by | July 9, 2013 · 10:07 pm

Cudahy Teen Charged In Robbery Of South Milwaukee’s King’s Row Liquor

A 17-year-old Cudahy boy has been charged in the alleged May armed robbery of King’s Row Liquor in South Milwaukee.

Nathan Warrix faces one count of armed robbery and has his preliminary hearing set for July 17 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. He is subject to electronic monitoring until then, court records show.

Here are the case details.

Warrix also has several other oustanding charges, including another felony charge for drug possession and several misdemeanor charges for retail theft, online court records show. I’ll keep you posted … and congratulations to the South Milwaukee Police Department on the arrest.

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by | July 9, 2013 · 10:06 pm

New Operators For South Milwaukee’s Crest House And Other Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter, including this …

A window was found damaged with a hole shot through it at Nona’s Café, 2206 10th Ave., around 11:30 a.m. July 1. That window will cost about $2,500 to replace. Additionally, the windows of four cars parked along 15th Avenue between the 1500 block and 3000 block were found damaged the same morning and afternoon, with about $930 collectively in damage. In three cases, the window either had a hole in it or a marble was found nearby.

And this …

Two men were arrested for a fight that took place at a residence in the 1300 block of Milwaukee Avenue around 2:30 a.m. June 29. The two men were a 42-year-old South Milwaukee man, arrested for battery, and a 48-year-old South Milwaukee man, arrested for endangering safety by use of a firearm while intoxicated. County officials did not process charges against either man. 

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by | July 7, 2013 · 9:22 pm

Busy Year: South Milwaukee Fire Department Files Annual Report

The South Milwaukee Fire Department has published its 2012 annual report, and it does a great job  detailing all that the work this team does to keep us safe every day.

See it here. From it:

  • The department responded to 2,931 incidents in 2012, essentially static from previous years.
  • That includes responses to 2,494 emergency medical service calls, up slightly from the previous two years.
  • They also responded to 85 fires, the highest figure since at least 2009. Of those, 44 were building fires.
  • Fire dollar loss topped $541,000.

Of course, the report goes into much more detail and includes sections on equipment, training, youth education, incident photos and much more.

Thanks again to our South Milwaukee firefighters!

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by | July 6, 2013 · 6:12 pm

Making Sweet Music: South Milwaukee Farmers’ Market Concert Announcement

To anyone who has attended the South Milwaukee Downtown Market, you know music is important to us.

We want to deliver an experience that goes beyond shopping — truly an event that people look forward to every week.

That starts with music … and brings me to the news.

The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center is bringing three concerts to the market, with the first one this Thursday, July 11.

All three acts are truly unique:

  • July 11: Brett Newski. Newski is an indie pop singer, songwriter and guitarist from Saigon, Vietnam, whose most recent album “Tiny Victories” includes songs and tales from that country. He has been touring Vietnam on his Folk Catastrophe Tour, a benefit for disaster relief in the U.S. http://brettnewski.com/
  • August 8: Jim Green. Green is a Guitar Idol champion and was voted one of the “best artists in the Midwest” by Billboard Magazine. His music has been licensed by United Church of Christ and used in documentaries, such as “Innocence Abandoned: Street Kids of Haiti.” www.jimgreenmusic.com
  • August 15: OPUS Jazz Band. An icon of Wisconsin jazz, the band was founded more than 30 years ago and nominated for a 2013 Wisconsin Area Music Industry award for “best jazz group.” OPUS has shared the stage with jazz artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, Pat Metheny, Spyro Gyro, Bill Bruford and many others. http://www.opusjazzband.com/

Of course, these performances are in addition to our regular weekly music.

Learn more in this press release, and see you at the market!

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by | July 6, 2013 · 8:58 am

A Chance To Do Your Part For Grant Park

Grant Park is a wonderful asset for South Milwaukee — but we need to be active caretakers of it, too.

You have a chance to do just that on Tuesday, July 9. That’s when the Alliance for the Great Lakes is looking for volunteers to help with a habitat assessment and restoration effort.

