by | March 26, 2015 · 2:09 pm

Update: South Milwaukee Shooting Investigation

The South Milwaukee Police Department has issued an updated press release on this morning’s shooting, including the name of the victim and the address of the incident.

At approximately 6:31 am the South Milwaukee Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call reporting an accidental shooting at 2504 Lake Shore Blvd, South Milwaukee. Officers responded to the residence and located a victim who had been shot inside the residence. Life saving measures were attempted but were unsuccessful.

Victim: Scheherazade Mae Chadwick, 68 years of age

South Milwaukee Police Department is currently conducting a death investigation. The Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory is assisting in the investigation.

There are no further details at this time.

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by | March 26, 2015 · 10:45 am

Death Investigation Underway Following Report Of Accidental Shooting

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

At approximately 6:31 am the South Milwaukee Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call reporting an accidental shooting at a residence located in the 2500 block of Lake Shore Boulevard. Officers responded to the residence and located a victim who had been shot inside the residence. Life saving measures were attempted but were unsuccessful.

The South Milwaukee Police Department is currently conducting a death investigation.

There are no further details at this time.

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by | March 25, 2015 · 9:37 pm

Town Hall With Senator Larson Set For Monday At South Milwaukee Library

I’ll be joining State Sen. Chris Larson for a town hall meeting this Monday, March 30, to discuss the state budget and its impact on state programs, as well as its impacts on the City of South Milwaukee.

We’ll be meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the South Milwaukee Library.

Sen. Larson will devote the first 30-45 minutes to highlight what is in the budget and then will open the meeting to a Q&A session. While the focus will be on the budget, feel free to ask questions about other topics.

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by | March 25, 2015 · 3:01 pm

Honoring A South Milwaukee Hero

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“I’m just a caretaker, a soldier doing his job.”

Those are the humble words of a real hero, South Milwaukee resident Gary Wetzel. Gary, a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Vietnam War, was named Milwaukee County Veteran of the Year today and had a street sign and monument dedicated in his honor. I was honored to be a small part of the ceremony — and am incredibly thankful for his sacrifice and the sacrifice of all our veterans. We should all be thankful for their service, not just today but every day.

Thanks for calling South Milwaukee home, Gary

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by | March 24, 2015 · 9:21 pm

Headlines!

More news and notes from around the South Shore …

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.

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by | March 24, 2015 · 8:56 pm

Saturday’s SMPAC Performance Cancelled

More information from the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center … might I suggest using the tickets for the Kitzke performance or the gala event? Both very good options.

The Sunday, March 29 performance of In Thinking of America: Songs of the Civil War has been CANCELLED due to medical reasons.

South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center recently learned about a medical condition that prevents the artist, Robert Trentham, from travelling or performing at this time. We send Mr. Trentham our best wishes for a complete and quick recovery.

We are unable to reschedule the performance, so current ticket holders will be contacted by our box office to receive a refund or exchange their tickets for the April 10th performance by Jerome Kitzke, Music in Poetry, Poetry in Music, or the May 1st 2014‐15 Performing Arts Series finale, 10th Anniversary Gala featuring Tomas Kubinek.

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by | March 23, 2015 · 8:19 pm

Partnering To Combat The Heroin Epidemic

The South Milwaukee Police Department is committed to fighting the battle against heroin in our community. And I stand with them.

One key front in that fight: education.

The department sent home a note and a flyer with more information on heroin abuse to all school parents last week. Here is the note …

Across the nation there is a growing heroin epidemic. Recently the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an article titled “Heroin deaths in Milwaukee County jump 72%.” The South Milwaukee Police Department working together with the South Milwaukee School District is committed to protecting our youth and educating our parents regarding this epidemic.

 Through education, enforcement and working with the medical field we can fight this epidemic. It is a goal of the Police Department to partner with parents in an effort to stop this addiction.

 On the South Milwaukee Police Department website (www.smpolice.com) is educational information addressing the heroin epidemic. Please visit the South Milwaukee Police Department this educational information. Additional information can be found at www.pact360.org.

