What’s the future of South Milwaukee’s library These and other options were outlined in a $14,500 study conducted by the Wisconsin Policy Forum to look at funding options to maintain appropriate levels of service at the library which has operated out of its current building at 1907 S The study by the nonpartisan research organization found South Milwaukee "has reached a crossroads in providing library services,” according to an April 11 news release from Mark Sommerhauser communications director and researcher for the Wisconsin Policy Forum The South Milwaukee Common Council approved of the study in June 2024 to explore its options given the city's financial challenges The council is set to review the results April 15 are operating a potentially smaller library with limited hours and staffing; combining with a neighboring library; or closing the library with the city contracting with the Milwaukee County Federated Library System to provide residents with access to other municipal library services Sommerhauser said the study focused on data from the city the state Department of Public Instruction The study notes researchers spoke with local developers and development experts the Milwaukee County Federated Library System and city officials and library directors from South Milwaukee South Milwaukee’s library budget for 2025 was just over $647,000 which is a nearly 20% drop compared to the 2019 budget The 2019 numbers were used “because it was the last full year before the pandemic,” the study said This budget cut meant a reduction in full-time staff and left the library open for fewer hours than any other public library in Milwaukee County The South Milwaukee Library ranks 13th out of the 15 libraries in Milwaukee County for the amount of local revenue support per resident that's generated primarily through property taxes How do the library’s current hours compare to other libraries?The South Milwaukee library was open for 2,288 hours in 2023 which was fewer hours than any other public library in Milwaukee County and 26.7% below the county median of 3,120 noting there was no change in hours open for 2024 or 2025 South Milwaukee’s library also received the least number of visits in 2023 among all libraries in the county which the study attributed to its reduced hours The study said visits bottomed out in 2021 and have since rebounded the South Milwaukee Library budgeted for 6.4 full-time staff positions including 2.7 librarians That's down from the 2019 levels of 8 full-time equivalent positions and 4.5 librarians The study notes salaries and wages at the South Milwaukee Library dropped 9.7% from 2019 levels The study noted program participation at the South Milwaukee Library dropped in 2020 but total circulation “recovered considerably in 2021 and has continued to rise toward pre-pandemic levels.” the library’s total circulation was half the median among Milwaukee County libraries the study called it a “bright spot” with program options and attendance both growing in 2024 The library’s 380 programs had a combined attendance of 9,064 which is up from 2019 which had 8,085 attendees to 265 programs The library has seen increases in the use of electronic materials such as audio books music and eBooks with usage doubling from 12,370 in 2019 to 24,718 in 2024 but other collections dropThe study said the library’s video collection has increased by 9.5% but other portions of the library's on-site collection have shrunk in recent years: books and serial volumes dropped nearly 10% from 2019 to 2023 audio materials decreased by 38.7% and periodical subscriptions dropped by 60.8% The study suggested multiple options city officials could adopt: Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Chester Grobschmidt went peacefully into the arms of the angels and our Lord on Saturday He was born to John and Ann Grobschmidt on June 8 Loving father to daughter Karen (Bo) Southerlin proud grandfather to Tamara (John) Grobschmidt-German and Gregory Orozco He was preceded in death by his wife Leone (Repech) of 32 years and wife Lorraine (Schweitzer) of 24 years as well as his dear friend Eugene Chodkowski Survived by children through marriage Sharon (Dan) Cowles along with many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren along with countless lifelong friends.  Chet was honored to serve as Mayor of South Milwaukee for 28 years and prior to that Alderman for 9 years He worked at Bucyrus Erie as a Template Designer/Maker for 42 years Chet served 3 years in the Navy in World War II in the Admiralty Islands in the South Pacific as a Second Class Metalsmith He participated in an Honor Flight to Washington Chet received many accolades for this service to the City of South Milwaukee The Grobschmidt Senior Center and Grobschmidt Pool were named in his honor all of the Armed Forces recognized Chet as “Citizen of the Year” at a ceremony at the128th Air Refueling Wing Chet was a lifetime member of Divine Mercy Catholic Church and Holy Name Society He was also a member of the American Legion Post 27 South Milwaukee Knights of Columbus Council 1709 South Milwaukee Historical Society and Bucyrus Oldtimers Association Chet’s family would like to thank Meadowmere Assisted Living for the loving care they had given Chet “Mayor Chet” was an inspiration to many within the South Milwaukee Community he cultivated many lifelong friendships that were an important part of this life Chet lived everyday by serving the community with grace He took joy in promoting South Milwaukee as a place to be proud to raise a family from 9:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM Burial will take place in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery  In lieu of flowers please direct donations to Karen Southerlin to be dispersed to Chet’s Charitables Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Visitation for Chester W Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Funeral Service for Chester W Add to Calendar Complete the form below to get directions for the Burial for Chester W This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has announced that their 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit will visit South Milwaukee in April The 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit features artifacts from Ground Zero and guided tours from Heroes who responded on 9/11 The exhibit will be at the Sunrise Shopping center at 1009 Marquette Ave The exhibit will be open to the public Friday The 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit is an 83-foot tractor trailer that transforms into a 1,100 square foot museum space and view a tribute to the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11 and those who have died from 9/11 related illnesses Tours will be guided by retired New York City Firefighters and first responders who responded to Ground Zero They will share stories and memories of what they saw on 9/11 and the days following The Commander of American Legion Post 27 shares why this exhibit is important “The Afghanistan and Iraq veterans served in the war on terror should be able to see why they served in the places they did This brings history alive for our high school and middle school students of South Milwaukee and the neighboring communities,” Cheri L For more information on The Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the mobile exhibit check out their website 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 Report a typo (This story has been updated to add new information.) South Milwaukee High School students preparing for prom were likely thinking about what they'd wear the music they'd dance to and fun times with their friends They probably weren't thinking about needing to be tested for alcohol in order to enter Here's what to know about that requirement and others that the school's students will need to follow to attend prom this year The prom is scheduled for 6 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Baird Center in Milwaukee. Check-in begins at 5 and ends at 5:50, according to a letter about the prom The letter said that students will need to pass a Breathalyzer test to enter the prom Positive tests will require the student's parent to pick them up School district policy prohibits use of alcohol at co-curricular events Using breath tests ensures anti-alcohol policies are applied uniformly and fairly said the school district's communication coordinator That policy is spelled out in the student handbook What other entry requirements are there?Students are required to go through weapons detection have their belongings searched and check in at registration and receive a wristband students who leave the prom venue will not be allowed back in Students will be allowed to take photos on the first floor of the Baird Center before heading to the fourth floor students must be an 11th- or 12th-grade student at South Milwaukee High School; have 75% school attendance for the entire year; zero unexcused absences to any class and zero in- or out-of-school suspensions from April 14-25 Academic performance is also considered by administration and may be grounds for disqualifying a student from attending prom If a student is found ineligible after April 16 How much are tickets and how can they be bought?Tickets are $75 and can be bought at tinyurl.com/SouthMilwaukeeProm2025 Students who can only pay by cash or check can go to the Cudahy High School athletic office at lunch entertainment services and discounted parking The district will host a post-prom event at South Milwaukee High School from 11 p.m Tickets may be purchased in the same ways above students must arrive at the school by 11:45 p.m If a student buys a ticket and does not attend phone calls will be made home to verify where the student is Students can leave early only with parental permission and verification by South Milwaukee High School activities athletics and recreation coordinator Ante Udovicic The letter also asks students to bring a school-appropriate change of clothes Francis High School does not require students to take a Breathalyzer to enter its prom according to school principal Michael Lewandowski "We do have our school resource officer in attendance should we suspect anyone under the influence but do not check all students," Lewandowski said in an email to a reporter Nearby Cudahy School District also does not require students to take a Breathalyzer test to enter prom said district superintendent Michelle Garven in an email to a reporter Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on X (Twitter) at @AlecJohnson12 — All South Milwaukee School District fourth graders will have the opportunity to plant trees Friday in celebration of Arbor Day A tree planting ceremony will be held at Blakewood Elementary beginning at 9 a.m. with the fourth graders receiving seedlings provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) "The School District of South Milwaukee is thrilled to continue our partnership with Ellen Colby and The MARM Farm we have been able to bring the educational experiences from our schools into our local community We sincerely appreciate the ongoing collaboration and partnership,” said Deidre Roemer Superintendent of the South Milwaukee School District "We are grateful to the Wisconsin DNR and Johnson's Nursery for their support in cultivating a greener future." Students will also learn proper planting techniques from an expert at Johnson's Nursery This hands-on experience fosters a sense of responsibility as students contribute to the ecological health of their environment Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip The $50 million multi-use project planned for the former Bucyrus campus in South Milwaukee could be changing with fewer apartments and the addition of a school The city approved a planned development