July 2021

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Rock the Ramp Gets Final Okay

MIDDLETON–Despite opposition from some residents, the License & Ordinance Committee (L&O) last week granted final approval for fireworks and alcohol sales permits for a July 23 “Rock the Ramp” event at the Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field.

Those opposed to the current level of noise from low-flying airplanes, and lead emissions from fuel they burn, said the approximate additional 80 aircraft attending the event will only worsen conditions.

“The proposed Rock the Ramp special event poses unnecessary health and safety risks to people living the vicinity of Morey airport, particularly the elderly and young children who are susceptible to lead poisoning and exposure to any lead level,” said Dr. David Bryce, a Town of Middleton Board Supervisor.

Ald. Kathy Olson interrupted to ask Bryce to address the fireworks request and not lead emissions.

Thu
15
Jul
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Town to Study Airport Lead Emissions

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–Town of Middleton Board Supervisors last week contracted a firm to estimate lead concentrations in the town from leaded fuel exhaust produced by airplanes using the Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field.

The board has become more concerned about lead emissions from aircraft operations as a longer runway and expanding other airport facilities is being considered in an Airport Master Plan which is being completed.

Some neighborhoods and two schools are located under the flight path of the airport’s main runway where airplanes take off and practice “touch and go” landings. Those operations along with idling and pre-flight engine checks, produce the most aviation lead emissions, according to the firm the Board hired, Trinity Consultants, of Phoenix, AZ.

Thu
15
Jul
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City Council Reviews Revised Municipal Energy Plan

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Common Council reviewed revisions to the municipal energy plan which lays out a timeline for measures the city will need to implement to reach its goal of using 100 percent renewable community-wide by the year 2050. 

Middleton Sustainability Coordinator Kelly Hilyard said the revised municipal energy plan was created on behalf of Dane County, Fitchburg, Marshall, Middleton, Monona, Stoughton, Sun Prairie and Waunakee with the help of energy consultant Slipstream.

Thu
15
Jul
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The Tooth Fairy

I remember seeing a trailer 11 years ago for a movie called “The Tooth Fairy.” It was a film in which a wrestler called The Rock played an aging and jaded hockey player who went by the nickname, “The Tooth Fairy” because he knocked out so many players’ teeth. At some point, he convinces a young child not to believe in miracles and is therefore punished by the gods and forced to work as an actual tooth fairy, collecting incisors from under various pillows. 

It looked horrendous. 

“Can you imagine?!” I said to my wife at the time. “Can you imagine spending two hours watching that?!!”

The premise seemed like the laconic fever dream of a chronically uninspired writer who harbored deep contempt for the audience. It was begging for a sequel in which retired NBA superstar Karl “The Mailman” Malone was forced to put on a blue postal uniform and deliver Amazon packages because he told a kid that letter writing was a dead art. 

Thu
15
Jul
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Home

I made a fast trip to Michigan over the weekend and the couple of days following. 

I hadn’t planned to go to see my family for the usual Fourth of July festivities, but the work schedule at my new house was stepped up. We couldn’t be in there walking around because the floors were getting refinished, so it seemed like the perfect time for a break.

By coincidence or happenstance, my cousin’s funeral ended up being on July 3. Dan was one of my favorite relatives. Always positive, intelligent, a good conversationalist. (We all have the “gift of gab” in my family.) 

Dan was an engaged and loving father and would do anything for the people he cared about. He was a mechanic, carpenter and musician. As a drummer in the ‘70s, Dan tried out for the Silver Bullet Band, and although he was not chosen, I thought he was so cool when I was a kid. He was 15 years older than me.

Thu
15
Jul
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Hidden Cave Cidery Opens in Middleton

MIDDLETON–Hidden Cave Cidery has launched craft hard cider production and a tasting room in Middleton at 2500 N Pleasant View Rd. The tasting room is still under construction, but patrons can visit by appointment on Friday and Saturday nights and sit outside at picnic tables. The indoor tasting room is planned to open in September. 

Walker Fanning, 26, started making hard cider after graduating from UW-Madison with a degree in Agronomy. Early in 2018 Fanning began producing cider in partnership with Old Sugar Distillery in Madison. 

Fanning said his business has been growing since it opened and he was ready to open his own location. He signed a lease in January in the Middleton business park. 

His goal is to produce a fruit-forward herbal cider. Currently on tap are lemongrass lavender, rose hip rosemary, hibiscus juniper, and chocolate hazelnut.

Thu
15
Jul
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Remains of Windsor Man Found, Son Charged with Murder

DANE COUNTY–The Dane County Sheriff’s Office continues to search rural Dane County and ask for tips regarding Krista Halderson, 53, who was reported missing on July 7 along with her husband, Bart, 50. His remains were found on July 8 in the Town of Cottage Grove, the same day the Windsor couple’s son, Chandler, 23, was arrested for providing false information in a missing person investigation. The sheriff’s office announced at a press conference on July 12 that the dismembered remains found were those of Bart Halderson.

Sheriff Kalvin Barret said Bart Halderson died of “homicide activity, including gunshot wounds.”

He asked those with tips about Krista Halderson’s whereabouts or any other evidence in the case to come forward. Krista Halderson is described as a white female, 5’3” tall 155 lbs. with red hair and blue eyes. Call the tip line at 608-284-6900 with any information.

Tue
13
Jul
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Six soccer Cards named all-Big 8

Middleton’s girls soccer team landed six players on the all-Big Eight Conference team.

Senior midfielder Victoria Bunz and sophomore forward Marley Mladucky were both named first-team all-conference.

Senior defender Ella D’Orazio was named second-team all-Big Eight. And senior midfielder Anna Mintz, senior forward Alaina Malak and sophomore forward Dalina Jonuzi were all named honorable-mention all-league.

Bunz, one of Middleton’s captains, was a four-year varsity player.

She finished the year with nine goals, four game-winning goals and four assists. She finished her Middleton career with 27 goals, nine game-winning goals and 20 assists.

Bunz was an honorable-mention all-conference player in 2018 and a second-team all-conference selection in 2019 (the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID). She’ll continue her soccer career at Providence beginning this fall.

Tue
13
Jul
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Six baseball Cards named all-league

Middleton’s baseball team had an unforgettable season, one that ended one win shy of state.

So it came as no surprise the Cardinals placed six players on the all-Big Eight Conference baseball team.

Senior pitcher Aidan Williams was named first-team all-conference and junior Easton Zempel was named first-team at-large. Zempel was also named honorable-mention All-District.

Junior outfielder Matthew Zimmerman was named second-team all-conference, while senior pitcher Tyler Pincombe, junior outfielder Erik Pongratz and senior infielder Karson Wilson were named honorable-mention all-conference.

Williams threw 30 1/3 innings, struck out 33 and allowed just 24 hits, He finished with a 1.84 ERA and went 4-2 overall.

“Aidan was lights out for us this year,” Middleton manager Brent Jorgensen said. “In his first 26.2 innings, he only gave up three earned runs.

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