Humboldt Park: Protesters Welcome, Not 4th of July Celebrators

Demonstrators met at Humboldt Park in Milwaukee’s predominately white Bay View neighborhood for a "Justice for George Floyd Peaceful Protest." The group made signs before beginning their miles-long march to Milwaukee’s Police Department headquarters. https://t.co/leqIziUHVw

— WPR (@WPR) June 2, 2020

Six-mile march leaves Humboldt Park in Bay View. Plan is to wind up at Milwaukee Police HQ pic.twitter.com/DHjj4XRant

— Dan Molloy (@DanMolloyTV) June 2, 2020

That's a lot of water and food, and a lot of people.

Protesters march from Humboldt Park in Bay View to downtown Milwaukee on Tuesday, June 2, to protest the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week. https://t.co/Uv77AzxH9L

— JSOnline - NewsWatch (@js_newswatch) June 3, 2020

All 4th of July activities at Humboldt Park, like the parade and fireworks, have been cancelled this year. It wouldn't be safe to gather because of the coronavirus.

Why is this gathering permissible?

Huge gatherings are apparently permitted if they serve to further the right agenda.

Religious services and gatherings for 4th of July festivities don't pass the test.

Milwaukee 4th of July Fireworks, Parades Cancelled

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The ongoing threat of COVID-19 has canceled another big event this summer. Both Milwaukee's city and county Fourth of July celebrations are not going to happen in 2020.

The city gave a statement saying there would be no Fourth of July parades or picnic. The county has canceled the July 3 Lakefront fireworks show.

From the Humboldt Park 4th of July Association:

It is with heavy hearts and tears in our eyes that we relay the news that our Independence Day celebration is cancelled for 2020.

The City of Milwaukee 4th of July Commission, Mayor Barrett and the Health Department have made the difficult decision to cancel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Humboldt Park has been celebrating the 4th for 110 years through wars, peace, depression and prosperity. We ask that you respect the City’s decision and find a way to celebrate safely at home and we promise to be back in 2021 to celebrate the planet’s renewed health.

Nothing has stopped the 4th of July celebration in Humboldt Park for 110 years.

NOTHING, until this virus.

Do summer outdoor activities like these really need to be cancelled?

Of course, it would be wise for the elderly and other at-risk populations to stay away from crowds even in outdoor settings, but we know the virus does not pose a serious health risk to the vast majority of residents.

According to the models, it's projected there will be ZERO cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin by May 14. That projection was updated on April 28.

I feel bad for Milwaukee residents.

Not all communities in Southeastern Wisconsin have cancelled their celebrations.

For example, Racine's celebration, including the parade and fireworks, is still scheduled for Saturday, July 4th.

Grafton, Sheboygan, and others still plan to celebrate.

South Shore Frolics Suspended

The South Shore Frolics is cancelled. There will be no 2018 festival.

The following had been issued with a great amount of sadness.

STATEMENT ISSUED BY BAY VIEW LIONS CLUB

Bay View Lions Cancel 2018 South Shore Frolics Festival

After 68 years, the South Shore Frolics, a Bay View, South Shore area, and city of Milwaukee tradition, is suspended for 2018 by the Bay View Lions Club, the organizer of the event.

The event, which began in 1948 as the South Shore Water Frolic in Bay View’s South Shore Park by the Inter-Organizational Council of Bay View, has happened every year since, except 1993. Since 1995, the Bay View Lions Club has hosted the three-day free event featuring music, an art show, a classic car show, food, many family activities, a parade (until 2014), and their famous Frolics “atomic” fireworks to close each evening.

The Frolics annually attracted 50,000-60,000 people, although it regularly attracted over 200,000 during its early decades.
Held the second full weekend of July, the one-year suspension, and possibly longer, leaves a summer entertainment void for thousands of attendees, including generations of families, who have witnessed it and grown-up with it.

“A number of our fixed costs continue to increase leaving us with no options except to suspend the Frolics for 2018,” said Bay View Lions Club president, Lyn Graziano. “Our basic costs from the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and Milwaukee County Parks, as well as outside vendors, have risen to the point where it is extremely difficult to produce a profit — any profit.

“The Frolics, the Bay View Lions Club’s largest annual fundraiser, has for three out of the last four years failed to be profitable. The lack of profitability from the Frolics has meant that the Bay View Lions Club doesn’t have the revenue it needs for its community support efforts and community projects. Further, the losses have hurt the Bay View Lions Club ability to sponsor disabled children to attend the Lions Camp, to support the Lions Leader Dog Program for the blind, as well as contribute to the Lions Disaster Relief programs. The Bay View Lions Club’s motto is “We Serve” and our mission is to help those in need locally in our community and also contribute to important causes throughout our state and nation.”

“Further, the [public’s] uncertainty regarding the grand finale and its signature ‘blow-up-the-beach fireworks’ in the last two years has also adversely impacted the Frolics attendance and consequently its revenue. At times, it has been very difficult and frustrating to deal with the fireworks mandates initiated by the Milwaukee County Parks director,” noted Graziano.

“Despite having a current group of loyal and generous sponsors, the need for more permanent sponsorship remains a challenge to counterbalance rising costs. The South Shore Frolics has had an incredible 68-year run and put smiles on the faces of so many through the years. While we won’t close the door entirely for 2019 and beyond, we would need the public, local government officials, and business leaders to work together with us to help bring the event back.