district for the proposal by Scott Crawford in November for the properties at 1100 and 1022 Milwaukee Avenue That same month, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced a $3 million investment into the development to include $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding The development is also getting tax incremental financing funding from South Milwaukee The project was set to convert three existing office buildings into apartments ― one with first-floor commercial space ― and construct a new multifamily building along Milwaukee Avenue on the west side of the site The plans called for 171 rental units ― 90 at market rate and 81 set to be affordable housing through the CDBG funding Scott Crawford proposes to cut the number of apartments to 132 relocate the new building to the parking lot at 10th Avenue and utilize one of the existing office buildings as a private school called Guidance Academy Elementary School K5 The school would initially have attendance between 100 and 150 students but could grow to 200 Drop-off and pickup would happen on-site in the southwestern parking lot It would also likely include an outdoor playground at the rear of the building Scott Crawford is also open to discussions about adding electric vehicle charging stations to the development on the east side of 11th Avenue South Milwaukee’s Plan Commission signed off on the updated PDD proposal at its Feb according to South Milwaukee City Administrator Patrick Brever The Common Council is set to review the proposal on March 4 This change is the latest in many that have been made since this project was first proposed Initial plans were similar and included renovating the three office buildings ― called Corporate Technical and Heritage ― and constructing a new building An updated plan removed the new building entirely and reduced the number of apartments. At one point, the project was even canceled. told the Journal Sentinel in November he hopes to start construction in the second quarter of 2025 and have the project completed in the third quarter of 2026 — A South Milwaukee woman and her family are looking for answers after she was deported to Laos earlier this month Ma Yang told TMJ4 News that she was born in a refugee camp in Thailand "I'm so scared because there's a lot of unknown questions," Yang said Yang described being held in a compound in Laos with guards "I've been here for eight days now," Yang stated "Two days ago they finally were able to take me to go buy a phone." Family members are scrambling to get Yang back be there for everybody," Yang's 22-year-old daughter Azia said Yang pleaded guilty to her role in a federal drug case and was ordered to serve 30 months in prison Yang says she took the deal based on legal advice my permanent resident card," Yang explained The Executive Office for Immigration Review told TMJ4 that in December 2022 an immigration judge ordered Yang's removal Yang and her family say they were working with a lawyer to sort out her case Yang says she was following the terms of her release and attending check-in appointments; however last month Yang was detained while reporting for a check-in meeting transferred to Indiana then back to Chicago for a flight to Laos "She wasn’t able to call nobody or nothing before she left," Azia told TMJ4 Watch: South Milwaukee family search for answers after mother of 5 departed to Laos Bub said the last time he saw her was after rushing essentials and money to her before that flight "I think I screamed in the car for like a half an hour," Bub recalled Yang and her family are struggling to find answers I've never been in this country," Yang said Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not comment on this story The South Milwaukee Planet Fitness is relocating to Oak Creek this summer Office Max, 9001 S. Howell Ave. in Oak Creek is closing and currently running a “nothing held back” sale ― including fixtures This will be where the Oak Creek Planet Fitness will open public relations manager for Planet Fitness Pearson said the switch will happen this summer to provide additional floor space to offer strength and cardio equipment a larger Black Card Spa space for Black Card members “Summer is the current timeline for the opening,” Pearson said There was no word on when the South Milwaukee Planet Fitness location at 2901 S. Chicago Ave. will cease operations Oak Creek City Administrator Andrew Vickers confirmed Jan 8 the city received plans for Planet Fitness in the Office Max space some speculated that neighboring Sherwin Williams and Kohl's could also be closing but those were just rumors Vickers said there are two different owners despite the stores seeming to be connected while the Office Max and Sherwin Williams spaces “Kohl's is completely separate and not impacted,” Vickers said It's been over 175 years since the Mill Pond was created in South Milwaukee Milwaukee County Parks wants your input on its future An informational meeting was held by the parks department in South Milwaukee on Dec 3 to present options for both the Mill Pond ― also known as the South Milwaukee lagoon ― and dam The pond is west of the Oak Creek Parkway and Mill Road intersection The pond is in need of dredging (the removal of sediment/debris from the bottom of a body of water) and a functioning drainage system needs to be reestablished The sediment in the pond will need to be disposed of offsite and permits will be required for any “dewatering activities,” according to the county website The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission released a restoration plan for the Oak Creek Watershed in December 2021. In that report were numerous options to address these issues with the mill pond and the dam What are the options for the Mill Pond in South Milwaukee?Three main options were presented at the Dec The estimated costs provided by Milwaukee County Parks are in 2019 dollars engagement manager for Milwaukee County Parks told the Journal Sentinel costs weren't updated to 2024 dollars "as the alternatives are still conceptual." He said SEWRPC's Oak Creek Watershed restoration plan report used 2019 dollars "Comparisons between alternatives are still relative and proportional using these 2019 costs," Giron said for each option a 35% contingency was utilized Giron said this percentage "was utilized in the SEWRPC report as these are planning level cost estimates." OPTION 1: Partial Pond RestorationThis option would include repairing the sluice gate ― a type of lock that manages water flow and level ― along with dredging the southern pond lobe (southwestern portion of the pond) creating a depth between 7 and 9 feet filling the northern pond lobe and offering 1.7 acres of open water and a single fishing platform The construction cost with a 35% contingency is just over $2.2 million Maintenance requirements for this option include regular exercising of the sluice gate periodic dredging of the pond and maintaining the vegetation Ongoing maintenance costs are estimated to be $3.1 million ― including dam inspections and dredging for a 50-year period This option returns the pond to its full former glory including sluice gate repair dredging the full pond area and recreational enhancements to include 5.7 acres of open water and two fishing platforms Construction costs with the same 35% contingency could be $6.9 million Ongoing maintenance costs would increase to $5.5 million to include the same elements as the first option but with a larger pond space to maintain OPTION 3: Dam Removal and Channel RestorationThis option would remove the pond and replace it with a water channel The upfront cost for this option is about double that of the second option at nearly $12 million consisting of vegetation maintenance for a five-year period Milwaukee County Parks is still pursuing and evaluating potential funding for the project including possible grant opportunities Milwaukee County Parks has on online survey which residents can find at https://l8yr2vhtrxh.typeform.com/to/FIq4m4Dj The survey should take approximately two minutes to complete It asks questions such as how far you live from the pond how long you’ve lived in the area and the typical activities you take part in at the pond Other questions ask residents to rank in order of importance what they value most about the pond as well as what improvements are most important to them Those who take the survey can also submit their email address to get updates on the Mill Pond from Milwaukee County Parks The pond was formed in the early 1840s, according to the Friends of the Mill Pond a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing the area which the organization said has seen “years of neglect and abuse” including trash The dam was built to power a grist mill and later a sawmill "The mill’s primary function was to grind corn wheat and barley which provided flour throughout southeastern Wisconsin and ran successfully until 1932 when it was torn down,” the Friends website said More information on the Friends of the Mill Pond can be found at smfomp.com (This story was updated to add new information.) Former South Milwaukee Mayor Chet Grobschmidt has died at 104 years old The news was posted by the City of South Milwaukee on its Facebook page Monday City Administrator Patrick Brever confirmed to the Journal Sentinel that Grobschmidt died on Saturday “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of former Mayor Chester W Grobschmidt at the remarkable age of 104,” the Facebook post reads “Chet served our city with dedication and vision leaving a lasting impact on our community.” Grobschmidt celebrated his 104th birthday on June 8 “Chet lived everyday by serving the community with grace, compassion, honesty and humility,” Grobschmidt's obituary reads “He took joy in reinforcing South Milwaukee as a place to be proud to raise a family.” Grobschmidt, a World War II Navy veteran, served as South Milwaukee mayor for 28 years from 1966 to 1994, according to a 2020 mayoral proclamation for his 100th birthday. City Hall moved to its current location in 1982 and the new Fire Station opened in 1981,” the post reads “He was instrumental in bringing the Med-10 Unit to the Fire Department He also served as District 4 alderperson for nine years Grobschmidt worked to start the city’s recycling program and to give local control to the city’s sewerage treatment plant Grobschmidt was a lifetime member of Divine Mercy Church and a member of the Holy Name Society He also held memberships with the American Legion Post 27 South Milwaukee Knights of Columbus Council Number 1709 South Milwaukee Historical Society and Bucyrus Erie Old Timers Grobschmidt received the 440th Air Refueling Wing award as citizen of the year after four years selling the Shopping News Grobschmidt began a 40-year career at Bucyrus-Erie bringing his dahlias to city hall every year He was also a member of various veterans organizations and served as president of the historical society Grobschmidt lived at Meadowmere assisted living in Oak Creek The family thanked them in the obituary for their “loving care.” He will be buried in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery A family legacy across Milwaukee CountyHis legacy The Richard A. Grobschmidt Memorial Bridge can be found along the Hank Aaron State Trail in Milwaukee’s Lakeshore State Park It’s named in honor of Richard Grobschmidt a former South Milwaukee teacher and state lawmaker for 18 years according to the plaque affixed to the bridge Grobschmidt Park (This story was updated to add new information South Milwaukee isn’t getting its new supper club But Dot's Supper Club owner Dottie Kieckbusch has canceled those plans “It had nothing to do with my choices,” Kieckbusch said “The (building) owner didn’t want to follow through with what he had promised Kieckbusch