Latest news with #MilwaukeeCountyParks
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Milwaukee abandoned boat 'Deep Thought' sold to familiar face
The Brief Milwaukee County launched an auction for the abandoned boat "Deep Thought." The winning bid came from the owner of All City Towing, the business that successfully removed the boat from the lakefront. The county hoped to raise around $20,000 but fell well short fo that goal. MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee County Parks launched an online auction for "Deep Thought," the boat abandoned at the lakefront – and it sold Tuesday to a familiar face. Local perspective The auction went live on July 22 and closed just after noon on Tuesday, Aug. 5. County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman announced the winner with a bid of $2,525 – far short of the county's goal. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android That bid came from Jeff Piller, the owner of All City Towing, the business that successfully removed the boat from the lakefront. He plans to sell pieces of the boat to fuel charitable efforts. "Have you ever had something when you're cleaning out your house and you just can't throw it away, or you can't let it go?" he said. "I think my staff and I, and everyone involved, has really grown to love it. And we want to keep doing good stuff with it." Piller encouraged local charities that hold auctions to reach out and collaborate on "some nice pieces of artwork" that could be be of interest to bar owners and other local spaces. "It's gonna be very labor-intensive, and a lot of time to be able to make this into good charitable pieces, and we may even sell some small pieces to help pay for the labor of getting rid of the boat," Piller said. Online auction What's next The boat will be sold as-is with no minimum bid required. Milwaukee County Parks is now working with the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation Fleet team, the auction platform provider, to verify details of the bid and confirm payment. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News While no certificate of title exists, the Milwaukee County Office of Corporation Counsel has created a process for transferring ownership legally and appropriately. The winner, in this case Piller, is responsible for transportation and removal – something his business is all too familiar with. Auction coming up short By the numbers The county hoped to raise around $20,000 to recover some costs of the boat's removal. Leaders hoped the excitement that surrounded the vessel would carry over to the auction, only to see those hopes sink. Despite slow bidding, the county stuck with its plan to sell the 75,000-pound boat (in full size) hoping someone would come along with a higher bid to give Deep Thought a second life. Removal costs Dig deeper Wasserman, chair of the Milwaukee County Parks and Culture Committee, said it cost Milwaukee County $50,000 to finally free the boat. Some donations covered $30,000 of that, but as for the remaining balance? "I hate saying it, but taxpayers are going to have to pay this bill," he said Friday. "I got senior centers that are falling apart, so $20,000 – it does make a difference." The Source FOX6 News interviewed Wasserman and referenced prior coverage related to the boat, its removal and the auction. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Going! Going! Almost gone! Milwaukee's abandoned boat 'Deep Thought' set for public auction
Milwaukee County plans to move ahead with publicly auctioning off Deep Thought, the abandoned boat that was stranded on Lake Michigan's shoreline, provided the county can acquire legal ownership before bidding can begin. "The issue with ownership is Milwaukee County does not have title to this property," James Tarantino, deputy director of Milwaukee County Parks told the county's Parks and Culture committee on June 10. "Because it's now been abandoned, and is really more like a sculpture than a boat, we're trying to determine what that legal bill of sale looks like." Tarantino said that the county is primed to list the boat at auction as soon as the legal details are ironed out in the coming days or weeks. Mississippi-based couple Sherry and Richard Wells left Deep Thought on the lakeshore between Bradford and McKinley beaches after running out of gas during a thunderstorm in mid-October. In May, given the questionable nature of the boat's ownership as well as the Wellses' inability to pay for the boat's removal, it was determined that the county was responsible for salvaging the boat. "At the end of the day, I don't want the county to be on the hook for this," Supervisor Steve Taylor said. In May, the county was left with a $50,000 bill from Milwaukee-based company, All City Towing, for removing the abandoned boat that saw many well-wishers bidding the boat farewell. The county received $30,000 in donations from the Daniel W. Hoan Foundation and an anonymous donor to help cover costs for its removal, still leaving a $20,000 dent in the county's coffers. "I think a summer auction is the way to go," said Supervisor Sheldon A. Wasserman, whose district was home to Deep Thought. "Let's strike right now when the interest in the boat is at its highest." County Corporation Counsel attorney Scott Brown has not ruled out filing legal actions to recover costs, potentially in federal court or another state. "Short version of it, I think, at this point, it's what I would call drilling a dry well. I don't know if these people are collectible. From what my understanding is they are of I think modest means," Brown told supervisors. "We could get a judgment against them, but it may not be worth the paper." Brown said he is still evaluating legal avenues. "This is a bad precedent, you know, that somebody can just leave their boat on Milwaukee County property, and we have to take care of it," Supervisor Steven Shea said. "This is about as big a public nuisance as we can get." In May, Wisconsin lawmakers proposed a new bill that could subject any boat owners who abandon their watercrafts for longer than a month to prison time. Supervisors also asked about the possibility of establishing a policy or action plan if a similar situation arises in the future. While Tarantino said he is waiting to see how the state legislation plays out, he is reluctant to establish something as concrete as policy given the unique nature of the Deep Thought incident compared with most boats that moor on Lake Michigan's shoreline. Tarantino applauded the fact that the County Board raised the fees for illegal dumping earlier this year. "That's an example of a policy that we think is a good deterrent," he said. "We are absolutely committed to dealing with these problems as they come up. We're just unfortunately not resourced if this continues to happen more frequently." Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@ Follow her on X @Vanessa_Swales. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's abandoned boat Deep Thought headed to public auction