"Questions that should be asked and answered: Does the Frolics, a free summer event in a Milwaukee County park, make Bay View, the south shore area, and city of Milwaukee a better place in the summer? Are the tens of thousands of people that attend this event every year from this area and city, as part of their summer, better off with the Frolics than without it?” asks Graziano.

“Only the public, local government representatives, county parks leaders, and business leaders will answer those questions through their support and actions, or lack of thereof. The Frolics are suspended for 2018. Unless they all answer in the affirmative and work with us, the Frolics will join the West Allis Western Days, the Circus Parade, RiverFest and other community festivals as former free summer events that are gone forever, and our community will be worse off for it,” concluded Graziano.

This event has been a special part of summer for generations of my family.

Sixty-eight years.

Bay View Shooting

30 year old woman shot in Bay View armed robbery. @fox6now pic.twitter.com/zEg4PBQLRL

— Bret Lemoine (@BretLemoine) April 24, 2016

Confirmed: 47 year old woman shot in back by someone trying to steal her car in #BayView #Milwaukee Watch @tmj4 pic.twitter.com/AQUvIjgJZi

— Michele Fiore (@michelehana) April 24, 2016

Very disturbing.

Even more disturbing considering Milwaukee just reelected soft on crime Mayor Tom Barrett.

Edwin West, Sex Offender, Jailed

In March 2013, residents of a Milwaukee neighborhood were told two convicted sex offenders, Shawn Schulpius and Edwin West, would be their new neighbors.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, DEMOCRAT, addressed the crowd at a neighborhood meeting:

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said the men have served their sentences as well as many years at a secure treatment center for sex offenders in Mauston and now experts have determined, and a judge has agreed, that they should be allowed back into society.

"I understand there are great concerns of everyone in this room," Chisholm said at the meeting inside St. Veronica Church on E. Norwich Ave. "We treat all these cases like they're our neighborhood."

That, of course, was utter crap.

Are there convicted sex offenders living in Chisholm's neighborhood?

Shawn Schulpius and Edwin West are very bad, very dangerous men.

Nonetheless, officials chose to dump them in a nice Milwaukee neighborhood. Residents were helpless.

"Experts" decided Schulpius and West were ready to return to society.

Those "experts" were wrong about West.


From 620 WTMJ:

A notorious child sex offender violated the terms of his release by initiating a relationship with and inappropriately touching one of his caretakers, court documents said.

Edwin West was accused of violating his release on April 28 and remanded to the Milwaukee County Jail, according to the documents.

The petition for revocation of supervised release was filed by the state Department of Health Services, the state agency charged with helping problematic sex offenders transition back into the community.

In 1993, West was convicted of second degree sexual assault of a child. He was labeled a sexually violent person and committed by the state in 1997, but completed his sentence in 2012. That is when he moved into a house on Van Beck Avenue in the Bay View neighborhood, despite the objections of the community.

As part of his DHS supervised release, West was routinely chaperoned by an individual known as a "community care technician." That female chaperone alleged she was inappropriately touched by West on April 16. The petition for revocation alleges West began a relationship with the chaperone last September.

West is also accused of using Facebook and the phone book to research information on his neighbors.

I'm sure the residents take no satisfaction in being able to say, "I told you so."

West is gone, but Schulpius remains, a ticking time bomb.

_______________


Watch video, from TMJ4.

International Festival of Sausages

Today is Sausage Fest!

$10 - ALL YOU CAN EAT SAUSAGE.

All proceeds benefit the American Legion.

Video here.

Shawn Schulpius and Edwin West

UPDATE, March 25, 2014: Neighborhood concerned over sex offenders set to gain more freedoms.
_________________

Two men are moving into a home on Milwaukee's southeast side.

The new neighbors are Shawn Schulpius and Edwin West - sex offenders.

These are bad men. They're dangerous.

Is it surprising that residents in the area don't want them released in their neighborhood?

No.

Is it surprising that during a meeting at St. Veronica Church Milwaukee County D.A. John Chisholm told concerned residents that the sex offenders WILL be moving in and they need to deal with it?

No.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Two convicted sex offenders scheduled to soon move into a Bay View home drew a crowd of a couple hundred residents to a meeting Monday night.

After listening to police, prosecutors and corrections officials explain why Shawn Schulpius and Edwin West will move to a rental home in the 1100 block of E. Van Beck Ave. later this month, residents scribbled questions on cards and later angrily shouted questions. One resident asked how they could feel secure if both West and Schulpius are repeat offenders.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said the men have served their sentences as well as many years at a secure treatment center for sex offenders in Mauston and now experts have determined, and a judge has agreed, that they should be allowed back into society.

"I understand there are great concerns of everyone in this room," Chisholm said at the meeting inside St. Veronica Church on E. Norwich Ave. "We treat all these cases like they're our neighborhood."

BS.

Does Chisholm have two sex offenders like Schulpius and West living down the street from his family?

Check out the crimes of new neighbors Shawn Schulpius and Edwin West:

West, 48, was convicted twice of sexually assaulting an acquaintance when he was 23 and 25; Schulpius, 39, was convicted of sexual assault of a 6-year-old girl, a 12-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy when he was a teenager. The sex offenders were both convicted in Milwaukee County and will live together.

Good Lord.

Schulpius did monstrous things. He admitted to assaulting TWENTY victims in less than a decade. TWENTY.