declined to go into more detail The supper club space needed renovation work including new paint Kieckbusch had been offering a basic menu of sandwiches and wraps to those coming to play pickleball She’d hoped to fully open the supper club early this year The full menu was set to feature an all-you-can-eat brunch along with staple supper club dishes like prime rib Kieckbusch received a $15,000 storefront activation grant from South Milwaukee through the Bucyrus Foundation to help with project costs She said that grant funding is now null and void She has also turned in her restaurant license and liquor license Asked whether Dot’s Supper Club could still happen in another location Kieckbusch said she's "hopeful that something else will come along,” Kieckbusch said she wishes the owner the best "He’s concentrating more on just finishing up the building," she said the building still isn’t finished on the pickleball side of things.” Kieckbusch said she isn’t aware of any other interest in the restaurant space at the pickleball club at this time After running a supper club in Crivitz for three years Kieckbusch let her business partner take over that restaurant about a decade ago she eventually moved back to southeastern Wisconsin Residents of the South Shore have many new options when going out to eat due to restaurants that opened in 2024 or are opening in early 2025 here is a sample of the cuisine that has come or is coming to the area Dot’s Supper Club is opening in South Milwaukee in early 2025 Located inside the Premier Pickleball Club this new restaurant will give visitors “that hometown feel,” owner Dottie Kieckbusch told the Journal Sentinel in December The space was a dance club in the 1970s and later became more of a restaurant bar while the building housed a bowling alley It’s getting a full facelift with new paint Dot’s Supper Club will offer everything from prime rib to a fish fry and an all-you-can-eat brunch Kieckbusch said she plans to offer catering both on- and off-site She hopes to pull in corporate events with the pickleball connection in the space Kieckbusch is looking for bar staff, wait staff and backroom staff. Anyone interested in applying ― or wanting to reserve space for an event ― can reach out to her at dotkieck@gmail.com While it may be unique to host a supper club in a pickleball facility Kieckbusch said she’s worked to reduce the noise in the restaurant space and will continue monitoring if it needs to be further addressed once the supper club opens When Polonez closed in St. Francis in September 2022 it was hard to find authentic Polish cuisine in the South Shore area Bartoszek and his wife, Wioletta Bartoszek, own Wioletta’s Polish Market, a popular spot in Milwaukee for people to pick up their Polish favorites. The couple are looking to bring authentic Polish food back to the area by opening Wioletta’s Polish Kitchen in South Milwaukee Adam Bartoszek told the Journal Sentinel the idea has been in the works for a while and a lot of customers have asked for it He said their current space is “limited on space and parking” so they decided to look elsewhere “South Milwaukee right now is kind of doing a reboot on their downtown,” he said The specific location is a secret ― but it will be along Milwaukee Avenue The restaurant will also offer counter service for takeout Wioletta’s Polish Kitchen is expected to open in spring 2025 Then Community Minded Kitchen presents Mr. Bar-B-Que, which opened in October at 4666 S. Packard Ave. in Cudahy Lovers of the food truck of the same name who have enjoyed owner Jervel “Mr pulled pork and other barbecue favorites can find them all on offer along with a signature smoked macaroni and cheese bowl ― which comes with brisket Williams is looking to help out some other local food entrepreneurs The space will hold special events allowing foodmakers to get feedback from the public before they open their own spaces Visit facebook.com/mrbarbequewilliams and 4diversedining.com for more information on upcoming offerings Franklin is now home to Marco's Pizza at 6509 S. 27th St. The chain features various pizzas ― including its Triple Pepperoni Magnifico – plus staples like chicken wings Now the third Marco’s Pizza in the Milwaukee area said the area has a growing population and the franchise was attracted to Franklin by the “close-knit community and charming small-town atmosphere.” For more information visit marcos.com Franklin is now also home to a new Dairy Queen at 7730 S. Lovers Lane Road Owned and operated by Dharmesh Ghelani and his partner Hailey Patel the restaurant features all of the DQ classics from ice cream cake and Blizzard treats to grill options like the Signature Stackburgers “As an experienced entrepreneur I am thrilled to open my first Dairy Queen,” Ghelani said in a press release about the opening “This brand-new restaurant allows us to bring joy to Franklin and create a welcoming space for the community to enjoy their favorite meals and treats I can’t wait to welcome guests in to celebrate life’s happiest moments.” The location employs 30 people, according to a Facebook post from Franklin Mayor John Nelson ― who had his favorite cherry-dipped ice cream cone at the grand opening event Dairy Queen features indoor and outdoor seating Chris Jericho, who has wrestled for World Wrestling Entertainment and most recently All Elite Wrestling, will not be in the ring but instead on stage with his band Kuarantine Jericho has long balanced being a pro wrestler and a rock star as the frontman for his other band Fozzy with its inaugural release “No No No” hitting No 25 on the Billboard mainstream rock charts entered the Billboard mainstream rock charts as the second most added song “They seem like really nice guys,” Crusherfest Chairperson Peggy Clark said of speaking with representatives of Kuarantine She said everyone was super responsive and “they’ve been nothing but amazing.” the bi-annual festival in South Milwaukee celebrating the life of pro wrestler Reggie “Da Crusher” Lisowski is happening May 31-June 1 at the Bucyrus Commons The last Crusherfest was held in 2023 The first Crusherfest happened in 2019 when the life-sized bronze statue of South Milwaukee native Da Crusher was revealed The statue was the result of a GoFundMe campaign has encountered a few hiccups from the pandemic to construction at the event space Clark said talks are still happening to possibly hold it every year “I think it’s something we’ll look at because the excitement is crazy,” she said Organizers aren’t done with this year’s event yet with Clark teasing “one more big surprise coming.” That big announcement could come in a few weeks around when the Countdown to Crusherfest fundraising event is held at the Bucyrus Club The event will feature food and a full bar along with raffles and auctions Clark highlighted a few items up for grabs include a chair autographed by Da Crusher and Mad Dog Vachon a book autographed by John Cena and a Hurricane (the wrestler) Funko Pop Clark said this year organizers put more focus into the music These last two bands have a $25 reserved seating ticket with only 150 reserved seats available A Kuarantine meet and greet is scheduled immediately after the concert on the stage Only 50 $150 meet and greet tickets will be sold which grant purchasers a picture with their camera and an autographed item of their choosing Clark said 18 meet and greet tickets sold within the first few hours of availability on April 16 Tickets are on sale on crusherfest.org and will be picked up on the night of the concert Who else will be at Crusherfest?Crusherfest has hosted many wrestling legends over the years and this year is no different The following have been announced for this year’s event: WWE Hall of Famer Tito SantanaFormer WWE (then WWF) Superstar Steve KeirnWWE Hall of Famer Jimmy HartFormer WWE and ECW wrestler Tommy DreamerFormer AWA and WWC tag team the Texas HangmenAWA interviewer Ken ResnickFormer AWA ECW and WWE wrestler Al SnowFormer WWE wrestler Scotty 2 Hotty and Keagan Garland (his son in his rookie year of pro-wrestling)What else happens at Crusherfest?Visitors to Crusherfest can enjoy shopping at various vendors selling everything from vintage clothing to handmade art Clark said Crusherfest doesn’t charge vendors who participate in the event “We charge them a deposit but if they show up Clark noted this year will have a more diverse lineup of food adding in Chinese and other “really neat options.” Food trucks signed up include Atwood Hwy BBQ and Sweet Delight selling kettle corn Clark said many food trucks sold out in 2023 with between 40,000 and 45,000 visitors Saloon competition returns on June 1 featuring keg holding Clark said about a half dozen people have signed up already which is more than competed in the event its first year in 2019 For more information on the festival, go to crusherfest.org A group of South Milwaukee Middle School students is putting their science skills to the test with a real world project that will go beyond the classroom and into space The project will measure the levels of volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's TechRise Student Challenge NASA selected South Milwaukee Middle School as one of 60 winners from across the United States and its territories More than 530 students from 50 states and territories will take part in the program South Milwaukee Middle School is one of two Wisconsin schools to be selected for the 2024-25 competition; the other is High Marq Environmental Charter School in Montello, according to NASA's website has been working on its project with South Milwaukee Middle School science engineering and mathematics teacher Isabel Mendiola since January I think I spent my whole afternoon crying because I was very emotional about this (It's) a great opportunity because this is national," Mendiola said of her students' project being selected It's the opportunity to bring this program to a new school district." Volatile organic compounds are gases that are released in the air through products or processes, according to the American Lung Association They can be found both indoors and outdoors they can be found in painting and cleaning products oil and gas extraction and processing and industrial emissions They can cause harmful health effects such as eye which was open to sixth- through 12th-grade students nationwide which will have an assigned spot on a NASA-sponsored flight test using a high altitude weather balloon Examples of other projects include studying ozone levels and how solar panels perform in different altitudes The South Milwaukee students have been working on the project after school twice a week since the beginning of February Students have various roles such as designing the engineering prototype of the device and coding They also work with and communicate with NASA engineers on the project Eighth-grader Kaylyn Crawford said she has been working on wiring building components for the project and checking and updating the engineering notebook for the NASA engineers working with them "I want to do wiring because I found it really easy when I was doing and I like precision with the wiring and all that," said Crawford Mendiola said the students had already been using equipment in class such as sensors for methane humidity and temperature to develop a greenhouse project that helped prepare them for the NASA TechRise project engineering prototyping and wiring and coding of sensors Experiments will run at about 70,000 feet for almost four hours once they launch this summer, according to the NASA TechRise Challenge website "At that altitude, they will experience the stratosphere’s unique thermal and atmospheric environment, providing conditions that ground-based testing cannot replicate. The high-altitude balloon will also allow payloads to observe the surface below them and collect data on land features such as vegetation and bodies of water," the NASA Techrise Challenge website said Mendiola said the device will have a camera attached to capture pictures during the launch NASA will return the device to Mendiola's students Mendiola and her students plan to watch the launch over a Zoom link Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at@AlecJohnson12 That was the word on the mouths of many when a new $50 million mixed used development was officially announced for South Milwaukee’s former Bucyrus campus Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced a $3 million investment into the development – specifically $2.