Check out these South Shore headlines …
Filed under Headlines
Some encouraging news downtown … and we’re just getting started!
First, let’s welcome two new businesses, both moving from downtown Cudahy after more than a decade there. I had a chance to meet both merchants on Saturday.
Please join me in welcoming these two new stores to South Milwaukee!
And two more notes …
South Milwaukee Carpet, located in the former Garden Theater building, is closing after more than 30 years in business. Bonnee and Gary are holding their retirement sale now, and I wish them well. Also, Tai Ping Chinese Restaurant has closed, but will reopen under new ownership, according to a sign at the restaurant.
Filed under Development, Local Business, South Milwaukee
The South Milwaukee City Council will choose the next Fourth District alderperson — my replacement — on Tuesday night, and there is strong interest in the job.
Five candidates have applied. They are:
Two candidates have experience on the council: Peggy (2003-07) and Rick (1996-2001) previously served as alderpersons in the Fourth District. And others have served the community in other ways (boards, commissions, South Milwaukee Lions, etc.).
You’ll recall that each candidate will interview before the council Tuesday at a meeting beginning at 6 p.m. at City Hall. See you there!
Filed under South Milwaukee
Some good news in Caterpillar’s first-quarter earnings report, which came out Thursday … but mining continues to struggle.
From the Reuters story …
Caterpillar said it expected its sales to the global construction industry to increase 10 percent from 2013, up from a previously anticipated rise of about 5 percent.
But it cautioned that 2014 would be “another very tough year” for mining, another key market, and that its outlook reflected an anticipated drop of about 80 percent in sales of large mining trucks from the company’s peak year in 2012.
Adam Fleck, an analyst at Morningstar, said he was pleasantly surprised by the company’s “very solid cost control in construction in particular,” where operating margins continued to grow and “were at their highest quarterly level in several quarters”, even though they were typically more compressed than in the mining equipment category.
Fleck said the weakness in mining “wasn’t terribly surprising” and added that because that once-critical business accounted for just 17 percent of sales and 12 percent of operating profit in the first quarter, any continued weakness in the sector was “more of a headline risk than a true economic one.”
The better-than-expected report was tinged with caution. Chief Executive Officer Doug Oberhelman said the Peoria, Illinois-based company was watching several regions closely. Having visited China recently, he said the construction industry there was facing challenges.
Caterpillar was also concerned about the situation in Ukraine and Russia, he added.
The news followed stories this week of mixed dealer data and of reduced 2013 compensation for the CEO.
Of course, we’ll continue to watch the Caterpillar news closely, especially that from the mining front, given our (and Oak Creek’s) position as the center of Cat’s global mining operations.
With that in mind, I had a really positive meeting with several local Caterpillar officials on Friday, as part of my ongoing efforts to introduce myself to local elected official and business owners.
I look forward to keeping lines of communication open … and I have Caterpillar’s commitment to do the same. Having a strong partnership with our largest employer is a priority for me as mayor.
Filed under Caterpillar, Local Business, South Milwaukee
From the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network …
Join us on Saturday, May 3rd from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the South Milwaukee City Hall, Common Council Chambers, 2424 15th Ave., South Milwaukee.
This workshop will feature a classroom presentation on the causes of polluted storm water runoff and the role of rain gardens, rain barrels, composting and other yard care practices to reduce polluted runoff to our streams, river and Lake Michigan.
Our instructors are experts in the field and teach workshop participants about actions they can take in their yards and neighborhoods to reduce stormwater pollution and protect our streams, rivers and lakes. A rain barrel will be given away at each workshop in a free drawing.
Pre-registration is required here.
Questions? Contact Allison Chernouski at Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network, 262-898-2055 or allison@rootpikewin.org.
Filed under Community, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee
The South Milwaukee Cousins Subs location in Grant Park Plaza continues to step up and help community organizations.
Here is a list of their upcoming fundraising days … stop by and grab lunch or dinner and help out a local organization!
Thanks to Cousins and franchise owner Thomas Jones for doing their part to help the groups that make South Milwaukee the special place it is.
Filed under Community, South Milwaukee
Here is information about a program through the Milwaukee Area Workorce Investment Board.
The goal: “Hhelp young people enter the world of work, build their resume and be introduced to a potential career.”
The application deadline is May 9.
Filed under Local Business, South Milwaukee
Just a reminder that Saturday is the annual South Milwaukee Earth Day Cleanup event …
I really hope to see huge numbers out picking up trash around the community, be it at or around one of the five gathering spots– 16th and Rawson, City Hall, Chicago Avenue and Oak Creek Parkway, the fire dpartment and Grant Park Beach parking lot — or around your neighborhood.
