Category Archives: South Milwaukee

From the city ….

We want to hear from residents, businesses, and stakeholders about what you envision for the future and growth of South Milwaukee. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SMKESurvey

I love to see this terrific local event back for another season. Details here.

My favorite part of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market is the weekly live music and special events. Tonight it’s American Graffiti.

See you at the market!

From the city …

At Tuesday’s (May 21) Common Council meeting, Police Chief Jessup had the opportunity to recognize the recipients of the South Milwaukee Police Department annual merit awards. These awards recognize the outstanding dedication, bravery, and service of our officers who go above and beyond to keep our community safe. Congratulations to all the recipients!

This was my favorite council meeting of the year when I was mayor, hearing the stories of the officers, staff and everyday citizens making a real difference.

Following are the stories told last week. Thanks, Chief Jessup, for sharing …

Pizza Hut Homicide

On February 7, 2024, officers were dispatched to the Pizza Hut Restaurant at 112 N. Chicago Avenue for a report of a dead body in a garbage cart.  This incident was determined to be a homicide and over the course of the next day, the victim was identified as 55-year-old employee of the restaurant.  As with all homicide investigations, the first 48 hours is critical to solving the case and it requires many investigators, working as a team, to collect evidence and follow leads.  Every officer with our department worked on this case and contributed to the end result but this group of officers stood out in terms of the hours they put in and the crucial evidence they found.  The area was canvassed for video footage and officers quickly found evidence that showed the lone suspect coming to the scene, and then leaving on foot.  While the video was grainy, it did give us some important information on the suspect’s description and direction of travel.

Over the next several days, this group spent many hours writing search warrant applications and poring through phone records, cell tower information, social media accounts and surveillance video to positively identify the suspect.  Search warrants were executed in South Milwaukee and in the City of Milwaukee.  This group of officers conducted surveillance and ultimately arrested the 31-year-old suspect within just a few days of the crime.

This is a very brief summary of the work done by these officers and it would take quite some time to detail all of the steps that were taken by this dedicated team.  Suffice to say, this group of investigators went to great lengths and followed every lead to bring closure and justice for the family of the victim.   Additionally, there is no doubt that the suspect posed a great threat to our community, and his quick apprehension prevented additional risk of violence in our city.  The investigators and officers are to be commended for their commitment to the community and their perseverance during difficult circumstances.  Lieutenants Jason Walker and David Hoeppner, Investigators Nathan Siefert and Matthew Kramer, and Officers Logan Staege, Craig Perkowski, and Steven Hesse are hereby presented with a Meritorious Service Award for their accomplishments during this very tragic case.          

Saving a Life and Making an Arrest

On November 3, 2023, officers were dispatched to an address on Marion Avenue for a report of an overdose.  When they arrived, they found a 16-year-old boy was unconscious and they revived him through the use of NARCAN.  Shortly thereafter, the boy started to have a seizure and was transported to SLSS for additional treatment.  These officers conducted a thorough investigation, gained the cooperation of the 16-year-old boy and were able to identify the drug dealer that was providing the boy with heroin.  A search warrant was executed and additional drugs were recovered.  The adult suspect was arrested and charged with PWITD.  Further investigation by these officers revealed that the boy’s parents were aware of his drug use and even assisted him in obtaining drugs.  Both parents were arrested and charged with multiple felonies.  The 16-year-old boy and his younger brother were removed from the house and placed with a responsible caregiver.  The younger brother was also found to have cocaine in his system.

If not for the diligence and persistence of Investigator Matthew Kramer and Officer Brandon Meyer, these children would have continued to be in a very dangerous environment.  By holding three adults responsible for their criminal actions, the officers protected these children and made our city safer.  Investigator Kramer and Officer Meyer are hereby presented with merit awards for their actions.

Helping a Fellow Officer

On February 4, 2024, Officer Draven Feustel was working the third shift and was assigned to convey a prisoner to the Milwaukee County Jail and after completing that assignment, he began driving back to the City of South Milwaukee.  While driving southbound on I-43, he observed a sheriffs deputy on the side of the freeway.  The deputy appeared to be struggling to make an arrest and the deputy was lying on his back with the man standing over him.  Officer Feustel immediately jumped into action, exited his squad and rushed to the aid of the deputy, using his taser to disable the man and take him into custody.  Luckily, the deputy only sustained minor injuries but this incident could have turned tragic, if not for the quick action of Draven.  Officer Feustel is hereby presented with a merit award for his actions on that night.