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by | March 23, 2015 · 4:28 pm

In-Person Absentee Voting Underway

Update: Here is a voter guide on the local candidates, including bio information and stances on issues.

You can now cast a vote in the April 7 election.

In-person absentee voting is open, meaning you can vote at South Milwaukee City Hall each business day between now and Thursday, April 2, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. City Hall will be closed on Good Friday, April 3. However, appointments can be made in advance with the city clerk to vote absentee on that day between 3 and 5 p.m. by calling 768-7499.

You don’t need a reason to vote this way — you can simply show up and request a ballot and cast it right there.

Learn more on the city’s elections web page, and you can also see sample ballots on the main page of the city website.

There are contested aldermanic races in the First and Second Districts and a contested school board race.

  • In the First District, incumbents Craig Maass and Frank Van Dusen III face challenger Frank Disco Gratke.
  • In the Second District, incumbents R. Patrick Stoner and Ramon Navarro face challengers Michael Johnson and Larry Pagelsdorf for two seats.
  • For school board, incumbent David Maass faces challengers Jon Shelenske and Jeff Dess for two seats.

And keep in mind that an ID is not required to vote for this election.

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by | March 22, 2015 · 2:52 pm

Happy Easter: Pancake Breakfast, Egg Hunt Set For This Saturday, March 28

It’s becoming an Easter tradition in South Milwaukee: the annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny & Egg Hunt, presented by the South Milwaukee Lions and Friends of the Mill Pond.

This year’s event is this Saturday, March 28, at the Grobschmidt Senior Center.

Breakfast runs from 8:30 to 11 a.m., with the egg hunt at 10:30.

The breakfast is $6 for adults, $4 for kids 5-11. Those under five are free. The egg hunt is free.

Here is the flyer.

See you there, and happy Easter!

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by | March 18, 2015 · 9:28 am

Big Moves For Downtown’s Future (And Economic Development Overall)

It’s been a good couple of weeks for the outlook of downtown South Milwaukee — the entire city, for that matter.

A quick recap …

  • The nine-member Downtown Advisory Committee has begun meeting. They are working on establishing a firm mission, vision and strategy for the committee — and beginning to work on tackling the key issues facing our city center. It’s a formalized voice we’ve lacked in this debate for a long time. Too long.
  • We’re moving ahead on our comprehensive plan and downtown plan updates. At its meeting two weeks ago, the city council formally directed our city engineer to prepare and put out a request for proposals to planning firms. Proposals will be due by April 9, and we’re asking that the plans be substantially complete by the end of the year. What are we looking for? The Plan Commission and the downtown committee jointly met earlier this month to discuss the details of the RFP. It was a great discussion. One key part: We must value creativity in this process, look for firms that can bring us new ideas and fresh approaches to our city and downtown, concepts that we can put into practice for short-, medium and long-term success. I can’t wait to start.
  • Also, we have hired a new economic development coordinator. Robin Grams starts Monday, March 23. He has a passion for economic development and the skills, training and personality to make a real difference. Robin has a master’s degree in public administration (emphasis on urban planning and management) from Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis, where he also worked as a planning intern for the City of Indianapolis. He also studied history and urban and regional studies at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and was a member of its NCAA Division I swim team. I’m confident he’ll do a great job in serving as our point person for business recruitment and retention across the city. He’ll also play a significant role in working with the downtown committee in developing the downtown plan, and he’ll work closely with our Community Development Authority in marketing our tax incremental financing district properties.

All of these efforts — the formation of the downtown committee, development of the plan, and hiring of dedicated economic development support — are key building blocks we need for South Milwaukee’s future.

I’m excited to see this foundational work come alive. It will make a real difference, for the long term, this as we continue to work hard to attract new businesses and other development to our city center every day.

Momentum continues to build. I hope you feel it.

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by | March 17, 2015 · 5:17 pm

Reminder: Meet The Mayor Session Saturday At Ace Hardware!

AceThe Meet the Mayor tour of local businesses continues this Saturday, with a stop at Ace Hardware in South Milwaukee.

I’ll be there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., so stop by 1009 Marquette Ave. (Sunrise Plaza) during those hours to discuss local issues, raise a concern or just say hi.

