by | September 27, 2014 · 7:51 am

Rockets Roll Again, Move To 6-0 With Homecoming Vs. Cudahy Next

The Homecoming Parade returns on Thursday, and there will be plenty to celebrate.

The South Milwaukee football team moved to 6-0 with a 50-7 victory over Shorewood Messmer on Friday. And the stats for the high-powered Rockets continue to impress, with South Milwaukee racking up 544 yards of offense in the Woodland Conference East victory.

Quarterback Justin Oliden led the way, completing 9 of 13 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns and running for 133 yards and two more scores. Ian Pribyl rushed 21 times for 187 yards and three touchdowns.

Check out video highlights from WISN here.

And be sure to check out the festivities Thursday, with the parade starting at 6, followed by a pep rally and bonfire. The parade starts near 15th and Rawson and heads north on 15th to the school.

The Homecoming game against Cudahy kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday.

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by | September 26, 2014 · 5:32 pm

South Milwaukee Sports Roundup: Four Football Players Up For Awards

When you’re 5-0, people take notice.

Three South Milwaukee football seniors have been named semifinalists for three Wisconsin Sports Network awards. They are:

  • Ian Pribyl: top running back
  • Justin Oliden: top quarterback
  • Mitchell Dess: top receiver
  • Calvin Shilling: top defensive back

Check out the full list here. Finalists chosen after the Level 1 playoffs. Winners are announced the week of the state finals. A panel of WSN staff along with several veteran prep sports journalists throughout the state will review the finalists and select a winner for each award, with an announcement made the week of the state football finals.

South Milwaukee — now rated No. 4 in Division 2 — play at 7 p.m. at Shorewood/Messmer tonight. Then it’s Homecoming week!

Other sports updates from the school district … h/t Ante Udovicic.

ROCKET GIRLS TENNIS

The Rockets beat Racine Horlick 4-3 last Saturday in their only completed match of the Racine Case tournament. Yesterday, the Rockets lost to Pius 6-1 in the final Woodland Conference match of the regular season. Mackenzie Meyers (11) won a hard fought straight set victory for the lone Rocket win.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of next week the Rockets will take on the rest of the Woodland Conference in the conference tournament being held in the Greendale and Greenfield area. The JV Tennis team will compete in the Woodland JV Tournament on Saturday in Greendale and Greenfield…good luck!

ROCKET BOYS VOLLEYBALL

The boys defeated West Allis Central 25-23 & 25-19 in their first match of the varsity tournament hosted by Central last Saturday. The Rockets lost earlier this week to a very tough Greendale team. On Monday the boys travel to Kenosha Tremper for a triangular and on Wednesday they travel to Wauwatosa West HS for a Woodland match.

ROCKET GIRLS SWIM

Wednesday September 24th, 2014 CONFERENCE RELAYS at Greenfield HS…

The team took 6th out of 13 schools

  • The 200yd Freestyle Relay team of Hernandez, M. Conner, K. Mildebrandt, N. Swanson took 5th with a time of 2:00.02
  • The 300yd Butterfly Relay team of Swanson, A. Holliday, E. Hernandez, E. Uehling took 5th with a time of 3:38.44
  • The 500yd Freestyle Relay team of Mildebrandt, T. Halama, N. Swanson, A. Holliday took 4th with a time of 5:25.61
  • The 400yd Freestyle Relay team of Halama, V. Hernandez, N. Swanson, A. Holliday took 6th with a time of 4:23.84
  • The 300yd Breaststroke Relay team of Hernandez, H. Bocek, M. Conner, Z. Bellis took 6th with a time of 4:11.14
  • The 100yd Freestyle Relay team of Mildebrandt, E. Hernandez, M. Zabler, T. Halama took 6th with a time of 59.86

Good luck to the team tomorrow at Kenosha Bradford!

ROCKET CROSS COUNTRY

Josh Janusiak (12) continued his superb running with yet another victory at UW-Parkside Chris Sobczak (10) and Jordan Janusiak (9) took 6th & 7th place respectively and the boys overall took 2nd as a team!

On the girls side Maddie Wood (10) was solid once again and took 3rd place. The girls’ team took 8th out of 28 teams overall.

Good luck to all of the Rocket Harriers as they take on the Janesville CC Meet for the first time in decades. This is a huge meet with over 75 teams running.

 

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by | September 25, 2014 · 10:30 pm

Helping The Families Displaced By Wednesday’s Fire

Wednesday’s house fire on Rawson Avenue has greatly impacted two families, with six children attending South Milwaukee schools. Two community institutions are stepping up to help.

Guardian Credit Union has announced they have created a fund to assist the families and will be accepting donations of money, clothing and household goods at their South Milwaukee location, 1025 Milwaukee Ave. Reference the “South Milwaukee Rawson House Fire” fund.

In addition, Guardian accepted nearly $140 in donations from attendees of Thursday’s showing of “Frozen” at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market — donations that the market and Guardian then matched for a total donation of more than $400. Thanks to everyone who pitched in!

Also, Rawson Elementary is collecting clothing for boys size 5 and girls size 7/8.