Honoring Tony Girard

A Citizen Recognition Award is presented to Tony Girard, owner of Tony G’s Grant Park Garage.  This award traditionally goes to a citizen or group that takes action that has a significant impact on crime prevention and community safety, and Tony definitely fills that role.  In addition to being a great local business owner, Tony Girard has also been one of our most reliable supporters.  Each year he donates to our Shop with a Cop program, Community Night Out and our DARE golf outing, allowing us to support the children in our community.   Last year he also donated at least four times to our new K-9 program.   Tony Girard has shown a strong commitment to the City of South Milwaukee and the South Milwaukee Police Department through his work and his generosity, and he sets an example for others to follow.  I am pleased to present him with our Citizen Recognition Award, and want to thank him for his generous support.

What a summer! Yet again, there are some truly special events across the city this summer. Here is a list … truly something for everyone.

It starts really strong this week with the South Milwaukee PAC Preview Party, opening of the Downtown Market, the Art Works mural fundraiser and music at the beach. And it only picks up from there. Check out July 18-28 as an example. Wow.

Did I miss an event? (I’m sure I did.) Email me at erikbrooks32@gmail.com, so I can shine a light on your event. And be sure to check the Events page on the blog for updates.

MAY 2024

• Wednesday, May 29: South Milwaukee PAC Season Preview Party, 6:30 p.m., SMPAC. Details
• Thursday, May 30: South Milwaukee Downtown Market season opener, 3-7 p.m. 1100 Milwaukee Ave. Music by American Graffiti (’50s and ’60s). Details
• Thursday, May 30: Art Works | Paint the Town Tasting mural fundraiser, 6 p.m., DBHW Wealth Partners. Details
• Friday, May 31: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-The Wingmen Trio, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details

JUNE 2024

• Saturday, June 2: Suburban Soles — “Urban Wildlife,” 10 a.m., Grant Park Area 5. Details
• Thursday, June 6: Downtown Market Music, Tango En Fuego (country, pop & reggae). Details
• Friday, June 7: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Ryan McIntyre, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details
• Thursday, June 13: Downtown Market Music, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys. Details
• Friday, June 14: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Blaine & Jake, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details
• Friday, June 14: ABBAFAB, 8 p.m., South Milwaukee PAC. Details
• Saturday, June 15: Suburban Soles — “Invasive Species,” 10 a.m., Grant Park 7 Bridges entrance. Details
• Thursday, June 20: Downtown Market Music, Sonic Boomers (classic rock). Details
• Friday, June 21: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Jake Warne Duo, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details
• Saturday, June 22: South Milwaukee Garden Tour, presented by the South Milwaukee Garden Club, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Details
• Sunday, June 23: Late Night Catechism, 3 p.m. South Milwaukee PAC. Details
• Wednesday, June 26: Milwaukee County Traveling Beer Garden opener, 5 p.m., Grant Park Area 5 (Brown Pavilion). Beer garden runs through July 7 and is open daily. Details
• Thursday, June 27: Super Heroes Night at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market and Market Music-Radiation. Details
• Friday, June 28: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Do Wa-Wa, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details
• Sunday, June 30: Suburban Soles — “Walk Through Wil-o-Way,” 10 a.m., Wil-o-Way Grant. Details

JULY 2024

• Thursday, July 4: South Milwaukee Independence Day Celebration, starting at 10 a.m., ending with evening fireworks. Grant Park Areas 5-6. Details
• Friday, July 5: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Blaine & Jake, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details
• Sunday, July 7: Final Milwaukee County Traveling Beer Garden, Grant Park.
• Thursday, July 11: Downtown Market Music, Ivy Ford (soul) and South Milwaukee Youth Theatre performance. Details
• Sunday, July 14: Suburban Soles — “Watersheds and Water Quality,” 10 a.m., Grant Park Area 7 playground. Details
• Thursday, July 18: Downtown Market Music, Larry Lynn & the Decade Band and South Milwaukee Youth Theatre performance. Details
• Friday, July 19: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Zakk Daniel, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details
• Sunday, July 21: Friends of Grant Park Art Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Grant Park Picnic Area 5 (Brown Pavilion). Details
• Tuesday, July 23: South Milwaukee Municipal Band Concert, 7 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details
• Wednesday, July 24: South Milwaukee Fire Department Brat & Tot Fry, 4-7 p.m., South Milwaukee Fire Department. Details
• Thursday, July 25: Two big downtown events … Moran’s Award Winning First Annual Mid-Summer Block Party Extravaganza, 4-10 p.m., 900 block of Milwaukee Avenue (details) AND South Milwaukee Downtown Market Evening at the Commons and Market Music-Dog House Charlie (’70s and ’80s). Details
• Friday, July 26-Sunday, July 28: South Milwaukee Lionsfest. Details
• Friday, July 26: Lionsfest Car Cruise. Details
• Friday, July 26: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Ryan McIntyre, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details
• Saturday, July 27: South Milwaukee Heritage Days Parade. Details
• Sunday, July 28: Suburban Soles — “Dragonflies and Damselflies,” 1 p.m., Mill Pond. Details

