Nelson Diaz, aka, "Jazz The Playboy" Files Restraining Order Against the Victim That He Struck At SkyBar

The alleged girlfriend of Diaz posted on Facebook that her boyfriend had filed a restraining order against a victim that Diaz apparently struck at the SkyBar last week Sunday.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 26, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - On Saturday, Zoila Kay Andino, the girlfriend of Nelson Diaz, 36, aka, "Jazz The Playboy" posted on Facebook that Diaz had filed a restraining order against Mario Rolando Flores, known as DJWolf, who became the victim of a physical assault by Diaz on January 21, according to videos released from the SkyBar recording surveillance cameras. In the videos, it showed that Flores was doing a live Facebook video when Diaz approached him while he was seating down and then threw several punches striking Flores and a female bar manager.

Diaz apparently went to the SkyBar to confront Flores, what seemed to be an ongoing dispute about Diaz posting a 19 minute video of himself disgruntled about his experience and losing in a karaoke competition where Carlos Montenegro, a Mexican national won the contest on Thursday, January 17 and was awarded $1,500. The karaoke contest was sponsored by Rivera's Western Wear at the VIP Lounge in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Diaz received a backlash of criticism from FB users and he later posted another video saying that he was angry at the time and said that he didn't mean it.

It's unusual that an alleged aggressor decides to file a restraining order against a victim of an assault, especially at the bar where Flores works at and is a popular local DJ. Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) learned that multiple Milwaukee police officers who responded to the bar incident had briefly detained, handcuffed and took Diaz outside, then cited him and was released. Also, Milwaukee Police Officer A. Luebbe cited Flores and Flores, the victim was threaten by a female cop that spoke Spanish with arrest, if he did not remove the posted Facebook (FB) videos (evidence of the incident) from FB. Flores complied and deleted the videos from FB.

HNNUSA contacted via e-mail the Milwaukee Police Department captain from the Milwaukee Police Department 2nd District Station and the police chief asking, why did police forced a victim to remove video evidence from his own account, no response has been received by HNNUSA from both the captain or chief.

Also, someone with a Facebook account named Sandra Tolero contacted Flores and told him that she was a reporter from Telemundo Wisconsin. Tolero also made some comments on Facebook in favor of Diaz. As it turned out, Tolero seemed to be a fake FB account. If anyone has been contacted by Tolero claiming to be a reporter for Telemundo Wisconsin or any other news source, people need to ask for press credentials or contact Telemundo Wisconsin to confirm identity.

According to court records, the Diaz restraining order was filed on January 25 and a hearing is set for February 6 at 8:15 a.m. at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.

Nelson Diaz, aka, Jazz The Playboy Arrested For Assault At The SkyBar In Milwaukee's Southside

Diaz while at the SkyBar assaulted a man (the bar DJ) sitting at the bar and the manager of the place.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 21, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - On Sunday, Nelson Diaz, aka, Jazz The Playboy was taken into custody after he assaulted Mario Rolando Flores, DJWolf and the female manager of the SkyBar at the 700 block of W. Greenfield Ave. The altercation between Diaz, Flores and the bar manager happened around 9:24 p.m. and the incident was video recorded. Flores posted multiple videos on his Facebook account of the incident.

Diaz apparently went to the SkyBar to confront Flores, what seemed to be an ongoing dispute about Diaz posting a 19 minute video of himself disgruntled about his experience and losing in a karaoke competition where Carlos Montenegro, a Mexican national won the contest on Thursday night and was awarded $1,500. The karaoke contest was sponsored by Rivera's Western Wear at the VIP Lounge in the Southside of Milwaukee.

In the personal video, Diaz criticized Montenegro including his physical appearance of having a big gut, bad performance and for only singing Mexican regional songs. Diaz is Puerto Rican and he ranted that he should have won and that the judge panel robbed him from his victory and cash prize. Diaz also insulted Mexican nationals, their families and even brought up, if those persons posting comments in his FB comment thread had green cards or social security numbers and he even threatened to report them to immigration officials.

