Author: Lee Matz

New mobile app lets MCTS riders plan trips and pay bus fares from an iPhone

While commuters in Milwaukee are looking for alternative ways to get around without a car, and better utilize the current transit network, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and MCTS unveiled the Ride MCTS App, the first transit app in Wisconsin that lets people plan their trip, buy their ticket, and get on the bus – all from a smartphone. Regular riders will enjoy the trip planning functions, route alerts and real-time information on the app, while those who are less familiar with public transit will benefit from how simple and easy the app makes getting on board. “MCTS has...

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Milwaukeeans will never move past fear until they develop a passion

The pictures presented in this feature would never have been taken if fear had won the day. That fear still rode along the way, but could not compete with the shear joy of capturing moments in Milwaukee by camera. As Milwaukee residents sit around tables and talk about how to improve the city, nothing will change until individuals learn to replace their fears with something positive and constructive. Personal fears are hard to admit to ourselves, and we are socially conditioned to not share them. There are rational reasons to have fear, like in a domestic violence situation. More...

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Street name dedication recognizes historic Milwaukee ministry

From a vacant lot full of drug needles, broken wine bottles, and rusty cans, to a thriving community of faith, the story of Ebenezer Church is one of hope and accomplishment. And in recognition of those transformational efforts, Pastor Jonathan Saffold was honored on October 21 with a street dedication in his name. Ebenezer Church of God in Christ was conceived by Pastor Saffold in his living room during the month February of 1976. Over the following years, the church made several moves to different locations until finding its permanent home in 1988, when a new facility and permanent...

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Map: Another Walk Across Milwaukee – Two Years Later

A return look at the city’s slow shift from decay to renewal On October 6, 2015 the Milwaukee Independent made the 84 block, 5.5 mile hike across North Avenue to photo-document the corridor’s condition as a geographical reference with images for future news reports about community projects. Inspired by the HOME GR/OWN story for development and urban transformation, the trek passed through the East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Halyard Park, Lindsay Heights, Park West, Metcalfe Park, Sherman Park, and Uptown neighborhoods of Milwaukee. On the second anniversary of that journey, October 6, 2017, the Milwaukee Independent retraced those steps...

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A Journey along North Avenue tells neighborhood stories

After reviewing photographs taken in 2015 with new ones from the 2017 Another Walk Across Milwaukee, there is a contrast between how much has changed and how time stood still in those 24 months. On October 6, 2015 the Milwaukee Independent made the 84 block, 5.5 mile hike across North Avenue to photo-document the corridor’s condition as a geographical reference with images for future news reports about community projects. On the second anniversary of that journey, October 6, 2017, the Milwaukee Independent retraced those steps. Places that did not exist during the first walk included Pete’s Fruit Market on...

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Discovery World breaks ground on a new decade of learning

“We’ve been in business now for over a decade and the needs of the community have changed, the future needs of the community are going to be different and this allows us to adapt and grow along with the community and eventually to have the kind of impact we want to have on the future workforce.” – Joel Brennan, Discovery World CEO & President Discovery World broke ground on October 10 for the first phase of its $18 million expansion project, featuring a 10,000 square foot space that will be located along Lake Michigan on the science museum’s north...

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