by | June 24, 2013 · 10:43 pm

Wanted For Questioning

HR1HR2Update: An reward of up to $2,000 is being offered in the case.

South Milwaukee police want to talk to two “persons of interest” following the June 16 hit-and-run motorcycle crash in South Milwaukee that injured two.

Here is the release …

On Sunday June 16, 2013 at about 4:45pm the City of South Milwaukee Police Department responded to a hit and run crash at the intersection of 15th Avenue at Drexel Blvd. in the City of South Milwaukee.  The suspect vehicle, which was described by witnesses as a maroon in color early to mid 2000s GMC Yukon, struck a motorcycle and then fled from the scene.  The operator of the motorcycle remains hospitalized.  The striking vehicle should have passenger side damage, a tinted window missing, and was reportedly occupied by two persons described as black males. 

Attached are still photos of surveillance camera footage from a gas station a few blocks from the crash scene.  The images are of a maroon Yukon and the two males that had occupied it when it came into and then left the gas station minutes before the above reported crash.  The City of South Milwaukee Police Department would like assistance in identifying the men and vehicle in these images so that they can be located, the persons interviewed and the vehicle examined.  Probable cause does not exist to arrest these subjects or charge them with any crime.    

Persons with information on the pictured subjects and vehicle or any other information regarding this incident are encouraged to contact the South Milwaukee Police Department at (414) 768-8060.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call the Southern Milwaukee County Crime Stoppers at (866) 373-6227.  Persons providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this hit and run could get cash reward up to $1000.00 from Crime Stoppers and the family of the victim have offered a cash reward currently at $1000.00.  Callers should refer to South Milwaukee Police Department case #13-013687. 

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by | June 23, 2013 · 9:09 pm

Report: Transformer Explosions At Appleton Electric In South Milwaukee

Fox 6 has the story. From it …

Officials were called to Appleton Electric in South Milwaukee on Sunday, June 23rd in response to reports of explosions.

It happened around 12:30 p.m. at the Appleton Electric building next to Grant Park. Officials say the “explosions” were caused by a transformer on the building that shorted out.

Officials say the flames quickly went out on their own.

No one was hurt, and damage was minimal.

I’ll keep you posted if I learn more.

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by | June 22, 2013 · 10:30 pm

Rawson Avenue Reopens, With New Bridge

The Interstate 94 on- and off-ramps won’t open until late fall, but Rawson Avenue is open once again following the construction and movement into place of a new overpass bridge.

One lane is open each way into September.

Check out information on the Wisconsin DOT I-94 construction website, including this video of the new bridge being put into place.

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by | June 21, 2013 · 9:31 pm

Rest In Peace, Midas Mike

My family has some go-to local businesses in the South Shore.

For Mexican food, it’s Azteca, hands down. For Chinese, it’s China Chef. For hardware, it’s South Milwaukee Ace. For groceries, it’s Pick ‘n Save or Piggly Wiggly. Parkway Floral, Donn Powers Jeweler, Studio One Art Glass, Green Flag Racing … the list goes on.

There is another one that’s been at the top of this list for us for years: Cudahy Midas. We go nowhere else for car repairs.

Why? Because I know we will get great customer service, affordable repairs, quality workmanship and, perhaps most importantly, straight talk from Mike Surprenant and his crew.

So it came as a shock today when I took our van in for an oil change … only to hear that Midas Mike had passed away unexpectedly on June 9 from a heart attack. He was 52. What a tragic loss, made even more tragic by Mike’s hard work on improving his fitness in recent months, working through Anytime Fitness in Cudahy.

He leaves behind a wife, four children and a grandchild — and a legacy of running a business the right way.

He will be missed. Rest in peace, Mike. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and employees.

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by | June 21, 2013 · 11:47 am

It’s Official: EAB Is In South Milwaukee

That’s according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, which has added South Milwaukee to its list of communities with confirmed cases of emerald ash borer.

Thankfully, we’re doing something about it, although I fear it’s too late. Our tree study is underway, and we’ll have a better idea of the potential scope of the problem — and potential short, medium and long-term solutions to debate — once it’s done.

Learn more about EAB here.

For the record, here are all the communities added today to the list of confirmed cases …

  • Village of Sharon, Walworth County
  • CIty of Delavan, Walworth County
  • Town of Bradford, Rock County
  • Town of Farmington, Washington County
  • City of South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County

Apparently, the infected tree in question in South Milwaukee was removed from Oak Creek Parkway.

