Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee violence prevention fund, mayor had ‘no clue’ it existed

Published

2 years ago

September 1, 2022

Milwaukee violence prevention fund, mayor had ‘no clue’ it existed

Milwaukee mayor had ‘no clue’ violence prevention fund existed

Milwaukee’s violence prevention fund consists of cash that is supposed to stop violence, however metropolis leaders who have been supposed to regulate it did not learn about it, public information present.

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee’s violence prevention fund consists of cash that is supposed to stop violence, however metropolis leaders who have been supposed to regulate it did not learn about it, public information present.

These information present the place the cash was spent and who accepted it.

Three folks have been speculated to be answerable for the fund, however two stated they’d no say in the place the cash went as a result of they did not realize it existed.

The town of Milwaukee has given away a whole lot of 1000’s of {dollars} with hopes of stopping violence, however neither the mayor nor the alderman who oversaw town’s finances debates knew.

“I had no clue,” stated Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

“I’m, admittedly, reasonably shocked as a result of I believe that sort of cash ought to have been acknowledged in the course of the finances listening to, and the way that cash is utilized to help in violence prevention, it ought to have been talked about,” stated Milwaukee Alderman Michael Murphy. “I’m simply perplexed on how they have been in a position to attract down on this with out that coming into town of Milwaukee as a grant and support as a result of that’s regular, customary working process.”

This thriller begins in 2017 when then-Mayor Tom Barrett, then-Well being Commisioner Bevan Baker and then-Workplace of Violence Prevention Director Reggie Moore signed the settlement to arrange the violence prevention fund housed on the Better Milwaukee Basis.

This is the way it has labored: Nationwide charitable teams and others donate to the violence prevention fund. It goes to the Better Milwaukee Basis. Then the settlement says three metropolis leaders, the mayor, the well being commissioner and the Workplace of Violence Prevention director advise the place the funds will go. They’re to decide on one individual to share grant suggestions with the Better Milwaukee Basis.

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Up till August 2022, it was the Workplace of Violence Prevention director.

These with the muse stated they then do due diligence to verify the teams getting cash are certified nonprofits, after which the muse sends the cash.

It wasn’t essentially a secret fund. A information launch introduced it in 2017.

In 2021, the fund gave $150,000 to the Medical School of Wisconsin to assist 414 Life, which tries to interrupt violence.

In 2022, the violence prevention fund deliberate to present away $220,000; most of it for the Protected Summer season Initiative, together with $170,000 to Uniting Backyard Houses to spearhead the place groups of individuals go to areas with probably the most shootings, to attempt to cease doubtlessly violent conflicts, assist get sources to these in danger for violence, stand towards gun violence and assist youngsters heal.

As a part of the identical program, $25,000 was for Westcare, together with $35,000 for youth advocate applications and $11,000 for the Good Samaritan Westside Neighborhood Church.

The fund deliberate $10,000 to sponsor the Black Arts Competition Milwaukee.

Then $65,000 went to the Chicago-based Circle Basis. FOX6 Information requested what they have been doing with the cash, however they did not reply.

“It does appear that many of the cash has gone to neighborhood organizations, appropriately,” stated Kirsten Johnson, Milwaukee well being commissioner.

Shifting ahead, Johnson stated she needs to maintain the fund open however added everybody ought to know the cash is there, and any group might apply for it. Like the unique settlement states, she stated the mayor, the OVP director and well being commissioner ought to log out on the grants after which publish the place the cash goes.

“No, I believe it’s actually necessary that we have now entry to cash to essentially fund the neighborhood organizations on the bottom who’re doing the work in real-time and that there’s some flexibility for an emergency use or limited-time use or there’s a particular incident that we need to tackle and actually have neighborhood organizations reply rapidly, that this fund offers us that agility,” stated Johnson. “It’s necessary that we do have entry to cash to fund violence prevention in a approach that’s agile and in real-time as a result of the Council, as a corporation, it simply takes time for cash to maneuver by way of. We actually want to have the ability to reply rapidly and have cash obtainable to do this.”

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Beneath the present system, there have been some exterior checks and balances. For instance, the nationwide group the Annie E. Casey Basis expects experiences about how town has used the donations.

The Workplace of Violence Prevention submitted a report in 2021 explaining to the Public Welfare Basis how the fund spent its $200,000.

FOX6 Information requested Barrett and Moore to touch upon why the fund was arrange. We did not hear again.

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Milwaukee, WI

What to know about UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, one of the RNC venues

Published

1 hour ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

What to know about UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, one of the RNC venues

UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, one of the city’s oldest sports complexes, will play a critical role in the Republican National Convention this month.

The arena is one of three main venues for the four-day event, alongside Fiserv Forum and Baird Center. All three are part of convention security’s “hard zone,” meaning the area will be controlled by the Secret Service and require credentials to enter.

But Panther Arena is no stranger to major events, including presidential speeches. Here’s everything you need to know about the venue ahead of the RNC.

Where is the Panther Arena?

The arena is in downtown Milwaukee, at 400 W. Kilbourn Ave.

Has Panther Arena hosted political events before?

Though former president Donald Trump will likely deliver his convention speech from Fiserv Forum, the Republican presidential candidate has actually spoken at Panther Arena previously.

In January 2020, Trump hosted a campaign rally at the arena as part of his re-election bid. His remarks at the time largely focused on national security.

On top of thousands attending the rally, Trump’s speech also drew a few hundred anti-Trump protestors outside the venue. Ahead of the event, Trump’s visit sparked campus controversy at UWM, given the arena bears the university’s name. The school’s chancellor eventually issued a statement clarifying that UWM neither owns nor controls booking decisions at the Panther Arena, beyond its own events.

