Willie L. Hines Jr. To Retirement As Secretary-Executive Director Of The Housing Authority Of The City Of Milwaukee, Effective December 31, 2024, The Mayor's Office Confirmed

Hines Jr. to retire as the Secretary-Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, the mayor's office confirmed.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 6, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, the Milwaukee mayor's office confirmed that Willie Hines Jr., 60, the Secretary-Executive Director of the Housing Authority City of Milwaukee (HACM) will retire at the end of 2024 and will get $11K per month from the City of Milwaukee pension fund.

The HACM Board of Commissioners on October 30, 2024 approved a resolution authorizing staff to finalize a contract with CVR Associates, Inc. to manage and operate HACM's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The vote helps ensure the 60-day transition period aligns with the start of the new fiscal year, according to HACM.

Previously, Hines had been accused of failing to resolve some of the issues that tenants at the HACM had complained about, such as bed bugs infestation at some of the developments that 15,000 tenants reside at, according to Common Ground, a non-profit organization that exposed most of the issues along with tenants on March 26, 2023. (http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2023/03/common-ground-group-wants-hacm-non.html)

In August 2024, 5 HACM tenants from College Court filed a lawsuit against Hines including HACM for failure to get rid of the bedbug infestation at the development. (Milwaukee County court case number 2024CV006939)

Also, a federal audit by the U.S. Department of Housing of Urban Development (HUD) found that $2.5M was unaccounted for and Hines couldn't account where the federal money was spent on.

Since 2022, Common Ground and HACM development residents have called on City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson to replace Hines, but Johnson has not listened and refused to remove Hines from the helm of the HACM. 

Also, the Milwaukee Common Council had failed to push for Hines removal including most of the HACM Board who serve as a rubber stamp for Hines.

The HACM Board of Commissioners approved Mayor Johnson's appointment of Hines on March 10, 2022 to the HACM, as secretary-executive director. Hines was a former Chair of the HACM Board (1998-2014).

Hines allegedly had plans to stay HACM until March 2025 to retire, so he could get a taxpayer pension of $137,000 per year.

HACM employees are also covered by the City of Milwaukee retirement pensions.

In early August 2024, Common Ground, a advocacy non-profit organization and HACM residents in a open letter to Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson wrote, Mr. Mayor, your friend and campaign contributor has mismanaged HACM for the last 25 years. Hines has been at the helm of HACM since 1997—as Board Chair, the #2 staff, and now the #1! From the beginning, federal officials warned that he "does not seem to possess the requisite qualifications." Under his watch:

• Federal officials found $3 million of missing money and our social security cards piled in hallways, resulting in a forensic audit.

• HACM was forced to outsource its largest program, Section 8 rent assistance—the program he was responsible for as Associate Director 2015-2022.

• Federal officials gave HACM a score of zero out of 25 for "Financial Management." 

• Properties have enormous crime rates with thousands of police calls. 

• We residents have suffered emotionally and physically for years.

Despite these problems, the HACM Board has never conducted a Performance Review of Hines' work. In fact, his incompetence has been rewarded. He has gotten promotions, received raises, and is now paid $252,000/year, which is $82,000 more than Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson's salary. 

College Court tenants Class Action lawsuit (PDF) at link: https://tinyurl.com/y52xavah

Dr. Anthony Cruz, President of MATC Spoke About The New 5-year Strategic Plan For The Technical College At The UMOS Interfath Luncheon In Milwaukee

