirts ■ $1000 donors earn the "Regner Rider" designation two T-shirts and special recognition for being a larger donor Anyone willing to make a donation can send an email to inbox@friendsofwestbendskatepark.onmicrosoft.com to have the fillable Donation Form PDF sent to them Forms and payments can be mailed to: Friends of the West Bend Skatepark 1115 S I overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony My faith is the victory that overcomes the world The favor of God surrounds me like a shield God goes before me making the crooked places straight and opening doors that no man can shut I have the mind of Christ and hold the thoughts I have the mind of the Holy Spirit which is life and peace The Holy Spirit dwells within me and directs me I have an unction from the Holy One and I know all things The Holy Spirit is leading me and guiding me into all truth He is revealing things to me and showing me things to come I have been born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God which lives and abides forever Old things have passed away and all things have become new I am created in His image and in His likeness I am seated with Christ in heavenly places I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus God loves me and nothing can separate me from His love I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might I have been created by God to prosper and make a difference in this world viruses and infections cannot live on my body The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus flows throughout every cell WEST BEND — The West Bend Police Department has taken a 20year-old Milwaukee man into custody following an altercation that occurred on Sunday a West Bend officer in the downtown area was approached by a man on Monday just before 10:30 a.m inquiring about a shooting that occurred in the 200 block of North Main Street the previous evening and West Bend officers and detectives immediately initiated an investigation a 44-year-old Horicon woman came to the West Bend Police Department to report discovering a bullet hole in her vehicle which had been parked in the 200 block of North Main Street on Sunday evening The investigation revealed that at approximately 8:30 p.m a verbal and physical altercation involving two groups of now-identified individuals occurred in the 200 block of North Main Street the Milwaukee man reportedly pulled a handgun and fired it in the direction of others There were no reported injuries from the shooting assisted by the Milwaukee Police Department executed a search warrant at the Milwaukee man’s residence and took him into custody The man is being held in the Washington County Jail on a charge of attempted first-degree intentional homicide “This incident serves as a reminder that law enforcement works collaboratively with the community emphasizing the importance of reporting suspicious activity,” the department said in the release Say Something.’” If anyone has additional information about this incident the department asks that they contact the West Bend Police Department at 262-335-5000 The West Bend Honor Guard leads the way during the 2024 West Bend Memorial Day Parade The 2025 West Bend Memorial Day Parade will be held on May 26 Ray Dickop American Legion Post 36 announced recently a slate of military events and days that will be celebrated throughout May which is National Military Appreciation Month National Military Appreciation Month was first designated on April 30 with the initial proposal coming from deceased U.S May is also the Month of the Military Caregiver the West Bend Legion will be recognizing several significant dates as well as holding events honoring military members ■ Loyalty Day: Loyalty Day is celebrated today It was started by President Dwight Eisenhower as a day for declaring loyalty to the United States and to acknowledge American history ■ Public Service Recognition Week: Between May 5 and 11 Public Service Recognition Week honors people who serve our nation as federal signifying the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany’s unconditional surrender ■ Military Spouse Appreciation Day: On May 9 Military Spouse Appreciation Day is held to acknowledge the significant contributions support and sacrifices made by spouses of military members ■ Children of Fallen Patriots Day: Held on May 13 this day recognizes the children who have lost a parent in the line of duty Armed Forces Day is held to pay tribute to the military personnel serving in the United States Armed Forces The day is held following Armed Forces Week American Legion Riders and volunteers will gather at local cemeteries at 9 a.m to place flags at the gravesites of veterans The public is invited to participate in this event the West Bend Legion and fellow veterans organizations will pay tribute to the service members who have fallen in the line of duty The West Bend Memorial Day Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the West Bend Memorial Day Program following immediately after at the Washington County Veterans Memorial located adjacent to the Old Courthouse Museum A pre-parade will also be held before the Memorial Day Parade during which the Legion will visit West Bend cemeteries to pay tribute to the veterans laid to rest there The public is invited to participate in the pre-parade a Moment of Silence Ceremony will also be held at 3 p.m following the 2025 Memorial Day Parade and Program it will also be putting up a Memorial Day display at the West Bend Community Memorial Library which will be viewable by the public from May 22 through June 2 SIGN UP OH — Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative (PPEC) is proud to announce the recipients of its scholarship and youth program opportunities A total of $10,000 in scholarships was awarded to local students along with several students selected to represent the co-op in statewide and national youth leadership experiences PPEC awarded eight scholarships through its Children of Members Scholarship Program and future goals of high school seniors whose families are PPEC members Plans to attend Rhodes State College to major in nursing Laney will also compete for an additional statewide scholarship through Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives in April Plans to major in biology with a marine/aquatic focus and minor in horticulture or botany at either Miami University or Bowling Green State University Plans to study elementary education at either Purdue University West Lafayette or Purdue Fort Wayne Kalida High School – Plans to study engineering or computer science at The Ohio State University or the University of Cincinnati Ottawa-Glandorf High School – Plans to major in primary education at The Ohio State University – Lima or the University of Toledo Ottoville High School – Will study motorsports marketing at the University of Northwestern Ohio Lincolnview High School – Plans to pursue a nursing degree at the University of Cincinnati Ottawa-Glandorf High School – Will study music education at the University of Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music The $1,500 Community Champion Scholarship is awarded to a student who has made a positive impact in their community based on nominations or letters of recommendation a senior at Woodlan High School and the daughter of Jodee Hirsch Olivia plans to attend Purdue Fort Wayne to major in business administration She has made a significant impact through efforts like starting her school’s Polar Plunge team helping Woodlan become a “Champions Together School,” and volunteering with the humane society During PPEC’s annual meeting broadcast on March 22 ten $500 scholarships were awarded through a random drawing open to members and their children pursuing college Two high school sophomores will represent PPEC on the 2025 Youth Tour to Washington D.C. Youth Tour offers students a once-in-a-lifetime leadership experience in our nation’s capital Nearly 40 Ohio students and over 1,800 nationwide will attend Four local middle school students will attend Camp Kilowatt an interactive energy camp for incoming seventh graders held June 4-7 at Camp Tecumseh in Brookston Camp Kilowatt features fun and educational activities like bucket truck rides and a live line safety demonstration to help students learn about electricity and safety while building leadership skills and friendships Applications for all PPEC youth programs – including scholarships and Camp Kilowatt – open in December and close in February each year visit www.PPEC.coop/BrightFutures or call 800-686-2357 to Norman and Mary Elizabeth Schaub (Pesch) Frances Cabrini grade school where he forged lifelong friendships and graduated in 1988 from West Bend West High School at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend Brad spent his career working for and then as co-owner of the family business His union crews were responsible for the framing & drywalling of countless commercial properties throughout southeastern WI Brad was also the brawn behind Carrie’s gift shop they poured their love into creating a “happy place” for the West Bend community Growing up in the family sport of boat racing He raced throughout the country winning national titles in JSH (1984) and 25SSR (1991) He retired from racing in 1999 after winning the SST45 National & World titles and was subsequently inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions Brad’s greatest achievement was the life and home he built for his family he understood the potential adventure in every sunrise Whether hiking the local Cedar Lakes Conservancy trails or trekking across the Rockies coaching kids football or cheering on his favorite team Those Brad leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife of 31 years and Jane Schaub; his four beloved grandsons Wayne & Trudy Krejcarek; brothers/sisters-in-law and Mike (Lisa) Krejcarek; and numerous nieces & nephews VISITATION: The family will greet guests on Tuesday SERVICE: A Memorial Mass in remembrance of Brad will take place at 1:00 p.m on Tuesday at Holy Angels with Father Charlie Zabler officiating Memorials in Brad’s honor can be made to the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation (theclcf.org) Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Brad’s arrangements Add to Calendar Add to Calendar The Bend Theater was packed with “Benders” coming out to see the debut showing of the West Bend episode of “John McGivern’s Main Streets” on Tuesday and Lois Maurer talk about their experiences filming “John McGivern’s Main Streets” at the show’s preview showing in West Bend WEST BEND — The Bend Theater was sold out on Tuesday evening for a special community preview showing of the newest episode of "John McGivern’s Main Streets," featuring West Bend The 28-minute episode features McGivern and co-host Emmy Fink as they explore the city showcasing a number of West Bend businesses and attractions Mayor Joel Ongert took a moment to express his excitement for the opportunity to show off the city its attractions and businesses to people who might not know about them "Everybody in this theater knows how great the Norbert is "What we’re excited most about tonight are for the people who don’t know how great those places are we’re excited to welcome those people to our great community in