CUDAHY — Parents expressed outrage after a 12-year-old student was found with a handgun at Lincoln Elementary School in Cudahy on Wednesday school administration and a school resource officer (SRO) discovered a handgun in the possession of the student Kate and Olen Burage rushed to the school after seeing a press release on the Cudahy Facebook page "The way I found out about was like what I said was a press release from the police department," Olen said who have two young girls attending the school were upset about how the situation was communicated This is not how you handle a situation like this," Kate explained Parents reported receiving an email from the principal around 2:15 p.m describing a "concerning incident" in which "a student reported a safety concern." Watch: Cudahy parents 'livid' after police find handgun at elementary school "I just feel like they could have done a whole lot better to ease our minds," said Burage Jason Kuechenmeister shared similar frustrations about the school's communication approach I get a message through a free messaging app And a message that put a grown man in tears," Kuechenmeister said The incident has left parents questioning whether to send their children back to school "Am I comfortable to say school is safe tomorrow as a parent I'm not," Kuechenmeister explained TMJ4 reached out to both the school district and the police department for more information and did not hear back in time for this report on Wednesday police said the 12-year-old was transferred to the Vel R This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more. Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip Report a typo A Milwaukee microbrewery is hoping to renovate a former Cudahy firehouse into a brew house Radix Fermentation owned and operated by Adam and Kayla Thomas have requested a conditional use permit and submitted a site plan to Cudahy to convert one of the city’s former fire stations into a microbrewery and taproom space Cudahy's City Administrator JJ Larson confirmed the city's plan commission approved the conditional use for Radix Fermentation at its April 8 meeting He noted the applicant still has to provide more detail on the site plan and provide a landscaping plan to the city The existing fire station could be remodeled including new storefront framing and an accessible entrance from Packard Avenue Project plans also show an outdoor seating/dining area but no additional details were provided to the city Before the effective date of the issued conditional use permit the applicant needs to execute a purchase agreement with the city for purchase of the properties "I can’t speak to the status of the actual purchase and agreement at this time but the city continues working with them," Larson told the Journal Sentinel Documentation provided to the city lists an estimated ideal project completion date of July Cudahy recently constructed a new fire station at 3115 E. Ramsey Ave., which was dedicated Oct. 5 The city formerly had two stations – one was demolished to allow construction of the new station and the proposed microbrewery could take over the other station More: Nearly 100 years later, Cudahy is buying the same fire engine. Find out why. The taproom could be closed Monday and Tuesday but open 3 to 7 p.m Radix Fermentation plans to offer the following products: Kegged and packaged beers could be available for sale plans make mention of possible future event rentals and the potential for a restaurant partner providing in-house food Project plans also mention the possibility of renting out some of the additional space as workshop/studio space to other local businesses These leased spaces would be subject to regulations of the conditional use permit and underlying zoning How many jobs could this bring?Initially the owners will be the sole workers on-site The company executive summary notes possibly up to five employees could be hired Adam and Kayla Thomas have a combined 20 years of brewery experience Kayla is co-owner and focuses on business operations The couple also said in the executive summary they “want to offer a place where people can put aside the chaos of daily life and connect with others over high quality and delicious beverages.” Radix Fermentation is currently classified as a microbrewery which must produce less than 15,000 barrels of beer per year with 75% or more sold off-site according to the company’s executive summary submitted to the city with the addition of a taproom proposed for the Cudahy space Radix Fermentation would be reclassified as a nanobrewery with the shifting sales percentage to most of the on-site consumption Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner More: St. Francis Brewery announces reopening date Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Wis. — A 12-year-old student at Lincoln Elementary School was arrested Wednesday after the student brought a handgun to school The investigation revealed another student alerted a teacher that the 12-year-old student who was arrested may have possibly had a gun in his backpack Police said the teacher then immediately alerted the principal while the suspect was in a different area of the school at the time found the firearm and notified Cudahy police.  The student has been turned over to authorities at the Vel R Police said the investigation is still ongoing and there is no threat to the school or the public Anyone with any information is encouraged to call the Cudahy Police Department at (414) 769-2260 Editor's Note: Cudahy Police originally told TMJ4 that the gun was loaded; however the police issued a correction later saying it was a loaded magazine in the same bag as the hand gun This story has been updated to reflect the correction A 12-year-old student at Lincoln Elementary School in Cudahy was taken into custody Wednesday after a handgun was found at the school Cudahy police on Thursday confirmed that a loaded magazine was found in the same bag as the handgun RELATED: Cudahy parents 'livid' after police find handgun at elementary school school administration and the School Resource Officer located the weapon following an investigation Police also noted there is no threat to the school or the public associated with the investigation Watch: 12-year-old student taken into custody after handgun located at Cudahy school Families received the following email from principal Matt Orlowski regarding the incident: I want to inform you of a concerning incident that occurred at our school today The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities and we remain committed to keeping you informed about any situation that may impact the school community the administration conducted an investigation which resulted in the discovery of a handgun This investigation was done with assistance from the Cudahy Police Department School Resource Officer I want to commend the student who came forward with this information Their courage and quick thinking helped ensure the safety of our school in coordination with the Cudahy Police Department and the district administration took immediate action to secure the situation and remove the handgun from the premises We believe this is an isolated incident and no current threat to our school safety exists Please rest assured that we are taking this incident very seriously We will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and take all necessary actions to ensure the safety and security of our students We have maintained strict safety protocols and we will be reviewing and reinforcing them in light of this incident we will be reviewing our current safety protocols and finding ways to increase safety and security in our buildings Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we navigate this situation together Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact the Cudahy Police Department at 414-769-2260 Quick thinking by a classmate and teacher at Cudahy-based Lincoln Elementary School after discovering a handgun in a 12-year-old student's backpack have led to the 12-year-old being taken into custody Police turned the student over to the Vel R Phillips Juvenile Justice Center in Wauwatosa and are seeking charges in juvenile court Cudahy police said the student who found the gun April 30 alerted a teacher according to a news release May 1 from Cudahy Police Chief Anthony Andrews The principal found the student's backpack unattended secured the bag and notified Cudahy police teacher and principal for their actions to protect the safety of the school's students and staff Cudahy School District superintendent Michelle Garven said the district believes the incident was isolated and no current threats exists to any of its schools Garven told the Journal Sentinel on May 1 she was unable to provide additional information at this time Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12 This story was updated to add new information CUDAHY — Parents are raising concerns about communication after police say a 12-year-old student was found inside Lincoln Elementary School with a gun and a loaded magazine According to Cudahy Police Chief Anthony Andrews the magazine was in the same bag as the weapon just not attached is trying to navigate this frightening situation with her son "I don't know if the school was locked down I don't know if they had any types of conversations with the students," Stewart said Stewart explained her worries about how to discuss the situation with her children "It's more how to tackle conversations after school Because I have no idea what they told my 8-year-old and I also have like three toddlers at home I'm concerned what he might come home and tell them," Stewart said After making two phone calls to Superintendent Michelle Garven TMJ4's Megan Lee received three emails that were sent to parents on Wednesday a text message just like there's a security situation at the school," Stewart said Stewart hopes a situation like this doesn't happen again but wants more transparency in the future WATCH: Cudahy parents still looking for answers after police find handgun at elementary school They're not old enough to understand what's going on So you guys to let us know like what you're telling them so we know what conversation we need to have at home," Stewart said Lee asked the superintendent many questions but didn't receive a response in time for this report the former Arby’s location in Cudahy is set to become a Mexican restaurant A banner recently appeared on the side of the former Arby's building at 5965 S. Packard Ave. in Cudahy for Milwaukee-based