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds plus $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding The project, which has seen many iterations over the last three years will feature 171 rental units – 81 dedicated as affordable housing through the CDBG funding and the remainder at market rate South Milwaukee City Administrator Patrick Brever shared project documentation indicating the development's unit distribution as 90 market rate units 25 for residents making 80% of Milwaukee County's median income ($57,200 - $81,680/year) and 56 units for those earning 60% of Milwaukee County's median income ($42,900 - $61,260/year) Rents will range from $994 a month for a one-bedroom unit at the 60% county median income level up to $2,850 a month for a market rate townhome eight units will be reserved for veterans who earn less than 60% of the area's median income Other amenities that have been steady through various iterations of the development include an art alleyway Development plans call for repurposing three former Bucyrus structures – the Heritage Corporate and Technical Buildings – and constructing a new three-story building on the west side of the property There will also be 22,500 square feet of commercial space according to project information provided by the city The 4.4-acre parcel recently sold to Bucyrus ACME, a limited liability company led by Que El-Amin, president of Scott Crawford, Inc., for $2.75 million El-Amin told the Journal Sentinel construction should start in the second quarter of 2025 with completion in quarter three of 2026 South Milwaukee’s common council has approved the development agreement with Scott Crawford and will also be assisting through tax incremental financing South Milwaukee City Attorney Chris Smith of von Briesen & Roper said the city “is incentivizing this development in a way that also protects taxpayer dollars to ensure the city’s investment results in the project coming to fruition.” The exact amount of the funding is not yet known as it is directly tied to the property tax value created by the developer There is a not-to-exceed amount of $4.5 million in the development agreement but whether South Milwaukee contributes that full amount remains to be seen Crowley and South Milwaukee Mayor Jim Shelenske both thanked El-Amin for his persistence and hard work to make the project happen Shelenske said projects like these are what can be accomplished when multiple levels of government work together Crowley told reporters the development furthers the County’s vision “of developing safe “This project is a continuation of our work to make critical investments in suburban communities to provide residents equitable access to affordable housing and homeownership opportunities,” Crowley said Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services’ Housing Services Administrator James Mathy highlighted the over $35 million in funding for affordable housing projects since Crowley took office He said this development in South Milwaukee is probably the largest project of its kind in Milwaukee County El-Amin said South Milwaukee was one of the last suburbs in the area to be developed and that’s one thing that attracted him to the project “I like the areas other people neglect,” he said of his decision to develop in the city He added he is passionate about the area and the people and his biggest hurdle was finding partners that shared that passion Khalek Construction and Oxeland Group as some of those partners El-Amin also said he knows this campus is near and dear to many in the community and he plans to preserve its history while growing a whole new legacy the former president and CEO of Bucyrus-Erie highlighted how the company moved to the area in 1892 from Bucyrus “there were people living here who needed work.” South Milwaukee had been classified a village that same year and didn’t become a city until 1897 known early on for its ham and rolls and special sausages The business opened at 1200 Milwaukee Ave. in early October 2020 with five locals supporting “Doc” ― the alias of the business’ head butcher The closure announcement was made Oct. 26 on the butcher shop's official Facebook page “We are very sad to announce that South Milwaukee Sausage and Meats will be closing permanently at the end of business on Saturday November 9 “We are so thankful for the community that you have built for Doc at South Milwaukee Sausage and Meats Our success would not have been possible without you.” The post said Doc “will continue to provide great customer service and delicious food,” though it did not elaborate The Journal Sentinel reached out to Doc to learn more about the closure and his future plans but wasn't able to connect for an interview in time for publication the account put out another Facebook message thanking customers for an “outpouring of support.” 27 ― a day it would normally be open ― to allow Doc to “make big batches of some of the favorites.” South Milwaukee Sausage and Meats is offering a limited menu of “Polish Sausage and Mild Hungarian Sausage,” according to its Facebook page “The phone has been ringing off the hook,” Doc wrote in a post Nov South Milwaukee Sausage and Meats took over the former Milwaukee Sausage Company space — A resident was rescued by the South Milwaukee Fire Department from a burning home Saturday afternoon and seven others were displaced SMFD responded to the fire at about 3:20 p.m The resident stuck inside the home was pulled out by SMFD and taken to the hospital by paramedics for treatment of non-fatal injuries A total of eight people were displaced due to the fire and a cat was found dead in the home after SMFD put out the flames The cause of the fire is under investigation The Shop Small World Tour returns this Saturday South Milwaukee could be getting a $3.2 million market-rate apartment development inside a former clinic Multiple proposals have come forward in recent years to redevelop the former Lakeshore Clinic a split-level 23,000-square-foot commercial building constructed in 1970 and vacant since 2018 The latest proposal is nearly identical to the last It's being executed by Khalek Building Services along with Scott Crawford South Milwaukee City Administrator Patrick Brever said Scott Crawford is also working to create a new multi-use development on the former Bucyrus campus in South Milwaukee’s downtown South Milwaukee’s Plan Commission approved a development agreement Feb 25 between the city and “South Shore Landing LLC.” The Common Council will decide on approval March 4 The agreement says the project will create 20 units ― 16 two-bedroom units and four studio units ― inside the existing building Construction is expected to begin in April The project is anticipated to be completed by April 30 which includes acquisition of the property and construction The development agreement says the minimum guaranteed assessment value will be no less than $4 million starting Jan South Milwaukee will provide up to $100,000 in total as incentive to the developer to be paid in monthly installments as the project progresses This loan will come through the Bucyrus Foundation The development team needs to repay the loan by 2029 Khalek Building Services of Oak Creek was involved in a previous proposal for the property from Villa Apartments, LLC It was for the same number of total units but a slightly different breakdown of 18 two-bedroom units and two studios Prior to that, a project to create a community-based residential facility (CBRF) for up to 50 live-in residents was proposed but ran into some potential issues with state code and didn’t move forward A new Polish restaurant may be opening in South Milwaukee this coming spring The owners of Wioletta’s Polish Market are planning to open a restaurant along Milwaukee Avenue in South Milwaukee called Wioletta’s Polish Kitchen along with their children Samantha and Oliver opened the grocery store about three years ago Adam took three weeks off from his job as operations director for National Plating to help get the business off the ground “After three weeks there was no way I could go back “We just got swamped so badly (my wife) wouldn’t have been able to do it alone.” who operated a commercial cleaning company before opening the market A restaurant had been discussed for a whileCustomers have often asked the couple to expand their offerings and they’d been discussing a restaurant for a while The Bartoszeks became aware of a location in South Milwaukee that has been empty for years “We get a lot of customers asking for it here and here we’re so limited on space and parking is a struggle,” Bartoszek said "Eventually we said we have to do it somewhere South Milwaukee right now is kind of doing a reboot on their downtown.” He said the building “kind of came about and we started moving forward.” the couple is keeping that to themselves for now because they are still going through the permitting process Bartoszek said keeping it secret also “keeps a little excitement to it.” He did confirm it is along Milwaukee Avenue in South Milwaukee’s downtown area He also said the building “had some kind of makeshift stage in the front” and it’s close to a flower shop Maybe some South Milwaukee sleuths can figure it out The area has been without a Polish restaurant since Polonez closed in September 2022 and Bartoszek said he’s looking forward to bringing authentic Polish food back to the public “Just from a demand point everyone wants it,” he said The building will require 'not just a little remodel' to house the restaurantBartoszek also made it clear the building needs a lot of work The couple plan to change the storefront to all glass but hope to restore the upper portion of the facade to maintain the “old world feel” of the building “Bringing back the old storefronts is a good thing since malls are dying so you have no selection of anything,” he said To help fund the work, Bartoszek said he is working to take advantage of some of the business grant money South Milwaukee offers via the Bucyrus Foundation such as applying for the facade improvement grant What food will be offered at Wioletta’s Polish Kitchen?The couple plan to offer a Polish plate which is basically a sampler of classics like Polish sausage and perogies The restaurant will also have various soups and Bartoszek said they are looking to offer “something quirky” for a fish fry “We’re just playing around with the menu now,” he said The inside will seat up to about 50 people for dine-in with no current outdoor seating options There will also be counter service for fast takeout Bartoszek said he is looking into possibly linking up with popular delivery apps like Grubhub or DoorDash The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner and will also offer catering Bartoszek said he already has a chef for the restaurant but will be hiring more staff closer to opening Crusherfest is slamming back into South Milwaukee’s downtown this year and the pro-wrestling-centric festival has announced its first guest WWE Hall of Famer Tito Santana will be at the biannual event, which happens the weekend of May 31-June 1, according to a Feb. 10 post