Milwaukee, WI
Former Milwaukee County deputy avoids prison in stalking case
WAUKESHA, Wis. – A former Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputy will avoid time in prison. Corie Richardson entered a guilty plea last spring after prosecutors say he threatened and stalked a woman. A surprising witness came to Richardson’s defense on Monday, Aug. 28.
“This is the first and last time that I’ll be in this position,” Richardson said in court.
Richardson, 33, expressed remorse Monday morning during his sentencing in Waukesha County court.
“I’ve taken the necessary steps to understand what I did was wrong,” Richardson said.
Prosecutors charged Richardson with two felonies and three misdemeanors in fall 2022. Richardson entered a guilty plea to one felony. The other charges were dismissed.
“He came into her house and garage. He FaceTimed her from the garage and victim A was concerned enough she hid in the closet with her handgun and daughter,” said Deputy District Attorey Michael Thurston.
Investigators say Richardson tried to get Hartland police to do a well-being check on the victim. He used her cellphone to send himself text messages and made it look like she was trying to hurt herself.
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In court, the victim told Judge Michael Bohren to go easy on Richardson.
“I feel as the only victim, I would like to be heard on a reduction of charges, so Corie will not be charged with any felonies,” the victim said.
The woman said Richardson has been through enough. He worked for the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office – and provided security for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Richardson quit soon after he was put on paid leave.
“Punishment isn’t always being sent to jail; punishment is what goes on around you,” Judge Bohren said.
Bohren ordered 14 months of initial confinement, but stayed that sentence in favor of two years probation. That means Richardson will avoid going to prison.
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“The character of Mr. Richardson and the need to protect the public weigh heavily in favor of probation and no further incarceration,” said Craig Mastantuono, defense attorney.
Prosecutors say if Richardson stays out of trouble for the next five years, they will wipe the felony from his record.
Milwaukee, WI
Nine-story hotel planned for former Bradley Center site in downtown Milwaukee
The former Bradley Center site in Deer District, just south of Fiserv Forum, is set to be converted in part to a new Moxy Hotel.
NCG Hospitality, the operator of Moxy Hotels, and the Milwaukee Bucks announced Friday that the company has finalized plans to build the downtown hotel project, adjacent to the upcoming FPC Live concert venue opening late next year.
The Moxy Hotel project is set to break ground in late 2025 as well and open in spring 2027. The building is nine stories with 162 rooms. The new hotel joins the Trade Hotel, just north of the arena, which is also owned by NCG Hospitality and opened last year.
“Moxy Milwaukee Downtown will offer a fresh addition to bustling Deer District, creating an ideal destination for concertgoers and Milwaukee visitors alike,” the company said in a news release.
“The hotel will host a vibrant social scene, with check-in at the bar, a signature welcome drink and a lobby filled with games and spaces for guests to socialize and unwind.
“With the new FPC Live concert venue just steps away, guests will have access to world-class entertainment, making Moxy Milwaukee Downtown a hotspot for visitors looking to experience the best of the city’s vibrant nightlife.”
The hotel plans first surfaced in fall 2023 in connection with the FPC Live venue and around six months after NCG opened The Trade hotel north of Fiserv Forum.
Tom Daykin contributed to this report.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee cohousing project receives Mayor Johnson's approval
MILWAUKEE – A unique housing project planned for Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood received the public thumbs up from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson Friday.
In front of what will eventually be the River Trail Commons cohousing development, the Mayor signed a public file advancing the project. Mayor Johnson also signed a second file authorizing the Environmental Collaboration Office to seek clean energy tax credits to support various projects like the new Martin Luther King Jr. Drive library branch in the Harambee neighborhood.
In addition to the advancement of the project, Friday’s public ceremony served as a chance for several Milwaukee city leaders to show their solidarity with the man who pushed heavily for River Trail Commons and other ideas like it: late Third District Alderman Jonathan Brostoff. The alderman died by suicide earlier this month at just 41-years-old.
Thousands gather to honor late Alderman Jonathan Brostoff
“A big part of the reason why I wanted to sign these files publicly was to honor Jonathan, and to recommit ourselves to Jonathan’s approach, was to be forward thinking,” said Mayor Johnson.
Nine of the 14 living Common Council members flanked Mayor Johnson and Alderman Brostoff’s widow Diana Vang-Brostoff during the event.
“When Jonathan took an oath of office, he decided he would work very hard to create affordable housing in the Third District. The use of this space for townhomes and condos would make him proud at accomplishing an important goal of adding diverse housing to the city,” said Vang-Brostoff.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Planned Milwaukee cohousing project gets first city approval
The cohousing project would be the first of its kind in the city, including 39 housing units at a site formerly occupied by the Milwaukee Beer Bistro and then Big Daddy’s BBQ & Soul Food near Humboldt Boulevard and Center Street. The goal of the project according to its leader, attorney Nola Hitchcock Cross, is to build a community of neighbors around sharing resources.
“We’re creating a new-old fashioned development, where everybody knows your name,” says Hitchcock Cross. “It’s got secret sauce, and the secret sauce is the community.”
As part of the community-building mission, Hitchcock Cross says the development will include a public gathering space for meals, a community garden, library, play room, workshop, guest suites, multifunction room, and outdoor lounge space. There would also be a shared electric vehicle on site.
According to Realtor.com, in July of 2024, the median listing home price in Milwaukee was 219,900 dollars, trending up 15.8% year-over-year. Of the 39 planned units, 13 will be sold at below-market prices to those who meet income restriction requirements. It’s still not known what the rate on the below-market price units will be.
Groundbreaking on River Trail Commons is anticipated sometime in 2025, with the hope of completing the development the same year.
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Milwaukee, WI
'This is a critical decision for MPS'; Community members provide input on superintendent search
MILWUAKEE — The Milwaukee Public School Board heard some encouraging news Thursday night. Board members found out that there are currently twenty-six applicants in the mix as they search for the next superintendent.
“This is a critical decision for MPS and for Milwaukee,” associate with Hazard Young Attea Associates, Pat Neudecker said.
Hazard Young Attea Associates is the firm Milwaukee Public Schools hired to help with the superintendent search after Keith Posley resigned back in early June amid a financial crisis in the district. Eduardo Galvan stepped in as Interim at the end of July.
Watch: Community members provide input on MPS superintendent search
‘This is a critical decision for MPS’: Community members provide input on superintendent search
“Know that we are going to bring the best candidate,” Neudecker said.
Neudecker said she met with Mayor Cavalier Johnson, County Executive David Crowley, Governor Tony Evers, students, and parents in the last six weeks. She also got to meet with other community leaders for input.
“We asked everyone the same. What’s great about MPS, what are the challenges, and what do you look for in a new superintendent,” Neudecker said.
The firm got about 850 responses in the survey that was conducted.
“Which is low for the size of your community. But again, good responses,” Neudecker explained.
One of the qualities many are hoping the candidates can bring to the district is transparency.
“I think a lot of the issues we had in the past could have been avoided through transparency,” Rufus King Senior, Manuel Ishag said.
Ishag is a leader on the Superintendent Student Advisory Council. He is passionate about the district and what a new leader could bring to the table.
“I like to see tangible progress. I’m a numbers guy. So, I’d like to see maybe a little more focus on academics and test scores,” Ishag explained.
TMJ4’s Megan Lee asked Ishag if he wants a thriving school district. He said, “Oh I would love that, I’m already proud of my district.”
The district plans to name a new superintendent in late February.
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