At the start of a fresh new year, a look back on the last 12 months reveals a year of ups and downs for Milwaukee. Here's a look at the top 10 stories that affected us in 2006.
1. The drowning of Quadrevion Henning & Purvis Parker
On April 14, after almost a month of fruitless searching, police found the bodies of two missing Milwaukee boys: 12-year-old Quadrevion Henning and 11-year-old Purvis Parker. Henning's grandfather was the last person to see the boys, who told him they were going to play basketball. Despite a $5,000 reward and national media coverage, the boys were not found alive. Sadly, their bodies were found in the McGovern Park lagoon. Police ruled out foul play, saying that the boys accidentally fell into the water. Milwaukeeans continue to extend thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of Quadrevion Henning and Purvis Parker.
2. An explosion at Falk Corp. leaves three dead, 46 injured
Shortly after 8 a.m. on Dec. 6, the Falk Corp. plant experienced an explosion that killed three -- Curtis J. Lane, Thomas M. LeTendre and Daniel T. Kuster -- and injured 46. The cause of the explosion was related to a leak in the propane tanks used as back-up power by the plant. Workers alerted supervisors and an evacuation had been in progress when the explosion occurred. The evacuation was said to have helped the situation in regards to the injuries and deaths that could have been caused.
The Falk Corp. explosion was felt miles away -- shaking other buildings, setting off alarms, breaking windows and knocking a pane of glass in the Mitchell Park Domes lobby out. The fire department, police department, transit system and private companies were all involved in making sure that everyone was found and taken care of. The Menomonee Valley-based plant produces giant gears.
3. Protesters march against Frank Jude, Jr. verdict
More than 3,000 Milwaukeeans of all races marched Downtown one April morning to protest the not guilty verdicts handed down by an all-white jury in the Frank Jude, Jr. beating case. Protesters gathered at outside the County Courthouse and set off toward their destination, the Federal Courthouse. Estimates were that as many as 3,500 marchers turned out to publicly disagree with the verdicts. On May 1, another huge crowd turned out to march Downtown in support of immigrants' rights.
4. AirTran looks to buy Midwest Airlines
At the very end of the year, word leaked out that for some time now, Atlanta-based AirTran has been maneuvering to buy Midwest Airlines. But apparently its $290 million bid in stock and cash wasn't enough for the Midwest board, who called the $11.25 per share offer "inadequate" -- even though it represents a 24% premium over recent Midwest stock prices.
AirTran's bid, which is being interpreted as hostile, would add flights and jobs, the company says. But local officials, including Midwest's management, say they are doing just fine, thank you very much.
Civic leaders are also concerned that losing Midwest would deal a crushing blow to recruitment and retention efforts in Milwaukee. Mayor Tom Barrett, who has met with Leonard, suggested that one way to keep Midwest Airlines in Milwaukee is for corporations and individuals to buy Midwest stock.
But it's the consumers who may be in for the biggest shock, as some analysts say that since the wheels are now in motion, it's only a matter of time before the takeover happens. Though the heyday of free champagne, complimentary good meals on china on all flights is long gone, discount carrier AirTran is unlikely to keep Midwest's brand, complete with cookies and wide leather seats. And even if they do, analysts say airline consolidation cuts competition and raises prices.
5. Former mayor Frank Zeidler dies at 93
Consider this: Milwaukee has been a city for 160 years. The late former mayor Frank Zeidler lived and worked and studied here for 93 years. Consider also Zeidler's passion for the city, for its history, its institutions, its politics and its people and you really come to understand just what a treasure this city lost when Zeidler died on July 7. Not only was Zeidler mayor for 12 years, his brother also held that post in the 1940s.
Up until the end, Zeidler remained active and actively curious, and not once in his public life were his ethics ever questioned. He was the living memory of 20th century Milwaukee and if you met him, you knew you were among the fortunate.
6. Milwaukee media changes
WTMJ-TV (Channel 4), once the unquestioned ratings leader in town, underwent several high-profile personnel changes in 2006. Veteran weatherman Jim Ott was let go and found a home in the state assembly. Paul Joseph retired. The most jarring move, though, was the retirement of longtime anchor Mike Gousha, who left after 25 years.