Other neighborhoods have been successful in keeping Schulpius out, but this time, officials are ignoring the residents, leaving them feeling powerless and victimized.

Both men were committed under Wisconsin's Chapter 980 law that allows inmates deemed sexually violent to be held for mental health treatment after they serve their prison terms. Schulpius has received more media attention because he repeatedly sought supervised release from the program at Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center with his case reaching the state Supreme Court in 2005.

For many years Milwaukee County prosecutors successfully argued against Schulpius' discharge from Sand Ridge until a judge last month decided he should be released.

Officials told the crowd Monday night that for the first year Schulpius and West will be under strict supervision and will not be allowed to leave their home - not even to get mail or shovel the sidewalk - except under limited conditions such as buying groceries and going to therapy sessions. Whenever they leave home in the first year they'll be accompanied by escorts.

If their supervision will be so tight, it seems to me that they aren't exactly ready to be released into the community.

Will someone live with them, monitoring them constantly? No.

This is insane.

After the first year the men are expected to get jobs to pay for their living expenses. And for the rest of their lives they must wear GPS monitoring ankle bracelets while they're in Wisconsin and comply with the sex offender registry program.

When residents asked how their neighborhood was chosen, an official said many locations are considered and in this case at least 30 rental homes were investigated before the location on E. Van Beck Ave. was picked.

Why dump them in this neighborhood?

Is the plan to let yet another Milwaukee neighborhood go to hell?

I don't understand why Schulpius and West will be unleashed in an area with so many schools.

"There's absolutely no perfect placement. We recognize that," said Jason Cram, supervised release program manager at Sand Ridge. "There simply isn't a place in Wisconsin where there will be no children nearby."

Then keep them locked up and away from the good people.

Here's more:

Schulpius has repeatedly sought supervised release or discharge from the program without success. His case once threatened the constitutional underpinning of the Chapter 980 law, adopted in 1994, when it got all the way to the state Supreme Court in 2005.

"He's been continually involved in one of the most strenuous treatment programs in the country," said his attorney, Robert W. Peterson.

On Thursday, Schulpius appeared before Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Charles F. Kahn Jr. via video conference from the Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center.

"This is going to be a big change for you, and it's not going be easy," Kahn told Schulpius, who sat alone in small room wearing a blue dress shirt and a tie.

Kahn told Schulpius he'll be under be greater restrictions, in many ways, than at Sand Ridge, and that he will have "no wiggle room" around some 50 specific conditions of supervised release. "You're ready for that?" Kahn asked.

"Yes sir," Schulpius responded.

The supervised release plan Kahn approved will keep Schulpius under constant electronic surveillance. His limited excursions from home will be accompanied by someone from a supervision team. He will be subject to scheduled and unannounced visits from a probation agent, polygraph tests, physical exams, continued counseling and training.

Assistant District Attorney Gale Shelton said prosecutors gave the release plan - prepared by the Department of Health Services, which runs the Sand Ridge center - "very close consideration."

She reminded Kahn that in four reports from 2000 to 2012, Sand Ridge staff thought Schulpius met the conditions for discharge. Relying on different experts, prosecutors convinced a jury in 2010 that Schulpius was still more likely than not to reoffend, and his release was denied.

In 2010, Schulpius was deemed likely to reoffend.

What's happened since? Are we to believe that in the last three years he's changed, and that he no longer wants to assault children?

What can residents do now that their children are in danger?

Police are telling them to form block watch groups, block watch groups to keep the sex offenders in line.

Unbelievable.

Alderman Tony Zielinski blames the state of Wisconsin for having laws that allow sex offenders to be placed in "densely populated neighborhoods."

In other words, "There's nothing I can do. Don't blame me."

Residents would be crazy not to blame Zielinski. There were 30 other homes cited as possible locations for the criminals. If he can't protect his constituents in a matter as important as this, then he's a bad alderman and should be voted out of office.

Chisholm had the audacity to say the residents should remember the Chapter 980 law kept the offenders out of the neighborhood for as long as it did.

That's no consolation. Put Schulpius somewhere else, someplace with a less target rich environment. Area residents have the right to protect themselves from this threat.

Chisholm says they've run out of options to keep Schulpius locked up. Really? Chisholm managed to drag out that John Doe investigation for years. I'm sure he could do something. Maybe if residents appeal to Chisholm by saying they signed the Scott Walker recall petition he'll try a little harder not to punish these law-abiding citizens.
__________________

Watch video, from CBS-58.

Watch video, from TMJ 4.

Bay View High School Fight - 30 Arrests

It wouldn't be a normal school year in the Milwaukee Public Schools if a massive brawl didn't break out, resulting in dozens of arrests.

Bay View High School was the site of violence yesterday.

From FOX6 News:

Milwaukee police say 30 arrests were made Thursday, October 18th after a fight in the school cafeteria quickly became a brawl at Milwaukee’s Bay View High School.

Police say they responded to the school just before 9:00 a.m. Thursday. 22 MPD squad cars and 29 police officers responded to the scene.

The school was placed under “lockdown” for a short time.

Officials say several fights broke out following breakfast in the school cafeteria.

“A lot of fist punching, kids stomping on tables in the cafeteria,” one student said.

Those arrested include eight adults (17-19 years old), 20 juveniles (13-16 years old) and two 11-year-old students. The adults and juveniles arrested received disorderly conduct citations. The 11-year-old students were transported to MPD’s District 6 and released to their parents.

