Category Archives: South Milwaukee

by | November 17, 2013 · 10:04 pm

Storm Update: More From South Milwaukee

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A few more news and notes from Sunday’s crazy November storm …

  • Mitchell International Airport reported 2.17 inches of rain fell on Sunday.
  • Fox 6 has a story about the storm’s impacts on South Milwaukee, including more on the street flooding and power outages. At one point, more than 3,500 We Energies were without power, but it was restored by 1 p.m.
  • WDJT also has a story about some local storm impacts — oddly enough, shot on my block with interviews with three of our neighbors. (That blue minivan in the background is ours.)
  • There were also reports on Facebook that tornado sirens did not go off in some places in South Milwaukee. I’m looking into this and will post more when I learn more. (I can’t verify this with my own ears because I was in my church basement during the storm.)

In the end, not too bad. With as many tornadoes that tore through Illinois, it could have been so much worse.

What did you experience? Post your comments below!

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by | November 17, 2013 · 1:27 pm

My Storm Story

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The pictures are from an event this morning I’ll probably never forget. Here is my story …

At about 11:30 a.m., after we held our worship service in the Trinity Lutheran Church basement Sunday morning, I left for home to see if we had any water in our basement.

I turned north on to 5th Avenue and found the curve onto Milwaukee Avenue nearly impassable … but I got by on the side of the flooded road. A few blocks later, water blocked another intersection at Milwaukee, so I decided to cut through Oak Creek Parkway to get back home. All looked good — not much water on the road — until I started heading west on Oak Creek Parkway.

After passing the Mill Pond, I couldn’t believe what I saw — a large tree limb falling across the road and onto a minivan about 75 yards in front of me. It smashed the van’s windshield, severely dented the hood and dislodged the spare tire from underneath the van. I stopped to see if everything was OK and saw a man and a young child get out of the van, unharmed.

Thank God.

I called 911 and police arrived shortly afterwards, as I helped another bystander get the limb to the side of the road.

I made it home around 11:50 a.m. with no problems, only to find our power out (but still a dry basement). Power was restored about an hour later.

That’s my story from today’s crazy weather. What’s yours?

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by | November 14, 2013 · 9:16 pm

Christmas In South Milwaukee: Mark Your Calendars

I love Christmas … and I love Christmas in South Milwaukee.

And that starts with all the special events happening around town. Here’s a roundup, and I apologize ahead of time for missing any …

  • Saturday, Nov. 23: South Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce Tree Lighting. Stop by from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for a visit with Santa, music, hot drinks and more at Heritage Park on 10th and Milwaukee Avenues. Learn more here.
  • Saturday, Nov. 30: South Milwaukee Christmas Market. The indoor version of the Downtown Market returns to South Milwaukee High School with more than 70 vendors selling arts, crafts, baked goods, prepared foods and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Live holiday music is also scheduled. Learn more here … and on the market’s Facebook page.
  • Sunday, Dec. 1: South Milwaukee Christmas Parade and Old Fashioned Christmas. The traditional South Milwaukee Christmas celebration begins with the Lions’ Christmas Parade starting at 12:30 p.m. at 12th and Milwaukee, continuing west on Milwaukee, then south on 15th Avenue to City Hall. Following the parade, enjoy all the festivities at City Hall, including pictures with Santa, arts and crafts, food and more. The city Christmas tree is lit at 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 8: Pancake Breakfast with Santa. Stop by the American Legion Post 27 from 8:30 a.m. to noon for breakfast and pictures with Santa. Adults are $4, children 6-12 are $3 and those under 5 are free. The post is at 920 Monroe Ave. Also, the Milwaukee Circle Choir is playing at 3:30 p.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 1308 15th Ave. Admission is free. Learn more about the concert here.
  • Thursday, Dec. 12: Calmus Christmas A Cappella. The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center continues to bring in terrific acts. This Christmas season, it’s Calmus, a German quintet that has drawn raves worldwide. The group will perform traditional and contemporary favorites. Learn more here.
  • Friday, Dec. 13: Cantare Chorale concert. The chorus brings its “Songs of the Season” performance to the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center for a show starting at 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
  • Saturday, Dec. 14, and Sunday, Dec. 15: Ye Old Christmas Feaste. This tradition of 35 years will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, and Sunday, Dec. 15, at the high school. This three-hour event magically transports you to 15th century England for Christmas merriment with a seven-course meal, featuring a new menu this year. Pre-dinner music starts 4:30 p.m., and dinner is served at 5. Cost is $30 per person or $150 for a table of six. For more information, click here or call the high school at 766-5100. 

