Tragic news — please keep the congregations Fr. Jan served in your prayers.
See stories in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, TMJ4 and Fox 6.
Even More Headlines
Check out these South Shore headlines …
- Rawson Avenue Headaches Not Going Away Anytime Soon (Oak Creek Patch)
- 19 Great Eats At Milwaukee-Area Farmers’ Markets (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Priest Found Dead In Cudahy (WISN)
- Oak Creek School, Church Burglarized (NOW)
Also, new University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Athletic Director Amanda Braun is having a meet and greet from 5:30 t0 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Powers on 10th in South Milwaukee, 1815 10th Ave. As a frustrated men’s basketball season ticket holder, I’m thinking about attending. Learn more here.
Filed under Headlines, South Milwaukee
Fun In Faith: Looking For A Vacation Bible School Home?
I know a number of area churches offer Vacation Bible School programs, but I’m going to plug one in particular because I know it will be a terrific time for all involved.
Trinity Lutheran Church in South Milwaukee (my church) is offering VBS from Monday, July 29, through Friday, August 2, from to 9 to 11:30 a.m. each day. Classes are available for 3-year-olds through fifth-graders. The theme this year: “Everywhere Fun Fair.”
There is still time to sign up, whether you are a church member or not. Applications are due by Wednesday, July 24.
To register, contact Trinity at 762-6626 or stop by the church at 2507 5th Ave.
I’ve been a Trinity member for a number of years now, and I continue to be impressed with its family-friendliness, Christ-centeredness and community commitment. VBS is just one example of this. Learn more here.
Filed under Community, South Milwaukee
Investing In South Milwaukee
A big thanks to McDonald’s and Educator’s Credit Union for investing in their businesses — and in South Milwaukee. Both recently completed extensive renovation projects. Stop by and see for yourself!
Filed under Uncategorized
Foreclosures In South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee is far from alone in having problems with foreclosed properties.
They can hurt entire neighborhoods — and can be found across the city.
Check out Zillow’s list of South Milwaukee properties in foreclosure here. A few examples …
Filed under Community, South Milwaukee
Investing In Infrastructure: City Council Approves 2013 Capital Projects
The biggest decision at Tuesday’s South Milwaukee City Council meeting: A 7-0 vote to move ahead with $1 million in various capital improvement projects this year. Among the projects and estimated costs …
- Re-roofing the city garage: $300,000
- 12th Avenue reconstruction, Milwaukee to Minnesota Avenues: $250,000
- Replacing one of the South Milwaukee Fire Department medical units: $185,000
- Repaving and other work on Minnesota and Monroe Avenues, 12th to 14th Avenues: $150,000
- Various repaving, local streets and alleys: $105,500
- Replace lighting fixtures at the library: $9,500
While the council approved the overall plan, it must still approve each of these products as they come up, so actual costs may vary. And we’ve already discussed several of these improvements.
As to how these projects will be paid for, the council also approved either of two options, to be determined: moving existing money from our undesignated funds (“rainy day” fund) or borrowing the amount with a short-term loan to be paid off when we do a larger, longer-term borrowing down the road (likely in 2014).
I’ll keep you posted on some of these projects as they get underway.
Also approved at Tuesday’s council meeting: Spending up to $180,000 for significant concrete repairs on Drexel Boulevard, from Nicholson to 15th Avenues. That work will be completed by the end of September, with pavement marking after that. Phase two of this project — east of 15th — will come later, perhaps 2014. The pavement dates to 1972.
Filed under Construction
On To Regionals: South Milwaukee Little League Team Makes History
South Milwaukee’s boys of summer aren’t done yet.
The South Milwaukee Little League intermediate boys team (ages 11-13) beat West Bend Tuesday night to win the state title and advance to the Central Regional tournament in Millwood, Mich., this weekend. This puts them a few wins away from qualifying for the national tournament in San Francisco later this month.
