by | December 29, 2012 · 1:52 pm

Significant Damage: Garage Fire In South Milwaukee

Here is the update from South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter on the blaze early Saturday morning at 918 Marquette Ave. …

At approximately 3:56 AM this morning, South Milwaukee Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a tenant at 2315 10th Avenue (the office / condo building at 10th & Marquette) reporting a garage on fire to the rear of their building.  The actual location of the garage was to the rear of 918 Marquette Avenue.  When SMPD & SMFD units arrived, they encountered a well-involved detached garage with fire impinging on a vehicle parked adjacent to it.  Fire had already consumed the side entrance door, part of the overhead door and was venting through the roof.  In addition, the electrical service line supplying power to the residence at 916 Marquette had burned through and was lying in the alley behind the garage, limiting access to the scene.  Assistance was provided to SMFD by an engine company from Cudahy.

 The fire was extinguished and is currently under investigation by SMFD. The owner of the property was notified and was present at the scene during fire department operations and the subsequent investigation.

 Due to the structure having masonry side walls, the exterior of the building is still intact.  However, a majority of the roof structure and the contents of the garage are a total loss.  In addition, the vehicle parked next to the garage received significant heat/flame damage to the driver’s side.

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by | December 28, 2012 · 10:23 pm

South Milwaukee (Officially) Has A New Fire Chief

Knitter small 1It was a pleasure attending the swearing-in ceremony of new South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter on Friday.

And I was far from alone. More than 100 people — including Joe’s family and dozens of firefighters from around the area and as far away as California — officially welcomed him to his new role.

I join them in that welcome.

This is a great choice, and I look forward to Joe’s tenure as chief. Congratulations!

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by | December 28, 2012 · 10:01 pm

Cudahy Man Charged In Death, South Milwaukeeans Accused In Crimes And Other Local Headlines

Check out these headlines from around the South Shore …

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter. It includes this scary item from Sunrise Restaurant …

A revolver was found in a booth at a diner at 2418 10th Avenue at 12:35 p.m. Dec. 26. Police tracked down the owner, who had eaten at the restaurant that day. The owner had a concealed carry license, and the gun had fallen out of his holster while he was in the diner. The officer explained the proper way to securely carry a concealed weapon to the man.

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by | December 28, 2012 · 1:11 pm

Seven Bridges Update … And It’s Not Good

The following is from Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik, in her monthly news Update.

Throughout December 2012, a contractor repaired the large lakeside bridge at Seven Bridges trail in Grant Park. Many of us were alarmed at the lack of erosion controls; at the excessive removal of trees and walls to access the site; and at the road that was built to lower a back hoe to the bridge level. This was all outside the job description.

At this point, I am working with the Parks Department and engineering staff to demand the best remedy for this sad situation. Milwaukee County will not make further payments until the contractor repairs the damage, plants trees and takes other steps. We will do our best to get this rectified.

Jursik’s monthly newsletter also includes updates on the 794 extension, Mill Pond repairs, Bender Park and a variety of county issues.

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by | December 27, 2012 · 10:15 am

Garbage Pickup Times Changed For Holidays … And What About Your Christmas Tree?

Supposed to have your garbage picked up on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day?

The city’s website has a list of the revised pickup times for those days.

The Street Department also picks up your Christmas tree. Here is information from the city site …

Christmas trees can be placed at the curb or in your normal garbage collection area for disposal. The Street Department collects them until early February. The trees are chipped and disposed of as mulch. Wreaths should be treated as garbage and can be placed out for regular garbage collection.

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by | December 23, 2012 · 10:12 pm

Merry Christmas!

Taking a couple of days off from blogging, barring any big breaking news from South Milwaukee …

Thanks to everyone for reading, and I pray you have a blessed holiday with your family and friends.

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by | December 22, 2012 · 9:43 pm

Stabbing Death In Cudahy And Other Headlines

A man was reportedly stabbed to death in Cudahy early Saturday morning.

Check out the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story here, as well as coverage from WISN.

And check out these other local headlines …

Also, State Sen. Chris Larson has published a new Larson Report entitled: “Tackling Challenges in the New Year.”

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by | December 20, 2012 · 7:59 pm

Winter Storm: So, What Are You Seeing?

It may have started as rain — and lots of it — but the snow came with a vengenance late.

How are you dealing with today’s winter storm? What are you seeing? How much have you gotten in your backyard?

Post your comments below … and don’t forget about the city ordinance around snow removal. See my previous post on that here. And stay safe!

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by | December 19, 2012 · 12:07 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: A Recap

So there it is — 12 options to shop local this holiday season.

Here is a complete list of posts in the “12 Days of South Milwaukee Christmas” series.

Support our local retailers!

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by | December 19, 2012 · 12:05 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: Local Eats

I close the “12 Days” series with a focus on area eateries, and there are plenty of terrific options to write about.

