Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Women's Center helps older women escape domestic violence

Published

12 months ago

December 9, 2024

Milwaukee Women's Center helps older women escape domestic violence

This article discusses domestic violence. If you or someone you know has been assaulted, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 for free, 24/7 support.

MILWAUKEE — Survivors of domestic abuse often try to leave their abusive relationships, but don’t have anywhere to go, and risk being homeless.

What You Need To Know

The Milwaukee Women’s Center’s offers a place to live and counseling for women over the age of 50 with its Older Abused Women’s Program

The Milwaukee Women’s Center is able to operate off of donations and grant funding but workers worry that the money available will not be enough as this vulnerable population continues to grow

Stephanie Johnson is a survivor of domestic violence who, until recently, was living comfortably in an apartment in Milwaukee for nine years.

“I ended up being evicted after going back to a bad relationship thinking things were going to change and of course they did not,” said Johnson, whose name and identity has been changed in this story for safety reasons as she’s in the process of fleeing a domestic violence situation.

Johnson has been staying at the Milwaukee Women’s Center since October.

“I was staying with my daughter here and there, bouncing from place to place, I stayed in a hotel for a couple of nights until I ran out of money,” said Johnson.

(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)

She was connected to the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Older Abused Women’s Program. It offers a place to live and counseling for women over the age of 50.

“If I am not mistaken, we are the only shelter specifically for older, abused women,” said Emergency Shelter Director Shamika May. “At the age where they should be stable and enjoying getting older, they have to deal with things like fleeing domestic violence.”

Johnson, like many other victims of domestic violence, made the choice to return to her abuser.

When asked why she went back to him, she said, “I don’t know… I don’t know.”

(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)

In a study done on 104 females, the National Institutes of Health reported that 66.3% of these victims returned to their abusers at least once and of them, 97.1% of them returned to their abusers more than once.

May said many older women find themselves in unhealthy relationships, without their own financial security. That can lead to feelings of anxiety and hopelessness in finding a job or changing their reality later in life.

“A lot of time we get women that don’t have work experience, they don’t have the tools to do what they need to do to make it in everyday life,” said May. “A lot of older abused women, we are helping them from the beginning.”

The Older Abused Women’s Program only has the ability to offer four beds in its shelter.

“So we do have to turn people away and if I am not mistaken, we are the only shelter specifically for older abused women,” said May.

(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)

Often, being able to escape a domestic violence situation can mean life or death.

Johnson said she is very grateful for the program as it has offered her a safe place to get back on her feet.

According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, more than 80% of mothers with children experiencing homelessness had previously experienced domestic violence.

May said the Milwaukee Women’s Center is able to operate off of donations and grant funding, but she worries that money will not be enough as this vulnerable population continues to grow.

“We try to have funding to help these women pay for rent and security deposits because a lot of the time that is a huge barrier to housing,” said May.

At the time of this interview, Johnson was working with housing navigators to find a new place to live.

(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)

“I had been in my house for nine years and there is no reason I should have to be homeless and without housing, but I have to start from scratch again,” said Johnson.

Johnson said she was grateful a bed was open at the Milwaukee Women’s Center when she needed it. As she continues her healing journey, she said she wants others in unhealthy relationships to know there is help and hope out there.

“As long as you have people to support you and keep positive thoughts in your head, you can do it,” she said.

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Milwaukee, WI

Reliving Lighting and Thunder ahead of the premiere of ‘Song Sung Blue’

Published

15 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Press Room

Reliving Lighting and Thunder ahead of the premiere of ‘Song Sung Blue’

MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee husband-and-wife musical duo that captivated audiences in the 1980s and 1990s is now the subject of a major motion picture starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.

READ ALSO | Hugh Jackman to serve free custard at Greenfield Kopp’s Frozen Custard to promote upcoming biopic

“Song Sung Blue” will have its premiere on December 2 at The Oriental Theatre on Milwaukee’s East Side.

Fans are invited to hang out outside The Oriental Theatre at 4 pm on Tuesday to cheer on lead actor Hugh Jackman and writer/director Craig Brewer. At 6:30, a Fan party begins at Landmark Lanes, where there will be food, drinks, and live music.

Lightning and Thunder, made up of Mike and Claire Sardina, performed around Milwaukee, paying tribute to Neil Diamond for decades. Their love story and musical journey have been transformed into a film that follows their rise to local fame and the tragedy that tested their resilience.

“Did you ever think that there would be a movie with A-list movie stars made about you?” TMJ4 reporter asked Claire Sardina.

“No, I did not, but we were big dreamers, you know,” Sardina said.

Watch: Reliving Lighting and Thunder ahead of the premiere of ‘Song Sung Blue’

Reliving Lighting and Thunder ahead of the premiere of ‘Song Sung Blue’

The couple’s story began in Milwaukee, where their romance blossomed alongside their musical partnership.