Taqueria Y Chimichangas Ashley's Restaurant The restaurant posted a photo of the Cudahy building on its Facebook page on April 5 Something super exciting is coming soon...” with a Cudahy hashtag The Journal Sentinel reached out to the restaurant for more details but did not hear back Taqueria Y Chimichangas Ashley's Restaurant operates 10 a.m Cudahy will be the second brick-and-mortar location for the restaurant It also has two food trucks ― one operates at 5330 W Taqueria and Chimichangas Ashley's opened with the goal of “bringing our customers the true flavors of amazing Mexican cooking in a family-friendly atmosphere,” according to its website While the restaurant focuses on Mexican cuisine it does offer an “American Food” menu which includes burgers and various topped fries among other offerings Many dog owners know one of the best ways to de-stress is to spend time with their furry friend The Cudahy Health Department is hoping to offer that feeling to visitors with the latest addition to its staff: Stella public health liaison for the Cudahy Health Department went through two obedience courses and Canine Good Citizen Certification health officer with the Cudahy Health Department Kallay and Stella received certification as a Pet Therapy Team from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs in July 2024 “Jill was looking for ways to give back to the community and because of Stella’s gentle demeanor and her joyful personality thought pet therapy would align perfectly,” Puente said In addition to this new role at the health department Puente said Stella and Kallay volunteer as an animal-assisted therapy team at Ascension Columbia St reduce anxiety and enhance quality of life"Therapy dogs are specially trained to provide comfort to individuals facing physical "These dogs are certified and evaluated to work in various settings with the goal of improving the emotional well-being of those they encounter." Stella will focus on offering emotional support and enhancing overall quality of life to those seeking services at the health department according to an April 7 news release from the Health Department "She will help ease anxiety for children receiving vaccinations offer emotional support to those feeling uneasy in medical settings and serve as a general joy for anyone who wishes to interact with her,” Kallay said Therapy dogs not common at health departments certified therapy dogs are not common at local health departments She told the Journal Sentinel the only similar situation in the region was when the City of Wauwatosa got a facility dog in the last couple years which was “used across departments to support first responders and employee mental health.” Sadly Stella is already having a positive impact on staff Puente said her presence is reducing stress and fostering a more supportive work environment “We’re excited to extend this service to the community providing comfort and emotional support to those who may need it most,” Puente said “We look forward to seeing how Stella can continue to make a positive difference in the lives of our community." Since Kallay and Stella are providing this service on a volunteer basis there is no additional funding needed she noted Stella’s coworkers do thank her in pets and treats Update: Kenneth Jankowski defeated Jill Recely in the race for Cudahy mayor The mayor serves as the chief executive of the city for a three-year term The mayor presides over city meetings and oversees departments The mayor administers city ordinances and acts as the city's chief spokesperson The mayor and common council serve part-time roles Current Cudahy Mayor Thomas Pavlic is not running for reelection WUWM sent a questionnaire to mayoral candidates Kenneth Jankowski and Jill Recely to help inform voters' decisions Their responses below may be edited for length and clarity Residents would like our dump open more than two days a week I’ve already laid groundwork with our DPW to make this happen evaluate committee members and improve fire department staffing to ensure success I’d promote the city through a new communications coordinator and drive redevelopment to make Cudahy more appealing I’ve developed relationships with businesses to join our city's resurgence and renaissance I’d work with the school district to expand trades programs and explore service consolidation with nearby cities to reduce costs and improve efficiency What distinguishes you from other candidates in this race I’m a retired fire captain with 32 years at North Shore Fire Department where I gained leadership skills and supported people during difficult times Public service isn’t just what I did for a job I’ve always stood up for my beliefs and helped those who cannot help themselves I can develop a plan and alter it to accomplish the task at hand I am also humble enough to know that I’m not always the smartest guy in the room and surround myself with people that have a willingness to help and exchange ideas I strongly believe a good idea can be an idea no matter who or where it comes from What do you consider to be the most pressing issue in Cudahy and how do you plan to address it The most pressing issue is vacant buildings Cudahy has seen significant loss of business over the years I plan to address this by attracting new businesses and changing zoning and establishing TIF/TID districts to allow for new developments We can advertise that we’re open for business via social media Cudahy is very affordable compared to most [cities] and we are seeing an influx of younger residents I will continue to work with our Community Development Authority and collaborate on ideas to redevelop the area for business and families to thrive What other issues do you plan to focus on if elected which has significant contamination hazards from being used as an industrial dumping site by Ladish until 1979 I’ve been working with the Cudahy Common Council DNR/DHS and Milwaukee County Parks to raise awareness I’ve posted signs all along the park of the danger I would like to create a task force to continue to put pressure on Milwaukee County and ATI/Ladish to come up with a plan to clean it up I also want to address bluff erosion at Sheridan Park and would consider negotiating to buy and maintain the park ourselves I hope to instill pride and hope in the citizens of Cudahy by improving the city to make a good impression on potential residents I would encourage property maintenance and improvement to remain in compliance with city codes We need to preserve historical features to maintain the city’s identity along with a great many residents of Cudahy feel it is important to preserve the cherished traditions of our parades and festivals we have lost several of these due to the lack of volunteers I plan to promote volunteerism by going into the schools to encourage students to volunteer with their families or a group of their friends by offering different opportunities from which to choose We need to stay focused on the 2050 Plan which focuses on promoting development to improve neighborhoods business growth and strengthening the city’s economic base These efforts include marketing city-owned land for development assisting in the growth of existing businesses and exploring business grants and loan programs We need to implement traffic calming measures to ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers Once the 80-unit apartment complex is completed on the corner of Layton Avenue and Packard Avenue Francis has been concerned that it has outgrown its space beneath the Nativity of the Lord Church in Cudahy After many years of prayerful searching throughout Cudahy and St. Francis, the nonprofit ministry, which serves those in need of food, clothing and other necessities, purchased the former St. Frederick’s School in Cudahy next door, Patrick Higgins, executive director of Project Concern It was six years and two months ago the ministry was first told by the church that Project Concern needed to start looking for a new home because the church would eventually need the space Higgins said it’s “super surreal” Project Concern was able to close on the property at 3675 E The school building, which was constructed in 1921, according to the Catholic Herald Project Concern is planning to launch a capital campaign to raise money for a new facility on the site ― which Higgins said can support up to a 10,000-square-foot The building was most recently rented out as a meeting space including by the church for various gatherings in the cafeteria noting the condition only got worse after sitting unused for nearly half a decade “The church knew their next step was to tear it down.” Higgins stepped in and asked if Project Concern could purchase the property about three years ago Higgins said there were some other interested parties Higgins said the church was open to the purchase because then they wouldn’t have to pay for the demolition He said it was also ideal that the property was already tax-free which Project Concern Higgins said the Rev. Carmelo Giuffre of Nativity of the Lord Catholic Church has been very supportive of the Project Concern ministry and was a driving force on the church’s end to help make this purchase happen “It was his goal to see that this ministry that has been going on there for so long didn’t fall apart because we couldn’t find a way to make this happen,” Higgins said Project Concern has called the basement of the Nativity of the Lord Church The ministry has grown ever since and now they have overfilled the 8,500 square feet of space It’s not just that Project Concern has outgrown the space at the church but the parish wants to use its basement ― especially now that they no longer have the school cafeteria Higgins said they may install a kitchenette for church functions Higgins wanted to clarify the church was not kicking Project Concern out It was in 2018 the parish informed Project concern that “at some point” they’ll need the space Higgins said Project Concern “looked at every building in Cudahy and St “We even called some places that weren’t for sale,” he said Higgins said the development is being called the “clean canvas project” with an empty space offering endless possibilities for a community space Higgins is hoping to build a 9,000-square-foot facility on the property but he said depends on what funding they can get Project Concern hopes to offer family workshops space that people can come into who are low income for help.” Higgins also hopes to also offer showers and to have enough room to utilize the building more efficiently as