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by | June 20, 2013 · 10:50 am

Back At It: Catching Up On The Week’s South Milwaukee News

Back to the blog after a week of vacation …

Here is some of the local news from the past week.

  • The Caterpillar contract and layoffs continues to make headlines. Today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has a story quoting an employee seeking public release of the contract vote results. And Tim Sullivan has slammed the Caterpillar CEO for the recent round of layoffs at the plant. Check out the Business Journal story.
  • The South Milwaukee Fire Department helped a distressed boater over the weekend.
  • And South Milwaukee police are looking for the driver of an SUV that caused a motorcycle accident at 15th and Drexel Avenue on Saturday. Two people were injured. From the press release: “The suspect vehicle is described as a newer model, dark red or burgundy colored SUV, similar to a GMC Yukon, with tinted windows. The vehicle should have significant damage to its front, passenger side and at least one broken window on the passenger side. The vehicle was being driven by a black male and possibly also occupied by a black male passenger, who may also have been injured. The vehicle was last seen travelling west on Rawson Avenue, from Howell Avenue, in the city of Oak Creek, at a very high rate of speed. Anyone having information on this suspect is asked to contact the South Milwaukee Police Department at 768-8060.”

South Milwaukee NOW has published a new police blotter, too.

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by | June 14, 2013 · 9:26 pm

Big Caterpillar Layoffs

I guess I thought the new contract would avert these. I guess not.

Around 260 are planned in coming weeks, according to various media reports.

So please keep the hundreds of families impacted by these layoffs in your thoughts and prayers.

With that, I will be taking some time off from the blog, returning next week.

As always, I’d like to thank my readers and encourage you to spread the word about this website. I am proud to offer this service and look forward to continuing it in the days, months and years to come.

Until next week …

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by | June 12, 2013 · 9:49 pm

South Milwaukee House Fire Causes Extensive Damage To Kitchen

Details from South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter on the fire at 3410 Blakewood Ave. …

At 6:25 PM, South Milwaukee Police received a 9-1-1 report of a house fire at 3410 Blakewood Avenue. The caller reported there was smoke coming out of the rear patio door and the occupant was outside yelling for his dog to come out.  Upon the arrival of SMFD, a confirmed house fire was transmitted and the alarm was upgraded to a Working Still, bringing in our mutual aid neighbors. The sole occupant was encountered out of the structure and reported no other occupants.  Hoselines were stretched to the rear of the single-family structure and crews encountered a kitchen fire spreading to the cabinets and other furnishings in the immediate area.  A quick knockdown of the fire was made and the remainder of the house was searched to confirm that there were no occupants unaccounted for. No other occupants were found and overhaul was conducted to assure the fire did not spread into the void spaces and attic.  Extensive damage was done to the kitchen with moderate smoke damage to the rest of the house.  The lone occupant was evaluated by EMS for smoke inhalation, but declined treatment and transport. No further injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by SMFD.

 

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by | June 12, 2013 · 9:39 pm

Jursik Speaks Out On Sheriff Clarke Ads And Other Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

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

A 24-year-old Cudahy man was arrested on a city bus at 10th and Milwaukee avenues around 9 p.m. June 5, after police were tipped off that the man had drunkenly threatened someone with a gun and had gotten on the bus. The small 9mm pistol turned out to have been stolen from a car parked in the 900 block of Madison Avenue. It was valued at $350. The man had a BAC of 0.19.

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by | June 12, 2013 · 8:10 pm

More On The South Milwaukee Caterpillar Deal

A day after United Steelworkers in South Milwaukee agreed to a new six-year deal with Caterpillar, reaction and details are coming in.

Check out coverage in the Business Journal, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Wall Street Journal.

From the Business Journal …

Cheryl Maranto, Marquette University associate professor of management, was unsurprised it was a close vote, considering United Steelworkers Local 1343 made deeper concessions than the company.

“I think the fact that the company was willing to at least provide a few concessions was an important signal that it wasn’t just, ‘We have the power, we’re going to slam it down your throats,’” Maranto told me. “I still think it was probably a pretty bitter pill for workers to swallow, but I think the company was smart in giving enough to allow the union to save face and to enable them to kind of move on.” … 

Caterpillar called it a “fair, reasonable and comprehensive agreement.”

This marked the first contract negotiation between the local union and Caterpillar since it acquired the former Bucyrus International Inc. for $8.8 billion in 2011. Caterpillar has a reputation for tough negotiations with its unionized factories.