Dr. Cruz, President of MATC made a presentation about the new 5-year strategic plan for the technical college at the UMOS Interfath Luncheon in Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 3, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Dr. Anthony Cruz, President  of the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) gave presentation of the new 5-year strategic plan for the technical college. Dr. Cruz mentioned multiple strategic points of interest to help develop a plan for the next 5 years, which will guide the future direction of the technical college and invited those attending the United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) Interfath Luncheon to participate in multiple roundtable focused groups by sharing their perspectives as Latino community stakeholders at MATC.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) was able to ask Dr. Cruz after his presentation, if the new 5 year strategic plan would include an internal independent investigation to address multiple allegations made by multiple MATC Latino/a instructors, a counselor and former students including a student at the October 22, 2024 MATC Board meeting exposing that a hostile work environment existed at the technical college and certain team administrators were practicing retaliation against those filing legitimate complaints, including harassment, discrimination and lack of promotion opportunities from part-time to full-time instructors for Latinos and Blacks at MATC? Also, why was MATC hiring and assigning a non-bilingual instructor to teach a bilingual Economics course, while publicly advertising it as a bilingual course? (Video of testimony to the MATC District Board at: https://youtu.be/Lm_ImpZGXn4)

Dr. Cruz did not answer or commented in regards to the HNNUSA questions at the UMOS luncheon.

During his presentation, Dr. Cruz did mention that MATC was looking for additional bilingual and qualified instructors.

Also, José Martínez, the President and CEO of UMOS, provided the welcoming and closing remarks including allowing audience comments at the luncheon.

In history: The MATC Times 360 dot com reported in 2015, that in the fall of 1988, the first bilingual help for Hispanic adults at MATC started. In 1990 the office was established to primarily work with ELL students including Spanish-speaking and South Asian students. The Latino community in Milwaukee and the United Migrant Opportunity Services were also instrumental in advocating for the bilingual programs at MATC. In 1968, the federal government help fund the creation of the bilingual programs throughout the nation gaining support by Latino majority communities.

Editor's note: H. Nelson Goodson, is a Milwaukee Southsider and a Civil Rights and Immigrant Rights advocate and a reporter/journalist for more than 40 years in Milwaukee including Wisconsin.

18-year-old Christian Brandon Martin, A Milwaukee Homicide Suspect Taken Into Custody And Booked At The Buchanan County Sheriff's Jail In Iowa

Martin in custody in Iowa, he is wanted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the cold blooded homicide of López Correa, 15, in the Southside.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

November 30, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Saturday, the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office in Iowa reported that a Milwaukee homicide fugitive Christian Brandon Martin, 18, had been booked at the Buchanan County jail, awaiting extradition to Wisconsin. Martin is wanted for the October 28, 2024 cold blooded homicide of Nelson Manuel López Correa, 15, in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Martin allegedly shot López Correa once in the side of the head (the 9mm shot entered the left temporal scalp and exited on the right temporal scalp) at the 1600 block of W. Forest Home Ave. while talking to a female that used to date Martin .

López Correa's family held a protest/march against gun violence at the Milwaukee Police Department District 2 Station and sought justice for López Correa.

Martin was charged in Milwaukee County on November 8, 2024 with 1st-degree intentional homicide including use of a dangerous weapon. If convicted, Martin is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office released the following press release regarding Martin's arrest.

MEDIA RELEASE

On Friday, November 29, 2024 at approximately 11:55 pm, a Buchanan County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a vehicle speeding near Main Street and Branard Street in Brandon.  Subsequently, the Deputy made a traffic stop.  During interaction with the vehicle’s occupants, Deputies detected the odor of a controlled substance and obtained and ran the driver and passenger’s personal information.  It was learned that one of the passengers had an active arrest warrant out of Wisconsin.  Accordingly, Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Christian Brandon Martin, 18, of Milwaukee, WI.  Martin was arrested on an active arrest warrant out of Milwaukee County, WI for an original charge of first degree Intentional Homicide (class A felony).  Martin had been charged in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred on Monday, October 28th in Milwaukee.  In that incident, a 15-year-old boy died as a result of the shooting.  Martin was transported to the Buchanan County Jail and held for extradition to Milwaukee.  Further charges are pending for controlled substance violations in Buchanan County related to the traffic stop.