a warming/cooling location “We kind of do it now but we have a tiny narrow corridor maybe 5 or 7 feet wide at the bottom of our 14 stairs,” Higgins said Project Concern began saving for a new space in 2022 by keeping staffing levels lean and finding more food rescue partners “We started really pinching every penny that we could not that we weren’t already doing that because we were but we’d find extra corners and things so you can still do your mission the same,” Higgins said allowed the nonprofit to pay off the property in cash and have enough left to bring down the existing building “We believe we have between 90% and 100% of the funds needed to raze it,” Higgins said Project Concern will be launching a capital campaign in the fall at the earliest If someone is interested in donating before then Higgins said they can contact him at 414-399-6847 or at patrick.higgins@projectconcerncudahy.org Project Concern has also been working to craft a database of foundations that support capital campaigns like theirs for which the nonprofit would qualify Higgins said a couple has already offered a $1.5 million match to any contributions “A group like us is not supposed to be able to raise $4 to 6 million to build a brand-new food community center,” Higgins said but we’re growing and we’re going to get it done.” Higgins said “the need is great” in Cudahy and St Francis were in the top 10 municipalities in Milwaukee County when it comes to the highest poverty rates He said Cudahy specifically has a lot of people experiencing homelessness or transitional housing who come to Project Concern Project Concern averaged 40 new households per month utilizing its services last year Almost 500 new households came through the doors in 2024 in addition to the regular visitors “There’s no other organization exactly like what we do that serves especially Cudahy,” he said What does Project Concern offer?In addition to the food pantry and clothing options and a medical equipment loan program where people can use equipment as needed for a few months Higgins said many who get housing find they have nothing to fill the space Higgins said there is an important intangible Project Concern offers “People who are in poverty usually struggle with hope," Higgins said "Each day feels like it’s just going to get heavier as the day goes along and I don’t see any end in sight to my monetary struggles Higgins said hope can look like a new pair of boots or allowing someone to pick out their own food without being judged here’s a bunch of stuff you need,” he said it’s just a hug; nobody gave them one this month.” 3/12/25: This story has been amended to provide the correct coverage area for Project Concern of Cudahy and St Cudahy Police are searching for 57-year-old Robert Rampalski according to an alert put out by the Cudahy Police Department on April 8 Rampalski was last seen on April 4 in the 5000 block of South Packard Avenue in Cudahy and is believed to be traveling on foot or via public transit Rampalski is described by police as a 6-foot-1 man Police said Rampalski has a scar on his left bicep and the left side of his face Rampalski has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and anxiety and has not been taking his medications they can contact the Cudahy Police Department at 414-769-2260 Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Saturday Betty spent her entire life in the community she adored leaving a legacy of warmth and dedication that touched the lives of many.  Betty was the cherished daughter of the late Ladislav and Bozena (Truhlar) Tonar She grew up in a lively household alongside her siblings While Betty has now joined her parents and siblings Alice (John) Ross her spirit lives on in the hearts of those she left behind.  Betty's memory is treasured by her brother Bob Tonar and sister Georgia Landgraf She was a proud and doting grandmother to Jake and Jessica Kramer; Justine Glapa; Jennifer Bjodstrup; Ian and Shelby Smith Her joy multiplied with the arrival of her great-grandchildren Kalib and Kaliee Glapa; Jonathan Bjodstrup; Gavin and Aria Smith A proud graduate of Cudahy High School in 1954 Betty furthered her education at Valparaiso University Her intellect and dedication to her community were evident in her long-standing role as a secretary for the Cudahy public schools where she served from 1966 until her retirement in 2006 Her commitment to the betterment of education spanned four decades during which she became a beloved figure to staff Betty's interests and talents were as varied as they were impressive Known as an excellent seamstress and quilter her creations were as meticulous as they were beautiful Her skills in the kitchen were unparalleled; Betty was a cook and baker extraordinaire whose dishes were the highlight of many gatherings She found joy in vacations at Lake Lucerne where she could relax and revel in the beauty of nature.  Betty celebrated her roots and shared them with her family and community she embodied the principles of her belief through her actions and kindness often busy with quilting or contributing to the harmonies of her singing group.  In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St John Lutheran Church in Betty’s name.  Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Visitation for Betty Jane Kramer Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Funeral Service for Betty Jane Kramer This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors MILWAUKEE — Rick Grubanowitch usually starts his days the same way He comes into Cudahy's Pancake House when they open at 7 a.m. "That's what I have every morning with them He always sits next to his friend Dennis 'Big D' Besler drinking coffee and having a good conversation After running the popular breakfast spot for a decade They hope selling will free up time for them to focus more on their family life Watch: Customers enjoy the last few days as Cudahy's Pancake House changes ownership "A couple of years ago me my wife and came down with COVID," Besler recalled we got COVID can't leave the house.' They brought food right over to the house and left it right on the porch." they gave out hundreds of meals to people in the community That action earned them the key to the City of St Besler and Grubanowitch said anyone who comes in the door is treated as family which is what makes the transition so difficult Moreno says the recipes and the cook will remain the same The regulars hope they don't lose the most important part—the family-style atmosphere the restaurant brings "It's not our customers," Aguilar-Gomez said Moreno and Aguilar-Gomez's last day is Sunday The new owners hope to open the restaurant seven days a week grew up alongside his brother fishing the Milwaukee River riding bikes & skateboarding with friends finding a love for golf as well as disc golf kayaking & also becoming quite a dart shooter ice fishing on a nearby lake or trying to land a salmon in the Port Washington marina An afternoon nap in a hammock or an evening around a campfire were also some of his favorite things He was a huge sports fan & loved cheering on the Milwaukee Bucks Mike is survived by his mother Christine Cudahy his younger brother Jason & sister-in-law Amanda & niece Felicia (daughter Avery) cousins & countless friends who love him & will miss him dearly & incredibly The family will be hosting a celebration of life in honor of Mike on Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 11am-3pm, at Lime Kiln Park in Grafton, WI. Please visit www.jelacicfuneralhome.com to send online condolences to the Cudahy Family The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to his caregivers at St For Waukesha Obituary Pricing and Guidelines For Washington and Ozaukee Obituary Pricing and Guidelines For Waukesha obituaries earlier than 2020 For Washington and Ozaukee obituaries earlier than 2020 Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Is Cudahy Park contaminated and is there a danger to the public That is the question the City of Cudahy along with representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Milwaukee County and others have been working to answer PCBs were first found in the sediment along the east property line of Cudahy Park The DNR did sampling at the Milwaukee County-owned park in 2020 to determine the current levels of contamination. ATI Forged Products “There are some PCBs detected in Cudahy Park,” Michalets said during a presentation to Cudahy officials during a Committee of the Whole meeting on Sept “We have to default that ATI/Ladish is the source.” The former Ladish property ― now ATI ― had a drainage channel that cut through what eventually became Cudahy Park Michalets said these PCBs are on the ATI property and it’s likely they came from this channel Both the DNR and the EPA are reviewing the contamination levels in the park due to the presence of PCBs According to the EPA, PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are “a group of man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon hydrogen and chlorine atoms.” The EPA says they were manufactured between 1929 until they were banned in 1979 “They have a range of toxicity and vary in consistency from thin light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids,” EPA.gov says Are PCBs a health hazard?During the presentation it was explained there was a theoretical health hazard due to the levels of PCBs in the park The hazard comes into play if someone regularly comes into contact with the soil on a daily basis over years The groundwater is not an issue as the PCBs are not water soluble Through normal park use the exposure is negligible as things like vegetation and mulch mitigates the contact risk The EPA says PCBs can cause a variety of adverse health effects They’ve been shown to cause cancer in animals along with having serious effects on the immune system “Studies in humans support evidence for potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of PCBs,” the EPA website said What has ATI’s response been to the contamination at Cudahy Park?ATI contracted Geosyntec Consultants to conduct sampling at Cudahy Park stating there are a “high frequency of PCB detections in surface soil samples” which they conclude indicates PCB impacts are likely related to fill material placed to fill the historical drainage channel or placed during park construction ATI believes since this fill was placed by others and metals concentrations therein are not the responsibility of ATI,” according to the letter PAH is a class of chemicals occurring naturally in