South Milwaukee NOW has a touching story about real-life heroism in South Milwaukee, following a car crash earlier this month.
See it here, and say thank you for people like Cynthia Schulz.
Armed Robbery At South Milwaukee Liquor Store
There was an armed robbery on Friday at B.J.’s Liquor,2411 5th Ave., according to the South Milwaukee Police Department.
Police said a single masked suspect robbed the store at gunpoint at 4:17 p.m. and got away with approximately $500 before fleeing on foot to a white Cadillac. The suspect remains at large.
That’s all the information I have at this point. I’ll keep you posted.
Filed under Crime
South Milwaukee Baseball Team Performs “Call Me Maybe”
No comment.
And while you’re at it, check out the versions from the baseball teams at Florida and Harvard (who started this parody craze, as best I can tell). There appear to be dozens of others.
YouTube is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?
(Here is the real thing by Carly Rae Jepson.)
Filed under Sports
South Milwaukee Fire Department Rescues Stranded Boaters
It’s been a busy month for the South Milwaukee Fire Department.
Several business and house fires and now this on Saturday: a call for assistance in rescuing stranded boasters off the Oak Creek Water Treatment Plant. As usual, the SMFD was up to the task.
Here are details from Acting Chief Joe Knitter:
At approx. 1:30 this afternoon, the SMFD received a phone call from the US Coast Guard in Milwaukee requesting assistance in locating and assisting a stranded boater that had lost power and was adrift somewhere off of the OC Water Treatment Plant. In addition, one of the five passengers was suffering from chest pain and was in need of medical assistance. SMFD responded to the SM Yacht Club and deployed the rescue boat, locating the distressed boat approximately 200 yds. from the mouth of the harbor. The ailing boater was removed from the boat, transported to the dock and transferred over to the care of waiting paramedics who treated and transported him to St. Luke’s South Shore. The Coast Guard arrived on scene with their 45 foot rescue boat but, due to its size, they were unable to get close enough to shore to provide any assistance to the stranded boat with the exception of towing it out further into the lake so it would not run aground. SMFD’s boat responded back to the location, secured the stranded boat and successfully towed it into the safety of the SMYC.
Get Ready: Pennsylvania/Nicholson Project Starts June 26
The long-planned widening of Pennsylvania/Nicholson Avenue between College and Rawson Avenues begins on June 26.
That means the road will be closed to through traffic starting at that point … so please plan an alternate route.
Construction will last until early October.
Learn more in this letter sent to area residents and in this Oak Creek Patch story.
I’ll keep you posted … and, as always, thanks for your patience during the construction.
Filed under Construction, Transportation
Big Summerfest Ticket Giveaway At South Milwaukee Downtown Market
I’m happy to report the South Milwaukee Downtown Market is off to a great start in 2012.
With the outstanding weather the last couple of weeks, we’ve begun to really hit our stride, as more than 60 vendors selling produce, organics, arts, crafts, baked goods, dinner options, sweet treats and more gather from 3 to 7 p.m. at 11th and Milwaukee Avenues.
This week will be our biggest week yet.
That’s because Lake 94.5 FM is doing a two-hour live remote from 3 to 5 p.m., and during those hours the station is giving away a four-pack of Summerfest tickets every five minutes. You must be present to win.
Learn more at www.smarket.org. Summerfest runs June 27-July 1 and July 3-8.
Tell your family and friends, and we’ll see you there!
Filed under Community
Direct Legislation Update: Petition Certified As Incomplete
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the attempt to use the direct legislation process to enact an ordinance that would require all city capital spending projects over $1 million to go to binding referendum.
The group behind the effort – launched following approval of the Walmart project – did not initially submit enough valid signatures to either compel the South Milwaukee City Council to pass the ordinance or put it to voters in a referendum.
They had 10 days to rectify the situation and submit the proper number of valid signatures. That 10-day window has expired, and the petition has been deemed “incomplete” and will not be forwarded to the City Council for review.
Check out the letter sent to the head of the group here.
I’ll keep you posted if anything changes on this.
Filed under City Council, South Milwaukee Walmart
Honadel On The “Brat Summit” And Other Headlines
South Milwaukee Rep. Mark Honadel called Gov. Scott Walker’s brat summit this week “productive” and said he’s not worried about detractors of the event.
Honadel told WTMJ: “If anybody is crying about this, I’m not going to worry about them…We’re gonna get back to work and do what’s best for Wisconsin.”
See the full story here.
And check out these headlines from around the South Shore:
- Larson Will Hold Oak Creek Town Hall (Oak Creek Patch)
- ICC Drops Pursuit of Milwaukee County Board Downsizing (Oak Creek Patch)
- We Energies Buying Up Properties Around Oak Creek Plant (Oak Creek Patch)
- Will Allen Gets The Colbert Report Treatment (Oak Creek Patch)
- Oak Creek Officials To Decide In July On Sheraton Funding (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.
Filed under Headlines
Clarifying Composting And Other Recent Ordinance Changes
You may recall that the South Milwaukee City Council, at the request of the Health Department, passed several ordinances at its May 1 meeting related to composting and animal control.
See my previous post here.
The Health Department further explains them in this letter, including specifically laying out what is and isn’t allowed in a compost pile.
