Category Archives: South Milwaukee

There have been several burglaries to local businesses in the last couple of weeks.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department and Nextdoor …

In the past week South Milwaukee has had 2 burglaries to local businesses. The first occurred on 1/21/17 at 3:59am at the Citgo “You Pump” Gas station on 10th Ave & Manitoba Ave. The second occurred last night (1/25/17) at 2:39am at Marquette Liquor in the 1100blk of Marquette Ave. Both incidents were done by the same crew of 3 males. The males appear to be in their 20’s, unknown race at this time. Video shows this group makes entry through breaking windows on the businesses. Large quantities of cigarettes and liquor were taken during these two incidents. It is believed that this same group is responsible for a number of these burglaries in southeastern WI. These 3 males are organized and efficient, and most likely will keep doing these burglaries until they are caught.
The SMPD urges you to call if you see anything suspicious in you neighborhoods. You are our eyes and ears out there, and anything could break these cases wide open. The SMPD is actively following leads in both cases. I will update if and when arrests are made. … 

The Aurora Pharmacy, 2414 10th Ave, was burglarized on 1/29/17 sometime between 3:45am and 4:15am. The SMPD is currently investigating several leads in this case. That is all we can disclose at this time.

Want to stay on top of local crime? Sign up for the police crime alert email service (email Officer Michael Hill here), or join Nextdoor. The department has really stepped up its communications efforts, and these are two valuable tools available to residents.

Join the South Milwaukee School District for Family Literacy Night on Friday, Feb. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., at South Milwaukee High School.

Here are just a few of the scheduled events:

• Presentations by author Shelley Pearsall and illustrator Jeremy Provost;
• Musical performances by SM string students, Delta V, and Pop Rockets;
• Featured student writing and read alouds;
• Scavenger hunt;
• Tours of the Fab Lab
• Book giveaway; and
• Various sessions (see the flyer).

I offer my thanks to everyone who had a hand in planning and executing Monday’s Addiction Information Resource Fair.

The South Milwaukee Unite Against Drug Abuse Coalition — led by our Health and Police Departments — put on a great event that made a made a real difference for the more than 100 people who attended.

The remarks from Dustin, a former South Milwaukee student and recovering opioid and heroin addict, were inspirational, and the information presented by the Medical Society of Milwaukee’s Dr. Michael McNett and South Milwaukee Police Department Inv. Jon Rivamonte was both shocking and informative.

You can see Dr. McNett’s presentation here. Here is Inv. Rivamonte’s.

I also want to thank the organizations who presented at the fair itself. It’s heartening to see so many resources available for substance abuse victims — so much support from people who have been through it themselves, or have seen a family member ravaged by this illness.

This is such an important issue, and I’m proud to say the city and its partners are leading the fight against substance abuse and opioid addiction. As the father of two young kids, scared as hell we will find ourselves in this situation one day, I’m proud to stand with them as we keep up the fight. This is just the beginning.

Update: Official grand opening, with music, on Sunday, Jan. 29. More here. 

You can add Jamaican fare to our growing list of restaurant options.

Jeffrey Lewis has now opened Island Jam in the former Hickory Inn, 2703 S. Chicago Ave.

The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. daily, and will serve the traditional food Jeffrey enjoyed in his home country of Jamaica before coming to the U.S. in 1999.

His favorite: his curry goat. But the chicken, fish, and ox-tail aren’t bad either.

Jeffrey is no stranger to the restaurant business — and great food. His family operates and he had been working at Uppa Yard, a Jamaican restaurant on Milwaukee’s North Side that has gained an impressive four stars on Yelp.

Take this review from the other day: “I’m eating and speechless now. Will give a review later. First time here and honestly the best place we have been to since living here… We have found our new spot.”

Let’s hope for more reviews like this in South Milwaukee, too.

Please join me in welcoming Jeffrey, and be sure to stop by and try them out — while also celebrating all of our terrific local restaurants, new and old.

Eat local. Cow feet, anyone?

I often say our downtown revitalization will happen, and is happening, one building, one business, one building owner at a time.

And this is a really good one.

I had the chance to stop by Styled Aesthetic this morning for a personal tour of their newly renovated store room and work space, and it’s terrific.

Congratulations to Steve, Kyle and their team (they have seven employees now) for their work in giving a facelift to the Rockets Shop and their screen printing business at 918 Milwaukee Ave. We’re blessed to have young entrepreneurs like this in our city — and, in Steve’s case, also an auto racer, team manager and Indy 500 spotter.

(Ask him about his racing career next time you stop in.)

Also, I want to give a shoutout to building owner Steve Fenno. With the investments continues to make in this building and Jen’s Sweet Treats across the street, he is more than doing his part to bring South Milwaukee’s city center back to life. Thanks, Steve.

Learn more about Styled Aesthetic on their website and Facebook page. 