coal, crude oil and gasoline, according to the EPA Ken Jankowski said ATI are “not being good neighbors as far as I’m concerned.” she disagreed with the conclusion that the PCBs were brought to the site through fill material/soil and instead said they came via drainage from ATI’s property from decades ago “The DNR and the US EPA do not agree that the contamination detected within the park is from fill material and not ATI/Ladish,” Michalets wrote “The degree and extent of contamination within the Park must be defined and addressed to mitigate any risks to the community.” She said there is “no basis for attributing the contamination detected in the park to fill soil.” Documentation from Milwaukee County Parks dating back to 1967 indicates the fill was taken from former agricultural land south of the park which was to be developed as an elementary school prior to development as a park,” she said in her letter “PCBs are not associated with agricultural use and there would be limited sources for PAHs and metals.” She also noted the PCB detected in the park is called PCB Aroclor 1254 which is the predominant Aroclor ― a mixture of PCBs that have different numbers of carbon atoms and chlorine percentages ― PCB found at the ATI Ladish site Michalets said Geosyntec may not have properly mapped the drainage channel route “Based on a review of historical aerial photos … it appears that the centerline of Geosyntec’s transects may not have accurately marked the channel route,” she wrote Through collaboration between the Cudahy Health Department and Milwaukee County signs have been placed in the park stating “soils in this area may contain old industrial chemicals.” The signs suggest visitors do the following when visiting the park: bikes and toys after use.Keep pets on leash and on trails or paved areas.Wash hands after touching soil cleaning off soil and before eating.Alderman Ken Jankowski said putting up small signs is “not educating the public.” He noted there were three signs originally and two have gone missing assistant director of planning at Milwaukee County Parks said the county worked closely with the Cudahy Health Department for the first signs potentially larger ones in more or different locations in the park are likely possible through a collaboration between Cudahy and Milwaukee County She also noted the playground in the park is coming up for reconstruction soon This issue could play a role in how the playground is updated The DNR recommended ATI submit a supplemental site investigation work plan within 60 days — by Nov 11 ― for additional investigation needed to “define the degree and extent of contamination in the park.” Michalets said ATI needs to do another study to determine the full extent of contaminated sediment While the full extent of the contamination is under review Jankowski said more should be done than putting up signs — The Cudahy Police Department has issued a Missing Endangered Person Alert for 57-year-old Robert James Rampalski Rampalski was last seen leaving his apartment on Packard Avenue at 9:52 a.m He was headed to the South Milwaukee Walmart He is believed to be travelling on foot or using public transit Rampalski is described as a 6-foot-1 white male weighing approximately 173 pounds He has a scar on his left bicep and the left side of his face Anyone with information in the case should contact the Cudahy Police Department at 414-769-2260 Top Projects Royal Capital’s Cudahy Farms project moving forward Royal Capital Group is seeking approval for Cudahy Farms a $56 million development with long-term plans for more than 1,100 residential units The city recently gave early approval to a tax financing district in support of construction (Rendering courtesy of Engberg Anderson Architects) By: Ethan Duran//March 31 There were 248,000 job openings in construction on the last day of March the Assembly Speaker and members of WILL for its "Building Influence" l[...] who entered the construction workforce after his father said he's already learned a lot with co[...] The newest pour from Starbucks is a 3D printed store that's set to open this week in Texas Tony Evers and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson in attendance the Building Advantage career fair in[...] Sign up for your daily digest of The Daily Reporter Daily News View Results Trump's shifting tariff policies are creating economic uncertainty in Wisconsin A majority of school district referendums across this year’s February and April elections were app[...] the EEOC and the Department of Justice released two technical assistance documents offe[...] This month I will attempt to bring the basics back and show an easy trick when calculating the volum[...] What can you do to create respectful work environments where everyone can work safely and in which y[...] and substantial completion are familiar to const[...] who has focused on renewable energy for much of his time in office As Wisconsin’s next state budget debate begins state finances appear stronger than at most points[...] The Daily Reporter provides 24/7 construction news coverage and events honoring top construction professionals Get our free The Daily Reporter News & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions — Some Cudahy residents were without water for much of Wednesday Crews and city contractors spent the day repairing a series of water main breaks concentrated on Cudahy’s North Side Darrin Hanson could only watch the repairs just a few feet away from home when he returned "The water was shooting pretty far out of the ground probably 4 or 5 feet up in the air," Hanson said and I'm still here waiting to take a shower," said Hanson so I'm probably going to go to the store and get some bottled water for him." Hanson was not alone; at least five different water main breaks were reported Wednesday by the city A representative from the city engineering department attributed the breaks to significant temperature changes that caused the ground to shift and the pipes to move They also told TMJ4 this was one of the worst outbreaks of water main breaks they had seen in one day Cudahy isn’t the only community experiencing a number of water main breaks The city of Milwaukee has already reported more than 120 breaks this year Watch: Cluster of water main breaks leave some Cudahy residents without water "It's just crazy what happened," said Paul Dzwonkowski Dzwonkowski witnessed the water main break on his Cudahy street early Wednesday morning especially if you have to use the bathroom," Dzwonkowski said "You can't do anything about it because the water is down." While Dzwonkowski was able to travel to his sister’s nearby waited patiently for their water service to return "I would hate to come home another day and be in this situation again The city is working diligently to finish repairs as soon as possible No timetable was provided for when the repairs would be finished since each break is different but a city representative does not expect the Cudahy Water Utility to continue to monitor the situation as temperatures rise ensuring residents have access to water again For those impacted by water main breaks and who had their water shut off the utility advises homeowners to run a cold water faucet in the basement when service is restored This action can help remove any air trapped in the piping and flush the internal system with District 4 Alderperson Ken Jankowski defeating Jill Recely a former member of the Cudahy Common Council in Tuesday's election according to projections from Decision Desk HQ The results are unofficial until they're canvassed Incumbent Mayor Tom Pavlic chose not to run for reelection Both candidates have said they believe Cudahy is making solid strides forward to attract development Jankowski highlighted Cudahy’s location off Lake Michigan as one of its selling points thinking new projects should blend historic and modern elements The Journal Sentinel spoke to each candidate separately and posed the same three questions Jankowski, 53, said his main priorities are to “advertise the city that it’s ready for revitalization” as well as working to develop two city-owned lots in the 4800 block of South Packard Avenue into a gathering place for residents similar to South Milwaukee’s Bucyrus Commons focused on traffic and how it needs to be slowed down and how traffic studies should be done to see if and where bump-outs speed bumps and different parking patterns could be beneficial “There are many longtime residents that remember ‘the good old days’ and I will work tirelessly to preserve and promote these cherished traditions,” Recely said One area where the candidates differed was on reports of contamination at Cudahy Park Jankowski said he's not satisfied with “the county’s lack of really addressing the issue (and) a lack of response or plan to clean it up from Ladish.” He wants to assemble a task force to keep pressure up for a cleanup plan Recely said she didn’t think any further steps needed to be taken “since both the DNR and EPA agree that through normal park use exposure to the contaminants is negligible.” She said the DNR is requiring additional sampling and Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner. Installation view: Anthony Cudahy: Fool’s gold In a dazzling new body of work that pairs quotidian scenes of queer life fused with myriad symbolism referencing everything from the occult to Western art history artist Anthony Cudahy’s parallel solo shows a mesmerizing meditation upon the nature of love But make no mistake: the titular foolishness of Cudahy’s works is not defined by false hope and misadventure; rather it is understood as a liberating force that resists the bonds of convention And though they are exhibited at separate galleries—Cudahy is dizzyingly prodigious—the many works which make up Fool’s gold and Fool’s errand evoke a rich narrative in which fantasy and the everyday conjure a very intimate and wondrously rich personal mythology As with Dusk and Dawn (with Perspective Machine) (all works 2024) the very act of looking—at others and the self—is a central theme running throughout Cudahy’s shows Portraying two reclining male figures separated by a square frame encasing a wire grid Dusk and Dawn calls to mind Albrecht Dürer’s sixteenth-century woodcut depicting the use of a “drawing grid.” But where Dürer’s grid was employed to achieve perspectival accuracy Dusk and Dawn—like all of the works included at Hales and GRIMM—dispenses with representational congruity in favor of a dynamic expressionism pairing loose brushstrokes with a