• The Wisconsin Bike Federation employs high school students to provide free bike repairs in underserved Milwaukee neighborhoods.
• The mobile program aims to expand repair access for residents who may lack transportation or a local bike shop.
• Students gain hands-on mechanical skills and are paid $15 per hour for their work.

On a typical summer day, Tanysia Kelley pedals a cargo bike loaded with tools and supplies to parks and libraries across Milwaukee.

Kelley, a junior at Milwaukee High School of the Arts, is one of three high schoolers working this summer for the Wisconsin Bike Federation to repair bikes for free in underserved neighborhoods. On a scorching July afternoon, Kelley and her fellow mechanics set up shop in the shade at Emigh Playfield, on Milwaukee’s south side, where a steady queue of riders waited for the team to fix their flat tires, loose chains and worn-out brake pads.

For Kelley, the best part of the job is giving back to the community and watching them ride away with a bike she worked on herself.

“I love seeing all the kids come over and getting their bikes fixed,” she said as she adjusted the seat of a bike with a wrench. “Yesterday, we fixed this little boy’s bike with his brakes, and he just started zooming all over the park.”

Toni Casagrande, the program’s manager and lead mechanic, said the goal of the program is to expand access to repair services in communities that lack bike shops while giving teens hands-on mechanical skills. The nonprofit Wisconsin Bike Federation pays the students $15 per hour, trains them to perform minor repairs and provides each with a cargo bike for transportation.

Casagrande said the team expects to repair about 300 to 400 bikes by the end of the summer. The program particularly focuses on Clarke Square, Layton Boulevard West, Harambee, Lindsay Heights and other low-income neighborhoods where residents may face transportation barriers. Over 40% of residents in the City of Milwaukee do not drive, according to a county service assessment released last year.

A majority of riders who used the Wisconsin Bike Federation’s mobile repair service last year were people of color, according to the program’s annual report.

The mobile bike repair program launched in 2014. Jake Newborn, assistant director of the Wisconsin Bike Federation, said the organization had long brought bikes and education programs into Milwaukee Public Schools, but staff noticed some families stopped using their bikes when they lacked access to a nearby bike shop or couldn’t afford repairs.

After moving from North Division High School, the program’s main base is now at Bradley Tech High School, where students learn to identify issues through a a 30-point bike inspection. The most common repairs include replacing brake pads, tubes, tires and chains, using both new and recycled parts from donated bikes.

“Many of these are pretty significant repairs,” Casagrande said. “People are often surprised by what we can do with the setup we have, given that it all just fits in a cargo bicycle.”

Kelley said she had no prior mechanic experience – or even a bike – before starting the job. Now she finds herself biking everywhere and is confident in her skills. After returning one rider’s repaired bike, Kelley received a $20 tip. She said some participants also offer donations to the Wisconsin Bike Federation after receiving repairs.

“Most of them are very grateful,” Kelley said. “We’re really trying to help people.”

Casagrande said many students end up pursuing jobs in mechanics once the program is complete. After the summer, Kelley said, she wants to learn how to fix cars or pursue opportunities with other local bike organizations.

For now, she’s happy spending her summer helping neighbors get back on their bikes.

“I really like doing work to feel accomplished in the end,” Kelley said. “I’ll work on things for a really long time just to feel confident, so this is the perfect job for me.”

MILWAUKEE – The clock is ticking in the fight between ICE and Milwaukee. The federal Department of Justice gave Milwaukee until Friday to respond.

Law enforcement mask ban

The backstory:

In April, Milwaukee passed an ordinance that bans all law enforcement from wearing masks. There are exemptions for health or safety reasons. Those breaking it can face a fine of up to $10,000. 

Supporters said it was part of what they called “ICE Out Milwaukee.” It was clear from debate, they were targeting immigration agents.

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The U.S. DOJ sent the mayor and city attorney a letter on July 10. It says the federal government will not comply. It tells the city to respond by this Friday, July 17, that it will not enforce the ban against federal agents.

One Milwaukee nonprofit leader critical of ICE responded to the situation.

“I look at the federal government’s threats to Milwaukee as analogous to David versus Goliath,” said Emilio De Torre of the Milwaukee Turners at Turner Hall. “David was doing the right thing in the face of of violence and oppression, and Milwaukee’s doing the right thing too. If a person is proud of what they’re doing, if they know that what they’re doing is legal and justified, then they don’t need to be a coward and hide behind a mask.”

U.S. DOJ ultimatum

What we know:

The U.S. Department of Justice letter was signed by an assistant attorney and also Brad Schimel, who leads the U.S. attorney’s office in Eastern Wisconsin.

It says the mask ordinance is unconstitutional by breaking the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause.

“This Mask Ban endangers federal officers and undermines federal law enforcement operations,” the letter also states. “The consequences are severe. Protecting the personal identities of federal officers and their families is especially critical in part due to the increasingly common threats of targeted harassment, tracking, interference, and assaults on federal agents for simply doing their jobs.”

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Several Milwaukee groups held a vigil and protest against ICE on Wednesday, July 15 in Burnham Park. That included Milwaukee Turners, the Milwaukee teachers’ union and Voces de la Frontera. They are criticizing recent deaths.

Portions of this article were formatted using A.I. FOX6’s Jason Calvi and an editor reviewed it for accuracy and tone prior to publishing.

The City of Chicago has awarded a $3 million Community Development Grant for the redevelopment of the former Grace’s Furniture building at 2618 N. Milwaukee. Planned by Bluestar Properties and Marc Realty, the building was built in 1914 as a storage warehouse and sits within the Logan Square Boulevards District.

With K2 Studio serving as the architect, the existing structure will be converted into a four-story health club with a ground floor restaurant and cafe. Set to be known as Logan Square Athletic Club, the health club will be operated by Chicago Athletic Clubs. 

The redevelopment will rehabilitate the existing brick facade along N. Milwaukee Ave while creating a new brick facade on the south elevation.

The $11 million development will be supported in part by the $3 million Community Development Grant, which is funded through the city’s Housing and Economic Development bond.

According to Block Club Chicago, the project is expected to begin construction in Fall 2026 with construction expected to last for one year, with the gym set to open in late 2027.