OUR PLACE
Hawaii moves to ban short-term housing.
With the results of the Maui fire coming in and Maui residents discovering that 15% of all housing on the island is short-term vacation rentals, that county is moving to have the legislature ban them across the state. This statement by Hawaii Governor Josh Green: “Right now, 52% of all short-term rentals in Hawaii are owned by non-state residents, and 27% of short-term rental owners own 20 or more units.” The current residents across the state are beginning to revolt about having their neighborhoods turned into quasi-resorts. The enclave located on the back side of Oahu called Kahina is now sixty percent short-term rentals, and the permanent residents are becoming more outraged every day.
According to the governor, unless something is done at this point then vacation areas, such as the Hawaiian Islands will very quickly lose not only their character, but they will also lose their heritage, music, language, and any sort of ambiance. Lake Geneva, and other similar tourist-driven economies, should take this move by Hawaii extremely seriously. The time is now, as is a very popular expression used by most real estate professionals.
There was a double murder in Elkhorn.
Fatal shots were fired. Thursday, February 1, 2024, just after midnight. The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call for a report of shots fired and a person down inside the Sports Page on Wisconsin Street in Elkhorn. The Elkhorn Police Department and Sheriff’s Office responded. Two bodies, a male and a female were discovered, both with fatal gunshot wounds. The victims have been identified as Gina and Emerson Weingart. Gina tended the bar on Wednesday nights and her husband Emerson would sit with her while she worked. The couple were recently married and had so much life ahead of them.
The community is absolutely devastated and shocked by the tragedy. Law enforcement has a person of interest in custody on unrelated matters. This continues to be an active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this matter can call the Elkhorn Police Department at 262-723-2210, or Crime Stoppers at 262-723-2677, or, if you know something you can submit tips electronically at www.p3tips.com. Friends and family have held candlelight vigils outside of the Sports Page and have fundraisers and a GoFundMe to help the family.
Just days after the double homicide in Elkhorn, on the evening of Saturday, February 3rd, a pursuit of a fleeing vehicle from a home burglary occurred. There is a possibility this incident is tied to a string of home invasions and/or break-ins in Elkhorn. The pursuit ended in a crash on Edwards Boulevard in Lake Geneva south of Sheridan Springs Road. The suspects’ vehicle struck another vehicle and those victims received minor injuries. Road closures and a heavy police presence continued into the night while the scene was cleared.
Three suspects were taken into custody and, initially, two additional suspects were believed to have fled on foot. After investigating the matter further the original three suspects in custody were the only occupants of the car. The three individuals in custody are believed to be a part of a larger organized group that targets homes of Asian business owners. There was another recent incident of a home invasion with a stabbing in Delevan.
On the morning of January 28th, police officers from the city of Delevan responded to a home invasion and stabbing on Burr Oak Court in Delevan. Three of the residents had non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect in the case was also injured. The Delevan Police Department was assisted by the Town of Delevan and the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department. The scene was cleared fairly quickly, all injuries were treated, and the suspect was taken into custody. The family of the invasion was applauded for its quick and decisive action that potentially averted a much greater tragedy.
Last month January 6th, Lake Geneva Police Officers responded to a home invasion. This home invasion was an isolated incident with no further threat to the community. Three to four males entered the home in the morning hours, made contact with the residents, and left with electronics and clothing.
