The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at Papa Luigi’s, 1919 12^th Ave. in South Milwaukee.

Experts on school program and funding will lead a discussion of key issues in Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget, including a potential funding freeze and voucher expansion. I’ll also be providing some insights about how the state budget impacts South Milwaukee.

Learn more here. Hope to see you there!

Well, that’s some good news. At least they’re talking.

• We recognized the appointment of a new fire captain — longtime former Lt. Glen McCoy. Replacing Lt. McCoy will be John Frost, also promoted from within. Congratulations to both men. Their promotions are well-deserved, and it’s great to see internal candidates chosen for these roles. (Capt. McCoy replaces Joe Knitter, a former captain who was named South Milwaukee fire chief in late 2012.)
• So, with the promotions, there are now two empty firefighter jobs to fill. The council voted 7-1 to not fill those jobs for now, pending the results of an upcoming arbitration hearing over a grievance involving an interpretation of vacation time language in the city’s labor contract, as well as the uncertainty over potential consolidation. I was the one “no” vote. I would rather fill those jobs now, rather than wait on those variables. The department is already stretched thin.
• We also voted to give “first readings” to the ordinances introduced earlier this month around terms for elected officials, and the nature of the city clerk, treasurer and attorney positions. The vote was 8-0 on all of these measures, except for the aldermanic term issue. I voted no on that one, following up on my vote on May 8. I think aldermanic terms should be staggered. The language we voted on does not call for that. I expect final passage of these measures in June.
• There was also an update on the proposal for apartments on Ninth Avenue. The Plan Commission has asked for some changes with the project, including reducing the number of three-bedroom units. Next up, if the developer decides to proceed: submittal to the Community Development Authority. Eventually the project would end up back before the council to handle any necessary rezoning.
• We voted to cancel our July 2 and August 6 meetings, as we typically do during the summer.
• The South Milwaukee Fire Department also honored several of its own as part of Emergency Medical Services Week. I’ll be posting more on these award winners soon.
• And we granted the liquor license request for Spirits.

We start our fifth season today (May 23), and we’re expecting more than 40 vendors selling produce (in season), organics, arts, crafts, baked goods, prepared foods and more.

We also have live music or a special event every week.

Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. this and every Thursday through October 10 (no market July 4). We’re located on 11th and Milwaukee Avenues.

See you at the market! Learn more here.

The Rockets also won their WIAA regional opener, 7-5, over Racine Horlick on Tuesday. Next up for the seventh-seeded Rockets is a regional final against second-seeded Kenosha Tremper.

Gametime is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday in Kenosha.

Here is the bracket. Go Rockets!

Blakewood Elementary Troop 3011 is hosting DiscoverSTEM on Thursday May 23rd from 4:00-7:30 pm. We were hoping you could share a little about this awesome showstopping event. 

Eight members of the Troop won the Gracious Professionalism Award at both the Regional & State Competitions for First Lego League and are now sharing the amazing things they have learned about STEM and Character Education. 

Fox 6 has more information on the event, which includes science experiments, technology displays, engineering robotics demonstrations and a math scavenger hunt.

The South Milwaukee City Council on Tuesday approved a Class B liquor license for Ed Abrams and the establishment at 922 Milwaukee Ave. Ed said he hopes to reopen Spirits Bar & Grill in mid-June, pending inspections.

That would be a little over a year after a major fire damaged the tavern.

Welcome back, Spirits!

Let’s hope there is progress.

Check out coverage in BizTimes.com, The Business Journal, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Wall Street Journal.

And check out Caterpillar’s “2013 Milwaukee Negotiations” website, which includes details on the previous contract offered and other updates.

• Wheaton Franciscan Plans New Cudahy Clinic (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Drexel Town Square Plans Marching Forward (Oak Creek Patch)
• Asian Restaurants Targeted In Burglaries (Patch)
• Dredging Under Way At Bender Park (Patch)
• Drexel Expansion Named “Project Of The Year” (Patch)

And NOW has published a new police blotter, which includes too many reports of vandalism and these two disturbing robbery reports …

• An 18-year-old South Milwaukee man was struck and robbed at around 6:30 p.m. May 12 in the 100 block of Hawthorne Avenue. The man was approached by a man, who struck him in the face and sent him to the ground, at which point the aggressor took the man’s wallet and cellphone.
• A man was robbed at gunpoint of $20 in cash and a bottle of prescription drugs, around noon May 13, on the parkway near 15th and Minnesota avenues.

But not necessarily surprising — not in an era where it seems like weather is more extreme than ever.

Please keep everyone impacted by these storms in your prayers. And hold your kids a bit tighter tonight.