Employee Retirement System error costs around $12 million

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A $12 million dollar mistake in the Employee Retirement System (ERS) impacts some Milwaukee County workers.At least 200 county workers were allowed to purchase time toward extending their retirement pensions, even though a unanimous vote by the County Board stopped the buy-back program back in 2007."I found out two weeks ago.

Milwaukee Co. employees celebrate "Badgers Day"

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County employees traded in their business attire for Badgers Gear -- at least for one day on Friday, April 4th.“I think it shows great spirit that county employees are wearing their red and white to support the Wisconsin Badgers,” said Joe Czarnezki, Milwaukee County Clerk.Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele declared Friday "Wisconsin Badgers Day" to help celebrate the team playing in the Final Four on Saturday.

Milwaukee street to be re-named in honor of Michelle Witmer

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A section of Milwaukee's Richards Street will be renamed this coming weekend after Army Specialist Michelle Witmer.Witmer was killed on April 9, 2004 during an attack by small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device in Baghdad.

County Board overrides Abele's veto of "living wage" ordinance

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee County Board, in a 12-6 vote on Thursday, March 20th voted to override County Executive Chris Abele's veto of a "living wage" ordinance.The ordinance would raise the minimum wage to $11.33 an hour for county employees, and employees of companies that have a contract with the county.The vote count from Thursday matches the board's February 6th approval of the law.Milwaukee County Supervisor David Bowen is the main sponsor of the bill.

Abele to greet veterans walking from Milw. to Los Angeles in Calif.

MILWAUKEE (WITI) – Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele will greet Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson in California on Saturday, February 1st as they end their 2,700 mile walk from Milwaukee to Los Angeles.Voss and Anderson set off on August 30th to walk across the country to increase awareness of veterans issues and raise money for Dryhooch, a Milwaukee organization formed by combat veterans to help veterans returning home from war.Before Voss and Anderson left, County Executive Abele personally donated $10,000 to their effort and promised another $10,000 when they made it.

Milwaukee County offices, buildings closed Tuesday

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele announced that all county offices and buildings, including the courts, will be closed on Tuesday, January 28th.Essential employees should report to work but non-essential employees should stay home.Anyone with a court matter scheduled for Tuesday, January 28th should report at the same time on Wednesday, January 29th.Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

New beer garden proposed for Greendale park

GREENDALE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and the Milwaukee County Parks Department are recommending the addition of a new beer garden at Scout Lake Park in the Village of Greendale.Under the proposal, ABC Estabrook, Inc., the company that runs the successful beer garden at Estabrook Park, would run the beer garden at Scout Lake Park and renovate the park’s underutilized pavilion.The Parks Department estimates the County could potentially collect $80,000 in 2014 and $100,000 in 2015 in revenue from the beer garden.

County Exec. Chris Abele issues vetoes to 2014 County budget

MILWAUKEE (WITI) – Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele issued vetoes to the 2014 Budget on Wednesday, November 20th that he says will lower property taxes $1.6 million while adding $2 million to the Debt Service Reserve, the county’s rainy day fund.The vetoes are the latest in an ongoing tug-of-war between Abele and the County Board.

Holiday donation drive for veterans kicked off in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett kicked off the 7th Annual Holiday Donation Drive on Monday, November 18th at City Hall.This year’s donation drive will benefit the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI); estimates show that on any given night there are nearly 600 veterans homeless in Wisconsin.The MHVI is looking for donations of basic household items like toothpaste, dental floss, dish soap and toilet paper.Donation bins will be set up inside City Hall, the Courthouse and other facilities across Milwaukee County from November 18th through December 18th.