Monthly Archives: May 2011

by | May 30, 2011 · 9:57 pm

Catching up on Buddy’s Plight and Other Stories From the Past Several Days …

I’m back to blogging, and I hope your Memorial Day weekend was a good one.

Catching up on the past few days must start with the effort to help Buddy, the dog who helped guide a w0uld-be rescuer to his own buried in the snow during the February blizzard.

Apparently, Buddy is suffering from Lyme Disease and isn’t doing too well.

Learn more in this Journal Sentinel story.

And check out these other headlines of interest …

Also, Supervisor Pat Jursik and other local leaders will be speaking on developing the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor on June 8 in Wind Point. Learn more in the press release here. And City Clerk Jim Shelenske has published his monthly eVents newsletter, with information on a variety of happenings around town. Learn more at his website: www.southmilwaukee.org.

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by | May 26, 2011 · 1:39 pm

Taking a Few Days Off From Blogging … and Happy Memorial Day

I’ll be taking the holiday weekend off from blogging and returning next week.

In the meantime, have a safe and happy Memorial Day and keep our fallen military heroes in your prayers.

Thanks for reading! I hope you like what you see here. If you do, please tell your family and friends.

And don’t forget about the Memorial Day parade starting at 10 a.m. on Monday. The parade, which is put on by the South Milwaukee Veterans Council, starts at Divine Mercy (St. Mary’s) on 13th Avenue and continues to Veterans Memorial Park on 10th Avenue near Rawson.

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by | May 26, 2011 · 1:33 pm

Less Than a Week Until the Market!

Produce, organics, arts, crafts, prepared food and more – including weekly live music and a partnership with the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.

The South Milwaukee Downtown Market begins its third season on Thursday, June 2, with more than 50 vendors already signed up.

The market’s 20-week summer schedule runs through Oct. 13. It will again be held on Thursdays from to 3 to 7 p.m. and located on 11th Avenue south of Milwaukee Avenue, across from Bucyrus International near the heart of South Milwaukee’s city center.

The market features a number of upgrades for 2011, including:

  • A five-concert series presented by the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, with top acts planned for the first Thursday of every month. Popular local band Choir Fight will play opening night.
  • Other weekly live music acts, including a variety of up-and-coming local artists;
  • A new on-site stage built by local Boy Scout Tommy Mitchell; and
  • Landscape improvements allowing for an expansion of the market’s seating area.

Check out the full press release here, and be sure to join us on Facebook (search: South Milwaukee Downown Market) and follow us on Twitter (#SouthMilwMarket). And visit our website at www.smdowntownmarket.org.

I hope to see you there!

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by | May 25, 2011 · 5:03 pm

4G to the South Shore, 13th Street Construction, Bike Restoration and Other Headlines

Update: Here is a story from Muskego Patch about a South Milwaukee woman accused of stealing jewelry, and here is an Oak Creek Patch story about the first Oak Creek resident killed in the Vietnam War.

Check out these headlines of local interest …

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by | May 24, 2011 · 10:38 pm

Volunteer to Help Make Our City (Hall) Beautiful!

Got the following note from City Clerk Jim Shelenske the other day …

Dear Friends of City Hall,

To me, City Hall is more than the place where government offices are located and city meetings are held. It’s also a symbol, the front door to a community, a place where newcomers build their first impressions of South Milwaukee and a place that current residents point to with pride.

That’s why we need City Hall to have a vibrant and welcoming appearance. With this in mind, the City Hall Beautification Project is well under way!

We have the blueprints and the materials, now we need YOU!  Please join us Saturday, June 4th at 9:00am in front of City Hall.  Bring your shovels, gloves, and gardening tools, and volunteer a few hours to help us plant flowers, trees, and shrubs.  The materials have been purchased thanks to generous donations from the S.M. Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

When the work is done, I will provide brats, chips, and soda for everyone.

I hope you join us in supporting this important project and make an investment in the future of South Milwaukee. We deserve a vibrant and beautiful City Hall. Help us make that happen.