Here are a few of my favorites, in case you’re looking to give the gift of great food this holiday season …

  • The Azteca Restaurant, 901 Milwaukee Ave. My favorite Milwaukee-area Mexican restaurant, bar none. Try their lunch buffet, new Sunday brunch, crab legs or any of  a variety of outstanding authentic specialties. And their Mexican fried ice cream is … well, try it and see! Say hi to Carlos and Rosie for me, and be sure to look for discounts on their website and Facebook.
  • China Chef, 1224 Milwaukee Ave. Their website encourages you to “let the food talk.” It tells a great story.
  • Nona’s Cafe, 2206 10th Ave. Great homemade food and baked goods, made with love by Ida and Tom. This OnMilwaukee.com article tells the story of the ultimate “mom and pop business” well.
  • Our great local Italian restaurants. We have a big selection, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Salvatore’s/Papa Luigi’s II, 1919 12th Ave., has great food, and the upgrades to the facility (bowling, arcade, etc.) make it a real community attraction. I think the garlic bread at Barbiere’s, 1021 Milwaukee, is the best around. Paisano’s, 113 N. Chicago Ave., has a varied menu full of tasty items.
  • Emerald City Catering, 1645 Rawson Ave. The area’s best caterer. We love their takeout fish and fried chicken, and their take-and-bake items (try the chicken pot pie) are other outstanding options. And pick up a bottle of Steve’s barbecue sauce when you’re there.

I also want to give a shoutout to PJ.’s Variety Store & Deli, 921 Milwaukee Ave. This is a really unique store with everything from farm-fresh eggs to Yu-Gi-Oh! cards to crafts. Tony also has baked ham and rolls on Sundays, cheesburgers and other items. And be sure to check out his “old school” candy selection. Variety store, indeed.

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by | December 18, 2012 · 9:24 pm

More Headlines

Check out these South Shore headlines …

And NOW has published a new police blotter.

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by | December 17, 2012 · 10:59 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: Physical Fitness And Health

Tired of chasing the newest toy for your kids each Christmas?

Here’s an idea: Give a “powerful and effective path toward personal growth and development.” Give the gift of martial arts.

We’re lucky to have an outstanding school — one for both adults and kids — right here in South Milwaukee: Sorce Martial Arts.

Check out their website. From it:

Sorce Martial Arts was established to make a positive and lasting impact in our community by teaching personal development through martial arts. We believe that training in the martial arts is a powerful and effective path toward personal growth and development. We believe that martial arts instruction should be personal. Finding a school that is a good fit for you is important because a great instructor will help you to benefit more from martial arts than you ever imagined.

I’ve seen this benefit first-hand. My cousin is a longtime Sorce student — and now instructor — and he is one of the most mature 16-year-olds I have ever met (including me). There are countless others like him that have gone through Peter Sorce’s classes.

Sorce is located at 926 Milwaukee Ave. There are two other businesses down the block that also need a shoutut here.

Anchor Fitness is next door at 924 Milwaukee Ave., and Dowling Community Accupuncture is at 911 Milwaukee Ave. If you’re looking to get or stay fit, these are two places to visit. Maybe I should pay them a visit 🙂

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by | December 17, 2012 · 10:41 pm

Coming In 2013: Rawson Interchange Reconstruction

Ready for more orange barrels?

Reconstruction of the Rawson Avenue interchange at Interstate 94 is planned for 2013.

Oak Creek Patch has the story. From it:

The interchange will be reconstructed into a “tight diamond,” meaning ramp connections with the cross street will be brought closer to I-94, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Officials say this will allow for better traffic operations between the interchange and 13th and 20th streets.

A start date is not yet known.

At least the Drexel Avenue interchange is done and open. College Avenue was completed last fall.

Learn more about the I-94 North-South Freeway project here.

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by | December 16, 2012 · 1:40 pm

12 Days Of South Milwaukee Christmas: Local Beer

Updated: Added a couple stores I missed.

I work for MillerCoors, so my friends, neighbors and relatives know very well that beer makes a wonderful Christmas gift.

(I suppose wine and spirits do, too, but you didn’t hear that from me :))

There are lots of local options to buy alcohol, but I’ll give a shoutout to six local liquor stores …

  • Bully’s Discount Beverage Center, 1232 Milwaukee Ave.
  • King’s Row, 1202 Milwaukee Ave.
  • Chicago Avenue Liquor, 309 N. Chicago Ave.
  • Marquette Liquor, 1123 Marquette Ave.
  • G&K Liquor, 1508 Rawson Ave.
  • B J Liquor Store, 2411 5th Ave.

And here’s a few holiday suggestions, with a nod to MillerCoors …

  • Coors Light and Miller Lite. You can’t go wrong with the two best-tasting Premium Light beer brands in the country.
  • Leinenkugel’s Snowdrift Vanilla Porter. This new winter seasonal is really, really good.
  • Crispin cider. Our recently acquired craft cider company has a number of terrific fresh-pressed apple and pear varieties.

Merry Christmas … cheers!

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by | December 15, 2012 · 10:27 pm

More On The Man Killed In Thursday’s Crash

Here is the obituary of John Janick — the Caledonia man killed when his car crashed into a house in South Milwaukee on Thursday — from Max A. Sass & Sons. From it:

Beloved husband of Julie (nee Scherrer) for 14 years. Bestest dad of Ryan. Loving son of Linda and Donald. Dear brother of Jason. Dear son-in-law of Judeen and Kenneth Scherrer. Brother-in-law of Michael (Erica) Scherrer. Uncle of Kasia Scherrer. Special nephew of Eugene Dalton. John is further survived by other relatives and friends. He is now reunited with Grandma and Grandpa Dalton and Uncle Otis.

John was an alumni of the Thomas More High School Class of 1990 and a proud Army veteran.

Services are Monday and Tuesday.

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