South Milwaukee Blog

The city website has a new look and feel, new content and a new friendliness for mobile devices.

Check out the new www.smwi.org now!

The site gets you more quickly to the information you need, and makes us easier to do business with. It also better tells our story as a community and what makes South Milwaukee, South Milwaukee.

Among the changes:

• Easier one-click access to news, resources and other key information;
• An intuitive (and working) search function;
• A consistent look and feel across departments;
• Mobile friendliness; and
• The move to a platform that makes it easier to take online payments and fill out online forms. We’ve added the ability to take payments for Street Department special pick-ups, to start. The Boards & Commissions volunteer application is example of the forms we’re digitizing.
• We’ve also added a more robust South Milwaukee history story, authored by the South Milwaukee Historical Society, with contributions from the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum. Check it out here.

The site is an evolution, and more upgrades are coming. Please let us know what you think, and how we can improve the online experience.

We are committed to improving how we communicate with our residents, investing to better tell the unique story of South Milwaukee.

And with the launch of the new site, the introduction of our new “Bridges” magazine earlier this year, the SM Works app and reporting system, and our expanded social presence (including a city Facebook page that has blown past 5,200 likes), we are bringing that commitment to life.

Upon consultation with the South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Department, the Grobschmidt Senior Center will be reopening on September 8th with new policies implemented for everyone’s safety.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/SMSeniorCenterCOVID

Reservations will be required, and the following safety protocols will be in place …

• A new traffic pattern will be implemented in September. All participants are asked to enter through the front entrance and exit through the doors located on the north and west side of the building.
• Five hand sanitizer stations are located within the senior center. People are asked to use the hand sanitizer, or wash their hands, when entering and exiting the building.
• Because the senior center is providing services to a high risk age group, per the recommendation of the CDC, face coverings will be required.
• People must social distance at all times.
• Physical contact of any kind is not permitted. This includes, hugging, shaking hands, etc.
• Please do not come to the center if you are feeling ill. Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are:
• Cough, shortness of breath, fever or chills, muscle or body aches, vomiting or diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell.
• Coffee and donuts will no longer be available at the senior center. People are asked to bring in their own beverages and not to bring in anything to share with others.

A highlight of the ongoing rebirth of downtown South Milwaukee is the coming creation of a permanent public space on the city-owned property near 11th and Madison.

This will be a hub for special events in our city center, from the South Milwaukee Downtown Market to Crusherfest to the Food Truck Festival to hopefully many more, and some new ones.

It will also be a spot to simply gather on any day of the week.

What will it look like? We want your help, and ideas! The city would you like your input on the project.

Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6SJDFQD

The project is a partnership with the Bucyrus Foundation, which is contributing $500,000 toward its development. More details on the foundation grant here — and more on the public space initiative here.

From the South Milwaukee Fire Department …

At approximately 3:20 this afternoon, an SMFD engine was in the area of 3rd & Michigan Avenue’s when they discovered smoke coming over the tree tops along the south lot line of EGS Appleton Foundry. The engine responded to the security gate on 5th & Milwaukee to determine the source of the smoke. While there, they received notice from an employee that an active fire was burning in the southeast corner of the building but the employee was not aware of what was on fire.

The response was initially upgraded to a “Limited Assignment” which brings a ladder truck from the Cudahy Fire Department and engine from the Oak Creek Fire Department and quickly upgraded to a “Full Assignment” which adds an engine from the St. Francis Fire Department, a Med Unit from the Milwaukee Fire Department (to the scene) and a Med Unit from the Greendale Fire Department (to the station). The fire was determined to be burning in a machine that is used to form poured steel castings in sand molds.

The fire was quickly extinguished but damage to the machine was significant enough to require it to be put out of service. No injuries were reported and no structural damage occurred. While standing by at our station, the Greendale Fire Department responded to an EMS call and transported a patient to St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee.

Thanks, firefighters, for a job well done in preventing a bigger incident.

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September 1, 2020: It’s the most unusual of back-to-school days for many children today. Including my own.

For South Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and others it was a virtual return. For others, it was a return to school buildings for in-person instruction. Still others are a combination of the two approaches.

I believe the virtual start is the right, and safe, call, knowing that some will disagree with that statement. And that’s OK.