Check out the event listing on the city’s Facebook page, or learn more in my previous post. (And if you haven’t liked the city’s Facebook page, please do.)
As an added incentive, besides the free lunch for volunteers, the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center is offering five pairs of tickets for its weekend shows for participants in the cleanup, including if you’re willing to hand out garbage bags to residents at Saturday’s South Milwaukee Spring Market at the high school.
Spread the word!
Filed under Community, South Milwaukee
Check out these South Shore headlines …
Also, NOW has published a new police blotter with reports only from Cudahy.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Fox 6 has the disturbing details on the case of 24-year-old Andre Tripps. From it …
A group gathered at South Milwaukee High, the school Tipps graduated from, on Sunday, April 20th to remember the man.
“It breaks my heart that a good person is gone,” said Heather Vogel. “Wouldn’t you feel his pain? Why would you do that to him?”
Firefighters in Georgia discovered Tripps’ body last week while responding to a brush fire outside of Atlanta. His hands and feet were tied up and his body burned. Officials aren’t sure what circumstances led up to the point where Tripps was found.
“How anyone would want to do that to a person in general is — it doesn’t make any sense,” said Vogel.
Also check out coverage from the Atlanta Journal Constitution and WSB-TV in Atlanta.
Filed under Crime, South Milwaukee
Our local churches make South Milwaukee stronger through volunteerism and helping others.
Two great examples from last weekend …
First, above is a photo of 29 laundry “Easter” baskets filled with food headed to Human Concerns for distribution in time for the holiday. Members of South Milwaukee’s First Congregrational United Church of Christ prepared them on Palm Sunday, and I was happy to stop by and thank them for their efforts.
Also, 66 members of South Milwaukee’s Trinity Lutheran Church (my church) packaged meals for 9,000 kids through the Food for Kidz program. The meals are headed to El Salvador. Check out the group shot above.
Thanks to everyone who helped with these two efforts — and all of the terrific work that happens at our local churches. Their commitment to community is evident at every turn.
Filed under Community, South Milwaukee
The latest from the South Milwaukee Police crime alert information service …
On Saturday April 19th, we took and attempt purse snatching call. It was only an attempt because the lady involved knew enough to strap her purse to her shopping cart. The offender was watching for her to step away from her cart and when she did, the attempt was made but not successful. It all happened in just a few seconds.
Unfortunately these days precautions like this need to be taken, so please do what you can to secure your purse wherever you go.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Here is the update from Fire Chief Joe Knitter on the fire Saturday morning on and near Marquette Avenue …
At 4:48AM, SMFD was dispatched to a possible brush fire on the lake bank at the end of Menomonee Avenue at Lake Shore Blvd. While responding, the SMFD engine was notified by Dispatch of a garage fire in the alley behind 509 Marquette Avenue. The SMFD engine re-directed to that fire and encountered a detached one-car garage fully involved in fire. While responding from home, I then responded to investigate the brush fire call and discovered a large area of brush burning down the bank and spreading rapidly due to the winds coming off the lake. I requested a Cudahy engine that was responding to the garage fire to respond to my location and had them extinguish the fire on the lake bank. An Oak Creek engine was directed to staff our station during these fires.
Investigators remain on the scene at the garage fire at this time. However, due to the destruction, identifying a positive cause will be very difficult. No injuries were reported. The garage and its contents are a total loss. In addition, the vinyl siding on the house at 509 Marquette, the garage at 511 Marquette and the garage across the alley at 510 Montana Avenue suffered damage from radiant heat.
Filed under Fire, South Milwaukee
Take note: The westbound lanes of Drexel Boulevard from 15th Avenue to Nicholson will be completely closed for approximately three weeks starting on Tuesday, April 22.
Then, once work on that side of the street is done, eastbound lanes will be closed.
This is all part of the multi-year reconstruction project on this major city street. The project should be completed by the end of May.
Learn more here. And thanks ahead of time for your patience as we continue to invest in our infrastructure.
Filed under City Services, Construction, South Milwaukee
The latest South Milwaukee Police Department crime alert …
Over the past couple of weeks there have been a good number of counterfeit bills passed at our local businesses. There have been fake $50’s, $20’s and even $10 dollar bills that have been passed.
If you own a business, please be sure you have and use a counterfeit bill marker. Although this can be a tedious process at times, it can save you money in the long run.
For those who do not own a business, please pass the word when doing business in town.
Want to receive these in your email inbox? Learn more here.
Filed under Police, South Milwaukee
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