18-year-old Rashad Higgins Died After Stolen Van Crashed Into Pole In Milwaukee's Southside

Higgins was among four other suspects driving in a stolen van.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

November 4, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - One of the suspects driving in a stolen van, Rashad Higgins, 18, has died from blunt force trauma to the head after he was ejected from the van when it lost control, hit the curb and then struck a pole on S. 6 Street. Milwaukee police in the Southside arrested 3 teens ages 15, and two 16, an 18-year-old man and Higgins was hospitalized for injuries suffered after he was ejected from a stolen van when it crash at S. 6 St. and W. Manitoba St. on Sunday around 11 a.m. Four of the van thieves fled the scene after crashing, but were quickly apprehended by police. 

The stolen van was spotted on S. 1st St. and W. Norwich St. near a garage breakin and then managed to side swiped a police vehicle during a pursued, according to police.
Pending charges are expected against the four surviving suspects.

Deceased Fox Lake Police Lt. Gliniewicz Feared Internal Investigation For Alleged Embezzlement Of Explorer Program Funds

Fox Lake Police Lt. Gliniewicz apparently committed suicide for fear of an internal audit investigation about missing or mismanagement of funds from the Village of Fox Lake Police Explorer Program.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

November 3, 2015

Fox Lake, Illinois - Fox Lake County officials investigating the death of Fox Lake Police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, 52, are expected to claim that Gliniewicz committed suicide on September 1. Lt. Gliniewicz died from two self-inflicted wounds attributed to fear of an internal audit investigation about missing or mismanaged funds from the Village of Fox Lake Police Explorer Program. He allegedly used the department's money for personal purchases, mortgage payments, travel expenses, gym memberships and adult websites totalling thousands of dollars within the last seven years without authorization, according to an investgation.

Lt. Gliniewicz fear of getting indicted for the missing funds triggered his suicide, according to law enforcement sources. A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday to confirm that Lt. Gliniewicz committed suicide.
The Fox Lake Police Department has taken Lt. Gliniewicz photo off its website and Facebook page.

Update: Village of Fox Lake Administrator Anne Marrin during a press conference on Wednesday confirmed that Fox Lake Police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz was under an internal investigation for embezzling thousands of dollars and that she had questioned him about it. Marrin says, the investigation is ongoing and anyone who helped or was involved with Lt. Gliniewicz criminal activity will be prosecuted. At least two other suspects who were not named were also involved with Lt. Gliniewicz embezzlement. Police sources say, Lt. Gliniewicz's wife and son are under investigation for conspiracy to embezzle.
Also, Commander George Filenko of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force said, that Lt. Gliniewicz had committed suicide and emails from Lt. Gliniewicz indicates that pressure was mounting that he would eventually get indicted for stealing thousands of dollars from the Village of Fox Lake Police Explorer Program. Gliniewicz family had said, that Lt. Gliniewicz would not commit suicide and that he was days from retirement from the police force.

Milwaukee Common Council Approved Funding For A Municipal ID

The City of Milwaukee will partner with Milwaukee County in establishing a municipal identification card for undocumented immigrants and for underdocumented County residents.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

November 3, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - On Tuesday, the Milwaukee Common Council approved an amendment to create a Community Identification Card Special Purpose Account of $150K in the Mayor Tom Barrett's proposed 2016 budget. During the amendment budget debate, only Alderman Mark A. Borkowski went on record to oppose the Municipal ID amendment. Ald. Borkowski later voted with 13 other Aldermen to adopt the budget for 2016 with the exception of Alderman Bob Donovan who was absent from voting on the budget resolution and excused, according to the Milwaukee Common Council minutes.
The Municipal ID amendment was introduced by Alderman José G. Pérez on Friday in the Milwaukee Common Council Finance and Personnel Committee (FPC). Ald. Pérez a member of the FPC along with four other members, Aldermen Nik Kovak, Ashanti Hamilton, Terry Witkowski, including Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs voted in favor.

The City $1.55B budget would add 20 additional police officers, pay for police officer body cameras, a $1.3M improvement of City playgrounds, stall alley reconstruction for 4,000 alleys in 2016 and would restore Friday and Saturday hours for various libraries. The once approved City 2016 budget will go to Mayor Barrett for his signature. 

On Monday night, Alderman Pérez addressed the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors at a 2016 budget amendment public hearing at Mitchell Domes in support of a Municipal ID and told the County Board that the City's FPC had unanimously voted to create a fund for a Municipal ID and that the Milwaukee Common Council was expected to approve an amendment in its City budget for 2016. Also, members of Voces de la Frontera, a workers and immigrant rights organization, supporters, several undocumented County residents and clergy spoke in favor of a Municipal ID. No opposition for a Municipal ID was heard at the County Board amendment budget hearing.

The Municipal ID will be used for County identification purposes, open a bank account, obtain a library card, get County museum and park discounts, getting prescriptions, Milwaukee Transit discounts for seniors, visiting inmates by relatives and would allow for local law enforcement to identify County residents.

The Milwaukee County Finance Committee had approved an amendment to create a Municipal ID as well on the Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele's 2016 budget. The full County Board will vote on the budget on November 9.

When the Milwaukee County Board approves their Municipal ID amendment, both the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County will work on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will establish the framework for the creation and issuance of community ID's. The Office of Government Affairs provided $150K in an allocated contingency fund account to be used for the Community ID program contingent upon the County's acceptance of the MOU and confirmation that the City of Milwaukee will match the County's contribution, according to Monday's County budget hearing on amendments.
The Municipal ID is the result of the Wisconsin Republican controlled legislature and Governor Scott Walker's (R) failure to approve a state picture driving permit for undocumented immigrants to legally drive in Wisconsin.