Learn more in this event alert. From it:

As a volunteer, you will help reduce the threats to this important natural area by conducting habitat assessments and on-the-ground restoration. Volunteers will learn skills needed to collect field data to inform future restoration planning, monitor ongoing restoration projects and protect habitats by removing invasive plants and planting native species.

Two shifts are available: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Meet at the Grant Park beach parking lot.

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by | July 5, 2013 · 10:17 am

Celebrating July 4th In South Milwaukee: So, What Do You Think?

I had a great time at yesterday’s July 4th celebration at Grant Park, but I’m wondering — is there any way to make it better?

So I ask you, readers: What suggestions do you have to improve the city’s Independence Day celebration? Or is it just fine the way it is?

Post your comments below!

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by | July 4, 2013 · 4:04 pm

Donation Gives Pets Breath Of Life

A big thank-you to South Chicago Veterinary Clinic … filling a need that I honestly never gave much thought to until now.

Late last week, Dr. Frederick “Rick” Ruhl, of the South Chicago Veterinary Clinic in Oak Creek, generously replenished our supply of animal oxygen masks.  Dr. Ruhl originally donated two sets of these masks to our department, as well as the Oak Creek Fire Department, several years ago to use on animals suffering from respiratory distress.  As a result of his donations, emergency responders are now better equipped and more aware than ever of the importance of providing supplemental oxygen to animals that suffer from respiratory distress, especially when exposed to the smoke and fumes from fires.  SMFD recently used a mask to assist a dog at the fire we responded to a few weeks back on Blakewood Avenue.  In addition, this equipment allows emergency responders to support families in crisis by taking care of what is important to them – their pets. The focus of the fire department in supporting families that have suffered loss due to fire revolves around the Four P’s – People, Pets, Pictures (personal belongings), and Pills (prescriptions).  The peace of mind this gives pet owners is tremendous as pets are often considered one of the family and their loss can be devastating, especially when compounded by the damage and destruction resulting from a fire.

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by | July 2, 2013 · 10:30 pm

More Headlines

Update: Pat Jursik also has a press release out on why she voted to dismiss the county corporation counsel.

Check out these South Shore headlines …

Also, state Sen. Chris Larson has published two new Larson Reports with his thoughts on the recently signed state budget and July 4 wishes.

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by | July 2, 2013 · 5:37 pm

Jursik Publishes July Update

And it includes an item on the Oak Creek watercourse  …

Mayor Tom Zepecki, Don Bulley of the Friends of Mill Pond and I attended the Watershed Initiative Network (WIN) Root-Pike Watershed conference at Wingspread Conference Center on June 13, 2013. This conference discussed the study underway regarding the Root River Watershed. The City of South Milwaukee starting south of Grant Park and about the entire city east of the railroad tracks is included in the Root River Watershed study. Corrective action plans were discussed. This initiative is underway to improve the water quality of Lake Michigan and the shore line. The good news provided is that the Oak Creek Watershed will be their next project. No time was given but hopefully within the next few years. Money for this work is obtained from the Fund for Lake Michigan. The goal of the work is to identify priority areas for restoration.

Here is the full newsletter.

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by | July 1, 2013 · 10:44 pm

Former Local Priests Named In Archdiocesan Files

The thousands of pages of documents released Monday by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee about alleged priest sex abuse names names — including six former priests once assigned to South Milwaukee parishes.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the following men were “diocesan priests removed or restricted from ministry because of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of at least one minor.” In parentheses are the names of the parishes in South Milwaukee where these former priests were assigned at one point, again according to the newspaper.

  • Raymond Adamsky (St. John’s)
  • Franklyn Becker (St. John’s)
  • Ronald Engle (St. Mary’s)
  • George Hopf (St. Mary’s)
  • Vincent Silvestri (St. Sylvester’s)
  • Thomas Trepanier (St. Sylvester’s)

You can link to the case files for each individual on the Journal Sentinel website.

Please keep all the victims of these horrific crimes (whether their perpetrators were convicted or not) in your thoughts and prayers.

