This is always a fun time. Check out the full schedule and event updates and recaps on the Rocketober Facebook page.
Second South Milwaukee Garage Fire Reported
A garage fire was reported early Tuesday morning at 1206 Michigan Ave. — the second garage fire in South Milwaukee since Monday evening.
Fire Chief Joe Knitter said he does not think the two are related.
The first fire (on Harrison Place) is not suspicious. Police are investigating the second one.
Here is information from the South Milwaukee Fire Department …
At approximately 12:57AM, SMFD rec’d a 911 report of a garage on fire behind 1206 Michigan Avenue. Upon their arrival, SMFD encountered a fully involved detached garage extending to a Cadillac SUV parked adjacent to the garage and to the roofline of Lopez Auto Body, which is located directly to the East. Radiant heat also melted several garbage carts and the vinyl siding on the homes at 1206 Michigan Avenue and 1209 Madison Avenue. WE Energies was requested to the scene to secure an energized power line that burned through and fell to the ground. The fire was quickly knocked down and extensive overhaul was necessary due to the collapse of the roof. Evaluation of both the roofline and interior of the auto body shop revealed that damage was limited to the exterior of the building. The detached garage and the SUV were a total loss. One female occupant of the home was evaluated for smoke inhalation, but refused transport. No other injuries were reported to fire personnel or civilians. The fire in currently under investigation by SMPD and SMFD.
Here is the press release from the South Milwaukee Police Department …
On Wednesday, September 28th, 2016 at about 12:57am, the South Milwaukee Police Department and the South Milwaukee Fire Department were called to a residence in the 1200blk of Michigan Ave for a report of a garage fire. The fire is currently under investigation.
I’ll keep you posted if and when I learn more.
Filed under South Milwaukee
No Injuries in Garage Fire
From the South Milwaukee Fire Department …
At approximately 5:55PM this evening, SMFD responded to a 911 call of a garage on fire located at the intersection of Harrison Place and Marshall Avenue. Upon their arrival, SMFD encountered a fully involved detached garage located to the rear of 2435 Harrison Place. Radiant heat from the fire melted siding on the nearby house, a neighboring garage, and started a vehicle parked in the street on fire. The heat also started a nearby tree on fire and caused the overhead electrical wires to drop to the ground and begin arcing. Firefighters quickly deployed a hoseline and assumed a defensive attack, protecting the nearby house and garage from further damage. A 2nd line was pulled to protect the neighbor’s house and garage. The fire was quickly knocked down and extensive overhaul was completed. Assistant was rec’d from the Cudahy and Oak Creek Fire Departments. The St. Francis and the 128th ANG Fire Departments responded to the scene but were released shortly after the fire was knocked down. The garage and its’ contents are a total loss. Among the contents was a 1967 Plymouth GTX currently undergoing restoration. No injuries were reported and the fire is currently under investigation by Investigators from both the South Milwaukee Fire and Police Departments.
The fire is not suspicious in nature, according to Fire Chief Joe Knitter.
Thanks to all of the firefighters who responded to this blaze. It sounds like it could have been much worse.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Plan Commission Backs New Development, Expansions, Renovations
Businesses are investing in South Milwaukee and its future. Monday night’s Plan Commission meeting showed it.
Among the unanimous action taken by the commission …
First, we recommended approval to the city council a 120-day planning option with Vetter Denk for the $6.6 million microbrewery, retail, apartment, and public space development they have planned for 11th and Madison Avenues.
If the planning option is approved by the full council, then detail work will start on the development, from design to financials, with a shovel in the ground planned for next spring.
This project will be a real game-changer for downtown South Milwaukee — and approval of this planning option gives the developers the certainty they need to do the necessary due diligence to make the project a reality.
We also paved the way for several other successful existing business owners to invest in their properties …
- The Plan Commission recommended approval of a 1,488 square-foot office addition to the front of A&J Environmental Pallet at 1210 Rawson Ave.
- And we recommended approval of a 1,350 square-foot addition and construction a new 9,600 square-foot building at EK Construction at 1040 Columbia Ave. Eric is looking for additional storage.