Diaz later posted another FB video saying that he didn't mean what he said and that he was just mad and venting because some people referred to him as being gay and that he couldn't take a defeat during a karaoke contest. Diaz told everyone on FB that he was sexier and was the best singer of all for singing various genre of music including a Mexican song. The karaoke judges didn't agree and selected Montenegro as the winner.

He eventually admitted to the defeat at the contest, but says that he was exercising his right to give his own opinion, which actually resulted in insulting members of the Mexican community in Milwaukee.

As a result, he landed in police custody for igniting an altercation at the SkyBar.

Alejandro Rivera, a radio program host in La GranD 104.7 FM and the sponsor of the Karaoke contest released the following statement to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA), "The karaoke contest was organized to unite the community and to have a friendly competition to showcase the variety of talented Latino people in Milwaukee. We will not stop organizing another contest because one person can't handle the reality that he wasn't picked as the winner. We will continue to promote the art of singing, performance and handing out a cash prize. We welcome anyone to participate in our next contest." According to Rivera, the next karaoke amateur and semi-pro contest will start on January 24.

Update: According to Flores, Diaz went to the bar and began to insult Flores while he was seating down at the bar and doing a live Facebook (FB) feed as he does occasionally to invite patrons to SkyBar where he DJs. Flores says that he ignored Diaz, but Diaz then struck Flores while seating down at the bar and also struck the female bar manager. Flores reacts immediately and defended himself while the FB live feed continued. Police soon after arrived and placed Diaz on handcuffs and was briefly arrested. Diaz was taken outside and later released and was cited for the incident. Police later came into the bar and took Flores outside and a female police officer who spoke Spanish told Flores to erased the FB videos or he would be arrested while other officers stood by. Flores complied and erased the FB videos.
Police Officer A. Luebbe wrote a $195.00 citation to Flores claiming that "Subject made a treat on Facebook to do harm to victim (Diaz), which actually Flores was the actual victim in the incident instead of Diaz, who was the aggressor. Flores released the videos where Diaz attacked Flores inside the SkyBar and several videos where police had Diaz outside and where Flores is outside with at least four cops including the female Spanish speaking cop forcing Flores to erase the FB videos he has posted on Facebook. In other words, the cops force Flores to erase evidence where Diaz attacked him and other videos of the incident.
Diaz later posted on his FB account that he wanted to make it clear, that he was detained by police and had not been arrested.

SkyBar outdoor videos of incident.

Democrat Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers Has Yet To Decide Whether To Revoke Waukesha County Sheriff's Office Partnership With ICE Under The Discriminatory And Profiling 287g Program

Governor Evers has publicly endorsed a provision in the Wisconsin state budget to allow undocumented drivers in the state to apply for a specialized driver license, which won't conflict with federal real ID law.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 18, 2019

Madison, WI - Wisconsin Democrat Governor Tony Evers has confirmed that he is supporting for undocumented drivers in the state to apply for a specific version of Wisconsin driver licenses distinguishing the difference between legal status U.S. residents and non-legal status drivers and will include a provision in the state budget to address it. So far, Governor Evers has yet to confirm whether he will revoke the partnership between the Waukesha County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement's (ICE) discriminatory and profiling 287(g) program. Also, will Evers decide to to send a strong message to other County Sheriff's departments and local enforcement agencies that he will prohibit them from partnering with ICE to implement the 287(g) program? Time will tell, if Governor Evers opposes the implementation of the ICE 287(g) program in the state.

In order for any local law enforcement agency and county sheriff's department in the state to partner with ICE to implement the 287(g) program for local immigration enforcement, the partnership would have to be approved by the seating governor of a state.

