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Reporter: Waukesha Freeman

Greater Milwaukee Today •

Gov. Evers tours Waukesha County food pantry

WAUKESHA — Gov. Tony Evers visited The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County on Wednesday afternoon as part of a statewide effort to promote his administration’s food security investments included in Wisconsin’s newly enacted biennial budget.During the visit, Evers toured the pantry’s warehouse, food sorting and packing areas, and service spaces. The pantry serves as a vital resource for families in need throughout Waukesha County."The larger plan is to recognize how important this is. Across the...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

An unsung hero's buckthorn battle: Ryan Vodnik’s volunteer mission

WAUKESHA COUNTY — Before he ever knew the name, Ryan Vodnik was already in the field, boots muddy, hands scratched by brush, helping a family friend clear invasive buckthorn from a Waukesha County property, unaware that this early experience would plant the seeds for his future role in environmental stewardship.Now, decades later, Vodnik’s involvement has come full circle; he has taken on an increasingly active role in volunteer events, property monitoring and habitat restoration. "Any type of e...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

From Italy to Wisconsin: Waukesha seamstress Lena Bruni retires after 35 years

For more than three decades, Lena Bruni’s shop at 149 W. Broadway St. was a hidden gem in downtown Waukesha. Now, at the age of 76, the Italian-born seamstress is retiring from her beloved business, Lena’s Tailoring & Alterations, closing a chapter that has made an impact on generations of families and beyond the community of Waukesha.Lena’s story began across the ocean. She grew up in Italy, where she studied fashion design and tailoring at a London-based designer school. On July 20, 1968, she...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Pewaukee police gear up for Operation Dry Water

ON PEWAUKEE LAKE — Operation Dry Water, a nationwide campaign aimed at preventing boating under the influence of intoxicants, returns Friday through Sunday.Coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the initiative focuses on reducing alcohol-related incidents and fatalities during one of the busiest boating weekends of the year.According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics, alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating ac...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Delafield woman draws her path across Wisconsin lakes

DELAFIELD — For the past four years, Melodee Liegl has turned her love of swimming into an art form. The Delafield resident and mother of three spends her days sketching words and shapes across Wisconsin’s lakes, not with ink or paint, but by swimming them.A lifelong swimmer, Liegl grew up in Greendale and joined a private swim club as a child. She swam competitively through high school and has been a member of Wisconsin Masters Swimming since 1996, regularly participating in marathon swims.Her...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

BOOM, SNAP, POP. Leave fireworks to the pros.

WAUKESHA — Each Fourth of July, fireworks light up the sky with bursts of color, but on the ground, they often ignite safety concerns, noise complaints and frightened pets.In 2024, the Waukesha Police Department responded to 37 fireworks-related complaint calls for service on the evening of July 4 alone. Of those, two citations were issued for fireworks violations."Many times, we are able to gain voluntary compliance and provide education on local laws, ordinances, and risks associated with ille...

Internship: Waukesha Freeman

Greater Milwaukee Today •

Racing against the flames: One man’s mission to save his dogs inspires push for change

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA — As flames tore through the Pacific Palisades, Casey Colvin was nowhere near his home. He was in West Hollywood handling work, unaware that a nightmare was unfolding in real time.The call came from his boss: his neighborhood was on fire. His dogs, Teeka and Oreo, were still inside the house.Colvin previously worked for a business with offices in the Waukesha area."I just panicked," Colvin recalled. "I got in my car and drove like my life depended on it. Because the...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

New rugby club brings tackle sport to middle schoolers

WASHINGTON COUNTY — A growing youth rugby program in Washington County is offering a unique opportunity to local middle school students.Kale Wenzel, a former player who picked up rugby while stationed with the Air Force in southern Illinois, launched a middle school tackle rugby team after his oldest daughter expressed interest in playing the contact version of the game."Last summer, both of my daughters played in a flag rugby program," Wenzel said. "My older daughter really wanted to play tackl...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Waukesha County launches busy roadwork season

WAUKESHA — With eight major projects lined up for the summer, Waukesha County Public Works is preparing for one of its busiest roadwork seasons in years, aiming to improve roadway safety, traffic flow, and infrastructure durability across the region.Engineering Services Manager Brett Wallace says the county’s capital planning process depends on crash data, pavement condition, and traffic operations, but public feedback also plays a crucial role."We intake concerns, suggestions, complaints, from...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Late Hadfield teacher remembered for strong dedication to students and family

