November 2022

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–Voters in the Town of Middleton waited in long lines, sometimes nearing three hours, when casting their ballots last week.

Those that waited said that people in line were patient, courteous and friendly to one another during the wait, but they also want to know how this happened, and what measures can be taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Steve Kurr who has lived in the Town of Middleton since 2005 timed his wait with his son, which clocked in at two hours and 55 minutes. “I have never waited more than 10 minutes,” he said of previous voting experiences in the town.

Kurr said he was surprised by the wait but added that it was worth it.

“We feel it is important to vote and vote every time,” he said.

He said he didn’t witness anyone leave, but he said people were good about saving spots for others when they left the line and allowing elderly and disabled voters to go ahead of them in line.

WAUKESHA — Sophie Benson spent four memorable seasons inside Middleton’s girls swimming and diving program.

There were three top-six team finishes at the WIAA Division 1 state meet during traditional seasons. There was a runner-up showing in the very non-traditional 2020-21 COVID year, when the Cardinals moved their season to the spring.

And there were countless laughs, smiles and memories.

So when it came to an end last Saturday — with the Cardinals racing to a fourth place finish at this year’s state meet held inside Waukesha South High School — it was a bittersweet time for Benson and her fellow seniors.

Middleton had given another memorable performance, challenging the state powerhouses for pool supremacy once again. But the finality of it all was also tough for Benson to wrap her head around.

MADISON - A Madison man who killed two Middleton High School and a Madison High School student when he drove into their car was sentenced Wednesday to 18 years in prison and 12 years extended supervision.

Eric N. Mehring, 31, was driving 60 miles an hour on Mineral Point Road last October when his car rear ended a car in which John “Jack” Miller, 17, and Evan Kratochwill, 18, of Middleton and Simon Bilessi, 17, a Madison West High School student.

Mehring had a blood-alcohol concentration of .214 percent after the crash, well above the prohibited level of .08 percent.

Mehring was driving east bound on Mineral Point Road after drinking at two bars in Pine Bluff.

He pleaded guilty in July to three counts of homicide by intoxicated use a vehicle.

At sentencing, family members of the teens gave emotional statements about the loss of their loved ones.

WAUNAKEE–Russell C. Wipperfurth passed away at Brightstar Senior Living in Waunakee on Sept. 21, 2022, four days after his 91st birthday. He was born on September 17, 1931 in Waunakee, to Anton M. Wipperfurth Sr. and his wife Eva Christina "Christine" Mary (Spahn) Wipperfurth.

While skating at Tenney Park in Madison, he met Elizabeth "Betty" Stewart, who became the love of his life. The couple wed on Sept. 1, 1956, and their marriage was an adventure especially for a woman who moved here from Kilmarnock, Scotland at a young age.

They raised five children while he farmed, showed horses, and drove a motor home yearly to Florida. A second home in Wisconsin Dells was their sanctuary. Russ was a devoted Catholic and led a blessed life.