Just before the new year, on December 29, 2022, first cousins and best friends Ava J. Allen (17) and Jaelen Yracheta (18) were tragically taken from this world, found fatally shot in their vehicle. Their families and close friends are now bearing the weight of heavy grief, trying to understand the sudden loss of two vibrant, young lives. While we cannot begin to comprehend these senseless acts, we can find comfort in holding the memories of Ava and Jaelen in our hearts.
The two had so much more life to live.
In its first day, the fundraiser had already attracted more than 200 donations, and raised more than $14,000, as of 11 a.m. on Jan. 7.
SMPD K9 T-Shirts and Plush Toys are now available at the South Milwaukee Police Department Records window Monday-Friday 7AM to 6PM (excluding Holidays). The T-Shirts and Plush Toys are $10 each. T-Shirts are available in Adult sizes Small-3XL and Youth sizes 6-8, 10-12, and 14-16. SMPD K9 T-Shirts and Plush Toys make great gifts and all proceeds go towards the SMPD K9 Unit. Your support is appreciated!
The department also reports that new inventory is in as of Dec. 28.
A $36.7 million development to bring affordable apartments to the former Bucyrus-Erie campus in South Milwaukee won a $2.5 million grant award from Milwaukee County.
It becomes the fourth affordable housing project in suburban Milwaukee County to receive an allocation of American Rescue Plan Act money this year. The project at the Bucyrus campus would renovate two office buildings to create 92 new apartments, 82 of which would be for families with annual incomes of $50,000 or less. Nineteen of those affordable apartments will rent for $650 a month, for example.
“Our teams bring a well-defined reimagination to the former Bucyrus campus, and we’re proud to be building upon existing neighborhood assets in South Milwaukee,” said Scott Crawford Inc. president Que El-Amin.
The developers’ overall plan involves three unused office buildings at the Bucyrus campus. A third office building that includes the former company employee cafeteria is to become commercial space.
This is a big step forward for this redevelopment — the latest chapter in the redevelopment story being written for South Milwaukee. See some other milestones here …
The spring election is set for Tuesday, April 4, and, with the deadline for submissions of nomination signatures now passed, here is what to expect on the ballot …
South Milwaukee Mayor: Incumbent Jim Shelenske is running unopposed for a three-year term.
South Milwaukee School Board: Incumbents Patrick Hintz and Augie Vega will join Nathan Jurowski and Blaise Paul on the ballot for three seats, all seeking three-year terms. My wife, Sarah, has chosen not to run for another term.
A primary election will be held on Tuesday, February 21, as voters narrow the race for Wisconsin State Supreme Court from four candidates to two. Justice Patience Roggensack is retiring.
Update on 2:50 p.m. on December 30: The victims have been identified, and the South Milwaukee School District informed families that 18-year-old Jaelen Yracheta is a 2022 graduate of South Milwaukee High School. Please keep their families and friends in your prayers.
From the South Milwaukee Police Department …
At approximately 10:48 PM on Thursday, December 29th, 2022, the South Milwaukee Police Department was called to the area of 5th Avenue and Bay Heights Road after citizens discovered two unconscious people inside a vehicle. When officers arrived, they determined that both persons, an 18-year-old male, and a 17-year-old female, had been shot and were deceased.
The Police Department is working with the WI State Crime Lab to gather evidence and is asking that anyone with information contact the South Milwaukee Police Department at 414-768-8060.
Including my daughter! From the South Milwaukee School District …
Apollo Jazz, South Milwaukee’s elite student singers will be caroling around South Milwaukee for non-perishable food items on Thursday, December 22. Here’s where you can catch them singing – make sure to bring a donation for Human Concerns!
8:30 a.m. – Courtyard Marriott, 4620 S 5th St.
9:00 a.m. – South Milwaukee Fire Department, 929 Marshall Court
9:30 a.m. – DB Tax & Wealth, 1125 Milwaukee Ave.
10:00 a.m. – South Milwaukee City Hall, 2424 15th Ave.
11:00 a.m. – Howard Village, 2500 E Howard Ave., St Francis
South Milwaukee Alderman Tim Backes has graciously volunteered to write regular updates for the blog coming out of the South Milwaukee City Council.
You can see his latest installment here. It focuses on the 2023 city budget.
Thanks, Tim, for bringing this idea to the blog! I am always looking for content to further our mission of keeping South Milwaukeeans informed on key issues, while also providing important context and depth where possible.
It is why I started this blog as an alderman in 2009, and why I continue it today.
Please note: All content is written by Alderman Backes, and shared verbatim through the blog. Any opinion offered is Tim’s and Tim’s alone.
I still remember when this was an abandoned gas station, an ugly, derelict property on perhaps our city’s most prominent corner. Then the city acquired it, led demolition, helped gain closure from the Department of Natural Resources, and put it up for sale.
