Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a city violation finally forced cleanup along South 15th Place tracks

You won't want to miss The Abbey's Feast & Fest New Year's Celebration on the Milwaukee Patch calendar

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Good morning Milwaukee! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a city violation finally forced cleanup along South 15th Place tracks
  • Will Milwaukee landlords soon face tougher sprinkler rules after Christmas fire?
  • Why Milwaukee’s revived New Year’s Eve powwow matters to local families

Also on today's calendar: The Abbey's Feast & Fest New Year's Celebration and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Milwaukeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Milwaukeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Very cold, with a high of 20 and low of 15 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Cold with decreasing clouds, temps: high: 25, low: 15.
  • Saturday: Cold with some sun, with a high of 25 and low of 17 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. A month after violation order, railroad company cleans the dumping on its tracks (jsonline.com) — Union Pacific has finally cleared years’ worth of dumped furniture and trash from the tracks behind South 15th Place after a violation order from the City of Milwaukee. Neighbors say the cleanup dramatically reduced a long-standing eyesore and pest problem, though they’re now focused on keeping the area clean. The railroad cites snow and ice for missing the city’s original deadline.
   

2. Milwaukee alderman renews call for sprinklers in apartment buildings after Christmas fire (wisn.com) — A Milwaukee alderman is renewing his push to require sprinklers in older apartment buildings after a Christmas morning fire on 60th and Cold Spring damaged several units in a non-sprinklered complex. He’s highlighting a new city ordinance that forces landlords to disclose safety features like sprinklers and urging stronger protections, while city departments work on new lease documentation for tenants.
   

3. Families celebrate together as Milwaukee New Year's Eve powwow tradition returns (tmj4.com) — Milwaukee’s Intertribal Circle has revived its New Year’s Eve powwow, bringing families together at the Wgema Campus for a sober night of dance, music, and cultural pride. Local Native veterans led the grand entry, and parents emphasized passing language and traditions to their children, strengthening connections in Milwaukee’s urban Native community.
   

4. How Frozen Rivers Played a Critical Role in the Evolution of Milwaukee's Economy (milwaukeemag.com) — Milwaukee’s frozen rivers once powered a booming ice-harvesting industry that kept local breweries and meatpackers running year-round and even supplied Chicago. This historical look back explains how “hard water” shaped Milwaukee’s early economy, from the Milwaukee River’s massive ice output to the eventual decline of the trade with pollution and mechanical refrigeration.
   

5. 2026 'Children Are Crying' calendar highlights Milwaukee's positive role models (tmj4.com) — A long-running Milwaukee community calendar is back for 2026, celebrating local African American role models and raising scholarship funds for city students. Creator Muhibb Dyer’s “Children Are Crying” project uses photography and poetry to counter negative narratives about Milwaukee and reward teens who’ve turned their grades around. Calendars cost $10 and can be ordered for local delivery.
   

📸 Around Milwaukee

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Milwaukee

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday January 1
  • Gentlemen of Shorewood Polar Bear Plunge
    Shorewood, WI Calendar , 4000 North Lake Drive , Shorewood
    11:00 am
    • Friday January 2
  • Winter Break
    Whitefish Bay Hi Milwaukee, WI 53217
  • No School - Winter Break
    Bayside Mid dle School
    • Monday January 5
  • Village Board Meeting
    Whitefish Bay, WI Calendar Milwaukee, WI 53217
    6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Her owner has been located via Facebook.
    #reunited Found dog! Female German Shepherd. Located on Linnwood and Hackett. Very friendly, but no chip or collar. Message me if you recognize. (Nextdoor Historic Water Tower)
  • Baby has been missing since November 8th.
    We rented a dumpster for the basement flood damage and he got out. It’s been so cold and I have lost hope. Please if you have any information at… (Nextdoor Jackson Park)
  • Sellars Absorbent Materials posted a job opening for Slitter / Rewinder Machine Operator - 2nd Shift in Milwaukee. Apply here.
  • Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Milwaukee. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Milwaukee here.

Ok Milwaukee! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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