By
JULIE BECKER
April 29, 2009 6:16 p.m. | Fewer fourth-graders in the Oak Creek-Franklin School District this year scored at proficient or advanced levels on the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination compared to last year's fourth-grade students.
Students took the exam in November, and results were released Tuesday. Based on performance, students' knowledge is ranked as minimal, basic, proficient or advanced in the subjects of reading, language, math, science and social studies in fourth, eighth and 10th grades, and in reading and math in grades three through seven.
From November 2007 results, proficient and advanced scores dropped by about 4.9 to 6.9 percent in all subjects, except math, in which scores rose about 1.8 percent.
The most significant decreases were in language and reading, which dropped by 6.9 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively.
"There's a big difference between last year's fourth-graders, who tested extremely well, and fourth-graders this year. (But) the group itself scored well this year," when looking at their third-grade reading and math scores, explained Chad Evenson, curriculum coordinator.
» Read Full Article
By
JULIE BECKER
April 29, 2009 8:46 a.m. | An exchange of land between the city of Oak Creek and Oak Creek-Franklin School District likely will be finalized by the Common Council by early May.
The Plan Commission on Tuesday reviewed and recommended approval of a certified survey map for the properties, located along Oakwood Road, Howell Avenue, Glen Oaks Drive and 13th Street.
The map creates a 50-acre parcel, including a protected park area near its center. The district could potentially develop the area as a future school site.
The commission's recommendation about the certified survey map, as well as an earlier rezoning recommendation, will be forwarded to the council May 5, for a public hearing and action.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 29, 2009 8:44 a.m. | Officials at Oak Crest Retirement Home, 10507 S. Chicago Road, have plans to expand the facility in the near future.
The Oak Creek Plan Commission on Tuesday reviewed plans to build a two-story, 6,766-square-foot addition at the rear of the property, which would add 11 rooms, a lounge and 21 beds to the facility.
Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Rosandich said the owners plan to add a fire hydrant to the property, and there are no access concerns for the Fire Department.
In the future, however, he suggested the city consider establishing a program, possibly through use of Community Development Block Grant funds, that would allow the department to collaborate with similar facilities to better ensure safe evacuation and shelter of residents in the case of an emergency.
Commissioners and the property representative said they would be in favor of such a collaboration.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 29, 2009 8:40 a.m. | Despite city staff's recommendations against it, the Oak Creek Plan Commission is allowing temporary outdoor storage at Hanna Trailer, 7575 S. Howell Ave.
In an effort to help the business attract more customers, the Commission on Tuesday recommended allowing the display of up to two smaller trailers at the front of the property and four trailers on a grassy area along the side. Commissioner Brian Johnston voted against the measure.
The temporary use allows trailers to be displayed from April 1 through Oct. 31 of this year. No signage, pennants, streamers or flags can be placed on the trailers. The arrangement's effectiveness will be reviewed by the commission before it considers to extend the option again in 2010.
Staff members were concerned about setting a precedent, whereby other businesses might make similar outdoor storage requests, which, if not maintained, will have the potential to negatively affect site appearance.
However, Mayor Richard Bolender emphasized that the city should be doing whatever it can to help businesses succeed, especially considering the state of the economy.
By Linda Spice
April 28, 2009 12:00 p.m. | A Salvation Army service center has been evacuated in Oak Creek, where a service gas line in the area was struck and was leaking gas Tuesday morning.
Oak Creek firefighters and a We Energies crew remain on the scene at 8853 S. Howell Ave., where the gas leak was reported about 11:10 a.m.
We Energies spokesperson Brian Manthey said it is not yet known how the gas line was struck but fire officials note that there is construction on the site, where the Salvation Army is building an addition.
Manthey said crews have stopped the flow of gas. They are venting the gas and checking for natural gas readings in the building.
Oak Creek Battalion Chief Joe Pulvermacher said, "There is nothing right now that suggests that anybody's in harm's way."
» Read Full Article
By
JULIE BECKER
April 28, 2009 10:26 a.m. | Oak Creek-Franklin School Board newcomer Jim Gilmeister and incumbent Kathleen Borchardt were officially sworn in to their roles Monday at a reorganizational meeting of the board.
Frank Carini was elected as the board's new president, replacing Thomas Robe, who was defeated in the April 7 election, after 15 years of service on the board.