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by | September 25, 2014 · 10:15 pm

How To Dispose Of Your Appliances — For Free

The city is proud to announce a partnership with a local company that will allow for free disposal of unwanted appliances like refrigerators, washers and dryers.

The agreement with Refrigerant Depot means the company will pick up appliances from outside your home or the South Milwaukee self-deposit station free of charge.

Previously, it cost $15 to dispose of them at the self-deposit station.

The service applies to refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, microwave ovens and water heaters. Televisions and other electronic items have to be taken to an e-cycle cycle center such as Goodwill stores.

Here is a flyer explaining more.

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by | September 24, 2014 · 4:22 pm

More On Wednesday’s South Milwaukee Fire

1213 Exterior Distant Submitted1213 Exterior Porch 1213 Exterior BC CornerFrom South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter … please keep everyone impacted in your prayers.

At approximately 1140AM this morning, South Milwaukee Dispatch received several 9-1-1 calls reporting a house fire at 1213 Rawson Avenue. The house is a duplex, with a total of 9 occupants residing in it. A “Working Still”, which brings in our first alarm level of mutual aid, was called immediately based on the information of the callers. First arriving South Milwaukee Fire Department units encountered significant fire on the east side of the house extending up the siding and exposing the 2nd floor and attic. In addition, a large pine tree that was very near the house was burning adding to the amount of fire and smoke. Initial reports were that all occupants were out of the house.

Fire suppression efforts were first directed at stopping the spread of the fire on the exterior of the house and then immediately re-directed to the interior where a quick knock down of the fire was accomplished. The fire had gained a considerable headway and was burning in the walls and into the attic, thus requiring an extensive amount of overhaul. A 2nd MABAS Box Alarm was called for additional firefighters and to staff our station in the event of subsequent calls. One additional EMS call was received during the incident and handled by a mutual aid ambulance. No injuries were reported at the fire, however, two pets perished in the fire and another two are unaccounted for.

The American Red Cross was called to the scene and is assisting the family with their needs. Fire Investigators remain on the scene attempting to identify the origin and cause.

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by | September 24, 2014 · 2:03 pm

House Fire Reported On Rawson Avenue

I’m being told no one was injured in the house fire in the 1200 block of Rawson Avenue around noon today.

I will post updates when I get them.

In the meantime, please keep these families and our firefighters in your thoughts and prayers.

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by | September 22, 2014 · 9:25 pm

Filling The Boot In South Milwaukee

BOSCHKE MDA Fill the BootMore city employees doing good work for others, this time from South Milwaukee Fire Lt. Craig Boschke (pictured) …

The South Milwaukee Professional Firefighters raised money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association at their annual MDA “Fill the Boot” fundraiser on September 5th.  Both on and off duty members collected $3895.23 at the intersection of College Ave & Nicholson Ave throughout the morning and afternoon.  South Milwaukee Firefighters raised $4123.77 for MDA in 2014 through various fundraisers and generous donations.

 The International Association of Firefighters has strongly supported MDA since 1954.  South Milwaukee firefighters continue to “Fill the Boot” for MDA and those affected by various neuro-muscular diseases.  A special thanks to our Fire Chief and command staff for supporting our local event and endeavors.

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by | September 21, 2014 · 3:03 pm

Playing This Thursday At The Farmers’ Market: “Frozen”

2.168183The second (rescheduled) Guardian Credit Union Movie in the Market is this Thursday … and it’s a big one.

The flick: the Disney hit “Frozen.”

Showtime is around 7 p.m., and it follows two other special performances: the South Milwaukee Rocket Band drumline and a South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center concert featuring the Jeannine Rivers Group, a jazz and R&B band. I’m also holding a Meet the Mayor session with school leaders from 4 to 6.

Guardian is offering free popcorn. And bring your lawn chairs.

Hope to see you there!

(And mark your calendars for the final Guardian movie. “Hocus Pocus” plays on Thursday, Oct. 9, as part of the market’s season-ending Fall Family Festival event. Showtime is around 6:30 p.m.)

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by | September 21, 2014 · 2:58 pm

Council Roundup: Dispatch Investment, St. Adalbert’s Development, School Proclamation

From Tuesday’s South Milwaukee City Council meeting …

  • The council agreed to keep our police and fire dispatch services in-house — and invest what could be more than $400,000 on new dispatch equipment in coming months. This was a decision a long time in coming, and it’s one I know the council (and the city administrator and me) did not take lightly. I generally support exploring consolidation and contracting as options for select city services — I think you have to in this era of lean budgets — and we certainly did our homework in this case. But you need a willing partner in discussions about sharing services, and we had trouble finding one. Meanwhile, risks increased with our outdated equipment coming to the end of its useful life. So we decided to invest in what we’re doing in South Milwaukee. And now that we’re committed to providing this service long-term, it’s up to us to find ways to enhance it where and when possible. We will try our hardest to do that.
  • We also heard a few details about a development proposed for the former St. Adalbert’s school, gymnasium, church and rectory. Gorman & Co. is proposing 31 apartments for the existing buildings, to be funded in part with historic building tax credits from the state. Formal plans will be presented before the Plan Commission at our meeting Monday (tomorrow), with plans for a public information meeting and formal public hearing in the days and weeks after that. I’ll keep you posted.
  • We also gave a proclamation to the South Milwaukee School District, for their AdvancED accreditation. Congratulations again to the district for this terrific honor.

