Grant Park beach is closed at least through today due to extremly high E.coli levels.
Learn more at the Wisconsin Beach Health home page. Click here to learn more about what can cause elevated bacteria levels.
I’ll keep you posted when I learn more.
Beat The Heat: Grobschmidt Pool Hours Extended
Update: Here is more information on what could be 19 heat-related deaths in the state since July 1, including one one in South Milwaukee.
As temperatures soar to near 100 degrees and a heat advisory kicks in, South Milwaukee’s Grobschmidt Pool will be open from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday.
Learn more here.
This is in addition to the pool’s normal hours: 12:30 t0 4:30 p.m. daily and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
See all pool hours here … and don’t forget to check on the elderly and others who are susceptible to the heat. Consequences can be tragic.
Filed under Milwaukee County
Upset Alert: South Milwaukee Baseball Team Two Wins From State
At 14-18, it hasn’t been the best of seasons for the South Milwaukee High School baseball team. That, however, can change with a couple more wins … and a trip to the state tournament.
Following upsets win over sixth-seeded Muskego and third-seeded Franklin, the 11th-seeded Rockets play seventh-seeded West Allis Hale in a sectional semifinal at 2 p.m. on Monday at Hale. The winner of that game plays top-seeded Oak Creek or Greendale with a berth to the state tournament on the line.
Learn more here, and click here for more on the Franklin win.
And go Rockets!
Filed under Sports
Bank Robbery At Pick ‘N Save Tri-City Branch
Update: Here is a flier.
The Tri-City National Bank inside the South Milwaukee Pick ‘n Save was robbed Saturday afternoon.
Here is the press release from the South Milwaukee Police Department …
On 7/14/12 at about 1:50pm, the South Milwaukee police responded to the Tri-City Bank located at 2901 S. Chicago Ave inside Pick n Save for a report of a bank robbery. Suspect described as a dark skinned m/w or Hispanic, 5’10”, thin build, late 20’s to early 30’s, large dark sunglasses, black baseball style cap, black/white plaid long sleeved shirt, with a white t-shirt underneath. Note handed to teller implying weapon and taken back. Undetermined amount of cash. Fled on foot WB to S. Chicago Ave and then NB.
Here is a bank surveillance photo of the suspect.
Please contact the police department at 768-8060 with information.
2.5 Inches Of Rain In South Milwaukee?
Update: Fox 6 reported there was some minor street flooding along Marquette Avenue, a flood-prone area.
That’s what the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting. See it here.
And here is WISN’s rain gauge roundup, which puts South Milwaukee’s total at 1.35 inches.
The airport was reporting about three-quarters of an inch yesterday — certainly not enough to end the drought. But it helps.
Filed under Weather
Channel 4 Stops By The Farmers’ Market
Like other markets in the area, the South Milwaukee Downtown Market is feeling the effects of this summer’s drought.
Channel 4 stopped by Thursday night to explore that issue a bit further. Here is the story and video.
Of course, the Downtown Market is about more than produce — so that’s why I’m confident we’ll be just fine despite the dry weather. Organics, arts, crafts, baked goods and all kinds of prepared food … the market still has plenty to offer this summer and beyond. We also have live music and a variety of upcoming special events (including outdoor movies in August).
Learn more on our website: www.smmarket.org.
Filed under Community, Local Business
More Local Headlines
Check out these headlines from around the South Shore …
- Oak Creek Teen Faces Felony Drug Charge (Oak Creek Patch)
- More Garage Break-Ins Reported In East Tosa (Wauwatosa Patch)
- School District Projects Tax Levy Will Hold Steady (Oak Creek Patch)
- Police Officer, Good Samaritan Just Can’t Walk Away From Ducklings In Storm Drain (NOW)
- Caterpillar HQ Study Prompts Fear Of Possible Move (Chicago Tribune)
NOW has published a new South Milwaukee police blotter, including this item:
A 66-year-old South Milwaukee woman became the victim of a scam when she applied online for a job as a secret shopper. The woman was sent two money orders in the amount of $995.55, and told to use $30 for the secret shopping, to keep $200 as payment and to wire the remainder to a person in Dubai. She learned too late that the money orders were fraudulent.
And state Sen. Chris Larson has published a new Larson Report.