- Also, we granted an exception to our code to allow for installation of a replacement awning at Parkway Floral, 1001 Milwaukee Ave., as Leah and her team continue to make investments in their building and business.
Finally, the commission approved extension of a sale option for Greywolf Partners Inc. on the city-owned portion of the property at 11th and College Avenues. More to come on this potential retail development.
That’s just one meeting. We’re just getting started …
Filed under South Milwaukee
Wanted for Strong-Armed Robbery
From the South Milwaukee Police Department …
On today’s date (Sept. 27, 2016) at 3:47 am the South Milwaukee Police Department received a hold-up alarm at Speedway located at 3102 S Chicago Ave. Two black males took 3 garbage bags full of Newport cigarettes by threat of physical force. No weapon was displayed or mentioned. The clerk was not harmed and complied with their commands. The South Milwaukee Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the two below subjects who are described as being in their early to mid-20s. Please contact the SMPD at 768- 8060 with any information.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Stay Vigilant: More Information on Local Burglaries — and Safety Tips
From the South Milwaukee Police Department …
There have been numerous reports of thefts and burglaries throughout the city within the past few weeks. Thieves have been targeting unlocked garages and vehicles, and recently an unlocked residence. These incidents have been occurring west of 15th Avenue to Pennsylvania/Nicholson from College Avenue to Forest Hill Avenue, but primarily concentrated in the NW section of the city. The SMPD strongly urges residents to lock up their property to protect against theft.
The most important thing you can do is call the police to report a crime or any suspicious activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. And remember you can always remain anonymous.
Some Valuable Tips:
- Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
- Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.
- Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
- Keep your garage door closed and locked.
- If going on vacation call the SMPD for regularly scheduled vacation checks while you are away.
- Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
- Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
- Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
- Push button locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
- Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
- Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.
For additional crime prevention tips or to arrange for a crime prevention specialist to conduct a security survey of your home, contact the South Milwaukee Police Department at 768-8060.
Filed under South Milwaukee
A Homecoming to Remember
It was quite a Homecoming for South Milwaukee and its quarterback.
South Milwaukee beat Cudahy, 36-0, and senior Jake Simuncak had a record-setting night along the way. He rushed 38 times for 418 yards and four long touchdowns — the most rushing yards for a quarterback in state history, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Last week, Jake had 308 yards and three touchdowns … a week after racking up 134 yards rushing (and another 227 through the air, and an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown).
Go Rockets, and go Jake!
Here are a few photos from the game. Thanks to Jodi O’Neill for the terrific shots.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Headlines!
Check out these South Shore headlines …
- The Shop Opens a New Chapter Fixing Old Motorcycles in South Milwaukee (OnMilwaukee.com)
- First Impression: Taco Stop MKE (Milwaukee Record)
- Cudahy Church Honors Rescue Workers on 9-11 (NOW)
- Oak Creek Mayor Will not Run for a Third Term (BizTimes)
- Cudahy Mother Travels to White House to Share Story of Sons’ Addiction and Recovery (Fox 6)
- Humane Society: Injured Cudahy Fox Continues to Heal (Fox 6)
- Oak Creek Light Industrial Building Proposed (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Caterpillar Machine Sales Continue Decline, Led by Latin America (Bloomberg)
Filed under South Milwaukee
New Food Options: Grillworks Now Open, Scrappy’s BBQ Coming Soon
I love the new restaurants coming to South Milwaukee …
The latest is Grillworks, which is now open in the former Grebe’s and Nona’s building at 2206 10th Ave. They softly opened today, with plans to open at 6 a.m. Saturday for breakfast. They’ll also be serving lunch and dinner.
I stopped by this evening, and owner Mike Oren is excited to get going. The place looks terrific, with the extensive renovations including the addition of a second bathroom.
Stop by and check it out, and please have patience with their opening as they work out any bugs. Join me in welcoming them to downtown South Milwaukee!