State immigration rights groups, organizations and allies in Wisconsin have not come out public in attempting to persuade Governor Evers to revoke Waukesha County Sheriff's Department partnership with ICE and to assure the discriminatory 287(g), which was expanded by Trump to target undocumented immigrants doesn't spread in the state to other law enforcement agencies.

Illinois Attorney General Ruled That Waukegan Community School Unit District #60 Must Comply With Margaret Carrasco's FOIA Request

The Waukegan Community School Unit District #60 has 7-days to release the information requested by Waukegan community activist Margaret Carrasco under the FOIA, according to the Illinois Attorney General's Office.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 16, 2019

Waukegan, Illinois - On Wednesday, Teresa Lim, the Assistant Attorney General for the Public Access Bureau with the Illinois Attorney General's Office confirmed that the Waukegan Community School Unit District #60 must comply with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted by Waukegan community activist Margaret Carrasco. On October 19, 2018, Carrasco under the FOIA filed a request with the Waukegan Community School Unit District #60 to release in pertinent part, copies of e-mails sent by or certain School District employees in electronic form for a specified time frame, but the School District claimed it would be burdensome to do so and denied Carrasco's request. Carrasco appealed to the Illinois Attorney General's Office, which agreed with her that she had a right to request the information that included e-mails between School District Superintendent Theresa A. Plascencia; Waukegan Community School Unit District #60 Board President Michael Rodriguez including Board Member Brando Erwing; Elisabeth Treviño, in the Human Resource office and Plascencia's secretary, Maria LaCour.

In late December, Plascencia and Rodriguez filed a frivolous lawsuit paid by the school district costing taxpayers at least $25,000 to prevent Carrasco from continuing to criticized them in Facebook posts, also claiming that Carrasco was defaming them including school district attorney Tom Morris at school district board meetings and making allegations of corruption from information that Carrasco had apparently acquired. Carrasco claims that Plascencia and Rodriguez shouldn't be in their positions, if they can't take public criticism from taxpayers. 

Carrasco is credited for successfully staging a protest against the school board for attempting to raise taxes. The School District #60 Board abandoned their attempt to raise taxes.

In November, Waukegan police investigated an alleged threatening and harassment complaint reported by Plascencia, the Waukegan Community School Unit District #60 Superintendent against education community activist Carrasco, which apparently turned out to be false, according to police. Plascencia has yet to be charged for making a false police report.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers And Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, Both Democrats Failed To Practice Diversity Hiring For Their Administrations

Wisconsin State Senator Taylor (D) posted on Facebook multiple photos of Governor Evers and Lt. Governor Barnes at the Democratic State Senate Caucus along with their majority White administration staff drawing criticism.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 15, 2019

Madison, WI - On Tuesday, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) and Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes (D) met with the State Senate Democratic Caucus, but what drew criticism by Wisconsin State Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milw.), who is African-American was that both Evers and Barnes brought their majority white administrative staff along to the meeting. Apparently, Governor Evers and Lt. Governor Barnes failed to practice diversity hiring for their own administrations and hired the most qualified staff members they could find, but it seems that Evers and Barnes seemed to be colored blind.
State Senator Taylor posted on Facebook (FB), "So I’m sitting in Caucus and the Governor Evers says they picked the most qualified candidates for staff, and and literally don’t have ONE black or Latino staff and the cabinet spots let’s save that discussion for another time."
"Even though some of the Secretaries candidates clearly have NO experience in the areas assigned. When asked about equity for people of color the response, was “we hired the most qualified candidates” and NOT ONE DEMOCRAT in the senate caucus spoke up to fairness!!
"Funny BUT when we asked about wage equity everyone was quick to ask the Governor and he was quick to say yes he will put it into the budget!!"
Senator Taylor in her FB comment thread says, that people (of color) applied (for jobs) and they (Evers hiring staff) sought out people who didn't applied and appointed them...People did step up and were not even afforded a call and interview...
So his staff, which includes a majority of Whites are basically considered the most qualified in our state, according to Evers, who introduced them to the Democratic Senate Caucus. BS, he should know better, especially being a former Wisconsin School Superintendent that there are plenty of qualified people of color in our state to get hired in state government. Damn, both Evers and Barnes are doing poorly and if they don't wake up in time, they will definitely be a one term Governor and Lt. Governor.