Borchardt will serve as vice president, Paul Mason will serve as clerk and Gilmeister as treasurer.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 22, 2009 3:56 p.m. | A trial will be held in the case against an Oak Creek man who allegedly opened fire on his family members with an AK-47 rifle.
Frederick Bertrang, 31, was charged April 15 with one count of first-degree reckless injury by use of a dangerous weapon and one count of second-degree recklessly endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon.
Bertrang was arraigned today in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. He plead not guilty, waiving his right to a preliminary hearing. A final pretrial in the case was scheduled for June 19, and the jury trial tentatively is set for July 13.
Bertrang is accused of stabbing and shooting his mother three times and stabbing his brother's girlfriend April 9, during an argument at their residence in the 8600 block of South Fenway Court.
If convicted, Bertrang would face a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine for the first-degree charge, and 10 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine for the second-degree charge. Due to use of a dangerous weapon, up to five years could be added to each prison term.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 22, 2009 8:04 a.m. | Daniel Bukiewicz, 2nd District alderman, will serve as the Oak Creek Common Council's new president.
Bukiewicz was elected Tuesday by a unanimous vote of the council, after tying twice with Thomas Michalski, 6th District alderman, in a secret-ballot vote. Michalski withdrew his name after the second vote.
Prior to election of the council president, 1st District Alderman Daniel Jakubczyk, 3rd District Alderman Stephen Scaffidi and 5th District Alderman Kenneth Gehl were sworn in to their new roles.
Mayor Richard Bolender was sworn in for his third term, which he dedicated to Elizabeth Kopplin, former, longtime 1st District alderwoman.
Aldermanic committee appointments will be made by Bukiewicz and Bolender at the council's May 5 meeting.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 21, 2009 5:46 p.m. | Oak Creek-Franklin School Superintendent Sara Larsen will be honored Thursday with Marquette University's Educational Policy and Leadership Achievement Award.
The award is being presented by the Marquette University College of Education and Alumni Association as part of the university's Alumni Awards weekend, to recognize alumni demonstrating exceptional achievements.
Larsen graduated with her Ph.D. from Marquette in 1997. She worked full-time in the East Troy Community School District while raising three daughters and studying for her doctoral degree in education. She participated in a program in China to learn about the language and culture, and a Fulbright program in Germany to learn about the country's education and emphasis on global literacy.
In addition to her role as superintendent, Larsen is currently doing post-doctorate work in educational leadership and policy at Marquette, and has taught many graduate classes there, as well as at Cardinal Stritch University.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 21, 2009 4:26 p.m. | Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin is delaying construction of its $22.7 million Center for Work and Training proposed for Oak Creek.
The organization decided on Monday to instead focus its efforts on retail store development, which creates new jobs and generates revenue to support mission growth, spokeswoman Cheryl Lightholder said in an e-mail.
Construction was originally scheduled to begin this month, with the facility to be housed on 13.5 acres at 140 E. Rawson Ave. There is no timetable on when construction could start, but Lightholder said Goodwill will continue to monitor market conditions and financial performance.
Programs at Goodwill's location at 220 W. Vogel Ave. in Milwaukee would be moved to the Oak Creek facility when it is eventually built.
The center would include about 300 program participants, along with light manufacturing operations, vocational skill training in food service and business careers, employment support services, quality-of-life programs, senior services and case management.
» Read Full Article
By
JULIE BECKER
April 21, 2009 3:58 p.m. | The Oak Creek-Franklin School District has saved nearly $1.7 million in energy costs since the inception of its energy education program.
Between July 2005 and February 2009, the district anticipated spending about $5.4 million on energy-related costs, and actually only spent about $3.8 million.
The School Board on Monday heard an update from Bob Moore, energy education coordinator, on the overall efficiency of district buildings.
Shepard Hills and Carollton elementary schools and Oak Creek High School have had the greatest energy savings since July 2005, Moore said. Six district buildings qualify to be Energy Star schools, achieving a rating of at least 75 percent, and the district as a whole qualifies for the Energy Star Leaders Top Performer Award, with a portfolio rating of 81 percent.
As the district moves forward with the program, it will focus on improving efficiency at Edgewood Elementary, West Middle School and the district office, Moore said.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 21, 2009 1:46 p.m. | The Oak Creek-Franklin School District's world languages curriculum will begin at the first-grade level with the 2009-10 school year.
