News & Notes: April 9

Motorcyclist dies in collision with deer

A 49-year-old Caledonia man was killed April 4 after he struck a deer while traveling northbound in the 10000 block of South 27th Street.

According to the Oak Creek police log:

Another driver was stopped in the area to get a deer out of the roadway about 7:45 p.m., when a second deer ran across the road. The motorcyclist collided with the deer and spun out about 25 to 30 feet east of the roadway.

The victim, Randall J. Kurer, was pronounced dead about 9:15 p.m.

City OKs space needs analysis for civic center

Although Oak Creek officials do not intend to build new city hall and library buildings until the economy improves, they are not halting plans.

The Common Council on April 6 authorized staff to enter into a $23,700 contract with Plunkett Raysich Architects to give the city an idea of how large the buildings should be and what they might cost.

Public input will also be a key component of the programming phase.City Administrator Patrick DeGrave said a portion of the city's approximately $920,000 in library impact fees, which must be used to expand or reconstruct the library, must be used by 2013.

Even as the city moves forward with this step, the earliest the project could go to design would be 2010, and the earliest it could go to construction would be 2011, City Engineer Wayne St. John said.

Ryan holds listening session here April 13

First District Congressman Paul Ryan will hold a listening session from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the Oak Creek Police Department, 301 W. Ryan Road.

Ryan will address residents' questions or concerns on federal government issues.

His Oak Creek visit is one of 20 April listening sessions he will hold in communities throughout the district.

For information, call (888) 909-7926.

Council approves Sonic development proposal

Oak Creek has given the green light for a Sonic drive-in restaurant on Howell Avenue.

Following a public hearing, the Common Council on April 6 approved a zoning text amendment and conditional-use permit to allow the restaurant to operate at 8081 S. Howell Ave. Mark Verhalen, 3rd District alderman, voted against the measures.

Plans for the restaurant show it would include 23 drive-in stalls and an outdoor patio. There would be no indoor seating. Daily hours of operation will be 6 a.m. to midnight.

Police Chief Thomas Bauer said he intends to communicate with other communities housing Sonics about addressing potential traffic and loitering problems.