Milwaukee, WI

A nonprofit pledged to restore the Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse. What happened?

Published

1 year ago

August 21, 2024

A nonprofit pledged to restore the Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse. What happened?

The Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse, which has dotted the city’s landscape since 1926, has been empty since 1966. And despite a local nonprofit’s promises to restore the historical landmark in 2013, it remains untouched and inaccessible.

Brookfield-based nonprofit Optima Enrichment acquired the lighthouse for free from the National Park Service in 2013, promising $2.5 million worth of major renovations in hopes to create a publicly accessible museum by 2015. Now, almost ten years later, not much has changed.

After Madison resident Steve Tyska purchased property in Sheboygan last year, he noticed a lighthouse in the harbor was in need of some renovations. Thinking it could be a fun project to tackle after retirement, he dove into research.

That’s when he stumbled on past Journal Sentinel articles about the Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse. Upon learning of Optima Enrichment’s goals to renovate the building, he called the organization’s owner, Brookfield optometrist Randall Melchert, for some advice.

“This guy tried to do, on a much bigger scale, what I was thinking about doing,” said Tyska.

But Tyska said he was never able to reach Melchert. Disappointed he was unable to find out what came of the project, he contacted Public Investigator.

“10 years later, nothing’s been done,” Tyska said. “Who is overseeing this project? Should the city get involved?”

Despite multiple attempts to reach Melchert through email and phone, Public Investigator was also unable to get in touch with him.

In 2016, Melchert told the Journal Sentinel his nonprofit raised less than $20,000 since it received the deed, which was mostly spent on insurance.

“We were a little optimistic,” Melchert said at the time.

National Park Service spokesperson Jordan Fifer said the lighthouse is still owned by Optima Enrichment.

According to Fifer, the National Park Service is aware that the group hasn’t raised enough money to fulfill its obligations under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

Under the act, federally-owned historic lighthouses can be transferred at no cost to federal, state or private entities that pledge to preserve them. The entity that acquires the lighthouse must make it publicly available for educational, recreational, cultural or historic preservation purposes.

If this fails to occur, Fifer said, it’s up to the federal General Services Administration to determine if if the entity should lose ownership.

Fifer said the National Park Service monitors compliance with the act every two years and “maintains regular contact” with the General Services Administration.

Public Investigator asked the General Services Administration whether it has kept tabs on the Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse. The agency did not respond by the time of publication.

Meanwhile, Port Milwaukee spokesperson Madison Goldbeck said the city has no authority or jurisdiction over the lighthouse.

Had no other qualified nonprofits or government agencies expressed interest in the Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse at the time, it would’ve been sold to the highest bidder, according to the Journal Sentinel’s 2013 article.

For now, Tyska said he’s hopeful an article may spark public officials’ interest.

The Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse is one of the last examples of a fully enclosed breakwater lighthouse on the Great Lakes. Its Fresnel lens — the glass that once surrounded the lighthouse’s bulb — is currently on display at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc.

“It’s something that could potentially be a benefit for the city if it was tended to,” Tyska said, “and it’s certainly something that could be a liability to the city if it’s neglected.”

Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter. She can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Quinn_A_Clark.

About Public Investigator

Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We’ll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to watchdog@journalsentinel.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips.

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Milwaukee, WI

Community raises over $29,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive

Published

11 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Community raises over ,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive

Thanks to generous viewers, TMJ4’s Home 4 the Holidays Virtual Food Drive raised more than $29,000 for Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force — money that will help get food on tables this holiday season.

The donations came as the Hunger Task Force reports a 35% increase in traffic at local pantry networks over the past year.

The fundraising effort marks the 10th year that Raymond James, TMJ4, and Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force have partnered for the Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive. The online platform allows people to purchase an assortment of holiday food choices from the comfort of their own home or office.

Gary Sievewright from Raymond James explained why the company continues its annual participation.

Watch: Community raises over $29,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive

Community raises over $29,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive

“It’s part of our culture to be involved in the community, and we just love the need to help people that really have a need for food, right? So this is a passion of ours, it’s a passion of yours. We love the partnership, and we’re happy to raise as much money as we can every year,” Sievewright said.

People can continue making donations by visiting HungerTaskForce.org to help feed families in need this holiday season.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee New Year’s Eve Free Rides; MCTS, Molson Coors team up

Published

23 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Milwaukee New Year’s Eve Free Rides

In partnership with Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), the Miller Lite Free Rides program returns to Milwaukee as people ring in the new year.

MILWAUKEE – In partnership with Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), the Miller Lite Free Rides program returns to Milwaukee as people ring in the new year.

The program got its start in 1988 and provides residents with free transportation to celebrate the new year responsibly.

This year’s program is especially meaningful as Miller Lite celebrates its 50th anniversary and the Free Rides program approaches 10 million rides provided nationwide.

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Visit the MCTS website to find the most popular routes. You can also download the UMO app to plan and track your bus in real-time.

The Source: The information in this post was provided by Molson Coors Beverage Company.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee woman claims predatory towing left her with hundreds in fees after apartment complex confusion

Published

1 day ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Milwaukee woman claims predatory towing left her with hundreds in fees after apartment complex confusion

MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee woman says she has been without her car for almost a week after what she claims was an unfair towing incident from an apartment complex, leaving her with a $400 bill.

“It’s been pretty terrible,” Pappalardo said.

Brendyn Jones/TMJ4

Ashley Pappalardo’s car was towed from the Parkview Apartment lot near Silver Spring and Highway 100 on Thursday morning. Her sister was driving the vehicle at the time and says there was confusion about where to park due to different property ownership.

According to Department of Revenue records, the building had just been sold to new ownership that same day. A sign posted near the entrance warns that non-residents will be towed.

Watch: Milwaukee woman claims predatory towing left her with hundreds in fees

Milwaukee woman claims predatory towing left her with hundreds in fees after apartment complex confusion

Pappalardo said that during conversations with the new management, they told her the towing shouldn’t have happened.

“She says we called and put any operations from them on hold until we can review a contract,” Pappalardo said. “I asked, ‘So they didn’t have any right to be on the property?’ She said no.”

Pappalardo says Brew City Towing and Recovery, which towed the vehicle, also confirmed to her that operations had been put on hold.

TMJ4 reporter Brendyn Jones attempted to speak to the property manager to clear up the confusion, but received no answer.

A sign indicated the office was closed because of new ownership. When Jones called the posted number and spoke with an Appleton Rental Homes representative, she declined to answer whether there was an active contract with Brew City and denied an interview request, saying Pappalardo should pay the fine.

At Brew City Towing, a worker instructed TMJ4 to call the office, but the voicemail box was full. Jones reached out to Brew City over the phone and by text, but received no answer from the people who have the car.

Pappalardo went to the police, who she said told her a small claims report might be her next step.

“Anyone who’s been in that civil lawsuit process understands it’s an incredibly long and grueling process for very little outcome,” Pappalardo said.

For now, she’s out of luck, hoping Brew City compromises.

This story was reported on-air by Brendyn Jones and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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