Filed under Headlines
Scary Situation: Fire Department Rescues 3 Stranded Boaters … At Night
Here is the email I received from Acting South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter about yet another Lake Michigan water rescue on Wednesday …
In what seems to be an all-too-often occurrence lately, the SMFD Rescue Boat was placed into operation again last night in what I can truly say was a rescue situation with a very successful outcome. At approximately 10:26 PM, SMFD received a call from SMPD Lt. Cary Fischer requesting assistance in locating three missing persons who had left Bender Park earlier in the evening on a Personal Water Craft. SMPD was notified when one of their officers was in the process of clearing out Grant Park at the Main Beach and came across the missing boaters wife who was frantically searching for them along the coastline. SMFD deployed their boat at approx. 10:36 PM and was in the process of scanning the shoreline between the SM Yacht Club and Bender Park with floodlights, our handheld thermal imaging camera, and the FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red) system on the boat when they encountered the distressed watercraft with two of the occupants, the 36 y/o father and 13 y/o child, in the water and the 9 y/o child still aboard the watercraft. The 13 y/o and 9 y/o both were wearing personal flotation devices (PFD) while the father was not. All three occupants were brought aboard the rescue boat and the watercraft was successfully towed into Bender Park. The boaters were reunited with their family and turned over to the OC Fire Department to be medically evaluated.
It is my opinion that these boaters were extremely lucky that all of the circumstances aligned to provide for their rescue. Fortunately for them, the water temperature in Lake Michigan has increased by ten degrees over the past few weeks due to the warmer-than-usual air temperatures and lack of rain. At the time of the rescue, the water temperature was approx. 71 degrees. Experience has taught us that exposure to water temperatures like that for periods in excess of three hours can be detrimental to a persons physical well being and adversely affect their ability to function and perform physical tasks. One can only imagine what the outcome would have been had the circumstances not aligned and they had not been located.
The US Coast Guard was notified of our response, however, they did not deploy any of their boats. Once again, the teamwork between SMPD and SMFD paid off for a successful end to what could have been a tragic story.
Filed under Fire
Sexual Assault Reported In South Milwaukee
A South Milwaukee woman told police a man came out of nowhere and groped her suddenly in front of her home in the 1300 block of Rawson Avenue just before midnight on July 3.
Here is the South Milwaukee Police Department press release.
WTMJ-TV is reporting the case may be linked a series of assaults in Bay View. Here is that story … and here is Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverage on the Bay View cases.
I’ll keep you posted when I learn more.
Filed under Crime
Arrest Made In South Milwaukee Liquor Store Robbery
South Milwaukee police have made an arrest in the B.J.’s Liquor robbery last month.
Here is the press release I receive today from South Milwaukee Police Chief Ann Wellens …
Through the efforts of Lt. Cary Fischer and Investigator Mike Hill, the suspect in the BJs robbery has been arrested. The suspect was caught while perpetrating a similar crime in Wauwatosa. Information provided by Lt. Fischer and Inv. Hill aided the Wauwatosa Police Department in catching him in the act. Without their efforts, he would likely still be free to continue to commit crimes. He has been referred to Milwaukee County for charging.
Congratulations and thanks to Lt. Fischer for his work — and to the entire department for all they do to keep us safe.
Filed under Crime
Where Should City Workers Live? Council Debates Residency Rules
Should city workers be required to live in South Milwaukee? That’s what the City Council will consider at its meeting on July 17.
The Human Resources Committee — and several other aldermen in attendance, including me — vigorously debated the subject Tuesday, voting to bring the issue before the full council next week.
Here is where I stand: I am against strict residency. In other words, I favor changing city ordinances and the Civil Service Manual to remove the requirement that all city civil service employees hired after July 1 live in South Milwaukee (or move there within a year).
Would I prefer that our employees live in South Milwaukee? Of course, and my position is by no means meant to diminish the skills of current South Milwaukee residents. Far from it.
I look at it this way: Placing artificial restrictions like this on workers only serves to limit the labor pool and all but guarantees that at least some quality people will not apply for jobs in our fair city.
Strong local roots. Kids established in school. A historically bad real housing market. Complicated family situations. Those are just a few of the reasons people are hesitant to pick up and move for their jobs – and why some wouldn’t even consider applying with an employer that requires you to live where you work.
