Area graduates make news, coming and going

Always a story that never gets old, Sussex Grad and military man Nathan Vannarom was welcomed home from his tour in Afghanistan, shared by reader Katie Phommarath. Another Hamilton Grad, Kam Cerroni, said he was leaving the UW-Green Bay basketball team, saying he had "differences that couldn't be resolved.

President's State of the Union speech could fix Sussex area bridges

Dubbed the 'Fix it First' Program, several area bridges that have been deteriorating could receive repairs, and create jobs, according to the president. 

Election season heats up with a forum, and a candidate's aid in trouble

One statewide race will be featured on the primary ballot this Tuesday, and if you're not familiar with the three candidates vying for a seat on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court, Pat Roggensack,  Ed Fallone, or Vince Megna, read our primary preview.

Patch hosted a forum for the 98th assembly candidates earlier in the week. Ed Baumann, Todd Greenwald, Matt Morzy and Jeanne Tarantino were all present to share their views, and let voters know how they're different.

However, Taratino's campaign suffered a little PR trouble when her campaign strategist, Rachel Pecor, was arrested for 2nd OWI in Pewaukee on her way to pick up Tarantino's daughter from dance class. Ed Baumann, who is also in the race, is the chief of police of that village.

The primary will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 19, and all the info you need to head to the polls is in our Sussex 2013 Primary Election Guide.

Police and fire

A Sussex man was charged with with felony battery and disorderly conduct of his wife, who may need surgery to repair damage caused from the abuse, according to the criminal complaint filed earlier this month.

Sussex teen Daniel S. Koepke, 18, was charged Thursday with first-degree sexual assault of a child. As he is already in prison for sexually assaulting a six-year-old, the teen could face an additional 40 years. 

A Sussex man has also been charged with his 4th OWI, and charges were brought against Daveto Wise of Brown Deer for a shopping spree police say he went on with a Sussex woman's credit card. 

Police and fire officials were also called to a house fire in the Town of Lisbon on Monday, which remains under investigation.