propensity for reductive figuration Cudahy’s reference to Dürer’s drawing grid can be viewed as a subversive gesture one in which the perspectival gaze and its attendant construction of Otherness is literally undone by the artist’s play with figuration and expressive style Cudahy’s queer world requires a new visual vocabulary to portray it one can observe in the portrait Alex in Maine or the detail study of sleeper’s head in The dreamer Cudahy evincing a world that rejects representational verity—framed as it were by a normative objectifying gaze—conjuring instead radical that Cudahy incorporates occultic references throughout both shows As queer radical scholar Arthur Evans argued in his pioneering 1978 text Witchcraft and the Gay Counterculture pagan and esoteric practices offer sites of refuge and acceptance outside the dominant regimes of orthodoxy and religion which have traditionally sought to marginalize and suppress queer communities In the case of Dowsing (studio) and Alchemical Cudahy makes explicit references to such hermetic practices a central figure holds the namesake forked wooden wand appears to regurgitate brown liquid into a muddy pool A self-portrait of Cudahy hangs in the background an omniscient observer to the rituals playing out Portraying the studio as site of divination Cudahy collocates his practice with soothsaying his works weighted with the promise of revelation expressively rendered in a watery acrylic wash of deep sanguine reds holds his arms up as if conducting a secret ritual or casting a spell two separate smaller drawings of the same figure appear balloon-like shapes of several colors float under the figure’s hands geometrically abstract works of the Swedish spiritualist and artist Hilma af Klint for all the esoteric imagery and play with figuration Cudahy’s most compelling images are perhaps those which conjure the wondrous from out of the unremarkable Whether with Ian and Alex and its portrayal of two men on a couch in a scene of archetypal domesticity; Eternal Lovers a study of two men in close embrace; The dreamer ii an intimate depiction of a topless man asleep in bed with a pet dog; or Violet Sammy Cudahy’s ability to elevate scenes of queer intimacy into glimpses of the sublime is perhaps his greatest feat these are the rewards that come with all of love’s follies But who wouldn’t happily play the fool to do so Home Go to Home PageSubscribeAdvertiser disclosureSearch The Points Guy the Dallas-based carrier announced a handful of new perks for its frequent flyers and credit card holders that'll take effect once the airline launches assigned seating in 2026 Southwest is planning to rename all of its fare products once assigned seating begins — not just its hallmark Wanna Get Away fare which will become the airline's new Basic (aka basic economy) class next month Plus, the airline revealed its highest-end credit card holders — like its elite status members — will be able to select its new Extra Legroom seats in the not-too-distant future TPG has learned Southwest is mulling new "soft product" services it'll offer flyers who select its more spacious seats And one of the airline's top executives is shedding light on why Southwest decided to ditch its one-of-a-kind boarding process Here's a rundown of all the changes to know about Southwest on Monday announced it will rename all of its fare classes once it shifts to assigned seating We already knew Wanna Get Away would become Basic That will happen when the carrier starts charging checked bag fees which will apply to flights sold from May 28 onward The three "choice" fares will go on sale sometime between July and September when Southwest starts selling assigned seats for flights departing in early 2026 The fare you select will dictate the row of the plane you'll be able to access Southwest plans to designate three types of seats: The seats themselves will all be standard coach seats so we're not exactly talking about the difference between economy and lie-flat business class — but this will figure into how much legroom Here's the full picture of Southwest's updated fares and benefits: As part of Monday's announcement, Southwest revealed a few new perks with its credit card portfolio be able to select a seat for free on every flight within 48 hours of departure (when available) That goes even for passengers flying on a Basic fare basic economy won't come with seat selection in the future The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier and Southwest Rapid Reward Plus Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer every Southwest cardholder will get a free checked bag and so will up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation Expect more card-related announcements to come soon; the airline is framing these card changes as part of an overall "refresh" of its card portfolio after recently reaching an amended deal with Chase The airline didn't rule out an annual fee increase in the near future — but also teased new bonus categories that could allow cardholders to earn more points for everyday spending "That's an area of our card that we feel like we can do better at," Southwest Executive Vice President of Customer and Brand Tony Roach told TPG "If you use your card for your top-of-wallet purchases elite status at Southwest will come with a few new perks related to the airline's updated seating Here's a reminder of how A-List and A-List Preferred baggage and seating perks will shake out: Most other A-List perks will remain unchanged from priority lane access on the ground to up to two free premium inflight drinks for A-List Preferred members One additional benefit for both A-Listers and cardholders: They'll get access to earlier boarding groups will now look quite similar to those found at other airlines "Just kind of what everybody else is used to," Roach said "We expect there will be a lot of customers that will be new to Southwest 'Once you go to assigned seating I'll consider you.'" Rapid Rewards members who earned the airline's coveted Companion Pass will be able to extend their boarding bag and seat selection privileges to their designated companion Southwest executives have maintained the new Extra Legroom seats are not meant to resemble a full first-class cabin with hot meals and the like But Roach told TPG the carrier is mulling some new elevated benefits for its more spacious rows "We are looking at things like enhanced snacks a more elevated experience for customers that choose to buy the extra fare," he said "You can expect it to be not just extra-legroom seats but come with something extra in all the soft products." Checked bag fees are a sizable change for customers Southwest is not implementing restrictions on full-size carry-on bags — something a handful of its competitors have done on basic economy fares (United Airlines still does it) "But it wasn't something that we decided to do." So, if you're not an A-List member, a cardholder and want to fly basic economy, you can always carry your bag onto the plane ... assuming, of course, that everything inside meets the Transportation Security Administration's 3-1-1 liquids rules. The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach That’s why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality An argument followed by a gunshot drew police to the 5700 block of South Packard Avenue in Cudahy on Feb Officers found 41-year-old Eric Maddox on the ground with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene The shooting was ruled as self-defense by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office according to Cudahy Police Chief Tony Andrews was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possession with intent to deliver a non-narcotic Rivera was sentenced to serve 60 days straight time in the House of Correction consecutive to his one-year sentence for the felony charge of possession with intent to deliver The court stayed both sentences and instead placed Rivera on a combined four years of probation A witness told police a man approached the driver's window of a black SUV She thought a passenger inside the SUV shot the man The investigation led to Rivera as a potential suspect they found a zip lock bag in his coat with 100 packages of suboxone Rivera told police the day of the shooting he was traveling home from Racine with his mother after going to a restaurant when a vehicle in front of him was not moving at a green light and after they still did not accelerate he drove around them Rivera said the vehicle pulled up next to him and the driver began shouting for him to pull over The driver got out of his vehicle and approached Rivera’s vehicle Rivera said he remained inside his vehicle The driver then began to shout at Rivera and punched him in the face Rivera said he grabbed his gun and shot the man He said he feared for his and his mother’s safety Rivera said he drove away and took his mother home Rivera said he knew he should have gone to the police He later found out from the news the man he shot had died and he’s bringing some food entrepreneurs with him along with plans to offer a variety of themed monthly meals Barbecue” Williams has operated his food truck building up a following in the south shore Now he’s offering fans of his food a more permanent place to patronize with a brick-and-mortar location The grand opening for Community Minded Kitchen presents Mister Bar-B-Que is Saturday, Oct. 12, at 4666 S. Packard Ave. ― a former Hibachi restaurant. Williams will be offering a special 25% discount on opening day, according to a flyer for the event The location had a soft opening offering barbecue in mid-September awesome response,” primarily from word of mouth and some social media posts He said people seemed excited to see his food in the area on a consistent basis a take-out barbecue buffet will be offered on-site from 11 a.m Customers can pick up everything from brisket to rib tips and pulled pork daily along with a bigger variety of sides than were available from the food truck He also plans to offer a fish fry on Fridays featuring catfish “Customers should expect to get a nice variety,” he said Williams suggests newcomers try his smoked mac bowl with brisket ― he smokes the mac and cheese on the grill The Mister Bar-B-Que part of the operation will take up the front counter space including offering a diverse lineup of monthly dinners crafted by other local food entrepreneurs In 2021, Williams had plans to open a restaurant in St. Francis but said those plans fell through in 2022 Williams and his wife Emerald