Police say upon officers’ arrival at the scene, students were fighting, yelling and being profane and offensive.

Milwaukee Public Schools security officials attempted to clear the cafeteria and the fighting continued. Police say those involved resisted the attempts of MPS safety personnel, teachers and MPD to break up the fight.

My God, 22 police squads and 29 police officers!

I know there are Bay View alumni who are horrified by the violence.

Generations of families attended the school. It was nothing like this.

Where's Mayor Tom Barrett? Still hanging out with Big Bird?

Does he have anything to say?

Here's video:



According to WISN 12 News:

Milwaukee Police said as of 11 a.m., 24 students were in custody – seven males and 17 females. A representative from Milwaukee Public Schools revised that total to 30 later in the afternoon.

TMJ4 reports:

After the fight, the school went into "code red," meaning that no one could enter or leave the building.

"What parents need to understand is that our schools are safe and we do our very best to make sure that happens and that parents have confidence," says Denise Callaway, business and community partnerships coordinator at MPS.

No, the schools obviously are not safe. Parents do understand.

This story illustrates that.

Delilah Rosario and Bay View High School

Delilah Rosario had enough of the chaos at Bay View High School in Milwaukee.

She pulled all three of her kids out of the school, considering it an unfit environment.

From TMJ4:

Delilah Rosario has pulled all her three children out of Bay View High School.

She says she went to the school Thursday, to check on her son who was being bullied.

Rosario told TODAY'S TMJ4, "His school supplies were being taken from him. His sharpeners were being taken and broken apart so they could take the blade out of the sharpener."

Rosario says when she arrived at the school she also decided to check on her daughter, and was shocked by a disturbance in the cafeteria. "And when I went downstairs and sat with her there was a big old riot. Garbage cans were being thrown all over the place. Food was being thrown all over the place. And I had to cover my daughter up for her safety and heard my daughter scream at me... ‘Get me out of here, get me out of here.’"

...[T]he food fight came just one day after police were called to Bay View and the school was put on lockdown after students were fighting.

Video of the fighting and disorder at Bay View, from TMJ4:



This is disgraceful.

It's totally understandable that parents want something better for their children.

Milwaukee could use a lot more parents like Delilah Rosario, willing to become involved and take action.

Bay View wasn't always such an out of control, dangerous place. It was a good neighborhood school that educated students in a safe atmosphere.

That's ancient history - a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.

Very, very sad.

Peep Show

I love Peeps!

Today, to benefit the Wisconsin Humane Society, visit the Peep Show, "a fun and fluffy exhibition of artworks made of, or inspired by Marshmallow Peeps."

Details:

When: Sunday, April 17th, 1-4 PM

Where: Bay View Brew Haus, 2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. (414)481-8060

No Entry Fee - No Jury
All are encouraged to participate
Simply bring your "Peep" inspired artworks to the event
Suggested $2 donation goes directly to the Wisconsin Humane Society

'No Cuts, No Fees, Education Should Be Free'

Protesters in Michigan, Michael Moore territory, demand "no cuts, no fees, education should be free."

Here's video, via Breitbart:



Education, as in formal education, cannot be free.

Someone has to pay for teachers' salaries and their benefits and their pensions. Someone has to pay for supplies and the maintenance of a school building.

Someone always pays.

I don't think these protesters comprehend this, but going to the Capitol and chanting doesn't cause funds to materialize.

It doesn't work that way. Surprise!

This entitlement mentality has reared its head before in Michigan, when people stood in line to receive "stimulus money" from "Obama's stash."

Ken Rogulski, WJR News, interviewed some people waiting on line at the Cobo Center in Detroit to apply for stimulus money.



Transcript

KEN ROGULSKI: Why are you here?

WOMAN: To get some money.

ROGULSKI: What kind of money?

WOMAN: Obama money.

ROGULSKI: Where's it coming from?

WOMAN: Obama.

ROGULSKI: And where did Obama get it?

WOMAN: I don't know. His stash. I don't know. I don't know where he got it from but he's giving it to us, to help us. We love him. That's why we voted for him. Obama! Obama!

Here's how another woman responded to Rogulski's questions:

ROGULSKI: Did you get an application to fill out yet?

WOMAN: I sure did. And I filled it out, and I am waiting to see what the results are going to be.

ROGULSKI: Will you know today how much money you're getting?

WOMAN: No, I won't, but I'm waiting for a phone call.

ROGULSKI: Where's the money coming from?

WOMAN: I believe it's coming from the City of Detroit or the state.

ROGULSKI: Where did they get it from?

WOMAN: Some funds that was given by Obama.

ROGULSKI: And where did Obama get the funds?

WOMAN: Obama getting the funds from... Ummm, I have no idea, to tell you the truth. He's the president.

The fact is government spends the taxpayers' money.

TaxPAYERS.

Education isn't free - not in Michigan, not in Wisconsin.

 

Jonoshia M. Alexander

After attending dance practice at Bay View High School, a 17-year-old Milwaukee girl was killed while walking from the bus stop to her home.

She was shot dead, an innocent bystander.

This is so sad, and it makes me so angry. It's beyond senseless. There are no words.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The girl, Jonoshia M. Alexander, was not the intended target, police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said. Alexander was shot about 6:55 p.m. and died outside at the scene, near N. 4th St. and W. Keefe Ave., Schwartz said.

No one is in custody in connection with the homicide, which occurred less than a half-mile from Alexander's home.