In an effort to expose students to global literacy skills at a younger age, the School Board on April 20 approved a proposal to teach Spanish, German and Chinese to first- and second-graders.
Under the existing program, elementary students only receive Spanish instruction, with 30-minute lessons twice weekly in grades three, four and five.
Next year, students in first and second grades will receive 20-minute lessons twice weekly in either Spanish, German or Chinese, depending on where they attend school. Cedar Hills and Shepard Hills will offer Spanish, Carollton and Edgewood will offer German, and Deerfield and Meadowview will offer Chinese.
Spanish will still be offered to fifth-graders at all elementary schools next year, but the following year it will be phased out of the German- and Chinese-speaking schools.
» Read Full Article
By
JULIE BECKER
April 21, 2009 1:44 p.m. | Deborah Hammernik of Oak Creek was awarded the title of Miss St. Francis 2009 on Saturday.
Hammernik captured the Miss St. Francis Scholarship Pageant judges' scores and the audience's attention with her self-composed monologue "Breaking Boundaries" in the talent competition.
She won the $2,500 pageant scholarship, a $200 George P. George Congeniality Scholarship and a $100 Pageant Promotion Ticket Sales Award. She also received gift and services packages from Andaré Fitness and From Hair On salon, a $600 wardrobe allowance and other gifts totaling more than $3,500.
Hammernik, who was sponsored by National City Bank, succeeds Miss St. Francis 2008 Elyse Wojciechowski, and will represent the St. Francis area at the Miss Wisconsin Pageant June 14 to 20 in Oshkosh.
First runner-up and winner of a $1,500 scholarship was Tonya Popowski of Cudahy. Stephanie Obst, St. Francis, was named second runner-up. She won a $1,000 scholarship and the Pageant Promotion Ad Sales $100 award.
By LORI WEISS and ISRAL DeBRUIN
April 20, 2009 2:58 p.m. | A 25-year-old woman who told police she works as a prostitute on the south side is accused of stealing a tow truck from one of her customers and leading police on a mile-long chase that ended after she drove the truck onto a bike path and then off the path down a 15-foot embankment.
According to Greenfield and South Milwaukee police:
Jacquelyn Robellar of Milwaukee, who said she is a prostitute who works on Lincoln Avenue, told police she was picked up by a man in a tow truck at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday to have sex in exchange for money. The two then went to the Hideaway Motel, 5105 S. 27th St. in Greenfield, where they began doing large amounts of cocaine and had sex.
She told police she had some type of seizure and the man then punched her in the face. However, the man told police he caught the woman trying to steal his wallet. The woman then ran out of the room and drove off in his tow truck toward South Milwaukee.
She stopped to ask for directions at Speedway, 3102 S. Chicago Ave., South Milwaukee, where she told a clerk that she had just stolen a truck. The clerk called police, who responded to the scene and then left to search for the truck.
» Read Full Article
By Marie Rohde
April 17, 2009 12:40 p.m. | A felony aggravated battery charge against Oak Creek Ald. Michael E. Toman was dismissed Friday in large part so the victim's family may have a chance to recover civil damages from Toman's homeowner's insurance policy.
Martin Pietruszynski, 64, remains in a coma and is not expected to live a year as a result of an injury he sustained Dec. 19 after Toman pushed him outside the Oelschlaeger-Dallmann American Legion Post 434, 9327 S. Shepard Ave. in Oak Creek.
Steven Kohn, Toman's lawyer, maintained his client's innocence.
"I do not believe that this was a criminal act," Kohn said. "It is the strongest case I have had in 32 years practicing law."
Merrick Domnitz, a lawyer representing Pietruszynski's wife and family, said Pietruszynski's injuries have had a devastating impact on his family: His wife, Pauline, is homeless and living night to night with friends. And in a separate matter, the landlord of the building that housed Pietruszynski's business is seeking $200,000 for an unpaid lease.
» Read Full Article
By
JULIE BECKER
April 17, 2009 12:22 p.m. | A preliminary hearing will be held Wednesday for an Oak Creek man accused of opening fire on his family with an AK-47 assault rifle.
Frederick W. Bertrang, 31, was charged earlier this week with one count of first-degree reckless injury by use of a dangerous weapon and one count of second-degree recklessly endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon.