“I introduced myself, and he looked at me and said, I quote, you’re more beautiful than I ever imagined,” Sardina said.

The musicians formed their duo and began performing at festivals and events around the city. With their charisma and showmanship, they became mainstays at Summerfest and State Fair.

Their careers reached new heights when Pearl Jam invited them on stage to perform at their headlining Summerfest show.

“The most thrilling time in my life.” Sardina said, “Next to my marriage to Lightning in 1994 and the birth of my children, it was the most exciting time of my life, and it catapulted us to success.” Sardina said.

After their success came tragedy. While in her front yard, Claire was hit by a car and lost her left leg in 1999. The accident will be a focal point in the movie, as well as how Claire fought back from the devastating injury.

“I didn’t lose my voice, I only lost a leg, but I can still perform, still have the passion, and still sing,” Sardina said.

Claire continues to perform even though Lightning passed away years ago. As the film’s premiere approaches, she hopes it brings the spotlight to Milwaukee.

She also has an inspiring message for people who have faced similar challenges.

“To every disabled person out there,” Sardina said. “Attitude is everything, don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Milwaukee, WI

South side residents urge railroad company to clean up illegal dumping

Published

1 day ago

December 1, 2025

Press Room

South side residents urge railroad company to clean up illegal dumping

As garbage continues to pile up on the train tracks behind their homes, neighbors on South 15th Place are urging the city and railroad company, Union Pacific, to address the illegal dumping.

Rats, cockroaches and piles of trash are frequent sights for some neighbors living near Pulaski Park on South 15th Place on Milwaukee’s south side.

The alley behind their homes and the train tracks beside the alley have become an illegal dumping ground for unwanted furniture, car tires, shopping carts, gallons of motor oil and large bags of trash.

Anna Zarnowski, who has been living on the street for 10 years, said this has been an issue since she moved in, but it’s ramped up in recent years.

She said she filed more than 10 complaints through the City of Milwaukee’s Click4Action app and said she’s called the office of her local alderman, 12^th District Ald. Jose Perez, about the issue, on several occasions.

“I love the south side. You want to see it succeed and be great, and at least just be comfortable and clean,” Zarnowski said.

“It’s not too much to ask for.”

Each time she calls or files a complaint, the garbage in the alley behind her home is removed. However, the train tracks are on private property owned by the railroad company, Union Pacific.

“The city says it’s not their responsibility — then it just sits,” Zarnowski said.

In several of Zarnowski’s complaints, she’s included photos of garbage piling up on the ground by the train tracks. Some of the garbage has been on the ground near the tracks for at least four years, she said.

“It’s a concern. You don’t want to have vermin around,” Zarnowski said.

Illegal dumping is impacting several neighbors

Christina Ornelas, 41, has owned a home on South 15th Place for 10 years.

When she moved in, she noticed garbage piling up on the street and along the train tracks.

“It’s like they clean, and then the next day there’s already a lot of garbage,” Ornelas said, in Spanish, adding that the waste on the train tracks remains even if the waste on the streets is removed, leading to pest issues.

Ornelas has not yet called the city about the illegal dumping near her home, but said she wishes the city and the owners of the train tracks could come together to find a solution to prevent illegal dumping, for example, by adding cameras to the road to discourage the activity.

The city’s Department of Neighborhood Services processes some illegal dumping complaints, but most dumping complaints are addressed through a collaboration of other departments, including the Department of Public Works, according to Jeremy McGovern, the Neighborhood Services’ marketing and communications officer.

Neighborhood Services can help mitigate the problem by implementing some preventative measures to reduce illegal dumping, like installing cameras and traffic control measures to prevent access to the area, sending violation orders, or teaching neighbors how to report the issue to the city, McGovern said.

While Neighborhood Services is willing to provide this support, the illegal dumping taking place on the tracks behind Ornelas and Zarnowski’s homes is primarily the responsibility of Union Pacific.

Steps taken so far by Neighborhood Services

On Nov. 24, the department sent Union Pacific a violation order to remove the waste from its property behind Zarnowski’s home on South 15th Place by Dec. 3, 2025.

The railroad company can still file an appeal, which must be filed within 20 days, according to the violation order obtained by the Journal Sentinel.

Failure to comply with the order or file an appeal could result in prosecution or fines ranging from $150 to $10,000, according to the violation order report.

A representative from Union Pacific said the company plans to remove the waste on the train tracks following the new violation order sent by Neighborhood Services.

“Despite several clean-ups over the years, and another scheduled soon, illegal dumping at this site is a challenging issue that often returns just as quickly as we address it,” Union Pacific communications manager Robynn Tysver said in an emailed statement to the Journal Sentinel.

The last violation order sent to Union Pacific for the train tracks behind Zarnowski’s home was sent in April 2021.

