Milwaukee, WI
Strong support for Milwaukee police chief’s reappointment signaled from hiring body
Milwaukee police chief, sheriff keep some Brady list officers employed
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball explain why officers who land on the Brady list can remain employed.
As his contract comes up for renewal, Milwaukee’s police chief received strong signals of support early in his rehiring process.
Almost all of the city’s Fire and Police Commission, the oversight body that handles hiring of the police chief, signaled they were in support of Police Chief Jeffrey Norman’s rehiring. The commission is slated to make its final decision on Norman’s reappointment June 26.
“He’s one of the best qualified chiefs I’ve ever known,” said Miriam Horwitz, the commission’s chair.
With seven of the commission’s nine members in attendance at the meeting, six said they were in support of rehiring Norman, who did not attend the commission meeting. Norman’s current contract expires Nov. 15.
Norman previously told the Journal Sentinel he would take an offer, if the commission extended it to him.
“I believe our department has made great strides,” Norman said at the time. “I desire to continue to build upon that.”
The commission’s support follows Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson saying he was in support of rehiring the chief as well.
At the June 5 meeting, activist Vaun Mayes and Levi Stein, president of the Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, said they were in support of Norman’s rehiring as well.
Mayes, who leads the organization Community Task Force, said a past police chief indicated he would talk with community groups, regardless of their support, and that did not happen. Norman has done that consistently, he said.
With the Fire and Police Commission no longer having policymaking power for the city’s police department due to a 2023 state law, Mayes said it was important to maintain Norman’s place in Milwaukee’s department.
After that law, called Act 12, was passed, Norman elected to move a new bodycam footage release policy forward, despite opposition from the city’s police union.
“I am very afraid of the wrong person coming in with that kind of power and what they could and couldn’t do,” Mayes said.
Norman, who is in his 29th year in law enforcement, has spent his entire policing career with the city’s department.
He was hired as acting chief of the department in 2020 and named police chief the following year, following the retirement of another acting chief and the controversial removal of former chief Alfonso Morales in 2020.
The Milwaukee native was first hired in 1996 and served as a lieutenant in the homicide unit and captain of District 3, which includes parts of the central city and west side.
Norman was hired as chief, in part, due to his track record of community engagement.
Since being named chief, Norman has led the department through the crime spikes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, heavy local and state policy change after George Floyd’s murder prompted national outrage and policing during the Republican National Convention.
Rocky periods have occurred during his tenure.
During the Republican National Convention, he and the department came under scrutiny after Columbus, Ohio, police officers shot and killed Sam Sharpe Jr. The officers, who did not face charges in the shooting, shot him about a mile from the convention’s perimeter after the officers saw Sharpe appear to move toward another man while wielding knives.
The officers were not accompanied by local police, which top department officials previously indicated any out-of-state officers would be in the lead-up to the convention. After the shooting, Norman later acknowledged local officers should have been with the Ohio police officers.
The department also came under scrutiny for its handling of events in the lead-up to the homicide of Bobbie Lou Schoeffling. Schoeffling, a 31-year-old mother of two, had been reporting abuse and threats from her ex-boyfriend.
Schoeffling was found shot to death on July 26, 2022. Her ex-boyfriend, Nicholas Howell, was convicted of killing Schoeffling last year and sentenced to life in prison.
Norman initially declined an interview with the Journal Sentinel into the department’s handling of the case but after the new organization published an investigation into her death, he ordered a review of every contact the department had with Schoeffling. The review led to the suspension of four officers.
“We have recognized our shortcomings and we, I believe, have a proven track record of … being open to feedback and working with the communities,” Norman said at the time he opened the review.
In 2024, Norman was a finalist for the police chief position in Austin, Texas, but was ultimately passed on for the role. At that time, a department spokesperson said Norman remained “steadfast” in his commitment to Milwaukee.
The chief previously declined to tell the Journal Sentinel in May whether he has applied for other jobs as his term approaches its end in Milwaukee. He said he was focused on reappointment locally.
Norman’s pay appears to have been negotiated in the months leading up to his reappointment discussions. The Fire and Police Commission’s executive committee has met in closed session four times regarding senior law enforcement pay.
While the city of Milwaukee’s Common Council sets the pay range for the chief of police position, the Fire and Police Commission ultimately selects what the salary is in that range.
Leon Todd, the commission’s executive director, said he could not address what was discussed in those meetings.
Norman made a gross salary of $177,112.44 in 2024, according to the city’s online pay databases.
The Fire and Police Commission will hold two public comment sessions for Norman’s rehiring before the June 26 vote.
David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com.
The Celtics have been on a heater recently, and midway through the second quarter against the Bucks on Thursday, it appeared they were going to cruise to a sixth straight win.
That all changed rather quickly as Boston would go on to miss 16 straight threes, losing in rather embarrassing fashion to a Milwaukee team without Giannis Antetokounmpo and who had lost 10 of its last 12.