AUGUST 2024

• Thursday, August 1: Downtown Market Music-Blue Grass Allstars. Details
• Friday, August 2: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Floor It, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details
• Thursday, August 8: Downtown Market Music-Jim Namio (Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra). Details
• Friday, August 9: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Todd Bryant Band, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details
• Sunday, August 11: Suburban Soles — “Tree-Mendous Love for Trees,” 10 a.m., Grant Park Area 5. Details
• Thursday, August 15: Downtown Market Music-Val Sigal (polka). Details
• Friday, August 16: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Ben Harold Duo, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details
• Saturday, August 17: South Milwaukee Celebrations Committee Movie Night, 7:30 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Additional details to come.
• Thursday, August 22: South Milwaukee Downtown Market Car Show and Market Music-Reverend Jerry K (country). Details
• Friday, August 23: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Ryan McIntyre, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details
• Saturday, August 24: Cheaterama 26th Car Show, Bucyrus Commons, noon-8 p.m., Bucyrus Commons. Details
• Sunday, August 25: Suburban Soles — “Astronomy,” 8 p.m., Wil-o-Way Grant. Details
• Thursday, August 29: Downtown Market Music-Kal Bergendahl (jazz funk). Details
• Friday, August 30: Ferch’s Beachside Summer Music-Party Marty, 5:30-8 p.m., Grant Park Beach. Details

Here are plans for the 2024 South Milwaukee Memorial Day event on Monday, May 27, presented by American Legion Post #27, at the South Milwaukee War Memorial …

• 10:30 A.M.- Tom Ludka (Emcee), Honor Guard and participants in place.
• 10:45 A.M.-10:59 A.M.- General Public in place
• 11:00A.M.-11:45A.M.- Welcome, Honor Guard- 3 rifle volleys, Taps, reading of the ‘War Dead names’, wreath laying ceremony and announcement of ‘South Milwaukee’s Veteran of the Year’ and closing remarks.
• 11:45A.M.-11:59A.M.- Depart for luncheon @ Bella Rose Events (formerly A.L. Post 27) at 920 Monroe Ave. (Park in the parking lot that the Bella Rose Events shares with the S.M. Library).
• 12:00P.M.-3:00P.M.-Catered luncheon.

And thank you to the South Milwaukee Garden Club volunteers and city and county workers who helped prep the site for the event. It looks great!

From the city … pretty cool!

On behalf of Mayor Shelenske, you’re invited to attend a watch party for South Milwaukee’s episode of Top Chef on May 22, 2024 at 7:00pm, with the episode airing at 8:00 pm at Moran’s Pub, 912 Milwaukee Avenue.

More about the show here.

Rounding up some recent news from the South Milwaukee School District …

From the District: Traffic Study This Week

Traffic safety on 15th Avenue is one of the items the School District identified as one of the safety upgrades needed in our schools.

To get clear data on the problem, the District has hired an engineering firm that specializes in traffic to study our problem and suggest changes. Starting tomorrow, residents may see workers in yellow vests during pickup and drop off taking pictures and video and collecting data. 

Thank you for your patience as we take this first step to making our streets safer!

Also, a couple positive local stories in the media …

• “They need to care about the space they’re living in”: South MKE teachers win grant to study microplastics (TMJ4)
• Students, teachers at Lakeview Elementary have big dreams for former Everbrite site in South Milwaukee (TMJ4)

On Friday, I was honored to join South Milwaukee Mayor Jim Shelenske, former Mayor Dave Kieck and more than a dozen city team members for the celebration of an iconic redevelopment project in our city center.

Bucyrus Commons is more than a comunity gathering place. It is part of an intentional and ongoing effort to celebrate the manufacturer that defined our city for generations — so future generations can know and proudly share its story. We are not just naming things after Bucyrus. Instead, the Bucyrus Foundation is actively investing in the physical spaces that bear its name.

In that way, I am not sure any community our size in the country has done what we’ve done, to the level we’ve done it. We celebrated that last week, and will for many years to come.

From the city press release …

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) celebrated the best downtown revitalization projects of 2023 at the 33rd Wisconsin Main Street Awards ceremony in Green Bay on April 19, 2024.