This resulted in Neighborhood Services hiring its own contractor to clean the train tracks and billing the private company $835.66 for the clean-up, which it paid in full, according to McGovern.

A year later, on April 24, 2022, the train tracks were once again filled with garbage, and Zarnowski said she filed a new complaint.

Union Pacific declined to comment on why the previous violation order placed on the company to remove waste on the tracks resulted in an invoice from Neighborhood Services for the waste removal.

Elected officials respond to illegal dumping on railroad

Ald. Perez said Union Pacific is “historically difficult to work with … they are not the most responsive to any concerns.”

Perez said while his office has no record of Zarnowski’s calls, if the dumping on the train tracks near South 15th Place continues to be a nuisance for neighbors, his office is willing to collaborate with Neighborhood Services on a proactive solution to prevent the illegal dumping.

He also said his office would work with the City Attorney’s office to hold Union Pacific legally accountable to address the issue, if needed.

According to McGovern, Neighborhood Services is also willing to work with private property owners, like Union Pacific, regardless of the type of property, to discuss solutions for abatement and compliance.

However, Perez said he believes these kinds of issues would be better addressed if city departments worked more collaboratively on lasting solutions.

If one department arrives to conduct an illegal dumping clean-up, they could sweep the area to look for other possible concerns to refer to other departments, which would help address issues before they become a nuisance to neighbors, Perez said. This would ensure neighbors don’t need to file several complaints before an issue is escalated.

“These systems aren’t talking to one another … the accountability even between interdepartmental referrals is loose,” Perez said. “They’ve got to fix the system beyond the moment and the complaint in real time.”

Zarnowski said she hopes the waste is removed before heavy snow falls and freezes the garbage to the ground for another season.

“They [Union Pacific] should take some kind of action on it,” Zarnowski said. “If it’s their property, they should have some responsibility in keeping things tidy or at least trying to prevent it from happening.”

How to file a complaint for illegal dumping on private property

Neighbors impacted by illegal dumping on private property near their home can submit a complaint through the Click4Action App or by calling Neighborhood Services at 414-286-2268. For non-English speakers, bilingual staff members are available to assist, McGovern said.

If the dumping is on private property, they should make a note on the app or inform the operator, McGovern said. If a neighbor is unsure of whether the waste is located on private or city-owned property, Neighborhood Services can help verify the property owner and file the complaint appropriately.

Once the complaint is submitted, the city can schedule an inspection to verify it and then issue a violation order to the owner of the private property to remove the waste if needed, McGovern said.

If the waste is not removed after a given period, Neighborhood Services can hire a contractor to remove the waste and send a bill to the property owner, McGovern said.

If a resident files a complaint about illegal dumping and it’s on public or city-owned property, Neighborhood Services can escalate the complaint to another department, such as the Department of Public Works, McGovern said.

Alyssa N. Salcedo covers Layton Boulevard West for the Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch. Reach her at asalcedo@gannett.com. As part of the newsroom, all Alyssa’s work and coverage decisions are overseen solely by Journal Sentinel editors.

Support for this effort comes from the Zilber Family Foundation, Journal Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation and individual contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. The project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association. 

Learn more about our community-funded journalism and how to make a tax-deductible gift at jsonline.com/support. Checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation with “JS Community Journalism” in the memo, then mailed to: Local Media Foundation, P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689.

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Milwaukee, WI

Snow Emergency in Milwaukee: parking restrictions and no garbage pickup

Published

2 days ago

December 1, 2025

Press Room

Snow Emergency in Milwaukee: parking restrictions and no garbage pickup

MILWAUKEE — The City of Milwaukee declared a snow emergency for Sunday and Monday night.

Overnight parking restrictions go into effect so that plows can clear the streets. All vehicles must be parked on the even-numbered side of the street by 10 p.m. on Nov. 30. Vehicles must be parked on the odd-numbered side by 10 p.m. on Dec. 1.

There is no parking allowed on either side of main streets or bus routes from 10 p.m to 6 a.m.

Some Milwaukee Public Schools have lots available for parking during snow emergencies from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Garbage and recycling pickup is suspended for Monday so that all Department of Public Works crews can focus on snow removal. Collection will resume on Tuesday with crews working extended shifts to catch up on delays.

Leaf collection was also paused during the snow removal. Nov. 30 was the last day for residents to rake leaves into the street, but it takes DPW crews two to three weeks after to complete the final collection.

Winter Parking begins Dec. 1

In addition to the snow emergency regulations, winter parking rules begin Monday.

Alternate side parking is required on certain residential streets at night between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. until March 1.

On even-numbered calander days, vehicles must be parked on the side of the street with even house numbers; on odd-numbered calendar days, a vehicle must be parked on the side of the street with odd house numbers.

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