West Allis police to give away 'The Club' to owners of certain vehicles
On Wednesday, the West Allis Police Department will kick off its "20 percent by 2012" campaign by giving away The Club, a trademarked anti-theft device, to owners of vehicles heavily targeted by car thieves in recent months.
Utilizing Wisconsin Department of Transportation records, owners of these targeted vehicles have already been identified and will be contacted in person by a West Allis police officer or by mail.
Those eligible live in West Allis and own specific 1998-2001 Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth vehicles, including the Dodge Caravan, Stratus and Intrepid, Chrysler Town and Country, and Plymouth Voyager. Together, they accounted for 37 percent of all motor vehicle thefts in West Allis this year, police said.
Because the supply is limited, The Club will be made available to West Allis residents owning targeted vehicles first, with remaining units available to the general public. Other auto theft deterrents will include additional police surveillance and the use of bait vehicles.
The West Allis Police Department's "20 percent by 2012" campaign's goal is to reduce property crime in the city at least 20 percent by December 2012.
West Allis man who was shot by police is charged
The West Allis man shot by police after he allegedly brandished a gun at officers and pointed it at his girlfriend was charged Wednesday with multiple offenses.
The charges against Michael D. Seifert, 51, include recklessly endangering safety, failure to comply with an officer's attempt to take a person into custody, domestic abuse and disorderly conduct.
According to a criminal complaint:
Seifert and his live-in girlfriend of 12 years began quarreling at their residence in the 1700 block of S. 70th St. about 1 a.m. Saturday.
Seifert armed himself with a shotgun and demanded that his girlfriend leave before slapping her in the face. His girlfriend left but returned a short time later to find Seifert still armed.
» Read Full ArticleMotel guest arrested after knife incident in Greenfield
A 65-year-old man is facing a felony charge of second-degree recklessly endangering safety after he allegedly became intoxicated, accused local motel managers of being "terrorists" and threatened them with a steak knife.
Martin B. Shapiro, whose address was listed as Bayside on court documents but who reportedly had been staying at the Hideaway Inn in Greenfield, was formally charged June 3 in Milwaukee County District Court for an incident that occurred on May 30.
According to the police report:
At about 9:15 p.m., dispatch received a 911 call from a screaming woman who stated that a man just threatened her with a knife at motel, 5105 S. 27th St. The woman asked for police to come quickly because the man with the knife was out in the parking lot with her husband and she feared for his life.
An officer arrived at the motel within less than a minute and observed a man running through the parking lot towards Edgerton Avenue, with another man running about 10 feet behind him holding a steak knife in his hand. The officer recognized the assailant as a resident of the inn due to previous complaint calls from earlier that day.
» Read Full ArticleGreenfield pet store robbery suspect could face federal charges
The U.S. Attorney's Office is seeking federal charges against a Milwaukee man who was arrested for armed robbery at a local pet store last month.
According to a Greenfield police report:
The man was arrested after he entered Petco, 4950 S. 76th St., pointed a handgun at an employee and demanded money shortly after the business closed for the day May 13.
The suspect then pushed the employee into a front office, where the store manager was counting money, forced both the employee and manager to the floor, then threatened and kicked them several times before binding their hands and feet with zip ties.
While the robbery was in progress, another employee ran to the back receiving area of the store and dialed 911. As a result, Greenfield police were waiting for the suspect as he fled the store with a bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash.
» Read Full ArticleGraduation in the suburbs photo gallery now online
It's not all pomp and circumstance, but that might be how it felt for suburban high school graduates this weekend.
Students from Nicolet, Germantown, New Berlin and more crossed across stages around the suburban Milwaukee area signifying their high school success. You can view photos of those proud graduates in our photo gallery.
2013 WIAA State Track and Field photo gallery updated
MyCommunityNOW.com has just updated its photo gallery of the 2013 WIAA State Track & Field Meet in La Crosse with more images from Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The Brookfield East boys team captured its third consecutive Division 1 title, edging Green Bay Preble, 51-50. Shorewood won the Division 2 boys title and Saint Mary's Springs the D3 title. Kenosha Tremper, East Troy and Edgar won the girls titles.
Results from this year's meet are available at the WIAA State Meet official results page.
You can see a photo gallery of the 2012 state track and field meet here.
Alice's Garden expands to Greenfield congregation
The typical church partnership in large metro areas usually involves affluent suburban churches sharing their resources and talents with poorer central city congregations. Now, a new Milwaukee initiative is turning that on its head.
SeedFolks Youth Ministry and Alice's Garden, the successful growing community that fills an entire city block near N. 20th and W. Garfield Ave. in Milwaukee, will develop a second location at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4330 s. 84th St., in Greenfield, according to SeedFolks founder Venice Williams said.
The project, which reunites Williams and the Rev. Ingrid Huebner, who had worked together at Cross Lutheran Church, aims to create a space for neighborhood residents to grow food, build community and connect with the congregation, according to Williams. It will also house additional herb gardents for the Alice's Garden Healing Herbs product line.
Contrary to the typical church partnership dynamic, says Williams: "This partnership lifts up the gifts, resources and knowledge of an urban ministry that can be duplicated and lived into in a suburban context."
Apartment development proposed for West Allis
A 38-unit apartment development is being proposed for West Allis.