I respect the school district’s data- and public health-driven approach to this decision, and the potential way forward to in-person learning.

I want my kids back in school as much as anyone, but I want to make sure they are safe, along with teachers and staff. That day will come. We are not there yet, and we will only get there by continuing to take the actions necessary to limit the spread of COVID-19. Wear a mask. Socially distance where possible. Avoid large gatherings. Practice good personal hygiene.

We are making progress. There are promising signs in some key metrics, and I am hopeful that will continue, to get our kids back in classrooms.

Where they should be. When it’s safe.

Until then, we lean on our educators to do the best they can, and they are, making the most of a difficult situation, as I knew they would.

So far, I like what I’m seeing. It’s a huge upgrade from the online learning in the spring, and I thank the teachers and staff for that first and foremost. These are dedicated professionals who want to see our kids succeed — and are willing to adapt in difficult circumstances to make that happen.

I thank the Health Department, for their close partnership with school leaders as they decide next steps, together.

I thank the kids, for persevering in tough times.

I also thank South Milwaukee families. I know this is a burden, a heavier one for some. But I know we will step up for our kids, and do what it takes to get our kids back where they belong: walking the hallways and filling the desks of our local schools. Go Rockets!

Shock, disbelief, anger, sadness. But, most of all, inspired. And hopeful.

That is what I felt today as my father and I grabbed a couple paint brushes and headed to Kenosha, following the police shooting and unrest that followed in the last week.

The damage is significant, and you can see some of it in the photos that follow. But more significant is the overwhelming sense of community spirit we saw, as hundreds of people gathered Uptown and downtown for a combination street party, cleanup and mural painting event.

This is personal. My grandmother grew up in Kenosha, and in the late 1990s I lived blocks from Wednesday’s fatal shooting. I worked at the Kenosha News for several years, and remain connected with former colleagues.

My heart hurts for them and everyone impacted by the tragic events of the past week, and we need to hold accountable everyone who destroyed property and destroyed lives.

I’ll let stand the words I’ve written previously about the state of affairs in our country. In short, change must come. And it will come when we live out the words found on the plywood of boarded-up Kenosha businesses.

Matter is the minimum.

We did not give up on love today.

Hate can’t drive out hate; only love can.

Be the good.

Peace + love. Come together.

Love lives.

Be kind.

Together we stand.

Stay strong.

In love we unite.

No space for injustice.

Humanity grows.

Peace be the journey. Be the change!!!

Let love bloom.

In a world full of hate, be a light.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Love is the answer.

Change will come with people doing exactly what we saw in Kenosha on Sunday, when a community of strangers came together to stand against violence and peacefully work for a better way.

In that way, South Milwaukee is Kenosha. We are all Kenosha. We are stronger, together. And from the ashes we rise.

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From the message from South Milwaukee Police Chief William Jessup, on the department Facebook page …

On February 28, 2020, SMPD officers and SM Fire Dept. paramedics responded to a home in the 400 block of Montana Ave for an unresponsive four year-old girl, who was later pronounced deceased. Through a comprehensive investigation by numerous SMPD officers, along with help from community members, suspects were quickly located and arrested.

Further investigation and interviews led to the successful prosecution of Jerome Millen and Christina Collado. Collado has subsequently pleaded guilty to Chronic Neglect of a Child – Causing Death, and Millen has pleaded guilty to 1st Degree Reckless Homicide and two counts of Child Abuse – Intentionally Causing Harm.

While this case is tragic and horrific, we’d like to acknowledge the contributions of citizens and all of our personnel who exemplified the utmost professionalism and care in working this case. We give our deepest condolences to the family as they mourn their loss, and we hope they find peace.

Thanks to everyone on the department who worked on this tragic and difficult case. Here is the original story.

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From fitness to sports to programming to the arts, the community commitment from the South Milwaukee School District is easy to see.