Mills-Williams ended up opening Turning Tables at Turner Hall catering service and space to host private events Emerald opened the Diverse Dining Market at 250 E The business hosts food entrepreneurs while offering a public food market Even with the opening of the new Cudahy restaurant Mister Bar-B-Que will continue to have a presence at the Diverse Dining Market on Tuesdays and Thursdays The goal of the teaching kitchen at the Diverse Dining Market and the kitchen available in the new Cudahy space is to help new culinary entrepreneurs get experience build clientele and get feedback from the public before they transition to their own business “We provide a certain level of help for food entrepreneurs “A lot of food entrepreneurs don’t understand how difficult it is to operate a restaurant considering the cost of food.” Williams and his wife have connected with many food entrepreneurs in the area such as: “We are always looking for food entrepreneurs to come in and partner up,” Williams said While Community Minded Kitchen presents Mister Bar-B-Que in Cudahy will offer up the same flavorful barbecue that Williams is known for it’s also a community kitchen space which will host monthly themed events for these different food entrepreneurs The general idea is that up-and-coming chefs will go through the Diverse Dining program in Milwaukee and then set up sit-down themed dinners at the Cudahy location For more information on upcoming offerings, visit www.facebook.com/mrbarbequewilliams and www.4diversedining.com Williams said these brick-and-mortar businesses shouldn’t impact his food truck business This is the universal greeting Cudahy Police Chief Tom Poellot would always give answering the phone it was inspired as part of a crisis management program which Poellot has been a part of for years Since 2013, Poellot has been working as a trainer with Milwaukee-based Vistelar a conflict management organization which focuses on non-escalation and de-escalation techniques “We teach people how to treat people right,” Poellot said of Vistelar This greeting won’t be heard at the Cudahy Police Department anymore because Poellot has retired and his last day was Dec Now that he’s retired after 37½ years in law enforcement The Journal Sentinel sat down with Poellot to learn more about his nearly four decades in the field ― what has changed What has changed in law enforcement since you started?Poellot paused noting how it was “almost too much to count,” but he focused in on technology He said things change rapidly in law enforcement “We don’t write paper tickets anymore,” he said with a laugh While saying the benefits of technology like license plate readers and in-squad computers are wonderful plus needed training to keep up with the latest features and methods What hasn’t changed?Poellot said it’s almost more important to remember what hasn’t changed adding that cops still need to show people dignity and respect We police the people in this country with their consent.” “If (officers) aren’t treated well internally why would we think they would treat others well on the street?” where instead of talking about the “war stories,” a term police often use for their more difficult days “We don’t celebrate war stories; we celebrate peace stories.” More: Cudahy man charged with attempted homicide; police recognized for lifesaving efforts More: Cudahy man, police officer recognized for saving woman from burning apartment building Captain Tony Andrews is succeeding Poellot as Cudahy’s police chief Andrews has been with the Cudahy Police Department since 2005 as a patrol officer according to a news release from the City of Cudahy The Cudahy Police and Fire Commission approved Andrews’ promotion Dec Andrews said he was honored to work with Poellot during his 17 years as Cudahy’s police chief “I am honored and humbled to be appointed as the new police chief,” Andrews said in the release “I look forward to maintaining the positive working relationships we’ve established with the citizens we will continue to make a positive difference and continue to serve with pride and integrity.” Poellot said Andrews has been part of developing the culture at the Cudahy Police Department His best advice for the incoming chief is to “be aware of everything that happens.” “Don’t bury your head in your work at the desk,” Poellot warned Poellot said he knew the time was right for him to step away “I feel wonderful leaving the department in such capable hands,” he said saying Cudahy as a whole “is such a supportive place to work.” Poellot was appointed as chief in December 2007 He started in law enforcement with the U.S Army Military Police Corps as a traffic accident investigator from 1986 to 1989 He later served several other law enforcement agencies as a corrections officer according to a resolution the Cudahy Common Council passed honoring his service to the city Poellot received the attorney general’s 2016 Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award and especially the citizens of Cudahy who have always been supportive of public safety,” he said when asked if he had a final message to the community “It’s been a gratifying and humbling experience to be the Cudahy police chief for 17 years.” Making positive contributions to society won't end with retirementWhile many enter retirement planning fishing or camping trips he said he’ll be busier now that he’s getting more involved as a trainer with Vistelar “You have to have positive contributions to society,” he said Poellot’s career is marked by a dedication to helping people manage conflict whether that be the non-escalation and de-escalation training through Vistelar or through his dedication to domestic violence prevention “Domestic violence work is homicide prevention work,” Poellot said Poellot served as the chair of the Domestic Violence Committee for the Milwaukee County Law Enforcement Executives Association from 2011 to 2022. He also spent nine years as a board member with the Sojourner Family Peace Center, a nonprofit domestic violence prevention and intervention organization, among other roles president and CEO for Sojourner Family Peace Center “He cares deeply about being a public servant and his role in protecting and helping people,” she said “He really cares deeply about survivors and wanted to see action.” Part of that action was pushing to get the lethality assessment program adopted in Milwaukee “It’s a tool that law enforcement uses at the scene to try to predict who’s at more risk of being murdered versus not,” Pitre said “He got every chief in Milwaukee County to agree to sign on and adopt the protocol.” More: 'It's pure hell': As more people stayed home in 2020, domestic violence incidents skyrocketed in southeast Wisconsin A passion for policing and trainingPoellot said he is looking forward to working more with Vistelar full time “teaching people how to stay safe.” He said he especially likes working with hospitals because hospital staff are more likely to be assaulted than those in other careers “Our goal is to keep people safe verbally if we can said he’s become good friends with Poellot over the last decade “He’s someone that’s that next-level professionalism,” Singleton said but he’s very compassionate and empathetic when he trains He really takes that extra time to get to know the audience understand what their needs are and really connect with them.” Singleton called Vistelar “a home-grown company” from Milwaukee that’s been around for about 15 years From police officers to parking staff and bus operators the company trains people in many industries in crisis management The organization offers in-person and online courses. More information can be found at vistelar.com, 877-690-8230, or by reaching out to Singleton directly at wsingleton@vistelar.com A new 264-townhome project proposal in Cudahy is looking to balance city life and nature Kevin Sawall, owner and executive vice president of Sussex-based Sawall Development said the goal is for residents to “not feel like they’re living in a city but still having the ability and access to a lot of other amenities you’d find in more suburban areas.” The Journal Sentinel sat down with Kevin Sawall and his father Sawall Development wants to construct 12 two-story buildings featuring 264 townhomes with the majority of the garages being attached Project documents indicate Applewood Terrace is the working name for the development The project is proposed for 19 acres currently owned by the City of Cudahy at the southwest corner of Sweet Applewood Lane and East Barnard Avenue Kevin Sawall said they’re still working on the final site plan but it likely will include amenities such as green space It’s the inclusion of these outdoor amenities the Sawalls highlighted as blending development with nature “The site is a fantastic site,” Kevin Sawall said calling the project “urban design with suburban features." What size are the townhomes at Applewood Terrace and what will rents be?Project documents indicate Applewood Terrace will have a mixture of 72 studio apartments around 500 square feet in size 120 one-bedroom units (around 800 square feet) and 72 two-bedroom units (around 1,100 square feet) Kevin Sawall said he has a “pretty good idea” what the rents will be but Sawall Development is still conducting a market study to get the final number He estimated this will be announced in a few months Why did Sawall Development choose Cudahy?