Bertrang allegedly stabbed and shot his mother three times April 9 during an argument at their residence in the 8600 block of South Fenway Court. He also is accused of stabbing his brother's girlfriend.
The hearing will be held at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, in room 501 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse, 901 N. 9th St.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 15, 2009 6:54 a.m. | A traffic plan is in order for the pending Sonic Drive-In restaurant in Oak Creek.
The Plan Commission on Tuesday approved a plan review for the development, proposed for the property at 8081 S. Howell Ave., subject to a traffic plan being submitted prior to occupancy.
Based on the crowds generated by recently opened Sonics in West Milwaukee and Middleton, City Planner Jeff Fortin said the plan will be needed to ensure traffic flow at least during the first two to three weeks of the business's operation.
The 1,700-square-foot restaurant, which plans to operate 6 a.m. to midnight daily, will include 24 drive-in stalls and outdoor patio seating. About 70 people would be employed at the business, in a mixture of full- and part-time positions.
Sonic plans to open by Aug. 1.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 15, 2009 6:50 a.m. | Oak Creek is considering allowing Hanna Trailer, 7575 S. Howell Ave., to display up to seven trailers on its front walkway and grassy area to the north of the business.
The Plan Commission on Tuesday discussed a conditional-use amendment to allow trailers to be displayed from March 1 to November 1 each year. A maximum of two smaller trailers could be displayed on the front walkway, and a variety of five trailers could be displayed on the grass.
Owners Paul Downs and Mark Greene said, due to a limited advertising budget, displaying trailers is necessary to better market their equipment.
Commissioners agreed they would be more comfortable approving a temporary-use permit for this year, and reviewing the use after that time. The temporary-use request will likely come before the Plan Commission on April 28.
By
Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel
April 14, 2009 5:36 p.m. | T-Shirt International Inc. is shutting down its manufacturing operations in Oak Creek, resulting in the loss of 94 jobs, the company said Tuesday.
The shutdown is due to the company's seasonal production schedule, but the estimated duration of the shutdown is unknown, company officials said in a letter to the state Department of Workforce Development.
The company anticipates that 94 employees will be terminated permanently as of early June.
T-Shirt International, based in West Virginia, makes T-shirts, sweat shirts and collegiate sportswear. The company was founded in 1983, according to its Web site.
Under state law, employers with 50 or more employees must give 60 days notice before a mass layoff or closing.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 14, 2009 5:10 p.m. | A 30-year-old Oak Creek man accused of shooting his mother with an AK-47 assault rifle and stabbing another woman is being charged with two felonies.
Frederick W. Bertrang was charged with one count of first-degree reckless injury by use of a dangerous weapon and one count of second-degree recklessly endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon.
According to the criminal complaint released Tuesday by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office:
Bertrang arrived at his home in the 8600 block of South Fenway Court at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday after coming home from a bar and got into an argument with his 47-year-old mother, Patricia Bertrang. He began screaming at her, and then slashed a knife toward her twice, striking her once in her left palm.
Jessica Brandt, the girlfriend of Frederick Bertrang's brother, was also in the house at the time, and said she heard Bertrang threaten to kill his mother. As Brandt was calling 911 from a bedroom, Bertrang broke down the door and then broke her phone.
» Read Full Article
By
Tom Kertscher of the Journal Sentinel
April 14, 2009 5:04 p.m. | Oak Creek - The Common Council has decided to charge a property owner who refused to stop operating a junk yard $121,224 for clearing the property.
But no formal action to impose the charge on Andrew Zielinski's property tax bill will be taken until after the matter is taken up in court April 27.
The charge, while less than the $156,000 the city had indicated it would seek, could lead to a foreclosure if Zielinski is not able to pay it. The original amount was reduced to take into account scrap that was sold.
The council vote on Monday night was 4-3, with Mayor Dick Bolender breaking the tie.
The city has tried for years to persuade Zielinski, 75, to stop operating the junk yard on land at 3840 E. Puetz Road that his family has owned for more than 50 years but that is zoned for manufacturing.
» Read Full Article
By
JULIE BECKER
April 14, 2009 12:08 p.m. | Oak Creek's Community Development Authority has launched a business development Web site in an effort to better market the city.
The site, oakcreekbusiness.com, includes information on the city's existing business community, available sites for development and demographic information.
