County

DANE COUNTY–The Omicron variant has been detected in Dane County, Public Health of Madison Dane County (PHMDC) announced on Dec. 16. The agency is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get a booster if they’re eligible.

“As we work to learn more about the Omicron variant, including how easily it spreads, remember that the best protection against COVID-19, including the Omicron variant is for people ages 5 and older to get vaccinated,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County. “For those who are already vaccinated, this is the best time to bolster your immunity with a booster dose as soon as possible. Vaccination greatly reduces risk of severe illness or death.”

TOWN OF BERRY–Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dane County Executive Joseph Parisi and Janel Heinrich, Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) Director, were roundly criticized Monday by 100 or more unmasked persons who turned out in the Town of Berry to voice their opposition to the county’s mask order.

Packing the town hall and overflowing to an adjacent viewing area, ironically created a potential “Super Spreader” event where the indoor mask order was openly defied by all and encouraged by some attendees.

County Board Supervisors Jeff Weigand, of Marshall and Tim Rockwell, of Sun Prairie, organized the hearing to allow residents frustrated by being shut out of the decision to again extend the mask order, this time to Jan. 3.

MADISON–The Dane County Sheriff’s Office wants to inform citizens of a recent Tik Tok challenge circulating throughout the country. The post promotes rumors that there are threats of school violence. At this time, the sheriff’s department is not aware of any direct threats in Dane County and this is strictly a cautionary.

The sheriff’s office is asking parents and students to be vigilant and report any potential threat to the school in question. The sheriff’s office and other local law enforcement agencies are working closely with area school districts to address any concerns or potential threats. 

This information also serves as a good reminder for parents to monitor their child’s social media activity.

CROSS PLAINS–Garbage and recycling collection in Cross Plains will be switched from bags to wheeled carts beginning in January, according to a contract the village board approved on Nov.22.

The village is one of the last last area communities to continue using trash bags at the curb instead of carts, but costs and staffing shortages required Town & County Sanitation, Inc. of Boscobel, the village collection contractor, to make the change, Doug Enke, company owner told the board.

Enke said the changeover would occur in January, without setting an exact week, when the carts would begin to be dropped off at the 1,256 residences in the village.

Town & County will provide 95-gallons carts for garbage and recycling, residents should contact the company if they want a 65-gallon cart instead, Cross Plains Village Administrator Bill Chang said.

CROSS PLAINS–Owners of a $300,000 house will have their village taxes increase by $35 to $2,553 as the Cross Plains Village Board Monday adopted the 2022 budget and tax levy.

Tax bills are expected to be mailed out next month along with taxes imposed by the county, school district and technical college district.

The village’s mill rate increased by 1.35 percent to $8.51, up from $8.40 adopted in 2020. The increase is less than the rate of inflation while still giving employees a raise, Finance Director Bobbi Zander wrote in a memo to the village board.

On the spending side, the general fund budget which includes expenses for police, fire, public works, administration, and other village functions is $4.46 million, up by 1.42 percent from the 2021 budget. Employee wages and benefits increased by 3.93 percent lead by a 7.9 percent increase in health insurance costs.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–The Town of Middleton’s 2022 budget cuts the tax rate, lowers borrowing and the deficit while boosting spending.

The mill rate lowers from $2.36 per thousand assessed evaluation last year to $2.16 this year, which reduces the town’s taxes on a $600,000 house by $139 to $1,270. The town’s taxes on a $400,000 house are lowered by $91 to $851, according to budget information presented at a Nov. 16 public hearing.

Those figures don’t include taxes imposed by the school district, county and technical college district.

The town will borrow $1.176 million next year for road and stormwater projects. Road improvements estimated at $790,00 include repaving Almor Drive, Westman Way Court and Pamela Circle.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–Town of Middleton Board Supervisors Monday approved for public presentation the proposed 2022 town budget that will need $1.38 million from cash reserves in order to balance revenue and expenses.

The proposed budget will have a virtual public hearing on Nov. 16 beginning at 6 p.m. 

The 2022 proposed budget deficit is down from this year’s $1.65 million deficit and town’s financial picture should continue to brighten, said Town Treasurer Megan Hughes.

The salt shed construction loan was retired this year, the town’s portion of the Fire Station #1 debt is scheduled to be retired next year and borrowing for 2022 road projects declined from a projected $1.2 million to about $880,000.

Total revenue for 2022 is a projected $5.165 million while expenses are estimated at $6.648 creating the $1.38 million deficit to be financed from cash reserves.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–Town Board members weren’t ready Monday to open recreational trails to dogs.

A proposal advanced by the Park Commission and presented to the board on Oct. 18 was aimed at making the town more “dog friendly” and educating residents on where leashed and licensed dogs can be walked and the requirement that owners to pick up after their pets.

Park Commission member Tony Praza said the proposal responds to a recent Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan survey that indicated that about 45 percent of residents owned dogs and a similar percentage wanted to walk their leashed dogs on the town’s extensive trail system.

The proposal prohibits dogs in Pope Farm Conservancy and Knoll Valley Conservancy, Praza said.

DANE COUNTY–A Dane County Sheriff’s Deputy was injured in Festge County Park, located on Scherbel Road between Cross Plains and Black Earth, Thursday night when she responded to a call of a suspicious person in the park. 

In a social media post, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) said the suspect allegedly attacked the deputy with an “edged weapon.” She responded by firing her weapon during the altercation. The man then fled on foot. 

She was treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital and released.

The sheriff’s office urged area residents to stay inside with their doors and windows locked on Thursday night during the incident.

Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene last night, and the sheriff’s department tweeted they were in the Town of Berry searching for the suspect at 10:40 p.m.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–Homeowners in the Town of Middleton were asleep when someone broke into their home stealing a car and other items.

At 3:17 am, Dane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 7600 block of Westman Way Road for a home burglary.

The suspects were able to gain access to the garage with a garage door opener from an unlocked vehicle outside the home. Once inside the garage, they entered the home and took the keys to another vehicle. The suspects got away with a vehicle from the garage, along with the homeowner’s purse and credit cards. The residents were asleep in their beds at the time.

Anyone who may have witnessed this activity or has information is asked to call the Dane County tip line at 608-284-6900. 

The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind citizens that this activity has become all too common and securing vehicles and all doors is essential. Removing valuables and garage door openers from vehicles at is also recommend.