Author Archives: Erik Brooks

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

The Crusher statue, installed near 11th and Milwaukee Avenue in South Milwaukee in June, has attracted thousands of fans since its unveiling. Unfortunately, the bronze statue has also recently attracted the attention of vandals.

Family members, who visit the statue regularly, noticed the damage on August 29, and reported that damage to the South Milwaukee Police Department. In the investigation that followed, police discovered that two men approached the statue on the night of August 24 and caused $1,200 in damage, when they repeatedly struck the statue with a concrete block.

Surveillance video from the area was instrumental in determining the time frame for the damage and helping police identify the people responsible.

An 18-year-old man from South Milwaukee has been arrested and has admitted to his involvement in this incident. He has been charged with Criminal Damage to Property by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and is currently being held in the Milwaukee County jail. A second man, 21, has also been identified but has not yet been arrested.

The damage was repaired over the weekend by Beth Sahagian, the South Milwaukee native who built the statue.

The Crusher statue – built to honor South Milwaukee native and iconic wrestler Reggie “Da Crusher” Lisowski – became reality through donations from hundreds of family and friends, and was unveiled on June 8 at Crusherfest. Chris Smith, wrestling fan and city attorney for South Milwaukee, led the effort, with the support of the Lisowski family and countless other supporters and volunteers.

Said Smith: “I would like to thank everyone who supported the efforts to celebrate the achievements of ‘The Wrestler Who Made Milwaukee Famous,’ and build this statue. I also want to thank the South Milwaukee Police Department for their hard work in bringing these turkeynecks to justice. Da Crusher Foundation will aggressively pursue criminal charges against any person who attempts to damage or deface the statue. The statue, like the man himself, will stand strong.”

Check out the video here, and media coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Fox 6, WISN, and CBS 58.

Thank you to our police department, working with Chris, for their efforts in identifying and apprehending a suspect in this case. It took a lot of great detective work to get us to this point. Da Crusher would be proud.

There are lots of reasons to love fall, and Halloween, in South Milwaukee — a month and a half or so we’ve labeled Rocketober.

The idea several years ago was simple: Lean into this special time of year by branding it, jointly promoting the already terrific series of events already scheduled across the city — and maybe add a few new ones.

Here is the result: your 2019 Rocketober schedule!

Note: For schedule updates, be sure to like the Rocketober Facebook page!

Many of your fall favorites are back, starting with Homecoming activities this week, ending with Halloween night time trick-or-treating, making South Milwaukee the only community in the county to keep this tradition. In between are some great South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center shows and other special special events. And check out the information on the Halloween Lights on Edgewood, back bigger and better in 2019.

There is plenty new this year, starting with the Community Glow Walk and Fall Cleanup this week, as well as a new downtown event: South Milwaukee Art Walk: Monsters on Milwaukee Avenue, on Saturday Oct. 19.

You’ll notice something missing too — Zombie House and Downtown Trick or Treating. But good news! We’re replacing those events on the Saturday before Halloween with South Milwaukee Spooktackular: A Citywide Halloween Party.

With this event, kids of all ages can take part in a variety of fall and Halloween activities at participating businesses and organizations throughout the community. Look for more details soon … and if you want to take part, just shoot me a note (brooks@smwi.org).

Enjoy Rocketober 2019! Be sure to like the Rocketober Facebook page for schedule updates. And here is what’s coming up this week …

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

• 7 p.m. Mayors’ Community Glow Walk. Join South Milwaukee Mayor Erik Brooks and St. Francis Mayor Ken Tutaj on a walk of the Nojoshing Trail in St. Francis. Meet at the St. Francis Civic Center. Presented by the South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department.