on the festival’s official Facebook page in the wrestling tent offering autographs and photo opportunities Santana recently appeared on WWE television as a guest on Saturday Night’s Main Event in December Crusherfest launched in 2019 with the unveiling of a life-sized bronze statue of South Milwaukee’s own Reggie “Da Crusher” Lisowski following a $40,000 GoFundMe campaign to create it Lisowski wrestled professionally for over 40 years winning the AWA Heavyweight Championship three times and the AWA Tag Team Championships with Dick the Bruiser five times Lisowski died of a brain tumor in 2005 at the age of 79 The festival last happened in June 2023 In February 2024, it was announced the festival would remain biannual with Crusherfest Chairperson Peggy Clark noting at the time it had always been done that way and “it seemed like it’s working.” Clark noted planning was a lot of work and the event cost a lot of money to pay for talent saying the longer time period between events could allow additional time to fundraise and “maybe bring even bigger talent in.” Crusherfest has hosted many well-known names in pro-wrestling including “Cowboy” Bob Orton Who is Tito Santana?Santana is a former Intercontinental Champion, World Tag Team Champion, and 2004 WWE Hall of Fame inductee, according to WWE.com Known for his fist-pumping "Arriba!" chant (which means "upward" or "higher" in English, according to Merriam-Webster) he wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) Competing from the late 1970s into the ‘90s including ending the yearlong title reign of Don Muraco On his official website Santana notes he and Hulk Hogan are the only two individuals to compete at the first nine Wrestlemania events What else happens at Crusherfest?While the guests are certainly a highlight polka music and sausage are also featured prominently at Crusherfest Polka music fills the air as people peruse various vendors Saloon competition featuring the Crusher pose sausage eating and a beer drinking contest where the winner is rewarded a belt ― just like in pro-wrestling 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 Many people have reached out to TMJ4 in recent days to report finding dead birds while on walks or near Lake Michigan The Wisconsin Humane Society says it has admitted 42 birds with suspected HPAI Birds suspected of having HPAI were humanely euthanized due to the severity of their illness and the high risk of spreading the disease "We've been finding quite a few of them dead on the shores," Todd Leech told TMJ4 Leech is a birdwatcher and semi-professional photographer He and his wife have stumbled upon multiple instances of dead or sick red-breasted mergansers at Grant Park Leech recalled contacting the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources up to four times for dead birds suspected of avian flu this season Watch: People reporting dead bird sightings from South Milwaukee to Port Washington "They sent somebody to pick them up because they don't want the disease to transmit to other animals," Leech added has been absent from her normal outdoor exhibit explained that once the center learned about a suspected case of avian flu in a nearby area it immediately took steps to protect the 16 birds in its program "Our raptor facility itself is essentially boarded up to protect all of the birds Any humans entering the building have to go through sanitation washes," Focht said there are increased restrictions on who has access to the birds at the nature center Indoor programming for the birds continues while outdoor opportunities are scaled back It is not clear how long this wave of avian flu will last Focht encourages people to report any sick or dead birds to the DNR "The most striking thing is just the number of occurrences," Focht stated The Humane Society encourages the public to call the WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at 414-431-6204 for any sick or injured birds Symptoms of HPAI in birds include neurological signs South Milwaukee has a new Bucyrus Commons space downtown but now the city is hoping to create a second smaller plaza about a block away The Common Council is set to discuss contracting with Milwaukee-based engineering and design firm Graef to create concepts for the Tri City National Bank plaza at its Jan The beautification project could see improvements to the site on the southeast corner of 10th and Milwaukee avenues including the installation of an art sculpture The city’s downtown strategic vision report recommends upgrading intersections with art South Milwaukee’s comprehensive downtown 2035 plan provides concepts for a plaza space with a large “SoMKE" channel-letter cabinet sculpture Bucyrus Foundation grant funds would assist with costs The plaza is on a separate parcel from the bank branch across an alley It’s approximately 5,400 square feet (45 feet by 120 feet) The space currently features six concrete benches City staff met with representatives from Tri City National Bank and they support the project The first phase is to create a site concept and seek bank approvals it’s noted if the new Graef proposal is accepted the firm will create concepts including 3D visuals More: South Milwaukee's new $50M project to focus on 'safe, quality, and affordable housing' During his inauguration address President Donald Trump said the Panama Canal had “foolishly been given to the country of Panama” and the United States is “taking it back." Trump claims Panama broke its promise to keep the trade waterway neutral, saying ships from the United States, including U.S. naval vessels, are being “severely overcharged and not treated fairly” to utilize it, which the Panamanian government has denied The comments have put the Panama Canal at the center of international attention over a century since its construction But what many may not know is that a southeastern Wisconsin community played a key role in getting the canal built How a Wisconsin company helped dig the Panama CanalThe canal was constructed in the early 1900s by using steam shovels ― large Those steam shovels were built thousands of miles north of Panama at the city of South Milwaukee's Bucyrus Steam Shovel and Dredge Company “Bucyrus manufactured the steam shovels in South Milwaukee but some of our employees had to travel to Panama to service these shovels to keep them running under extremely difficult conditions,” said Tim Sullivan The philanthropic Bucyrus Foundation was formed in the 1970s and in 2002 transferred its foundation to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation The latter is made up of more than 1,300 distinct charitable funds France first attempted the canal’s construction in the late 1800s The United States began its work on the canal in 1903 until completion in 1914 with the help of Bucyrus workers keeping the machinery operational A treaty ultimately transferred control of the canal from the U.S with oversight by the Panamanian government Sources conflict on how many people lost their lives throughout the canal's construction Sullivan said "over 20,000 people lost their lives when the French attempted the feat and over 5,000 perished during the successful American attempt." President Trump claimed 38,000 Americans lost their lives in the canal's construction Matthew Parker, author of “Hell’s Gorge: The Battle to Build the Panama Canal,” told the BBC the majority of deaths were not Americans He said 6,000 people from Barbados died during the U.S construction period along with roughly 300 Americans About 25,000 people died in the earlier failed French attempt to build the canal More: What Trump got right and wrong about the Panama Canal at his inauguration | Fact checks Sullivan said it’s always difficult to comprehend how a situation involving the relinquishment of hard-fought territory evolves over time and I think those intimately involved with the situation especially when their comrades paid the ultimate sacrifice struggle mightily when they learn that what they accomplished has been reversed,” he said "The Panama Canal is certainly one example." Sullivan noted it's not appropriate to equate the Panama Canal situation with territory relinquished during war when lives are lost with any admirable endeavor and the land is then relinquished The Journal Sentinel also reached out to representatives from South Milwaukee's Bucyrus Museum for thoughts on Trump's comments Museum Chairman Bob Jelinek said the museum is maintained by a group of retiree volunteers "without any political affiliations or views to share on current affairs." He said their purpose is to "preserve the history and legacy of Bucyrus from 1880-2011 as a museum." The museum, 1919 12th Ave. in South Milwaukee, displays over 20,000 artifacts from the company's history, according to the museum website Displays feature monitors with videos explaining some items or provide QR codes to additional resources Visitors can also experience an electric mining shovel simulator More: Trump starts Ukraine peace talks as he and Putin plan Saudi meet While the company is no longer operating, the Bucyrus Foundation is still making an impact. In 2021, the foundation announced a $10 million grant for South Milwaukee development That money has been utilized to revitalize The Bucyrus Club, create the Bucyrus Commons plaza space in the city’s downtown, as well as offering many businesses assistance from storefront activation to façade grants emptying the former Bucyrus campus in the heart of South Milwaukee A Hmong American woman who has lived in the Milwaukee area since she was 8 months old was deported last week to Laos and says she is stranded in a rooming house surrounded by military guards has no family or friends in the country and that the military is holding all her documents the daughter of Hmong refugees after the Vietnam War resident until she pleaded guilty to taking part in a marijuana trafficking operation "The United States sent me back to die," she said UPDATE: On all-night calls, Hmong American woman stranded in Laos searches for a path forward Once she arrived in the Laotian capital of Vientiane on March 6 she said she was questioned by military authorities then sent to a rooming house where guards did not allow her to leave or contact anyone for five days She paced in circles around the compound and ate food the guards gave her she was taken to buy a cellphone and withdraw cash She could finally reach out to her partner of 16 years The military official in charge of her situation — she does not know his rank or title — then said she could leave if she wanted Opinion: We want to hear from you: Milwaukee woman was deported to Laos. Was that right? Yang has no insulin for her diabetes and dwindling supplies of high blood pressure medication did not provide comment Thursday on Yang's case More: They came to the U.S. legally with American sponsors. Trump put their future in jeopardy. Yang worked as a nail technician and a receptionist at nail salons before the COVID-19 pandemic is disabled: he has had two brain surgeries is partially paralyzed and suffers from memory loss the family moved into a house that prosecutors say was part of a marijuana trafficking operation Yang was among 26 people indicted in a sweeping federal case in 2020 It alleged Yang helped count and package cash that was mailed to marijuana suppliers in California Prosecutors found bags of cash taped between pages of magazines She took a plea deal and served 2 1/2 years in prison She said her attorney incorrectly told her the plea deal would not affect her immigration status as a green card holder But her legal permanent residency was revoked Yang would've traded a shorter prison sentence for a longer one if she could have kept her green card Yang was transferred to an ICE detention facility in Minnesota she signed a document agreeing