WAUKESHA — To say Michelle Tranchita was a special person doesn’t begin to do the mother and teacher justice. Tranchita died on March 8 after a fierce battle against cancer. Her final wish was to have people donate funds for snacks for kids at Hadfield Elementary School."The snack fund was important to her because she wanted all the basic needs of children met so they could be ready to learn and not have to worry about being hungry or needing anything. She had high expectations for children and...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department outlines 2025 priorities

WAUKESHA — The Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is finalizing its updated strategic plan for 2025, with goals centered on community engagement, infrastructure improvements, and ongoing maintenance of the city’s parks and public spaces.Melissa Lipska, the department’s Parks and Forestry operations manager and a 10-year employee, said the mission is to enhance community spaces and improve quality of life."We want to make the community a better place where people want to work and...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Art & Framing 123 blends creativity and customization

WAUKESHA — Dan Engh, owner of Art & Framing 123, has been in the picture framing business for 31 years, 21 of which have been spent at his current location in downtown Waukesha. Engh began as a framer before transitioning into painting in 2006.Engh draws inspiration from nature and everyday visuals. "Everything inspires me," he said. "Something as simple as the way light reflects off glass or the angle of shadows can spark an idea."Known for his unconventional techniques, Engh often creates a te...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

REAL ID travel enforcement starts May 7

WAUKESHA — Wisconsin resident will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card to fly domestically, enter military bases or access certain federal buildings starting on May 7.Compliant IDs are marked in the upper-right corner with a star. This enforcement follows the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.To obtain a REAL ID, applicants must provide original or certified copies of documents proving their name, date of birth, legal presence i...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Woman accused of slashing tires, starting fire at Brookfield hotel

BROOKFIELD — A Brookfield woman is accused of slashing tires, setting a fire in a hotel room and attempting to bite a police officer while in handcuffs.Jennifer K. Vaughn, 42, was charged with four counts of criminal damage to property, as well as one count each of negligent handling of burning material, resisting an officer, and attempted battery to a law enforcement officer in Waukesha County Circuit Court.A $500 cash bond was set for her during an initial appearance Wednesday, with her attorn...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Waukesha salon owners adapted and thrive post-pandemic

WAUKESHA — Independent salon owners and hairdressers in the area are proving their resilience and passion as they navigate an evolving beauty industry.Since the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses have surged across the U.S., with the beauty industry experiencing significant growth, according to the U.S Department of Treasury.For many salon owners, the pandemic reshaped their business models, forcing them to adapt in unexpected ways.Whether they launched their businesses before or after COVID-19...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Discovering the future of health care

WAUKESHA — The Waukesha County Business Alliance hosted Discover the Future of Health Care, an interactive expo designed to introduce middle and high school students to careers in the health care industry on Tuesday at the Waukesha County Expo Center. Over 1,000 students in grades 6-12 participated in hands-on experiences and learned about a wide range of career opportunities, including patient care, nursing, behavioral health, surgery, ultrasound, dental, bio health, manufacturers of health car...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

We Energies: Be ready for return to winter

MILWAUKEE — In a recent interview, Amy Jahns, spokesperson for We Energies, discussed the company’s efforts to assist customers with energy efficiency and emergency preparedness during the harsh winter season. While the conversation was prompted by a recent pipe burst at an overflow shelter in Waukesha, the freeze-thaw seesaw underscores the unpredictable Wisconsin winter and the need to be prepared for a return to frigid weather.Jahns provided practical advice to prevent pipe bursts, explaining...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Waukesha Art Crawl: A celebration of creativity and community

WAUKESHA — This Saturday, downtown Waukesha will celebrate creativity as the 134th Waukesha Art Crawl brings artists and art lovers together. Running from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., the six-block radius event partnering with 165 artists assures a vibrant mix of local artistry, live music and interactive experiences. Galleries will open early at 10 a.m. for eager visitors.Tami Evanoff, owner of Burlap & Lace Marketplace, is one of the many stores open this Saturday. "We’ve been participating for 10 years....
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Middle-schoolers put engineering skills to the test at fluid power challenge

PEWAUKEE — More than 144 middle school students from across the area gathered at Waukesha County Technical College on Friday for the eighth annual National Fluid Power Association Fluid Power Challenge, an event designed to introduce young minds to engineering principles through hands-on competition.Hosted by Price Engineering, the event featured 36 teams from seven middle schools, including Swallow School, Riverside STEM Academy, Waukesha STEM/Saratoga Campus, Les Paul Middle School, Richmond M...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Pups on a plane: HAWS continues rescue efforts; Tuesday plane delivery included dogs and cats

WAUKESHA — The Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) of Waukesha County continues its efforts to alleviate overcrowding in animal shelters by receiving regular transports of dogs and cats in need of homes.Jennifer Smieja, a longtime HAWS staff member in communications and marketing, explained that the transports arrive twice a month, either by plane or van. The most recent transport on Tuesday, a flight from Louisiana, brought in multiple litters of puppies, adult dogs and even cats."We’ve actual...