WISN-TV (Channel 12) said goodbye to anchor Tammy Elliott, who headed to WFRV in Green Bay.
On the radio side, WKTI-FM (94.5) said goodbye to longtime morning man Bob Reitman, who announced his retirement in January and signed off for good last week. Reitman will resurface with a weekly show on WUWM in the new year. WISN-AM (1130) saw midday host Bob Dolan exit to start a travel TV show, which has aired locally.
In sports, the Brewers will ring in the new year with a new TV announcer. Daron Sutton, who took over the post when Matt Vasgersian left for San Diego, accepted a job with the Arizona Diamondbacks. That means Bill Schroeder will have a new partner next year.
7. Sports changes: Packers fire coach Mike Sherman, Brewers trade Carlos Lee
After guiding the green and gold to a 4-12 mark, the first losing season in 15 years, Mike Sherman was jettisoned as head coach. Sherman, whose 59-43 record ranks fourth in team history, led the team to the playoffs in four of his six seasons, but he only won two of six post-season games. The perception was that Sherman's time had passed. Though his preparation was considered impeccable, Sherman was harmed by his work as a general manager. Some missteps there led to him losing that job to Ted Thompson the previous season, making him a bit of a lame duck.
The Brewers, plagued by injuries for much of a disappointing season, saw their four-year, $48 million offer to Lee rejected and traded the leftfielder to Texas for reliever Francisco Cordero and outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix. The Rangers hoped Lee would spark them to a playoff berth, but it didn't work out. Lee then went on the free agent market and signed with the other Texas team, the Houston Astros, for six years and $100 million.
8. The great Summerfest power outage of '06
It was the first day of Summerfest '06, the weather was warm and sunny, Elvis Costello was set for the Briggs stage and the Tom Petty / Pearl Jam Amphitheater show was sold out. All the ingredients for a record-breaking opening day were in place, that is, until the power for the entire grounds went out at approximately 3:20 p.m. A transformer exploded near a south end parking lot rendering the world's largest music festival unplugged for nearly three hours
When We Energies restored the juice around 6 p.m. only one injury was reported -- a 53-year-old Summerfest worker who was treated at Columbia St. Mary's Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
The June 29 power failure also affected Charter Wire and a nearby condo.
In the meantime, few of the 17,000 or so Summerfest attendees on the grounds left, while the majority waited patiently for the power's return and did as Milwaukeeans do -- continued to drink beer and hang out until the music started up again.
9. Bayshore Town Center opens (and Prospect Mall closes)
In the Milwaukee mall world, 2006 was marked by "out with the old and in with the new.) Bayshore's extravagant retail village opened to the public on Nov. 2 to the tune of high fashion options such as H&M and White House Black Market, a plethora of new restaurants -- Bravo!, Devon's Seafood Grill and California Pizza Kitchen, as well as the area's first Trader Joe's.
The mall's concept -- predominantly outdoors (although shoppers are still able to navigate parts of the mall from indoors, which remains largely unchanged) -- is designed to promote a "town square" feel, with the inclusion of a small park, outdoor restaurant seating and streets weaving between rows of storefronts.
On the other end of the spectrum, after more than 30 years at 2239 N. Prospect Ave. on Milwaukee's East Side, the Prospect Mall closed on Sunday, June 25. The 41,900 sq.-ft. mall was home to Marcus' three-screen Prospect Cinema, which opened in 1976, as well as Thai Joe's, Video Visions, Recycled Books & Music, Sun of Kenilworth, Kosta's, Star Spin, La Petite France, Bangkok Orchid, Body Ritual, and more. Real estate investors purchased the mini-mall in 2004, although the redevelopment plan details have yet to surface.
10. Milwaukee tops out on titles
This was the year for Milwaukee titles, with the most coverage surrounding the verdict that Milwaukee beat out Las Vegas and New Orleans as "America's Drunkest City," as declared by Forbes magazine. Most people either raised a few glasses in Milwaukee's honor or said the results were skewed.
Maxim magazine placed Milwaukee on the same track by naming us the No. 2 "Party City" after Vegas, but ahead of New Orleans. But a title many people, including Mayor Tom Barrett, weren't happy with how Time Magazine presented the city, labeling Milwaukee as the "crime-afflicted." There were a few other titles rewarded to Milwaukee and Wisconsin as a whole, but these were the top three that caused a stir with the public.
