Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Cream City Challenge Ends with 3rd Panther Win

Published

1 year ago

November 24, 2024

Milwaukee Cream City Challenge Ends with 3rd Panther Win

Photo via David Go

Milwaukee’s Cream City Challenge was a smashing success for the host-Panthers, placing a bow on an undefeated weekend with a 69-65 win over St. Thomas on Sunday. Milwaukee defeated Portland State and Wofford earlier in the weekend to improve to 5-2.

Milwaukee took a seven-point lead into the final 90 seconds before surrendering back-to-back threes to narrow their lead to a single point. Themus Fulks’ free throws and a St. Thomas turnover off an attempted foul sealed the win for Milwaukee.

“We have guys who have closed out games,” said Lundy, whose team dropped four games by fewer than five points last year. “We have guys that are more connected to each other and more connected to me. We can get a little more intricate in what we can do… [Last year], I would have been afraid of fouling up three, but I know these guys will process what I’m asking them to do and be able to perform it.”

He added that he was impressed with the team’s effort and connectedness in light of the three-game-in-three-days format of the invitational.

No Faizon Fields, No Problem

A day after falling two points shy of his third straight double-double, Jamichael Stillwell scored 22 points and grabbed a game-high 8 rebounds. The Butler CC transfer’s 73 boards this year more-than double the next-best Panther.

“For me,” said Stillwell, “rebounding is like second nature.”

Stillwell and forward Aaron Franklin led the team to a 40-25 rebound advantage, including 14 offensive boards that led to 17 second-chance points. The Tommies converted just one basket off the offensive glass.

Franklin tied his career high with 15 points and added 8 rebounds in an increased role due to Fields’ absence due to a broken finger.

Big Men Also Setting Tone on Defense

The 2023-24 Panthers were a fast-paced group with a propensity for defensive lapses. The result – 78.7 points per game by their opponents.

This year’s Panthers have yet to allow more than 74 through their first seven games.

“To have bigger guys like Jamichael, Darius Duffy and Franklin who can switch and still guard those guards,” said Lundy, “they did a great job… It’s nice to have that luxury as a coach that you’ve got big guys that can switch out, move their feet and understand how to play.”

Themus Fulks added a career-high 5 steals from the point guard position.

“We’re excellent defensively and we’re really good on the glass,” said Lundy. “If you do those two things, you’ll be alright.”

Milwaukee continued the reversal of their 2023-24 first-half woes, leading 32-22 at halftime. Stillwell picked up for yesterday’s stars Fulks and AJ McKee in the first half, scoring a team-high 13 points. Fulks and McKee combined for just 8 points in the initial period.

The guards each finished with 9 points. Fellow guard Erik Pratt missed his fifth straight game due to personal reasons.

The second half included a pair of technical fouls, one from Stillwell and another from the team’s bench. A squabble between the two teams involved John Lovelace Jr. from the UWM side a few minutes later.

The Minnesota-based squad nabbed a short-lived 44-42 lead after sinking four straight free throws from the fouls. Momentum quickly shifted back in the home team’s favor as a 10-2 run gave the Panthers a six-point lead they never relinquished.

Graduate student Drake Dobbs led the Tommies with a season-high 16 points and 5 rebounds. Kendall Blue and Miles Barnstable added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Barnstable was one of five Wisconsinites on the visiting roster, a Howards Grove graduate who transferred after scoring over 1,000 points for UW-Whitewater.

Brookfield Central’s Ben Nau, MUHS’s (Marquette) Nolan Minessale and Catholic Memorial’s Rich Byhre all saw action in their home state on Sunday.

Big Thanksgiving Week Ahead

The Panthers head south for a two-game Thanksgiving week trip against Central Florida on Wednesday and Southern Miss on Saturday.

“We need to move the ball more,” said Stillwell. “We’ve been having breakdowns on defense off of our mistakes. We just need to clean it up a little bit.”

UCF returns home after a two-game invitational that ended in losses against Wisconsin and LSU. They knocked off No. 13 Texas A&M to begin the season on Nov. 4.