West Bend." McGivern and his team took the stage to address the crowd and talk about their show as well as their experience filming in West Bend McGivern noted that one of his favorite parts of doing debut events like this one is to see the reactions of the people featured in the episode we like to stand in the back when we do these community previews because we like to watch the people who were in the show,” McGivern said you realize what happened; we showed up at your place of work or the place that you live put a mic and a camera on you and talked for another 15 minutes ‘I only got a minute?’” McGivern also joked and talked about some of his favorite experiences in West Bend which included his experiences going to Ray’s Shoe Repair and Regal Ware McGivern learned about the shoe repair industry and got a pair of shoes re-soled he got to learn the history of the company the innovations that the organization has made in the industry and even got to help make some product “(At Regal Ware) I walked through their museum and looked at all of the stuff that was part of my childhood my house on the east side of Milwaukee,” said McGivern “I talked with Ryan (Reigle) and with the guy that was ‘my boss’ for about an hour and a half They did say that tonight ‘we’ll get you a pot ‘The good one.”’ For those who were unable to attend the showing the episode is set to premier on PBS Wisconsin at 7 p.m McGivern also announced that he will be returning to West Bend this September to take part in a fundraiser at the Silver Linings Arts Center for the West Bend COLUMNS Scholarship Foundation so community members can come out for that as well Head Start has received strong bipartisan support as a proven and effective model for early childhood education full-day education and wraparound support services for low-income children ages 0–5 and their families Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) Head Start supports 344 children across Defiance Many of these children face significant challenges—from food insecurity to instability in the home Head Start becomes more than a preschool — it becomes a safe Director of Child Development at NOCAC Head Start Over 250 families in NOCAC’s Head Start service area will lose access to affordable full-day care and education if funding is cut entirely While other childcare and preschool options exist Many are part-time or unaffordable for families living paycheck to paycheck NOCAC Head Start employs over 90 staff—a quarter of whom are former Head Start parents who now serve their communities as teachers Their lived experience allows them to connect with and support families in meaningful compassionate ways that strengthen the program from within more than 27,000 children and pregnant women are served by Head Start and Early Head Start programs annually Over 21,000 parents are able to work or attend school because of the support the program provides Research consistently shows that every $1 invested in Head Start returns $7–$10 in long-term economic benefits the program also partners with public schools and local colleges—connections that would be severed if funding is lost but a range of essential community service programs are under threat—such as the HEAP and PIP utility assistance programs and food distribution through government commodities boxes These are vital supports our communities rely on to remain housed The Norbert has its pulse on fine dining while keeping its small-town appeal the Milwaukee restaurant scene is booming with new spots and classic jaunts It can be easy to forget about some surrounding areas with equally good places I’d heard about The Norbert from a friend who went years ago but I decided to make a Saturday night dedicated to hanging out in West Bend with my mom I’m slowly becoming an early bird special kind of gal We had a reservation for two people at the chef’s counter at 5 p.m. We walked around Main Street a bit before noticing something was playing at the West Bend Theatre which was why The Norbert had a decent crowd when we arrived Both restaurants are named after his grandparents When I asked him about the story behind the concept “We’re progressive world cuisine and shareable plates was a far-fetched idea in West Bend at the Norbert’s inception a little over 10 years ago we found tremendous support in our beautiful little community and a genuine desire for our product from or neighbors.” Good enough for me he graciously walked us to our chef’s counter seats where we met executive Chef Collin Reigle and his staff We were right up in front of all the action just like watching and episode of “The Bear” (just not from our living rooms) I entrusted the kitchen to send me their highlights The menu consists of many shareable plates desserts and a bar menu that includes beers you know Little did I know how much food was coming our way so I apologize if this sounds more like me reading the menu to you scallion) and the housemade Focaccia (maple whipped ricotta I’ll admit I want a deviled egg whenever I see it on a menu—it’s something I never make for myself The focaccia was perfectly toasted to complement the creamy whipped ricotta on its side we had a very long series of small and large plates: Brussels Sprouts (ginger and soy glaze I don’t even know where to start because each thing was better and different than the next My mom is a person who sticks to what she knows and likes and almost always wants to try the burger when we’re out and I noticed a lot of other people were ordering it or their steak sandwich I implore people reading this to go outside their comfort zone and try some things on this menu you might not usually choose