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by | June 29, 2013 · 11:02 am

Celebrating July 4 In South Milwaukee

July 4 is one of my favorite holidays, and in South Milwaukee it’s all about Grant Park.

As usual, festivities start at 10 a.m. with the children’s bike parade, with games, food, beer, music and more scheduled the rest of the day at Brown Pavilion, picnic areas five and six. Fireworks start around 9:30 a.m.

Learn more here.

Here is a full list of area July 4 festivities, and check out a Grant Park map.

The South Milwaukee Fire Department also has some firework safety tips.

Happy Independence Day!

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by | June 28, 2013 · 10:27 pm

Council News And Notes: Road Work, Real Estate, New Bars And More

A few news and notes from recent South Milwaukee City Council meetings …

  • The council approved the awarding of a $328,878.75 contract to Earth X for reconstruction of 12th Avenue from Milwaukee to Minnesota Avenues. If you’ve been to Salvatore’s recently, you know this stretch of road badly needs the work.
  • The council approved the sale of the Walgreen parcel at Grant Park Plaza to Cole REIT Advisors IV. Originally, this parcel was to be sold to another real estate investment firm, but that deal fell through. You will also recall that the Pick ‘n Save parcel was sold to Cole REIT Advisors III this year.
  • The council approved the granting of liquor licenses to the agents of a few new bars, including Mike’s Bar, 1902 17th Ave., the home most recently to Big Daddy’s Rockin’ Steakhouse. Other licenses were granted to an agent for the property at 1220 Milwaukee Ave., formerly DC Connection, and 1337 Michigan Ave., formerly Drew’s Spot. I’ll keep you posted if I learn more about these new businesses.
  • The council approved increasing fees for mowing the lawn of delinquent properties to $175 per hour, up from $100. This brings us more in line with other area communities — and hopefully acts as a better deterrent to property owners who are letting their lawns get unsightly. (And that’s dozens of property owners, too many.) Know of a property in violation, with unmowed grass higher than six inches? Call the Street Department at 768-8075 and log a complaint.
  • We also approved a conditional use permit for operation of a child care and early education center at South Milwaukee United Methodist Church, 1327 Marshall Ave.
  • No council meeting will be held this Tuesday. The next one is July 16.

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by | June 28, 2013 · 9:45 pm

Headlines!

South Shore Supervisor Pat Jursik was one of the Milwaukee County Board members who voted to fire the county corporation counsel earlier this month.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has more details as to why in a story published Friday. Check it out here, and these South Shore headlines …

And the Journal Sentinel has a very positive review of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center’s 2013-14 season. Check it out here.

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by | June 27, 2013 · 10:09 pm

Reports: Caterpillar To Move Welding Work To South Milwaukee

Caterpillar’s Bay View welding operation, called an “overflow plant” for Caterpillar, employs about 60 to 70 workers.

From the Milwaukee Business Journal story …

Caterpillar Inc. will discontinue welding operations at its small Milwaukee facility and shift the work to its South Milwaukee factory, the company said in an email Thursday.

Caterpillar said the decision is not expected to result in additional job cuts beyond the previously announced indefinite layoffs of 260 production workers at the South Milwaukee plant due to weakness in the mining sector.

Peoria, Ill.-based equipment manufacturer Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) has its global mining equipment headquarters in Oak Creek.

Caterpillar’s Milwaukee welding operations are located within the Chase Commerce Center, 3073 S. Chase Ave., in the Bay View neighborhood.

“Due to current business conditions and demand for products made in the Milwaukee area, Caterpillar has informed its employees that it will consolidate welding work now conducted in the Milwaukee facility with similar welding work conducted in South Milwaukee,” Caterpillar said in an emailed statement to The Business Journal. “As we move forward this year, the company will conduct an orderly transition of the work from the Milwaukee location to South Milwaukee.”

Here is Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverage.

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by | June 25, 2013 · 10:40 pm

South Milwaukee Caterpillar Layoffs Begin This Week And Other Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

And NOW has published a new police blotter.

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