Author Archives: Erik Brooks

On Tuesday, May 15, the South Milwaukee City Council recognized local law enforcement and citizens for their work in serving our community, keeping us safe, and saving lives.

I’m recapping those stories on South Milwaukee Blog. Here is today’s story …

Officer Mike Hill

Merit Award

On January 15, 2018, at about 8:15am, Officer Mike Hill was assigned to an escort call at Divine Mercy, 800 Marquette Avenue. As he was leaving for the escort with the Divine Mercy personnel he observed a person near the building who appeared to be trying to enter the building with some keys. Officer Hill continued to watch the area as he conducted the escort a few blocks away. As soon as he finished the escort call, Officer Hill returned to the church as he felt that something did not seem right about the situation. When he arrived at the church, he checked the building and noticed a door open between Divine Mercy Church and St. John’s Manor as well as fresh prints in the snow. The entire building was checked but it did not appear at that time that the church had been accessed.

PO Hill continued to patrol the area but returned a short while later to again check the church. This time he found the same foyer door was open. He summoned other officers and again went inside to check. This time he found the church doors were unlocked, which appeared to allow access into the church itself. Officers began a thorough search of the church and eventually found a male subject hiding inside the bell tower, on the roof of the church. This person was arrested and was found to be in possession of items belonging to the church. That suspect was later charged with Burglary.

If not for Officer Hill’s attention to detail and persistence in investigating unusual activity, valuable items likely would have been stolen from Divine Mercy. His commitment to the community, combined with his law enforcement experience, led him to take action that less seasoned officers may not have taken. Those actions made our city a safer place and for that reason Officer Mike Hill is hereby presented with a Merit Award.

Congratulations, Officer Hill!

The mission of the South Milwaukee Beautification Committee is “to promote, encourage, and work to enhance the beauty of the City of South Milwaukee.”

Our new Beautification Awards program will bring that mission to life, one local property at a time, all year long.

We are proud to unveil the Beautification Awards, a series of honors for the “best of the best” homes, businesses and organizations when it comes to making our city beautiful. Details below, with much more to come.

Start planting and decorating now, and get ready to submit your entries!

June: Garden Tour Awards

These awards are only open to those already chosen to take part in the South Milwaukee Historical Society Garden Tour and Art Fair on June 23.

The “Mayor’s Choice Awards” will now be named the “Best of the Tour.” The Beautification Committee will select the winners, ahead of the event. Grand prize is $75, and that winner also receives a proclamation, decorative signage, recognition on city/mayor digital platforms, and additional Historical Society awards. There will also be honorable mentions.

July: Patriotic Display Awards

The Patriotic Display Awards recognize those who show their patriotism through the look and feel of their properties. Residents are encouraged to create patriotic-themed displays, which could include flags, bunting, flowers, handcrafted or purchased items, with relevance to Memorial Day, Flag Day and/or Independence Day. All decorations must be up by June 28, and recipients are selected by the Beautification Committee on or around June 30. These awards are nomination-based, with nominations being solicited using Facebook and this online form. Up to three winners will each receive $50, a sign, and recognition at a city council meeting or on city/mayor digital platforms.

 August: Curb Appeal Awards

The South Milwaukee Curb Appeal Awards are presented annually to South Milwaukee businesses, homeowners and civic organizations who devote extra effort to their property’s beautification, through landscaping and other street-facing efforts. Judging criteria include utilization of color, appropriateness for the architecture of the structure, originality, lawn upkeep, and decorative exterior structures. Properties also will be judged on the overall exterior appearance of their buildings. Landscaping done by professionals is not eligible for the awards. Current-year Garden Tour entrants are also not eligible.

The recipients of the Beautification Awards are selected by the Beautification Committee in early August. The Beautification Awards are nomination-based, with nominations being solicited using Facebook and this online form. Up to five winners each receive $50, a sign, and recognition at a city council meeting or on city/mayor digital platforms.

October: Rocketober Awards

The Rocketober Awards will recognize those with the best fall, Halloween or Thanksgiving-themed decorations on their homes or businesses. All decorations must be up by October 21, recipients are selected by the Beautification Committee the following week. The Rocketober Awards are nomination-based, with nominations being solicited using Facebook and an online form. Up to three winners will each receive $50, a sign, and recognition at a city council meeting or on city/mayor digital platforms. Additional details to be determined.