And more good news down the block, literally: After popping in at Grillworks, I stopped by what will soon be Scrappy’s BBQ and checked in with Mike Hintz. He said they remain on track to open on Oct. 15 in the former Lloyd’s Lunch at 925 Madison Ave., and they will serve barbecue beef brisket, burnt ends, ribs, pulled pork, Italian beef, pressured-fried chicken and more, to-go or catered.
You’ll see some painting going on this weekend, with new equipment to come soon.
The small business momentum continues across South Milwaukee …
Filed under South Milwaukee
Raising Money to Support Local Readers
Help raise money for South Milwaukee Literacy at a Barnes & Noble Bookfair set for Saturday, Oct. 1.
Details below — should be a fun day to support a great cause.
The support is needed. Literacy Night is set for Feb. 3, and it’s growing. Open to all families with kids in 4K to 12th grade, the event will feature music, writing, sessions for parents, and an award-winning author, Shelley Pearsall.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Welcome to South Milwaukee: More Ribbon Cuttings Scheduled
The South Milwaukee Community & Business Association has done a terrific job in organizing ribbon cuttings for all of the cool local businesses opening in town.
Saturday, it was Mara’s Sewing House and The Shop.
And more are on the calendar …
- Wednesday, Sept. 21: Taco Stop MKE, 513 N. Chicago. 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 28: DB Tax & Financial Services, 1125 Milwaukee Ave. 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 8: Avenue Coffeehouse, 911 Milwaukee Ave., noon.
Please join me at these special events!
Be sure to like the SMCBA’s Facebook Events page for the latest on the grand openings and other important local business information. I’ll also include links to these on the Shop Local South Milwaukee Facebook page I run.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Small Business Momentum: Ribbon Cuttings Continue
The big scissors are getting dull!
The South Milwaukee Community & Business Association ribbon cuttings continued on Saturday with The Shop and Mara’s Sewing House.
Thanks to Mara Vignevic and Tim Schneider for choosing South Milwaukee.
At Mara’s, in just a few short months, they’ve made more than 60,000 American flags, along with other custom projects. And they’re just getting started in their new home at 915 Milwaukee Ave.
At The Shop, owner Tim Schneider saw our promising future and moved his antique motorcycle repair business from Bay View to South Milwaukee. After hundreds of hours of sweat equity cleaning out and renovating the building at 1905 13th Ave., on Saturday we saw the fruits of that labor — an amazing transformation from a former auto body shop to a small business that will truly be a regional destination.
Welcome, Mara, Tim and teams … we’re excited to have you in South Milwaukee.
Look for more ribbon cuttings coming soon. We have some serious small business momentum in South Milwaukee.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Register to Vote Now
From the South Milwaukee city clerk’s office …
We are anticipating a large voter turnout for the November 8th Fall General Election. We are encouraging residents who are not currently registered to register early. A qualified elector must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of South Milwaukee for at least 10 days prior to registering to vote. You will be asked to present a Wisconsin Driver’s License or Wisconsin ID card. If the address on your ID is not correct, an additional document must be presented. (i.e. WE Energies, Bank Statement, Residential Lease). You may register to vote:
- City Hall Clerk’s Office – Mon-Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Online at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-US/RegisterToVote
- By mail (look for instructions on the City’s webpage – www.smwi.org)
Filed under South Milwaukee
“Waking in Oak Creek”: Screening, Panel Discussion Planned for South Milwaukee Library
Please join me for this important event, as I join Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi and Pardeep Kaleka, whose father was killed in the 2012 Sikh Temple shootings in Oak Creek, on a panel discussion following the showing of the movie.
The response to the shootings was heroic, and the dialog they sparked continues. I’m proud to join it.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Announcing Rocketober, 2016
Updated with correct dates.
Welcome back to Rocketober, the best month (month and a half, really) to be a South Milwaukeean!
Year three is the biggest yet. There is literally something for everyone, starting this weekend and continuing through trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Events like these — and the countless people and organizations behind them — are more reasons to love South Milwaukee. See you around town!
Be sure to like the Rocketober Facebook page for more information on upcoming events, photos and more. And encourage your friends to like it, too. Thanks to Donna at MJ Media for the flyer design.
Filed under South Milwaukee
