Mitchell students excited to start at Wind Point on Wednesday

RACINE (WITI) -- The formerly vacant Wind Point Elementary School in Racine is being dubbed the "mini Mitchell." Students displaced after last week's fire at Mitchell School in Racine had the opportunity to tour Wind Point during an open house on Tuesday evening, March 4th.

Wind Point Elementary School nearly ready for Mitchell students

RACINE (WITI) -- On Wednesday, March 5th, elementary school students from Mitchell School will fill Wind Point Elementary School -- getting back into the classroom after a fire destroyed Mitchell School's gymnasium, and damaged other parts of the school.

Investigators search for cause of fire at Racine school

RACINE (WITI) -- Fire investigators have yet to determine the cause of a fire at Racine's Mitchell Elementary School that happened early Thursday, February 27th.According to officials, police initially responded to the scene after they received a call regarding a burglar alarm.

Racine duplex damaged following early morning fire

RACINE (WITI) -- The South Shore Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire on Southwood Drive in the City of Racine early Thursday morning, February 27th.The request came from the Racine Fire Department, as they were involved in a fire at Mitchell Elementary School.Upon arrival, crews found an active fire in a two-story, side-by-side duplex.Officials say heavy smoke was coming out of one window on the first floor of the structure, and heavy smoke was exiting from numerous windows on the first and second floors.The fire was under control in about 30 minutes.The south half of the duplex, where the fire originated, sustained serious fire, heat and smoke damage to both first and second floors.

Cialis "fun pills" found on man accused of hit-and-run in Racine

RACINE (WITI) -- A Racine man accused in a hit-and-run crash in which a pedestrian was injured has been charged in the case.23-year-old Razelle Creed of Racine has been charged with one count of felony hit and run - injury and one count of possession of an illegally obtained prescription.A criminal complaint in the case says Racine police were dispatched on February 24th to a report of a hit-and-run crash in which a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle.It happened near Washington Avenue and S.

Fire caused by candle causes $25K in damage to structure in Racine

RACINE (WITI) -- Fire crews in Racine responded to a fire at a residence in the 1200 block of Carlisle Avenue early Sunday morning, February 23rd.Officials say the fire caused $25,000 in damage.Upon their arrival at the scene, crews reported a working fire in the second floor unit.

Racine man arrested as result of ongoing child porn investigation

RACINE (WITI) -- 26-year-old Samuel Hawkins of Racine was taken into custody on Thursday, February 20th following an ongoing investigation into child pornography.The Racine Police Department in conjunction with the Department of Justice Division  of Criminal Investigation (DCI), executed a search warrant at a home in the 1600 block of West Lawn Avenue in the City of Racine on February 20th.Upon arrival, Hawkins was located at the home and was taken into custody for the following charges:

Woman accused of stealing from mother to support drug habit

RACINE (WITI) -- A 47-year-old Racine woman is accused of stealing more than $22,000 from her mother -- allegedly to fuel her drug habit.Debra Cano faces one count of theft of a business setting over $10,000.Cano is accused of stealing from her mother -- a resident at St.

Racine ex-convict pleads guilty to manufacture/deliver THC

RACINE (WITI) — 57-year-old Mark Vartanian on Monday, February 17th pleaded guilty to manufacture/deliver THC, greater than 200 - 1,000 grams.A charge of felon in possession of a firearm was dismissed, and charges of maintaining a drug trafficking place and possession with intent to deliver THC, fewer than 200 grams were dismissed and read in.This means three charges against Vartanian are dismissed, but the judge may consider the conduct underlying the charges in determining the sentence against him.Vartanian is an ex-convict charged in connection with a large marijuana grow operation.

Woman charged after prostitution bust at Super 8

RACINE (WITI) -- A Racine woman is facing charges after she was arrested at a Super 8 Motel as part of a prostitution bust by the Racine County Human Trafficking Task Force.22-year-old Brittney Booker of Racine faces the following charges:

Morning fire in Racine attributed to careless smoking

RACINE (WITI) -- Racine Fire officials on Wednesday morning, February 12th responded to a fire that occurred at a building with two residential units and an auto repair garage.The fire broke out just before 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at a building on Taylor Avenue.Officials say the fire broke out at 1642 Taylor and spread to 1638 Taylor, and can be attributed to careless use of smoking materials.

Racine man pleads not guilty to alleged rape of 17-year-old girl

RACINE (WITI) -- 18-year-old Ryan Hawk of Racine has pleaded not guilty in connection with multiple charges he is facing for allegedly attacking and raping a girl at his home.Hawk faces charges including three counts of second-degree sexual assault, strangulation and false imprisonment.The criminal complaint against Hawk indicates that around 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 23rd, the alleged 17-year-old victim in this case showed up at Hawk’s home to watch a movie.

Racine woman charged in connection with welfare fraud

RACINE (WITI) -- 33-year-old Sharneta Claybrook of Racine has been charged in connection with welfare fraud.Claybrook faces one count of Wisconsin Works -- failure to disclose changes -- a felony charge.A criminal complaint in this case says a welfare fraud complaint was filed by the Racine County Human Services Department.A fraud referral stated that when Brian Blair went to apply for public assistance, he told the financial assistance worker he was living with his son and Claybrook for awhile -- reporting that he had moved in with Claybrook back in April of 2008.

Racine Co. DPW Director calls salt situation there "critical"

RACINE COUNTY (WITI) -- We've seen a pretty decent amount of snow this winter -- and now that we're headed into February, there is concern in some areas over whether there will be enough salt to keep the roads safe for the remainder of winter.