12 Days of Patch: November

Waukesha Patch’s one-year anniversary is Dec. 28, 2011. It’s been an action-packed year here in Waukesha and we are proud to bring you the 12 days of Patch. Each day, we will bring the most popular stories of each month for Patch readers to vote for their favorite each month.

On our anniversary, Dec. 28, we will present the top 12 reader’s selection for the community to pick the top story of 2011.

November 2011 (voting ends at 1 p.m. Dec. 27)

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The communications director for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of possessing or distributing child pornography at his Waukesha home, according to a news release from the

Joel W. Hochmuth, 52, was arrested in the 1900 block of Hunter Court after detectives were alerted by the FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force “that a person at this residence was involved in the distribution of child pornography,” the release states.

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The 35-year-old man who fatally shot himself before dropping an improvised explosive device Tuesday night used a Civil War-style replica gun, according to a news release from Capt. Ron Oremus.

The man was identified as Chad Cross, who had been having recent suicidal thoughts, according to police. The suicide happened on a sidewalk in the 800 block of Manor Drive about 100 feet north of Kensington Drive near his friend’s residence.

Waukesha’s newest school board member has been on the board since April, but her face is about to become well known as she appears in an advertisement supporting Gov. Scott Walker as Democrats look to begin the recall Wisconsin Democrat following his controversial bill limiting union rights.

The video starts with Karin Rajnicek, who was sharing her views about Walker’s initiatives since he was sworn into office in January.

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A massive food fight Thursday at could land several students in trouble with police and school officials.

Waukesha Police Lt. Kevin Kober said the school resource officer is still investigating the fight but several students are facing disorderly conduct citations and school discipline.

“It sounds like it may have been a preplanned thing among some of the students and others jumped in,” Kober said.

While the fight ended without the need for a trip to the hospital for any of the students, one girl received a black eye after she was hit by an apple, Kober said. Another student was hit in the head with a tray.

*Editor’s note: Cash Money has since been arrested.

The is seeking a 23-year-old man, Casheon M. Beal AKA Cash Money, who they say shot a handgun at a woman’s vehicle at 12:57 a.m. Tuesday at South West Avenue and West Sunset Drive.

A woman reported hearing four or five shots at apartments above a strip mall. Police responded and learned the man had shot at a woman’s vehicle before leaving with another woman, according to a news release from Capt. Ron Oremus.

No one was injured in the incident.