Developer Chris Miller, of Hartland-based Miller Marriott Custom Homes LLC, wants to build a pair of two-story buildings, with 19 units each, on 2.2 acres on the west side of S. 92nd Street, immediately north of
the railroad overpass between W. Mitchell and W. Rogers streets, according to a city Plan Commission report.
Miller would demolish two homes and a garage on the site to make way for the new development, called 92nd Street Commons. The estimated project costs are $3.3 million.
92nd Street Commons would include 50 parking spaces, which is 10 fewer spaces than normally required by the zoning code.
"The developer’s target market is the empty nesters and singles who typically only have one car," the report said. The Plan Commission is to review the proposed development at its Wednesday meeting.
» Read Full ArticleBicyclist, 15, dies from New Berlin accident
A 15-year-old bicyclist struck Saturday afternoon by a vehicle in New Berlin has died, police said.
The Greenfield girl was crossing Sunny Slope Road from the New Berlin Recreation Trail when she was struck by a sport utility vehicle heading south around 4:30 p.m. She was taken to Froedtert Hospital, where she died Sunday.
The girl's name was not released.
Speed and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash, New Berlin police said.
Man in custody for questioning in death of woman in West Allis
West Allis police said Saturday that a man remains in custody for questioning as they investigate the death of a 63-year-old woman found dead in the hallway of her apartment building Friday.
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office continues working with detectives and will determine the cause and manner of death at the conclusion of their investigation, West Allis Police Chief Charles Padgett said in a statement Saturday.
The 63-year-old woman lived in the building in the 7400 block of W. Washington St., where she was found shortly after 1:30 p.m., police said Friday.
WTMJ-TV (Channel 4) reported that the apartment complex is for people with mental health issues.
Padgett also announced that a Chicago man, Henry Davis Jr., 27, has been charged with two bank robberies and a liquor store holdup in the city in April and May.
Cheap I-94 route expensive for West Allis, officials say
West Allis officials are encouraging business owners and residents to the third set of open house public meetings on Interstate 94 options that could have a crucial affect on the city.
Officials want the on- and off-ramps at 70th/68th streets and at 60th/Hawley Road preserved as they are now partly so that businesses won't be harmed and partly because of fears that West Allis residents will be stuck in backups getting onto the freeway at rush hours.
The open houses will be held next week by the state Department of Transportation.
While most of the I-94 alternatives being considered do include restoring the existing I-94 ramps at 70th/68th and 60th/Hawley, the cheapest alternative does not include all of these ramps. City officials hope to encourage the DOT not to choose the cheapest alternative.
The first open house will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Wisconsin State Fair Park's Tommy Thompson Youth Center, gate 5, at 640 S. 84th St. The second open house will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Marquette University High School, 3401 W. Wisconsin Ave.
» Read Full ArticleGroundbreaking set for Greenfield Farmers Market
A ceremonial groundbreaking will be held for the Greenfield Farmers Market at 4:30 p.m. May 23 in Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave., where the market will be held.
Actually, the groundbreaking will not be for any structure, but for the path that will be created to lead to the market. Because the path also will serve the Dan Jansen Family Fun Fest, the festival board has been part of the celebration planning.
Path construction is to begin immediately after Jansen Fest on Memorial Day weekend, May 24 to 26, at Konkel Park. Weather and construction permitting the path should be ready for the market's opening day, June 23..
The Greenfield Farmers Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 27 offering a variety of products including fresh produce,
salsas and sauces, natural soaps, dressings, bakery and baked goods.
New Greenfield Farmers Market seeks helping hands
With the launch of a farmers market in Greenfield a little more than a month away, the Planning Committee is encouraging people to volunteer to help make the market a success.
Volunteer positions may include Farmers Market ambassadors during market hours, photographers and promoters.
A volunteer interest and feedback meeting will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Greenfield City Hall, 7325 W. Forest Home Ave., room 204, for those who might want to volunteer at or learn more about the farmers market.
The meeting will provide an update on market logistics and promotion plan, provide volunteer opportunities and allow time for feedback and discussion.
Those interested in attending, should email farmersmarket@greenfieldwi.us.
» Read Full ArticleGreenfield police arrest man in Petco store robbery
Greenfield police have arrested a 36-year-old man who is accused of trying to rob a Petco store on S. 76th St. Monday night, reports WTMJ-TV (Channel 4).
The robbery occurred about 9 p.m. Monday. Employees were tied up, but one was able to call police, the station reports.
West Allis man was killed during drug transaction, police say
A 20-year-old West Allis man was shot and killed during a drug transaction, Milwaukee police said Thursday.
Samuel J. Bussanich was shot about 8 p.m. Tuesday while driving a car in the 2400 block of N. 23rd St. A 16-year-old boy from Milwaukee was arrested and the case was referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office Thursday, police spokesman Sgt. Mark Stanmeyer said.
For the latest crime news and an interactive map of Milwaukee police calls, visit JSOnline.com/crime.
Suspect in custody in killing of West Allis man
Milwaukee police one have suspect in custody in the shooting death Tuesday of a 20-year-old West Allis man.
Police identified the victim as Samuel J. Bussanich on Wednesday and said he was shot about 8 p.m. Tuesday in the 2400 block of N. 23rd St.
He was in his car, which traveled a few blocks to the intersection of N. 23rd and W. Center streets after the shooting, said Sgt. Mark Stanmeyer, police spokesman.
For the latest crime news and to see real-time map of Milwaukee police calls, visit JSOnline.com/crime.
