by | February 28, 2013 · 4:22 pm

Public Meeting Brings Debate Over Restructuring Of County Government To South Milwaukee

For at least one night, South Milwaukee will be the center of the debate around the various proposals to restructure Milwaukee County government — thanks to County Supervisor Pat Jursik.

Pat is hosting a public meeting on the topic on Thursday, April 4, at the South Milwaukee Peforming Arts Center. The meeting is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Among the speakers is state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, the former county supervisor who has been driving this debate in Madison. Also scheduled to speak is County Supervisor Theo Lipscomb.

The event will feature an overview of Sanfelippo’s bill, a counterpoint from Lipscomb, a review of county services and a question-and-answer session.

It should be an interesting night. Learn more in Pat’s newsletter. From it:

As your representative on the County Board, I have not yet taken a position with regard to this restructuring. In order to take a position, I am holding a public meeting to both inform and to obtain your input. Rep. Sanfelippo will discuss his bill and the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Sup. Theodore Lipscomb, will provide input from the local Board perspective. This format will ensure a good point/counterpoint discussion. It will also allow for your questions.

What do you want from your local County government? I am hopeful that residents will fill the auditorium to discuss this important issue. Don’t miss this opportunity.

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by | February 27, 2013 · 9:23 pm

South Milwaukee Sports Update: Alumni News, Girls’ Basketball Team Opens Postseason Play Friday

Got this email from Ante Udovicic today … go Rockets!

The good alumni reports keep on rolling in. Here are our latest bits of great news. 

Katie Kitzke – 2009 grad

Katie Kitzke capped off a fantastic season and tremendous career at UW Oshkosh by being named to the First-Team All-Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Conference for Women’s Basketball. Katie ended up as the 10th leading scorer in school history with 1156 points and finished 3rd in school history with 147 three-pointers made in her career. She averaged 12.2 pts and 2.5 rebounds per game and scored a career high of 25 pts in a game twice this year. You have been a source of pride for South Milwaukee High School for 8 years Katie. Fantastic job!!!!

http://www.uwoshkoshtitans.com/sports/wbkb/2012-13/releases/20130226ntekia

Austin Stueck – 2012 grad

Austin was not only named to the All-Freshman Team for the Northern Athletic Conference, he was named NAC Freshman of the Year, and most impressively, he was named to the overall First Team All Northern Athletic Conference!! If you look at the link, you will see that the other members of the first team include 2 juniors and 2 seniors. Way to go Austin!

http://www.northernac.org/sports/mbkb/2012-13/all-conference 

ROCKET GIRLS BASKETBALL

This Friday, the Rockets take on the Whitnall Falcons at 7:00pm at home. All tickets are $4, no passes or ID’s are accepted. Let’s get a big crowd to cheer loudly for the Rockets. We split the season series with the Falcons, but this time it’s our turn to win and move on to the Regional Final on Saturday Night (most likely at 7:00pm at NB Eisenhower). 

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by | February 27, 2013 · 6:15 am

Snow Update: South Milwaukee Schools Open

For all of you hoping for a snow day today (and I’m married to a teacher, so I know that’s not just kids): Sorry.

South Milwaukee Schools are open today, despite the snow. That’s according to the district website.

Meanwhile, some area districts are closed today, including Milwaukee, Oak Creek-Franklin, Franklin, Whitnall, Wauwatosa and West Allis-West Milwaukee. Others are apparently open, at least as of 6:15 a.m., including Cudahy and St. Francis. Divine Mercy also appears to be open.

Here are Milwaukee County school closings.

And I got this message from Dan at the Street Department this morning …

We started salting yesterday afternoon and by 5 we started plowing. Last night at midnight we went to a 5 area plow/salt operation.  Right now for today we will have a 4 area plow/salt with alleys being cleaned up as well. Garbage collection will be picked up today as well. We also have 3 front end loaders out cleaning up cul de sac’s and bus stops, corners, municipal lots etc.  Today we will also have a city sidewalk crew out as well. 

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by | February 26, 2013 · 10:08 pm

South Milwaukee Snow: Any Storm Issues Out There?

With six to 12 inches expected by the time this is all said and done, I’m just wondering what you’re seeing out there with this latest winter storm. Post your comments below.

This post has a quick reminder on snow removal ordinances. It’s from 2009, but it still applies. 

Stay safe!

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by | February 26, 2013 · 9:40 pm

Headlines, Headlines, Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

NOW has published a new police blotter (minus South Milwaukee reports). It includes this item from Cudahy …

About 20 Cudahy residents reported that the windows of their cars had been shot out sometime between the evening of Feb. 16 and the morning of Feb. 17. Reports indicate that many of the windows were damaged by either BB or pellet guns. Additionally, glass panels on Milwaukee County Transit System bus shelters at the corner of Packard and Ramsey avenues and the corner of Kinnickinnic and Van Norman avenues were reported to have been damaged during the same time frame. The cars damaged were in the following: 3700 block of East Pulaski Avenue; 5200 block of South Packard Avenue; 3700 and 3900 blocks of East Somers Avenue; 5100 block of South Swift Avenue; 3600 block of East Whittaker Avenue; 3600 and 3800 blocks of East Martin Avenue; 3600 and 3700 blocks of East Holmes Avenue; 4900 block of South Lake Drive; 3700 block of East Barnard Avenue; 3800 block of East Morris Avenue; and 4700 block of South Kirkwood Avenue.