And merry Christmas!

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by | November 12, 2013 · 8:52 pm

Rawson, Luther Students Help Others Experience Nature

Consider it another example of local students stepping up to help others …

Fifth graders from Rawson and E.W. Luther Elementary Schools have pitched in on projects at the Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center for the disabled in the Wisconsin Dells.

The Rawson students built a stairway at the facility, while the Luther students built a stretch of wheelchair-accessible boardwalk.

Learn more in this press release. And thanks to Luther Principal Eric Wightman for sharing.

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by | November 7, 2013 · 8:59 am

Taste Of South Milwaukee Set For Monday

South Milwaukee has a terrific collection of local restaurants. Taste for yourself at the second-annual Taste of South Milwaukee on Monday evening, Nov. 11.

The event, hosted by the South Milwaukee Lions Club, will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Salvatore’s, 1912 12th Ave. in downtown South Milwaukee. The bar opens at 3 p.m.

Among the participating restaurants:

  • Aggie’s Cakes and Pastries
  • Barbiere’s
  • Cousin’s Subs of South Milwaukee
  • Dairy Queen
  • Derango’s Pizzeria
  • Emerald City Catering
  • Greg’s Soup-er Desserts
  • Muskie’s Gourmet House
  • Nona’s Café
  • Paisano’s
  • Pat’s Oak Manor
  • Salvatore’s
  • Slick Willie’s
  • Trattoria di Carlo

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Children 10 and under are $5. All tickets include unlimited samplings. Advanced tickets can be purchased at participating restaurants and from local South Milwaukee Lions members.

Proceeds go to fund the long list of Lions charitable activities. The South Milwaukee Lions lived their “we serve” motto by donating more than $15,000 and thousands of volunteer hours to area organizations and activities in 2013.

Taste also features live music from Abby J & DOTS and Just Rich.

See you there!

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by | November 6, 2013 · 9:21 pm

City Council Roundup: Rain Barrels, Recognizing A Retirement And More

A few items from Tuesday’s South Milwaukee City Council meeting …

  • The council gave final passage, by a 4-3 vote, to an ordinance allowing rain barrels in South Milwaukee — with restrictions, too many restrictions, actually. I voted no on this previously, and my vote didn’t change Tuesday. Nor did my rationale. In our effort to rewrite an outdated part of our city code and make rain barrels legal, we are essentially outlawing rain barrels for many people. If that sounds odd, it should. But that’s what we’re getting with the rules we have now enacted. For example, according to the new ordinance, homeowners can have no more than two on their property. And no rain barrel can be within 12 feet of a neighbor’s structure. And they can’t be located in front yards. And they need double screens. And they can only be elevated using concrete, brick or paver platforms. Those are just a few of the 13 detailed requirements we have now placed on rain barrels. I am for more sensible restrictions, something that encourages their use while still giving the city power to crack down on problem property owners. Restrictions like this and this. Instead, we’re going the other way — giving South Milwaukee what has to be one of the most restrictive rain barrel ordinances in the state. 
  • The council accepted the retirement letter of police officer Charles “Mick” Olson, who is leaving the department after more than 31 years. I wish Officer Olson, well known in the community, well.
  • We also voted to fill his position, which will come open in March, as well as two vacant firefighter positions.
  • The council also approved more than $297,0o0 in revolving fund requests for 2013, including funds for two new police cars.
  • As a reminder, the next council meeting is Nov. 26, when final budget passage is expected. The budget public hearing is Nov. 25. I’ll have more details on the budget in a post later this week. There is no meeting on Nov. 19 or Dec. 3.