 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

• 6 p.m. Homecoming Parade. 15th and Maple, north on 15th to Oak Creek Parkway
• 6:45 p.m. Community pep rally and bonfire. High school baseball stadium.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

• 7 p.m. Homecoming football game. Milwaukee Pius XI vs. South Milwaukee.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

• 9 a.m.-noon. Fall Cleanup, presented by the South Milwaukee Beautification Committee. Meet at 11^th and Milwaukee Ave. Free lunch to follow, served by the South Milwaukee Lions. Also: Grant Park Cleanup, 9 a.m.-noon; meet at the beach.
• 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fire & Police Safety Days at South Milwaukee McDonald’s. Vehicle displays, Flame House, K-9 team, free kids’ activities, bicycle/scooter giveaway, appearances by Smokey Bear, Sparky the Fire Dog and McGruff the Crime Dog.
• 7:30 p.m. Artrageous. The South Milwaukee PAC season series opens with an interactive art and music experience. Social at 6:30.

I know South Milwaukee is full of talented people. I see it every day.

Why not share your talent and help celebrate the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center’s 15th anniversary at the same time?

From Brian Morrison, who is leading this effort …

Calling all singers, dancers, comedians, magicians, masters-of-ceremonies and any other local talents that exceed expectations! We are now accepting audition applications. Don’t miss this world premiere of community-driven theatre, vaudeville, music and “who-knows-what” curated by YOU. We’re looking for about 15 performers (individuals or groups) to take the stage and share their special gifts. Indulge your creativity. Do you have a hidden talent? Do you have a unique story to tell or know of someone whose time for the stage has come? This is your chance to create a show with us.

The 15th Anniversary Variety Show will take place at South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 15. Details and tickets here.

Check out these South Milwaukee headlines …

• South Milwaukee, Oak Creek and St. Francis Pass Resolutions Opposing Milwaukee County Transit Bus Route Cuts (NOW)
• South Milwaukee Residents Targeted by Scammers in a Rash of Recent Fraud Attacks, Police Say (NOW)
• Milwaukee Police Seek Help in Search for Missing 30-year-old Man (Fox 6)
• Some ‘Hamilton’ Fans Line up for Hours in the Rain to Buy Tickets for Musical’s Milwaukee Run at Marcus Center (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Also, this from the South Milwaukee Police Department … “The SMPD has identified a person of interest from this case as Jorge Luis Marquez, a 18yr old Milwaukee resident who is depicted below. Please contact the SMPD at 414-768-8060 or call 911 if you know the whereabouts of Marquez. You can remain anonymous.”

I wanted to share a letter sent to all South Milwaukee School District families last week, detailing an innovative partnership to tackle mental health challenges … where kids are.

Mental illness is real, and it does not discriminate based on age. I’m so glad to see the school district understands that, and it taking real steps to help those in need. Well done!

Here is the letter …

Dear SDSM Families –

We are pleased to reach out to our school community about a new partnership between SaintA and the School District of South Milwaukee. SaintA’s mission is to facilitate equity, learning, healing and wellness by restoring the connections that help children and families thrive. SaintA has extensive experience providing school-based mental health services and is one of Wisconsin’s largest and most successful non-profit, non-sectarian human service agencies.

As part of our partnership with SaintA, two therapists will now be available on site at all six schools within the district. The therapists will have two main roles: to work with our staff members to implement preventative strategies related to mental health practices in schools, and to work directly with students after receiving written permission from parents/guardians.

While many students currently receive clinical mental health support, accessing these services outside of school hours can be challenging. This partnership will allow students to receive mental health services during the day at their school. Billing for clinical mental health services will be arranged through the family’s insurance, Medicaid, or Badgercare, just as with services from other health care providers. 

All members of the school community – families, teachers, and administrators – are encouraged to work with the office staff at their student’s school to determine next steps. If a student would benefit from receiving clinical mental health services at school around social, emotional and behavioral challenges, a member of the pupil services team will work with the family. Services may include a mental health assessment, individual therapy or other collaborative services. 

We are very excited about the potential benefits for students and families as a result of this new partnership. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions that you may have.