Rafael Hernández Pled Guilty To Armed Robbery In Milwaukee

Hernández was taken into custody after he pled guilty for armed robbery and bail jumping.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

November 3. 2015 

Milwaukee, WI - On Monday, Rafael J. Hernández, 21, was taken into custody after entering a guilty plea for one felony count for armed robbery and one felony count for bail jumping. Hernández apparently resisted arrested after Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge William S. Pocan ordered Milwaukee County Sheriff deputies to take him into custody. Hernández was free on bail, he brought his 5-month-old daughter to court with him on a stroller. He wasn't expecting to be taken into custody, according to family members.

When he was placed on custody, Hernández resisted arrest because his daughter was in the court room, but an intern with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office was watching her. Members of his family were able to pick up Hernández's daughter later, according to the D.A.'s Office.

Hernández will be sentenced on December 8 and is facing up to 40 years in prison and up to $100K in fines for the armed robbery and for bail jumping, 6 years in prison and up to $10K in fines.

Two additional accomplices connected in the Hernández armed robbery case, Victoria A. Cintron, 22, pleaded guilty for one felony count for armed robbery on October 27 and will be sentenced of December 8. Cintron is facing up to 40 years in prison and up to $100K in fines. Also, Pierre D. Marshall, 25, was charged with one felony count for armed robbery, but failed to show up in court and bail was forfeited. A warrant was issued for Marshall's arrest.

WI State Representative Josh Zepnick Arrested And Cited For OWI In Greenfield

Zepnick failed sobriety tests after a traffic violation stop and was taken into custody by Greenfield police.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 30, 2015

Greenfield, WI - The Greenfield Police Department reported that Wisconsin State Representative Josh Zepnick, 47, (D) was taken into custody on Thursday night and booked for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) after he failed sobriety tests during a traffic violation stop. Zepnick admitted to police that he had been drinking.

Zepnick was stopped at the 6800 block of W. Forest Home Ave., according to police.

The Greenfield Police Department released the following news release, "Last night at about 8:20PM, officers stopped a vehicle near 68th and Forest Home Avenue for a traffic violation. The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle was 47 year old Josh Zepnick of Milwaukee. Zepnick admitted to the officer he had been drinking and failed field sobriety tests. He was subsequently arrested for Operating While Intoxicated.

"Mr. Zepnick refused a breath test and was transported to the Greenfield Police Department where he was booked and released to a responsible adult.
"Mr. Zepnick was polite and respectful during the incident and at no time did he identify himself as a member of the State Assembly.
"The OWI offense is a municipal traffic violation with an optional court date of November 18th in Greenfield Municipal Court."

Representative Zepnick released the following statement, "...I am deeply, deeply sorry for the decision I made to drive under the influence..."

Zepnick is a candidate for Alderman in the 8th Aldermanic District and challenging incumbent Alderman Bob Donovan who is running for re-election and for Mayor of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Debate March Set For November Against The Racist War On Immigrants By Trump And The GOP

Anti-Republican groups in Milwaukee plan a march and rally to the Republican Presidential debates set for November 10 at the Milwaukee Theater.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 29, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, Voces de la Frontera Action (VDLFA), the political affiliate to the non-profit Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant and workers rights organization announced that a march and rally is set for November 10 to protest the anti-immigrant rhetoric by the Republican Presidential candidates. The GOP candidates running for the nomination of the Republican Party label as president will be in Milwaukee for a scheduled debate.

VDLFA, supporters and immigrants including allies are marching for justice for immigrants, a $15 minimum wage and for Black Lives Matter, according to a flyer circulating in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. The march will begin at 4:00 p.m. starting at the VDLFA office, 1027 S. 5th St. and will head to City Hall at 200 E. Wells St. The marchers will meet up with other allies at City Hall and then march to the Republican debate event at the Milwaukee Theater, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave.

The Milwaukee Theater has a capacity of 4,086 and the Republican National Committee confirmed, that the Republican debate for Milwaukee has been sold out.

The presidential candidates will debate on jobs, taxes, the national economy, domestic and international policy issues. Most of the candidates are anti-immigrant and have agreed with Donald Trump on deporting about 11M undocumented immigrants that would lead to separating families, if elected. The candidates have shown non-support for DREAMers or DAPA, which would allow their parents to legally stay in the U.S.

Trump and some of the candidates believe that children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents shouldn't be U.S. Citizens and would like to strip their citizenship, if elected.

Milwaukee County Board Finance Committee Approves Municipal ID For Undocumented Immigrants

An ID amendment was added to Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele's 2016 budget, the full County Board will vote on added amendments in early November.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 26, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - On Monday, the Milwaukee County Board Finance Committee passed a municipal ID amendment to be added to Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele's  2016 budget, it will benefit undocumented immigrants and others who need an ID for County services, according to some County Supervisors. The amendment was sponsored by Milwaukee County Supervisors, Marina Dimitrijevic, Peggy Romo West and Khalifa Rainey. Their claim, that undocumented immigrants, released inmates and others could use the municipal ID to seek health care, use it for prescriptions, start a bank account, obtain a library card, would be able to get discounts for museums and parks and a discount ID for Milwaukee County Transit senior bus riders and those who are disabled and ride the bus.
The County Board will vote on amendments to the budget on November 9. 

Milwaukee Alderman José G. Pérez is proposing a similar ID amendment for City of Milwaukee residents who are undocumented immigrants and others.

The municipal and city ID is the result of the Wisconsin Republican controlled legislature and Governor Scott Walker's (R) failure to approve a state picture driving permit for undocumented immigrants to legally drive in Wisconsin.

A pro-municipal ID rally will be held on November 2 at the Mitchell Park Domes at 6:00 p.m., according to Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant rights organization.