The standouts for me personally were the Salmon Crudo which was perfectly dressed with Korean mint and vinaigrette The Pork Ragu had so much flavor in a dish that might look simple at first glance the Shrimp Dashi was unlike anything I’ve had before I’d be willing to drive 45 minutes just for that Chef Colin explained all the work that goes into the dashi broth but I don’t think I can do it justice here The perfectly cooked shrimp and spaghetti squash noodles made for a spoonful of greatness in every bite “How could there possibly be any more to this story?” is when the desserts started coming out We tasted the Bread Puddin’ (whiskey butter caramel Chocolate & Pistachio Cake (pistachio praline and the Citrus Pavlova (blood orange marmalade the Bread Puddin’ was beyond delicious but that’s always my thing on a dessert menu I think it’s safe to say that we were truly spoiled saying it was one of the best meals she’s ever had “It’s all so beautiful I don’t want to eat it!” But we sure did eat it all Chef Colin said they like throwing different flavors at dishes to see what sticks I’m very much looking forward to what’s next from the team and plan to make the trek out to West Bend again soon Did this restaurant know you are a food critic/writer for the Shepherd your experience & review would be of no use to ordinary diners Sort of sounds like they were expecting her.. Sort of sounds like they were expecting her Get the latest news from Shepherd Express delivered directly to your inbox of West Bend was called home to be with the Lord on March 24 at Froedtert West Bend Hospital surrounded by his loving family in West Bend to Leroy and Sally Strupp (Kuechler) He was united in marriage to Anna Tomasek on April 15 Jim graduated from Slinger High School in 1975 He did everything from cooking to construction to owning a campground He rounded it all off by spending over twenty years working in maintenance for the Cedar Community Jim was a volunteer firefighter and EMT for over twenty years Jim’s favorite hobby was fishing on Lake Winnebago or Big Arbor Vitae Lake He loved being outdoors whether he was relaxing by the water or working in the garden sometimes working two or three jobs at a time He finally found a way to keep moving while relaxing on cruise ships spent as much time cruising the Caribbean as possible and enjoying life Jim was a dedicated father and grandfather He never missed a basketball game or school musical Always making sure he was there to cheer them on He made sure he took care of all the needs of his wife They would have been celebrating 23 years of marriage this year No one could have asked for a better husband Their love for each other will live on for a lifetime Those Jim leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife and Justin (Rebecca) Mahan-Stupp; three granddaughters The family invites you to join them in celebrating Jim’s life on Tuesday April 8th from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at The Brazen Head Pub in West Bend and staff at Froedtert West Bend Hospital for their care and compassion Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Jim’s arrangements 2025 announced that former newspaper reporter Kali Thiel has been hired as its next communications director Thiel has nearly two decades of experience in communications with her most recent role being the director of university communications for Concordia University from 2015-25 Thiel served as editor and lead author of the school’s alumni and stakeholder magazine earning a Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) award in 2019.  Thiel worked as a reporter with Gannett Media earning a first-place award in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association (WNA) Foundation Better Newspaper Contest Her duties include supervising West Bend Community Television Visit West Bend (both tourism promotion and development) and both internal and external communication strategies for the city Thiel may be reached via email at comm@westbendwi.gov When McDonald's owner Steve Kilian first met employee Jane Sterr decades ago he knew she had the work ethic to do well in the company she had already been working at the restaurant for 10 years and Kilian had just bought the West Bend McDonald's Sterr had already been working at that location since 1980 Kilian said he felt Sterr wanted to see if he would be a good boss Kilian said he felt she was intimidated because she knew her job and he was not sure if she would warm up to him When Kilian tried breaking the ice with Sterr he did so with a seemingly innocuous fact about himself: "I am from Chicago," he said Bad move: Sterr was a fiercely loyal Packer fan But everything worked out between them — even with the football rivalry Sterr ended up staying at the West Bend south side McDonald's for 44 years working both at its current location at 1140 S and its previous one across the street where AutoZone currently sits "(I) never had to worry about her being late Sterr loved her morning shift working drive-thru "She never really talked about leaving; the closest was when I tried to make her manager," Kilian recalled many of her regular customers stopped in to say goodbye "It was very emotional," Sterr said about her last day One thing Sterr liked about McDonald's is that the company accommodated her schedule when she had her son The full-time morning shift was a perfect fit While she could enjoy watching her son grow up who was 7 when Sterr started working with Kilian So Sterr saw this 7-year-old evolve into her boss It was the same with Sterr's regular customers in the drive-thru; with a blink of an eye and I knew them when