And state Sen. Chris Larson has published a new Larson Report.

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by | February 25, 2013 · 11:08 pm

South Milwaukee’s EAB Fight: Bring It On

Last fall, you may recall the city applied for, and received, a $23,000 matching grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for combating the emerald ash borer.

Well, that work is set to begin soon.

The South Milwaukee City Council voted 7-1 last week to seek bids for work on the effort, which includes:

  • A computer-based tree inventory, providing details (type, health, etc.) on all trees in the public right of way (perhaps 10,000);
  • Development of urban forest management and EAB management plans; and
  • Potential public information materials.

I’m happy to see we’re moving ahead here and at least gaining the baseline of information we need as a City Council to make informed decisions about how to best address the EAB.

At this point, even though I’m no arborist, I’m going to assume the EAB is in South Milwaukee. It’s been reported to be in communities all around us, most recently in Greenfield and Greendale. It’s been in Oak Creek for some time.

Soon, the question in South Milwaukee will become: What role should the city play in fighting it, and how aggressive should we be? It’s a debate many communities are having, and I welcome it here.

We’re a bit late to the game, but at least we’re in the game.

I’ll keep you posted.

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by | February 23, 2013 · 3:28 pm

New Day For St. Adalbert’s?

A new church may be coming to the former home of St. Adalbert’s.

New Day Church — a non-denominational church that currently meets at Martin Luther High School in Greendale — is seeking a conditional use permit for the 2.79-acre property at 16th and Manitoba, as it continues to negotiate with Divine Mercy for purchase of the land and buildings.

According to a letter from Pastor Neal R. Letteney to Plan Commission members, plans include:

  • Wednesday and Sunday worship;
  • Adult and child Sunday school classes; and
  • Adult classes on weekday mornings and evenings in association with Midwest Bible College (current enrollment: 63 students).

The pastor and his wife will live at the rectory, and the church offices will also be located on the property.

“We wish to return the facility to its former use as a church and school,” the pastor writes, and I’m happy to see the interest in the property. The merger of local Catholic parishes has left too many empty buildings around the area, including several in South Milwaukee. The faster we can see these properties come alive again, the better.

The former St. Mary’s hall is now home to a sports auction firm. And Max A. Sass & Sons Funeral Home is moving into the former school. So there’s some progress here, and that’s good news.

Learn more about New Day Church — which describes itself as a “modern, non-denominational church where you’re sure to fit right in” — here. And here is the Plan Commission agenda.

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by | February 23, 2013 · 3:01 pm

West Milwaukee Walmart Also Opening April 10 And Other Headlines

Check out these local headlines …

And NOW has a new police blotter, including this scary item from South Milwaukee …

The rear window of a van was shot out as it passed the intersection of Fifth and Milwaukee avenues at 11:14 a.m. Feb. 14. The damage is estimated at $500.

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by | February 22, 2013 · 10:39 pm

Season Over For South Milwaukee Boys’ Basketball Team

Waukesha Catholic Memorial rolled past South Milwaukee, 71-53, in a WIAA regional contest on Friday.

The seventh-seeded Rockets finished 10-14.

March Madness, meanwhile, continues for the Rocket girls, who are coming off their first conference title in 18 years. They play next Friday in South Milwaukee.

Learn more in my previous post.

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by | February 22, 2013 · 3:57 pm

Short-Term Headaches, Long-Term Improvement: Work Underway On Rawson Interchange

Reports Oak Creek Patch:

Crews have begun the first stage of a months-long project to reconstruct the interchange, which will result in multiple lane and ramp closures from now until fall.

Access from northbound I-94 to westbound Rawson Avenue closed this week, and beginning next week, Rawson will be down to one lane in each direction between 13th and 20th streets.

Stage 2 is set to begin March 7, which will result in several ramp closures and more lane closures, and continue until early June.

The bridge will be demolished in the summer, and construction will wrap up in late fall, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Zoinks.

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by | February 22, 2013 · 6:24 am

South Milwaukee Sports Update: Girls’ Basketball Team Wins First Conference Title In 18 Years

Congratulations to the South Milwaukee girls’ basketball team, which secured its first conference title since 1995 with a win over Greendale. Next up is the WIAA Tournament on Friday.

South Milwaukee Athletics and Activities Director Ante Udovicic has more details in the following update …

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Congratulations to Coach Derek Hoff and Coach Carl Bauhs and the Rocket Girls’s Basketball team on winning their first conference championship since 1995!!! Their 49-40 defeat of Greendale on Wednesday night cemented sole possession of 1st place for the Rockets (see attached team photo after the win). Ellie Pusheck led the way with 16 pts and 12 reb, while Brittany Bruck hit 5 straight free throws late and finished with 10 pts while Emily Pusheck chipped in with 12 pts. 