Filed under City Council, Health
More Headlines
Check out these local headlines:
- Jursik Invites Constituents Constituents To Annual Bike Ride (Oak Creek Patch)
- Aldermen Want More Time For Hotel Project (Oak Creek Patch)
- Local Firm Has Role In Kuwait Oil Cleanup (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Man Slashed In Fight At Southbound (Oak Creek Patch)
- Driver At Stoplight Allegedly Moons Officer (Oak Creek Patch)
- Bay View Home Is A Spot For Artistry (Journal Sentinel)
- Caterpillar Moves To Hire Replacement Workers In Joliet (Peoria Journal Star)
Also, state Sen. Chris Larson has published a new Larson Report. The headline: “Looking Forward.”
Filed under Headlines
Small House Fire In South Milwaukee
There was a small house fire Saturday evening at 625 Sherman Ave. in South Milwaukee.
No one was hurt, and the excessive heat made it a difficult one to fight. It also provides a good reminder about overloading electrical outlets.
Here is the report from Acting South Milwaukee Fire Chief Joe Knitter …
The original call came in from the occupancy reporting a smell of smoke in a second floor bedroom of the two-story dwelling. Arriving personnel encountered an odor and light smoke on the second floor and after a intensive search, discovered wood framing members, cellulose insulation and a plastic (PVC) plumbing vent stack burning in a roof area above a rear addition to the dwelling. Due to a lack of access to the area, the roof had to be opened up to expose the fire and complete extinguishment and overhaul. Due to the excessive heat of the day, additional SMFD personnel were sent to the scene to assist in the overhaul process. In true SMFD fashion, crews cleaned up the debris in the house and yard and returned as much of the yard to normal to assist the family with their plans for a yard party tomorrow. The cause of the fire was attributed to overheated electrical wires on a circuit that was overtaxed due to two window air conditioners being powered off of the single circuit. The family was extremely appreciative of our efforts and even apologetic for calling on such a hot day! Nice job by all involved and Capt. Czajkowski for organizing the scene. No injuries were reported.
Filed under Fire
Grobschmidt Pool Scheduled To Open June 16
If you’re thinking about beating the heat with a dip in South Milwaukee’s Grobschmidt Pool, it will have to wait until next weekend.
Grobchmidt Pool, along with other outdoor pools in the Milwaukee County Parks System, is scheduled to open on Saturday, June 16.
Hours will be 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. daily and also 5:30 to 7:30 Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Learn more and see rates on the county’s website. Grobschmidt Pool is located at 2600 16th Ave., behind City Hall.
Filed under Community, Milwaukee County
South Milwaukee PAC Announces 2012-13 Schedule
I’m a big fan of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. I hope you are too.
Such a first-class venue bringing in such a strong lineup of acts is something about which few communities our size can boast. And 2012-13 won’t be any different.
The SMPAC announced its acts for the new season last week. Check out the impressive lineup here.
The highlight? An appearance by the Vienna Boys Choir on Nov. 23. (I’m also looking forward to the appearance by John Gurda on Sept. 9 and up-and-coming country singer Katie Armiger on Oct. 4.)
Learn more about the series from this YouTube video by Director Chad Piechocki.
Season tickets are on sale now. Individual show tickets go on sale Aug. 6.
Filed under Community, Schools, South Milwaukee PAC
South Milwaukee House Fire Reported
Update: Here is the Fox 6 story.
There was a house fire overnight at 515 Madison Ave. that left the second floor of a multifamily residence there extensively damaged. No one was hurt.
Firefighters from the Cudahy, St. Francis, Oak Creek and the 128th Air Refueling Wing fought the blaze, which also included this scary scene, as described by Acting South Milwauke Fire Chief Joe Knitter …
Fire crews arrived and encountered heavy fire on the 2nd floor, rear balcony extending into the second floor apartment and attic area. At the same time, the aluminum electrical service had shorted due to the fire and the entire building (gutters, siding, etc.) was energized and arcing.
Here is Acting Chief Knitter’s full description …
A resident at 505 Madison Avenue was in their rear yard at approximately 2:35 AM and smelled smoke. While looking for the source, they discovered the rear porch burning at 515 Madison. They immediately went to knock on the doors and awoke the occupants allowing them to self-evacuate. Neither tenant knew anything of the fire and left the dwelling safely. Fire crews arrived and encountered heavy fire on the 2nd floor, rear balcony extending into the second floor apartment and attic area. At the same time, the aluminum electrical service had shorted due to the fire and the entire building (gutters, siding, etc.) was energized and arcing. Lt. Dan Lang, as the Shift Officer, upgraded the level of response to a Working Still which brings in our mutual aid partners from Cudahy, St. Francis, Oak Creek and the 128th ANG. SMFD crews cautiously extended a hoseline between the houses to the rear yard and knocked down a bulk of the fire while additional crews extended hoselines into both the first and second floors through the front entrance. A primary search was completed to assure all occupants were accounted for – which they were. The American red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced occupants. Damage to the second floor is extensive. Damage to the first floor is limited to minor smoke damage and moderate water damage. No injuries were reported.
The area of origin is the 2nd floor balcony and the cause remains undetermined at this time.
I’ll keep you posted.
Jursik-Abele Dispute In The News And Other Headlines
Check out these headlines from around the South Shore:
- Abele, Jursik Exchange Accusations In Contracting Dispute (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Walker Again Runs Strong In Oak Creek (Oak Creek Patch)
- Walker Makes Oak Creek First Post-Recall Stop; Calls For Unity (Oak Creek Patch)
- Brewers Draft Former Oak Creek Star (Oak Creek Patch)
- Reconstruction Work On 27th, 76th Streets Delayed (NOW)
Filed under Headlines
