Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee man creates ‘All Seasons Tree’ to promote sharing, kindness year-round

MILWAUKEE — Individuals strolling by the nook of forty fifth and Vliet streets will discover a tree embellished for the season. However this tree isn’t only one for the winter months; over the previous yr, it’s been embellished for dozens of various holidays to advertise kindness inside a Milwaukee group.
It began the day after Christmas, a yr in the past, when Jerry Burns discovered a wholesome Christmas tree thrown out on his curb.
“I simply occurred to have an additional tree stand and I believed, nicely, I’m gonna plop that down proper right here on the nook. That is a distinguished place all people might see,” mentioned Burns.
He had further ornaments from his personal tree inside that he used to embellish the nook tree. He then left a word inviting individuals to take an decoration and depart an decoration.
“Surprisingly, individuals form of rose to the event and there was loads of interaction there.”
It inspired Burns to maintain the tree up and embellish it for Valentine’s Day, then finally St. Patrick’s Day of that yr.
When the needles on the tree browned and it was time to throw it away, he determined to make use of some previous plywood to make a picket, everlasting model of a tree for that nook, marking the start of a convention.
From Bastille day to Dia de Los Muertos, to the Fourth of July, Burns created what he now calls the “All Season Tree.” He says this yr’s Christmas tree is in regards to the 20th variation.
Every vacation comes with its personal distinctive decorations and additions to convey the group collectively, like taking a can of meals and leaving a can of meals on world starvation day, or providing mittens and hats for people who may have them in the course of the winter.
“The thought form of catches on, random acts of kindness,” mentioned Burns. “Different individuals form of choose it up and push it ahead.”
His newest addition to the tree is a hand-crafted Little Free Library, the place individuals passing by can depart a guide and take a brand new one. He says the response to the tree has been overwhelmingly constructive.
“Excellent strangers would roll down their window and say ‘I really like your tree it makes me really feel so good!’” Burns advised TMJ4 Information.
He says dwelling on the nook of his avenue has allowed him a particular area to welcome individuals into his group and encourage others to do the identical, all yr spherical.
“It’s actual straightforward to get down and discouraged, and I do generally myself, however I form of see this as a counterforce, too, making an additional effort to be constructive and hopeful.”
This yr, Burns is already planning decorations for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and President’s Day. He encourages anybody who stops by his nook to go to the tree and get to know their very own neighbors, too.
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Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee human trafficking case; man accused bound over for trial

MILWAUKEE – A former high-end Milwaukee real estate broker charged with human trafficking, sexual assault and false imprisonment is headed to trial.
What they’re saying:
A district attorney’s office investigator and Milwaukee police detective testified in the case against 38-year-old Austin Chronister.
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“He’d lift her up, underneath her neck, pick her up off the ground, and slam her onto the staircase landing,” said MPD Det. Michael Walker.
Walker testified a woman said Chronister sexually assaulted her. She lived with Chronister at a State Street home for roughly six-and-a-half years, along with other women – including the co-owner of the house, Attorney Christin Saint Pierre.
Christin Saint Pierre leaves court on March 21
Saint Pierre was in court for Chronister’s preliminary hearing. She didn’t comment afterward. Saint Pierre is named in the complaint, but she is not charged in connection to the case.
“She was threatened at one time with being injected with some type of ingredient that would render her in a coma state,” said Sarah Blomme, an investigator with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
Blomme testified a second woman said she met Chronister on a dating website. She, too, signed a contract but felt she couldn’t leave. The investigator said the woman described a sexual assault, as well.
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The women said they weren’t allowed to turn down sex and would be subject to punishment.
“Physically beating her or doing some sort of reprimanding if chores weren’t done,” Blomme said. “She was prohibited from attending family events.”
The women told investigators they entered into a contract as a part of a BDSM lifestyle to live at the home, but became unhappy with the living situation and wanted to leave but felt they couldn’t.
“Her participation in sex parties was consensual?” Defense Attorney Nicole Muller said.
“I think there were some parties that were, and some parties where I think she felt like she was expected to do it,” Walker testified.
What’s next:
Neither Chronister nor his attorney commented after Friday’s hearing, at which he was bound over for trial. He is due back in court next month.
The Source: Information in this report is from the Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and Wisconsin Circuit Court.
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin Weekend in a Minute: March Madness hits Milwaukee, the state's largest chili cook-off, and more!

MILWAUKEE — March Madness is taking over downtown Milwaukee! The Marquette men’s Golden Eagles will serve as one of the host schools for both the first and second rounds. Games tip off Friday afternoon and you can still score tickets.
Davidson Park is hosting the ultimate NCAA watch party on Saturday. The free family-friendly event is open to all fans, you’ll find a big screen, food, drinks, and merch giveaways. It starts at Noon.
The Pink Pony Club has arrived in Milwaukee! The Cooperage is throwing a Chappell Roan dance party on Saturday night. This party is 21+ and tickets start at $17.
If an older sound is more your style you can relive the rock and roll magic of Fleetwood Mac with ‘Rumors’ — a tribute band. They’re playing at the Marcus Center!
Wisconsin’s largest chili cook-off takes place Sunday at the Kern Center. Thousands of people show up to sample and vote on 40 different chili recipes. If you bring two non-perishable food items for the Hunger Task Force you’ll get two free sampling tickets.
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Milwaukee, WI
19,000 people expected to fill Milwaukee for March Madness weekend

MILWAUKEE — Downtown Milwaukee will be extra busy as an estimated 19,000 people arrive for the first round of March Madness.
“We just love basketball so we bought tickets this year not knowing Iowa State would be here, but was very excited when we learned that they did,” Rich Renner told TMJ4 News.
Related content: Wisconsin back in March Madness win column with 85-66 over Montana
“If you grew up in Iowa it’s all college sports all the time,” Kelly Farris-Renner added.
The couple joined fans at open practice at Fiserv Forum on Thursday.
Visit Milwaukee estimates the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will spark a $3.4 million economic impact.
Watch: 19,000 people expected to fill Milwaukee for March Madness weekend
NCAA brings excitement to Milwaukee
“Eight years ago, we opened to the NCAA Tournament in town so that’s kind of especially nice for us to see them back in again,” said Jimmy Hall, general manager at DOC’s Commerce Smokehouse.
The restaurant is stocked up on extra food and help in the kitchen. It will open early at 10 a.m. through this weekend.
“It just does wonders for us. This can be a sleepy part of downtown at times, but we’re expecting huge crowds,” Hall stated.
It is not just basketball taking over Milwaukee. Hall is also bracing for the Badger Region Volleyball Championships which is drawing 420 teams and approximately 16,000 athletes and spectators to the city, according to Visit Milwaukee.
As the Renners also cheer for Wisconsin and Marquette to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament they believe Milwaukee is a clear winner.
“We’ve been here like I said 37 years, and we love it. We’re excited that people are going to be here,” Renner said.
Talk to us:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
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Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
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