Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee mom confronts an employee who sold vapes to her 14-year-old son and demands accountability
MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee mom confronted the man who, she says, sold vaping devices to her underage son. Reason Hill wants businesses that sell to minors to be held accountable.
“I found out that this gas station was selling my son tobacco products, selling him vapes — he’s only 14,” explained Hill, a concerned mother who has worked as a nurse and says she knows the dangers of vaping.
“I’ve seen what it does to kids,” she said. “I’ve seen them have tubes in and out their body, on breathing machines.”
Watch: Milwaukee mom confronts an employee who sold vapes to her 14-year-old son
Milwaukee mom confronts an employee who sold vapes to her 14-year-old son and demands accountability
It’s why she didn’t hesitate to confront an employee of the Lover’s Lane Petro Mart who, she believed, sold vapes to her underage son.
She used her cellphone to record the confrontation and shared the video with Milwaukee police. Police confirmed to TMJ4 that they investigated and issued the employee a citation with a $691 fine.
MPD also filed a report ensuring the underage sale violation will be considered when the business is due for a tobacco license renewal.
Hill says it’s not enough. “Honestly, I feel like their tobacco license should be taken. My son is not the only one they’re selling vapes to, and there are a lot of kids in this area.”
Last year, the city of Milwaukee adopted an ordinance to limit where new vape and smoke sellers can open, blocking them within 1,000 feet of a school.
The village of Greendale has similar zoning restrictions and an ordinance that goes a step further—businesses can have their license revoked if they’re repeatedly caught selling vaping products to minors.
“We pride ourselves on being a very pro-business community, but we also want there to be basic regulations being followed,” explained Mike Hawes, Greendale village manager.
He says in the past 13 months, one particular shop, Smoke On, has been issued five citations for selling to minors. Last week, it led to the business surrendering its license to sell electronic vaping devices. “These are pretty basic standards that are in place for them to follow, and the other businesses have been able to follow it,” Hawes added.
When TMJ4’s Andrea Albers stopped at Smoke On, she was told the business had been sold, and the new owners didn’t want to speak to TMJ4.
The shop is about 600 feet from Martin Luther High School. Because it existed before Greendale’s zoning ordinance, it was grandfathered in. The village anticipates the new owner will apply for a new vape license but says it is no longer protected.
“We have advised them that according to our ordinance, we will not issue a new vape license to a business located within 1,000 feet of a school,” reiterated Hawes.
Hill applauds the repercussions in Greendale and wants Milwaukee to take note. In the meantime, she has a message she wants parents to hear: “We’re all our kids have. You know? At the end of the day—be responsible, get on stuff like this. This shouldn’t be happening, and put a stop to it. That’s it.”
Hill also reached out to Milwaukee Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, and he responded to her call for accountability. “I have a ZERO tolerance policy when it comes to selling any tobacco or vaping products to minors, and if I could ban all sales of those products in Milwaukee, I would do so tomorrow. In my view, these products are poison and are a menace to the health and wellness of our community,” Alderman Lamont Westmoreland said in a statement, noting that tobacco/vaping licenses are applied for at the city but are ultimately approved by the State of Wisconsin.
“I have worked closely with the Milwaukee Health Department, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the State of Wisconsin to address this issue and hold people accountable, and I will continue to do so. We must make it MUCH harder for a tobacco and vaping license holder to stay in business if they are caught selling to minors, and I will push for changes that give more control to local officials so we can better prevent outlets that are looking to sell this poison to our kids.”
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Milwaukee, WI
Marvin Bynum named to BizTimes Milwaukee’s Notable Leaders in Law | Marquette Today
Marvin Bynum, adjunct professor at Marquette University Law School, was named to BizTimes Milwaukee’s list of Notable Leaders in Law.
Bynum, shareholder and real estate attorney with Milwaukee-based Godfrey & Kahn, teaches a course on real estate transactions at Marquette. He has experience with a range of property types, from sports facilities to manufacturing plants and office spaces, and works to help clients navigate transactions including development, financing, leasing, acquisitions, dispositions and low-income housing tax credit-financed projects.
Notable Leaders in Law is part of BizTimes Milwaukee’s Notable series, which recognizes leaders in the southeastern Wisconsin business community.
Six alumni were also named to the list:
- Jim Brzezinski, managing partner and CEO of Tabak Law
- Adam R. Finkel, partner at Husch Blackwell
- Jeremy Guth, shareholder and attorney at O’Leary-Guth Law Office S.C.
- Keith Kopplin, shareholder at the Milwaukee office of Ogletree Deakins
- Isioma Nwabuzor, associate general counsel and assistant corporate secretary at Modine Manufacturing Co.
- Joe Pickart, partner at Husch Blackwell
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Wave learns its opponent for MASL championship series
Milwaukee Wave coach Marcio Leite 2025-26 team’s evolution in MASL
See first-year Milwaukee Wave head coach Marcio Leite discuss the roles of younger players and veterans as the 2025-26 MASL season begins.
The Milwaukee Wave had been in the awkward position of trying to sell tickets to the MASL championship series without knowing when it would actually host a game.
The questions were answered late April 19, when the San Diego Sockers beat the St. Louis Ambush in the other semifinal in overtime. Their series didn’t even start until four days after the Wave eliminated the Baltimore Blast with victories in a regulation Game 2 and knockout Game 3 at the UWM Panther Arena.
Now the finals are set for two of the most decorated teams in arena soccer.
The Wave will host Game 1 at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 and then the series will finish at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California, with Game 2 at 9:30 p.m. April 24 and a potential Game 3 at 9 p.m. April 27.
Three versions of the Sockers have totaled 16 championships in various indoor league with the latest iteration founded in 2009 owning six of those. The Wave has seven.
First-year Wave head coach Marcio Leite has won titles with both franchises.
Milwaukee, WI
One person injured following early Sunday morning shooting in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on early Sunday morning on the 4900 block of W. Capitol Drive that left one person injured.
An 18-year-old sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
TMJ4
The police is currently looking for an unknown suspect at this time.
Those with information regarding the shooting are encouraged to contact the Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips to remain anonymous.
Let’s talk:
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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