2015 budget plan for Milwaukee County unveiled by Chris Abele

2015 budget plan for Milwaukee County unveiled by Chris Abele

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele introduced his 2015 Recommended Budget to the Milwaukee County Board on Wednesday, October 1st.Abele's office sent a news release with the following items from the budget plan highlighted:Public Safety

Switch to LEDs, light poles along Lincoln Memorial Dr. getting an upgrade

Switch to LEDs, light poles along Lincoln Memorial Dr. getting an upgrade

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The lights along Milwaukee's lakefront are getting an upgrade.Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele announced on Wednesday, September 17th that thanks to the county's Innovation Fund,  the Parks Department is upgrading 350 light poles along Lincoln Memorial Drive from High Pressure Sodium Bulbs to LEDs.The move is expected to reduce electricity usage along Lincoln Memorial Drive by 50 percent and save more than $14,000 a year.The Innovation Fund uses land sale revenue, not tax dollars.

Nominate your tree! It could shine brightly in Milwaukee's Red Arrow Park

Nominate your tree! It could shine brightly in Milwaukee's Red Arrow Park

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The City of Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works is now accepting nominations for a tree to serve as the 2014 City/County Christmas tree to be displayed in Red Arrow Park in downtown Milwaukee.Residents and property owners within the City of Milwaukee are asked to check their yards for a Christmas tree to donate this holiday season.

Remembering 9/11: Special ceremony held at Milwaukee War Memorial Center

Remembering 9/11: Special ceremony held at Milwaukee War Memorial Center

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, Governor Scott Walker, British Ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott and other local leaders honored the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 with a special ceremony at the Milwaukee War Memorial Center on Thursday, September 11th."There's been no single event that has changed our collective lives more than the events that took place 13 years ago right now," Mayor Barrett said.Local and state leaders, veterans and active duty military members as well as community members gathered together as one."It was so good to see all the different political parties and people from all walks of life coming here.

"The best $7,000 I’ve ever spent:" County Board Committee approves Abele paying overtime in same-sex marriage case

"The best $7,000 I’ve ever spent:" County Board Committee approves Abele paying overtime in same-sex marriage case

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele thanks the County Board’s Finance Committee for their vote Thursday, July 24th approving his $7,147 donation to pay for all overtime costs associated with keeping the Courthouse open to allow same sex couples to get married.County Executive Abele ordered the Courthouse open late on Friday, June 6th and on Saturday June 7th to accommodate couples looking to get married, nearly 150 couples exchanged vows in that 24 hour period.“It’s safe to say this is the best $7,000 I’ve ever spent,” County Executive Abele said. “By keeping the Courthouse open we helped loving couples marry and sent a message that Milwaukee County supports equality.”County Abele has been a long-time supporter of marriage equality and LGBT rights.

"A small way we can say thank you:" Three Day Pass offered to military members, veterans & their families

"A small way we can say thank you:" Three Day Pass offered to military members, veterans & their families

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is happy to announce a partnership with Summerfest, Discovery World and the Art Museum to thank and honor the service of active military members, veterans and their families.The “Three Day Pass” offers free entrance into six different venues over the Fourth of July weekend.“I’m proud that in the past three years we’ve added programs, job opportunities and special events like this for military members and veterans,” County Executive Abele said. “This ‘Three Day Pass’ shows off some of the world class events and venues across Milwaukee County.

Get to your gate quicker: Mitchell Intl. Airport has new baggage screening facility

Get to your gate quicker: Mitchell Intl. Airport has new baggage screening facility

MILWAUKEE  (WITI) -- A maze of what appears to be a complicated system of conveyor belts, is actually making your trip to Mitchell International Airport easier."We have a beautiful airport and this is a very, very exciting time for Milwaukee," said Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele.In previous visits to the airport, you may have noticed seven giant luggage screening machines taking up part of the ticketing area.But now it's all done behind the scenes using a new In-Line Baggage Screening Facility."The best news for passengers here at Milwaukee is they can now hand off their luggage at the airline ticket counter instead of taking them to multiple explosive detective machines throughout the ticketing lobby," said Assistant Federal Security Director Robert Ronge.The bags are sent from the ticket counter conveyor belt into the new 24,000 square foot building where they're automatically screened.There are four machines that can each screen 750 bags per hour.If the bags don't pass the initial inspection, they're sent to a separate room to be examined by TSA officials."In addition, the system provides on-screen resolution capabilities for those security officers which reduces the number of re-scans and physical searches we have to conduct," said Ronge.It also reduces injuries, as there is new equipment that will lift the bags for TSA agents.And airport officials say the project didn't use any property tax dollars."TSA contributed about $21 million of that $30 million price tag that has been mentioned and $9 million has been contributed by the airport facility, and all of the state partners here at the airport," said Ronge.

Milwaukee Co. receives massive $1.8 million grant for fatherhood program

Milwaukee Co. receives massive $1.8 million grant for fatherhood program

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele announced on Father’s Day weekend that the Milwaukee County Child Support Services Department has received $1.8 million to continue its award winning fatherhood program.A press release says Milwaukee County is the only Child Support agency in the country to receive this grant.

146 gay couples married in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Nearly 150 gay couples have married in Milwaukee after a federal judge overturned Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriage.County clerks in Milwaukee and Madison have kept their offices open to issue licenses to couples who want to marry before an expected hold is placed on the judge's decision.Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele said Saturday afternoon that 146 couples married there before the courthouse closed at 1 p.m.A post on his official Twitter account says 68 couples married Friday evening and 78 married on Saturday.Abele issued an order allowing the county clerk to extend office hours.