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On 9/12, I offer this from South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joseph Knitter …

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to visit the South Milwaukee firehouse, you will see this bell prominently displayed in our front lobby. While there are many American LaFrance bells in existence, this bell is one of a kind . . . In fact, the only one of its kind in the world.

In August of 2000, it was donated by the SMFD to the International Association of Firefighters for use at their Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its duty would be to toll in honor of each of the firefighters that died in the line of duty each year at the annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. The bell served this solemn, but prestigious, purpose until the memorial park was redesigned in 2015 and the bell was, once again, retired and returned home to the SMFD. During its time, it would toll for 2,162 fallen firefighters, including the 343 that died in the attack on the World Trade Centers in New York City and many more that died as a result of health issues related to the brave work they did in the hours, days, weeks, and months following.

Retired SMFD FF/Paramedic Tom Reid not only arranged for the donation, but archived all the correspondence and donated a digital picture frame that scrolls the name, department, and date of death for all 2,162 fallen firefighters it tolled for. A solemn reminder of the supreme sacrifice they made.

Thanks, chief, for sharing, and thanks to Tom for his efforts to bring this to South Milwaukee. And thanks to all of our firefighters and police officers for their service. #NeverForget

The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center open its 15th anniversary year with an “interactive art and music experience … a unique visual journey packed with wild inspiration, creativity and fun,” as “Artrageous” comes to town on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Check out the full season schedule here. It’s impressive, again.

From the South Milwaukee PAC website, on Artrageous …

Imagine an artist creating a masterpiece before your eyes in mere moments. With a palette that also mixes captivating vocals, intricate choreography and exciting audience interaction, Artrageous takes you on a unique visual journey packed with wild inspiration, creativity and fun! The Artrageous troupe of artists, musicians, singers and dancers pay tribute to a variety of art forms, pop icons and musical genres culminating in a gallery of fabulous finished paintings. The result? A one-of-a-kind crossover experience! The signature of Artrageous is interaction and engagement. Part art studio. Part rock concert. Part creation lab. Come be a part of the show!

Attend the pre-show social prior to this performance at 6 pm to celebrate our 15 years of enriching lives. Bring a few bucks for a bite to eat before the show.

Bring a T-shirt, cap, pair of shoes, anything smaller than a toaster… (or purchase something at the event) to get custom Splattered by an Artrageous Artist in their one-of-a-kind Splatter Station! The Splatter Station happens at the end of the performance. The stage is set up as a Live Art Gallery with all of the ArtWork that is created during the show. The audience is invited to come up and view the paintings, meet the troupe, take selfies and visit the Splatter Station. It is a completely enclosed area where one of our Artists hand splatters items that folks have brought (or get something from our merch station). Walk away with an original piece of art!

Tickets go on sale July 9, Adult $45-$35, Senior $42-$32, Student $20-$15

For all ages. 90 minutes with intermission.

The Hammer is back in South Milwaukee.

Tarek Slusar threw for two touchdowns — one to his cousin, Anthony — and Jeremiah Anderson, filling in for his injured older brother, ran for two scores as the Rockets scored 28 unanswered points to beat Cudahy, 28-14, Friday at Spaltholz Field.

More game details here.

South Milwaukee moved to 2-1 with the win. Next up, at Whitnall on Friday, followed by Homecoming week against Pius XI. Go Rockets!

An exhibition that pays homage to “the most significant engineering marvels in Milwaukee’s history” would not be complete without items from South Milwaukee, and the company that defined our city for generations.

That’s why it was exciting to hear the Grohmann Museum will be featuring several items from the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum collection, including a scale model of a Bucyrus dragline.

The South Milwaukee Industrial Museum partnered with Grohmann on the exhibit. They are using the Bucyrus display cases to add a unique industrial look to the entire show.

The exhibit opens on Friday and continues through Dec. 22. It is open daily at 1000 N. Broadway, on the campus of the Milwaukee School of Engineering. More details on the exhibit here.

