The Milwaukee Post

4 • Milwaukee County Post • March 31, 2017 Juvenile justice reform bill moves forward MILWAUKEE — State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, announced her juvenile justice reform legislation has moved forward after approval in the Senate as Senate Bill 35 and goes to the Assembly. It requires juvenile correctional officers to report suspected child abuse and neglect. "I am proud to be a part of what is being described as the 'first con- crete step' to address the serious allegations of abuse and neglect at Lincoln Hills. Requiring juvenile correctional officers to be mandated reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect will create much-need- ed accountability and help aid in the safety of both juvenile offenders and staff at the facility. "While I believe this legislation is a small but important tool that will help break the culture of silence and subject those who fail to report suspected child abuse and neglect to criminal penalties, much work remains to be done. "Our kids are attempting suicide and correctional workers are experiencing vicious assaults. The crisis at Lincoln Hills affecting children, families, and workers has gone on for far too long, and it's far past time that we get serious about reforming our juvenile correctional system. WEEK IN REVIEW STATE AND LOCAL STORIES OF INTEREST Highway 100 entrance ramp to I-94 East to close April 7 MILWAUKEE — As part of the Zoo Interchange project, the Highway 100 entrance ramp to Interstate 94 East is scheduled to close for about one month, beginning April 7. Motorists should utilize the following alternate routes to get around the closure: ■ Take Highway 100 to Greenfield Avenue. East on Greenfield Avenue to I-41/894 North entrance ramp. Take the northbound system ramp to I-94 East. ■ Take Highway 100 to Bluemound Road. East on Bluemound Road to 84th Street. South on 84th Street to I-94 East. Please note that your GPS may not yet be up to date with the new freeway design, so watch directional signage closely. As always, plan ahead and allow for extra time. Building Commission approves governor's capital budget MILWAUKEE — The Wisconsin Building Commission has approved Gov. Scott Walker's capital budget recommendations, totaling $803 million in projects with under $450 million in new bonding. Highlights include: ■ $5 million in funding for a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Innovation Center in Green Bay. ■ A $75 million replacement for the Department of Justice Milwaukee crime lab. ■ More than $33 million to renovate and repair the north, south and west resident towers in Sandburg Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. ■ $5 million in funding for St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care for the Bucyrus Campus project. "The Operating and Capital Budgets propose the lowest combined new bond authori- zations in 20 years," Walker said in a release. Among Walker's recommendations that were voted down were UWM Chemistry Building renovations and UWM Engineering and Mathematical Science Laboratory ren- ovations. They were among several projects across UW campuses that would have required an additional $205 million in bonding. Survey: County residents support exec's vision for parks MILWAUKEE — Results from a countywide household survey on the Milwaukee County Parks system are in, and they show that the county exceeds the national average in "satisfaction with overall value received" in county parks. Providing large parks with a variety of experiences, investing in small neighborhood parks, and walking/hiking/biking/nature trails were identified as the three most impor- tant services the county should provide. Respondent households also indicated that it was more important to them to invest in the repair and improvement of the system rather than the development of new facilities or acquisition of additional parkland. The statistically valid survey was administered by the ETC Institute in 2016 as part of the county's Parks with Purpose master planning campaign. A total of 68 percent of households indicated they were either "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with the overall value received from Milwaukee County Parks. County Executive Chris Abele said in a statement, "As we move forward with our Parks with Purpose master planning campaign, which will ensure future generations enjoy the same vibrant and sustainable parks system we all love today, it's important to me that the public inform our efforts. The survey results also highlighted opportunities for improvements to the park sys- tem, including increasing marketing, developing more public-private partnerships, expanding fundraising efforts and enhancing trails. The department has started making improvement in these areas, including adding three people to the parks team. Work to update and improve parks and trails is also underway. Projects in progress include upgrades to sections of the Oak Leaf Trail, new green infrastructure at South Shore Park, and the installation of new water slides at Cool Waters Aquatic Park. Mitchell International chosen as SEARCH training site MILWAUKEE — General Mitchell International Airport has been chosen as a new Project SEARCH site, Department of Workforce Development Secretary Ray Allen said. The program is for young adults with disabilities, and combines on-site work experi- ence in a business environment with classroom instruction to prepare participants for gainful employment upon graduation from the program. Hales Corners bank robbery suspect arrested after Brookfield bank robbed Tuesday HALES CORNERS — A woman suspected in a Hales Corners bank robbery was arrested hours after allegedly robbing a Brookfield bank the next day. Sarah Kraus, 33, of West Allis, was charged Wednesday in Waukesha County Circuit Court with one count of robbery of a financial institution and faces up to 40 years in prison, if convicted. The woman was involved in a robbery around 9:40 a.m. Tuesday at BMO Harris Bank, 3155 N. 124th St. Shortly after 1 p.m., Police Capt. Phil Horter released a statement saying that after receiving several tips, officers were able to locate the woman and arrest her. He also confirmed that she is the suspect in a bank robbery that occurred a little before 5 p.m. Monday at Tri City Bank on 108th Street in Hales Corners. Police seek Milwaukee man after allegedly beating girlfriend at workplace Monday ELM GROVE — Police on Tuesday were seeking a Milwaukee man who allegedly showed up at a health care facility in Elm Grove and beat his ex-girlfriend at her work- place before fleeing. A release by the Elm Grove Police Department said officers were sent to the Heritage of Elm Grove senior living center, 800 Wall St., at about 3 p.m. Monday after a man was reported trying to gain entry to the facility. Police learned the suspect, a 22-year-old Milwaukee man, beat and robbed a 21-year- old victim of her purse and cellular phone. The victim and suspect formerly were in a romantic relationship, Assistant Chief Jason Hennen said. Following the robbery, the suspect returned and attempted to gain entry to the building. The suspect fled before offi- cers arrived. The vehicle used in the incident was recovered at its owner's home in Milwaukee. Hennen said the woman returned to work after the incident. Sensenbrenner: More chances to replace Obamacare MILWAUKEE — U.S. Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls, expressed disappointment Saturday after Congress failed to act on the American Health Care Act and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. "President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, showed true leadership in fighting for a bill that would have reduced the deficit and lowered health care premiums," Sensenbrenner said in a release. "This is was our first opportunity to repeal Obamacare but I'll work to make sure it isn't our last. I remain committed to improving health care for all Americans." Johnson

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