that a deportation order would be entered against her in exchange for being released from detention she and her attorney believed it wouldn't happen since only a small handful of people are deported to Laos each year and Laos typically has refused to accept U.S Nearly 5,000 citizens of Laos with final deportation orders remained in the U.S Yang also expected the second attorney to reopen her criminal case and get the conviction thrown out on the grounds she had poor legal representation the first time the deportation order would become irrelevant But the new attorney did not reopen her case "I just keep getting screwed in this system," Yang said More: Inches from resettling, an Afghan refugee family looks to Wisconsin senator for help Check-in appointment leads to jail in Indiana flights to LaosAfter being released from detention Yang and Bub bought a house in South Milwaukee and she was attending regular check-ins with ICE she got a call from ICE asking her to go to their downtown Milwaukee office for a check-in It was nine months before her scheduled date Someone there told her she'd likely sit in the jail for a few months she was sent to a holding facility in Chicago Yang says an officer forced her to provide her fingerprints on a document stating she would not return to the U.S And then she was off on commercial flights: Chicago to Atlanta to South Korea to Laos On its website, ICE said it asks foreign governments to confirm the citizenship of deportees issue travel documents and accept them from commercial flights It appears that ICE has been deporting citizens of countries that will not accept them. Over 100 people from such countries were being held earlier this month in a remote jungle camp after being flown to Panama, the New York Times reported Yang's had trouble getting answers to questions from the Laos military officials about her living situation and what she's supposed to do next Bub and Yang's children have taken her deportation hard Bub hasn't been sleeping and has struggled to care for the children as a single dad Yang sees the return of Hmong refugees to Laos as a betrayal by the U.S Hmong soldiers helped the American military in the Vietnam War then faced persecution and violence for their role "How do you send us back when we fought for you guys?" Yang said moved in with the family after Yang got out of prison The family is seeking donations at gofundme.com/f/support-ma-yangs-return-to-her-kids Sophie Carson is a general assignment reporter who reports on religion and faith, immigrants and refugees and more. Contact her at scarson@gannett.com or 920-323-5758 — Long wait times to vote began on Tuesday for the first day of in-person voting I thought I would check into that,” said Patricia Gensemer Patricia Gensemer says she reached out to TMJ4 after waiting for close to an hour to cast her vote on Tuesday in South Milwaukee But I think it was more people moving closer together Watch: South Milwaukee voters share concerns over long lines during early voting “The state system was overwhelmed with the high voter turnout but it caused long wait times,” said Patrick Brever South Milwaukee City Administrator Patrick Brever said once it was determined to be outside of the city's control his teams began notifying residents in person and on social media “It was important for us to be proactive in communicating these issues,” said Brever Gensemer said she decided to come back on Wednesday to try again and was able to cast her ballot With near-record turnout expected across the state Brever said their main focus is ensuring every voter is counted It's one that we're all paying a lot of attention to and we're glad that there are these high turnouts and we're hopeful that will continue the rest of the period here Find out where to vote, what's on your ballot, and much more on TMJ4's elections page here. South Milwaukee may soon offer indoor pickleball according to City Administrator Patrick Brever and is instead transitioning to pickleball The city received a concept plan on July 23 from Guriqbal Singh Sra of Chicago Ave. to repurpose the building’s 40,000 square-foot interior into 12 pickleball courts a restaurant inside the existing lounge (operated by a third party) and a small fitness room according to South Milwaukee Economic Development Manager Ericka Lang Tentatively called the Premier Pickleball Club clinics and tournaments through a partnership with the Southwestern Association of Pickleball according to the business plan filed with the city Membership plans could range from basic and standard options to premium corporate and special instructor memberships These levels would offer various amenities from access to open play during all business hours The facility is expected to be open from 7 a.m The business plan mentions potential collaborations with local businesses and schools to promote healthy lifestyles and pickleball The property has had some issues recently that required police department involvement A May 27 report to the South Milwaukee Plan Commission from South Milwaukee Police Lt Jason Walker listed numerous complaints and violations There were three noise complaints in June and July 2023 a September 2023 traffic complaint of a vehicle doing donuts in the parking lot abandoned and suspicious vehicle reports from 2024 There was also a battery complaint in February that involved players and parents where the father of one player allegedly bit the coach’s finger The Milwaukee County District Attorney declined to prosecute the case because there were no independent witnesses some parts of the property have fallen into disrepair “The property is in great need of attention as half the parking lot is crumbling and other deferred maintenance items,” Lang said “The city is enthusiastic about this proposal as well as the community.” Brever said the property owner has publicly acknowledged “operational changes needed to be made.” The new use requires a conditional use permit A public hearing on the submissions is scheduled for Aug SOUTH MILWAUKEE — It was all about the Packers Thursday night at Moran’s Pub on Thanksgiving Dozens of fans spent the end of the holiday cheering on Green Bay as they took on the Miami Dolphins Moran’s invited TMJ4 to check out their special watch party and soak in the atmosphere That flag has become a lucky fashion statement of sorts for Olson “We went ahead and put this on as an ascot Watch: Packers Fans fill Moran’s in South Milwaukee for Thanksgiving watch party Olson wasn’t the only fan relying on a good luck charm Thursday night I’ve got to make sure that I carry this,” said Katie “Grammy” Hilpert Hilpert was joined by her daughter and granddaughter I’m very thankful because they have had a little better of a season but we'll take what we can get,” said Hilpert fans had the chance to play games and participate in raffles Both Hilpert's and Olson’s lucky charms paid off as the Packers secured the win While Hilpert was grateful to cheer on her beloved Packers this holiday simply coming together at the pub was already a guaranteed victory “What are you thankful for?” asked TMJ4’s Mike Beiermeister embodying the spirit of gratitude on this Thanksgiving Day — The South Milwaukee High School and Middle School were placed on a brief hold Thursday afternoon superintendent of the School District of South Milwaukee and the South Milwaukee Police Department removed a staff member from the high school due to an investigation the superintendent went on to say that the school may call a “hold” when there is a situation that requires students and staff to remain in their rooms until the incident is resolved “Investigations involving staff members are extremely serious and administration officials are following all internal protocols and applicable state laws,” Roemer said in the letter “The district is also cooperating with our partners in the South Milwaukee Police Department." The reason for the removal of the staff member is unclear Readers say books can take you to faraway places from the comfort of your home For those looking to get out ― but not too far ― and still feel like they’re visiting different countries the second annual Shop Small World Tour in South Milwaukee is the ticket Sarah Mironczuk, owner of Bakehouse 23 is working with three other business owners in the city to promote the event which goes from 10 a.m It was a really good time,” Mironczuk said “It’s not necessarily a Christmas event but an all-inclusive holiday event celebrating the cultures of our world.” Parkway Floral owner Leah Minue and Natalie Gajewski, owner of Omen in South Milwaukee which coincides with Small Business Saturday Nearly all businesses had “exceptional sales” during last year’s similar event The exceptions were businesses not in South Milwaukee’s downtown area Organizers have worked to rectify that this year with bus stops to help shoppers get around the city. Visitors will need to wait up to 20-30 minutes at a stop for the bus to make its round trip. Hot chocolate will be provided at all stops except one near Better Together Café which offers a merry menu of many tasty Businesses like Pink Bunny Games, Everything for Less and Rosenquist Fine Art will now be more easily accessible to people who previously were mostly wandering Milwaukee Avenue How does the event work?All participating businesses choose a country to represent Themed items and décor will then center on that country Visitors can pick up a passport, designed by local artist Lauren Marvell and printed by Tri-City Bank “She’s wonderful; she does beautiful work,” Mironczuk said of Marvell’s work adding her only design directive was to “make it in a Candy Land style.” The passport is essentially a map indicating where each participating business is located Travelers can get their passport stamped at each subsequent business they visit Once someone gets at least five stamps they can enter a raffle of their choice Each business is holding its own raffle for items or gift cards Two of the businesses not on the main downtown strip ― Rosenquist and Pink Bunny Games ― will hold additional raffles for $100 Visa gift cards as a thank you for making the trip Anyone who doesn’t win at a shop’s raffle will be entered into a single large raffle which has prizes from every business Mironczuk and other business owners presented the event’s budget to the South Milwaukee Common Council on Nov The business owners were asking for a $1,000 grant from South Milwaukee via grant money provided to the city from the Bucyrus Foundation Participating businesses had a $25 buy-in, Mironczuk said. However, the rest of the costs for the event ― everything from needed materials to promotional buys ― the main organizing business owners were going to pay out of pocket. Some money was also slated to come from South Milwaukee Independent Local Entrepreneurs a local business-oriented nonprofit operated by Mironczuk and Minue Alderman Tim Backes suggested the city double the ask to $2,000 to cover nearly the entire budget the incredible body of work these business owners have already put into our community doubling the request to cover just about all of those hard expenses made sense,” Backes told the Journal Sentinel I made that suggestion to council president (Brett) Briesemeister Backes said it was an easy decision that will make a big impact “while barely even putting a dent into the interest" that would be generated by that grant money “It's perfectly in the spirit of what the Bucyrus grant money was intended for,” he said adding it will support an event that will bring many into South Milwaukee the council voted to move forward with the $2,000 in perpetuity for the event “There’s a sense of relief and a sense of pride It felt really great to feel supported by our community Mostly everyone was really on board and excited