By Julie Ann Marra
April 29, 2010 2:50 p.m. | A Waukesha County jury decided Wednesday that the Michels Corp. owes the village of Elm Grove more than $300,000 following a dispute over the construction of a tunnel built during a flood management project.
The jury found the company breeched its contract with the village by failing to complete work within a certain timeframe and awarded the village $209,750 in damages. The jury also found the company breeched its contract for causing a sag in the tunnel and awarded another $52,900 in damages.
Lastly, the jury awarded $54,556.71 in damages for the additional cost of engineering and underground testing.
The same jury also dismissed a counterclaim that had been filed by Michels.
"We are very pleased with the outcome of this long difficult process," Village President Neil Palmer said. "It was two years ago this week that the village was forced to file this lawsuit to remedy this injustice."
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By
Mike Johnson of the Journal Sentinel
April 29, 2010 1:06 p.m. | Waukesha - The Village of Elm Grove has won its breach-of-contract lawsuit against a construction contractor that was hired to fix a recurring flooding problem.
In the suit, the village alleged that Michels Pipeline Construction Inc. of New Berlin walked off the job and created a nine-month delay in a $4.6 million tunneling project in downtown Elm Grove.
The project, which began in March 2006, called for installing an underground tunnel through downtown to divert floodwater.
A Waukesha County Circuit Court jury on Wednesday found in Elm Grove's favor after a seven-day jury trial and said the village should be awarded $317,216.71, including damages for the delay and additional engineering fees.
The civil suit, filed in 2008, sought unspecified damages from Michels Pipeline and its parent company, Michels Corp.
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By ISRAL DEBRUIN
April 28, 2010 4:06 p.m. | School Board member Tom Gehl was re-elected for a second term as board president Tuesday in a vote that was uncontested.
Meg Wartman was re-elected for a second term as vice president, beating Bob Ziegler in a 6-2 vote.
Gary Jones was chosen for clerk, winning 4-1-1 against Ziegler and Jean Lambert.
Glen Allgaier was re-elected for a third term as treasurer in an uncontested vote.
The elections were conducted by secret ballot.
April 28, 2010 8:40 a.m. | We've just posted a photo gallery from yesterday's relay meet at West Allis Hale, which featured 14 boys and girls track and field teams from the area.
West Allis Hale won the boys portion of the meet with 117 points, edging out West Allis Central, which had 108.
Brookfield East and DSHA led the girls field with 108 points each.
Go to NOW photojournalist Peter Zuzga's photo gallery.
By Julie Ann Marra
April 27, 2010 10:23 p.m. | Subway is looking to open a restaurant in Elm Grove.
The sub sandwich chain hopes to move into a vacant space in Mill Place, 13402 Watertown Plank Road, next to the Great Harvest Bread Co. Both storefronts face the street and have parking in front of the building.
Subway’s plan of operation will be reviewed by the Plan Commission on Monday.
General Store Manager Gary Patel said corporate Subway identified Elm Grove as potential location for a restaurant. Patel estimated it will take at least three months to renovate the inside of the leased space in Mill Place to make it ready for operation as a Subway.
Hours of operation are proposed to be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
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April 27, 2010 12:40 p.m. | A 17-year-old Brookfield boy suspected of participating in an attack on four Wauwatosa West High School cross-country runners last fall has been charged with delinquency in Waukesha County Children's Court.
According to the delinquency petition, the boy is being charged with disorderly conduct as a party to a crime.
Two 18-year-old Brookfield men, David Jameson and Jonathan Bibb, also have been accused of participating in the beating. They pleaded not guilty last month to disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and/or 90 days imprisonment.
A hearing is scheduled for Jameson and Bibb on May 3 in Waukesha County Circuit Court.
The three Brookfield residents are accused of beating four Wauwatosa West students Oct. 21 while the athletes were on a routine practice run through Brookfield's Lamplighter Park.
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By
Paul Gores of the Journal Sentinel
April 26, 2010 4:10 p.m. | An Allstate Insurance Co. claims office in Brookfield will be closed this summer, a move that will eliminate 54 jobs, according to a notice filed by the insurer with state regulators.
The claims office at 555 S. Executive Drive will be closed June 1 "to improve efficiencies," Allstate told the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development in a letter.
By
Tom Kertscher of the Journal Sentinel
April 26, 2010 11:01 a.m. | Wauwatosa - Talk of creating a recycling facility to serve Wauwatosa, Milwaukee and Waukesha County is resurfacing.
The hope is that a regional facility could be more cost-effective for the municipalities. Three years ago, a consultant hired by Waukesha County suggested building a regional facility. The consultant's report proposed various options.
At the time, the county was deciding whether to replace its facility; Milwaukee wanted to relocate its facility in the Menomonee Valley to open that site to development; and Wauwatosa was pondering what to do with its facility, which had been heavily damaged by fire.
Initially, building a facility in Wauwatosa was considered.
Now, officials think that retrofitting Milwaukee's sorting facility at 1311 W. Mount Vernon Ave. would be more cost-effective, Wauwatosa Director of Public Works Bill Kappel said Monday.