they were born," she said Working at McDonald's for more than four decades Sterr saw the rise of different food products and enjoyed seeing how customers would react to them Because the McBrat was presented during the Christmas season Sterr wondered how customers would take to it "Usually everyone liked (brats) over the summer," she said Sterr also recalls when the McRib was introduced in 1981 The barbecued pork patty shaped like a miniature rack of ribs with onions and pickles was "a messy sandwich" to make She also remembers seeing how customers reacted to the McDLT pickles and ketchup on a toasted sesame seed bun was that the packaging had the hot items on one side and the cold items on the other Sterr said she enjoyed that large groups that would dine and gather at McDonald's While her son had his birthday party there once she liked it when kids had parties at McDonald's with a McDonald's employee as a host She said she loved when they had a school night when schools would come and the proceeds helped the schools Who could forget the Teenie Beanies that were insanely popular in the late '90s Teenie Beanies were miniature Beanie Babies that included Spunky the Cocker Spaniel Rocket the Blue Jay and Iggy the Iguana with the International Bear Collection Some people wanted to collect them for their own enjoyment while others wanted to see if they could buy them Sterr said cars were backed up onto the street to come in and some people were upset they had to buy the food and not just the toy McDonald's Cheddar Melt sandwichSo what was Sterr's favorite McDonald's sandwich "It was different with the rye bun and the cheddar cheese," she said Sterr got to know her regular customers so well that when they'd pull up to the drive-thru and begin their order Kilian said Sterr would finish it for them "She knew what the customers wanted," he said Sterr said that when she would see a car pull up in the drive-thru or hear a customer's voice She said she even knew what time certain customers would come through If a customer did not come for a week or two it often meant they were away from home for a while or on vacation More: Here are 10 eateries that opened in Milwaukee's north suburbs in 2024 More: Trump's inauguration, Martin Luther King Day on same date this year. What to know Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com — Imagine receiving a message from a celebrity that sparks an exciting It sounds like a scenario straight out of a movie Technology can connect us across vast distances the potential for romance has never felt more attainable But the digital world can also contain significant dangers A West Bend woman wants to warn others about the alarming trend of scammers impersonating celebrities after her husband became ensnared in a scheme involving a scammer posing as Nancy Wilson of the rock band HEART HEART is back on the road for a national tour that includes a stop in Milwaukee. In a recent social media post "I will never contact you for personal information or solicitation of any kind." Wilson has posted similar warnings in the past the allure of an online connection led the man to send money to a stranger discovered what was going on when she noticed unusual cash advances on their credit card addressing her husband's fixation with the online fraud Zirbes discovered a trove of messages indicating her husband had not only sent money but had also professed his love for a person he had never met in real life like I never fell before," he confessed to Zirbes Zirbes believes her husband was targeted after joining a Nancy Wilson fan group on Facebook. She eventually came across AI-enhanced videos of Wilson, known as "deep fakes" many soliciting money for ridiculous reasons including a request for $600 to dock a jet at the West Bend Airport Watch: West Bend woman fears her husband is trapped in a celebrity romance scam He told everything to this scammer—where we live highlighting the vulnerability that comes with online interactions Zirbes turned to the West Bend Police Department hoping officers could intervene and help her husband understand that he was being taken advantage of Public Information Officer Brian McAndrews noted but similar scams are reported almost daily.” He added that tracking these digital predators poses significant challenges these scammers can operate from anywhere in the world and it’s hard to trace the money once it leaves the United States.” The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently reported that romance scammers stole over $1 billion in 2023 with expectations for 2024 numbers to be comparable Zirbes suspects her husband may have given the scammer up to $1,000 but also believes her husband may never fully disclose the extent of the deception senior director of investigations at the Better Business Bureau notes that shame often prevents victims from coming forward but she also points out that reporting incidents can help protect others “We want to know what scams are going around so that we can warn the public,” Schiller emphasized urging victims to share their experiences to combat these growing threats You can report a scam using the BBB's Scam Tracker. You can also check to see if you are being targeted by a known scam Despite candid advice from West Bend police to cut off contact with the scammer Zirbes fears her husband remains convinced of the legitimacy of the relationship "We’ve referred them to aging and disability resource centers and suggested they talk to family members to convince him he shouldn’t be giving away their hard-earned money." The emotional toll of fraud goes far beyond financial loss; it can strain and even