to help us.” Here are the 16 businesses participating this year and their respective countries: More: South Milwaukee's new $50 million project to focus on low-income families and veterans Participating businesses choose a country to represent and honor it for the day at the Shop Small World Tour The Small Business Saturday initiative has sparked a creative spirit – big time. Last year, South Milwaukee hosted what organizers called the Shop Small World Tour. The culturally inclusive holiday shopping event was such a success last year, they’re doing it again as well as our regular treats and holiday gift packs.” and there will also be one giant raffle as well Shoppers will be able to pick up a map/passport – designed by Lauren Marvell Illustrations – at each shop so they can plan their visits Getting your passport stamped at the various locations will allow you to enter the raffles They’re also running a shuttle for businesses that aren’t located right on the main strip Each shuttle stop will have a hot chocolate station sponsored by Bakehouse 23 The extravaganza is spearheaded by Natalie Gajewski (owner of Omen, 1310 Milwaukee Ave.), along Mironczuk and Leah Minue, owner of Parkway Floral (1001 Milwaukee Ave.) There was an increased police presence at South Milwaukee Middle School on Wednesday as a precaution after a threat to school safety Tuesday night Officials determined the threat was not credible and class was scheduled to be held as usual South Milwaukee Middle School principal Jim Hendrickson said the school received an anonymous report that a student was overheard in class earlier in the day making a threat to school safety The school worked with South Milwaukee police to investigate and said it did not believe the threat to be credible and said school would resume Wednesday as normal while police provide an increased presence at school before school hours and throughout the day out of an abundance of caution Wednesday was already scheduled to be an early release day for students; students are scheduled to be dismissed at 11:55 a.m "We are very grateful to the community member who followed the If You See Something Say Something protocol and reported the incident to the Speak Out Speak Up tip line The tip allowed us to respond quickly and investigate," Hendrickson said in his letter Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at@AlecJohnson12 That sign greets anyone walking in the door of DEVOUR Gluten Free which opened Nov Owner Christina Mike of Oak Creek has operated DEVOUR her gluten-free mixes were primarily available at farmer’s markets in Oak Creek Mike said they’ll still be available at these locations Mike took culinary classes after high school and worked in a few different bakeries in the Milwaukee area through the ‘90s She considered opening a bakery in the past but those plans never came to fruition It was after Mike learned how hard it was to find quality gluten-free blends for bakery items like pizza crusts and cakes from friends who had celiac disease that she saw an opportunity displacing nearly 20 food-based businesses Mike shared her thoughts via Facebook calling it “a sad loss for so many food makers that shared the space.” She vowed to “figure out a way to come back.” a lunch lady at Oak Creek's Forest Ridge Elementary was given permission to use the school kitchen to make her blends “That was a total blessing in disguise kind of thing,” she said It wasn’t until this summer that Mike considered getting her own storefront “People were starting to care about downtown South Milwaukee,” she said She signed the lease for her new location in October and opened at the end of November Mike said she didn’t have a lot to do to get set up other than installing a large stainless steel sink area Mike said the location is motivating her creativity What she makes at DEVOUR and what it costsMike utilizes brown rice flour for extra nutrients in many of her mixes along with potato flour and potato starch Mike also incorporates tapioca along with xanthan gum for “structure and stretch" and to help "bind it together.” She sticks to using higher end ingredients such as a fair-trade powder called Native Vanilla for her cake mixes While many farmers market-based businesses cut back on market appearances when they open their own storefront Mike said she thinks having her own space will “enhance” her participation because she has more room to work she also no longer has to worry about cross contamination which she said was a concern working in a shared kitchen space like Common Cookhouse She is also actively working to keep her new space nut free Most of her products range from $4 up to $9 depending on blend and size Mike said she is still solely focused on blends with no plans to offer premade items she is considering hosting a pop-up in the future for gluten-free bakers voters in South Milwaukee approved a referendum that funds the district’s social and emotional learning program This initiative allows students to gain the skills they need to feel safe and what it means is that students are both receiving instruction on what it means to be an emotional and then also practicing those skills with each other throughout the day,” said Sarah Adashek Adashek is a fourth-grade teacher at Rawson Elementary she says she has seen the work of the social and emotional learning program up close with coaches working with her students every day to great results Watch: Social and emotional coaches help students whether you’re in 4K or you’re in fifth grade instead of one person once a week,” said Adashek Friedkin says she loves being able to work with a child on a holistic level by coming into their classrooms when they need support She is there to help them process their emotions when they are struggling and empower them to advocate for themselves community building—it reaches over all the parts of our day I’m lucky enough to be able to help,” said Friedkin Director of Pupil Services Carrie Stollenwerk says the school district is constantly checking in with its students and teachers to make sure the program is serving their needs “We’re going to keep trying to edit and refine and make it better so that it is having the greatest positive impact for every child that it possibly can,” said Stollenwerk Friedkin says she hopes the individualized attention the program provides will carry the students for years to come and hopefully carry that on through middle and high school and into the world,” said Friedkin The Milwaukee resident charged with killing his coworker at Pizza Hut in South Milwaukee has pleaded guilty 19 to felony charges of first-degree reckless homicide and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon Two other felony charges — hiding a corpse and armed robbery with use of force — were dismissed but read in as part of a plea agreement Ingram’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct has remained closed since the body of 55-year-old manager Alex Stengel was found in a garbage cart on the property on Feb Police arrested Ingram, an employee of the pizzeria, on Feb. 11 at a different Pizza Hut location in Milwaukee Stengel’s body was found with gunshot and stab wounds, according to the criminal complaint Police found a trail of blood from the dumpster area on-site to a door on the Pizza Hut building leading to the kitchen Officials believe Stengel was killed in the kitchen Surveillance video from the Taco Bell next door showed someone wearing black clothing struggling to get a garbage can from Pizza Hut toward the dumpsters Authorities believe Ingram logged Stengel out of the clock-in system after the murder Police say he also used Stengel’s phone to contact the general manager of the restaurant to explain Stengel's absence The complaint said the regional manager of Pizza Hut told authorities Stengel had recently cashed a $7,000 inheritance check and showed coworkers — including Ingram — the large roll of cash More: South Milwaukee Pizza Hut, closed since the manager was found killed, to reopen in Cudahy the Milwaukee man who pleaded guilty to killing his coworker at the South Milwaukee Pizza Hut was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Oct Ingram was ordered to spend 40 years in prison on the first-degree reckless homicide charge followed by 5 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm He will then have 15 years of extended supervision A restitution hearing – where the court will determine how much a defendant must pay to compensate the victim(s) – was requested and is scheduled for Nov Ingram, 31, pleaded guilty on Aug. 19 to the two counts for which he was sentenced Plea negotiations led to two other counts – hiding a corpse and armed robbery – being dismissed but they were read in What happened?The body of 55-year-old Alex Stengel, a manager, was found in a garbage cart on the South Milwaukee Pizza Hut property, 124 N. Chicago Ave., on Feb. 7 Police said Stengel had both gunshot and stab wounds Officials found a trail of blood from the restaurant to the garbage enclosure which led them to believe Stengel was killed in the kitchen Surveillance video from a Taco Bell next door showed someone struggling to get a garbage can from the building to the dumpsters Ingram, an employee of the pizza chain, was arrested at a Milwaukee Pizza Hut location on Feb. 11 The complaint notes Stengel recently cashed an inheritance check for $7,000 and showed the money to co-workers The South Milwaukee Pizza Hut has remained closed since the incident A South Milwaukee School District employee was arrested Oct 17 on suspicion of sexual misconduct by a school employee and child enticement The employee's removal from the high school caused South Milwaukee Middle and High schools to go on a brief hold The arrest stems from a school district report alleging that an employee had inappropriate contact with a student 18 news release from the South Milwaukee Police Department The release said the investigation was ongoing and police expected to refer the case to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office The Milwaukee County District Attorney's office did not immediately respond to a reporter's phone or email message seeking information on whether charges have been filed In a letter to South Milwaukee High School and Middle school parents school district superintendent Deidre Roemer said both schools were placed on a brief "hold" from 1:40 to 1:47 p.m 17 while the employee was taken out of the building because of the investigation Roemer's letter did not name the staff member nor did it say what the investigation was about "Investigations involving staff members are extremely serious and administration officials are following all internal protocols and applicable state laws The District is also cooperating with our partners in the South Milwaukee Police Department," Roemer said in the letter "We respect the privacy and confidentiality of our staff and students There is also a need to maintain the integrity of the investigation to obtain a final determination of the circumstances and any resulting decisions Therefore no further information will be made available regarding this matter at this time It is always our goal to be as forthcoming as possible with our community so we will share additional information if and when we are able," Roemer said in her letter South Milwaukee communications coordinator Dan Bader said in an email to a reporter that beyond Roemer's letter Contact Alec Johnson at 262-875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12 Some may have caught glimpses of South Milwaukee's new big-footed resident in recent months wandering around the area and he’s a Sasquatch from the Pacific Northwest In a video introducing himself to the community Sam said he’s always lived a solitary life because people thought of him