June 2020

Sat
27
Jun
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Middleton Sport Bowl Owners Sentenced to Six Months Each

MADISON–Owners of the Middleton Sport Bowl (MSB) were each sentenced Friday in federal court to six months in prison for not paying income taxes on cash skimmed from video gambling machines at their University Avenue business.

Dudley Hellenbrand, 67, and Cherie Hellenbrand, 45, both of Middleton, told an undercover IRS agent posing as a prospective buyer of the Sports Bowl in late 2017, that the five video gambling machines could provide $175,000 a year in untaxed income, according to Assistant US Attorney Daniel Graber.

The couple was charged with evading taxes from 2010-17 during which the unreported income from the machines totaled $746,009 and created a federal tax loss of $268,852. Adding the loss to the state of Wisconsin increased the amount to $350,191, which the couple repaid before sentencing.

In asking for a sentence of a year and a day for the Hellenbrands, Graber wrote the court:

Fri
26
Jun
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Just Over the Horizon

Within a few generations, I’m sure our human species will populate new planets, starting from scratch in our infinite attempts to establish the perfect civilization. If you look back at the route we took to get where we are today, it is characterized by one thing: We are always moving, always searching, always being chased by predators or chasing prey, as we make our way through life. It is only the occasional island population that ends up staying put, in some cases, and evolving in place for a few hundred or a few thousand short years.

I don’t know where this urge to move comes from. After all, we usually feel safest right here, in a place where we are familiar with the terrain and the places where danger might lurk. Perhaps it is a result of the fact that we live out our lives dancing atop a spinning orb, and therefore we spend our time here always beckoned to by a horizon and the mystery just beyond it.

Fri
26
Jun
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Dicamba

Just about everyone has heard of Roundup (glyphosate), the herbicide made by Monsanto (now owned by Bayer), and spread generously on fields and lawns throughout the country. But, do you know about Dicamba?

When the efficacy of Roundup started to slip, and weeds grew resistant to the product, Monsanto needed a new weed killer, and the company began working to development soybeans and cotton that was resistant to Dicamba, which has been around, but not widely used, since 1959. The problem with the chemical is that it has a tendency to drift in the wind, causing the death of nearby crops that were not resistant. 

This drift caused farmers to engage in arguments with other farmers over the loss of their crops due to Dicamba drift, in some cases whole fields were destroyed by the herbicide.

Fri
26
Jun
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John J. Fury

MIDDLETON–John J. Fury, 71, of Middleton, died April 18, 2020, in Madison, following a stroke. He was separated from his loving family during his illness due to Covid-19 restrictions.

John grew up in Janesville, MN, the son of John and Ruth (Hendricksen) Fury. His sense of humor was the magnet that drew Mary Johnson to John, telling herself in eighth grade, that one day she would marry this guy. They married on Nov. 7, 1969, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, in Janesville, MN,  and celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary this past November in the presence of their children, son-in-law and grandchildren. John’s sense of humor was on full display during this memorable evening.

Fri
26
Jun
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School Board Reviews Graduation and Fall Planning

MIDDLETON–The Middleton-Cross Plains School District Board of Education discussed the plans for students graduating and returning to school in the fall amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The final decision for graduation is expected on July 13 while the fall plan is to be determined on July 20.

While the final plan must be approved by Dane County and the health department, the district is planning for an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 at Breitenbach Stadium on July 25 at 7 p.m., or the same time the following day in case of rain.

Depending on the guidance from the county or the health department the district will hold either a full in-person ceremony with 500 plus graduates and up 2,600 attendees, split the ceremony into smaller groups and limit attendees, or have a drive by ceremony with accommodations made for those without vehicles. The event will be live-streamed and hosted on the district’s Youtube channel for those who cannot attend.

Fri
26
Jun
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City Looks to Form New Equity Team in Wake of Floyd Death

MIDDLETON–After the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis, Luke Fuszard wanted to address inequity in the City of Middleton. Fuszard, Middleton City Council District 5 Alder, drafted a resolution regarding his concerns. 

“I wrote it with City Administrator Mike Davis and Alder Robert Burck with input from Mary Beth Paulisse (Director of Curriculum, Assessment an 4k at Middleton Cross Plains Area School District[MCPASD]),” Fuszard said.

The resolution expressed the sorrow of city leaders and employees at Floyd’s death, called for unity, working to identify and eliminate systemic racism, evaluate and identify issues in procedures systems and policies and, reformulating the Middleton Equity Team (MET). The former equity team became defunct in 2019, and Fuszard said he feels the time is right to take up the problem of racism and racial bias in the community.

Fri
26
Jun
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WEC Approves Block Grants, Mailing to Voters

MADISON–The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) approved spending $7.2 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, including a $4.1 million block grant program to help local election officials and voters prepare for fall, 2020, elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

WEC will send an informational mailing to approximately 2.7 million registered voters later this summer about voting options for November, including an absentee ballot request form and a return envelope. The voter mailing is designed to inform voters who have not already requested an absentee ballot for November about their three voting options, including absentee voting by mail or in-person at the clerk’s office and voting at the polls on Election Day.

Fri
26
Jun
Tue
23
Jun
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White steps down as boys volleyball coach

Ben White knew this day was quickly approaching.

The one where he’d have to pass the reigns of Middleton’s boys volleyball program onto somebody else. The day where he turned over one of the most successful sports in the school to another leader.

For White, that day came on June 12 — and understandably, it came with mixed emotions.

White was named Middleton’s new assistant athletic director. Due to the demands of his new job, White had to step down as the boys’ volleyball coach after a remarkably successful 19-year run.

“Middleton volleyball is something that has been part of my life for 28 years — and I'm not that old,” said White, who was also a player and an assistant coach for the Cardinals before becoming the head man in 2001. “It will always hold a special place in my heart. I am hopeful that in my new role I can help the new coach with any questions they may have and help provide any guidance they may need.”

Fri
19
Jun
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Home Talent League returns July 4 weekend

Excitement. Eagerness. Exhilaration.

All mixed with a large dose of cautiousness.

The Home Talent League plans to begin its season on the weekend of July 4 with new several social distancing measures now in place. Teams were supposed to start play in May, but the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Night League season was canceled.

“We're pretty excited as a team to get out there and start the season,” Middleton manager Brandon Hellenbrand said. “The Home Talent board did send out guidelines for each team to follow. I think if each team follows these guidelines, we can be in for a successful season.”

Cross Plains manager Randy Meinholz agreed.

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