Thanks to Dave for hosting me — and I look forward to seeing you there!

Also, mark your calendars for my April 18 Meet the Mayor event. It’s at I Can’t Resist Kids Resale, 915 Milwaukee Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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by | March 16, 2015 · 10:41 pm

Supporting The Heritage Days Parade

Parade 1Parades are expensive, and that includes the Heritage Days Parade.

You can help support it — and have some fun too — at two upcoming events.

  • This Saturday, March 21: Mini Golf Pub Crawl. Enjoy an afternoon of fun and games in downtown South Milwaukee. Prizes for first through fourth place, as well as prizes for best-dressed team, raffles and other shenanigans. Registration at 11, tee off at noon. Cost is $20 per player, four-person teams.
  • Sunday, April 12. 9-Pin Tap Bowling Tournament. Bowl for a great cause at the South Milwaukee Arcade. $25 per bowler, cash prizes for the first three places. Meat, 50-50 and other raffles will be offered. Registration at 11:30 a.m., bowling at noon.

And mark your calendars: The parade is Saturday, July 25.

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by | March 15, 2015 · 9:56 pm

Helping A Stranded Boater And Other Headlines

News and notes from around the South Shore, including this from the South Milwaukee Fire Department …

At approximately 6:20 this evening (Sunday, March 15), SMFD responded to a request from the Oak Creek Fire Department to assist a stranded boater on Lake Michigan approximately one mile off of Bender Park.  Apparently, the US Coast Guard originally received the call reporting the disabled boat and notified OCFD.  SMFD responded with it’s inflatable boat to Bender Park (the rescue boat is still in winter storage), located the disabled boat and its two male occupants and towed it safely back to shore.

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by | March 14, 2015 · 11:28 am

“March Music Madness” Continues In South Milwaukee

Love music? Then you will love March in South Milwaukee. Beyond the high school spring musical last weekend, here is more, submitted by the South Milwaukee Music Parents …

Concerts held at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center (no admission fee) 

  • High School Choral Festival Concert is on March 17, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. 
  • High School Band and Orchestra Concert is March 19, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Luther Elementary School Concert, Monday, March 23, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Lakeview Elementary School Concert, Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Blakewood Elementary School Concert, Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Rawson Elementary School Concert, Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 6:30 at Rawson Elementary School

The South Milwaukee Music Parents Association is hosting a dine out at Yo Fresh on Wednesday, March 18, 2015.  Our goal is to continue to fundraise for instrument acquisition at our schools.  Come join us for a delicious evening.  Be sure to check out the South Milwaukee Music Parents on Facebook and also on http://www.rocketmusic.org.

The Wisconsin School Music Association District Solo and Ensemble contest will be held at Cudahy School District on Saturday, March 28th where several of our students will perform and benefit from local expert judges to hone their musical craft.  Students earning a 1 star on a class A musical piece will earn the opportunity to advance to a state competition at UW Parkside in May.

The South Milwaukee Music Parents Association would like to thank our local music educators; they work hard to provide quality music opportunities for our youth.  We hope you can help us thanking and congratulating them on a job well done!

We hope to see you around and consider yourself invited!

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by | March 14, 2015 · 9:25 am

What’s Happening At The PAC: Spring Musical This Weekend, Civil War Songs, An Alum Returns

As usual, there is lots happening at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center …

That includes the spring high school musical, “Catch me if You Can,” this weekend and “In Thinking of America: Songs of the Civil War” on March 29.  Learn more in their recent online newsletter.

And here is more information on the musical from Leslie Henry and the South Milwaukee Music Parents …

Catch Me If You Can is the South Milwaukee Theater Company’s annual 2015 musical theater production. The musical has two evening performances Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m. Save by ordering tickets in advance. Be sure to arrive early. All seating is general admission. ADVANCED TICKETS: Adult $10, Seniors (60+) and students $8. Tickets at the door: Adult $11, Seniors (60+) and students $9. Family of four or more, advanced only is $8 each. You can purchase tickets online through the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center Website http://southmilwaukeepac.org/event/catchmeifyoucan/ or are also for sale in person. Parental guidance suggested.

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