And with Act 10 and the demise of public unions, and union benefits being reduced, we are increasingly competing head to head with the private sector for employees – private employers that do not require their employees to live where they work. Neither should we.
Instead, there is a reasonable standard I hope we consider (and pass Tuesday).
It would require that civil service employees live within these boundaries: Highway 20 from Racine west to Highway S; north on S to Highway K; west on K to Highway 164, north on 164 to the Waukesha-Racine County border, east to Highway V (Town Line Road) extended, north on Highway V extended to Silver Spring Road (Highway VV), and east on Silver Spring Road to Whitefish Bay.
Existing non-represented and fire union employees already adhere to these restrictions, while our police officers have no residency requirements (per their negotiated contract).
Now, there should be exceptions to any residency rule. Some jobs should require that workers live even closer to South Milwaukee, or in the city itself … and those job descriptions should clearly lay out those requirements, so current and new employees know exactly what’s expected of them.
A blanket, and restrictive, requirement, however, is a step too far. As an alderman, a big part of my job is to make South Milwaukee a city in which people want to live – not where they’re forced to.
Of course, I’d like to know what you think about this. Post your comments below!
Filed under City Council, Community
Summer Music Schedule At The Farmers’ Market And Others Headlines
The first of three South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center concerts at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market is this Thursday, as Jon Pierre Gee and AhVantsoul featuring Kat Webb plays starting at 4:30 p.m.
Check out the press release on the market’s Summer Concert Series here.
And check out these other headlines from around the South Shore:
- Verhalen Assessing Damages From Fourth Of July Fire (Oak Creek Patch)
- Bender Park Beach Reopens (Oak Creek Patch)
- Work Continues On New OCHS Turf (Oak Creek Patch)
- Oak Creek Teacher Finalist For National Award (Oak Creek Patch)
Also, listen to podcasts here and here of WISN radio talk show host Jay Weber’s recent takes on Cudahy development issues and the loss of Walmart to South Milwaukee.
Filed under Headlines, South Milwaukee Walmart
Helping Boaters In Need
The South Milwaukee Fire Department responded to two calls of distressed boaters on Sunday. Both situations had happy endings. Here is the email from Acting Chief Joe Knitter:
Yesterday, the SMFD Rescue boat was called upon twice to respond to reports of distressed boaters. The first call came in from the boater himself who reported that he was without power, approx., 300 yards off Grant Park Beach, East of the pavilion. On the arrival of our rescue boat, the distressed boat was found anchored with two adult passengers on-board, unable to return to Bender Park where they had launched from. While heading North, the boater heard a loud noise coming from his motor before it died and stranded him without power. The occupants remained on-board during the tow into the SM Yacht Club.
While entering the harbor during this tow operation, the US Coast Guard requested assistance in the area of Bender Park for another disabled boat. The Coast Guard stated they were busy in Milwaukee and asked for our assistance with a 17′ Glastron boat that had lost power with two adults and three children on-board. While en route, SMFD contacted the disabled boater via cell phone with a number that the Coast Guard had provided and learned that they were under tow from another boat and were just entering Bender Park. The SMFD confirmed that they were safely attended to and returned to the SMYC.
More Headlines
Check out these local headlines:
- Man Accused Of Hitting Woman At Caledonia Campground (Caledonia Patch)
- Middle School Namesake, Akira Toki, Dies At 96 (Capital Times)
- DOT Studying Highway 38 Reconstruction South Of Oak Creek (Oak Creek Patch)
- Milwaukee Water Deal With Waukesha “Prematurely Killed” (Oak Creek Patch)
- BloodCenter Of Wisconsin Plans Oak Creek Drive (Oak Creek Patch)
- WPC Receives Grant For Move To Oak Creek (Business Journal)
- OCFD Responds To Grass Fire On W. Ryan Road (Oak Creek Patch)
- Accident At Nicholson/Highway 100 Injures Two (Oak Creek Patch)
Check out South Milwaukee Jerianne Hayslett’s well-done essay on Rodney King, which aired on WUWM’s Lake Effect recently. Hayslett is a former Los Angeles-area journalist and court information officer.
Also, Bill Kurtz, Democratic candidate in the 21st Assembly District race, is holding a fundraiser on July 19 in South Milwaukee. Learn more here.
Filed under Headlines
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