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April 22, 2010 6:23 p.m. | Brookfield East edged Brookfield Central, 2-1, Thursday afternoon at East and moved into a first-place tie in the Greater Metro Conference.
Central, East and Menomonee Falls all have one loss.
Central pitcher Taylor Held had her defense let her down twice. First of all, East's Jocelyn Yeager had two chances to get on base in the first inning. First of all, Yeager's popped fouled ball was dropped, giving her another chance. Then she flew out to left field and was safe when the leftfielder dropped the ball.
Kelsey Smith sacrificed Yeager to third and she scored on Elizabeth Aslin's single to leftfield. East then added the eventual winning run in the fifth inning, when Smith tripled to right field and scored on a poor relay from the outfield.
Central's Ariel Goodman, Lindsay Wille and Brittney Held singled to cut the lead to 2-1 in the sixth inning, but East pitcher Amanda Kalupa, who fanned 14, struck two of Central's best hitters - Jessica Meichtry and Andrea Schneider, to get out of the inning.
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April 22, 2010 12:27 p.m. | Brookfield East met host Menomonee Falls in a Greater Metro conference softball game yesterday afternoon and we've just posted a photo gallery from the contest.
Falls' Nicole Zywiec struck out six and walked just one in seven innings to help the Indians post a 2-0 victory. The victory improved Falls to 3-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference while East fell to 4-2, 3-1.
Go to photo gallery.
By
Doris Hajewski of the Journal Sentinel
April 20, 2010 9:53 a.m. | Work is scheduled to start in May on the demolition of Houlihan's restaurant at Brookfield Square. The tear-down will make way for a Red Robin hamburger restaurant to open in October.
Mall manager Scott Oleson said the new restaurant will use 5,700 square feet and will be set back a few feet from what is now the front wall of Houlihan's.
Also new at Brookfield Square: Francesca's Collections opened a few weeks ago in the space formerly occupied by the Naturalizer shoe store, near the center court. Francesca's sells women's clothing and accessories.
By ALAN HAMARI
April 20, 2010 8:38 a.m. | City of Brookfield police last week arrested a 41-year-old Brookfield woman who took thousands of dollars of jewelry and expensive bags from the home of her former employer.
Police on April 12 responded to a call of a burglary at a home in the 15000 block of Tulane Court after the homeowner walked in on the woman taking jewelry, purses and bags from the home. The homeowner said the woman had worked as a housekeeper at the home a number of years ago.
Police said they were able to recover most of the items.
April 16, 2010 10:17 a.m. | Brookfield Central defeated DSHA, 11-4, in a Greater Metro Conference softball game at home yesterday, and we've just posted a photo gallery from the game.
The Lancers' Taylor Held struck out three in seven innings of work to record the victory as Central improved to 2-0 this season.
See NOW photojournalist Peter Zuzga's photo gallery.
April 14, 2010 12:41 p.m. | Area track and field teams got to take their game outdoors at Brookfield East High School and compete in the 41st annual Mike Gain/House of Speed Invite and we've just posted a photo gallery from the event.
Homestead turned in four first-place finishes to capture the team portion of the 15-team competition while Menomonee Falls was second and host East third.
See NOW photojournalist Peter Zuzga's photo gallery.
By Steven L. Tietz
April 13, 2010 8:51 p.m. | In some cases the athletes were still stretching their legs and getting the spring break kinks out of their system at the first big local outdoor boys track meet of the season at Brookfield East Tuesday.
But in other cases, they were stretching the premise of what was possible, as two meet records were tied and several early state best outdoor times were produced at the 41st annual Mike Gain/House of Speed Invite.
North Shore champion Homestead pulled out the team title with the help of four first place finishes, including two from weightman Justin Barber.
"I think it was a good call to have us come out here," said Homestead coach Dan Benson of his close win over Greater Metro Conference powers Menomonee Falls and host East. "It was a good chance to get us out and competing. Some kids stayed back and worked with Coach (Todd) Brawner (over break) while others showed a little rust."
"But it was a good step in developing our outdoor team."
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By
Laurel Walker of the Journal Sentinel
April 13, 2010 4:48 p.m. | Waukesha - The Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County will honor a number of women May 11 with the 2010 Women of Distinction awards.
The Women and Girls Fund, which aims to help women and girls overcome obstacles and achieve success, is part of the Waukesha County Community Foundation. The awards program was previously a tradition of a forerunner, the YWCA of Waukesha, which no longer exists.
The three women chosen as Women of Distinction are: Karen Dalessandro, Morning Show host for Clear Channel's WMIL "Moo Crew" who's raised money or awareness for a child abuse prevention, animal welfare and breast cancer causes; Linda Kons, office assistant at Carmel Builders Inc., long active in Menomonee Falls community activities, developing youth activities, serving on the School Board and leading Leadership Menomonee Falls; and Brenda Ness Marineau, bilingual program coordinator for Waukesha schools who advocates for immigrant families, helped organize the Waukesha County Dental Coalition and heads the Waukesha Area Sister City Association.