34-year-old María Chávez-Rentería Of Waukesha Died After A Crash Rollover At The Stadium Interchange On I-94 In Milwaukee

Chávez-Rentería was injected in a crash rollover at the stadium Interchange, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

November 30, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On early Thursday, María Chávez-Rentería, 34, of Waukesha died after she was ejected from her SUV and sustained life-threatening injuries around 12:57 a.m. at the stadium interchange on I-94, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office Reported.

A Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department deputy responded to a crash rollover on late Thursday by the stadium interchange. 

According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, Chávez-Rentería was heading Eastbound on I-94 and at the last second attempted to exit onto Wisconsin 175, heading to the North ramp and lost control, crashed into some yellow barrels, rollover and landed on its side.

A deputy arrived at the scene located Chávez-Rentería injured near the crash, but life-saving measures failed and she succumbed to her injuries.

31-year-old Joshua S. Santos Charged With 1st-degree Intentional Homicide For The Strangulation Of Lillian J. Feliciano, 58, And Leaving Her Nude Body Behind An Alley At The 2000 Block of S. 8 Street In Milwaukee

Santos admitted to Milwaukee police that he strangled Feliciano with a belt and tossed her body out of his vehicle behind an alley at the 2000 block of S. 8 Street.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

November 29, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, Joshua S. Santos, 31, of Milwaukee was charged with 1st-degree intentional homicide for the November 23, 2024 homicide of Lillian J. Feliciano, 58, whose body was left behind an alley at the 2000 block of S. 8 Street, according to Milwaukee police. 

If convicted, Santos is facing life without the possibility of parole. A $350,500 cash bail was set for Santos.

A judge ordered  a competency exam for Santos and scheduled a doctor's competency report hearing for December 19, 2024.

Santos admitted to police that he strangled Feliciano to death with a belt to keep her quiet, after he panicked during a sexual encounter and altercation inside his vehicle.

He then pushed her lifeless naked body out of his vehicle and fled the scene.

Later, a passerby in the alley saw Feliciano's nude body in the alley and called police (911).

Police were able to connect Santos to Feliciano's murder by video surveillance footage nearby in the allyway, a vehicle and license plate in the video that police were able to collect for evidence led police to Santos.

According to the criminal complaint, Santos had the woman's  body in the back seat of the vehicle covered in a blanket, the female owner of the vehicle (2003 Lexus ES Sedan) told police. She told police that Santos had driven her to work on November 22, 2024 for her second shift job at 2:00 p.m. and when he came back to pick her up at 11:00 p.m., she noticed that Santos was seating in the rear seat and a person was underneath a blanket. Santos told the owner of the vehicle, that the person under the blanket had vomited in the vehicle. She and Santos went to her place and the person under the blanket that smelled in a foul odor was left in the rear seat of the vehicle overnight because she thought that the person was drunk. The next day, she and Santos drove around the Southside and finally ousted Feliciano's nude body out of the vehicle in the alley behind the 2000 block of S. 8 Street.

Santos told police that he wanted to buy some cocaine and picked up Feliciano around S. 18 and W. Greenfield Ave. who was a known prostitute in the area. Santos admitted that Feliciano was able to buy $40 of drugs from someone driving a white van. Both Santos and Feliciano got high on the drugs. Santos says he took some cocaine and Feliciano did crack, but Feliciano became agitated and wanted more drugs and wouldn't shut up, so Santos admitted to snapping and wanted Feliciano to stop asking to get additional drugs and choked her with a belt until she was dead.

After getting rid of Feliciano's body the next day, he and the female owner of the vehicle bought some cleaning materials and cleaned the rear of the vehicle of feces and fluids left by Feliciano's body. 

The female owner of the vehicle told police that after cleaning up the rear of her vehicle she then left Santos at a bus stop.

Police haven’t reported, if the female owner of the Lexus ES Sedan will be facing charges for knowing of Feliciano's body and not reporting it to police.

Feliciano was listed as homeless, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office.

