November 2016

They came in as the favorites and left as champions.

Middleton capped a dream season by claiming its first WIAA Division 1 state girls swimming and diving championship at the University of Wisconsin Natatorium last Saturday night.

“We said in the beginning of the season, this was our main goal — state,” said freshman Gabriela Pierobon Mays. “We knew we could do it.

“Last year, they blew it out of the park and got second. We definitely thought we had a shot at this and then it actually coming true is just surreal. There’s no words to describe how awesome it is. It hasn’t sunk in yet.”

Middleton totaled 265 points behind a first-place finish by Pierobon Mays in the 100-yard butterfly and winning performances by the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relays.

Maybe, just maybe this is the year.

Middleton’s girls swimming and diving team is about to find out.

The Cardinals won the Middleton Sectional last Saturday with 377 points, edging runner-up Verona-Mount Horeb (363). Madison Memorial (270), Madison West (261) and Sun Prairie (235) rounded out the top five.

Now, Middleton will take aim at the first state title in school history. The state meet begins Saturday at 3 p.m. at the UW Natatorium.

If seedings from sectionals hold firm, Middleton would win the state title in a narrow race over two-time defending state champion Hartland Arrowhead and Verona-Mount Horeb. But Cardinals coach Lauren Cabalka knows full well there’s a major difference between sectionals and state.

“Being seeded first, really doesn't mean much in this sport,” Cabalka said. “So much can happen from sectionals to state. You never know who was tapered from each team and what relay combinations they will put forward. 

The referendum questions will appear as follows:

1.) Do you agree that the City of Middleton, as a local sustainability leader, has a responsibility to mitigate the risks of global warming through its policy decisions and actions?

2.) Do you agree that the City of Middleton should endorse the national effort to implement a federal Carbon Fee and Dividend (CFAD) to slow the humanitarian crises and negative economic consequences caused by global warming? CFAD will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging conservation and make renewable energy more economically viable.

MIDDLETON-Middleton residents will have a chance to show their support for local sustainability practices and national climate change legislation on the November 8 ballot. They will be asked if they support the city taking steps to mitigate climate change and if they support federal carbon fee and dividend legislation. 

November 4th, 2016 – At approximately 12:30 am, a Dane County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted a traffic stop on a Ford Focus traveling 85mph in a 45 mph zone on County M near Signature Rd in City of Middleton.  When the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, it sped up and a pursuit ensued lasting approximately one minute.  The pursuit ended when the suspect vehicle struck a stoplight at County Highway M at County Highway Q.  Three people fled the vehicle on foot; one passenger was taken into custody by a Dane County Sheriff’s Office deputy.  The City of Middleton Police, a Town of Madison K9 Officer, and a Maple Bluff K9 Officer responded to establish a perimeter and search for the remaining two suspects, but no one else was located. 

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office investigation to identify the driver and remaining passenger is ongoing.