How old is Panther Arena?

Panther Arena is Milwaukee’s original sports and entertainment complex, according to the arena website.

Built in 1950, it was initially named Milwaukee Arena. It became the Milwaukee Exposition, Convention Center and Arena in 1974 and the U.S. Cellular Arena in 2000. The arena got its current name in 2014, when UW-Milwaukee bought the naming rights for the venue.

Alongside 8,910 permanent seats, the arena has a total capacity of 12,700 people — about two thirds of the size of Fiserv Forum, which has a total of 17,500.

Which teams play at Panther Arena?

The Panther arena is currently home to basketball, hockey and soccer teams: the Panthers, the UWM men’s basketball team; the Milwaukee Admirals, the city’s National Hockey League team; and the Milwaukee Wave, the Major Arena Soccer League team.

But the arena’s history in professional sports goes far beyond these three teams, according to its website. It has also hosted international sporting contests, including a 1998 Davis Cup semifinals match, part of the international men’s tennis tournament, and a Golden Gloves Boxing match versus Russia in 1996.

Closer to home, it hosted the U.S. National Gymnastics Championships in 2003.

What are concerts like at Panther Arena?

According to its website, the arena was “born in the era of rock ‘n’ roll” — and celebrated it hard.

The venue has hosted stars including Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, the Beastie Boys and Run DMC, among others. Iconic singers, like Frank Sinatra and Neil Diamond, have also played the venue.

Panther Arena still regularly hosts live music events, from the Milwaukee Public Schools music program’s annual festival to R&B artists KEM and Ledisi earlier this year.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Bucks Player Will Be An Unrestricted Free Agent

Published

8 hours ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

Milwaukee Bucks Player Will Be An Unrestricted Free Agent

TyTy Washington Jr. is coming off his first season playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.

The former Kentucky star finished the year with averages of 1.3 points per contest while shooting 30.0% from the field and 33.3% from the three-point range in 11 games.

According to Evan Sidery, Washington Jr. will now become an unrestricted free agent.

Via Sidery: “The Bucks did not extend a qualifying offer to TyTy Washington.

Washington averaged 18.5 points and 8.5 assists while shooting 42.6% on threes for the Wisconsin Herd.

The former Kentucky guard could be an intriguing development signing for a team in unrestricted free agency.”

The Bucks did not extend a qualifying offer to TyTy Washington.
Washington averaged 18.5 points and 8.5 assists while shooting 42.6% on threes for the Wisconsin Herd.
The former Kentucky guard could be an intriguing development signing for a team in unrestricted free agency. pic.twitter.com/xt31Teqj8D
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 7, 2024
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Washington Jr. was initially the 29th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

He has played two seasons for the Houston Rockets (and Bucks).

His career averages are 3.8 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per contest while shooting 35.6% from the field and 24.4% from the three-point range in 42 games.

Jan 8, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard TyTy Washington Jr. (23) warms up before game against the Utah Jazz at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports / Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Jr. has also spent a lot of time in the G League.

His career averages are 22.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 44.9% from the field and 37.2% from the three-point range in 32 regular season games (31 starts).

At just 22, some teams will likely be interested in bringing him in for training camp.

TyTy Washington Jr. took his game to the NEXT LEVEL in the postseason! 🚀
He led all players with 29.8 PPG, while adding 7.2 APG and 7.0 RPG to lead the @rgvvipers to their seventh Finals appearance.
TyTy had back-to-back 30-pieces in the Finals and averaged 36.0 PPG overall. pic.twitter.com/LppJvSQ3zG
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) April 14, 2023

The Bucks finished the 2023-24 season as the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a 49-33 record.

They lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

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Milwaukee, WI

5 things to know and do the week of July 8 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Published

16 hours ago

July 7, 2024

Press Room

5 things to know and do the week of July 8 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Children stop by to play at Alice’s Garden Urban Farm during drop-in hours. The next playtime in the garden is on Thursday, July 11. (Photo provided by Glenna Holstein)

It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.

The Milwaukee Police Department District 7 will hold its monthly crime and safety meeting from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 8 at 8424 W. Center St. Several topics will be discussed, including crime statistics, traffic stops and more. More information here.

VIA Community Development Corp. will hold a neighborhood meeting from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9 at 3730 W. National Ave. The meeting will focus on the reconstruction of West National Avenue. Click here to register. More information here.

The African American Roundtable invites young people, ages 13 to 24, for a day filled with activities and conversations. The Youth Hangout will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10 at Uihlein Soccer Park, 7101 Good Hope Road. Lunch will be provided. Click here to register. More information here.

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Kids, from newborn to 6, can come to Alice’s Garden Urban Farm to spend the morning learning shapes, numbers and more in the garden. Drop-in hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 11 at 2136 N. 21st St. More information here.

Sixteenth Street Community Wellness and Wehr Nature Center are partnering to lead a forest bathing. Individuals, 14 and up, will spend time connecting with nature in a therapeutic way. The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 11 at Jackson Park, 3500 W. Forest Home Ave. Click here to register. More information here.

Amani United will hold its first Saturday meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, due to the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The meeting will take place at the Dominican Center, 2470 W. Locust St. Click here to join virtually, or watch at www.amaniunited.org. More information here.

Young people, ages 6-17, can receive free meals at over a dozen Milwaukee Recreation summer playground locations. Milwaukee Rec staff will serve two free meals to youth every weekday through Aug. 16. Click here to see a list of playground locations and free meal times at each site. More information here.

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