Santos had an open warrant for his arrest since October 23, 2023 for failing to appear in a Milwaukee County court to face several misdemeanor charges, one for operating with prohibited alcohol concentration (PAC-2nd) and second for operating while intoxicated (2nd-OWI).

El Cielo Tavern License In The Southside Denied By Milwaukee Common Council License Committee, Effective November 26, 2024

The Milwaukee Common Council Licenses Committee denied the renewal of the El Cielo tavern license after 18 separate incidents at the bar were reported by police during a licensing renewal hearing indicating multiple incidents involving alleged elicit drugs (cocaine), gun brandishing and shots fired, noise complaints,  and patron fights at the Southside tavern.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

November 26, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On November 12, the Milwaukee Common Council Licenses Committee unanimously denied the renewal of the El Cielo LLC tavern license for repeated violations of elicit drugs, gun brandishing, noise complaints and patron fights at the Southside tavern. El Cielo tavern is located at 1226 W. National Ave. in Milwaukee.

The El Cielo tavern was previously located in Ald. Pérez's 12th Aldermanic District, but in 2024, map aldermanic redistricting moved the location to Ald. Zamarripa's 8th Aldermanic District.

Police say, that three physical altercations had occurred at the tavern between July 23, 2023 and April 2024, with one incident where the tavern owner Ruben Albanil-Coyolt had used pepper spray on the patrons fighting at the tavern. (Advance to hour 5:07:00 minutes of video for El Cielo Bar hearing: https://milwaukee.granicus.com/player/clip/4319?view_id=2&redirect=true)

Also police say when police went into the tavern and the upper unit where Albanil-Coyolt was staying on October 18, 2024 during a reported shooting incident, police recovered drug paraphernalia, cocaine and an alleged drug sales ledger including a box 9mm bullets from Albanil-Coyolt's upper apartment unit at the building. No firearms were found by police.

Albanil-Coyolt allegedly fired a firearm in the air and was identified by police from a video surveillance footage. Albanil-Coyolt was taken into custody. Police recovered spent 9mm cartridges as well.

Attorney Vincent Bobot who represented Albanil-Coyolt says, that his client hasn't been charged and didn't know, if the shooting in the air case was still active. No Milwaukee County court records indicate that Albanil-Coyolt has an open case in that alleged shooting incident.

Police also recovered two live chickens in the basement of the building near liquor bottles and were turned over to the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission, the police report indicated during the Common Council License Committee hearing.

Albanil-Coyolt admitted to the Licenses Committee members that he uses cocaine on occasion. 

On September 24, 2023, police investigated shots fired at the El Cielo tavern by a suspected patron that had been removed from the bar. The suspect crashed nearby after the shooting and was taken into custody.

Alderman and Common Council President Jóse G. Pérez moved nonrenewal based upon the preponderance of the evidence in the police report, aldermanic, police and applicant testimony that demonstrates the operation results in a threat to health, safety or welfare of the public. There were no objections. (Prevailed 5 0)

The El Cielo tavern license nonrenewal went into effect on November 26, 2024.

58-year-old Lillian J. Feliciano Found Murdered Behind An Alley At The 2000 block of S. 8 Street In The Southside of Milwaukee

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office classified the 58-year-old woman's death a homicide.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

November 26, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - The Milwaukee Police Department's Gun Violence Division of the Criminal Investigations Bureau reported on Saturday, November 23, 2024 that a person was found deceased behind an alley at the 2000 block of S. 8 Street in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Police located a woman's body around 7:30 a.m. after a passerby in the alley came upon the body and notified police. The police preliminary investigation indicates "foul play", which is now a homicide investigation.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office (MCMEO) identified the homicide victim as Lillian J. Feliciano, 58, who was pronounced deceased at 9:18 a.m., according to the homicide investigation.

The MCMEO classified the death as a homicide.

The homicide investigation is ongoing and police are seeking a homicide suspect(s) in connection with Feliciano's murder.

Feliciano was homeless, the MCMEO reported.