This is a big deal. How big? It’s the first time in 35 years that any South Milwaukee Little League boys team at any level has advanced to regional competition.
The Little League intermediate level is designed to help older boys better transition from “traditional” Little League – those competing to play in the ESPN-televised World Series in Williamsport, Penn., each year – to more advanced levels like high school.
The team needs your help. They are seeking to raise money for the additional travel expenses.
Those interested in helping can contact Madeline McCarrier at 414-429-0001 or at madeemac@yahoo.com.
Here is the tournament bracket. Go South Milwaukee!
More Headlines
Check out these South Shore headlines, most from Oak Creek this time …
- Mayor Scaffidi Launching Non-Profit Oak Creek Cares (Fox 6)
- See The Latest Drexel Town Square Concept Drawing (Oak Creek Patch)
- Construction Could Start Next Month On New Fire Station (Patch)
- Oak Creek Approves $46,000 Job Creation Grant For Women In Business (Patch)
- Severe Beating With Brass Knuckles Lands Man In Hospital (Patch)
State Sen. Chris Larson has published a new Larson Report.
And NOW has published a new police blotter, including this item … A 15-year-old Milwaukee boy and a 15-year-old South Milwaukee boy were arrested for stealing a car from the 1200 block of Missouri Avenue during the early morning of July 12. The boys tried to sell the $8,000 2003 Honda Odyssey to an auto salvage company that morning at Grant and 25th streets in Milwaukee, but the buyer refused and alerted police when he learned the car was stolen. The Milwaukee boy was arrested by that city’s police and the South Milwaukee boy came into the department for another case. The van was found in Cudahy and returned.
Filed under Headlines, South Milwaukee
8 Ways To Stay Cool, South Milwaukee
Looking to beat the heat this week? Here are a few local ideas …
- Visit Grobschmidt Pool. It’s open 12:30 to 4 p.m. daily and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
- Dip you toe in Lake Michigan at Grant Park beach. Water temperatures are 73 degrees. Not bad. Check out current beach conditions at this cool Milwaukee County beach website.
- Grab an ice cream at the South Milwaukee Dairy Queen.
- Head to the South Milwaukee Library. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
- Encourage your older relatives, friends and neighbors to stop by the Chester W. Grobschmidt Senior Center. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Get a free (for the kids) or discounted lunch at South Milwaukee High School or Lakeview Elementary.
- Pick up a fruit smoothie at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market. Learn more on our website … and be sure to like us on Facebook.
- Get a workout in at the South Milwaukee Fitness Center at South Milwaukee High School. Access to the walking track is free, and it’s inexpensive to join.
Did I miss any? Post your comments!
Filed under Community, South Milwaukee, Weather
“Jungle Book” Comes To Town
Putting in a quick plug for this Saturday’s South Milwaukee Youth Theatre presentation of “The Jungle Book” at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.
Show times are 1 and 6 p.m.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-17 (under 5 are free), and they can be purchased at the show or at the PAC box office this week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
I hope to see you there — because my five-year-old is the Baby Elephant!
(Also, the SMYT seniors put on the “Little Mermaid” July 26-28.)
Filed under Community, South Milwaukee PAC
South Milwaukee Police Department Files Annual Report
Like the fire department report, the South Milwaukee Police Department’s 2012 annual report is full of in-depth information on the work the department does to keep our community safe.
See it here. Some good news/bad news on crime figures:
- Property crime reports were down to their lowest levels in at least five years, with 450 reports in 2012, compared with 513 in 2011 and 595 in 2010.
- Clearance rates were also at their highest levels in at least five years, at 39.6%.
- Of biggest concern, violent crime increased to its highest level in at least five years, with 40 incidents reported, compared with 16 in both 2011 and 2010. An increase in aggravated assault drove most of the increase.
Of course, the report has much more information than this, including shift highlights and details on the 2011 department awards.