The Rockets earned the #4 seed in the Sectional and await the winner of Tuesday’s Regional opener between #5 seeded Whitnall and #12 seeded Milw. Ronald Reagan. The Rockets will play the winner on Friday, March 1st in South Milwaukee HS’s Sullivan Gymnasium at 7:00pm (all adult & student tickets will be $4 and doors open at 6:00pm). This will be a great game, so please come on out and support the girls and cheer as LOUD as you can, but please make sure it is positive for our girls and not negative against the refs and opponents!

WRESTLING

Congratulations again to Tom Mitchell on qualifying for State Wrestling, but he lost his opening match at state 2-1 yesterday finishing the season with a fantastic 39-6 record. Hope to see you in Madison again next year!

CHEER

Good luck Saturday at State!

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Good luck tonight to the Rocket Boys’ Basketball team as they face Catholic Memorial at 7:00pm. Let’s see if some more people can sign up for the fan bus, especially with the snowy conditions we are having.

As of now, we only have 8 people signed up for the fan bus. If we don’t at least approach 30 people, we will end up cancelling the bus by 3:00pm today. Call/text 414-531-2362 if you need to know if the bus is cancelled.

Catholic Memorial HS – 601 E. College Ave in Waukesha

DIRECTIONS TO CATHOLIC MEMORIAL FROM SMHS

  • Take I-94 W to 894 W
  • Take exit 4 to merge onto I-43 S toward Beloit
  • Take exit 54 for Racine Ave.
  • Stay straight to go onto Racine Ave. (the school is about 6 miles from I-43)
  • Turn left onto College Ave. (school will be on your left)

SIGNING DAY

As some of you might have seen a few weeks ago, college football’s national signing day was held. Well, other sports had signing days as well, and so far, I have 2 SM signings to report (with photos of the signings and links to the college teams and info on their recruits). Congratulations ladies!!!

Micaela Creighton – signed her letter of intent to go to school and compete on the women’s track and field team on a scholarship for Auburn University (currently ranked #25 in the nation).

http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/020813aad.html

Kaylyn Markiewicz – signed her letter of intent to go to school and golf on a scholarship for Adams State University (in Colorado).

 http://www.asugrizzlies.com/article.asp?articleID=6551

 

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by | February 21, 2013 · 5:11 pm

Dunkin’ Donuts Coming To South Milwaukee?

Soon, South Milwaukee could run on Dunkin’.

The South Milwaukee Plan Commission is set to review on Monday an application for a conditional use permit for construction of a Dunkin’ Donuts at 3103 S. Chicago Ave. The proposed 2,129-square-foot restaurant would be built on an outlot in the shopping center that currently includes Aldi, Dollar Tree and Little Caesars Pizza.

I’ll post more details when I get them, and keep you posted.

Also, I’ll post more soon on another topic on the upcoming Plan Commission agenda — an application by a local non-denominational church for a conditional use permit for the former St. Adalbert’s facilities (school, church, convent, rectory) on 16th and Manitoba. The proposal calls for worship services, other church-related events, a small adult bible school and clergy housing at the site. Stay tuned.

Here is the agenda.

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by | February 20, 2013 · 5:53 pm

Welcome To South Milwaukee, Max A. Sass & Sons

Turning a school into a funeral home? That unique transformation is happening now, as Max A. Sass & Sons Funeral Homes prepares to open at the former St. Mary’s School in South Milwaukee.

I had the chance to tour the new Sass South Shore Chapel location — still very much under construction — on Monday, and I came away impressed with a terrific example of a second-generation reuse of a property.

From the large, open hall in the basement to the classrooms remaining on the second floor, there’s still plenty of signs that this was a school not too long ago. The biggest changes, however, are coming on the main floor, as Sass plans a large chapel, offices and family lounge. Workers were busily rehabbing the interior this week, and the funeral home is expected to open in April.

The facility at 1314 Manitoba Ave. will be Sass’ fifth location and its first in the South Shore, as Sass celebrates its 76th year in 2013. It’s a welcome addition, and I wish Sass & Sons well in South Milwaukee.

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by | February 19, 2013 · 10:33 pm

Spring Primary In South Milwaukee: Judicial Incumbents Roll Locally, Turnout Low

No surprises in Tuesday’s spring primary election in South Milwaukee …

  • In the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court, Justice Patience Roggensack tallied 1,040 votes, or 66.8%, in South Milwaukee. Ed Fallone came in second with 401 votes, or 25.7%. Vince Megna finished a distant third. Roggensack and Fallone will square off in the general election on April 2.
  • In the Milwaukee County Circuit Court Branch 45 race, Judge Rebecca Bradley finished with 890 votes, or 60.1%, to Janet Protasiewicz’s 434 votes, or 29.3%. Gil Urfer was third. Bradley and Protasiewicz will appear on the April 2 ballot.

Turnout was low, with 12% of the city’s 13,129 voters coming out to the polls.

See the full results here.

Any thoughts on the election? Post your comments below!

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by | February 19, 2013 · 5:59 am

It’s Election Day: Vote!

Just a reminder that it’s spring primary election day. Do your duty and vote!

Learn more in my previous post.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. See you there.

And check South Milwaukee Blog later tonight for local results.

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