Here is an update on some of those efforts, amid the pandemic …

• South Milwaukee Rec Department: The department shared an update on Tuesday, August 25, including word of plans for a limited schedule of activities this fall. Details here. From it: “The physical, mental and emotional health and safety of our students and their families, coaches, advisors and staff is our highest priority. We understand that as things change, these changes will impact our participants. We will do our very best to think creatively with not only the activities and sports we will run this fall, but for those that will not run, as well. We ask for your continued patience as we determine how to address things in the best possible manner going forward. As we move thru the upcoming months, we will keep you updated as registrations open up for various programs.”
• South Milwaukee Fitness Center: The center reopened in a limited way in July. More details here.
• South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center: The SMPAC also announced its limited reopening plans in July, with a couple of shows already rescheduled for 2021. A couple of smaller shows are expected to be announced after Labor Day.
• Varsity sports: The South Milwaukee School Board has endorsed Woodland Conference plans to allow, with safety precautions, for the following fall varsity sports seasons: cross country, girls swimming, girls tennis, boys and girls volleyball, and cheerleading and poms. Practices for all but volleyball are underway; it begins Sept. 8. Schedules are being finalized for all sports. Football and boys soccer will be played as part of the WIAA’s alternate season held in the spring.

You can find more details on the school reopening plan, including a list of frequently asked questions, here.

Meals for Seniors

Last week, I was happy to help distribute drive-thru meals to about 75 seniors at the Grobschmidt Senior Center. Thanks so much to Senior Center Director Sandy Quinlan and her team of volunteers for delivering this vital service for the Milwaukee County Department on Aging every weekday during the pandemic — and into next spring at least. Ensuring our seniors have the meals they need during the pandemic is obviously important. But the best part about this is the social connection between the staff and those coming through the line. This may be the only connection some seniors see in a given day these days. It’s inspiring to see, and I’m so grateful we can do this. Signup details here … https://smwi.org/covid-19-response/

Meals for Kids

From the school district … Starting September 1, South Milwaukee will once again offer meals for students. It is slightly different than the pickup procedure over the past few months. Details can be found in the graphic. I thank the school district for their continued commitment to this; it is so critical as we recognize that for some kids their only stable food source in a given day may be the meals they receive at school.

Here is an online application.

Kris Schell helped thousands of people in our community as director of South Milwaukee Human Concerns for more than 17 years.

Today, we mourn her loss. Our loss.

Kris passed away on August 16 at the age of 73. From her obituary …

Kristine grew-up and lived nearly all her life in her beloved South Milwaukee. She graduated from St. John’s Catholic Grade School and South Milwaukee High School. Her early adult years were focused on raising her sons and being the second mother to the Hawthorne neighborhood gang while hosting AFS exchange students from all over the world. She was Coordinator of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine for St John’s (Divine Mercy) and later Director of South Milwaukee Human Concerns. After retiring she volunteered her time at both South Milwaukee Historical Society and South Milwaukee Housing Authority.

Kris retired from Human Concerns in 2015, and I was honored to recognize her by declaring July 7, 2015, Kris Schell Day in South Milwaukee.

Her legacy lives on with the work of others at Human Concerns.

You can honor that legacy at Kris’ visitation, set for 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. In lieu of flowers, memorials to South Milwaukee Historical Society or South Milwaukee Human Concerns in Kristine’s name are appreciated.

From the South Milwaukee and St. Francis Health Department …

After spiking in late July, the burden of disease rate in the City of South Milwaukee is trending downward. How is the burden rate calculated? The burden rate is calculated as the total number of cases over a 14 day period divided by population and then multiplied by 100,000 in an effort to compare equally with other municipalities.

• August 14, 2020 Situational Briefing, including burden rate: https://bit.ly/0814SitBriefing
• For information on where you can get tested for COVID-19 in your community, visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community-testing.htm
• The Health Department follows up on all positive, probable, and suspected cases, including contact tracing, to help limit the spread of the virus. On average, each positive confirmed case has approximately 5 contacts. If the positive case is an essential employee in a business, the number of contacts may be much higher. For more information on contact tracing, visit: https://bit.ly/SMContactTracing

While the decline in burden locally is certainly good news, we can’t let up. We must take steps to limit the spread of the virus and keep everyone safe, avoiding high-risk situations.

Mask up, and stay safe, South Milwaukee.

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It was a busy Sunday morning for South Milwaukee firefighters, who were among the first on scene of the tragic high-rise apartment fire in Cudahy while also saving a swimmer in distress near Grant Park Beach.