Let’s get that front door looking its best!

Thank you,

Jim Shelenske

I you can join us!

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by | May 24, 2011 · 2:27 pm

Police: Domestic Violence Fueled City’s Second Shooting in Two Days

A 32-year-old man was shot following an alleged domestic disturbance Tuesday morning in the 600 block of Michigan Avenue, South Milwaukee police said.

Check out the press release here.

The man was listed in good condition at Froedtert Hospital, according to the release. A 60-year-old man was taken into custody.

This is the second shooting in South Milwaukee this week. Here are details on the other.

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by | May 23, 2011 · 1:49 pm

Shooting (Possibly Accidental) Reported

A 30-year-old South Milwaukee man reported that he accidentally shot himself Sunday night in his home in the 1300 block of Monroe Avenue.

The man’s condition is not known, and police are investigating.

Check out the press release here.

I will keep you posted if and when I learn more.

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by | May 21, 2011 · 8:55 pm

FEMA Makes Costly Blizzard a Bit Less Costly

The Blizzard of ’11 just got a bit less painful. A bit.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state have awarded South Milwaukee $52,083.69 to help defray costs related to the February 2 snow emergency declaration.

Most of the funds will help reimburse the city for Street Department costs.

Thanks to Jackie Ove, our emergency management director, and her team for doing a lot of the leg work to make this happen. The funds are much appreciated, and they will certainly help ease the unexpected budget pain this storm caused.

Of course, we’re not alone in getting FEMA funds for this historic storm. Here is a story from Walworth County, for example. Individuals have also received funds … and some have had to pay them back.

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by | May 21, 2011 · 8:50 pm

Oak Creek Standoff, Oak Creek Water, Local Jobs, Bucyrus Sustainability and Other Headlines

Check out these headlines of local interest:

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by | May 20, 2011 · 11:12 pm

Feds Clear Caterpillar’s Acquisition of Bucyrus

As expected, the U.S. Justice Department has cleared the Caterpillar-Bucyrus deal.

Here is the press release, and here is an item from WISN. From the release:

The DOJ action, in addition to the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act waiting period, concludes the antitrust review process in the United States.  The clearance by the DOJ will allow the acquisition, valued at approximately $8.6 billion (including net debt), to proceed as soon as all other conditions to closing have been satisfied. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2011.  

What do you think of the deal and its potential impacts on South Milwaukee? Post your comments below!

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by | May 20, 2011 · 11:02 pm

More Heroes in Action: Recapping 2010 for the South Milwaukee Fire Department

As I wrote about earlier this week, we had the pleasure of honoring some local heroes at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, a group of police officers, residents and others who risked their lives and safety to keep others safe.

Of course, the South Milwaukee Fire Department has its own share of heroes.

Learn more about some of their great work in the department’s 2010 annual report, which we accepted at Tuesday’s council meeting. Among the highlights summarizing the department’s 117th year of existence:

  • The department responded to 2,985 requests for service. Of those calls, 2464 were for emergency medical service, and 521 were for fire/rescue/service. This compares to 3,003 calls for service in 2008 and 2,940 in 2009.
  • Dollar loss from fires also spiked to more than $2.9 million thanks to three big blazes: the Appleton Electric foundry fire, the total loss of a multi-family apartment building at 1504 Manitoba Ave. and major damage caused by a fire at 500 Willow Lane.
  • The department made one capital equipment purchase in 2010, a 25-foot Steiger Craft rescue boat. The new boat replaces our 1984 Boston Whaler and was purchased primarily with grant funds from the Urban Area Security Initiative Port Security grant program.
The report also contains information the department’s education, inspection and other efforts aimed at keeping our community safe.

According to the report cover note: “We are proud of our member’s efforts and outstanding safety record while performing their duties on these calls and serving with reduced staffing levels since 2007.”

I can’t agree more. Our department does more with less … and we need to make sure we do all we can to preserve this high level of service.

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by | May 19, 2011 · 10:07 pm

Bucyrus Unveils Its Renovated Visitor Center And Museum … And It’s Terrific

Bucyrus International continues to invest in its South Milwaukee campus.