Unfortunately, Evers and Barnes couldn't find any qualified Latinos and Blacks to hire in the entire State of Wisconsin, including not even one qualified Republican of color who would like to serve Wisconsin regardless who is the governor elect. At least, Lt. Governor Barnes has one Native American female staffer in his current administration staff, according to Senator Taylor.
Governor Evers has at least 4,000 jobs to fill as political appointments.
Did the prior Evers Transition Personnel Team headed by former Republican Darryl Morin also failed to find qualified candidates to hire?

Andre Dyson Charged With Multiple Felony Counts In Connection With Two Milwaukee Southside Armed Robberies On NYE

Dyson was the third suspect who engaged in several assaults and armed robberies along with Shannan Nehmer and Charles Barefield who later drown along with 2-year-old Anna Melia Hernandez after their vehicle lost control and plunged into the Kinnickinnic River while being chased by Milwaukee police on NYE.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 7, 2019

Milwaukee, WI -  On Sunday, Andre Dyson, 21, was charged with three felony counts including party to a crime, one count for armed robbery, a second for attempted armed robbery and a third for 1st-degree recklessly endangering safety. If convicted on all counts, Dyson is facing up to 40 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines for each count 1 and 2; for count 3, Dyson is facing up to 12 years in prison and up to $12,000 in fines. Dyson is being held on a $25,000 bail, but a hold has been place and can't bail out.

Dyson is expected to appear in court on January 14 for a preliminary hearing.

Last Friday, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales confirmed that it was still inconclusive to determine who was driving on NYE when a Chevy trailblazer (SUV) sought in connection with several armed robberies in the Southside plunged into the river. Chief Morales says that his officers chasing the SUV couldn't determine who was actually driving and the investigation is still ongoing. The Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating the deadly incident.

The Milwaukee County Examiner's Office (ME) says that the male suspect wanted in connection with several armed robberies was the driver, but the ME hasn't release any information how they came into the conclusion that Charles Barefield, 29, the deceased suspect was driving. In earlier reports, it was believed that Shannan Nehmer, 19, a second deceased suspect was driving, since her body was the first to be recovered by a rescue diver during NYE. At the time, police couldn't determine, if other individuals were in the vehicle when it went into the river. It was until the next day on January 1, 2019, the vehicle that lost control and plunged into the Kinnickinnic River (KK) was recovered, police discovered the bodies of Barefield and Anna Melia Hernandez, 2, which were inside the vehicle when it was recovered from the river. Nehmer was also pregnant by her boyfriend at the time of her death. The ME determined that the three deceased victims had died from drowning in the 32 degree cold water about 30 feet under in the KK river.

The deceased victims were involved in a police chase gone wrong and lost control of the SUV on Eastbound W. Greenfield Ave. and plunged into the KK river, according to Milwaukee police. 

Milwaukee police reported, that Nehmer, Farefield and Hernandez were in the vehicle that had been sought in connection with two armed robberies where the victims were assaulted by the suspects near S. 14th Street and W. Greenfield Ave., and near S. 23rd Street and W. Lapham Blvd. A couple was assaulted by Nehmer and a male suspect. Nehmer apparently beat and kicked the head of a female victim before fleeing the area after a witness saw the assault and chased the suspects with a machete. One of the suspects who was armed with a semiautomatic handgun fired shots at the witness, but no one was reported injured by gunfire.

In the first armed robbery report, Farefield and Dyson attempted to rob a man near a vehicle while he was doing some maintenance work and was assaulted. One of the suspects struck the victim in the face.

