Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee election official reacts to drop box decision
MILWAUKEE — In the midst of a busy election season, the Wisconsin Supreme Court voted Friday to reinstate the use of ballot drop boxes across the state.
The 4-3 ruling overturned a decision the state’s high court made less than two years ago; the previous ruling banned the use of ballot drop boxes. Spectrum News was there when crews removed all ballot boxes from Milwaukee back in 2022.
Now, the city is putting those boxes back out ahead of the August partisan primaries.
“This is just another opportunity for us to provide a safe and secure way for people to drop off their absentee ballots here to the city of Milwaukee,” said Paulina Gutierrez, the executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission.
Gutierrez said ballot drop boxes are an especially helpful option for people with special needs.
“People with American Disability Act considerations, you know, most of our ballot boxes we attempt to put in places where people can just drive up to them,” said Gutierrez.
Ballot drop boxes were used in Wisconsin since the 1980s and became more popular during the pandemic. However, their legality and security were questioned by many Republicans following President Joe Biden’s victory over former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
Gutierrez described the process that goes into making sure ballot boxes are extremely secure.
“We have a very robust paper trail and chain of custody process,” said Gutierrez. “Every time we are handling ballots, it’s always more than one person. We have security cameras at all of our drop box locations. There’s a whole process of making sure that information is completed. Pictures are taken. The ballots are then removed and put into a safe and secure ballot bag. They’re secured, sealed and transported immediately from the box over to our operations center where again all ballots come through and are handled in a secure fashion.”
She said she believes adding back this voting option is a crucial step in making sure everyone in Wisconsin can cast their votes.
“It’s an opportunity to increase voter engagement and opportunities for people to submit their ballots to us in a secure way. It’s a great way to increase voter turnout,” said Gutierrez.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee stabbing near 40th and McKinley; 1 wounded, 1 arrested
Milwaukee Police Department
MILWAUKEE – One person was taken to the hospital after a stabbing in Milwaukee on Wednesday night, Jan. 7.
What we know:
According to Milwaukee police, a 26-year-old was stabbed around 7 p.m. near 40th and McKinley.
Milwaukee police arrested a suspect on the scene.
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What you can do:
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Police Department.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee man charged; officer trapped in defendant’s getaway car
MILWAUKEE – A 26-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of fleeing police during an arrest attempt. An officer who was present to make the arrest ended up being trapped in the backseat of the defendant’s vehicle during an attempt to flee law enforcement. The accused is Kewane Daniels – and he faces the following criminal counts:
- First-degree recklessly endangering safety
- False imprisonment
- Operating a motor vehicle to flee or in an attempt to elude an officer
- Second-degree recklessly endangering safety
Property taken, arrest attempt
What we know:
According to the criminal complaint, Milwaukee police reported to the Comfort Suites near 118th and Silver Spring after a caller indicated that “property had been taken from her by the defendant,” the complaint says. The caller indicated location data alerted her that the property was in the hotel parking lot. Daniels also had two warrants for his arrest.
The caller reached out to Daniels to come outside and meet her. Law enforcement were going to assist with arresting Daniels and getting the property back.
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The complaint indicates Daniels approached his car, and an officer followed and positioned himself behind an open rear door. He “drew his service weapon knowing that Daniels was reported to frequently be armed,” the complaint says. The officer ordered Daniels not to place the car in drive, but the complaint says Daniels ignored the orders and “accelerated in reverse in an attempt to flee (the officer).”
Arresting officer trapped in defendant’s vehicle
Dig deeper:
The officer, who was now being forced to back pedal, “realized he could not keep up with the quickly reversing vehicle, and feared he may be overtaken and crushed beneath the auto. (The officer) stated that he had to jump into the open rear passenger’s seat in order to escape the possibility of being knocked down beneath the oncoming vehicle’s door and tires,” the complaint says.
The defendant quickly accelerated out of the hotel parking lot with the officer in the rear seat. The officer “continually ordered him to stop the car,” the complaint says. The officer stated, “Daniels fled at a high rate of speed near 90 mph east on W. Silver Spring Drive while losing control and mounting the curb several times,” the complaint says. During this entire incident, the officer said he “kept his service weapon aimed at Daniels while in the back seat. Due to the speeds and reckless driving, (the officer) could not exit the vehicle,” the complaint says.
The court filing says the officer having his firearm pointed had no effect on Daniels pulling over the vehicle. Later, he put his weapon away to try and convince Daniels that he was not in danger and to pull over the vehicle. Instead, the defendant continued fleeing and driving recklessly, the complaint says.
Defendant bails, car crashes
What we know:
Near 92nd and Birch Avenue in Milwaukee, the complaint says, “Daniels opened the driver’s door and abandoned the vehicle which was still moving at approximately 35 mph.” The officer remained trapped in the rear passenger seat of the driverless vehicle which “came to a stop when it mounted the curb, continued into a front yard, and eventually crashed into a tree,” the complaint says. It is noted that Daniels’ vehicle had the child locks engaged, so the officer was unable to exit the vehicle on his own.
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Officers in other squads quickly located Daniels. The complaint indicates the defendant was “missing footwear in extremely frigid temperatures.” His footwear was recovered in a grassy area near where he was taken into custody.
What’s next:
Online court records indicate Daniels is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Milwaukee County court on Thursday, Jan. 8.
The Source: Information in this post was provided by Wisconsin Circuit Court Access and the criminal complaint associated with this case.
Milwaukee, WI
Sherman Park Grocery at risk of closing; serves Milwaukee food desert
MILWAUKEE – A grocery store on Milwaukee’s north side needs your help, or they could close. The Sherman Park Grocery store serves one of 13 federally recognized food deserts in Milwaukee.
What we know:
The grocery store serves one of the most underserved areas of Milwaukee. But in order to stay open, the store owner, Moe Wince, says he needs help.
The store is dealing with a multitude of obstacles – including paying monthly bills, increased food prices, and flood damage.
Sherman Park Grocery Store says it’s the only Black-owned grocery store in the state and serves one of 13 food deserts in Milwaukee.
Food deserts are areas with low income households and poor access to grocery stores.
Sherman Park Grocery Store
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What they’re saying:
“We can’t sustain ourselves. If things do not change, or we don’t start collaborating and getting somebody or an organization or nonprofit or philanthropy group stepping up and saying ‘Mo, this is what it looks like for us, and we want to maintain your store, we want to make sure you sustain yourselves, not just tomorrow, but long term,’” said Mo Wince, Sherman Park Grocery owner.
The store says their goal is to help provide healthier food options to the area.
In an effort to keep their doors open, Sherman Park Grocery is reaching out for help to anyone – including state government, local non-profits, businesses and volunteers.
The Source: This post was produced by FOX6 News.
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