December: Light Up South Milwaukee Holiday Lights Awards

We are bringing back the successful 2017 program. The awards honor the South Milwaukee homes and businesses with the best outdoor holiday lights displays. Winners will receive small cash prizes from a total prize pool of $250, a sign, and recognition at a city council meeting or on city/mayor digital platforms. Beautification Committee members will judge entries. More details to come.

On Tuesday, May 15, the South Milwaukee City Council recognized local law enforcement and citizens for their work in serving our community, keeping us safe, and saving lives.

I’m recapping those stories on South Milwaukee Blog. Here is today’s story …

Officer Jon Rivamonte

Merit Award

On June 15, 2017, the South Milwaukee Police Department was dispatched to the Aldi grocery store at 3105 S. Chicago Avenue for a report of an armed robbery. The business had been robbed by a single male suspect, armed with a handgun. He fled before officers arrived. Over the next several months, the same suspect committed robberies of other Aldi grocery stores in Greenfield, Oconomowoc, Brookfield, Madison and Merrillville, Indiana. He even returned to South Milwaukee in November 2017 and attempted to rob the Aldi store for the second time.

During the course of several months, Investigator Jon Rivamonte worked diligently to coordinate efforts with the other affected jurisdictions. He and other detectives developed a suspect and utilized GPS tracking technology to surveille the suspect and gather additional evidence. Working with several agencies, including the FBI, search warrants were executed in South Milwaukee, Cudahy and Milwaukee. On December 8th, 2017, the thirty-year-old suspect was taken into custody and conveyed to the South Milwaukee Police Department. During the ensuing interrogation, Investigator Rivamonte was able to obtain a confession to all seven of the robberies, including both incidents in South Milwaukee.

Hiram Graham was charged in Federal Court and is facing a possible life sentence for violations of the Hobbs Act. This crime spree may have continued if not for the tireless work of Investigator Rivamonte. His persistence in following every lead, his diligence in the collection of evidence and his skillful interview of a dangerous criminal led to the successful resolution of a crime spree affecting numerous communities. The citizens of South Milwaukee are truly safer today because of the work of Investigator Rivamonte and he is therefore presented with a Merit Award for actions leading to the arrest of this dangerous felon.

Congratulations, Officer Rivamonte!

It’s one of my favorite events of the year, and the 38th Annual 128th Air Refueling Wing Civic Dinner Dance didn’t disappoint on Thursday.

A special congratulations to Honored Citizen of the Year Bill Moore, who has strong local ties. He is a former South Milwaukee resident and is a member of American Legion Post 27 Van Eimeren-Kolonka, and the South Milwaukee Veterans’ Council.

Thanks, Bill, for all you do, and thanks to the volunteer committee who puts on this terrific event each year. It’s an honor to attend.

On Tuesday, May 15, the South Milwaukee City Council recognized local law enforcement and citizens for their work in serving our community, keeping us safe, and saving lives.

I’m recapping those stories on South Milwaukee Blog. Here is today’s story …

Officer Todd Vinohradsky

Supervisor Recognition Award

Our community expects all residents to adhere to some basic standards and those standards include being responsible and respectful tenants or homeowners. When conflict occurs, law enforcement is tasked with resolving the discord and reestablishing peace. Occasionally, however, certain members of our community become chronic users of valuable services and we must take other measures to ensure that our community standards are met. The nuisance ordinance was created to provide another tool for law enforcement, and Officer Todd Vinohradsky has willingly taken a leadership role in applying that instrument to resolve issues involving nuisance properties. Over the past three years, Officer Vinohradsky has completed approximately 70 nuisance property investigations for SMPD and this has caused owners to become more responsible and proactive in the management of their properties. Officer Vinohradsky is to be commended for his high level of self-initiated activity with respect to nuisance property abatement.

Congratulations Officer Vinohradsky!

The South Milwaukee Beautification Committee and Garden Club need your help with local plantings. Here are a few opportunities …

• Thursday, May 17 (tomorrow): Downtown planting begins. Meet at 5 p.m. at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market site, 11th and Milwaukee. Planting may continue Friday evening, and into the  weekend.
• Friday, May 18: War Memorial weeding. Meet at 5 p.m. at the memorial, north of the intersection of 10th and Rawson Avenues.
• Wednesday, May 23: War Memorial planting. Meet at 5 p.m.

Email Patti Bergeson for more details, or just show up! Bring your group — all are welcome. Materials and tools provided.

Thanks for stepping up to help make South Milwaukee beautiful.