Community Development Director Doug Seymour said the effort will help make Oak Creek more prominent on the World Wide Web, where site selection often occurs.
Developed by Celtic, Inc., for a cost of about $20,000, the site is the first step of a detailed marketing plan being established by the CDA, Seymour said.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 13, 2009 7:28 p.m. | Despite the presence of the Butler's garter snake, nearly $400,000 worth of improvements to Abendschein Park, 999 E. Drexel Ave., will get under way later this spring.
As part of first and second phases of the park's master plan, the city will update the parking lot and pedestrian pathways, storm sewer and detention pond, skate park, open-air shelter, play structure area and soccer fields on the east side of the park.
The city received word Monday from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that the area is designated at a "tier 2" snake habitat, which means it does not have significant conservation value and will not affect planned improvements. The DNR's designation follows the Common Council's April 6 conditional approval of four separate contracts for the projects.
City Engineer Wayne St. John said work should begin in May, and improvements should be completed by the end of summer. Other improvements scheduled for 2010 and beyond include a concession building with restrooms, water, sanitary sewer and electrical service; stream bank stabilization; a pedestrian bridge over the creek; and further expansion of the pedestrian pathway network.
Improvements will be funded with impact fees from developers and capital improvement project dollars.
By
Ben Poston of the Journal Sentinel
April 12, 2009 11:54 a.m. | Two Oak Creek High School students were charged with lying to a police officer after one of them allegedly made an inappropriate comment to several elementary school students.
The students, a 17-year-old from Franklin and a 16-year-old from Milwaukee, were charged with obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct.
The 17-year-old was driving a SUV at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday with two friends when he approached a group of children who had just gotten off a school bus near S. 35th St. and S. Dory Dr. in Franklin.
The 16-year-old passenger asked the children if they wanted candy, though he later claimed it was a joke.
The incident was originally reported to Franklin Police as an attempted child enticement.
» Read Full Article
By By Jerry Karpowicz
April 11, 2009 11:33 a.m. | Stephanie Running of Oak Creek will play on the Division 1 South team in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association all-star game on Saturday, June 20 at Madison Area Technical College. Game time is 10:45 a.m.
For more information, visit http://www.wisbca.org/
By Linda Spice
April 10, 2009 8:14 a.m. | A family argument in Oak Creek erupted when a 30-year-old man was accused of shooting and stabbing his mother and stabbing his brother's friend before fleeing the home and being sought by officers overnight.
The man returned to the home in the 8600 block of S. Fenway Court about 4:19 a.m. Friday, where he was arrested by officers with the Oak Creek Emergency Response Unit and taken in for questioning. He is expected to be transferred to the Milwaukee County Jail.
According to Oak Creek police Capt. John Edwards, police received a call from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office regarding an abandoned 911 call about 10 p.m. A second call came from a man stating that his family's house was being shot up by his brother with an AK-47.
The man and his brother live at the home with their mother, Edwards said.
Oak Creek officers arrived and found the 53-year-old mother and an 18-year-old woman outside the home. The older woman had suffered stab and gunshot wounds. The 18-year-old woman also had been stabbed.
» Read Full Article
By
JULIE BECKER
April 09, 2009 9:56 a.m. | Although it does not change the outcome of the election, the official vote totals for the Oak Creek-Franklin School Board are slightly different than those reported Tuesday night.
According to the city clerk's office, official vote totals are as follows:
Kathleen Borchardt (i) โ 3,107
Jim Gilmeister โ 2,468
Thomas Robe โ 2,121
» Read Full Article
April 08, 2009 12:52 a.m. | Oak Creek NOW reporter Julie Becker tracked down Mayor Richard Bolender Tuesday night, following his decisive victory in Tuesday's election.
Check out this video from her interview with the mayor in which he talks about his win and his top priorities in his new term.
By Julie Becker, NOW Newspapers
April 07, 2009 10:18 p.m. | Oak Creek-Franklin School Board President Thomas Robe, who has been on the board for 15 years, lost his re-election bid on Tuesday.
According to unofficial results, Robe received 2,007 votes, or about 28% of the vote total - coming in third in the race for two seats on the board.
Incumbent Kathleen Borchardt received 2,897 votes, or 40%, followed by challenger Jim Gilmeister, who had with 2,317 votes, or 32%.
School Board members serve three-year terms and earn an annual salary of $5,040. Borchardt and Gilmeister will be sworn in Monday, April 27.