Here are five takeaways from the loss…
Staying hot
As mentioned above, it wasn’t a night where Boston just didn’t have it — it was actually quite the opposite. The Celtics connected on 10 of their first 17 threes, with Jordan Walsh and Payton Pritchard each hitting a pair to build a 21-8 lead.
Midway through the second quarter, Boston was shooting 56% from the floor and 53% from deep, going up by as many as 14 in the quarter.
That all came crashing down in the blink of an eye.
Walsh’s efficient run continues
Walsh was once again why Boston was finding success on both ends of the floor against the Bucks in the first half.
The 21-year-old forward was perfect from the floor in the first half, connecting on all seven of his shots — including three triples — to score 18. Walsh also snagged three steals as his defensive energy continued to shine.
At the half, Walsh was 27-for-32 in his last five games, good for 82% from the floor. Like the rest of the Celtics, Walsh didn’t do much in the second half, finishing with 20 points on 8-for-10 shooting, but his offensive effectiveness continues to be impressive given where he was even two months ago.
Can’t hold a lead
The Celtics held a double digit lead on three separate occasions on Thursday night, and all three times that lead evaporated in just minutes.
When you have a team like Milwaukee, who have lost 10 of its last 12 and appear to be on the verge of losing one of the best players in the NBA, it isn’t hard to knock them out rather quickly. But each time the Celtics went up, they let go of the rope just enough to give the Bucks — and their half empty arena — some life.
A big part of that was Kyle Kuzma exploding for a season high 31 points. The journeyman forward went toe-to-toe with Jaylen Brown all night, getting the better of the superstar on multiple occasions.
Once that third double-digit lead shrank to nothing, Boston didn’t have enough to muster another one.
Brutal shooting
As is often the story with Joe Mazzulla’s Celtics, once the threes stop going in, the ship usually starts sinking.
That’s exactly what happened in the second half on Thursday night.
Boston missed 16 straight triples, which is good for the fourth longest streak in franchise history. During that cold streak the Bucks went on a 27-8 run en route to blowing out the Celtics.
The worst shooting offender of all was probably Sam Hauser, who missed all 10 of his attempts, seven of those coming from beyond the arc.
After scoring 67 points in the first half, Boston only put up 34 in the second half.
Bobby Portis goes nuclear
When you combine horrific shooting with 30-year-old Bobby Portis pouring in 27 points off the bench, it probably isn’t going to end well for you. Portis scored 18 in the second half, with two corner threes to open the fourth basically being the dagger for the Bucks.
The forward also wasn’t afraid to go after it with Brown, even drawing a technical foul after getting a little too close for comfort.
Portis also grabbed 10 rebounds to finish with a double-double.
The Brewers have made their first major league move in the 2026 free agent market.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers are signing outfielder Akil Baddoo to a major league deal. The major league nature of the deal is somewhat of a surprise, given that Baddoo spent almost all of last season in the minors.
Baddoo, 27, was a Twins second-round pick out of high school in 2016 and moved to Detroit in the December 2020 Rule 5 draft. That first season in Detroit went quite well: in 124 games, Baddoo hit .259/.330/.436 with 20 doubles, seven triples, 13 homers, and 18 stolen bases, which earned him 2.1 bWAR. But his bat has not reached those levels since, and in parts of four seasons since 2021, Baddoo has hit just .201/.288/.323 in 682 plate appearances. He spent most of the 2025 season at Triple-A Toledo, where he had good numbers: he hit .281/.385/.483 with 15 home runs, 21 doubles, six triples, and 25 stolen bases in 29 tries.
In the field, Baddoo is primarily a left fielder but has played some in center and a little bit in right. Defensive metrics have graded him as about an average outfielder, but those samples are not large.
Milwaukee had one open spot on their 40-man roster, which Baddoo will presumably take.
It’s an interesting move. The Brewers could use an upgrade in the outfield, but their depth isn’t bad; between Sal Frelick, Jackson Chourio, Blake Perkins, Isaac Collins, Garrett Mitchell, and (sort of) Christian Yelich, the Brewers have several viable major-league options. Brandon Lockridge is also in the mix as a player at the line between Triple-A and the majors. Baddoo does not project to be much of an upgrade, and instead will slot in for more depth, but MLB at-bats might be hard to come by.
In unrelated free agent news of some interest to Milwaukee fans that broke about the same time, former Brewer Hoby Milner has signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs, where he’ll reunite with his former Brewers manager.
Update: According to Curt Hogg, the Brewers have also added outfielder Greg Jones on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Jones will be 28 in March and has appeared briefly in the majors over the past two seasons with the Rockies and White Sox. He was a fairly highly regarded prospect several years ago, appearing at #91 on Jonathan Mayo’s Top 100 prospect list prior to the 2022 season. He is likely to be merely added depth for the Brewers’ Triple-A squad.