From it …

Have you ever used a QWERTY keyboard? Ridden a motorcycle? Adjusted the thermostat? Been a passenger on a boat with an outboard motor? If answering ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you have a Milwaukee engineer/inventor to thank. See, all of these marvels, and many more, originated in Milwaukee. From household names like the Sawzall, to more arcane developments like DESCO’s diving apparatus, Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee seeks to highlight not only Milwaukee-born equipment and machinery, but also the engineers who created them.  

This exhibition will feature some of the most significant engineering marvels in Milwaukee’s history and will include photographs, documents, ephemera and a number of the actual machines highlighted in the book of the same name by engineer Thomas Fehring, who also serves as guest curator. Nash automobiles, Merkel motorcycles, Evinrude outboards, Johnson Controls environmental systems, Masterlock locks, and Stereo-Realist cameras—these are but a few of the Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee; a one-of-a-kind exhibit filled with one-of-a-kind inventions.

Don’t forget, you can learn more about, and support, the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum efforts here and here.

The South Milwaukee Common Council and South Milwaukee School Board voted unanimously this week in support of resolutions speaking out against the proposed Milwaukee County Transit System route cuts — cuts that would eliminate two of the three lines that serve our city.

The resolution the City Council passed on Tuesday — similar to one the School Board passed on Wednesday — follows … and I call on other local governments to pass similar resolutions speaking out against this.

This won’t be the last word from us, as we partner with other local leaders to tell this story, and stand up, together. Bring it on!

WHEREAS, Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bus service is an important and valued part of the City of South Milwaukee and the entire South Shore, offering safe and affordable transportation to hundreds of people each day, connecting workers with jobs, residents with services, students with school and more;

WHEREAS, MCTS has proposed cuts to its 2020 budget that include elimination of 16 of its 51 routes, including Routes 48 and 52 in South Milwaukee, as well as reductions in services to routes 55 and 80 serving other southern communities. This is in addition to the elimination of five routes last spring, including school routes serving St. Francis and Cudahy. Combined with additional cuts in previous years, reductions in service, and increased fares, this is a continuing “death spiral” for local transit.;

WHEREAS, the cutting of these routes will significantly harm the South Shore. As just one example, dozens of high school and middle school students are among the nearly 200 riders of Route 52 each day. Eliminating it would leave only Route 15 to serve these students, with the closest stop a half mile away from school campuses;

WHEREAS, the broader communities of St. Francis, Cudahy, Oak Creek and Milwaukee’s South Side are also directly affected by the cancellation of these routes, and each will have see their own significant impacts. For example, cutting Route 48, a Freeway Flyer, would impact close to 100 commuters each day from South Milwaukee, Cudahy, St. Francis, Bay View and other areas who use it to travel to and from work.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Erik Brooks and the South Milwaukee Common Council, hereby call upon county government leaders to restore these routes and, rather than reduce service, invest in public transportation as a means to serve our constituents, drive economic growth, and connect communities.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we call upon leaders in state government to get behind mass transit as an important part of a multi-modal transportation system, and to support local governments in their work to adequately fund this and other vital services. This includes giving local governments the financial support and flexibility they need to deliver the services their residents and business owners expect and demand. Allow and enable cities, villages, towns, counties and school boards do their jobs. 

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

On 09/04/2019 at about 11:09am, the SMPD received a call from a resident in the 800blk of Sycamore that a subject was trying to steal her motorcycle. Upon being confronted by the owner, the two suspects fled the area in a silver vehicle. An officer attempted to stop the vehicle at which time it fled at a high rate of speed. After a few blocks, a supervisor terminated the pursuit. Shortly thereafter, officers were alerted by a passing motorist of a crash at the intersection of Pennsylvania/Rawson.

Upon arrival to the area, witnesses alerted officers that two subjects fled in different directions on foot from the suspect vehicle. A K-9 unit from the St. Francis PD was able to locate one of the suspects nearby in a wooded area. The arrested subject is a 25yr old Milwaukee resident. The SMPD was also assisted by the Greenfield PD with a drone, a Milwaukee County Sheriff K-9, and the Oak Creek and Cudahy Police Departments.

