Mayor Scaffidi launching non-profit "Oak Creek Cares"

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- After the tragedy last summer at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, where six people lost their lives in a mass shooting incident, people began to come together for a common cause -- to help each other get through a very difficult time.

Sikh Temple of Wisconsin to hold memorial run/walk

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- Almost a year after members of the Sikh Temple were massacred, the religious community is honoring them in a special way and asking you to be involved.Six wreaths draped in flowers and adorned with the American flag are one of the first things you see entering the Sikh Temple grounds.

We Energies to pay $100,000 for environmental violations

MADISON (WITI) -- Following an October 2011 bluff collapse at a WE Energies construction site, the Wisconsin Department of Justice determined on Monday, June 8th, that We Energies will pay the state of Wisconsin $100,000 for environmental violations discovered as a result of the incident.More than a year-and-half ago, We Energies was constructing a retention pond in its Oak Creek power plant.

Oak Creek Sikhs plan events for week of shooting anniversary

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- August 5th marks the one-year anniversary of the Sikh Temple shooting, and the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek has planned four days worth of activities to honor those whose lives were lost.Six people were killed when Wade Page entered the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek on Sunday, August 5th, and opened fire.The main event honoring the six who died one year ago occurs on Saturday, August 3rd -- a 6K memorial run/walk entitled: Chardhi Kala 6K Memorial Run/Walk: Turning Tragedy into Triumph.Registration for the 6K runs from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Oak Creek High School.The run/walk begins at 10:00 -- followed by food and games for the entire family.The Sikhs say “Chardhi Kala” is the spirit of relentless optimism: a philosophy that empowers us to persevere and grow from hardship.The run/walk is a 6K to honor the six victims killed in the mass shooting last August.Additionally, the Sikhs have planned prayer services at the Temple for Sunday, August 4th, and Monday, August 5th -- including a candlelight vigil on the 5th (the shooting's anniversary).On Friday, August 2nd, the Sikhs will host a 48-hour prayer service, followed by a remembrance at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Milwaukee.Below is a complete listing of the plans for the week of the Sikh Temple shooting anniversary:Friday, August 2

Neighbors say they saw a drug bust in Oak Creek this weekend

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- Police remain tight-lipped about it, but those living in an Oak Creek neighborhood swear they saw a drug bust this weekend -- saying police were at a home all day, and eventually carried out what appeared to be marijuana plants.It happened at a home located at the corner of Hope and Steeple Chase."My boys said something.

Oak Creek Police Lieutenant retires after 22 years on the force

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- Dozens of people gathered at the Oak Creek Police Headquarters on Friday, June 14th, to commemorate the retirement of an officer who displayed signs of heroism during the Sikh Temple shooting last August.Lt.

Caterpillar to lay off 260 workers in South Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Approximately 260 Caterpillar employees and union members will find themselves out of work for an indefinite period of time, starting Monday, June 24th due to a decrease in demand for mining equipment.Though the layoffs were announced in March and scheduled for sometime in June, the company told workers on Friday, June 14th, the exact date of the layoffs would begin 10 days later, on June 24th.Based in Peoria, Illinois, Caterpillar Inc.

FBI announces it will now track hate crimes against Sikhs

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- The FBI has announced sweeping changes to the way it tracks hate crimes, as a response to the Sikh Temple shooting last August.

Baby peregrine falcons banded at We Energies plant in Oak Creek

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- Professionals attached metal bands to baby peregrine falcons born at the We Energies power plant in Oak Creek on Tuesday, March 28th.

Two officers receive Oak Creek "Citizen of the Year" award

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- The 2013 Oak Creek "Citizen of the Year" award was handed out to two deserving officers on Friday evening, May 17th.Lieutenant Brian Murphy and Officer Sam Lenda, the first two policemen on the scene of the Sikh Temple shooting, were awarded the honor.Mayor Steve Scaffidi said, "It's a chance for the community, for the first time, to thank Brian and Sam for the heroism and bravery that they showed on August 5th."The award is given out each year to the person, or in this case persons, who best represent the city."I couldn't ask for anything more," said Murphy. "It's just been such an unbelievable ride and now to have the entire city recognize me before I leave, I'm as happy as can be."Lieutenant Murphy is set to retire in June.Murphy was shot 12 times during the attack at the Sikh Temple.

Federal documents unsealed in probe of Wade Page

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- Federal documents have been unsealed, showing what the FBI discovered in its investigation into Wade Page -- the gunman who opened fire last August at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek.Those documents say Page was showing an increasing interest in internet hate sites before he shot and killed six and wounded four others on August 5th.Page, the lone gunman entered the Sikh Temple on a sunny August morning -- opening fire on a seemingly random house of worship.A federal search warrant shows a laptop Page used showed officials pictures of Page with other white supremacists called "Hammerskins." Documents show the laptop was used to access white supremacist websites with propaganda, conspiracy theories and videos, and it was reportedly used during the early morning hours of August 5th.Documents say FBI experts believe the internet continues to serve as the primary radicalization instrument used to recruit teenagers and young adults into the racist skinhead movement.

Confronting Evil: Reliving the Sikh Temple shooting

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- All eight members of the Oak Creek Police Department who responded to the shooting at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek in August of 2012 received the "Top Cop" award from the National Association of Police Organizations.The group visited the White House on Saturday, as part of National Police Week ceremonies in Washington, D.C.It has been nine months since Wade Michael Page opened fire on a Sunday morning at the Sikh Temple -- killing six, before turning the gun on himself.Before that, Oak Creek Police Lieutenant Brian Murphy and Oak Creek Police Officer Sam Lenda found themselves confronting evil -- as the two were the first to the scene that tragic day -- meeting Page in the Sikh Temple's parking lot."It was just a beautiful, sunny day," Lenda remembers.The sun was shining on an August morning, bathing the Sikh Temple in a golden glow."It was the kind of day you don't really mind going to work," Lt.

8 Oak Creek officers named "Top Cops" by President

Washington D.C. (WITI) -- Eight members of the Oak Creek police department were named some of America's "Top Cops" by President Obama on Saturday, May 11th.

Sikh Temple members host vigil for those killed, injured in Boston

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- Members of the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek on Thursday evening, April 18th held a vigil for those killed and injured in the attacks on Boston on Monday.

Flooding in Milwaukee Metro area leads to road closures

WEST ALLIS/FRANKLIN/OAK CREEK (WITI) -- In West Allis, the rain has led to water worries -- and water has spilled onto the streets.

Oak Creek's Lt. Murphy, Ofc. Lenda honored at state Capitol

MADISON (WITI) -- A day after the bombings at the finish line of the Boston Marathon that killed three and injured nearly 150 -- in which first responders displayed so much bravery -- two Wisconsin police officers were honored in Madison for their courage under fire.Oak Creek Police Lieutenant Brian Murphy and Oak Creek Police Officer Sam Lenda responded to the Sikh Temple shooting in August, and on Tuesday, April 16th, they were honored by the Legislature at the state Capitol.The Assembly greeted Lt.

Routine traffic stop leads to chase in Oak Creek

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- A routine traffic stop by Oak Creek police led to a pursuit early Thursday morning, March 14th.According to officials, the pursuit began after police attempted to stop a motorist for reckless driving on S. 27th Street near Southbranch Blvd.

Full report on Sikh Temple shooting still has yet to be released

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- Brookfield police released its report on the shooting at the Azana Salon & Spa just four days ago, and now -- victims of another Wisconsin mass shooting are looking to officials for more information.