Celebrating E.W. Luther Elementary’s 50th anniversary with an open house and a proclamation …
South Milwaukee is blessed with terrific local schools that have stood the test of time — and Luther is clearly one of them. It’s an impressive school that we should all be proud of.
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee
Check out these South Shore headlines …
Filed under South Milwaukee
Update: Here is what I presented. I think it’s a compelling story.
I’m excited to talk about how far we’ve come and — more importantly — where we’re headed at this forum. Please stop by and hear for yourself!
Filed under South Milwaukee
Check out these South Shore headlines …
Filed under Headlines, South Milwaukee
While the warm weather and still greenish trees may not show it, it’s leaf collection season again.
The city picks up leaves from street gutters from October 1 through November 15 each year.
It’s a service we’re proud to offer, even as many do not (at least not free of charge).
A few notes for South Milwaukee residents … No yard waste and plants will be collected. They must be taken to the Self-Deposit Station. And please do not push leaves into the gutter after November 15 — they may not be picked up.
You may recall my open letter last year on this subject, as we were faced with significantly higher costs in picking up and disposing of leaves. Well, we’ve solved that problem and have a disposal site more reasonably priced and closer by.
Still, I continue to ask: If possible, consider mulching instead of raking. Or compost them. Or save a few bags of leaves in your garage to use for mulch next spring.
Why do I ask for moderation?
Of course, I realize mulching is not an option for some homeowners, especially those with a number of trees in their yard that can bury a lawn in leaves each fall.
But for those who can, please consider putting the rake away.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Crews are continuing to work on this morning’s major water main break at 9th and Michigan.
Residents can resume normal water usage. The water is safe for drinking and cooking. However, as with any water main break, sediment gets stirred around and can cause households to experience brown or rusty type water.
If your residence is experiencing brown/rusty water, please turn on all faucets at the lowest point of your home until the water runs clear and work your way upwards until all faucets are running clear.
Residents near the area of the break may experience this later this evening as the repairs conclude.
Thank you again for your patience.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Update: As of 8 a.m. the main break had been isolated and it is OK to resume normal water usage.
There was a major water main break in the area of 9th and Michigan Avenues earlier this morning, and water pressure remains low across the city.
Crews are working now to shut off the main. Once that is done, pressure should be restored, the water superintendent tells me. Until then, residents are asked to avoid using water, if possible, to help maintain pressure for those who need it.
A separate main break in the area of Mill Road and Hawthorne overnight has also left several residents without water; that may not be fixed until later today.
I will keep you posted.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Join the Friends of the Mill Pond and Oak Creek Watercourse for their fall cleanup this Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon.
Here are details from the group …
Meet in South Milwaukee High School parking lot, North end.
We will provide safety vests, water, bags and vinyl gloves.
Lunch will be provided after the cleanup at the Warming House.
Targeted area is from North Chicago west to Nicholson Avenue
Please bring boots [if you have them] and your enthusiasm!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
For more information, please visit our website: www.smfomp.org
Filed under Events, Parks, South Milwaukee
Check out these South Shore headlines …
And NOW has published a new police blotter.
Filed under South Milwaukee
One of downtown South Milwaukee’s longstanding businesses is being rebranded and rethought — and it promises to be a winner.
Moran’s Pub, 912 Milwaukee Ave., is becoming a soccer pub, one of only a handful in the area.
The transition is underway, as the Moran family have their son, James Moran, handling the weekend soccer responsibilities.
Look for the new logo (you can see it above) and signage soon. Other changes to come include six new 60-inch HD TVs, various soccer memorabilia, an increased craft beer selection from local and national breweries, and small food options. They will also have their back room open for private viewing parties, and overflow during large games.
DeMerit’s appearance at Moran’s is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for a viewing party of a big game in the Premier League: Watford vs. Arsenal. Cost is $25 per person, which includes a pint and a sandwich, and the opportunity to watch the match with the former Watford player and only Wisconsinite to ever play in the English Premier League. There will also be a live auction of DeMerit memorabilia. Half of the proceeds go to the Jay DeMerit: Rise & Shine Foundation, and the other half go to the Milwaukee Soccer Development Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting soccer and providing opportunities for youth to play soccer in under-served communities in the greater Milwaukee area. Tickets are available from http://www.msdgsoccer.com.