Southern Miss left Milwaukee with a 90-84 win last November, the only time the Sun Belt club has faced the Panthers.

“It’s a tough trip,” said Lundy, who indicated the team will spend Thanksgiving together in New Orleans. “UCF is really talented. They’ve been up and down and are still figuring themselves out… Regardless, it’ll be a good trip for our group.”

Sunday marked the third consecutive season where Milwaukee and St. Thomas met, with the Tommies taking the previous two matchups. The St. Paul-based university joined Division I in 2021-22, becoming the newest member of the Summit League.

The Tommies were tabbed for a fourth-place finish in the official preseason poll behind Kansas City, South Dakota State and North Dakota State.

“They are well-coached,” said Lundy. “They’re going to win a lot of games.”

Sunday’s victors hope to find the same success on the road this week – catch the Panthers on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 1 p.m. on Saturday.

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Milwaukee, WI

Pregnant Milwaukee mom of 3-year-old dead after arson fire, police say

Published

8 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Pregnant Milwaukee mom of 3-year-old dead after arson fire, police say

A 22-year-old pregnant Milwaukee woman was found dead in a house fire that was intentionally set, leaving behind a 3-year-old daughter.

The family of Gladys Johnson is heartbroken at their loss. Her death occurred 33 years almost to the day that her brothers died in a fire.

Gladys Johnson was discovered by her mother, Michelle Johnson, following a fire at their residence in the 2800 block of North 26th Street on Jan. 5.

The Milwaukee Police Department said a 21-year-old man has been arrested for arson. Police said the man intentionally brandished a firearm and then started a house on fire.

The man who was arrested is the father of Johnson’s daughter and unborn child, according to Josie Johnson-Smith, Gladys Johnson’s aunt.

Police said Gladys Johnson’s cause of death is officially undetermined and under investigation, but the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide.

“He took my niece’s life,” Johnson-Smith said. “He threatened to kill her before. That’s why she ended up back with her mom.”

The Journal Sentinel does not typically name suspects unless they’ve been formally charged with a crime.

Gladys Johnson was five months pregnant with a baby boy, according to Johnson-Smith. “She was so happy, teaching her daughter that she was going to be a big sister,” Johnson-Smith said.

Fire-related death reopens old wounds

Gladys Johnson’s death reopens old wounds for her mother, who lost two sons in a bar fire in Milwaukee in 1992.

Milwaukee Journal reporting from the time recalls Terrance Bizzle-Johnson, 4, and Antonio Bizzle-Johnson, 2, being found dead on New Year’s Eve 1992 from smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at a family tavern on the north side of the city.

The Journal’s article details a harrowing rescue attempt by family members, including by Josie Johnson-Smith and Michelle Johnson.

Gladys Johnson was the ‘light in our family’

Gladys Johnson was named after her late grandmother.

“She was the most loving person you ever wanted to meet,” Johnson-Smith said. “Her spirit was a light. If you were in a bad mood, she would cheer you up. She was the light in our family.

“Her daughter is 3 years old and can talk, spell, and say her ABCs. She was a good mom.

“We’re just so devastated right now. He’s seemed like a nice man. So many young women have passed away with domestic situations and it’s just overwhelming.

“The only thing I’d ask the community, to the young women out there that are going through situations similar to my niece, speak out. Don’t be ashamed. You have to tell somebody.”

Gladys’ Johnson’s family started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses.

Where to find help for domestic violence

Victim advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.
The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800-656-4673.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help.
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault has a statewide directory of resources at wcasa.org/survivors/service-providers.
The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722.
The Milwaukee Women’s Center offers a 24-hour crisis line at 414-671-6140.
We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org.
Kids Matter Inc. provides free legal services and specialized assistance to individuals caring for children impacted by domestic violence and homicide. Kids Matter can be reached at 414-344-1220 and offers free online resources at kidsmatterinc.org.