dismantle relationships Estrelieta fears that her 19-year marriage is in jeopardy Her hope is simple yet profound: “I just want my husband to wake up and hope he’ll stop believing.” but the dangers they pose are real and can have devastating consequences Beware of relationships that escalate too rapidly and be skeptical of anyone who refuses to talk to you through a video chat Share online interactions with trusted friends and family—they can provide a reality check never send money to someone you don't know Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more. Report a typo or error Report a typo The City of West Bend announced on Sunday that the city’s in-person absentee voting for the April 1 spring election is scheduled to begin on Tuesday WEST BEND — The City of West Bend announced on Sunday morning that the city’s in-person absentee voting for the April 1 spring election is scheduled to begin on Tuesday voting will be open to electors from all districts on weekdays from 8 a.m and more by going online and visiting myvote.wi.gov For more information on the West Bend elections including curbside voting information for those with disabilities visit the elections tab on the city’s website at tinyurl.com/4bps9599 Citizens can register to vote, preview a ballot, and more by going online and visiting myvote.wi.gov. For more information on the West Bend elections, including curbside voting information for those with disabilities, sample ballots and more, visit the elections tab on the city’s website at tinyurl.com/4bps9599 WEST BEND — Candidates Rhett Engelking and Micheal Hartwell both advanced in the Feb 18 primary election for West Bend District 2 alderman and now they are set to face off once again in the upcoming April 1 general election to see who will win the District 2 seat on the West Bend Common Council The seat had been held by Alderman Mark Allen who decided not to run for re-election this spring The Daily News reached out to both of the candidates with the following questions ahead of the April 1 election and below are their answers (in the order they will appear on the ballot): Daily News: In the Daily News primary preview Which of these do you believe to be the most important to improving West Bend Engelking: Improving West Bend for me begins with conveying a sense of safety in the community I believe wholeheartedly in what Martin Luther King Jr called the “beloved community” and that starts with protecting people’s basic need for safety Promoting safety in our community is about responsiveness I’d like to ensure that law enforcement and other first responders in our community are well prepared and feel supported and secure in their positions The City of West Bend has excellent first responders that work tirelessly to keep our community safe and I’m honored to have received the endorsement of the West Bend Firefighters Union (L2025) I find it difficult to decouple safety from addressing infrastructure concerns and business growth and recognize that they are inherently intertwined energy efficiency and other infrastructure needs are most definitely public safety concerns Ensuring a thriving business community starts from envisioning West Bend as the type of place where people find it safe to invest their lives and businesses and then working cooperatively to make it so If the first thing people experience in West Bend is a road in disrepair or crime they are going to question whether this is the right place to invest their future it is not what I believe to be the most important but what my constituents within District 2 believe to be the most important all of these issues are very important to the community My ultimate goal is to make West Bend the best place to “work live and play,” with public safety being the priority however none of that will matter if citizens do not feel safe living in West Bend or for visitors to come to West Bend While we may not need to improve public safety we need to continue to be emulated by other municipalities both roads and utilities beneath them are at the top of the list while keeping taxes in check Daily News: An ordinance to increase the pay of West Bend alderman and the mayor by 35% was approved by the West Bend Common Council what are your thoughts on the council approving the pay hike for council and mayor Engelking: While this is now a settled matter what I appreciated in the council’s process of examining the issue was a willingness to compromise and respond to the very real concerns of stakeholders in the pay hike discussion The wage hadn’t changed since 2004 and inflation hits city employees just as much as taxpayers I suggested in a previous interview that the Council was wise to compare West Bend’s salary rate to other localities to find a reasonable figure for a wage I believe that a laborer deserves his or her wage it is not ideal that the law is written so as to have the council determine their own pay raises but at least the raise is for the next council term I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t think that the West Bend Common Council could benefit from having a variety of voices This includes the voices of workers such as myself with young and growing families who have a vested interest in ensuring that the community continues to respond to our needs As someone who did not come from wealth nor is living on a pension I appreciate that there is some pay associated with this position since it means that working individuals can be compensated for what amounts to considerable overtime work Hartwell: The initial proposal from Alderman Allen for a salary increase of nearly 70% was excessive and the justification