Talkin' Waukesha

Detective Lukas Hallmark joins us to discuss fraud prevention, common scams targeting residents, and how you can protect yourself and your community.

Fall leaf collection will start on Monday, October 27. New this year, crews will start in the Southwest portion of the City (Fox Lake Village and River Hills areas) and will work counterclockwise through the City.

To help residents plan, we are sharing the week your area’s leaves will be collected. Please have your leaves out on the terrace by the Monday of your scheduled week. You can look up your home’s week of collection and track the daily collection progress on our online interactive map. Crews will pass every home twice during this year’s leaf collection season.

As students head back to the classroom, safety always remains a top priority.

The Waukesha Police Department is proud to have six full-time School Resource Officers (SROs) dedicated to supporting our schools. Their work goes far beyond safety — they mentor, guide, and connect with students every day.

In our latest Talkin’ Waukesha podcast, we sit down with two of our SROs to talk about their important role — from creating a safe learning environment to building trust and positive relationships with students.

We sit down with Chris Janet and Tami Evanoff from the Waukesha Downtown Business Association to talk all things WDBA. From the Farmers Market to Friday Night Live, Chris and Tami share what it takes to keep downtown vibrant and thriving. Hear about upcoming community events, the importance of shopping local, and how the DBA helps shape the downtown experience for residents and visitors alike.

We dig into the roots of the city's urban forest with Forestry Supervisor Aaron Lehnert. From managing thousands of public trees to planting for the future, Aaron shares the ins and outs of what it takes to keep Waukesha green, healthy, and growing.

We’re joined by the Director of the Waukesha Civic Band, Michael Poytinger, to celebrate their 81st season! From behind-the-scenes rehearsal stories to picking the perfect medley, we explore what makes this summer tradition so special.

In this episode, we’re joined by City Assessor, Sam Walker to explain the property assessment process. Sam breaks down how assessments are done, why they matter, and how they impact taxes and city services. Whether you’re a longtime homeowner or new to the area, this conversation offers clear insights into one of the city’s most important behind-the-scenes roles.

In this episode, we talk with Fire Department Historian Dan Carstens to explore the rich history of the Waukesha Fire Department. Dan shares fascinating stories from the past, highlights key moments in the department’s evolution, and explains why preserving this history matters for the future. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about the legacy behind the sirens, this episode offers a unique look into Waukesha’s firefighting heritage.

In this episode, we sit down with Director of Public Works, Alex Damien, and Deputy Director of Public Works & City Engineer, Brandon Schwenn, to discuss the vital role Public Works plays in our community. From infrastructure improvements to snow removal and future city projects, we cover how their team keeps the city running smoothly. Tune in for an inside look at the challenges and innovations shaping our city's future!

Hear from the Waukesha Public Library Director, Bruce Gay on our latest podcast episode!He shares about the transition of Library services over the years and some of the neat things to check out at the Waukesha Public Library. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the past, present and future of your library!