BROWN DEER, Wis. – Take a look in any direction around the FOX6 TV station, and it is clear Brown Deer is growing. The village is amidst multiple major developments that will soon bring new apartments, shopping, and restaurants to Milwaukee’s North Shore. No project is bigger than what’s being called Riverside Landing.
A hidden treasure
What we know:
“All told, it’s going to be probably a four-year build-out,” said Brown Deer’s development director Nate Piotrowski. “It’s such a huge piece of land at really the gateway to Brown Deer.”
As crews demolish what was once here, something unexpected happened.
Demolition of Treasure Island store, Brown Deer
“I said to my husband, ‘Oh my God, I have to stop and get a picture of that,’” said Lynn Hunsicker.
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“And I thought, I haven’t thought of that place in years,” added Cynthia Taylor-Gray.
As an old facade is revealed by the construction of the development, memories have come flooding out.
Demolition of Treasure Island store, Brown Deer
“It never occurred to me the old Treasure Island roof would still be intact under there,” said Karen Spinti.
Treasure Island revealed
Dig deeper:
Discount store Treasure Island opened in the early 1960s. First in Appleton, and then in the exploding suburbs around Milwaukee.
“They had everything from hardware to underwear,” explained Cynthia Taylor-Gray.
Treasure Island won awards for its design. This picture was included in the August 1963 edition of Wisconsin Architect Magazine. Photos provided by Wollin Studios
Taylor-Gray said despite not being in one in decades, her memory has been jogged.
“It felt like acres, just acres of retail merchandise,” added Karen Spinti.
Sprinti recalled getting dither when she dove into the clothes as a child.
Treasure Island in 1963 as seen in Wisconsin Architect
“I remember having to go to the bathroom urgently and not being able to find my mom,” said Spinti.
The Madison Location of Treasure Island as seen in 1963 Wisconsin Architect Magazine
For Lynn Hunsicker, her senses have returned.
“I really remember the smell when you first walked in because it had popcorn and hot dogs,” recalled Hunsicker.
Treasure Island locations included full snack bars located at the front of the store. Picture appeared in 1963 Wisconsin Architect
It’s all coming back, as the store’s old look is revealed again.
But for all the clothes and tools and food for sale, there was nothing more recognizable than what was on top.
“Shop under the squiggly roof,” said Hunsicker with a smile.
Designing The Squiggly Roof
Designing the Squiggly Roof:
The squiggly roof isn’t just bringing back memories for shoppers.
“Frustrating for an 8-year-old, let me tell you. I spent a lot of time in the book section,” said architect Jim Shields.
Shields’ memory is different than most. His parents didn’t just drag him to the retailer, his dad’s employer designed it.
The Milwaukee architecture firm led by Jordan Miller and George Waltz, where Shields’ dad worked as a structural engineer, had a number of high profile projects.
Key players
From Milwaukee’s airport terminal to the downtown post office, it was the firm’s decision to go with an untraditional wavy roof for a retailer that may go down as their biggest hit.
“It’s called folded plate concrete. Normally, concrete is envisioned as a flat slab, or a plate. But in this circumstance, they could fold it up and down. And that gave it long-span capability,” explained Shields.
Courtesy: Dekalb Historyv Center
Branded as the squiggly roof, the design allowed Treasure Island’s massive stores to have fewer beams leading to a wide open floor space. The shape is so unmistakable, the roof was seen in nearly every ad.
“All under the squiggly roof. That was their trademark,” said Merissa Howard with the Dakalb History Center near Atlanta, Georgia.
Courtesy: Dekalb History Center
Howard said that Milwaukee design was soon being exported to her neck of the woods.
“They were absolutely massive. They were over 200,000 square feet, which to put into perspective, is bigger than a Costco,” said Howard.
Courtesy: Dekalb History Center
Known as the Treasury in some states, by the late 1970s, the retailer started to struggle through a recession.
“They were too big. There’s too much competition,” said Howard.
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By the 1980s, Treasure Island’s run was over. The stores closed, and new retailers moved in. Those famous squiggly roofs went away.
They’ve been there all along
Dig deeper:
But if you look close enough you’ll realize those roofs never actually disappeared. Have you ever been behind a former Treasure Island location? It’s worth a peek.
“They had a roof put over the top of it to keep it from leaking. So it was really hidden away,” said Jim Shields.
Shields said most of the locations weren’t destroyed, they were simply retrofitted. The squiggly roofs were hidden under new flat roofs placed on top.
From Appleton to West Allis and Brookfield, a peek behind the buildings revealed the squiggly roofs have been there all along.
New future for Brown Deer
Local perspective:
In Brown Deer, the old Treasure Island’s squiggly roof days are finally numbered.
“It’s full circle. It definitely is,” said Piotrowski.
A new retailer is set to break ground on the site; one that also got it’s start in the 1960s.
“I think the new Target will be successful,” said Piotrowski.
Out with the old, and in with the new. But those memories aren’t as easy to get rid of.
The Source: Information for this post was produced by the FOX6 news team, Barb Weber, The Dekalb History Center, and David Miller.
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