1. The drowning of Quadrevion Henning & Purvis Parker
On April 14, after almost a month of fruitless searching, police found the bodies of two missing Milwaukee boys: 12-year-old Quadrevion Henning and 11-year-old Purvis Parker. Henning's grandfather was the last person to see the boys, who told him they were going to play basketball. Despite a $5,000 reward and national media coverage, the boys were not found alive. Sadly, their bodies were found in the McGovern Park lagoon. Police ruled out foul play, saying that the boys accidentally fell into the water. Milwaukeeans continue to extend thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of Quadrevion Henning and Purvis Parker.
2. An explosion at Falk Corp. leaves three dead, 46 injured
Shortly after 8 a.m. on Dec. 6, the Falk Corp. plant experienced an explosion that killed three -- Curtis J. Lane, Thomas M. LeTendre and Daniel T. Kuster -- and injured 46. The cause of the explosion was related to a leak in the propane tanks used as back-up power by the plant. Workers alerted supervisors and an evacuation had been in progress when the explosion occurred. The evacuation was said to have helped the situation in regards to the injuries and deaths that could have been caused.
The Falk Corp. explosion was felt miles away -- shaking other buildings, setting off alarms, breaking windows and knocking a pane of glass in the Mitchell Park Domes lobby out. The fire department, police department, transit system and private companies were all involved in making sure that everyone was found and taken care of. The Menomonee Valley-based plant produces giant gears.
3. Protesters march against Frank Jude, Jr. verdict
More than 3,000 Milwaukeeans of all races marched Downtown one April morning to protest the not guilty verdicts handed down by an all-white jury in the Frank Jude, Jr. beating case. Protesters gathered at outside the County Courthouse and set off toward their destination, the Federal Courthouse. Estimates were that as many as 3,500 marchers turned out to publicly disagree with the verdicts. On May 1, another huge crowd turned out to march Downtown in support of immigrants' rights.
4. AirTran looks to buy Midwest Airlines
At the very end of the year, word leaked out that for some time now, Atlanta-based AirTran has been maneuvering to buy Midwest Airlines. But apparently its $290 million bid in stock and cash wasn't enough for the Midwest board, who called the $11.25 per share offer "inadequate" -- even though it represents a 24% premium over recent Midwest stock prices.
AirTran's bid, which is being interpreted as hostile, would add flights and jobs, the company says. But local officials, including Midwest's management, say they are doing just fine, thank you very much.
Civic leaders are also concerned that losing Midwest would deal a crushing blow to recruitment and retention efforts in Milwaukee. Mayor Tom Barrett, who has met with Leonard, suggested that one way to keep Midwest Airlines in Milwaukee is for corporations and individuals to buy Midwest stock.
But it's the consumers who may be in for the biggest shock, as some analysts say that since the wheels are now in motion, it's only a matter of time before the takeover happens. Though the heyday of free champagne, complimentary good meals on china on all flights is long gone, discount carrier AirTran is unlikely to keep Midwest's brand, complete with cookies and wide leather seats. And even if they do, analysts say airline consolidation cuts competition and raises prices.
5. Former mayor Frank Zeidler dies at 93
Consider this: Milwaukee has been a city for 160 years. The late former mayor Frank Zeidler lived and worked and studied here for 93 years. Consider also Zeidler's passion for the city, for its history, its institutions, its politics and its people and you really come to understand just what a treasure this city lost when Zeidler died on July 7. Not only was Zeidler mayor for 12 years, his brother also held that post in the 1940s.
Up until the end, Zeidler remained active and actively curious, and not once in his public life were his ethics ever questioned. He was the living memory of 20th century Milwaukee and if you met him, you knew you were among the fortunate.
6. Milwaukee media changes
WTMJ-TV (Channel 4), once the unquestioned ratings leader in town, underwent several high-profile personnel changes in 2006. Veteran weatherman Jim Ott was let go and found a home in the state assembly. Paul Joseph retired. The most jarring move, though, was the retirement of longtime anchor Mike Gousha, who left after 25 years.
WISN-TV (Channel 12) said goodbye to anchor Tammy Elliott, who headed to WFRV in Green Bay.