“The community is a big part of it,” Kevin Sawall said “I think Cudahy is a really exciting community with a lot of opportunity for development.” He said Cudahy is working hard to develop its downtown One of the ways the city is working to promote development which the Sawalls highlighted is the creation of development districts These districts are designed to promote the best and highest uses for properties within a boundary Cudahy has two such districts ― one created in 1998 and another in 2016 Cudahy is currently looking into a third district along Packard Avenue, according to the city website which is currently moving through the approval process Kevin Sawall also highlighted the possibility of facade grants to further improve the look of existing spaces in the city “They’re doing everything that I talk to other communities about,” he said “It’s just kind of nice to see all of that already in motion.” Kevin Sawall said the site has good access to the downtown area and is “still in the heart of everything but still kind of tucked away far enough that we can still do our product which is a little more suburban; a little more connected to nature.” Arthur Sawall said the site has been on his company’s radar for a couple years and the city approached them about two years ago Another project in Sturtevant paused progress in Cudahy but now he said Sawall Development has finally been able to dedicate time to this project “We decided to bring something a little different because we thought people would enjoy their own individual entrances their own private garage,” Arthur Sawall said adding that the density of the project is comparable to other projects in the vicinity “We see a lot of demand for this type of product.” saying there’s ample space on site for parking Kevin Sawall said the vibe has been “really positive,” including at the recent Community Development Authority meeting on Jan. 28 He said Sawall Development has a good understanding of Cudahy’s master plan and vision “and this fits in well with that vision.” Questions from city officials have been mostly clarifications with no real requests to change anything drastically Arthur Sawall said he knows why ― the developer has been working closely with Cudahy for about a year on this project He said staff on both sides have worked to put things together based on the city’s desires and what the company thinks will work in this market “We’re a boutique developer,” Arthur Sawall said of his company He said the company doesn’t utilize investors for money It also maintains ownership of its properties and manages them directly adding they hold on to developments long-term ― and this project would be no exception “We want to build products that are going to stand the test of time.” Arthur Sawall said Sawall Development is a developer “We do it all ourselves (and) we don’t involve any third parties.” Will Sawall Development seek any financial assistance from Cudahy?Arthur Sawall called this a $60 million project He broke his numbers down further noting an assessor expects the value to be around $40 million His son said the estimated assessed value could be between $30 million and $40 million The company does plan to seek tax incremental financing assistance from Cudahy ― the project is inside the boundaries of Cudahy's only TIF district infrastructure improvements are funded through taxes collected on the increase in value of the taxable property inside the district which As for how much TIF assistance the developer will seek Kevin Sawall said that is still under negotiation He said Sawall Development and Cudahy have had some conversations about a TIF but that will be hammered out over the next couple of months “to see what that ask will look like.” What’s the timeline?Kevin Sawall said he’s hoping to be on a March agenda to present “what is close to our final plan” to city officials and to discuss a purchase agreement for the property He said that’s also when the financial incentive questions will be discussed Sawall Development is hoping to break ground for the project at the end of August or in early September 2025 “We’ve done a lot of due diligence up front — Firefighters responded to a blaze at the Packard Plaza Shopping Mall in Cudahy on Friday afternoon where flames erupted in a furniture and home goods store The Cudahy Fire Department received multiple 911 calls around 1:04 p.m reporting smoke billowing from Eddie’s Liquidation Center located at 5656 South Packard Ave on Friday the first battalion chief on the scene confirmed heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the store Crews initially attempted to enter through the main entrance but were forced back by intense heat and flames The fire was found in a warehouse section of the store filled with large amounts of combustible materials stacked in high piles prompting a second alarm before crews managed to bring it under control within about 30 minutes The shopping mall was occupied at the time and emergency personnel evacuated several neighboring businesses as a precaution No injuries were reported among civilians or firefighting personnel The blaze caused extensive damage to the store’s warehouse as well as heavy smoke damage to the adjacent sales floor and office areas The cause of the fire remains under investigation A fire at Smithfield Foods’ legacy Patrick Cudahy plant in Cudahy resulted in one person being taken to a hospital and minor damage The fire department was called when smoke was discovered on the plant’s third and fourth floors Saturday morning and firefighters extinguished the fire after finding smoke coming from a piece of machinery on the fourth floor One person was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation the news reports said it had little impact on facility operations bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety a food safety software and consulting company About two months after a fire closed Eddie’s Liquidation Center in Cudahy the store is relocating in the same strip mall A banner sign was recently spotted on the former Finch’s Vendor Expo space announcing Eddie’s Liquidation Center is “coming soon.” Finch’s closed in late August 2024 after just over five years in business offering local vendors space to sell handmade crafts 31 some new items had already been moved into the space ― which still featured Finch’s lettering on the window the space sat vacant for about 12 years after Merchandise Outlet closed its doors The fire which shut down Eddie’s Liquidation happened Nov 8 in a portion of the building where the store housed merchandise Fire crews had limited access due to many flammable materials and crews had to back out of the front of the building due to the intensity of the fire A second alarm went out and fire crews from Saint Francis Bloor said it took about a half-hour to get the fire under control but the fire caused a lot of damage to the warehouse space of the store with heavy smoke damage to the sales floor and office The business was boarded up shortly after the fire The plywood still adorns the front façade of the space A nail salon in the plaza also caught fire two years ago in March 2022 Packard Plaza was sold for $3.5 million in July 2023 Cudahy, 1927: The city’s fire department purchases a new Pirsch fire truck 2024: The city’s fire department is purchasing the same Pirsch fire truck again this is not a frontline apparatus,” Fire Chief Jeff Bloor told Cudahy’s Common Council with a laugh on Sept The council approved the purchase ― along with some city funds ― to bring the historical truck home to the city's new fire station set to be dedicated Oct. 5 9 letter to Mayor Tom Pavlic and the council Bloor said a Cudahy resident brought a sales ad to the fire station in July featuring the fire truck which had a bill of sale reading: “to the Cudahy Fire Department Bloor said firefighters started digging into documentation It was a 50th anniversary booklet the city put out in 1952 that helped them confirm Cudahy did purchase that truck in 1927 The truck today could be used “for any public relations event where the presence of the vehicle can be an avenue for fire safety discussions Bloor and Alderman Ken Jankowski traveled just over the Illinois border to check out the truck in person The nearly 100-year-old fire engine appears to have been restored noting no rust on the truck with the paint and body “well cared for.” “It has had some modern updates such as an electric starter and fuel pump,” he wrote The truck will need maintenance such as a wheel seal and wiring of lighting It also needs some wood work done which Bloor hopes can be done by the Cudahy High School woodworking students The high school wood shop already created a table for the new fire station Bloor said he was told that project really invigorated the students and he hopes to foster the same relationship for some basic woodwork on the truck ― the hose bed The bed of the truck also needs some work and refinishing Bloor also hopes to connect with the high school's auto shop for some basic maintenance work The owner is asking $10,000 and agreed to hold the truck while the city figured out funding “I believe we have enough to purchase the truck,” Bloor told the council Following some preliminary discussions with community members Bloor said he has tentative handshake commitments for over half the purchase cost Ewald Venus Ford has expressed support Additionally, the Cudahy Lions Club support the purchase and Bloor are also putting some of their own money toward the truck purchase The council approved the purchase of the truck on Sept It also voted to allow the fire department to solicit donations toward the purchase and to create a designated fund for the acquisition and maintenance of the truck ― with up to $4,000 of city funds going toward the purchase price Bloor said the department might accept donations down the line to go toward routine upkeep of the truck (This story was updated to add new information.) CUDAHY — When people come to Tranquility Day Spa It’s Christy Maiwald and Laura Milton's space to help people unwind people come in and they're vulnerable,” said Maiwald My employees are in here one-on-one with their clients.” Christy and Laura are trying to unwind how someone was able to break into their place of peace last month The man entered through a door in the basement that the spa shares with a chiropractic clinic He can be seen with a flashlight looking around the spa It appears he sees one of the surveillance cameras and turns around police puzzled how man broke into business Outdoor cameras did not detect motion or capture anyone entering or leaving “He must know the building well to know that he could have done that,” said Maiwald and she didn’t notice anything taken by the man “It's almost more unsettling knowing that he didn't do anything,” said Maiwald And how did he even know that he could come in through that side and come up through this side?” It’s a case that’s even left the Cudahy Police Department puzzled as to how he got inside “They looked three times through the basement and they didn't find anybody,” said Maiwald “They didn't find evidence of any entryway being tampered with Maiwald speculates he somehow obtained a key the spa has beefed up security with more cameras and locks to help give staff and customers peace of mind If you have any information or know the person you are asked to contact Cudahy Police at 414-769-2260 Multiple fire departments responded to a strip mall in Cudahy after a fire broke out Friday afternoon firefighter crews were sent to Eddies Liquidation Center due to smoke coming from the front of the store Crews tried to enter from the front of the building but were