Alexander, a junior at Bay View High School, attended after-school dance practice before taking a bus home, her aunt said.

...Alexander participated in dance, theater and advanced concert choir at Bay View, said Roseann St. Aubin, a spokeswoman for Milwaukee Public Schools.

Alexander was popular among her classmates and staff and recently played a role in the school's production of "Through the Looking Glass," St. Aubin said.

...Alexander has two younger brothers, ages 16 and 9, and planned to study dance and art theater after graduating from high school, her aunt said.

"She was a great daughter, a very loving sister to her two little brothers," her aunt said. "She had a lot going for herself. She had a lot of ambition. She was planning to go to college. She was a very loved young lady."

Alexander is at least the third MPS student killed in a homicide in Milwaukee this year, St. Aubin said. Connell Latrell Clemons, 18, was shot Oct. 31. Davit L. Burton, 15, was stabbed Nov. 24. Charges have been filed in both cases.

Meanwhile, police said Thursday they are seeking the public's help in finding Markus Evans, 17, who was last seen Wednesday night in the area near where Alexander was killed. Evans is considered armed and dangerous and is wanted in connection with several shootings, but Schwartz said the Police Department is not describing him as a suspect in Alexander's killing.

...Alexander's aunt said her family has little information about the shooting but was told the shooter was "just a little boy on a rampage."

This "little boy on a rampage" stole Jonoshia's life.

It is unspeakably sad.

When thugs kill thugs, there's a sense of wasted potential due to their bad choices. But they did make the choice to live like a thug and prey on the community. It's not a shock when they die like a thug.

But when someone like Jonoshia is killed, it just tears me up. She was walking home after getting off the bus. Soon she expected to be at home with her family. Home, not dead! She couldn't have thought as she was on the bus that those would be her last moments of life.

This is such a tragedy. Jonoshia's death is such a terrible loss. My heart breaks for her family and friends.

Lawrencia Bembenek

Lawrencia (Laurie, "Bambi") Bembenek, 52, one of Bay View High School's most famous/infamous graduates, died last night.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provides a summary of her life.

Milwaukee's longest running legal saga may have ended with the death last night of Lawrencia Bembenek.

Bembenek died about 7 p.m. Milwaukee time in Portland, Ore., where she was in hospice care, her sister, Colette Bembenek of South Milwaukee, said Sunday.

Bembenek, 52, who later changed her first name to Laurie, had been admitted to a hospital in recent days and then was transferred to a hospice, her sister said. Her health problems included hepatitis C and liver and kidney failure, Colette Bembenek said.

"It went real fast. I'm glad she didn't linger," Colette Bembenek said. "I knew it was inevitable that she probably would be expiring early in life."

Laurie Bembenek was the former Milwaukee police officer charged with killing her then-husband's ex-wife, Christine Schultz. She was convicted in 1982 and sentenced to life in prison, but that was far, far from the end of the story.

In 1990, with the help of fiancé Dominic Gugliatto, the brother of another inmate, she escaped from Taycheedah Correctional Institution. They were captured three months later in Thunder Bay, Ontario. More legal proceedings resulted in her pleading guilty to second-degree murder and being released on parole for time served.

...Laurie Bembenek continued to maintain her innocence for the rest of her life, repeatedly trying to clear her name. In recent developments, Bembenek applied for a pardon from the governor's office. That application was not complete, and no immediate review was planned, a spokesman for Gov. Jim Doyle said last week.

...Suddenly out of prison, she rode a new wave of celebrity. There were offers of limos and an expensive makeover. Her life became the stuff of movie and television versions. She appeared on talk shows, including a visit with Oprah Winfrey. Bembenek wrote a book - "Woman on Trial" published by HarperCollins - and tried to sell her paintings and give speeches.

...Her legal battle continued, with questions regarding ballistics and DNA, withheld evidence and who else might have done it. She won the right to have murder scene evidence tested for her DNA., but even that testing took a bizarre and unexpected twist in 2002. The "Dr. Phil" show agreed to conduct the expensive testing, with the results to be revealed on air.

The show's producers kept Bembenek in an apartment - with a body guard and videotaping - apparently to shield her from media reports about her case, said her attorney Mary L. Woehrer. Bembenek suffered a panic attack and flashback to prison confinement, and tried to climb out of window, Woehrer said.

She fell and badly injured her right foot, which later had to be amputated.

Her appeal efforts were not successful. Ira B. Robins, who worked as an investigator on her case and remained her friend, pursued the case for more than 20 years.

"We promised her dad on his deathbed that the family name would be cleared," Robins said in 2008. "We've got to do it."

Milwaukee's NBC affiliate, TMJ4, has devoted a significant portion of its recent 10:00 PM newscasts to the Bembenek story, campaigning for a pardon. It's been TMJ4's lead story.

Here's video from TMJ4.

More Video:

Mike Jacobs' recent interview with Laurie Bembenek

Part 1
Part 2
Raw Video

Video from WISN:

Laurie Bembenek Dies After Battle With Cancer
Battle To Prove Bembenek's Innocence After Her Death

This is a sad, sad story.

If justice evaded Bembenek in this life, it will be done in the next.

Rest in peace.
_________________

Ira Robins has set up a blog dedicated to proving that Laurie Bembenek was not guilty. On Tuesday, Robins plans to "begin releasing documents that show Bembenek was innocent."

The first post, 1:07 PM, November 21, 2010:

Out of respect to Laurie Bembenek, I will wait 48 hours before posting anything on this site.