I love this idea! From Brian Morrison and the Friends …

Making up almost one-forth of our city, Grant Park and the Oak Creek Parkway truly are one of South Milwaukee’s finest treasures. Discover their beauty and learn about all that they have to offer us, with Suburban Soles: Guided Nature Walks, Hosted by the Friends of Grant Park. This bi-monthly walking group will meet at 10 am on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, starting in June and continuing until the end of September.

Each event will be lead by a different guide expert, focusing on what they know best. Some of the topics that will be studied are native and invasive plants, integrated forest gardening techniques, mushroom identification and environmental roles, fish and water life and the Oak Creek Watershed project. Even take a walk down memory lane and learn about the history of the South Milwaukee and how the Oak Creek helped to develop this wonderful community. Suburban Soles, discover yourself in South Milwaukee’s natural beauty.

Here is the Facebook events page. And the detailed schedule …

Schedule

June 10th – “This Land is Your Land”
Join the Friends of Grant Park and Milwaukee County Parks Natural Area Specialist, Brian Russart, to learn about invasive species that have infiltrated the park and affected the environment. As we stroll, participants will be shown how to identify some of these invasives, such as Garlic Mustard and Japanese Knotweed. We will even have the opportunity to pull out a few of the invaders, along the way.

June 24th – “Bloom Where You Are Planted”
Milwaukee’s eastern region botanist, Sierra Dawkins will leads us on this exciting wildflower walk, consisting of identification of native plants and flowers of Wisconsin as well as identification of troublesome invasive plant species. Bring your walking shoes, curiosity and a good attitude! All backgrounds welcome!

July 8th – “Historic Escape”
In addition to the tour route being surrounded by great natural beauty, it also encompasses some of South Milwaukee’s most significant historic sites. South Milwaukee historian Nels Monson will lead this fact-filled event where you will hear and learn about city founder John Fowle, the Mill Pond, the railroad trestle stretching over Mill Road as well as the Grant Park golf course club house, the Hawthorne House and other items of historic interest. For anyone with a genuine interest in the history of South Milwaukee, this walking tour is sure to please.”

July 22nd – “Sweet Success”
What is a pollinator? What species live in Grant Park and surroundings communities? Why are they important to us? Join Brooke Gilley, Naturalist at Wehr Nature Center, as we journey through Grant Park to find out the answers to these questions. A pair binoculars or camera is strongly suggested for this hike.

August 12th – “Healthy Water, Healthy Land”
Explore the ecosystem of Oak Creek with Jan Marsh, EPA watershed expert and Laura Herrick, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission Chief Environmental Engineer, as they lead a walk along the Oak Creek channel. We will talk about the watershed landscape which surrounds the creek and the impacts of human activity in the area. We will also discuss how the creek corridor handles flood events, how those have changed over time, and how the stream has adapted to those changes. We will also look at features along the main stream channel and how they impact water quality, fish, and other aquatic organisms.

August 22nd -“One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”
Water Resources Biologist Craig Helker with the Wisconsin DNR will talk about how rivers work, their form, and how the critters present reflect the environments wa ter quality. Learn how fish surveys are done using a backpack electro-shocker and study aquatic macro-invertebrates (bugs), collected in a kick-net

September 9th – “Fun with Fungi”
While the fungi kingdom includes several thousand species, there is less scientific knowledge (approx. 15 % classified) vs. the plant and animal kingdoms. But new research, along with historic information, show how fungi is involved with almost every aspect of our life. Alan Bunde, President of the Wisconsin Mycological Society, an amateur mushroom enthusiast club, will provide a basic overview of different local mushroom types and their interaction with our environment.

September 23rd – “Put Your Garden to Rest”
Many of our natural areas have been damaged to the point of becoming unrecognizable from their original pre European settlement appearance. Still much of that original vegetation remains in small parcels scattered here and there in county parks, woodlots, and field edges.On this walk, join Bryce Ruddock, co-author of “Integrated Forest Gardening: the Complete Guide to Polyculture and Plant Guilds in Permaculture systems” as we begin to look at what nature has to share with us and ways to add these natural beauties to where we live.

As if we needed another reminder of the extent of the opioid and other drug crisis facing not just South Milwaukee, but all of us, comes word that five Milwaukee County residents died of overdoses on Saturday alone.

One was a 55-year-old man from South Milwaukee. Here is the Fox 6 story.

Nine South Milwaukee residents died due to accidental drug overdoses in 2017.

Do you know someone who needs help? Check out the information below … and also consider joining the South Milwaukee United Against Drug Abuse Coalition, whose mission is to “to prevent, educate and bring awareness to the effects of substance abuse and addiction, and to support those affected by it” to get to “a community free of substance abuse, addiction and the harms associated with it.” Details here.