as “some kind of monster.” I’ve always just wanted to find a place to settle down a place where I can be accepted for who I really am,” Sam said He’s now on a mission to share what makes South Milwaukee a great place to live “To say I was honored when South Milwaukee wanted me to be their new spokesperson was it’s a big understatement,” Sam said in his video Funding for Sam as the new spokesasquatch for South Milwaukee came as part of a grant from the Bucyrus Foundation City Administrator Patrick Brever said Sam likes South Milwaukee “because it’s a welcoming place” and he now lives in Grant Park enjoying the hiking trails and the beach One of the businesses Sam visits in his video is Better Together Café Owners Zach and Becky Kinzer said they “thought we had a Wookiee coming to our shop” straight out of Star Wars until they realized “Wookiees aren’t real.” “Turns out Sam is a Sasquatch,” the couple said in an email to the Journal Sentinel about their experience meeting Sam “Super cool to meet him and who knew Sasquatches love coffee!?” The couple said it's awesome that South Milwaukee is "thinking outside the box and pushing for more opportunities to connect with people inside and outside our little city with such a fun idea.” “We’re really looking forward to seeing how Sam engages with the community and pretty stoked that we were able to be a part of his intro," the couple said "We can’t wait to see all the other fantastic ideas that (South Milwaukee) has up their sleeves." Sam made his first public appearance at the South Milwaukee Fire Department’s Brat & Tot Fry on July 24 His first trip to the downtown market was July 25 He's also part of the Heritage Days parade July 27 will be at the Community Night Out at City Hall on Aug 5 and will enjoy a movie with residents at the Celebrations Commission movie night at Bucyrus Commons on Aug He’s also set to be at the Family Spooktacular at Bucyrus Commons on Oct Sam is also working to open a business in the city which will be chronicled in his next video focusing on small business recruitment in the city “He demonstrates how easy it is to open a business because he’s done it himself,” Brever said Brever said the city is still working with Sam to schedule more events – possibly a story time at the library or visits to local schools this coming school year Brever said he’s even heard a request that Sam face or tag team with notable local wrestler South Milwaukee Man at Crusherfest one day Those interested in keeping up with Sam can follow him on social media: When the Bucyrus Foundation issued a grant to South Milwaukee it came with a request that some dollars be used toward a new marketing campaign for the city Savage Solutions, the Milwaukee-based agency which helped rebrand the city in 2018 was tasked with coming up with this new campaign “They came back with a couple (ideas) that were a little more traditional,” Brever said “And then they came back with this very creative and outside the box idea that we thought was a lot of fun and decided to go down that route.” Savage Solutions met with city officials one at a time because they didn’t want to spoil the campaign by presenting in front of the Common Council publicly “We were so pleasantly surprised with how much (city staff) were gravitating toward it,” said Cory Savage “They’ve been so supportive which makes us work twice as hard.” He was surprised the idea didn’t leak out ― other than a few times when Sam was out filming scenes reminiscent of classic Big Foot sightings “People were stopping in their cars looking and taking pictures.” Savage said the idea came from the Milwaukee Lion sightings on the city’s north side from nearly a decade ago He commended South Milwaukee officials and staff for agreeing to and rallying behind such a unique campaign “This is the first project in the history of this company where every single employee at Savage had a piece of it,” Savage said Creative Director and partner at Savage Solutions Mark Hungsberg said it’s a campaign that “legitimately has legs.” He said Sam was to be "a regular kind of guy" and was designed and redesigned many times to make sure he wasn’t too scary for kids The primary Sam actor has experience in children’s theater and mascot work “We also wanted to be true to the history of South Milwaukee by doing this almost blue-collar worker shirt Savage said Sam “just fit the mentality and personality of what South Milwaukee has to offer.” Brever said he’s happy with the costume and campaign “It’s just kind of a fun way to get some attention to the community and our businesses,” Brever said South Milwaukee Sam made his public debut on social media July 24Work on the campaign has been underway for nearly a year behind the scenes and Sam made his full public debut on social media July 24 with his introduction video along with his own social pages and a website, www.smkesam.com Alderwoman Lisa Pieper shared more details in a comment responding to residents on the city’s Facebook page She said the council voted to hire “a branding mascot consulting firm” ― Savage Solutions ― and they came back with the “very professional suggestion of Sam” in about six months “The costume was made in Hollywood specifically for (South Milwaukee) and there will also be TV commercials with Sam showing some of the things (South Milwaukee) has to offer and inviting everyone to visit (South Milwaukee),” she wrote A few local businesses were tapped to help showcase Sam and Brever said they’ve all been won over by South Milwaukee’s Sasquatch “We recognize that it’s kind of outside the box and we didn’t know how the response would be but (local businesses) have been very big fans and they’ve generated some of their own ideas how they want to involve Sam in the community,” Brever said While Sam will showcase his hairdressing business in the next marketing video residents won’t be able to get their hair cut by their new neighbor But what the community can get is some Sam swag through a partnership with South Milwaukee-based Styled Aesthetic More: LEGO to lilies, photos to patriotic clothes, 4 businesses that are new to the south suburbs More: South Milwaukee’s Crusherfest won’t happen this year. Here’s why. There are a few new businesses either open or coming soon to Milwaukee's south suburbs to fill your belly or quench your thirst Bar-B-Que has come to Cudahy with his food truck favorites He’s also brought along other food entrepreneurs set to offer themed dinners at the new location at 4666 S Jervel “Mr. Barbecue” Williams held his opening day on Oct. 12 offering his locally famous food to some of his most consistent customers in the area Community Minded Kitchen presents Mister Bar-B-Que features a takeout buffet of favorites including brisket Williams suggests his signature smoked mac bowl with brisket The location has a sit down space which Williams said will be utilized for special events hosted by other local food entrepreneurs His goal is to offer these chefs an opportunity to feed the public and get feedback before they’re off on their own Visit facebook.com/mrbarbequewilliams and 4diversedining.com for more information on upcoming offerings Williams said this new location shouldn’t impact that part of his business The Triple Pepperoni Magnifico is now available in Franklin at the recently-opened Marco’s Pizza featuring this pepperoni fan’s dream along with other Italian-inspired items like pizza bowls This is the third Marco’s Pizza in the Milwaukee area The location was chosen due to the “growing population close-knit community and charming small-town atmosphere,” said Matt Reynolds Marco’s Pizza was founded in 1978 and has its headquarters in Toledo For more information go to marcos.com Just want to relax with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine This upcoming business in South Milwaukee will have you covered for both Valor Wine and Virtue Coffee both will occupy the same space at 1234 Milwaukee Ave Spearheaded by Alexandria and William Backes of Milwaukee this new dual drink experience looks to balance the need for caffeine in the morning with a relaxing glass of wine in the evening Virtue Coffee will be toward the front of the business and offer a self-serve creamer and water station with seating for 31 coffee connoisseurs The space will feature a full commercial bar focused on local wineries and seating for 20 guests daily sparkling drinks and some snacks or bakery items are planned which can accommodate 30 to 40 people comfortably The building will also be home to Alexandria Backes’ interior design business called Honor Interiors The building is undergoing some work to get it ready for customers with construction proposals indicating a December 2024 completion Whether you want a coffee or a glass of wine this new South Milwaukee business could have you covered Valor Wine and Virtue Coffee is looking to bring a strong sense of community Alexandria and William Backes of Milwaukee have proposed this new dual drink concept business for 1234 Milwaukee Ave The initial plans and a request for a grant were submitted in mid-September and went through Plan Commission review Sept The South Milwaukee Common Council then approved $105,000 for the project through a combination of Bucyrus Storefront Activation and Bucyrus Improvement grants the funds will cover approximately 37% of the total project cost and is divided between façade work and the interior Valor and Honor: Breaking down the three businessesThe following was taken from project documents submitted to the city by Alexandria and William Backes: Virtue Coffee: The coffee shop will be open 7 a.m on Saturday and Sunday with two full-time employees and one part-timer which includes a self-serve creamer and water station There will be an online service for ordering coffee to pick up Two 15-minute to-go parking spaces will be added along 13th Avenue Valor Wine: The wine bar will be open 11:30 a.m Thursday and Sunday in addition to 11:30 a.m on Friday and Saturday with one full-time employee and up to two part-time workers during the busy season The wine space will feature a full commercial bar with service and a focus on local wineries sparkling drinks and snacks/bakery will be offered Honor Interiors: The building will also house an interior design business operated by Alexandria Backes with one full-time employee two part-time employees and one or two student interns marble and “other historically accurate artistic features” will be incorporated The interior design business will primarily operate out of a conference room The remodeling work on the storefront and rooftop is designed to “enhance historical features” of the building and welcome locals “to the Cedarburg of the South,” project documents say Some of the work listed in those documents includes restoring the original tin ceiling refinishing the original hardwood flooring adding a second bathroom to the first floor A large 20-foot-high mural of Joan of Arc by Darius of Big Wall Signs is planned for the west side of the building young female heroine to showcase her contribution to the history and testament of human courage,” project documents submitted to the city say “Her life showcases an invaluable symbol of hope; that even the smallest and youngest of our time can do great things.” The rooftop deck will be refreshed with new decking accents and a new exterior staircase on the north side of the building expected to be open from May through November via the use of gas heaters in the later season has space to accommodate 30-40 people comfortably The first floor of the building could seat around 100 people for special events and parties however for everyday use each business has its own dedicated space Construction proposals indicate a target completion date of December 2024 Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.