By Julie Becker, NOW Newspapers
April 07, 2009 10:15 p.m. | As incumbent 5th District Alderwoman Dimity Grabowski prepares to step down from her seat, Kenneth A. Gehl is poised to fill her shoes.
According to unofficial results in Tuesday's election, Gehl received 649 votes, or 49.8% of the total vote. Fellow challenger Dawn F. Leys received 461 votes, or about 35.4%, and registered write-in Paul Veres received 194 votes, or about 14.9 percent.
Results will not be official until certified by the Board of Canvassers on Wednesday.
Aldermen serve two-year terms and earn an annual salary of $7,200. Gehl will take office Tuesday, April 21.
By Julie Becker, NOW Newspapers
April 07, 2009 10:02 p.m. | Incumbent Richard Bolender will continue on for a third term as Oak Creek's mayor.
Bolender won in every aldermanic district Tuesday, earning 3,075 votes, or 55.6% of the total vote. Challenger Dimity Grabowski received 2,321 votes, or about 42 percent of the total vote. Write-in Mark Verhalen received 135 votes, or 2.4 percent of the vote.
Results remain unofficial until they are certified by the Board of Canvassers, which meets Wednesday.
Overall voter turnout in the general election was 25.5%.
Grabowski and Verhalen both gave up their on the Common Council to run for mayor.
» Read Full Article
April 07, 2009 9:50 p.m. | With five of six aldermanic districts reporting results, Mayor Richard Bolender is leading in his re-election bid by 643 votes.
Bolender has 2,329 votes and challenger Dimity Grabowski has 1,686 votes. Write-in candidate Mark Verhalen has 103 votes.
However, results for the 5th District, which Grabowski represents, have not yet been reported.
April 07, 2009 9:36 p.m. | Stephen Scaffidi handily defeated Melissa 'Mimi" Hakes Tuesday in the 3rd District Aldermanic race, according to final unofficial results.
Scaffidi received 626 votes, or 58% of the vote, while Hakes netted 450 votes.
Scaffidi will replace incumbent Mark Verhalen, who is running as a registered write-in in the mayoral election.
Aldermen serve three-year terms and earn an annual salary of $7,200.
Results will be certified when the Board of Canvassers meets Wednesday.
April 07, 2009 9:23 p.m. | The results in Oak Creek's mayoral election are still coming in, but so far it appears incumbent Mayor Richard Bolender has an edge over challenger Dimity Grabowski.
Results have been reported in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th alderman district districts, and Bolender has beaten Grabowski in each one.
Bolender received 386 votes in the 1st District to Grabowski's 350 votes and registered write-in candidate Mark Verhalen's 23 votes.
In the 2nd District, Bolender earned 342 votes, Grabowski received 260 votes and Verhalen received seven.
In the 3rd District, it was Bolender, 642; Grabowski, 456 and Verhalen, 32. Sixth District results are 407 votes for Bolender, 264 for Grabowski and 14 for Verhalen.
» Read Full Article
April 07, 2009 9:21 p.m. | In a race separated by a margin of just 14 votes, Daniel Jakubczyk has been elected as Oak Creek's next 1st District alderman.
According to unofficial results from the city clerk's office, Jakubczyk received 356 votes to challenger Vicky Cassista's 342 votes.
Jakubczyk will replace incumbent 1st District Alderman Thomas Vandervort, who was appointed to the position in July. He was eliminated from the race in the Feb. 17 primary.
Aldermen serve three-year terms and earn an annual salary of $7,200. Third and 5th District results have not yet been reported.
Results will be certified after the board of canvassers meets Wednesday.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 07, 2009 8:20 a.m. | Registered sex offenders moving into Oak Creek will now have fewer residency options.
The Common Council on Tuesday adopted an ordinance restricting where those convicted of sexually violent offenses or crimes against children are allowed to live.
It prohibits such offenders from residing within 2,000 feet of facilities such as schools and day care centers, public parks and the public library, and also establishes "child safety zones" that prevents them from being at those and other locations, except under certain circumstances.
The ordinance, which is closely modeled after the city of Franklin's, does not apply to registered sex offenders who already reside in the city, incarcerated individuals or minors.
The ordinance will take effect immediately after publication.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 07, 2009 8:18 a.m. | Although Oak Creek officials do not intend to build new city hall and library buildings until the economy improves, they are not halting plans.