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Milwaukee, WI

Don Richards, the former Milwaukee District 9 alderman, dies at 89

Published

20 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Don Richards, the former Milwaukee District 9 alderman, dies at 89

Former Milwaukee Common Council member Don Richards died on Dec. 26 at age 89.

Richards served on the Milwaukee Common Council between 1988 and 2004, representing District 9 on the city’s north and northwest sides until his retirement due to health reasons, according to his obituary.

During his tenure at the city, Richards was a member of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee, Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee, as well as the Housing Authority and City Records Committee.

Although the two had a brief overlap in city government, former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was first elected in 2004, recalled Richards as “always smiling and always caring.”

“He was a wonderful man. A very Christian man who cared deeply about the community and the people who live here,” Barrett told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Before becoming a city alderman, Richards participated in the citywide marches protesting a lack of open housing legislation in the city in the 1960s and was a priest in the Milwaukee Archdiocese for almost two decades, starting in 1963. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the St. Francis Seminary and Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Following his time on the Common Council, Richards began to teach local government classes at Alverno College. He also worked as an economic development specialist with the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, his obituary said.

Richards is survived by his brother, Bob (Joanne), and was preceded in death by his wife, Doloros; his parents, Gregor and Rose Richards; and his brothers, Jim Richards and Ed Richards, according to his obit.

A visitation is planned at 10 a.m. Jan 8 until his funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Alvina of Milwaukee Chapel, 9301 N. 76th Street.

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Milwaukee, WI

Teen passenger dies in fiery crash after fleeing driver crashes into Milwaukee roundabout

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Teen passenger dies in fiery crash after fleeing driver crashes into Milwaukee roundabout

MILWAUKEE — A police chase that began in West Milwaukee on Sunday morning ended in a fiery crash on Milwaukee’s south side, killing 18-year-old Izack Zavala.

The Medical Examiner’s Office identified Zavala as the passenger who died in the one-car crash at 37th and Mitchell streets. His family said he was a 2025 Milwaukee Public Schools Alexander Hamilton High School graduate who loved soccer and would do anything to help his loved ones.

Provided by family

Izack Zavala

The West Milwaukee Police Department said officers attempted to pull over the driver for a traffic violation near Miller Park Way and Lincoln Avenue, but the driver fled and crossed into Milwaukee.

Roundabout at 37th and Mitchell.png — Roundabout at 37th and Mitchell

About a mile later, police say the fleeing driver hit a roundabout, lost control, and crashed into a tree, ejecting both the driver and passenger.

“If they were trying to avoid one of those, and with the weather being cold and slick, and you hit a patch of ice, and you’re gone. You’re done,” Barbie, who witnessed the aftermath, said.

The loud crash woke up neighbors like Barbie in the middle of the night.

Watch: Teen passenger dies in fiery crash after fleeing driver crashes into Milwaukee roundabout

Teen passenger dies in fiery crash after fleeing driver crashes into Milwaukee roundabout

“Like thunder struck the building. The entire building shook. It was insane,” Barbie said.

Looking out her kitchen window, Barbie saw the devastating scene unfold.

“The whole thing just lit up like a torch,” she said.

Car on fire.png — Car on fire after crash

A day after the flames were extinguished, crash debris still surrounded the tree and Barbie’s backyard.

“The car was right there in the center,” she said.

Zavala’s family said his cousin was driving the vehicle. The 19-year-old driver was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Barbie, who has witnessed crashes before, said seeing this one up close was different.

“I’ve seen plenty of crashes, had people that I care about die in crashes, but to see it up close is something different. I feel bad for the kid’s family,” she said.

The witness hopes the tragedy serves as a warning to others who might consider fleeing police.

“I feel for their family, and I wish to God that that wouldn’t have happened, obviously, but there comes a point, ‘what were you doing’, you know?” Barbie said. “I just think that people need to think before they do, and that’s just not a thing anymore.”

TMJ4 asked the West Milwaukee Police Department if it plans to refer charges for the 19-year-old driver who remains seriously injured at the hospital. The department declined to comment, saying it’s still an active investigation.

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