Check out these South Shore headlines …

• High School Students Learn by Creating at South Milwaukee “Fab Lab” (WUWM)
• South Milwaukee’s Art Center Earns High Honor (NOW)
• Caterpillar Considers Moving Portion of Company (NOW)
• Data Suggest Millennials are Falling Behind Baby Boomers (Associated Press)
• Mother, Son Arrested in School Parking Lot Road Rage Incident (Fox 6)
• Polar Bear 5K Ends with Polar Plunge in South Milwaukee (Fox 6)

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.

New Day Church is moving down the block, and into South Milwaukee.

The small church, a Converge ministry congregation with 60-70 regular attendees, has begun worshiping at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings at Wil-o-Way Grant after moving from the YIM facility in Cudahy (the former YMCA).

I had a chance to meet Pastor Neal last week, and I left impressed with their commitment to make South Milwaukee a better place by bringing their mission to life: to serve Christ as His ambassadors to our community.

Learn more here.

Please join me in welcoming New Day and their members to South Milwaukee — and thank them for adding to our already rich religious diversity as a city.

A community in Nicaragua is getting a “retiring” South Milwaukee ambulance thanks to the efforts of Alderwoman Lisa Pieper and dozens of other donors.

You will recall that, in February, the South Milwaukee City Council voted to purchase a new ambulance as part of its regular rotation of vehicles.

That left one vehicle – in this case, a 2001 model with approximately 80,000 of miles on it, the last van-style ambulance in our department — to be “retired.” Typically that means we’d send it to auction, and maybe get $5,000 for it. But Lisa had a better idea.

She wanted to send the ambulance to a country that needs it.

That’s why Lisa raised funds to reimburse the city for the fair market value of the ambulance, title transferring and any related shipping costs.

She recently met her goal, thanks to a donation from the South Milwaukee Lions Club, Jen’s Sweet Treats and many others who stepped up for this great cause.

Thanks to everyone who donated, and to Lisa for driving this, putting a piece of South Milwaukee in the hands of the less fortunate.

On Jan. 27, it’s meatballs at Trinity Lutheran Church. On Jan. 28, it’s spaghetti to support the Heritage Days Parade.

Mark your calendars now, and join me in support of my church and a great local event.

And then why not enjoy some wrestling on that full stomach?

As part of a larger effort by Milwaukee County, a diverse coalition of organizations is presenting two community events to address concerns and increase understanding of substance use and avenues for support.

Be part of the solution by spreading the word, and joining us.

Thanks to the partners who have come together to proactively work to join this fight. It’s important, life-saving work, and I’m proud the city is a major player in this.

From the South Milwaukee Fire Department …

At approximately midnight last night, SMFD rec’d a 9-1-1 call for smoke in one of the units at 404 Bay Heights Road.  Upon arrival, SMFD encountered smoke in Unit C with no apparent cause inside the building.  Investigation on the outside revealed a fire burning behind the siding and inside the wall cavity.  The involved area was exposed and the fire was extinguished. The family that was displaced from the unit had alternative housing arrangements, so the Red Cross was not needed.  The fire remains under investigation at this time.  No injuries to civilians or fire personnel were reported. Due to the extensive overhaul of the fire, the Cudahy Fire Dept. stood by at the South Milwaukee station until personnel could be released from the scene.

The South Milwaukee Unite Against Drug Abuse Coalition is offering screenings this month of a sobering documentary on the life of an opiate addict.

From the South Milwaukee Health Department …

In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of prescription drug and heroin abuse, the FBI and DEA have released “Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict,” a documentary aimed at educating students and young adults about the dangers of addiction. The South Milwaukee Unite Against Drug Abuse Coalition is hosting several viewings of this documentary for the community. 

Check out the flyer below — and learn more about this group’s s Jan. 23 Addiction Information Resource Fair here. 

From the South Milwaukee Police Department press release …

On January 6, 2017 at about 8:29AM the South Milwaukee Police Department received a call of a person with a handgun in the parking lot of Rawson School. Officers responded to the school and determined that it was a result of a road rage incident. A handgun was recovered at the scene. A 44yr old South Milwaukee resident and her 17yr old son were taking into custody. Charges are pending at the Milwaukee County DA’s Office for the female subject. No students or visitors to the school were in danger. No further info will be released at this time.

As the mayor and parent of a Rawson student, I thank the police for their quick and decisive action here.

Tuesday was the deadline for spring election candidates to declare their candidacy and file nomination signatures, and I will have two opponents.

Frank Gratke and James Leavens are challenging me in the mayor’s race.

In the race for South Milwaukee School Board, incumbents Patricia Bordak, Carol Dufek and John E. Haslam are running for new terms, and they will also be challenged by Gratke (listed at Frank Millpond Gratke on that ballot).

There will be a Feb. 21 primary, narrowing the field in my race and the race for superintendent of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

The general election is April 4.

For me, it’s full speed ahead on my campaign. My commitment to serving the citizens of South Milwaukee is stronger than ever, and I humbly ask for your support.

We’re just getting started on delivering South Milwaukee’s promising future, together. We will continue that work in my second term as mayor.

Please take a few minutes to learn more about my campaign on my website and Facebook page. And that’s a photo of me submitting my nomination signatures on Dec. 23.