of needing the raise to afford a babysitter was outlandish provided that additional information was made available The Common Council responded by gathering more information and subsequently reducing the proposed increase to 35% This 35% adjustment aligns the salary for an alderman in West Bend with those in comparable municipalities of similar size supervisors on the County Board receive approximately $6,600 per year and convene once a month whereas the Common Council meets twice a month The approved salary increase will take effect in May 2027 ensuring it does not impact any current members of the Common Council or the current election cycle the West Bend Common Council approved the creation of Tax Incremental District (TID) #17 in the city What are your thoughts on the city using TIDs to encourage investment in West Bend Engelking: It is my understanding that TIDs are largely how growth projects have been done in this City for quite some time as it is the only tool the state allows to encourage development within municipalities There are positives associated with TIDs; I appreciate the increased tax revenue that TIDs can provide the city which is vetted by a thorough analysis prior to implementation of the TID approval I also see the benefit of additional housing options that they provide with new construction comes the potential for city roads to be repaired without using our limited taxpayer funds but are paid for with Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) funds any development project like this may have an impact on the community and should be carefully considered It is important that we remain in active dialogue about how these projects impact our neighbors and provide transparency in decision making with them it is my vocation to resolve conflicts and find workable solutions When I think of what a responsive alderman looks like I envision someone cooperatively dialoguing with those primarily impacted by every major decision the Council makes I would want to be assured that the project proposed would meet the needs of a dependable future tax base Hartwell: Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs) have the potential to contribute to municipal growth if they are well planned I have a concern regarding the 35% residential component within TID #17 a subdivision near the South Industrial Park led to dozens of noise complaints due to nearby manufacturing it is important to consider lessons from these past issues Experience with the city and long-term involvement in the community can be valuable assets to the Common Council in addressing such concerns See all of our election coverage at gmtoday.com/elections Read more of our election coverage at gmtoday.com/elections To see every race and referendum that will be on your ballot, visit myvote.wi.gov and click on the "What's On My Ballot?" button Previous elected/appointed roles: 6 years on the Board of Directors for Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington Years living in West Bend District 2: I have lived in District 2 for 2 years I have worked and lived in the community for over 37 years Occupation: Retired Police Lieutenant from the West Bend Police Department was called home to be with the Lord on February 2 at her home surrounded by her loving family in West Bend to Herman and Aletta Quaas (nee Peters) John’s Lutheran grade school and graduated from West Bend High School in 1955 Mert was a talented and gifted baker and made the most wonderful meals (no one was going to leave her home hungry!) Mert and Dan enjoyed taking in the beauty of the country in their RV where they traveled to places like Florida and Arizona and were able to watch birds and admire the wildlife Summertimes were spent rummaging and looking for “treasures.” In the winter she enjoyed playing cards and games with her children and great-grandchildren – they were her world Mert’s most favorite thing in life was being a loving wife Spending time with her family was her biggest passion Those Mert leaves behind to carry on that passion include her husband and Shelly (Jay Leiknes) Braatz; grandchildren and Tenley Hietpas; Miles and Elle Fischer Orlean (the late Gene) Lepien; as well as in-laws Mert was preceded in death by her siblings VISITATION: Mert’s family will greet relatives and friends on Monday at Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service (1315 W SERVICE: A Memorial Service in remembrance of Mert will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home with Pastors Jonathan Vierkant and Robert Korytkowski officiating.  The livestream of the Memorial Service can be seen at:  https://vimeo.com/event/4911321 Inurnment will be in Washington County Memorial Park in West Bend at a later date.  Memorials in Mert’s name can be directed to St and staff at Cedar Community and Commonheart Hospice for their care and compassion Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Mert’s arrangements Add to Calendar Add to Calendar A health food chain that's added several suburban locations in the last five years is going to add two more Nona Nutrition will be opening a Bayshore and West Bend location later this year Owner Seth Knapp said Nona Nutrition was launched in 2018 "from a place of passion." He said it is "all things health and nutrition." Its first store opened in Pewaukee (at 1350 Capitol Drive) in 2019 Nona has opened locations in Delafield (525 Main St.) Elm Grove (13320 Watertown Plank Road) and Mequon (1400 W When will the Bayshore and West Bend locations of Nona Nutrition open?Knapp said the Bayshore location should open by the end of the summer or early fall and the West Bend location