The company held a grand opening celebration for its newly renovated visitor center today, and I was happy to attend and get a first-hand look at its new three-story museum — an upgrade from its one-story facility — as well as a new company store and theater, all part of its Heritage Building.

My review? In a word, outstanding.

From the interactive features aimed at young people on the first floor to the library — named for outgoing Bucyrus CEO Tim Sullivan — on the third floor, the museum does a great job of telling the story of Bucyrus … a story that is distinctly South Milwaukee.

And the best part? The museum will now have regular, daily hours:

  • Sundays and Mondays: Closed
  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Fridays: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Also, Bucyrus is planning regular plant tours.

The renovations were done over the winter, and I am glad to see this project completed. I see it as a strong sign of Bucyrus’ continued commitment to South Milwaukee even with the looming acquisition by Caterpillar.

The next step is to see how we can leverage this major investment as a community. That potential is limitless.

In his remarks about the renovation Thursday, Sullivan specifically cited the company’s interest in making the facility a destination for visitors, and based on what I saw it most assuredly will be. He said the company is working with Visit Milwaukee to make this happen, working to attract everyone from local convention attendees to bus tours.

Think of it … a busload of tourists having just visited the Harley-Davidson Museum makes their next stop at Bucyrus, spending an hour or two at the museum before heading out to a downtown restaurant, the Downtown Market or the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center for a show. Or maybe they make a sidetrip to the Seven Bridges at Grant Park.

Think of the potential economic impact that brings to our city.

Well, this is not just a fantasy. This may be reality sooner rather than later thanks to this major investment in a truly unique community attraction.

Thank you, Bucyrus. Now, let’s tell the world about this!

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by | May 19, 2011 · 4:39 pm

College Closed … Now What?

Update: I just heard from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik, who said work on College west of Pennsylvania is expected to be complete by December. And be prepared: A roundabout is indeed planned on College at Ace Industrial Drive. 

In case you haven’t noticed, College Avenue west of Pennsylvania Avenue is now closed to through traffic, setting up a frustratingly long detour around the airport using Layton Avenue to the north or Rawson Avenue to the south.

This happened in the last couple of days, and I’m not quite sure what the current timeline is for the project.

Of course, work on College east of Pennsylvania/Nicholson also continues, so that whole stretch is kind of a mess. But think of how it will look when it’s done!

I am working to find out more details and will keep you posted. In the meantime, please be patient around the delays.

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by | May 19, 2011 · 8:41 am

Mourning the Loss of South Milwaukee’s “Coach”

Longtime South Milwaukee High School football, baseball and basketball coach Brad Knoche has died.

Here is his obituary. And there is a touching tribute to Knoche in this Fond du Lac Daily Reporter column by one of his former players, Doug Whiteley.

From the obituary:

He was a passionate educator and took a special interest in his students in and outside the classroom. With great love, he supported his children and took pride in all their accomplishments. Brad loved Mary Kay unconditionally. They were a great team and devoted to each other. He was active in the community and belonged to South Milwaukee Lions Club, where he served as past president and longtime treasurer. He also served as Parish Council President for St. John’s Church in South Milwaukee.

Did you know Knoche? What will be his legacy?

Post your comments below.

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by | May 18, 2011 · 10:21 pm

Heroes in Action: Police Department Honors Officers, Citizens … and Buddy

Heroes. There is no other way to describe the actions of the people (and even a pet) that we honored at Tuesday’s City Council meeting as part of National Peace Officers Week and National Police Officers Week.

Entering a burning building to wake sleeping residents. Keeping a man from jumping into the Mill Pond waterfall. Catching a crook trying to resell a stolen ring. Partnering with man’s best friend to save someone who nearly died in the February blizzard.

These are just some of the stories we heard about … and some of the reasons we should thank our police officers and others who keep our community safe everyday. This where our tax dollars go, providing first-class services like this.

Congratulations, everyone!

Check out the stories here.

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