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Milwaukee County trades fireworks for drones for its July 3 celebration
Milwaukee, get ready to celebrate Independence Day with a slight tech-savvy twist this year. Milwaukee County, in collaboration with the Milwaukee Parks Foundation, plans to use drones instead of fireworks for its long-standing McKinley Beach July 3 celebration. The drone show will blend "cutting-edge drone technology with an original synchronized soundtrack for a dazzling 45-minute performance," featuring images of Milwaukee's iconic landmarks as well as patriotic and local themes, according to the county. 'Milwaukee County is at its best when we come together to create memorable, inclusive experiences for everyone," Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in a news release. "We're proud to bring the community together for this first-of-its-kind drone show, highlighting not just our beautiful lakefront but the creativity and collaboration that make Milwaukee County so special." The switch marks a national shift in other cities across the country, including Napa, Tahoe City, and Salt Lake City, that have chosen drone shows over fireworks for July 4 celebrations. For many cities, the use of drones offers a safer, eco-friendly and noise-free spectacle. The City of Wauwatosa has also decided to ditch traditional fireworks, replacing them with a drone show July 2. 'This drone show is an exciting and environmentally conscious way to celebrate our community," Guy Smith, executive director of Milwaukee County Parks, said in the release. "Unlike traditional fireworks, drone shows reduce noise and air pollution while still delivering an unforgettable experience ... It's about making memories and ensuring everyone feels welcome in these shared spaces.' The display is expected to start around 9:15 p.m., with public viewing areas available at McKinley Beach and McKinley Park. In 2024, Milwaukee County canceled its annual July 3 lakefront fireworks show due to a lack of sponsorship funding. The county's parks department previously shared that the fireworks display usually cost roughly $350,000 for pyrotechnics and $20,000 for additional staffing and service costs related to the event. The event typically draws in over 100,000 people from across Wisconsin. Bridget Fogarty of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County trades fireworks for drones for its July 3 celebration
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Milwaukee County pool openings; some to remain closed this season
The Brief The Milwaukee County Parks Department said there are five pools not opening this summer. More than 170 lifeguards are being hired to kick off the season as other pools start to open. All splash pads and wading pools will be open for the summer. MILWAUKEE - The weather is finally starting to warm up, which means local pools are opening up. But the Milwaukee County Parks Department said there are five locations not opening this summer. Big picture view Rena Cannon lives near Washington Park. For the last several years, she said the pool there has been closed. The Milwaukee County Parks Department said it will remain closed this summer. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Pelican Cove Aquatic Center, Jackson Pool, Hales Corners Pool and Grobschmidt Pool are also closed for the 2025 season. "I think they need to open it back up for the community because the children need it," Cannon said. "Like, where is a good pool? And everyone is talking about going south, going south, and it's like, what about over here?" Cannon said she has to drive at least 30 minutes to get to a pool. "That's gas money. If we want to go somewhere three times a week – that's 30, 40 minutes there, and back. That's a long way," she said. "That's a long way to go." What they're saying Andrea Wallace of Milwaukee County Parks said the closures are because of mechanical issues. "With some facilities that haven't been open in years, we have some mechanical issues that we have to deal with – whether it is a bad pool lining or a filter system or concrete work," she said. Instead, Wallace said the department is focused on lifeguard staffing, and starting off the season with more than 170 lifeguards. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "Staffing has definitely been at the forefront recently," Wallace said. "In the last probably five years as we build the lifeguard core from zero in 2020." Wallace said all splash pads and wading pools will be open for the summer. For a full list of pool openings, visit the Milwaukee County Parks website. The Source The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Milwaukee's abandoned boat; vessel's removal set for May 6
The Brief The abandoned boat Deep Thought is expected to removed from Milwaukee's lakefront on Tuesday, May 6. The boat has been on Milwaukee's shore south of Bradford Beach since October 2024. Milwaukee County plans to spend at least $50,000 to remove the abandoned vessel from Lake Michigan. MILWAUKEE - Roughly six months ago, a luxury boat was abandoned on Milwaukee's lakefront after the owners ran out of gas. During those last few months, the boat has become a landmark on the lakefront, tagged by multiple people, and for some, a blight on the beauty of the lakefront. Now, it appears the abandoned boat, known as "Deep Thought," is finally going to be removed from the water between Bradford and McKinley beaches. What we know According to Milwaukee County Parks, the day to remove Deep Thought is set for Tuesday, May 6. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Milwaukee County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman said between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Lincoln Memorial Drive will be closed in both directions between Lafayette Hill Road and E. Tower Road. What they're saying "I can't emphasize enough how big the processes will be to get this boat out because it is really stuck. It's 3 1/2 feet stuck down in the sand," Wasserman said. "They're gonna be bringing three big trucks up to lift the boat up off above the rocks and pulled away so there's a very big operation." All of the work does not come cheap. "It's gonna be expensive. We're expecting to pay the cost upfront. It's at least $50,000," Wasserman said. Dig deeper Starting Monday night, May 5, there will be no parking allowed along Lincoln Memorial Drive from Lafayette Hill Road to E. Water Tower Road. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News For commuters who frequent Lincoln Memorial Drive, including thousands of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students, they will have to find an alternate route on Tuesday. The Source The information in this post was provided by a Milwaukee County supervisor and previous FOX6 News coverage.