Police spotted the SUV wanted in connection with the armed robberies and attempted to pull over the vehicle. The driver failed to pull over around 8:30 p.m. on Monday and fled from police reaching between 80 to 100 mph. The police chase ended when the driver lost control and plunged into the KK river. Nehmer's body was recovered on New Year's Eve and the bodies of Farefield and Hernandez were then discovered inside the vehicle when the vehicle was recovered from the river after 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, according to police.

Dyson was not in the vehicle when it plunged into the river, but was arrested in connection with the two armed robberies as well while criminal charges were pending, police reported.

Hernandez was also reported missing by relatives on New Year's Day until it was later discovered that her body was recovered from the vehicle after it was taken out of the KK river.

The Wisconsin State Senate Should Not Confirm Frostman As State DWD Secretary And PSC Commission Nominee Cameron Valcq For Lack Of Experience

The Wisconsin State Senate should not confirm both of Governor Tony Evers nominees, outgoing State Senator Caleb Frostman (D) as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and the Public Service Commission Chairperson, Rebecca Cameron Valcq.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 7, 2019

Milwaukee, WI -  The Wisconsin State Senate should reject both of Governor elect Tony Evers (D) nominees to cabinet posts, outgoing State Senator Caleb Frostman (D) as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairperson, Rebecca Cameron Valcq due to lack of experience. Frostman was the executive director of the Door County Economic Development Corporation in Northern Wisconsin. He actually has no direct nor relevant workforce development experience. Frostman can claim that he has knowledge of economic development and basic workforce development issues in Northern Wisconsin; but he lacks the advanced knowledge and experience needed to tackle the complex issues affecting the State of Wisconsin in this area. He won a special election to fill a vacant seat in the 1st State Senate District and lost to Republican State Senate candidate Andre Jacque of De Pere. Evers nomination strongly looks like a political payoff to someone who does not have a job, but worked in the Evers campaign!
Will Governor Evers repeat former Republican Governor Scott Walker's mistakes? As Walker found out the hard way, the position of Secretary of the DWD is essentially a technical position, not a political one and future governors would do well in keeping this in mind in order to succeed in job development. Governor Evers seems to be following in the same steps that cost Walker his job. Walker's biggest mistake was to accepted Secretary Manuel "Manny" Perez resignation in 2011. Former DWD Secretary Perez brought 30 years of experience in the field to the DWD agency, Doctoral Studies in Labor Economics, community oriented experience and earned the respect within statewide local communities. After DWD Secretary Perez left, neither Walker's appointees to the DWD, Scott Baumbach, Reggie Newson, nor Ray Allen demonstrated they could do the job at the same or higher level as Perez. The result was that under former Secretary Perez, the Workforce Development system in Wisconsin placed 24,000 workers in 4 months, than the combined effort by the three secretaries that Walker appointed to replace Perez, which did not help Walker reach his promise to create 250,000 jobs in his first term of office. In fact, Walker's acceptance of Secretary Perez resignation not only sealed his fate in terms of reaching his employment goals, but also placed the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) in emergency mode while reorganizing, since WEDC came under extreme pressure to create jobs in 2011-2013, and it lowered Walker's chances of winning the presidential primary in 2017. The former Walker's WEDC has also failed Wisconsin taxpayers and turned into a corporate welfare economic bailout without accountability and not assuring that funds should be reimbursed. The WEDC should be disolved and reinvented.

Former DWD Secretaries,  Baumbach, Newson and Allen discovered the hard way, the immense complexity of the issues that exist at DWD and overall labor market. 

By accepting Perez resignation, Walker also lost the Hispanic vote because Perez is not only knowledgeable in work development, but also sensitive to community issues, including immigration issues affecting the farm and dairy industry.  

Governor Evers should not make the same mistakes as Walker by appointing political people to technical positions. The DWD is not a position where a person has time to learn on the job, the appointee must be able to perform at an extreme high level on the first day and every day. The appointee should have direct, advanced, and relevant knowledge and experience for the department.

