South Milwaukee Blog

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.

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 2^nd 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 128^th 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.

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 11^th 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 11^th and College Avenues. More to come on this potential retail development.

That’s just one meeting. We’re just getting started …

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. 

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.

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.

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)

NOW has also published new police blotters here and here.

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 …

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.

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:

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.

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.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

The South Milwaukee PD would like to inform the citizens of South Milwaukee that we have taken 3 burglary reports in the past couple weeks. In all 3 burglaries the perpetrator(s) cut a window screen out on a window that was left open. Entry was made into two houses and one garage through the windows where the screen was cut out. In one of the burglaries the perpetrators were scared off by the residents that were home (in bed) at the time. With the cooler weather coming we realize that many of you like to leave windows open, with screens on, to cool your houses. The SMPD wants you to be aware of what is going on and what you can do to prevent things like this from happening to you. If you are going to leave windows open on your residence, utilize the safety locks which only allow the window to open about 4 inches. They are rectangular pieces that are located on each side of the window frame, they pop out to prevent the window from going up all the way. If you do not have windows with these safety features, I would heavily consider not leaving windows open to the screen at night or when you are not home. It appears that the perpetrator(s) are looking specifically at residences that leave windows open on the main level of the residences. It is good practice to lock your windows, door, and vehicles at night time or when you are not around. There are no leads on the perpetrators at this time.

Police tell me the three incidents in question happened in the 500 block of Willow, 2900 block of 15th Avenue, and 2700 block of Fifth Avenue.