From the department Facebook page …

At approximately 7:15 this morning, SMFD Truck 1671 and Chief 16 responded to a multi-alarm fire in the City of Cudahy for a fire on the 10th floor of the Lakeshore Towers Apartment Building.

While SMFD crews were assisting the Cudahy Fire Department with their high-rise apartment fire, additional SMFD personnel were called to Lake Michigan to rescue an exhausted swimmer that got caught up in the rip currents and was unable to make it to shore. The SMFD Rescue Boat located the swimmer, brought her aboard and returned to the SM Yacht Club where she was evaluated by EMS crews and transported to a local hospital.

Unfortunately, one person died in the fire. Details here.

To all firefighters: Thank you for all you do to keep us safe, running into fires and into rough seas to put your own lives on the line to save others.

And please keep the family and friends of the woman who passed away in your thoughts and prayers.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Curb Appeal Awards … and to everyone who voted online to choose them. The engagement was terrific.

Take a tour of these homes and businesses and see for yourself!

• 222 15th Ave.
• 709 Sherman Ave.
• 1301 Blake Ave.
• 1319 Monroe Ave.
• 2708 5th Ave.

Businesses:

• Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home: 700 Milwaukee Ave.
• Educators Credit Union: 1201 Marquette Ave.

Let’s not forget the Honorable Mentions!

• 316 Hawthorne Ave.
• 319 Marshall Ave.
• 609 Walnut St.
• 808 Lake Dr.
• 1015 16th Ave.
• 3205 7th Ave.

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2020 Curb Appeal Awards, and thank you for sharing photos of all your homes and businesses with us.

Please join me in thanking our Clerk’s Office, pollworkers and the Wisconsin National Guard for their work on yesterday’s election! Check out South Milwaukee results from the 2020 August partisan primary here.

Congratulations to Issy Ramon, who I was proud to endorse in his race.

The headline, however, is absentee voting.

Of the 2,940 ballots cast, 68% of those (2,003) were absentee, continuing an amazing shift in how people vote. This began with the April pandemic election, and I’m not sure it’s going to swing back.

The Clerk’s Office is ready, and has been preparing for the increase in absentee voting since the start of the pandemic. After the spring election, we invested in three new voting machines. This gives us added capacity to process absentee ballots, which, per state law, can only be counted (run through the machines) on election day.

We redeployed staff to quickly process absentee ballot requests in the weeks leading up to the election, and then, on election day, redirected more pollworkers to that part of our election operation. We also had the help of 10 members of the Wisconsin National Guard on Tuesday, and we assigned nine of them to Central Count, processing absentee ballots.  

On to November! To request your absentee ballot for that election — or to confirm you have already requested one — visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/.

Today is Election Day! Please do your constitutional duty and vote, if you haven’t already. (Many have, absentee.)

The work of our clerk’s office has made in-person voting as safe as possible during the pandemic, and you will see those precautions in action on Tuesday. I thank them for their efforts, and all of our pollworkers, dedicated citizens bring democracy to life. Now, more than ever.

There are only two contested races on the fall 2020 primary ballot: Milwaukee County Register of Deeds on the Democratic side, and Congress on the Republican side.

I am proudly endorsing Issy Ramon in Register of Deeds primary. He has made major strides to make that office more transparent, efficient and effective, since he was appointed to the job a year ago. He deserves more time to continue those efforts.

I am on the Democrat ballot, unopposed, in the 21st Assembly race, and am looking forward to the November 3 general election. I plan to stay as mayor when I win. Details here.

Here is a sample ballot. And here are additional voting details …

• Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• First District voters vote at Divine Mercy School, 695 College Ave.
• Second District voters vote at the Divine Mercy Gathering Room, 800 Marquette Ave.
• Third District voters vote at City Hall, 2424 15th Ave.
• Fourth District voters vote at the Grobschmidt Senior Center, 2424 15th Ave.
• Please remember to bring photo ID.
• For information on voter registration, polling locations, and to request an absentee ballot for future elections, visit MyVote.

Remember, you can only vote for candidates in one party in a primary.

Check out more details on the city’s elections web page … and look for more information on local results from South Milwaukee Blog later tonight or Wednesday morning.