"Ending chronic homelessness:" Abele, Barrett to announce Tuesday how they'll do it

"Ending chronic homelessness:" Abele, Barrett to announce Tuesday how they'll do it

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele will unveil a new plan to end chronic homelessness in Milwaukee County with Mayor Tom Barrett at the site of the new Thurgood Marshall Apartments on Tuesday, June 9th.Through a mix of increased funding and strategic service placements, the plan will end chronic homelessness in Milwaukee County in three years, according to Abele's office.“Although the county has been involved in addressing homelessness for years, we decided that incremental progress was no longer good enough for our community,” County Executive Chris Abele said. “We are ending chronic homelessness.

"This is very serious:" Parents opposed to takeover proposal for MPS now collecting signatures

"This is very serious:" Parents opposed to takeover proposal for MPS now collecting signatures

MILWAUKEE -- Those who oppose a plan being considered in Madison that would give the county executive authority over the lowest-performing schools in MPS (Milwaukee Public Schools) say they want to keep the momentum going during what they're calling a "week of action." The proposal would allow the county executive to appoint a commissioner for these schools, and they could be turned into private or charter schools.

"The goal is a safe community;" Foundation awards Milwaukee County $150K in grants

"The goal is a safe community;" Foundation awards Milwaukee County $150K in grants

MILWAUKEE -- The MacArthur Foundation is awarding Milwaukee County $150,000 in grants to study how the county can reduce "over incarceration." The grants are part of a "Safety and Justice Challenge." The foundation asks counties to create plans leading to a more effective criminal justice system."I think we always be looking to improve out system.

Arena-funding deal may be close at hand; Bucks, city leaders optimistic

Arena-funding deal may be close at hand; Bucks, city leaders optimistic

MILWAUKEE (WITI) — Milwaukee leaders and the president of the Milwaukee Bucks say a deal could come as soon as Wednesday, May 27th regarding a new $500 million downtown arena.Following a meeting on Tuesday morning, May 26th, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said the number of issues remaining has narrowed.

12-5 vote: County Board agrees to negotiate with Art Museum over sale, lease of O'Donnell Park

12-5 vote: County Board agrees to negotiate with Art Museum over sale, lease of O'Donnell Park

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee County Board, in a 12-5 vote Thursday, April 23rd agreed to negotiate for 90 days with the Milwaukee Art Museum over a potential sale or lease of O'Donnell Park.The vote ends months of debate and indecision about the lakefront property.Some board members wanted to sell the property, while others campaigned to keep it under Milwaukee County control.Earlier this year, the County Board narrowly rejected Northwestern Mutual's bid to purchase the property.The next step is for Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele to either sign the resolution or veto it.

New Bucks arena: Basics are in place, but funding for the project still in question

New Bucks arena: Basics are in place, but funding for the project still in question

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Calling it "a very, very exciting day," the Milwaukee Bucks and its design team released on Wednesday, April 8th, the first images and details of their vision for the development of a new multi-purpose, $500 million arena and another $500 million sports and entertainment district to help revitalize downtown Milwaukee.

"Engine for future growth:" Milwaukee Bucks, design team release vision for new multi-purpose arena

"Engine for future growth:" Milwaukee Bucks, design team release vision for new multi-purpose arena

MILWAUKEE (WITI/AP) -- Calling it "a very, very exciting day," the Milwaukee Bucks and its design team released on Wednesday, April 8th, the first images and details of their vision for the development of a new multi-purpose, $500 million arena and another $500 million sports and entertainment district to help revitalize downtown Milwaukee.Officials say the images depict early conceptual drawings of a new multi-purpose venue and entertainment district that anchor an ambitious new development vision activated by sports, entertainment, residential and office uses.

"It's bigger than the team:" Talks over financing a new arena generate creative ideas

"It's bigger than the team:" Talks over financing a new arena generate creative ideas

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele says there are a number of options on the table when it comes to finding a way to afford a new downtown arena for the Milwaukee Bucks."It's bigger than the team, it's bigger than the arena, it's about downtown Milwaukee and one of the biggest opportunities for development we've had in decades and we should be acting that way," said Abele.Abele was reacting to the offers made this week by Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Stolen, loaded gun found in dirty laundry sent to HOC: "This situation could have ended much differently"

Stolen, loaded gun found in dirty laundry sent to HOC: "This situation could have ended much differently"

FRANKLIN (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele says a loaded gun was discovered in the dirty laundry sent from the County Jail to the House of Correction -- and he is applauding the quick action of correctional personnel at the House of Correction for their actions after the gun was found.Abele says the House of Correction provides laundry services for a number of county entities, including the Milwaukee County Jail.This incident is under investigation, but it appears the weapon was taken into the Milwaukee County Jail late last week by an inmate who then stashed the weapon in dirty laundry.