should open in the fall Knapp said the Bayshore location will be at 5800 N The West Bend location will be at the Sendik's Plaza Nona Nutrition has açaí smoothie bowls with many different add-ons including protein enhancers Other menu items are a Paradise Bowl (with a base of Brazilian açaí and whey protein) and the Ultimate Green Bowl (with a base of Brazilian açaí Both include grain-free coconut cashew granola toasted coconut flakes and raw honey toppings What kinds of smoothies are on the menu?Nona Nutrition offers more than 10 different smoothies Options include lavender lemon blueberry (lavender superfood creamer and whey protein); pink dragon (dragon fruit raw honey and banana whey protein) and green dream (spinach Nona Nutrition offers traditional coffee drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos as well as specialty coffees including a maple lavender latte and a vanilla honeycomb latte For more information, visit nonanutrition.com or facebook.com/nonalakecountry More: Indoor pickleball, a bakery and a gift shop are now open in Menomonee Falls and West Bend Years living in district/municipality: 5 years Occupation: Cosmetology Owner Operator by trade and primarily a Stay-at-Home Parent Prior elected/appointed positions: West Bend School Board (3 years) West Bend Curriculum Committee Chair (3 years) West Bend School Board Clerk (2 years) and Washington County Head Start Policy Council (2 years) WEST BEND — With the April 1 election in a little over a week the Daily News provided candidates in each contested race a chance to introduce themselves and give local voters an idea about who they are voting for three candidates are competing for two seats on the West Bend School Board: John Donaldson Ehrgott and Pichler submitted responses to the Daily News’ questionnaires The Daily News reached out multiple times to Donaldson but he did not respond to any of the inquiries Daily News: What inspires you to run for this position I am invested in education and its impact on all students I want to be a voice for families in our district and ensuring every child receives the support they require My personal experiences as a mother have fueled my passion for improving our schools and I have a particular interest in curriculum selection and advocating for special needs should have access to a high-quality education that meets their individual needs and I want to ensure that our district is a place where every family feels heard and supported Pichler: The passing of the facilities referendum has provided extra inspiration for me I want to feel assured that the district is spending our dollars wisely With my experience as a CPA who has handled multiple debt issuances and construction projects I am in a unique position to help provide that assurance Daily News: What do you think are the greatest needs/issues that the district should focus on right now Ehrgott: One of the greatest needs for our district right now is addressing the passing of the facilities referendum and the process of rightsizing the district it’s crucial that our facilities are able to accommodate the changing needs of our students we must ensure that our resources are being allocated in a way that best serves all students balancing the needs of individual schools while remaining fiscally responsible and I would be grateful to continue to be a part of ensuring that we move forward with thoughtful strategic decisions that benefit both our students and our community Pichler: The referendum should be any candidate’s top answer for a district in our position the top priorities will be securing favorable bond financing and ensuring projects stay on track and within budget the upcoming building closures and grade reconfigurations are creating uncertainty for families Transparent communication and thoughtful decision- making will be key to providing stability and support during this transition ensuring everyone is informed and prepared for the changes ahead Daily News: How (specifically) do you plan to work to address these needs Ehrgott: I plan to address these issues by following through on the important work already started especially with regard to the facilities referendum and rightsizing our district It is vital that we approach these challenges with transparency and administrators to gather input and ensure that our decisions reflect the needs of the community I will advocate for solutions that prioritize long-term sustainability while ensuring that every dollar spent is in service of providing the best possible educational experience for all of our students My commitment to transparency will guide my efforts and I will make sure families and community members are informed as we work through the process I would love to continue my work on the curriculum committee and the Washington County Head Start policy council should I be re-elected It has truly been an honor to serve the last three years and I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue serving in the years to come Pichler: Using limited funds wisely is what I do daily as Director of Finance in the nonprofit sector As funds are borrowed and construction contracts are shared I’ll review the details for reasonableness such as the percentage charged for construction management I’ll encourage administration to continue to consider how the coming changes will impact various district stakeholders and to communicate decisions that will impact them as soon as possible Read more of our election coverage at gmtoday.com/elections To see every race and referendum that will be on your ballot, visit myvote.wi.gov and click on the "What's On My Ballot?" button