by | February 14, 2013 · 6:47 am

South Milwaukee Sports Update: Rocket Wrestlers Advance To Team Sectional For First Time, Basketball Senior Nights

Just got the following update from the South Milwaukee School District …

WIAA REGIONAL WRESTLING

The Rockets won Regionals last Saturday and qualified for WIAA Team Sectionals for the first time (Team Sectionals began in 1992). Rockets who won Regional Championships included McCoy Swanson (126), Ben Zbikowski (160), Tom Mitchell (182), Brian Chapman (195) & Tom Wawzyniak (285). At Team Sectionals, the Rockets took on a deep and tough Burlington squad and gave them a scare, but lost 34-21 in a good match.

BOYS BASKETBALL TONIGHT

Boys Basketball vs. Brown Deer (4:15pm Freshman, 5:45pm JV & 7:30pm Varsity)

Senior Night & Be Like Mike Night – The Rockets will honor their senior class of Nick Lehrer, Brandon Kocherer, Seth Robinson, Kojo Kazmende, Evan Marlowe, Jordan Pekar, Josh Nelson & Richard Day. Fans are asked to wear orange or purchase a Be Like Mike t-shirt to show support for 8th grader Michael Christensen, the younger brother of junior varsity basketball player Richard Christensen and his battle with Leukemia.

Last Game – The Rockets beat St. Francis 63-40 behind 24 pts by Jr. Tanner Zaeske and 17 pts. by Sr. Brandon Kocherer

GIRLS BASKETBALL FRIDAY

Girls Basketball v. St. Francis  (4:15pm Freshman, 5:45pm JV & 7:30pm Varsity)

Senior Night – The Rockets will honor their senior class of Lisa Thush, Brittany Bruck, Sam Page, Ellie Pusheck, Riley Budde, Emily Pusheck & Katie Bartlett as they look to move one step closer to winning the Woodland East title!

Last Game – The Rockets beat Brown Deer 48-37 behind 12 pts and 12 rebounds from Emily Pusheck and 16 pts from Ellie Pusheck.

BOYS BASKETBALL – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19

The #7 seeded Rockets will host #10 seeded Indian Trail in the WIAA Regional opener. All tickets are $4 (no passes accepted). Come on out and support the Rockets as March Madness begins early!!! Game time is 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16

The Rocket Cheerleaders compete on Saturday, February 16th at the WACPC Regional competition at Wilmot High School, hoping to qualify for State in Madison the following weekend. Competition starts at 9:00am. Rocket cheerleaders perform around 11:30 against six other teams in their division.

Rocket Wrestling – A number of Rocket wrestlers qualified for Sectionals, including McCoy Swanson (126), Mitchell Dess (132), Gage Keene (138), Tanner Dorangrichia (145),Stuart Swanson (152), Ben Zbikowski (160), Josh Wilkowski (170), Tom Mitchell (182), Brian Chapman (195), Kenny Senner (220), and Tom Wawrzyniak (285).

Wrestling Sectionals @ Racine Case HS

Doors open at 9:00am

Wrestling begins at 10:00am (finals should start between 2:30pm and 3:30pm per a guess from Case)

$7 – all day price, $5 – for session 2 & finals, $4 – finals 

UW-OSHKOSH & KATIE KITZKE

For the second time this season, Katie was named Conference Player of the Week!

http://uwoshkoshtitans.com/sports/wbkb/2012-13/releases/201302124dxtid

MIAMI HURRICANES & TREY McKINNEY JONES

The 20-3 Hurricanes are ranked #3 in the country and have 2 national tv games coming up:

Sunday, February 17 on ESPNU at 5:00pm @ Clemson

Tuesday, February 19 on ESPNU at 8:00pm v. Virginia

DONATION DAYS

Also, We have 2 more Cousins Donation Days next week:

Mon. February 18 – Cousins Sub Donation Day to benefit the Rocket Basketball program (9:00am-10:00pm) at the Cousins in South Milwaukee.

Wed. February 20 – Cousins Sub Donation Day to benefit the Rocket Basketball program (9:00am-10:00pm) at the Cousins in South Milwaukee.

 

 

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by | February 13, 2013 · 5:14 pm

Grant Park Plaza Update: South Milwaukee CDA Approves Sale Of Pick ‘N Save Parcel

Last fall, you may recall the decision by the South Milwaukee City Council to allow the owners of Grant Park Plaza to divide the property into two parcels – making it easier to sell those properties to potential buyers.

Well, the first of those parcels – the one containing the Pick ‘n Save store – is poised to be sold.

The Community Development Authority on Monday approved the owners’ sale of the grocery store lot to Cole Real Estate Investments “or an entity controlled, directly or indirectly by Cole REIT Advisors III LLC.”