Ira Robins
IraRobins@gmail.com

That was followed by this post, 6:54 PM, November 21, 2010:

This Blog is dedicated to Laurie Bembenek who passed on November 20, 2010. In her name, evidence of the corruption that permeates the Wisconsin Criminal Justice System and caused her false conviction and imprisonment will be exposed. It is hoped that the injustices she suffered will never again be endured by anyone else in the State of Wisconsin.

This Blog is also dedicated to Attorney Mary L. Woehrer who has worked tiredlessly in Laurie's behalf for over 2 decades.

_________________

Here are links to previous stories about Laurie Bembenek by WISN:

November 18, 2010: Bembenek Supporters Hope For Pardon
November 18, 2010: Laurie Bembenek In Hospice Care With Liver Cancer
June 15, 2004: Judge Delivers Major Blow To Laurie Bembenek
May 17, 2004: Milwaukee County Judge Cited For Drunken Driving
April 7, 2004: Bembenek Wants State To Pay For DNA Tests
March 30, 2004: Bembenek Wants Convicted Hit Man's DNA Tested
December 9, 2003: Bembenek Wins Courtroom Decision
October 23, 2003: Laurie Bembenek Asks Public For Help
August 28, 2003: More DNA Results Released In Bembenek Case
August 6, 2003: Laurie Bembenek Speaks To 12 News About Men, Mistakes
June 30, 2003: Bembenek's DNA Results Not Expected Until August
May 27, 2003: Bembenek's Legal Team Celebrates Ballistics Results
February 3, 2003: Laurie Bembenek's Father Dies
January 31, 2003: 12 News' Colleen Henry Tracks Down Bambi's Ex, Fred Schultz
December 17, 2002: Bembenek's Lawyer Files Motion For More Ballistic Tests
December 5, 2002: Supporters To Hold Rally For Laurie Bembenek
November 21, 2002: Bembenek Released From L.A. Hospital
November 18, 2002: Bembenek Tries To Escape From L.A. Hotel Room
November 11, 2002: The 'Secret Bembenek Files' Reveal New Details About Fred Schultz
November 8, 2002: The 'Secret Bembenek Files:' 12 News Finds 'Startling' Allegations
November 7, 2002: 12 News Reveals The 'Secret Bembenek Files'
October 21, 2002: Judge Allows Bembenek's Request For DNA Testing
October 4, 2002: Laurie Bembenek Returns To Milwaukee To Clear Her Name

Bay View Student Stabbed on School Bus

UPDATE, November 15, 2010: Teenager Recovers from Milwaukee Bus Stabbing

A teenager was recovering Monday morning from a stabbing that happened on a Milwaukee school bus.

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This is not a good week for Milwaukee Public Schools.

On Wednesday, Bradley Tech High School was on lockdown because of a fight.

In that incident, it was reported there were no injuries.

Today, a Bay View High School student was stabbed on a school bus.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A 17-year-old Bay View High School student was stabbed three times during a fight on a school bus Friday morning, a spokeswoman for Milwaukee Public Schools said.

The student was taken by ambulance to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where he is listed in satisfactory condition, MPS spokeswoman Roseann St. Aubin said.

The incident occurred around 8 a.m. near N. 36th and W. Burleigh streets when three people boarded the bus and began fighting with the student, who was eventually stabbed twice in the leg and once in the side of his torso, St. Aubin said.

Some of the people who boarded the bus may not be students, St. Aubin said. It was not clear whether they forced their way onto the bus, but they appeared to target the student who was stabbed, she said.

No arrests have been made, but police said they are looking for a specific Bay View student in connection with the stabbing.

About 30 students were on the bus when the incident occurred, but no other injuries were reported, St. Aubin said.

Good Lord.

Thankfully, the victim is in satisfactory condition. This could have been much worse. It easily could have turned out differently, with the victim being stabbed three times.

"STUDENT MURDERED ON SCHOOL BUS"

Without a doubt, that would have been national news, another horrible story putting Milwaukee in the national spotlight, another story highlighting what a dysfunctional mess Milwaukee is.

The victim apparently was the target of the attack. It wasn't a random stabbing. That can't provide much comfort for parents of the other kids on that bus.

I hope they don't blame the bus driver or the company for inadequate security. (Perhaps there should be metal detectors at every bus stop in the city.)

The fault for this incident lies with the thugs.

The reality is Milwaukee is a breeding ground for thugs. Violence spills into the public school system.

Has Mayor Tom Barrett commented?

Video, from FOX 6 News.

Clement Ave. School Fire

While thousands gathered in Bay View on Saturday to enjoy the South Shore Water Frolics and watch the fireworks, a cacophony of sirens from multiple fire and police vehicles cut the night.

It made for a very unpleasant distraction less than midway through the fireworks display.

Why all the sirens in the distance? Was it a serious accident? A fight? A shooting? A fire?

It was a fire.

Here's a blurb on the incident, from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Milwaukee firefighters battled a fire at Clement Ave. School, 3666 S. Clement Ave., Saturday night.

The fire was reported about 10:15 p.m. and was extinguished shortly after 10:30 p.m.

The fire was on an outside door frame, and Milwaukee police investigating the fire as possible arson, said Battalion 4 Fire Chief Sean Slowey. He said it appeared the fire had burned for an hour before being reported.

I don't get how a fire can burn for an hour without doing serious widespread damage to the building.