“As Main Street goes, so goes Wisconsin’s economy, its well-being, our way of life in the Badger State,” said Missy Hughes, WEDC Secretary and CEO. “And these awards prove once again Wisconsin communities are thriving. Congratulations to the winners. We salute and celebrate you, our partners in creating an economy and improving the quality of life for the betterment and benefit of all.”

South Milwaukee’s Bucyrus Commons project was honored for Best Revitalization Initiative for Connect Communities with a population over 5,000. The criteria for being selected required demonstrating a proactive approach to historic and commercial district revitalization.

In February 2020, the Bucyrus Foundation committed to a $2 million gift to the City of South Milwaukee to enable two projects to help transform the downtown. $1.5 million was dedicated to the renovation of 1919 12th Avenue, now known as the Bucyrus Club & Event Center, and $500,000 was to be put toward the Bucyrus Commons at the corner of 11th and Madison Avenues.

After several stakeholder committee meetings and two public surveys throughout 2020 and 2021, the Bucyrus Commons design was finalized to include greenspace, an open-air pavilion, a restroom/concession building, a children’s digging area, and a covered stage. The Bucyrus Commons officially opened on May 21, 2023.

Here is the WEDC press release.

Welcome to South Milwaukee, Genevieve Stollenwerk!

From the the city’s press release …

The City of South Milwaukee is proud to announce the appointment of Genevieve Stollenwerk as City Engineer. Stollenwerk, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, has worked as a civil engineer for R.A. Smith, Inc. in their municipal services division since 2017.

Recognized for her contributions to the field, Stollenwerk was honored by the American Public Works Association Wisconsin Chapter in 2023 with the Outstanding New Member Impact Award. Throughout her career, she has successfully implemented the design and construction of municipal projects across the region, including in Greendale, Manitowoc, Menomonee Falls, New Berlin, Sturtevant, and Wauwatosa.

As City Engineer, Stollenwerk will play a pivotal role in South Milwaukee’s management team, overseeing the preparation of construction plans, cost estimation for proposed projects, and the development of contracts and specifications for various public works initiatives. Additionally, she will be responsible for maintaining and updating crucial city maps, reviewing land subdivision plats and certified survey maps, planning street and alley lighting, overseeing public works construction inspections, managing GIS, and supervising road projects.

There is a strong downtown South Milwaukee flavor to Gallery Night MKE the next couple of days — and I love it!

Visit Moran’s Pub, Parkway Floral, and Rosenquist Fine Art on Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, for art exhibits, a light show and more. Click the links above to learn more.

From the the Gallery Night website: “Gallery Night MKE – Milwaukee’s original gallery hop event – unites the city through art. Experience the vast creative culture in MKE while you discover local galleries, art, and artists. This free, two-day, quarterly event offers you the opportunity to buy original art, dine in outstanding restaurants, and shop in unique boutiques.”

And that includes South Milwaukee. Very cool.

Check out coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Fox 6 (among other outlets). From the Journal Sentinel story …

Several more remains believed to belong to homicide victim Sade Carleena Robinson were discovered along the shores of Lake Michigan early Thursday, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.

Robinson, 19, was reported missing April 2. That same day a leg was found on the lakeshore in Cudahy and additional remains were found in the city of Milwaukee.

The investigation eventually led to Maxwell Anderson, 33, who has since been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson in Robinson’s death. In the days since Anderson was charged, volunteers have continued searching the Milwaukee area.

On Thursday, a person walking along a remote, tree-lined stretch of beach in South Milwaukee discovered an arm and torso, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The press release is below.

Big news today, as the Green Bay Packers announced a second $100,000 grant to support upgrades for the South Milwaukee School District’s athletic facilities.

From the school district press release …

This is Packer’s territory – even if SM’s colors are red, white, and black. The Green Bay Packers Foundation announced on April 17th that South Milwaukee was awarded a $100,000 grant from the NFL Foundation through the NFL Club Matching Youth Football Field Grant Program. 

The grant matches the $100,000 the Packers Foundation already awarded South Milwaukee to help cover the costs of the $3.8 million renovation of South Milwaukee’s athletic fields. 

“It means a lot that close to half of all the funding for these beautiful fields came from the community – here in South Milwaukee and in Wisconsin,” Superintendent Diedre Roemer said. “It’s because of the generosity of our neighbors and community-minded organizations like the Green Bay Packers that more students than ever are using these fields, and they are a point of pride for the whole city.” 