Special Project: Hurricane Helene- Asheville, NC

Media Milwaukee •

Harper’s Canvas: Painted by Storms, Framed by Resilience - Media Milwaukee

Harper Leich spent two decades in Asheville, North Carolina, building her life around her passion for painting. Asheville, known for its thriving arts scene, draws creatives from across the country to its River Arts District, a vibrant neighborhood along the French Broad River known for converted warehouses and industrial buildings now housing artists’ studios, galleries, and creative spaces.


But in November 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville and the River Arts District, dramatically...
Media Milwaukee •

Above the Flood: Rebuilding Chimney Rock - Media Milwaukee

The road into Chimney Rock, a charming village nestled in the mountains of North Carolina known for breathtaking natural scenery and proximity to the iconic Chimney Rock State Park, was blocked by devastation. When a team of student journalists approached the entrance, a man guarding the road said nobody could enter without Mayor Peter O’Leary’s permission. We called O’Leary’s cellphone, and without hesitation, he invited us to his home perched high on the ridge. From his driveway, we glimpsed a...

Special Project: Wildfires- Pacific Palisades, CA

Media Milwaukee •

The Barber Who Stayed: Defending Homes and Healing a Burned Community - Media Milwaukee

On a day that started like any other, Peter Lamden, owner of “Peter Lamden Salon” in the Pacific Palisades, noticed smoke billowing on the horizon just minutes after receiving emergency alerts. Having grown up in the area, he instantly recognized the danger. He reached out to his childhood best friend, whose home became the first of over 6,500 to burn. “He was there for three hours with a fire hose and wasn’t able to get ahead of it.”


The fire destroyed over 200 homes and burned thousands of...
Media Milwaukee •

Faith, Fire and Pizza: Joe D'Amore’s Battle to Keep His Legacy Alive - Media Milwaukee

Joe D’Amore’s story begins in Boston’s North End, where his Italian grandmother passed down her beloved recipes just before she died. Her legacy and his grandfather’s experience as a butcher laid the foundation for D’Amore’s culinary journey. After moving to California to pursue acting, he opened his first pizzeria in 1987 in the San Fernando Valley, later expanding to Malibu in 1995.


His Malibu pizzeria quickly became a staple, known for its use of organic vegetables, antibiotic-free meats,...

Featured Articles- Media Milwaukee

Media Milwaukee •

Campus Leaders Tackle Accessibility and Classroom Efficiency at UWM Meeting - Media Milwaukee

At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Physical Environment Committee meeting on Nov. 20, leaders addressed pressing issues related to accessibility and classroom utilization. Held at 8:30 a.m. via Microsoft Teams, the conference revealed that UWM classrooms are falling short of the 67% seat occupancy benchmark set by the UW System, with utilization rates dropping to just 56% this fall. 


The discussion highlighted the challenges of managing post-pandemic enrollment trends, upgrading aging...
Media Milwaukee •

A Day of Purpose: How Make a Difference Day Volunteers Transform Milwaukee Neighborhoods Every Term - Media Milwaukee

On a chilly Saturday morning, a group of university students stands outside an elderly resident’s home, rakes in hand and ready to help. Make a Difference Day, held every semester, brings together students, nonprofits, and volunteers with one goal: to assist Milwaukee’s elderly residents with tasks that can be difficult to manage on their own.


Volunteers take on essential tasks like raking leaves and preparing yards for winter—chores that can be difficult for seniors to handle on their own—pr...
Media Milwaukee •

Healing Horizons: A Path to Peace for Students Grappling with Stress and Trauma - Media Milwaukee

In the fast-paced environment of university life, where the pressures of deadlines, exams, and personal responsibilities are always looming, stress can often feel overwhelming. For many students, the weight of these pressures is compounded by past traumas or ongoing anxiety. Recognizing the need for a space where students can manage their mental health effectively, the Student Health and Wellness Center has introduced Healing Horizons, a weekly event designed to help students take control of the...
Media Milwaukee •

Behind the Pink Door, Journey Through Time in the Vintage Sanctuary - Media Milwaukee

Below the busy city streets, there’s a secret spot behind a bright pink door that is filled with old treasures from the past. It’s not just a shop; it’s like a special time machine where everything tells a story. From old t-shirts to fancy high heels, each item has a story to tell amidst the underground ambiance, accompanied by funky melodies.


This hidden place feels like stepping back in time, where people care about old things. The owners aren’t just selling stuff; they’re like memory keepe...