The Common Council on Monday authorized staff to enter into a $23,700 contract with Plunkett Raysich Architects to begin the programming phase of planning, which will give the city an idea of how large the buildings should be and what they might cost.
Public input will also be a key component of the programming phase, which will be funded with library impact fees and capital improvement dollars.
City Administrator Patrick DeGrave said a portion of the city's approximately $920,000 in library impact fees, which must be used to expand or reconstruct the library, must be used by 2013.
Even as the city moves forward with this step, the earliest the project could go to design would be 2010, and the earliest it could go to construction would be 2011, City Engineer Wayne St. John said.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 07, 2009 8:12 a.m. | Oak Creek has given the green light for a Sonic drive-in restaurant on Howell Avenue.
Following a public hearing, the Common Council on Monday approved a zoning text amendment and conditional-use permit to allow the restaurant to operate at 8081 S. Howell Ave. Mark Verhalen, 3rd District alderman, voted against the measures.
Plans for the restaurant show it would include 23 drive-in stalls and an outdoor patio. There would be no indoor seating. Daily hours of operation will be 6 a.m. to midnight.
Police Chief Thomas Bauer said he intends to communicate with other communities housing Sonics about addressing potential traffic and loitering problems.
By
JULIE BECKER
April 06, 2009 4:16 p.m. | The Oak Creek Common Council tonight will consider entering into a $23,700 contract for the programming of the proposed civic center project.
If the council authorizes the contract with Plunkett Rayisch Architects, the city would be provided with a needs analysis for a new city hall and library, including how long they should be built to last, projected space needs and updated cost estimates, City Administrator Patrick DeGrave said.
Last November, the council authorized city staff to put out requests for proposals for programming, which is the next step in plans to build a new city hall and library at Howell Avenue and Puetz Road.
The public will have opportunities to provide input throughout the process. After completion of the programming phase, the next step likely would be a request to authorize design of the facilities, DeGrave said.
The council meets at 7 p.m. today at City Hall, 8640 S. Howell Ave.
By
Tom Daykin of the Journal Sentinel
April 06, 2009 8:00 a.m. | The former Delphi Corp. auto parts plant in Oak Creek has landed a prospective buyer that might demolish the building and develop retail and office space on the 85-acre site.
The property is under contract, and the buyer is undergoing the due diligence process, said listing broker Jeff Horn, of Apex Commercial Inc. Horn declined to identify the buyer prior to the sale being completed, which could occur by summer.
The massive building, which went vacant last year, presents one of the largest redevelopment opportunities in the Milwaukee area. A portion of the former plant was previously sold and redeveloped into a huge Woodman's supermarket, which opened in 2008.
The property is west of Howell Ave., and south of Drexel Ave.
By
Tom Kertscher of the Journal Sentinel
April 05, 2009 10:36 a.m. | Oak Creek - A man who died after his motorcycle struck a deer was identified Sunday by the Milwaukee County medical examiner as Randall Kurer, 49, of Caledonia in Racine County.
The accident occurred about 7:45 p.m. Saturday in the 10100 block of S. 27th St., according to Oak Creek police.
Kurer was northbound on 27th St., the medical examiner said.
Investigators had indicated earlier Sunday that the victim was from Milwaukee.
By
Georgia Pabst of the Journal Sentinel
April 04, 2009 9:04 p.m. | The driver of a motorcycle that crashed into a deer Saturday night has died, Oak Creek police said.
The accident occurred about 8 p.m. in the 10,000 block of S. 27th St., according to Oak Creek police.
The identity of the driver of the motorcycle has not been released, police said.
Police remain on the scene as the investigation continues.
April 02, 2009 2:33 p.m. | Our "virtual" candidates forum between Mayor Richard Bolender and Alderwoman Dimity Grabowski is now under way. Here's your chance to pose question to both candidates prior to Tuesday's election.
The candidates will answer as many questions as possible until 5 p.m., and the questions and the candidates' answers will remain online until Election Day.
Go to "virtual" candidates forum
April 01, 2009 5:16 p.m. | The Calhoun Youth SportsFest, scheduled for Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 and hosted by Oak Creek High School graduate and Detroit Lions running back Brian Calhoun, have been postponed because of facility issues.
New dates have not been announced.
