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MILWAUKEE–Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) have joined forces with the state’s leading antihunger organization, Hunger Task Force, to help provide relief to the growing numbers of underfed and unemployed by connecting milk to emergency food organizations throughout the state.

With the substantial support of the local individual donor community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hunger Task Force will commit up to $1 million to the newly created Wisconsin Dairy Recovery Program. Wisconsin dairy farmers will be paid to supply milk to farmer-owned dairy cooperative Kemps, who will kick off the beginning phase of this week by processing thousands of gallons of milk at its Cedarburg, Wis. facility.

MADISON–On April 16, Gov. Tony Evers directed Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to extend the Safer at Home order from April 24,  to 8 a.m. to May 26, or until a superseding order is issued. The order implements some new measures to ensure safety and support the progress we've made in containing COVID-19, but also allows certain activities to start up again. 

“A few weeks ago, we had a pretty grim outlook for what COVID-19 could mean for our state, but because of the efforts of all of you, Safer at Home is working. That said, we aren't out of the woods just yet,” said Gov. Evers. “As I've said all along, we are going to rely on the science and public health experts to guide us through this challenge. So, as we extend Safer at Home, I need all of you to continue doing the good work you've been doing so we can keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe, and get through this storm together.”

DANE COUNTY–“Unprecedented.” “Historic.” “Unique.” Those are some of the words area bankers used to described the SBA (Small Business Administration), Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans available as part of the federal CARES Act.

Jim Tubbs, State Bank of Cross Plains (SBCP) President and CEO, and Ken Thompson, Capitol Bank (Capitol) President and CEO and chair-elect of the Wisconsin Bankers Association explained how the PPP loans work, and how business owners can potentially have 100 percent of the loan forgiven by the SBA.

The PPP loan process began on April 3 and banks have been busy assisting customers and processing the loans, which vary widely in amounts. The federal government set a cap at $350 billion for the program, with no limits as to how much a particular state can use.

These are some features that set the PPP loans apart. 

MIDDLETON–Deputy superintendent Sherri Cyra presented projected 2020-21 enrollment numbers to the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District Board of Directors Monday night, but warned that the estimate was very preliminary.

Cyra said that the school anticipates growth this year and based on last year’s numbers and current enrollment for next year, anticipates 100 new K-12 students in the district. 

She said this is usually the time when 4K and Kindergarten students are enrolling which may affect enrollment numbers.

“I don’t know if we’ll have face to face enrollment,” she added.

She said Sauk Trails enrollment was low, and included, “West Middleton with boundary changes go down in terms of enrollment and sections.”

Cyra said it may be necessary to do more outreach during the summer to get students enrolled. 

Board member Anne Bauer asked if Cyra expected to see “an uptick” in e-school next year since all students are using it now.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–With the town’s annual meeting five days away, the Middleton Town Board and Stonebrook Estates residents have yet to reach an agreement on a storm water detention pond the board last month approved for construction.

Wisconsin towns can’t buy property without approval from its resident eligible voters, called electors, which is obtained at annual meetings. On April 21, the town will hold a virtual annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. when residents can call a toll-free phone number and participate.

An annual meeting’s agenda is set largely by the residents but the purchase of a 10.1 acre outlot from the Stonebrook Estates Homeowners Association is likely to make the list. 

DANE COUNTY–Middleton Mayor Gurdip Brar was elected to a second term last week in the Spring Election, will official results coming in April 13. 

In the heated Middleton mayoral race, Brar received 56.9 percent of the vote with opponent Kurt Paulsen pulling in 42.8 percent. 

Several close races played out around Dane County. In the Village of Cross Plains, voters were tasked with picking three trustees for the village board from a four field race. Incumbent Kevin Thusius pulled in the most votes with 26. 8 percent, fellow incumbent Bill Brosius got 25.1 percent, Michael Pomykalski received 22.6 percent and Cameron Bjorkland had 21.1 percent of the votes. Thusius, Brosius and Pomykalski will serve as trustees.

In the Springfield Town Board Supervisor IV incumbent Dan Dresen held on to his seat with 56.2 percent of the vote, beating out Pam Krill who got 43. 8 percent. 

MIDDLETON–Middleton City Administrator Mike Davis received a suggestion from new resident, Jill Zimmerman, to show Good Neighbor spirit during the COVID-19 pandemic by decorating their neighborhoods.

“I moved here from Carmel, Indiana and following their news, saw the idea of monthly "themes" for this tough month of April during the COVID crisis.  I've been searching for ways to do my part for our community and thought spreading the idea of this may be helpful,” she said of her idea for decorating the city.

She said she suggested it to Davis who ran with it. “He contacted so many parts and pieces of the Middleton community and they all responded positively and so quickly too! I really did not expect so many to respond so quickly and was thrilled to see that! It made me realize what a caring community Middleton is–­we are all looking to spread joy and positivity,” Zimmerman said.

MIDDLETON–Updates at the Middleton Good Neighbor Hub weekly meeting kicked off with voting info from city administrator Mike Davis, who outlined voting day changes. Those changes included moving all city districts to Kromrey Middle School, safety measures put in place for voters and workers, and he reported that 8050 absentee ballots had been sent out Friday afternoon.

The conversation turned to vetting of Good Neighbor Hub volunteers when Davis asked organizer Bartlett Durand about a vetting process. 

Durand said he would vouch for the captains. 

Davis then offered to check with the police department to see if a background check could be conducted. 

Former Middleton Police Captain Steve Britt was on the meeting and reminded that the background checks cost money.

DANE COUNTY–Residents around the county, and the state, turned out to vote in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, causing the need for protective measures for poll workers, longer voting times and social distancing.

Clerks in towns, villages and cities around the state were unsure as of Monday afternoon if the election would take place as they awaited a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision on the matter. Gov. Tony Evers had signed an executive order that morning moving the date to June, but Republican lawmakers contested the measure. (See story, page 5)

Middleton alder Luke Fuszard worked the polls from the start of voting at 7 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and said there was a steady flow of people coming to vote. City administrator Mike Davis said the same was true of afternoon. 

“As of 4:30 (p.m.) we hit over a thousand votes,” he said. 

MADISON–Gov. Tony Evers today directed the Department of Natural Resources to close several state parks.

Due to unprecedented crowds, litter, vandalism and out of an abundance of caution to protect public health and safety and help flatten the curve, the following Wisconsin State Parks, Forests and Recreational Areas will close at the end of the day Thurs., April 9, and will remain closed beginning Fri., April 10, until further notice: