Author: Lee Matz

Crowds of people crowded the cold shores of Milwaukee’s Bradford Beach to make the annual Polar Bear Plunge on January 1 and welcome the New Year, in a tradition that goes back to 1916. This year the air and water temperatures were the same at 39° and the waves mild. The milder conditions compacted the beachfront area, which was more congested with fire pits and camps placed far closer to the waterline. Rescue divers from the Milwaukee Police and Fire departments were again deployed along the beach, about 50 meters from shore. Lacking any formal sponsors, the free event...

“This is only the beginning. In our first year, we learned more about the process and how to get things done in this community. But more importantly, we learned a lot more about ourselves, what our capacity is to deliver a high level of service, and bring some satisfaction and joy to our community. This year is only the beginning. Look at us three years from now, and you might not even recognize us as being a law enforcement agency first, but an agency that is a part of this community, and that works in harmony with our community.”...

Two dozen students from the Carmen High School of Science and Technology South and Southeast Campuses took a day away from classes to experience Milwaukee’s Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches of government on November 4, and spoke with representatives from all three as part of the Latino Leadership Development Program. The Public Service Day was organized by Carmen High School, with help from the nonprofit advocacy and service organization Forward Latino, to nurture the next generation of Latino leaders in Milwaukee and enrich the city’s growing Hispanic community. “I’m very devoted to exposing our students to different opportunities because...