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by | November 5, 2013 · 10:45 pm

Sex Sting Brings Deputies To Grant Park

Update: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has more on the arrest of Lee Erickson, as does TMJ4 and WISN.

Fox 6 has the disturbing details, which reportedly include the arrest of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra chorus director, a South Milwaukee resident.

From the story:

In a statement, Sheriff’s officials say the Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints of sexual activity and solicitation taking place in County parks.

In response to these complaints, Sheriff Clarke initiated an undercover operation with a goal of curbing and deterring illegal sexual activity in the parks, and seven arrests have been made in the past two weeks.

Four more arrests were made Tuesday, November 5th.

Those arrested range in age from 43 to 75.

58-year-old Erickson of South Milwaukee was arrested on Monday by an undercover Sheriff’s deputy.

According to Sheriff’s officials, Erickson followed the deputy into a bathroom at Grant Park along Milwaukee’s Lakefront, exposed himself, and began masturbating in front of the officer.

Sheriff’s officials say Erickson stated numerous times that he just wanted to be able to pay the fine and not have this go public or this would ruin his career.

I’ll keep you posted.

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by | November 1, 2013 · 9:45 pm

South Milwaukee Football: Season Ends With Playoff Loss At Waterford

Update: Here is a game story on the heartbreaking loss, which saw Waterford score two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

It was another strong season for the South Milwaukee football team … but it had to come to an end sometime.

It did Friday night, with a 14-7 loss to Waterford in the second round of the WIAA playoffs.

Here is the WIAA bracket, and I’ll update with more information as I get it.

Congratulations to the Rockets, who finished the year 8-3 and with a Woodland Conference East championship.

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by | October 31, 2013 · 7:27 am

Happy Halloween! South Milwaukee’s Trick-Or-Treating Is Tonight

It’s the second straight year the city has its official trick-or-treating set for Halloween night.

Hours are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. If you plan on handing out candy, please leave your porch light on.

Now, let’s hope the weather holds … and please stay safe.

Let me know what you’re seeing out there, too. Post your comments below.

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by | October 29, 2013 · 10:30 pm

Catching Up: Cat Bringing Work To South Milwaukee And Other News

Back to blogging, and here’s what I apparently missed …

  • Various news outlets are reporting that Caterpillar is closing a plant in Texas — and moving some of that work to South Milwaukee. So a win, but still a loss.
  • Of course, the third-seeded South Milwaukee football team topped Messmer-Shorewood in its opening-round WIAA playoff game. Here is coverage from NOW. Next up: second-seeded Waterford at 7 p.m. Friday in Waterford. It’s the first trip to the second round of playoffs for the Rockets since 2010.
  • Unfortunately, the Milwaukee Bucks released South Milwaukee’s Trey McKinney Jones over the weekend. I’ll keep you posted when I hear where, and if, he’ll be playing professionally (I assume he will).
  • And South Milwaukee firefighters responded to Tuesday’s fire at We Energies. Thankfully, it wasn’t a major blaze.

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.

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by | October 25, 2013 · 11:12 am

Open Thread … So, What Do You Think About Chickens?

Update: By the way, South Milwaukee beat Shorewood-Messmer in WIAA playoff action Friday night, 21-13. More on that when I return. Go Rockets!

Barring a significant breaking news story, I’ll be taking a few days off from blogging.

But I leave you with a question: Should the city, with restrictions, allow residents to keep chickens? If not, why not? If so, what restrictions should we consider, if any?

Discuss. And vote in my new poll.

Thanks again for your continued support of this blog.