“This would be a bad Bucyrus contract, but it’s one of the better Caterpillar contracts we’ve seen,” Winklbauer told me.

Also, the Business Journal is reporting the contract includes a provision not allowing Caterpillar to use temporary workers in South Milwaukee — “a significant win” for employees.

And the Winston-Salem Journal has a story on the Caterpillar annual meeting in North Carolina, including comments from the CEO.

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by | June 11, 2013 · 8:40 pm

Deal Reached: South Milwaukee Steelworkers Approve Caterpillar Contract

United Steelworkers at the South Milwaukee Caterpillar plant have approved a new six-year contract that reportedly freezes wages and pensions but offers a signing bonus.

Check out coverage in the following …

And here is information from Caterpillar’s negotiations website.

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by | June 10, 2013 · 10:03 pm

What’s Cooking At The Farmers’ Market: Emerald City Catering BBQ Show Set For Thursday

A quick shoutout for this Thursday’s special event at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market … from our Facebook page.

Just in time for Father’s Day….

Steve Ozbolt “OZ” creator of the BIG BOSS BBQ SAUCE and owner of South Milwaukee’s Emerald City Catering will be our featured speaker. Oz will have four grilling shows at 3:30/4:30/5:30/6:30, with two rotating themes. BBQ 101 and Desserts on the Grill.

Sweet or Savory, whatever your preference, there will be samples to try.

>>BBQ 101 – OZ will explain the differences between charcoal and propane cooking; grilling vs. BBQ; safe cooking; how to prepare meats for the grill and give you some great recipie ideas.

>>Desserts on the Grill – OZ is thinking beyond the s’Mores and will give you easy dessert ideas that you can make right on your grill and delight your guests.

**BRING LAWN CHAIRS**

I’m glad Steve can join us. It’s always nice to partner with an award-winning business at the market! 🙂

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by | June 9, 2013 · 8:14 pm

Comings And Goings Downtown

Update: Just heard from Hometown Sports Cards, and they are still at 916 Milwaukee Ave., just now at the back of the building.

Unfortunately, more goings than comings …

Kelly Driving School has closed its location at 723 Milwaukee Ave. — it looked completely empty when I drove by today — and will now hold classes at South Milwaukee High School. Learn more at the Kelly website.

As for new businesses, it looks like a new pet supplies and food store is coming to downtown. Zen Pets South Milwaukee has a sign in the window at 913 Milwaukee Ave. advertising dog, cat, bird, and small animal food and supplies. It also advertises a “mindful holistic happiness center … a place for inner peace and wellbeing.” Not sure what that means.

The store, located next to Dowling Community Acupuncture, is expected to open in August. Learn more on its Facebook page.

Not sure if it’s related to Zen Computer Center a few doors down …

Of course, Spirits is also expected to reopen soon.

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by | June 8, 2013 · 10:42 pm

South Milwaukee Shoreline Park?

Lakefront parkYou may recall, as part of the 2011 Lake Bluff settlement, the city was given lakefront acreage to maintain for public use going forward — the former Northwest Barrel Superfund site.

I must admit, I had kind of forgotten about that part of the deal, in part because I didn’t realize the full potential for that land. I do now … and I’m excited about what might happen on that site.

What’s changed? A new $59,000 federal matching grant — $29,500 from the city and $29,500 from the federal government — the city just received through the state to study that property’s future, perhaps as a public park.

The funding was officially announced this week as part of $1.4 million in total grants through the Department of Administration “to protect or restore our valuable water and coastal resources.”

The property (pictured above) is 18.5 acres with approximately 400 square feet of Lake Michigan frontage, located just south of the Wastewater Treatment Facility and north of a former marina. The views are magnificent, and the walk down to the shoreline is remarkably easy, as many of the steep cliffs were removed during the cleanup process. The beach also has potential.

The grant will include site planning, as well as planning for protection and restoration of coastal wetlands and ravine stabilization and protection. Here is the resolution the South Milwaukee City Council passed on this in May.

I’m glad we’re undertaking the study because of the huge potential of this land. How often does 18.5 acres of lakefront property come open for a project like this? In a county where most lakefront land is spoken for with development or existing park land, not often.

That’s why it’s important we don’t squander this opportunity, this chance to figure out a way forward for a property that can be a real community asset for current and prospective residents and visitors.

I encourage to swing by the property and check it out. You can access it off Marina Road, heading into the Lake Bluff Apartments, east off 5th Avenue. Let me know what you think.

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by | June 8, 2013 · 10:22 pm

More Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

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