That investment appears to be paying off. From BizTimes …
A vacant site near the former Bucyrus campus in South Milwaukee could soon be redeveloped as a $6.2 million apartment development with commercial space on the first floor.
Once occupied a gas station, the city had owned the 0.7-acre parcel at 2318 10th Ave., near the southwest corner of 10th and Marquette avenues, for several years before issuing a request for proposals (RFP) this fall for a mixed-use development.
After receiving two proposals, members of the city’s Plan Commission voted earlier this month to pursue a development agreement with Milwaukee-based AK Development. The other proposal the city had received – from a limited liability company led by Caledonia business Steven Hribar – called for a 45-unit apartment complex, and Patrick Brever, the city’s Assistant City Manager, and commissioners felt it didn’t meet the guidelines for the RFP.
Slated to be developed in partnership with Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. (WCS), Continuum Architect, Greenfire, JCP and CG Schmidt, the AK Development proposal calls for a four-story, 24,563-square-foot mixed-used development. The concrete and brick building would include 24 apartments, and a 2,750-square-foot commercial space on the first floor. The apartments would be comprised of eight studios, 12 one-bedroom, and four two-bedroom units. Rents would be between $650 for a studio to $1,500 for a two-bedroom unit.
Here is an update on an important infrastructure project for the city. Since the city announced this in the fall, I am told work on the first phase of the lining work wrapped up last week. A second project is planned for 2024.
Visu-Sewer has been contracted by the city to rehabilitate the mainline sanitary sewer that your property is connected to. The rehabilitation process will include high-pressure cleaning of the sanitary sewer, and then installation of a cured in-place liner inside the sewer main. The liner renews the existing sanitary sewer main to the condition of a new pipe without the inconvenience of conventional digging.
Schedule
The project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will consist of high-pressure cleaning and televising of the sanitary sewer. This work is anticipated to begin October 24th and will continue for approximately 4 weeks. The second phase is the installation of the liner. It is anticipated that the second phase will be completed by the end of the year.
Thank you to the South Milwaukee School District communications team for sending regular updates to share with the community!
I share them verbatim here … and you can find more stories on the district’s well-done (and updated) Latest News page.
Apollo Jazz to Carol in SM Dec. 22
Apollo Jazz, South Milwaukee’s elite student singers will be caroling around South Milwaukee for non-perishable food items on December 22. You can schedule time for the choir to carol for your block, organization, or business. It’s free, the group just asks that you make a donation or have non-perishable food items to donate. Here’s where they’ll be and what time slots are available. Contact SM Performing Arts Center Director Rachel Sorce to book a time.
9:009:30 – DB Tax & Wealth
10:00 –
10:30 –
11:00 – Howard Village
11:30 –
12:00 – Bucyrus Club & Event Center
1:00 –
1:30 –
2:00 – Parkway Floral
Hear a bit of their talent with a peek into a rehearsal (and their pitch for your canned goods) at https://youtu.be/6cuWbap-1FY
SM Schools Podcast
South Milwaukee schools now have a podcast! Join the more than 1,500 people who have downloaded an episode of the newly-launched #SMWay Podcast. In the first episode hear about School Improvement Plans and how South Milwaukee is changing how we educate our students.
The second episode is about an exciting new STEM class at the Middle School and how its designed to prepare students for classes in the High School technical education program.
Suggest a topic! The #SMWay Podcast was started as a way to answer questions from the community and to celebrate our students and staff. Email info@sdsm.k12.wi.us with your idea or question for an upcoming episode!
Launching a Legacy – Help Refresh SM Athletic Fields
Join businesses and members of the community who have pledged to help pay for new artificial turf fields for football, softball, and baseball and a new surface for our track and field student-athletes. A refreshed Bucyrus Stadium means hosting soccer games on the field, the possible return of marching band competitions, the use of the field for Physical Education classes, Cheer and Poms competitions, and even commencement ceremonies. Learn more at www.launchingalegacy.info
The South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department now offers free Lactation Support Services by appointment! Phone or in-person consults are available in our private Mother’s Room. Call (414) 768-8055 ext. 3 if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Thanks, Tim, for bringing this idea to the Blog! I am always looking for content to further our mission of keeping South Milwaukeeans informed on key issues, while also providing important context and depth where possible.
It is why I started this blog as an alderman in 2009, and why I continue it today.
Please note: All content is written by Alderman Backes, and shared verbatim through the Blog. Any opinion offered is Tim’s and Tim’s alone.
It’s Da Crusher, of course! Shot the night of Crusherfest, as we unveiled this statue to the world. Do you have a photo you’d like to share on the blog? Send it along.
South Milwaukee Blog 