forced back out due to the heat and flames The fire was located in a portion of the building where the store housed merchandise Due to the large amount of flammable materials this caused limited access for fire crews and the flames quickly spread Fire crews arriving to assist came from departments in Saint Francis The fire was under control in about 30 minutes The building was occupied during the fire but no one was injured The fire caused extensive damage to the warehouse portion of the store and heavy smoke damage to the sales floor and office This is the second fire to occur at the strip mall within the last two years a fire broke out at nail salon at the plaza prompting assistance from multiple agencies The plaza was sold last year for $3.5 million to Rajender Dudani Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Gunfire near JE Jones Elementary School in Cudahy nearly delayed the start of class Thursday Cudahy Police received multiple 911 calls at about 5 a.m 24 about shots fired in the 3600 block of East Iona Terrace Poellot said in a statement that since the scene was close to the elementary school at 5845 S school district officials were notified and parents were notified that school could be delayed was "intentionally damaging a vehicle” before he was shot at in the 3600 block of East Iona Terrace Police said the incident is domestic violence-related; the West Allis man is accused of stalking a 25-year-old Cudahy woman at the location Police are seeking charges through the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office Poellot confirmed no one was injured in the incident JE Jones Elementary was given an all clear Michelle Garven confirmed "the situation was not involving our school at all." She said the school was "very lucky this time," and clarified that classes were able to begin at the normal 8:15 a.m Garven said she appreciated the Cudahy Police Department collaborating with the school district since the incident was nearby There was another incident involving gunfire the previous night Cudahy Police responded to the 5900 block of South Packard Avenue at 8:19 p.m which police later found at I-794 at East Edgerton Avenue “A 30-year-old Cudahy woman was taken into custody and the firearm was recovered,” he said Police are also seeking charges through the district attorney's office in this case Cudahy Police are asking anyone with information on either incident to call them at 414-769-2260 A Cudahy couple charged with multiple felonies after four of their seven children were found to have cocaine in their systems could both take plea deals The 31-year-old man was set to appear in court Jan 16 for a final pretrial hearing with a jury trial set to start Feb online court records now indicate a plea hearing is scheduled for Jan The jury trial is still listed on the docket for the following week The man is facing seven child neglect charges – four felonies and three misdemeanors – and one felony charge of possessing a firearm as a felon He pleaded not guilty to the three misdemeanor counts last June The 30-year-old woman already agreed to a plea deal in late October five of the child neglect charges were dismissed but read into the record She entered a guilty plea for two remaining felony child neglect charges she was sentenced to a maximum of five years in Wisconsin State Prison concurrent to any other sentence with 10 days of credit for time served Her initial confinement term is two years with three years of extended supervision she was sentenced to 3½ years concurrent to any other sentence with 1½ years of initial confinement and two years of extended supervision the court stayed the sentences and placed the woman on probation for 36 months A stayed sentence means a sentence is not imposed as long as certain conditions are met and get treatment/counseling among other conditions What happened last May?According to the criminal complaint: A mother called police after her daughter was gasping for air and foaming at the mouth on May 29. The child was taken for treatment to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin where a drug test was positive for cocaine The remaining six children were also tested due to this result Four of the seven children tested positive for cocaine metabolites acetaminophen and dextrorphan (consistent with cough syrup) and four children had nicotine metabolite in their systems the children ranged in age from 2 months to 8 years old Cudahy Police and the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Safe Streets Task Force found multiple corner-cut plastic bags and a nasal vacuum A marijuana pipe and blunt were also found in one of the children’s backpacks Authorities also found a bag with a handgun loaded magazine and loose bullet in the couple’s car The bag had “a number of identifiers for (the parents) including a birth certificate for (the man),” who was convicted of armed robbery in March 2011 The mother denied knowing how the children were exposed to drugs Resources for substance abuse and mental health issuesIf you’re dealing with a substance abuse issue or mental health problems contact the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division crisis line at 414-257-7222 The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also offers free confidential treatment referrals and information at 800-662-HELP (4357) A 28-year-old Medford woman was struck by a vehicle Sunday morning on the 5900 block of South Lake Drive while participating in the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon and Half Marathon after a driver experienced a medical emergency The Cudahy Police Department responded to a crash at 11:20 a.m. A 68-year-old Waterford woman traveling southbound on South Lake Drive experienced a medical emergency and sideswiped another southbound car causing minor damage The 68-year-old driver then struck another southbound vehicle driven by a 65-year-old Cudahy man The 68-year-old driver then struck the pedestrian Her car stopped in the tree line east of Lake Drive and north of East Henry Avenue The runner and two drivers were transported to the hospital The runner has been released from the hospital as of Monday morning Lakefront Marathon spokesperson Jen Puente said Puente and the Cudahy Police Department did not have an update on the condition of the drivers on Monday morning The southbound lanes of Lake Drive were open to traffic while the northbound lanes were closed for the race "This is something we never want to see happen to any of our participants," Puente said "We really do take safety as a top priority Just under 5,000 runners participated in the marathon and half marathon on Sunday Racers started at 7 a.m. around West Wisconsin Avenue and North 5th Street and crossed the finish line at Henry Maier Festival Grounds. The marathon route wrapped along Lake Michigan (This story has been updated with new information and a video.) are at odds over an alleged violation of the city's zoning code that is leaning toward legal action GFL took over the site at 1900 E. College Ave. in Cudahy after it acquired Earth Environmental, LLC in August 2023, according to a LinkedIn post from Kevin Hayden The GFL website lists the Cudahy facility type as “liquid and special waste.” Cudahy is claiming GFL is not allowed to conduct wastewater treatment at this facility “Our inspection department did not issue an occupancy permit due to the fact that a wastewater treatment facility does not exist in our zoning code,” Cudahy Mayor Tom Pavlic told the Journal Sentinel The GFL property is zoned M1 Limited Manufacturing GFL received a notice of violation on July 29, 2024, from Cudahy’s building inspector, according to city documents The standard procedure in Cudahy would see a company first going through the Plan Commission to request a property use that does not yet exist in the city’s zoning code “GFL decided not to take that route and appeal it directly to the Zoning Appeals Board where their request was denied,” Pavlic said The Journal Sentinel reached out to GFL for comment on the situation but did not hear back Pavlic said the city’s position is that GFL must cease its operations because wastewater treatment is not allowed per the zoning code He said GFL “wants to continue to operate.” Cudahy’s Common Council decided to take legal action against GFL due to the alleged code compliance issues “The council directed our legal counsel to proceed with taking legal action to have GFL Environmental comply with the decision made by the Zoning Review Board thus not allowing them to operate a wastewater treatment facility within Cudahy,” Pavlic told the Journal Sentinel no legal filings from the City of Cudahy against GFL have been made public as of Nov The Journal Sentinel reached out to the city to find out if there was a delay in filing but City Administrator JJ Larson said he could not comment at this time a petition for writ of certiorari ― which orders a lower court to deliver its record in a case for a higher court to review ― was filed by GFL against the City of Cudahy and its Board of Zoning Appeals on Oct Cudahy has contracted GFL for its garbage and recycling services as well as residential curbside pick-up services The announcement came via the expo’s official Facebook page on Sept “We would like to thank everyone for visiting over the last five years,” the post said Cudahy’s compact version of the famed 7 Mile Fair in Caledonia sold handmade crafts, antiques, food and more in the former Merchandise Outlet space at 5656 S. Packard Ave. #18 in Packard Plaza – which recently sold for $3.5 million The Journal Sentinel reached out to Finch’s following the closure announcement to get more details but did not hear back The business is also now listed as permanently closed on Facebook and has multiple closed signs on the storefront Signs taped to the windows indicate Badger Corporation will be holding an equipment auction online. On badgercorp.com a timed online auction is listed for Finch’s to last from Friday The listing includes various wall art pieces Randy and Nancy Finch opened Finch’s Vendor Expo in July 2019 after running a novelty business for 40 years Randy said the business was to focus on a “family atmosphere” with both vendors and patrons “We are going for the look of what you would see at the expo building during the state fair,” Shawn Finch told the Journal Sentinel before the family business opened Customers were not charged an entry fee as many such businesses do visitors could give money or food which would be donated to various charities