A citizen involved in the crash was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

A known suspect who remains at large was described as a younger, male Hispanic, wearing shorts, no shirt, and barefoot. Persons who may have witnessed the accident are encouraged to call the SMPD at 768-8060.

Catching up from the holiday weekend …

First, this from the South Milwaukee Fire Department …

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At approximately 2:15 this afternoon (August 31), SMFD was notified of a fire burning behind the steel facade in front of the former Sunrise Restaurant. Contractors removing the signage from the building noticed smoke coming from the overhang and walked to the fire station to report the fire. Arriving SMFD units discovered smoke issuing from the facade area and vents and fire burning behind the steel siding. Extra resources from our mutual aid partners were initially requested, but were released once the area was opened up and the fire was under control. The fire was contained to the area seen in the accompanying photos. No injuries were reported. SMFD also responded to two additional EMS calls during his time.

And check out these other headlines …

• Traveling Kettle Corn Operation is a Sweet Family Business, But Came With a Learning Curve (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) … a story about one of the first South Milwaukee Downtown Market vendors.
• Cudahy Lifts Pit Bull Restrictions (CBS 58)

Thanks to the South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department for organizing this event. I hope to see you there!

Why not? Note that the festivities are on the Saturday before Thanksgiving this year, due to the lateness of the holiday.

Start making your plans now … including those parade entries, for the return of the Lighted Christmas Parade!

• 3-6 p.m. City Hall activities – food, crafts, movies, and visits with Santa, followed by the city tree lighting ceremony.
• 6 p.m. Lighted Christmas Parade, presented by South Milwaukee Lions. 15th Avenue near City Hall.

More details to come. Happy holidays!

More details on the South Milwaukee Lions event …

Former Wisconsin Gov. Schreiber to speak about caregivers and caregiving at open community event associated with the South Milwaukee Lions Club. The Lions Club has been serving the South Milwaukee community since 1937 with the mission to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Martin J. Schreiber continues the most important campaign of his life when he visits the South Milwaukee City Hall (2424 15 th Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI 53172) on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at 6 p.m. to talk about the challenges of being a caregiver. Registration is recommended if individuals anticipate attending the Lions.

Club meeting immediately following the presentation (around 7pm) to learn more about the club and their motto “WE SERVE”. For questions about the event or meeting RSVP without a computer, please call 414-768-8055 x 3. RSVP online as a guest for the Lions Club meeting immediately following the presentation at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e45a9ac23aa8-11sept

At the 11-Sept event, Schreiber will share what he has learned, which is included in his award-winning book, “My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver,” so others don’t experience the learning curve he did. The free presentation will include time for questions and suggestions from other caregivers.

“My Two Elaines” will be available for purchase in both book form and as a set of three CDs, narrated by Schreiber and his children. Net proceeds from sales are used to promote Alzheimer’s caregiver support. “My Two Elaines” is a guide for Alzheimer’s families and caregivers as well as a love story that spans more than 60 years. Schreiber’s wife Elaine was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 11 years ago and since then, he has worked tirelessly to be a caregiver and loving spouse to someone who no longer recognizes him. He refers to the woman with whom he fell in love in high school, married, raised a family and ran political campaigns as his first Elaine, and today’s sweet, sensitive woman who remembers nothing about their past as his second. He speaks about the need for caregivers to build support systems and self-care, which are among the things he failed to do early on.

Like many thrown into the role as a caregiver for Alzheimer’s or other diseases, Schreiber knew little about the disease and how to be an effective caregiver. What he found most disturbing was that even healthcare providers don’t know the degree to which Alzheimer’s affects the person who lives with it and his or her family. “If Alzheimer’s is bad, ignorance of the disease is worse,” he said.

Visit http://www.mytwoelaines.com or http://www.smlions.org for more information.