On the radio side, WKTI-FM (94.5) said goodbye to longtime morning man Bob Reitman, who announced his retirement in January and signed off for good last week. Reitman will resurface with a weekly show on WUWM in the new year. WISN-AM (1130) saw midday host Bob Dolan exit to start a travel TV show, which has aired locally.
In sports, the Brewers will ring in the new year with a new TV announcer. Daron Sutton, who took over the post when Matt Vasgersian left for San Diego, accepted a job with the Arizona Diamondbacks. That means Bill Schroeder will have a new partner next year.
7. Sports changes: Packers fire coach Mike Sherman, Brewers trade Carlos Lee
After guiding the green and gold to a 4-12 mark, the first losing season in 15 years, Mike Sherman was jettisoned as head coach. Sherman, whose 59-43 record ranks fourth in team history, led the team to the playoffs in four of his six seasons, but he only won two of six post-season games. The perception was that Sherman's time had passed. Though his preparation was considered impeccable, Sherman was harmed by his work as a general manager. Some missteps there led to him losing that job to Ted Thompson the previous season, making him a bit of a lame duck.
The Brewers, plagued by injuries for much of a disappointing season, saw their four-year, $48 million offer to Lee rejected and traded the leftfielder to Texas for reliever Francisco Cordero and outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix. The Rangers hoped Lee would spark them to a playoff berth, but it didn't work out. Lee then went on the free agent market and signed with the other Texas team, the Houston Astros, for six years and $100 million.
8. The great Summerfest power outage of '06
It was the first day of Summerfest '06, the weather was warm and sunny, Elvis Costello was set for the Briggs stage and the Tom Petty / Pearl Jam Amphitheater show was sold out. All the ingredients for a record-breaking opening day were in place, that is, until the power for the entire grounds went out at approximately 3:20 p.m. A transformer exploded near a south end parking lot rendering the world's largest music festival unplugged for nearly three hours
When We Energies restored the juice around 6 p.m. only one injury was reported -- a 53-year-old Summerfest worker who was treated at Columbia St. Mary's Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
The June 29 power failure also affected Charter Wire and a nearby condo.
In the meantime, few of the 17,000 or so Summerfest attendees on the grounds left, while the majority waited patiently for the power's return and did as Milwaukeeans do -- continued to drink beer and hang out until the music started up again.
9. Bayshore Town Center opens (and Prospect Mall closes)
In the Milwaukee mall world, 2006 was marked by "out with the old and in with the new.) Bayshore's extravagant retail village opened to the public on Nov. 2 to the tune of high fashion options such as H&M and White House Black Market, a plethora of new restaurants -- Bravo!, Devon's Seafood Grill and California Pizza Kitchen, as well as the area's first Trader Joe's.
The mall's concept -- predominantly outdoors (although shoppers are still able to navigate parts of the mall from indoors, which remains largely unchanged) -- is designed to promote a "town square" feel, with the inclusion of a small park, outdoor restaurant seating and streets weaving between rows of storefronts.
On the other end of the spectrum, after more than 30 years at 2239 N. Prospect Ave. on Milwaukee's East Side, the Prospect Mall closed on Sunday, June 25. The 41,900 sq.-ft. mall was home to Marcus' three-screen Prospect Cinema, which opened in 1976, as well as Thai Joe's, Video Visions, Recycled Books & Music, Sun of Kenilworth, Kosta's, Star Spin, La Petite France, Bangkok Orchid, Body Ritual, and more. Real estate investors purchased the mini-mall in 2004, although the redevelopment plan details have yet to surface.
10. Milwaukee tops out on titles
This was the year for Milwaukee titles, with the most coverage surrounding the verdict that Milwaukee beat out Las Vegas and New Orleans as "America's Drunkest City," as declared by Forbes magazine. Most people either raised a few glasses in Milwaukee's honor or said the results were skewed.
Maxim magazine placed Milwaukee on the same track by naming us the No. 2 "Party City" after Vegas, but ahead of New Orleans. But a title many people, including Mayor Tom Barrett, weren't happy with how Time Magazine presented the city, labeling Milwaukee as the "crime-afflicted." There were a few other titles rewarded to Milwaukee and Wisconsin as a whole, but these were the top three that caused a stir with the public.