The same thing with Attorney Rebecca Cameron Valcq being appointed to the PSC. What experience in energy matters does she have? Good question. What level of knowledge and experience does she have related to the problems that occur in our low income communities related to energy? What is her actual experience and knowledge in relation to energy and economic development? 

Cameron Valcq can be congratulated for her achievement and success in having an education, but that is hardly enough to be a member of the PSC where decisions will be made that affect millions of people. This is the same political payoff that Walker did for Michael Huesbch and the PSC Chair Ellen Novak. In fact, the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate should consider dissolving it and recreate the PSC, which should include specific requirements pertaining knowledge and experience of the members appointed the Commission be formulated either by law or via administrative rules. The PSC has three commission members and its Chair position was elevated to a cabinet post by a former Democratic governor, but it is simply symbolic, which the chair is appointed full time every two years compared to a Secretary of an agency status position, which is a four year appointment.
According to a Facebook (FB) post on Saturday discussing the lack of qualified Latinos being nominated to a Secretary of a state agency, the comment thread by a FB user says, Cameron Valcq while being "on a panel at a Latina women's forum sponsored by American Family Insurance. She expressed her dislike for affirmative action, and encouraged Latina young women and girls to not list their race on their college application so if they got into college, they know it was because they "earned it" and not because of their race. She comes from an prominent family of Republican Latinos."

Governor Evers should not follow former Governor Walker's example of appointing incompetent people to positions. Also, the Wisconsin State Senate shouldn't let the mistakes of the past repeat themselves!

Democratic Governor Elect Tony Evers And Lt. Governor Elect Mandela Barnes Have Failed To Name A Latino To A Cabinet Post

So far, Governor Elect Evers and Lt. Governor elect Barnes have failed to support and name a single Latino as Secretary of a state agency to the incoming Evers administration cabinet, despite Wisconsin Latino voters in Milwaukee being instrumental in electing them and actually giving both a job.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 6, 2019

Madison, WI - On Monday, both Governor elect Tony Evers (D) and Lt. Governor elect Mandela Barnes (D) will be sworn-in to the executive office in Madison and the inaugural festivities will follow, but as of yet, no Latino has been named as Secretary of a state agency, which is an important cabinet position in the Evers incoming administration. Those individuals that Evers has named for cabinet positions so far, will be subject for the Republican control State Senate approval.

Evers has definitely failed to name a Latino to his cabinet and his Transition Team (TT) has also failed to select a diverse cabinet in the Evers incoming administration. The Evers TT personnel section members include two Latinos, Darryl Morin, a former Republican who decided to become an Independent while he unsuccessfully  campaigned for the National LULAC presidential position in the Summer and Griselda Aldrete, the President and CEO of the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee. It's unfortunate, that the entire TT personnel team was unable to recommended a single Latino to a cabinet position, which many Latino community orientated professionals who are highly educated do exist in Wisconsin including Milwaukee that work tirelessly as stakeholders to bring about change, inclusion, development and prosperity in their communities. 

We need a Latino or Latina in the Evers cabinet that is community oriented and not a token who sells out for a good paying job and is a career seeker for personal gain instead of actually making a difference in state government.

Latino voters in Milwaukee and throughout the state were instrumental in getting both, Evers and Barnes a job (elected) and should come together as a united community to demand and push for Evers to name a Latino to an important cabinet post.

At least outgoing Republican Governor Scott Walker appointed a prominent and well respected Latino, Manuel "Manny" Perez as Secretary to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, which was short lived and Walker was later ousted from office in the November election by the Latino community for being anti-immigrant, for supporting Trump's revocation of citizenship for U.S. born children of undocumented parents while running for president, refusing to support driver licenses for the undocumented and continued support for Trump's anti-immigrant policies. 