Cole is a national name in real estate, as “Cole-related entities own and manage more than 2,050 properties in 47 states with a combined acquisition cost of more than $12.4 billion,” according to its website. That includes a number of commercial properties and properties like this — buildings housing retailers that still have years left on their long-term leases.

The South Milwaukee City Council will take up the issue at its meeting next week. I am inclined to support it because a sale should help relieve pressure on the owners’ finances and make it easier to upgrade the long-vacant center section (and, in turn, lift the entire center).

In fact, the shopping center owners report they are talking to national retailer interested in leasing more than half of the empty space in that center section. We’ll see where that ends up.

In the meantime, the amended development agreement will also allow the plaza owners to spend $200,000 — retained as a “lease-up” incentive from the previous development agreement — to remodel the center section to suit a prospective new tenant. And the CDA is recommending additional funds from the Pick ‘n Save parcel sale be escrowed for parking lot improvements and other tenant space improvements.

So there’s progress at Grant Park Plaza. That’s a good thing. Let’s hope it leads to leases and a more vibrant shopping center. Head a few miles north on Highway 32 to see the alternative.

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by | February 12, 2013 · 9:55 pm

The Madness Approaches: South Milwaukee Gets A State Tournament Home Game

I love March Madness (or February Madness, such as it is with our high schools) … and it’s almost here!

The WIAA released its boys’ basketball pairing this week, and South Milwaukee has a home game in round one. The seventh-seeded Rockets (8-9 after a win over St. Francis on Tuesday) host 10th-seeded Indian Trail High School of Kenosha next Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Waiting in the second round of the regionals is second-seeded Catholic Memorial.

Check out the full Division 2 bracket here.

I’ll keep you posted when girls’ tournament brackets are announced.

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by | February 12, 2013 · 9:43 pm

More Headlines And A New Police Blotter

Check out these headlines from around the South Shore …

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter, including information on an alleged burglary at Papa Luigi’s.

And here is a story from Oak Creek about scammers allegedly claiming an affiliation with police in that community, something that doesn’t sound too different from the “spoofing” scam in South Milwaukee recently.

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by | February 12, 2013 · 8:51 am

Spring Election: In-Person Absentee Voting Ends Friday

It’s a short ballot for the Feb. 19 primary election, but an important one – and you can vote now at City Hall.

In-person absentee voting remains open through 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15., for two judicial races: Wisconsin Supreme Court and Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 45.

Check out a sample ballot here.

You can also register at City Hall through Friday as well, or at your polling place on election day. To register, you will need to provide a document showing proof of residence. Learn more here.

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by | February 9, 2013 · 5:41 pm

South Milwaukee: Winter Wonderland

A view of Oak Creek, looking north from Rawson Avenue … South Milwaukee’s Fourth District is a beautiful place!

Winter scene small

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by | February 9, 2013 · 4:49 pm

South Milwaukeean Reportedly Accused In Robbery And Other Local Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

And state Sen. Chris Larson has published a new Larson Report. The headline: Strengthening BadgerCare by Filling the Coverage Gaps.

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by | February 8, 2013 · 1:54 pm

South Milwaukee Walmart To Open April 10

Probably the most-asked question I get these days is, “When is the South Milwaukee Walmart opening?” The answer: April 10.

Walmart has already begun hiring for the new store at 222 N. Chicago Ave., and they are looking for approximately 220 employees, at least half of them full-time. They’ve already hired 80.

A temporary Walmart office has opened near 10th and Milwaukee Avenues, although prospective employees should apply online at www.walmart.com/apply or at their Franklin (27th Street) or Greendale (76th Street) stores.

I’ll share more details as the opening date approaches.

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by | February 7, 2013 · 10:43 pm

My Poor Shovel

shovelThat’s how heavy the snow was in my driveway.

Pitchers and catchers report in five days!

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by | February 7, 2013 · 3:42 pm

Snow Report: Plows Out, School Events On

A few items on today’s snowstorm …

  • The Street Department tells me they began salting at 7 a.m. today, and, as of about 3 p.m., they had 16 trucks on South Milwaukee streets both plowing and salting, including alleys.
  • After-school activities, including athletics, are on as scheduled tonight, according to the South Milwaukee School District.
  • And here’s a reminder on snow removal ordinances. It’s a blog post from 2009, but it still applies. Here is the Street Department website.

Of course, I’d like to know what you’re experiencing. Post your comments below!

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by | February 5, 2013 · 10:53 pm

Children’s Items Resale Shop Opens Downtown

Update: I Can’t Resist comes from Cudahy, where it opened in 2012. 

Downtown South Milwaukee has a new retailer.

I Can’t Resist Kids Resale has opened in the former home of Ooh La La Beauty Boutique, which closed recently.

Learn more about the new store on its website, and welcome to South Milwaukee!