Was the possible arson fire set using a Glade Candle purposely left unattended with the intent of engulfing the school?

Weird.

This event had nothing to do with the Frolics. It wasn't like the stabbings after the Humboldt Park fireworks last Monday night. Coincidentally, Clement Ave. was the scene of that crime, too.

This fire was blocks and blocks away from the festivities at South Shore, but it was within earshot.

It's a disturbing reminder that there are bad people in the area doing bad things.

Will the thugs drive the good people away?

I hope not.

Humboldt Park Stabbing and Fireworks

Humboldt Park in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood marked Independence Day with a special celebration.

From FOX 6 News:

Many turn out to the Humboldt Park party, which is Milwaukee's oldest Independence Day traditions. For 100 years those who live around Milwaukee's Bayview neighborhood have enjoyed the 4th of July celebrations in Humboldt Park.

 

This is 4th of July tradition at its best, people in the community coming together to celebrate our great country -- 100 years of celebrations at Humboldt Park.

It's terribly unfortunate that violence is also part of Humboldt Park's 2010 story.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Two men were stabbed late Monday following the Humboldt Park fireworks, police said this morning.

The victims, 28 and 31, received stab wounds to the chest and legs, but the injuries appear to be non-life threatening. Both were in stable condition this morning, police said.

The stabbings took place about 10 p.m. near Oklahoma Ave. and Clement Ave.

Police are seeking an unknown suspect.

Here's more, from WISN:

Police are searching for a person or or persons in a stabbing following the Bay View fireworks show.

Police said an argument between two groups of people at the Humboldt Park fireworks led to people throwing articles at each other.

Afterward, one group followed the other to a nearby gas station, where the argument continued and led to some slash wounds, police said.

Two men were stabbed in the chest and legs.

They are both at a hospital and are said to be stable with non-life-threatening injuries.

It's scary to think that thugs with weapons were among all the families and friends celebrating Independence Day at Humboldt Park.

In spite of a significant police presence, there still was violence.

On the bright side, it could have been worse. Shots could have been fired. Innocent bystanders in the crowd could have been injured or killed.

This makes me sick.

Bay View didn't used to be like this.

Any comment, Mr. Mayor? Yoo hoo, Tom Barrett! Mayor of Milwaukee! Where are you?

How are things going in your city?

Fritsche Middle School Fight: 17 Arrested

I thought Fritsche Middle School was one of the Milwaukee Public Schools' success stories.

Fritsche Middle School has been recognized as a 1994-96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Created by the Secretary of Education in 1982, the purpose of the blue ribbon Schools Program is to identify and honor America's outstanding public and private schools, while encouraging other schools and communities to look to them for ideas and inspiration.

Fritsche is unique among middle schools in the state and the nation. Embracing the principles of total quality management in education, we have transformed a traditional urban middle school into a house of learning where students, parents, teachers and administrators are empowered to effect change in order to prepare citizens for further learning, productive employment, and leadership in our global economy.

Instead of being a collection of individual initiatives, Fritsche's transformation has been made possible by incorporating the students, parents, and the entire staff into a governing and decision making body, working together to reach their shared vision.

Through this process, consistent incremental improvement has been seen in student achievement on standardized and non-standardized instruments, student GPA, attendance and decreased failure rate and discipline related incidents.

...Nationally recognized by High Strides, a publication of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, our peer mediation program, in place for the last five years, has assisted in the development of a positive learning environment where students can strive to achieve to their maximum potential.

Our slogan is an encompassing and appropriate motto:

"Fritsche Middle School-Where Knowledge Builds Peace!"

Things weren't very peaceful at Fritsche yesterday.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Seventeen students at Fritsche Middle School in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood were taken into custody after a fight Tuesday afternoon, a police spokesman said.

The incident began when two students started fighting in the lunchroom about 12:30 p.m., Sgt. Mark Stanmeyer said. The two students were separated, but other students then became involved, Stanmeyer said.

One student suffered a laceration and was treated at a hospital, Stanmeyer said.

Nine boys and eight girls were taken into custody, Stanmeyer said.

Some of the students will be ticketed for disorderly conduct, Stanmeyer said. Others will be referred to the Milwaukee County district attorney's office for possible charges of battery or disorderly conduct, he said.

I consider 17 arrests at a middle school to be a major story, but the JS sees fit to only give it a few paragraphs.

Here's video from FOX 6 News:



FOX 6 offers a few more details than the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

After the school went on lockdown Milwaukee police arrested nine boys and eight girls all between 14-15-years-old. Milwaukee Public Schools told FOX6 a total of six students were injured in this fight, one of which suffered a puncture wound. That student was sent to the hospital and later released.

...MPS says there will be suspension and expulsions in stored for the students that participated in this incident. Many of the students could face battery or disorderly conduct charges from the City of Milwaukee.

I'd like to know if any weapons were involved.

I'd also like to know more about the police response to the fight. How many officers were called to the scene? How was order restored and how long did it take to regain control?

Some online comments on the FOX 6 website and the JS website give accounts that differ from what was reported.

"Natalie Dockerty" writes:

THESE WERE BAY VIEW HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HOUSED AT FRITSCHE, NOT FRITSCHE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. These students are in our building because of another bad move by MPS forcing a productive, safe middle school to merge with a failing high school. As reported in the Journal Sentinel on Friday, March 12th, BAY VIEW HIGH SCHOOL IS ONE OF THE LOWEST PERFORMING HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE STATE. Fritsche Middle School, on the other hand, IS NOT.