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by | October 23, 2013 · 10:27 pm

Halloween In South Milwaukee: Frankenstein At The PAC, Human Concerns Haunted House, Trick-Or-Treating And More

As the parent of two young kids, I’m starting to enjoy Halloween more and more. And there’s a number of ways to have some frightful fun around town in coming days …

  • Friday and Saturday: There is a kid-friendly haunted house benefiting Human Concerns at 821 Marion Ave. Hours are 7 to 10 p.m. Cost is a $2 donation or two (or more) non-perishable food items at the door.
  • Saturday: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, next to Rawson Park, is hosting a family-friendly Halloween event from 2 to 4 p.m. featuring candy, games and more. Learn more here.
  • Saturday: The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center is bringing “500 Clown Frankenstein” to town for a show starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available. Here is the description from the PAC website — sounds like a great time. 500 Clown uses action-based performance, improvisation, and circus arts to enact long-form dramatic stories that involve both physical and emotional risk. “ Frankenstein” features three performers who are charged with a task: “make monster.” Bound in elaborate Edwardian costumes, the trio embarks on a journey to construct Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory while they struggle and battle through acrobatic feats. A tale of Doctor and Monster is told from scraps of the classic novel and Hollywood versions, inviting audience involvement throughout.
  • Thursday, Oct. 31 (Halloween): Don’t forget … the city is again holding its official trick-or-treating from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Be sure to leave your porch lights on if you are handing out candy. Learn more in my previous post.

Did I miss anything? Let me know!

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by | October 21, 2013 · 11:50 am

Big Power Outage In South Milwaukee

Update #2: As of 2:45 p.m., We Energies was not showing any power outages in South Milwaukee.

Update: As of 12:45 p.m, power was apparently back on for most people. It seems the outage was concentrated on the northwest side of town, impacting the middle and high schools and Rawson Elementary (and my house).

Nearly 3,000 We Energies customers are affected, according to the current outage map (as of 11:45 a.m.).

I’ll keep you posted, and let me know what you’re experiencing. Post your comments below.

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by | October 19, 2013 · 6:19 pm

Playoff Time: South Milwaukee Gets A Three Seed, Home Game

South Milwaukee gets a home playoff game.

The third-seeded Rockets will host sixth-seeded Messmer-Shorewood at 7 p.m. Friday at Spaltholz Field. The winner of the game faces a second-round matchup with Greenfield or Waterford.

No. 1 seed Waukesha West also looms in the Division 2 Group D bracket.

Check out complete WIAA pairings here, and go Rockets!

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by | October 18, 2013 · 4:57 pm

Headlines!

Check out these South Shore headlines …

And NOW has published a new police blotter, including this …

A 24-year-old South Milwaukee man was arrested for stealing several aerosol cans from Walmart, 222 N. Chicago Ave., and inhaling them in the parking lot at 4:45 p.m. Sept. 30.

And this …

A 51-year-old South Milwaukee man was arrested for recklessly endangering safety, second degree, and causing a hit-and-run accident causing injury in the 2300 block of 15th Avenue after rammed his car into the front end of a car backing into a driveway in the 1400 block of Madison Avenue at 8:04 p.m. Oct. 7. He was reportedly mad that his neighbor routinely parked a vehicle in front of his residence.

And these …

A malamute shepherd dog was put down by its owner was after it escaped from its yard, jumped over a fence into another yard in the 700 block of Marquette Avenue at 8:21 a.m. Sept. 29, where it attacked and killed a morkie living at that residence. The owner of the dog was later cited for having a dog at large.

A 16-year-old South Milwaukee boy was arrested in the 1200 block of Williams Avenue after a 17-year-old South Milwaukee boy reported being shot by a BB in the area at 10:13 p.m. Oct. 3. The boy was also found to be responsible for shooting a window on the block with an airsoft gun from his car. Three other boys in the car were also detained at the scene and released to their parents there, but not cited.

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