From James …
Jay DeMerit’s story is one of a young American’s impossible journey from Green Bay, WI – a journey never experienced or heard of in the soccer world. After not making the professional leagues in the U.S., Jay left for Europe at the age of 21 without any professional experience – only a passport, $1500 and a backpack full of dreams. After scraping by for almost two years, Jay finally got his chance. Based on one tryout in the final preseason game, Jay signed a professional contract with Watford F.C. He then helped his team earn promotion to the English Premier League by scoring the “40 million pound goal” and became an instant hero in England. Jay went from playing in front of 50 people to 50,000 almost overnight.
I’m really excited about downtown’s latest new business. This will be the only soccer pub in the area, and it’s certain to attract new people to our city center and provide new life to the 900 block of Milwaukee Avenue.
I am already thinking of the 2018 World Cup — I know James wants to go big, and I’m excited to see what that will mean for his business and our city.
My hope: Moran’s joins Highbury, Three Lions and Nomad as one of THE go-to soccer bars in the region. With James’ passion, I think it will get there. Soccer fan or not, be sure to check out the new Moran’s!
Learn more …
Filed under South Milwaukee
From the South Milwaukee School District …
On October 7th, at 5:30 p.m., in the SMPAC, there will be a special 15-minute presentation regarding the State Budget that was passed and the impact on public schools. The presentation will also cover a critical flaw in school funding that we need to communicate to our legislators about so that they can provide a solution to ensure that all students can receive an equitable education throughout Wisconsin. We highly encourage all families to stop in to this brief presentation.
I thank the schools for continuing to tell this story. It needs to be told — and we need the help of fellow South Milwaukeeans to tell it, be it to state lawmakers or anyone else with influence in Madison.
In short, we need a commitment from the state to work toward adequately fund our public schools.
I stand with the district in that fight.
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee
Saturday, October 24 is shaping up to be a Rocketober day to remember in South Milwaukee.
Already, you have costumed kickball, food and more at noon at South Milwaukee Little League. At 2 p.m., it’s St. Mark’s Trick-or-Treat Zone. At 3, it’s downtown trick-or-treating, at 5 it’s the Mill Pond/South Milwaukee Lions Zombie House, and 6:30 it’s the South Milwaukee Football Boosters Rocktoberfest beer tasting.
But why not start the day with a nice (and colorful) run outside the high school? Learn more in the flyer above.
And check out the Rocketober list of events here.
This will be fun!
Filed under Events, Rocketober, Schools, South Milwaukee
Caterpillar announced to its employees on Monday that it will close sell its Oak Creek corporate building and move between 200 and 250 jobs back to South Milwaukee in the first half of 2016.
These are salaried professional workers in finance, human resources, legal, marketing, etc. — many folks who had been working in South Milwaukee prior to the opening of the Oak Creek mining headquarters in the former Midwest Airlines building about five years ago.
The move is not a surprise, given Cat’s announcement last month of up to 10,000 global job cuts and other consolidations coming in light of a continuing slumping mining industry. (Competitor Joy Global also announced job cuts last week.)
While it’s hard to call this great news — certainly when taking a broader perspective with economic development — it does strengthen Cat’s presence in downtown South Milwaukee and should help area businesses.
Cat also continues with its plans to invest in its manufacturing presence here.
A company spokesman tells me that the South Milwaukee plant — now in the company’s Surface Mining and Technology group — will be focusing on rope shovels and draglines going forward, and Caterpillar continues to plan investments in the facility in the next three years to meet eventual demand. Cat had previously announced the closure of 250,000 square feet of manufacturing space, while investing in the space that remains.
I’ll keep you posted.
Filed under Caterpillar, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee
The South Milwaukee football team wants to help.
From coach Derek Hoff … this is very cool.
The South Milwaukee Football team will again be volunteering our time to Rake Leaves for families or people who could truly benefit from the service.
This will take place on Sunday October 18th from 12-2:30 PM.
All 6-12th grade boys will be traveling around South Milwaukee raking, bagging leaves, and removing them from the property.
Please sign up any families or people who may have challenges with cleaning up their yards.
Sign up using this link.
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee, Sports
Check out these South Shore headlines …
Also, NOW has published a new police blotter, and County Supervisor Pat Jursik has published her latest news update.
And here is an honor for former South Milwaukee runner and Lawrence University’s Josh Janusiak.
Filed under Headlines, South Milwaukee
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