Named as winner of the Women of Distinction Family Award was Marian Etzel, her daughters Diane Harley and Janet Kenny of Menomonee Falls, and granddaughter Kathleen Farvour of Germantown. Etzel has organized the annual Falls Memorial Day parade for decades, been a poll worker for 36 years and served meals and food staples to the needy. Her daughters and granddaughter, all three teachers, are following in her footsteps with school, church and community volunteerism.
Receiving the Young Woman of Tomorrow Award is Stacey Lynn Bjorgaard, a Kettle Moraine High School senior who excels at tennis, violin and school leadership activities and has volunteered at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital and La Casa de Esperanza. She is scheduled to attend Brown University, Providence, R.I., in the fall.
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April 13, 2010 9:28 a.m. |
Tara Kielblock has stepped down as head girls basketball coach at Brookfield East High School after four seasons, citing a desire to spend more time with her family.
Kielblock, nee Schmitt, was married in October, and she made her decision to resign after the basketball season ended.
She will continue teaching physical education at Brookfield East High School.
"I talked it over with my husband (Kurt), my family. We talked about what we wanted to do. Basketball has been a big part of our lives.
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By ALAN HAMARI
April 12, 2010 5:20 p.m. | There was at least one visitor who wasn't on the guest list at a wedding reception in Elm Grove this weekend - a goat.
According to the Elm Grove police report:
Two men drove into the parking lot of the Elm Grove Women's Club, 13885 Watertown Plank Road, about 5 p.m. Saturday and unloaded a live goat from a truck. The goat was attached to a chain that was staked in the ground, leaving the animal somewhat free to wander around the parking lot.
Karen Sparapani, executive director of the Elmbrook Humane Society, said humane society officers responded about half an hour later and took the goat to the animal shelter for the night.
One of the men came to the shelter the next day to pick up the goat. He said he borrowed it from a local farm and left it in the parking lot as a joke for the wedding guests and party.
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By JULIE ANN MARRA
April 12, 2010 4:21 p.m. |
Engelhardt & Associates consulting firm will move its central office from Madison to the office building at 930 Elm Grove Road this spring.
The company, which also has offices in South Carolina and Texas, offers consulting for industrial companies using radiation equipment, like x-rays, for their work.
Owner Susan Engelhardt, an Elm Grove resident, said the company is only one of five such consulting firms in the country. Businesses are required to be certified to operate some of these types of machines. Engelhardt & Associates is licensed to give that training.
"It’s a unique, niche market," she said.
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April 09, 2010 9:38 p.m. | The third-ranked Brookfield East soccer team beat second-ranked Madison Memorial, 2-1, Friday night at Brookfield East to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Alex Piercy set up Kate Reigle with a beautiful pass and then Reigle beat goalkeeper Katy Pilarzyk, who came out to cut down on the angle, for the goal and East had a 1-0 lead with 45:31 on the clock.
After Madison Memorial tied the score at the 56:53 mark, East scored off a corner kick when sophomore Aly Loepke kicked in a shot out of a scrum in from of the net.
Erin Wachowiak had 13 saves for the Spartans.
By ALAN HAMARI
April 08, 2010 5:10 p.m. | Dean Marquardt, Brookfield's longtime director of administration, plans to retire May 3. Marquardt said he notified Mayor Jeff Speaker and mayor-elect Steve Ponto of his decision this week.
Marquardt, 62, oversees the city's inspection services, emergency management, fleet services and facilities departments, as well as the city clerk's office. His salary was $108,785 in 2009.
Marquardt, who has been with the city since 1989, was named director of administration in 2004 under former Mayor Kathryn Bloomberg. He said he plans to spend more time with his two daughters and four grandchildren, who recently moved back to Brookfield.
By ISRAL DEBRUIN
April 06, 2010 11:08 p.m. | With 100 percent of votes counted, Elmbrook voters have chosen incumbent Bob Ziegler and Glen Allgaier to full terms on the School Board and newcomer Kathryn Wilson to a one-year term.
According to Elmbrook deputy clerk Pat Felde, the complete but unofficial results for the at-large seats are as follows:
• Ziegler, the incumbent, led with 4,995 votes.
• Wilson got 3,405 votes.
• Beth Horneffer got 3,148 votes.
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By ISRAL DEBRUIN
April 06, 2010 9:30 p.m. | With 100 percent of votes counted in the village of Elm Grove, voters there have chosen Elmbrook School Board incumbents Bob Ziegler and Glen Allgaier to keep their seats.
After Ziegler, newcomer Beth Horneffer took the second-most votes for at-large seat.
In the at-large race, the top vote-getter lands a full three-year term while second place will serve the remaining year of David Marcello's term. Marcello resigned his seat to pursue the Brookfield mayoral race.
Just after 9 p.m., Elmbrook deputy clerk Pat Felde provided the following results for Elm Grove:
• Bob Ziegler, incumbent, led with 672 votes.
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