Another commenter claims that kids were injured because they were tased.

As I said, I'd like more details on this.

Whatever the specifics, 17 kids at the school were arrested. That's terrible. That's much more than one bad apple.

It appears that there's a lot that's right about Fritsche, which makes it that much more unfortunate that thugs have brought disgrace to the school's reputation.

I hope that the students involved in the fighting receive more than a slap on the wrist from MPS.

Bay View July 4th Music Street Festival

Rather than responding positively to the announcement that there will be a FREE music street festival in Bay View on the 4th of July, my first reaction was concern.

Given the trouble at the 2009 Dan Jansen Family Fest, as well as past incidents at RiverSplash and Juneteenth Day celebrations, the thought of a FREE festival based on music combined with beer makes me nervous.

Hopefully, my concerns are unwarranted. I'm reacting emotionally rather than rationally. There's no reason to assume that thugs will rule and violence will reign at the Red, White & Blue Ribbon festival.

I hope it turns out to be a wonderful neighborhood event that all can enjoy this 4th of July. I hope the festival will be a peaceful, happy gathering.

I also hope there will be plenty of security to maintain order and provide people with confidence that they'll be safe.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks will headline a free - that's right, free - street festival in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood on July 4.

The festival, scheduled to start at 1 p.m. at S. Kinnickinnic Ave. and E. Potter St., is sponsored by the Pabst Theater and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, which explains its name: Red, White & Blue Ribbon.

Malkmus, who made his mark in indie rock fronting the band Pavement, has taken his strong following along with him on his solo career. A full lineup for the festival is expected to be announced soon, according to the Pabst Theater.

Armed Robberies in Bay View

Violent crime in Milwaukee dropped in 2008.

The Milwaukee Police Department reported a 32 percent drop in homicides, a 10 percent decrease in robberies and a 9.5 percent drop in aggravated assault. Arson is down 9.5 percent and theft is down about 4 percent. Auto theft is down nearly 16 percent. Burglaries were up 2 percent.

That's good news.

It's great news; but if you're a victim of a crime, I don't think those numbers provide any consolation.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Two Milwaukee men have been charged with two armed robberies in Bay View.

Eric L. Williams, 18, and Thomas R. Speck, 22, were each charged with two counts armed robbery, threat of force, as party to a crime in the March 10 robberies. They face up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

According to a criminal complaint and Milwaukee police:

An 18-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl were walking to Walgreen's, 3701 S. Howell Ave., about 9:10 p.m. when two men ran out from behind them. Armed with a silver handgun, they demanded money. One victim told police she feared for her safety and threw down her wallet in fear, but then asked the robbers if she could have her driver's permit back. One suspect told the other to return the wallet. She then removed $78 from the wallet and handed it to one of the robbers, who then left the area.

At 9:37 p.m., the men robbed a 34-year-old man walking toward Club Garibaldi in the 1400 block of E. Russell Ave. of $22, but let him keep his wallet. Armed with the suspects' descriptions, police soon arrested Williams and Speck in the 4400 block of S. Quincy Ave. Police recovered a .32-caliber handgun under the front passenger seat of the Isuzu Rodeoas well as a ski mask and several hooded sweatshirts.

Case details: Eric L. Williams and Thomas R. Speck.

...Speck told police he had been laid off and needed money to pay bills and rent. He said he took his mother's gun and her Isuzu and drove around with Williams before picking out the robbery victims on the street.

Speck was laid off and needed money.

Spare me the sob story.

Speck and Williams, his partner in crime, terrorized three people, robbing them at gunpoint. That's inexcusable.

The streets where the robberies occurred are not spots I would expect to be locations of armed robberies. Very disturbing.

Thankfully, these thugs are sitting in jail.

Tippecanoe, Fritsche, and Bay View

UPDATE, October 13, 2008: Parents resist changes among Bay View schools
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From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A major shuffling of the locations of schools near downtown and in Bay View is expected to be considered by the Milwaukee School Board in the next few weeks.

...[T]he board will be presented in coming weeks with proposals developed by a group of MPS officials, parents and others involved in schools in Bay View that would, in effect, close the current Bay View High School program and merge the school with the nearby Fritsche Middle School. Tippecanoe School for the Arts and Humanities, an elementary program, would also be merged into Dover Street Elementary School.

...The Bay View plan was developed in recent months after School Board member Terry Falk, who represents the area, called for school leaders and community members to work on what to do about low enrollment and financial problems in some of the schools in the area.

One recommendation that came out of the series of meetings calls for Bay View High School to stop enrolling ninth-graders and for Fritsche to begin adding high school grades. According to the plan, Fritsche would move into the Bay View building, 2751 S. Lenox St., to create a sixth- through 12th-grade program in the fall of 2011.

The group’s second proposal would merge Tippecanoe, a kindergarten through eighth-grade program that’s at capacity, with Dover, a K-5 program, in the Dover building at 619 E. Dover St. The new school would have an arts focus and offer kindergarten through fifth grade.

The proposed changes for these schools signify more than a plan to deal with enrollment and financial challenges in MPS.

This is a concrete indication of how dramatically Milwaukee has changed.

The once thriving neighborhoods brimming with kids attending these once vibrant neighborhood schools are no more. It's a bygone era.

That's no longer Milwaukee.