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by | September 20, 2014 · 10:13 am

Dominating: South Milwaukee Football Team Moves To 5-0 With Big Win Over Greenfield

Update: NOW has a feature on the 5-0 Rockets.

In a battle for the top of the Woodland Conference, it wasn’t much of a contest.

South Milwaukee rolled past Greenfield, 42-7, Friday night at Spaltholz Field to move to 5-0.

The stats are impressive …

Ian Pribyl had 220 yards rushing and three touchdowns, and Justin Oliden completed 15 of 19 passes for 185 yards, three touchdowns — two to Mitchell Dess — and no interceptions.

Check out some highlights from WISN here, and follow the team on its website.

Just three more regular-season games remain before the Rockets roll into the WIAA playoffs.

Next up: at Shorewood this Friday night.

Then it’s Homecoming on Friday, Oct. 3, against Cudahy — the official kickoff to Rocketober!

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by | September 18, 2014 · 10:16 pm

Making A Difference: South Shore Chamber Honors Sorce Martial Arts

20140918_203629Congratulations to Sorce Martial Arts, one of three businesses honored at Thursday night’s South Shore Chamber of Commerce first-annual Awards Dinner.

It is a well-deserved honor for Pete Sorce (pictured with me and his wife, Rachel), who shared the story about how he realized a lifelong dream of opening his downtown studio. (Indeed, ask him sometime about how he drew his first construction plans for a studio before he was teenager.)

We’re lucky to have him and his business literally at the crossroads of South Milwaukee. Pete has made more than an investment in his building. He continues to invest in the community — and change lives.

The other two honorees at the banquet at the Pulaski Inn were Greg’s True Value in St. Francis and Angelic Bakehouse in Cudahy. Congratulations to them as well.

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by | September 18, 2014 · 9:37 pm

Big Start For SMPAC’s Performing Arts Series

pas-960x400-01The 10th anniversary season of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center promises to be a special one.

Its Performing Arts Series starts this Saturday, as Davell Crawford and His New Orleans Creole Jazz Men come to town for a night of jazz. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., and tickets are still available.

From the SMPAC website …

A rare breed of artist, Davell Crawford is a musicians’ musician, an artists’ artist. He lives firmly by his affection for New Orleans music, which is showcased in his latest undertaking, “Davell Crawford and His New Orleans Creole Jazz Men.” Specializing in New Orleans Traditional Jazz from the early 20th century, Davell on piano is accompanied by the instrumentation of trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, slide trombone, banjo, upright bass and drums, performing material such as Twelfth Street Rag, Muskrat Ramble, High Society, Tiger Rag, Milenberg Joys, Margie, Tailgate Ramble and Royal Garden Blues. Almost all of the musicians in this band can trace their Louisiana musical heritage back generations to the originators, performers and celebrities of this music.

Check out the full season event schedule here.

Please support this local treasure!

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by | September 17, 2014 · 10:40 pm

Report Cards Out: South Milwaukee Schools Meet Expectations

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instructions is out with its 2013-14 school and school district report cards.

The verdict for South Milwaukee? The district as a whole solidly “meets expectations” with a score of 68.9.

As for individual schools …

  • Blakewood exceeds expectations, with a score of 74.5.
  • E.W. Luther meets expectations, with a score of 70.1
  • Rawson meets expectations, with a score of 68.1.
  • Lakeview meets expectations, with a score of 63.7.
  • South Milwaukee Middle School meets expectations, with a score of 67.9.
  • South Milwaukee High School meets expectations, with a score of 69.2.

You can search for report cards by district here. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin State Journal offer some context.

Of course, the best context is what you see with your own eyes. And, as the parent of a Rawson first- and fourth-grader, I see a school (and school district) committed to first-class education.

We should all be proud of our South Milwaukee schools.

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by | September 17, 2014 · 10:33 pm

Drexel Town Square Update

Big progress being made in this transformative Oak Creek development …

Check out photos from the Business Journal here.

I’m excited about this development. Projects like this will lift the entire South Shore, including our fair city.

I can’t wait to see it open.

(Here is the Drexel Town Square website.)

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by | September 16, 2014 · 10:34 pm

Fitness Challenge Kickoff Event Set For Saturday

There is still plenty of time to sign up for the South Suburban Mayors’ Fitness Challenge.

Please do so here … and consider stopping by the Challenge kickoff event at 1 p.m. this Saturday at Oak Creek East Middle School, 9330 S. Shepard Ave.

Even if you can’t take part, there are PLENTY of other opportunities to get fit this fall. The Challenge Facebook page has more information on upcoming events, including joining specials for South Shore YMCA, a weight loss workshop in Oak Creek and a Fall Zumbathon for Human Concerns at 1 p.m. on Oct. 11 at Blakewood School.

I’ll keep you posted on the blog with regular updates, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, comments or concerns. I’m looking forward to getting fit!

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