Former DWD Secretary Perez who became the first Hispanic to hold a cabinet position in Wisconsin during a Republican administration continues to be a pro-immigration reform advocate, promotes job development in the industry and has publicly criticized Trump's anti-immigration policies.

Sudan Solidarity Protest In Milwaukee Against Government Use Of Tear Gas And Gunfire Killing Children

Protests taking place in Milwaukee, Kartoum, Atbara and other cities.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 4, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - On Friday, a Sudan Solidarity Protest was held in downtown Milwaukee against the Sudan government dictatorship, which has used tear gas and gunfire to kill children and multiple civilians. Dozens of protesters and children in Milwaukee chanted to stop the killing by the Sudan government.

Sudan is currently facing an exponential decline in the economic status, no healthcare for the population, rising costs (current inflation is 70%), the corrupt dictadorship of Omar Al Basheer and the declining of public education, according to protest organizers.

Milwaukee Police Confirmed That It's Still Inconclusive Of Who Was Driving NYE When A Vehicle Plunged Into The KK River Resulting In Three Deaths

Three drowned victims were recovered from the Kinnickinnic River after their vehicle plunged into the river on NYE while being chased by Milwaukee police.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 4, 2019

Milwaukee, WI -  On Friday, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales during an event at the Milwaukee City Hall confirmed that it's still inconclusive to determine who was driving on NYE when a Chevy trailblazer (SUV) sought in connection with several armed robberies in the Southside plunged into the river. Chief Morales says that his officers chasing the SUV couldn't determine who was actually driving and the investigation is still ongoing. The Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating the deadly incident.

The Milwaukee County Examiner's Office (ME) says that the male suspect wanted in connection with several armed robberies was the driver, but the ME hasn't release any information how they came into the conclusion that Charles Barefield, 29, the deceased suspect was driving. In earlier reports, it was believed that Shannan Nehmer, 19, a second deceased suspect was driving, since her body was the first to be recovered by a rescue diver during NYE. At the time, police couldn't determine, if other individuals were in the vehicle when it went into the river. It was until the next day on January 1, 2019, the vehicle that lost control and plunged into the Kinnickinnic River (KK) was recovered, police discovered the bodies of Barefield and Anna Melia Hernandez, 2, which were inside the vehicle when it was recovered from the river. Nehmer was also pregnant by her boyfriend at the time of her death. The ME determined that the three deceased victims had died from drowning in the 32 degree cold water about 30 feet under in the KK river.

The deceased victims were involved in a police chase gone wrong and lost control of the SUV on Eastbound W. Greenfield Ave. and plunged into the KK river, according to Milwaukee police. 

Milwaukee police reported, that Nehmer, Farefield and Hernandez were in the vehicle that had been sought in connection with two armed robberies where the victims were assaulted by the suspects near S. 14th Street and W. Greenfield Ave., and near S. 23rd Street and W. Lapham Blvd. A couple was assaulted by Nehmer and a male suspect. Nehmer apparently beat and kicked the head of a female victim before fleeing the area after a witness saw the assault and chased the suspects with a machete. One of the suspects who was armed with a semiautomatic handgun fired shots at the witness, but no one was reported injured by gunfire.

In the first armed robbery report, Farefield and another male suspect attempted to rob a man near a vehicle while he was doing some maintenance work and was assaulted. One of the suspects struck the victim in the face.

Police spotted the SUV wanted in connection with the armed robberies and attempted to pull over the vehicle. The driver failed to pull over around 8:30 p.m. on Monday and fled from police reaching between 80 to 100 mph. The police chase ended when the driver lost control and plunged into the KK river. Nehmer's body was recovered on New Year's Eve and the bodies of Farefield and Hernandez were then discovered inside the vehicle when the vehicle was recovered from the river after 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, according to police.

A second male suspect was not in the vehicle when it plunged into the river, but was arrested in connection with the two armed robberies as well and criminal charges are pending, police reported.