Tragic news today.

Please keep the family of the worker killed in your prayers.

From the NOW story …

Steven E. Wade of Oak Creek was pronounced dead May 14 as a result of his injuries, according to a report released May 15 by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner.

Wade was admitted May 10 to Froedtert Hospital, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., for “traumatic crushing injuries from a work-related accident,” the report stated. He suffered several rib fractures, a collapsed lung, asphyxia, spinal fractures, and developed seizures, according to the report.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of our employee who was involved in an incident in our South Milwaukee facility on May 10,” Lisa Miller, media relations for Caterpillar, said in a statement May 15. “Our thoughts and prayers are with this employee’s family, friends, and co-workers.”

From the event Facebook page …

Come and get it! All drink proceeds will be used for local scholarships and grants to non-profit organizations. Fourteen food trucks are coming to the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field Food Truck Sunday on May 20th.

Here’s the official list of food trucks coming to Rotary’s Food Truck Sunday: Brody’s Italian Ice, The Cupcake-A-Rhee, Densons Catering And Event Planning, FirewiseBBQ, JJ’s Wood Grill & Catering, Little Havana Express Food Truck,Meat on the Street, Olano’s Empanadas, Pig Tailz MKE, Streetza, The Frying Dutchmen, The Rolling Cones and Timber’s BBQ Food Truck.

And – as always – thanks to our event sponsor Educators Credit Union.

The students from Mount Mary University have made great progress in helping us redesign and rethink our city center as their class project.

See for yourself tomorrow (Tuesday, May 15), as they display their final work — including design images and floor plans for almost a dozen vacant buildings — starting at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, ahead of the city council meeting. There will also be a brief presentation during the council meeting.

Students will be set up at stations in the south council chambers, so be sure to visit all of them an offer feedback on their work. More details on the effort here.

Thanks to these students for being part of the solution for downtown South Milwaukee!

Here are some local headlines …

• Caterpillar Employee Seriously Injured by Metal Plate (NOW)
• Motorcycle Club Denied Permit to Occupy Building on Packard Avenue in Cudahy (NOW)
• Crusher Statue Hits Fundraising Goal (NOW)
• South Milwaukee Firefighters Help Recover Drone from Tree (CBS 58) … also coverage from TMJ4
• South Milwaukee Woman Arrested After Pursuit Reaches Speeds in Excess of 100 mph (Fox 6)
• A Couple of Minutes with South Milwaukee’s Jordan Janusiak (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Also, the South Milwaukee Police Department has published a new police blotter … and does so every week on its Facebook page. Check out the most recent one below.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

On the Thursday, May 10, 2018 at about 2:01pm the South Milwaukee Police Department received a 911 call from Caterpillar located in the 1100 block of Rawson Avenue reporting an industrial accident at the plant. A 60 year old male was injured during the accident. The South Milwaukee Police Department is investigating this incident along with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and OSHA.

Please keep this man and his family in your thoughts and prayers. I will keep you posted.

I love this, and am so appreciative of the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field for bringing this program to our city. From the club …

If you are looking for a way to honor important people in your life and celebrate America, the City of South Milwaukee and the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field are partnering to fly flags in honor of heroes.

Flags for Heroes South Milwaukee is a local tribute to the heroes in our lives – past and present. Over 100 flags will be flown at City Hall for during the week of Flag Day with a formal ceremony held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, as part of South Milwaukee’s Flag Day celebration. 

Each sponsored flag will display an Honor Tag listing the donor’s name and personal hero. The tag is given to the donor after the flags are taken down. Individual flag donations are 100% tax deductible. 

All proceeds from Flags for Heroes South Milwaukee will be used for local projects by the Rotary Club of Mitchell Field. Since 1958, it has quietly and significantly made the communities it serves better, safer places to live, to work, and to go to school and to raise a family through its service projects, scholarships and contributions to local non-profit organizations. 

A hero could be a member of the military, police, fire or other first responders who put their lives on the line for us every day. It could be a teacher, a coach, a mentor, or a community leader. It could be a parent – or anyone who has been a hero in your life. 

For more information or to be involved in Flags for Heroes, visit rcomf.org, contact info@rcomf.org.

Get a PDF of the flyer here.

Excited to see beach volleyball return to Grant Park Beach this summer, with a new operator. Details here … and welcome, Volley Life, to South Milwaukee!

For more information, check out their Facebook page, website and registration link.

Please consider signing up, and being a part of the continued rebirth of the beach!