Local

MIDDLETON–A hometown boy has finally found his way home after nearly 80 years.

Pfc. William l. “Sonny” Simon returned to Middleton on March 24 after his remains were identified by the US Army. Sonny, who was drafted in 1943, left for Europe following his high school graduation the same year. His siblings Eileen Tesch, 96, and Jim ‘Jumbo” Simon, 94, said they remember the day he left with sadness, and Eileen recalled crying much of the day that he left his home on Hubbard Avenue. At the time Eileen was 15 and Jumbo was 13.

The sadness of him leaving was nothing compared to the despair the family felt when they learned in 1944 first that he was missing in action and six months later when the military came to inform their parents, George and Margaret Simon, that he had been declared killed in action. Sonny was just 20 years old at the time he was declared missing.

“Mother always had hopes that he would walk through the door,” recalled Eileen.

MADISON–Bail was set Wednesday at $1 million for the woman accused of fatally shooting an employee of a Middleton used car dealer on Monday.

Jakira T. Anderson, 23, of Fitchburg, remains in custody after being charged in Dane County Circuit Court with First Degree Intentional Homicide for allegedly shooting Kawsu Samba, 34, an employee of MSI Auto Sales.

According to court documents:

A second MSI employee, Fabian Miranda, told Middleton police detective Jill Tutja that Samba had been dealing with an angry customer for a couple of hours. Miranda told Tutja that shortly before he heard a gunshot, he heard Samba telling the customer to leave.

Miranda saw Samba run outside of MSI’s office with the angry customer behind him. Miranda went outside to MSI’s Parmenter Street parking lot to help Samba and found him on the ground.

The customer, identified from MSI’s paperwork as Anderson, left in a gray BMW.

 MIDDLETON–The William L. "Sonny" Simon Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #8216 would like to invite the entire community to celebrate the return of Army Pfc. William L. "Sonny" Simon, who was killed in action during World War II. 

     After almost 80 years, Simon's remains will be flown from Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Nebraska., to Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee on March 24. The time of his arrival has not been released at press time.

     When the convoy escorted by the Middleton Police Department turns onto University Avenue from the Beltline, it will be greeted by vehicles from the Middleton Fire District flying the American flag. 

     The convoy will then turn right onto Park Street and then right onto Hubbard Avenue. Simon's childhood home is located at 7119 Hubbard Ave.

     Residents are encouraged to line these streets to welcome Simon home.

The procession is expected to arrive in Middleton at approximately 8:30 p.m.

MIDDLETON–Police tape wrapped around the perimeter of MSI Auto Sales, 3012 Parmenter, on Monday, after a worker at the business was shot less than a block from Middleton Police Department.

The man who was shot and injured, later died at an area hospital. Authorities had not released the name of the victim at press time.

Middleton Police Chief Troy Hellenbrand said they had learned a motive while investigating the case, and the alleged shooter, Jakira T. Anderson, 23, of Fitchburg, was disgruntled over, “A business deal involving a vehicle that the suspect had recently purchased from MSI Auto,” Hellenbrand said.

Middleton police officers were called to the scene at approximately 1:36 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the man had sustained a gunshot wound during the altercation.

MIDDLETON–On March 14 at approximately 11:10 p.m., Middleton Police Officers responded to an active disturbance involving a female suspect damaging property at 6206 Maywood Ave. Officers arrived on scene and found the suspect who was climbing down from the patio of the victim’s apartment. Officers identified the 20-year-old suspect as Clarisa R. Herrera of Madison.

The 77-year-old victim informed officers that Herrera forced her way into the victim’s residence by climbing up to the patio and damaging the sliding door. 

Once inside, Herrera damaged property throughout the residence. Herrera also attacked and injured the victim who was sitting in a recliner. The victim and Herrera do not know each other, and this appears to be a random act. Upon being placed under arrest Herrera was combative with police.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Common Council reviewed its service with Pellitteri Waste Systems before renewing its year contract for the next seven years. The council also adopted an ordinance that sets the policy for elected officials and committee members participating remotely in public meetings.   

Public Works Director Shawn Stauske explained to the council that the city is nearing the end of its contract with Pellitteri Waste Systems. His recommendation is that the city extend the contract for seven years but is seeking input for the council before asking Pellitteri to prepare an agreement with rates.

Sales Manager at Pellitteri Waste Systems Chris June was at the meeting to answer questions from the council.

Alder Lisa Janairo asked about the option to downsize trash bins and a compost program.

June said the company was ready to transport compost as soon as a site was ready for it to be delivered.

MIDDLETON–After six years of planning and preparations, the widening of Pleasant View Road from USH 14 to Old Sauk Road to four lanes is finally happening.

At times during the next 16-months, motorists should expect lane closures, realignments, and other inconveniences that road construction causes.

“But we’ll try to keep most of the places open most of the time,” was how City Engineer Shawn Stauske put at an open house last week.

The biggest impact will occur between now and November as the road between Timber Wolf Trail and USH 14 will be closed to through traffic.

The segment north of Pleasant View Golf Course entrance to the Lycon, Inc. 

Property, south of Quarry Road, will be entirely closed until November as a hill is being lowered by 20 feet. 

Lowering the hill will improve visibility as will the new street lighting, Stauske said. 

During that time, the city-owned golf course will only be accessible from the south. 

MADISON---For Aiden Devima Wijeyakulasuriya, his only focus on Saturday was to do his best at the 2023 Wisconsin's Badger State Spelling Bee, attempt to do better than last year when he was the 2022 first runner-up, and to represent his school and his hometown well.

He accomplished all of that on March 11, and unbeknownst him, by being declared the 2023 state spelling champion, he also made history.

Returning to the Badger State Spelling Bee, veteran spelling bee ace Aiden was the odds-on favorite to win the trophy. However, he likely did not think that the finale moments of the competitive spelling bee would be as hard-fought and unconventional as what he and the audience of 300 had witnessed during the last 30 excruciating minutes of the event.  

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission reviewed a concept proposal for a four-story, residential building on University Avenue at its meeting on Feb. 28.  The proposal would replace the existing two-story, multi-family building at 6413 University Ave. with the stone castle-like facade.

The owner of the existing multi-family building Tom Ripple said his proposal calls for the demolition of the two-story building, consisting of 25 units, and replacing it with a four-story building, consisting of 84 units and 60 covered parking spaces. Ripple said he has owned and managed the property for 39 years and intends for the redevelopment to add a positive image to Middleton’s gateway.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Mark Opitz reviewed his staff report for the proposal explaining that the project would implement several aspects of the University Avenue Corridor Plan, but he has concerns regarding density, impact on adjoining properties, and the parking ratio.

MIDDLETON–Too many people have moved near Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field without realizing that they may be bothered by some of the 40,000 annual take-offs and landings.

While the Airport Commission has nixed the idea of routing airplanes north and away from more densely settled areas on take-off, it’s considering a plan that would alert developers and residents to the noise and affects they may encounter from living near the airport.

Airplane noise during overflights is the most common complaint the airport receives, Commission member Kevin Munson said at the start of last Thursday’s discussion. Another common remark is that people who moved to Middleton Hills or the Towns of Middleton or Springfield to get away from city life, didn’t know they would be under a flight pattern. That didn’t become more apparent until the pandemic kept them home more during the day.