Hernandez was also reported missing by relatives on Tuesday until it was later discovered that her body was recovered from the vehicle after it was taken out of the KK river.

Three Latino Candidates For The Waukegan District 60 School Board Will Remain On The Ballot, Lake County Electoral Board Ruled

Three of four candidates for the Waukegan District 60 Public School Board remain on the April 2019 ballot, according to the Lake County Electoral Board.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 2, 2019

Waukegan, Illinois - On Wednesday, the Lake County Electoral Board (LCEB) after a four day hearing ruled that three of four Waukegan District 60 Public School Board candidates, Tania Flores, Juan Martinez and Miguel Rivera will remain on the April 2019 ballot and Margaret Carrasco who was also a candidate decided to withdraw her candidacy because she is also a candidate of Alderwoman for the Waukegan City Council. According to state law, no candidate can run in both a City Council position and in the Waukegan Public School Board at the same time.

Waukegan District 60 Public School Board candidate Alonzo Jenkins apparently called the four Latino candidates on Christmas Eve, according to Carrasco and told them to withdraw from the race or face a challenge of their candidacy due some minor irregularities when filling and filing their nomination papers. 

Flores was accused by Jenkins of not filling a statement of candidacy correctly  as required by state law in Illinois, but the LCEB found that Flores statement of candidacy was in compliance because it was turned in on time and the information in question was also included in other documents in the filing for candidacy.

Jenkins had similar challenges against Juan Martinez and Miguel Rivera. Rivera was appointed to the Waukegan District 60 Public School Board in March 2016.

Jenkins also faced a candidacy challenge by the Latino candidates, but will remain on the ballot.

 Jenkins is a Waukegan City employee and is related to Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham.

Shannan Nehmer Along With Her 2-year-old Daughter And Boyfriend Recovered From KK River After Milwaukee Police Car Chase Gone Wrong On NYE

Three victims identified who were recovered from the Kinnickinnic River after their vehicle plunged into the river on NYE while being chased by Milwaukee police.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 2, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - The three victims who were recovered from the Kinnickinnic River (KK) in the last two days have been identified as Charles Barefield, 29; Shannan Nehmer, 19, and her 2-year-old daughter Anna Melia. Nehmer was also pregnant at the time of her death by her boyfriend, according to a relative. The victims were involved in a police chase reaching speeds between 80-100 mph and Nehmer who was driving lost control on Eastbound W. Greenfield Ave. and plunged into the KK river, according to Milwaukee police. 

The Milwaukee Medical Examiner is scheduled to perform autopsies on the victims on Wednesday.

According to Milwaukee police, Nehmer had been driving in the Southside of Milwaukee with Barefield and Anna Melia as passengers in a vehicle that had been sought in connection with two armed robberies reported near S. 14th Street and W. Greenfield Ave., where Nehmer, Barefield and another male suspect stole a cellphone and beat a victim in the head before fleeing and near S. 23rd Street and W. Lapham Blvd, where Barefield and the other suspect held up two male victims and demanded valuables. A nearby witness saw the armed robbery and took out a machete to scare the suspects, the two suspect fled and the man with the machete chased them, but one of the suspects fired at the witness with the machete and missed. No one was injured by gunfire.
The third unidentified suspect separated from Nehmer and Barefield, but was later arrested by police.
Police later spotted the vehicle and attempted to pull over the vehicle. Nehmer failed to pull over around 8:30 p.m. on Monday and fled from police. The police chase ended when Nehmer lost control and plunged into the KK river. Nehmer's body was recovered on New Year's Eve and the bodies of Barefield and Anna Amelia were then discovered inside the vehicle when the vehicle was recovered from the river after 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, according to police.
A handgun used in both robberies was recovered from the Chevy Trailblazer that was recovered from 30 feet of water, according to police.

Anna Melia Hernandez was reported missing by relatives on Tuesday until it was later discovered that her body was recovered from the vehicle after it was taken out of the KK river.