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by | February 5, 2013 · 9:59 pm

An In-Depth Look At Oak Creek’s Bold New Downtown … And Other Headlines

BizTimes.com has an in-depth feature on Oak Creek’s “game-changing” plans for its mixed-use Drexel Town Square Development.

Check out the story here.

And check out these headlines from around the South Shore …

Also, two filmmakers have released a film on the Oak Creek Sikh Temple shooting, including details and interviews not seen before. It’s pretty compelling. See it here.

And NOW has published a new police blotter (albeit minus South Milwaukee reports).

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by | February 5, 2013 · 1:09 pm

Lessons From Tragedy: Channel 12 Takes A Closer Look At The Choking Game

The death of 12-year-old South Milwaukee boy Gage Witek last fall was terribly tragic. His father, however, hopes some good comes of it.

Craig Witek was one of several parents of choking game victims who spoke to Channel 12 for its feature on the activity that aired Monday. Check it out here. From it:

These families met as strangers, but embraced as friends as they started telling stories of their sons, and then began telling the stories no parent wants to tell: How their children died.

“I found my son with a (plastic) bag over his head and ligature around his neck,” Witek said.

He said that it was only after his son had died that he started to put the pieces together.

“When we found these belts, we came to the conclusion that he had been using ligatures for a while,” Witek said. “They didn’t leave any marks, no headaches or the bloodshot eyes.”

Please continue to keep all of these families in your prayers.

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by | February 4, 2013 · 8:52 pm

Be Like Mike, Buy A Cool T-Shirt And Help Out A Middle Schooler With Leukemia

Just got this email from South Milwaukee School District …

Attached you will find a t-shirt design for a t-shirt we are selling now ($10 per shirt – payable to SMHS) for an 8th grade student at the South Milwaukee Middle School named Michael Christensen.

The deadline for ordering the shirts is this Wednesday at noon. Read below for more info.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STAFF & STUDENTS – please contact guidance counselor Kelly Hruz for ordering them. She will also be selling orange & white wristbands soon for $2.00 with the words “Be Like Mike” and “#nevergiveup” on them as well (due in at the end of the week).

OTHER RECIPIENTS OF THIS EMAIL – please email me if you would like to order a shirt with size(s). I will be picking the shirts up on Wednesday, 2/13/13 and will have them in the athletic office for pickup or at the Boys’ Basketball games on 2/14/13.

SHIRT & WRISTBAND SALES – We will have a t-shirt order form available at the Rocket Girls’ Basketball games tomorrow (freshman at 4:15pm, JV at 5:45pm & Varsity at7:30pm) and will be selling wristbands at the basketball games next week.

ROCKET BOYS’ BB – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14th

Show your heart on Valentine’s Day by purchasing a Be Like Mike shirt and wearing it to the Rocket Boys’ Basketball games on Thursday, February 14th against Brown Deer.

Here is the background information on why we are selling these shirts and wristbands.

BACKGROUND INFO

in the fall of 2010, the SM Boys Volleyball team did a fundraiser for the MACC Fund on behalf of Michael Christensen, the younger brother of Richard, a freshman volleyball player. As some of you know, Michael is now an 8th grader here at the South Milwaukee Middle School. 

Here is some information passed along by Middle School Counselor Kelly Hruz about Michael’s situation.

Michael is a wonderful person with an amazing spirit.   Michael was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic  Leukemia) when he was 3. Michael received treatment and his cancer  went into remission.  In 2010, the Leukemia came back and after a long fight he was clear of cancer earlier this year.  He stopped his last chemo treatment in August.   Unfortunately, Michael found out last week that his Leukemia has come back. It is devastating to Michael and his family for the cancer to come back so quickly.  Michael has already started chemo treatments 2 weeks ago and his family will have the consultation with doctors next week.

Even though Michael has not been a student here for a long time, he has made an impact on those who have met him.  

If you are interested in following Michael’s progress, the family has asked that you visit the following site:   www.caringbridge.org .  Once there, type in michaelchristensen (all lower case, all one word). 

Thanks,

Ante Udovicic & Kelly Hruz

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by | February 3, 2013 · 10:30 pm

South Shore Grocery Competition Examined, Caterpillar Earnings … And Other Headlines

With plans for a Meijer in Oak Creek and the Walmart opening soon in South Milwaukee (April, I hear), in addition to existing retailers like Pick ‘n Save and Piggly Wiggly, competition is heating up among grocery stores in the South Shore. Oak Creek Patch takes a closer look at the issue here.

And check out these other local headlines …

Also, Caterpillar recently reported disappointing earnings news — and a dim outlook for the year. Check out the Reuters story here. From it:

In a somber note on the global economy, Caterpillar said the “most significant favorable factor” for 2013 profit will be the absence of the ERA accounting fraud writedown, not increased demand for its machines.

“We’re encouraged by recent improvements in economic indicators, but remain cautious,” Caterpillar Chief Executive Doug Oberhelman said on Monday.

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