Improvements included:

• Improved drainage
• Replacing the football field grass with red and black synthetic turf
• Replacing the infield of the baseball and softball fields with synthetic turf
• Resurfacing of the track and improved track-and-field facilities
• New fencing for all fields
• A new scoreboard and sound system for Spaltholz Field
• New concrete and a donor wall at Bucyrus Stadium (expected to be completed in summer 2024)

The project is fully funded and was paid for without incurring any debt in part due to the generosity of donors. To date, the School District has received:

• $1 million from the Bucyrus Foundation, 
• $100,000 from the Green Bay Packers Foundation
• $100,000 from the NFL Club Matching Youth Football Field Grant Program
• More than $730,000 in local donations and fundraising through the Launching a Legacy Campaign 

“This project makes our surfaces safer for our athletes, easier to maintain, and more accessible to the larger student body through Physical Education classes and the Recreation Department”, Athletic and Activities Director Ante Udovicic said. “These are the fields our students deserve to have. Other teams want to come here to play on our new fields, and you can see the pride on our athletes’ faces when they are out there competing.”

From the Packers press release …

The Green Bay Packers Foundation has awarded South Milwaukee High School with a $100,000 grant from the NFL Foundation through the NFL Club Matching Youth Football Field Grant Program to contribute to the school’s athletic facility refurbishment project.

The NFL grant program directs funds toward capital improvement projects and helps with building or refurbishing youth and high school football fields/stadiums. The program helps promote youth football and community programming on the fields, enhance player health and safety and aid in establishing positive relationships with local youth groups and schools to expand football programming.

The South Milwaukee refurbishment project, started in early 2023, is part of a larger $3.8 million refresh of all School District of South Milwaukee athletic fields. The improvements will allow for significantly more students and community members to utilize and enjoy the high school’s facilities. The field is primarily used for football activities, but will also host varsity soccer matches, physical education classes, cheer and dance teams and the marching band, as well as youth recreational programming.

South Milwaukee High School’s field needed repairs desperately; despite efforts at upkeep, regular flooding and poor soil conditions stripped away nutrients and contributed to overall poor grass quality. The football team could only utilize the field for home games if it had not rained, and no other extracurricular activities could utilize the space. Construction of the project began in April 2023, recently seeing the completion of the playing field itself with the installation of synthetic turf and a new Brock pad. Enhancements to the property are still ongoing, with improvements to the stadium still in progress. The upgrades will enable support for the school’s athletic teams and will allow for more programs, students and community members to utilize the facilities.

“We’re pleased to award this grant to South Milwaukee High School for their athletic facility refurbishment project,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “It’s critical for youth sports to be accessible for everyone, and this project is helping create an ideal place for students and the wider community to engage in youth football and local programming.”

“This grant from the Packers means so much to our school and to our city,” said School District of South Milwaukee Superintendent Deidre Roemer. “Generosity built these fields – the generosity of organizations like the Bucyrus Foundation, the NFL Foundation, the Packers and Packers Foundation, and the generosity of our local businesses, alumni and neighbors. So many students will benefit from using these fields and knowing the community supports them.”

The Jazz & More Auction is open through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 — and there are some great items at some real bargain prices available. Bid now, bid often, and spread the word!

The auction can be accessed here: https://www.32auctions.com/JazzandMore2024

We have some really special items up for bid. Featured items (with bids as of 5 p.m. on 4/14) are: 

• Sports Fan’s Dream: Prime seats to see the Packers, Brewers and more. Current bid: $600
• Celebrate the Arts: Tickets to shows at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet, Skylight Music Theater, Florentine Opera and more — AND a $100 gift card to Saint Kate — The Arts Hotel. Current bid: $300
• Vacation Get Away: Plan your next trip with $300 gift certificates to Delta Airlines, Hilton Hotels and Sunsational Beach Vacations. Starting bid: $300
• Fine Dining Experience at the Bucyrus Club: Enjoy a private five-course gourmet meal for up to eight people prepared by our team of culinary trained chefs. Together with your own private bartender and server, they will take you through an evening you will not soon forget! Current bid: $410
• South Milwaukee Firefighter Experience: Experience a day in the life of a South Milwaukee Firefighter! This experience for up to four people includes lunch or dinner with the South Milwaukee fire crew, a behind-the-scenes tour of the station, and a ride on the fire engine. Current bid: $200
• 1/4 Barrel Party at Moran’s: Invite your friends to a special 1/4-barrel party at South Milwaukee’s coolest Irish and sports pub, and enjoy a complimentary bottle of booze and a basket of Guinness merch. That’s 15 pitchers of beer … with no limit to the number of people you invite. Current bid: $150
• Fair Trade Fashion Statement: Celebrate fair trade fashion when you style the Eclipse Handbag Set from Trades of Hope. Starting bid: $100

We are also offering the opportunity to sponsor all or portions of the students’ music education trip to Nashville next spring. Click on those links to learn more.

Please support our student musicians!