Thanks again to all of our police officers for their efforts. They are never forgotten.
Headlines!
Check out these South Shore headlines …
- Oak Creek May Run Ads During Packer Games (Oak Creek Patch)
- Car Dealer Sued Oak Creek Man For Online Critiques (TMJ 4)
- Bar Time: The Salty Dog (Milwaukee Magazine)
- Barry’s Garage Rockers Go On Musical Reunion Bender (OnMilwaukee.com)
The South Milwaukee Rockets baseball team ended the season with a record of 15-15 after a loss to Oak Creek in a WIAA regional final. Check out the NOW story here.
And check out this story from Whitefish Bay Patch about Joey Plale, son of former South Milwaukee state Sen. Jeff Plale. Joey is headed to the exclusive University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, which boasts graduates like Will Ferrell, George Lucas and Matthew Weiner (creator of “Mad Men”).
Congratulations, Joey, and good luck!
Filed under Headlines
Celebrate Our City: South Milwaukee Heritage Days Schedule
Update: An earlier version of this post had the wrong starting point listed for the Heritage Days parade. It will start where it always does, around Eighth and Milwaukee Avenues. Sorry for the error. Getting my parades mixed up 🙂
Heritage Week is the best week to be in South Milwaukee … and it’s coming up soon. The schedule is much the same as previous years, including …
- Monday, July 22: South Milwaukee Police Department Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Golf Outing, 8 a.m., Oakwood Golf Course. $75 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf, lunch, beverages and fun. Spots are still available. Register by contacting Officer Tim Lewiston (midnight to 8 a.m.) or Officer Nate Siefert (4 p.m. to midnight) at 768-8060.
- Tuesday, July 23: St. Luke’s United Church of Christ Ice Cream Social and Raffle, 4-8 p.m., 2200 18th Ave. Learn more here.
- Wednesday, July 24: South Milwaukee Fire Department Spaghetti Dinner, 4:30-8 p.m. at the fire station. Trattoria di Carlo is again bringing the spaghetti, so it should be a great meal.
- Thursday, July 25: Evening on the Avenue (4-9 p.m.) and South Milwaukee Downtown Market (3-7 p.m.), downtown. Celebrate our city center with two first-class events!
- Friday, July 25-Sunday, July 27: Lionsfest, 16th and Rawson Avenues. That includes the car cruise Friday and family day on Sunday. Always a great time. See a full schedule here.
- Saturday, July 26: Heritage Days parade, 11 a.m. starting at around Eighth and Milwaukee Avenues downtown and ending at Lionsfest. Our city’s annual summer parade never disappoints.
- Saturday, July 26: Great Duck Race, presented by the Friends of Mill Pond and Oak Creek Watercourse. The race starts at 2 p.m., after the parade, at 15th and Milwaukee Avenues. Ducks are $3 each or two for $5 and can be purchased on the parade route, at the race or at Parkway Floral. Prizes are $500, $250, $150 and $25.
If I missed anything, please let me know. See you at Heritage Week!
Filed under Community
Good Food: South Milwaukee’s Free Summer Lunch Program
Just a reminder about the terrific program providing free lunches to area children at South Milwaukee High School and Lakeview Elementary this summer. For adults, it’s only $2.
The Summer Food Service Program, funded by the federal Department of Agriculture, is administered by the state.
Locally, the lunches are well attended. That’s according to my wife, who has been taking advantage of them frequently this summer following my son’s summer school classes.
Of course, for us, it’s more of a convenience. For others, these lunches are critical. South Milwaukee has a number of families struggling financially. Programs like this make their lives a little easier.
The Lakeview lunches run through July 25. The high school lunches run through August 2.
Learn more here.
Shooting In Cudahy
Flight for Life was reportedly called to the scene of the shooting Wednesday evening at a home near Packard and Ramsey Avenues in Cudahy. A man is in custody.
Learn more from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel or WISN.
I’ll keep you posted.
