In Brief

A local man, caught up in West Beltline rush hour traffic Wednesday morning, ended up the victim of road rage as another motorist pulled out a handgun and tried to cut the 48-year old Middleton man off, according to an incident report released by Madison Police.

According to the report, the victim said the other driver – who was directly behind him - became angry after he slowed down in an eastbound lane. The Middleton man was doing so because he could see traffic ahead had stopped. The angry man tailgated the victim before quickly switching lanes and pulling alongside the victim, according to the victim’s account.

That is when Middleton man could see the other driver was displaying the weapon. Next, the victim says the other driver pulled in front of him and slammed on the brakes. The victim went hard on his brakes as well, to avoid a collision.

The Pleasant View Golf Course Clubhouse will be open again this Sunday, January 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Head Golf Professional Jeremy Cabalka will have pizza, snack food, water, soda and adult beverages available for cross-country skiiers, snow shoers and anyone who just wants to enjoy the beautiful and pleasant view.  The forecast is for partly cloudy with a high of 22 degrees. 

The Middleton Tourism Commission is searching for photos from the 1960s with people, cars and places around the community for the cover of the 2013 Middleton Visitor Guide. Photos must be submitted by January 10, 2013 for consideration as the visitor guide cover.

Photos may be submitted through the 50 Years Strong Photo Contest online at www.visitmiddleton.com or www.facebook.com/MiddletonWI. Those without access to a scanner can bring their photos to the Middleton Tourism Commission, at 1811 Parmenter St., Middleton, for scanning, or date and mail them, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, to Fifty Years Strong Photo Contest, 222 State St., Suite 400, Madison, WI 53703.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Department has asked for help from Town of Middleton residents, according to Sara Ludtke, the town’s Deputy Clerk/Public Works Coordinator.

“On the north side of Town, specifically along Meadow Valley Road and parts of Airport Road, people (they believe it’s more than one person) have been going through mailboxes, taking mail, opening mail, throwing mail into snow banks, etc.,” Ludke said Monday. “Try to retrieve your mail shortly after it’s delivered.”

“If you notice that your mail has been open or realize that you are missing mail and there is no one in the area, please contact Deputy Garrett Page at 575-5964 (during day-time hours) or Deputy Mike Mohr at 220-0356 (during evening hours),” she added.

She said to immediately report any suspicious activity in progress by dialing 9-1-1.  

The Middleton Police Department is currently accepting applications for its Citizens’ Academy, according to community awareness officer Jill Tutaj. Classes will start April 3.

The 10-week course offers citizens an opportunity to learn more about the Middleton Police Department by partaking in hands-on classes similar to those taken by real police officers.  The course will be presented by officers of the Middleton Police Department.

Students in the Middleton Police Department Citizens’ Academy will receive training in the areas of Traffic Law Enforcement, Crime Scene Investigation, Defensive and Arrest Tactics, Emergency Vehicle Operation, Emergency Medical Response, Firearms, Fire Department Response, Police-School Liaison and other Basic Police Procedures.



From a Dane County Sheriff's Office Press Release:

Shortly after 3:00 pm on Tuesday, Jan. 1, Dane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a snowmobile vs. car crash on Lavina Road in the town of Dane. 

A snowmobile operated by Brett A. Roesslein, age 52, unexpectedly entered the roadway.  An approaching vehicle operated by Nick J. Ballweg, age 29, was unable to stop due to the snow covered and slippery road.  The snowmobile and car collided, resulting in Roesslein being injured.  His injuries were not life threatening and he was transported to Meriter Hospital for treatment.

The incident was forwarded to Marine and Trail Enforcement deputies and the DNR for follow-up.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday, a Dane County Sheriff’s Office vehicle, occupied by a Sheriff’s Deputy, was rear-ended as the deputy was attempting to slow traffic due to an injury crash investigation.  According to a press release issued later that night by Sgt. Nick Skrepenski, the deputy was sitting in an unmarked Sheriff’s Office SUV with its emergency lights activated. 

The crash occurred on County Highway K just east of County Highway Q in the Town of Westport.  The deputy was assessed by EMS and had sustained minor injures.

The driver, John B. Schuster, age 69 of Waunakee, was dressed as Santa Claus and was returning home from a holiday party at the American Legion in the Town of Westport.  Schuster was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated 4^th Offense.

The city's municipal courthouse will be closed tomorrow as citizens brace for what is expected to be a major storm. "Due to the threat of inclement weather conditions and for the safety of citizens and employees, the Middleton Municipal Court will be closed tomorrow, December 20, 2012," said a statement from the court.

All initial court appearances and meetings with the pity prosecutor scheduled for December 20, 2012, will be rescheduled. Those with new dates will be notified by mail, according to the court.

Madison – Today, Governor Walker issued an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency in response to the upcoming winter storm.  Heavy snowfall and strong winds are expected to be moving across the state beginning on December 19, 2012.  The Executive Order will ready the Wisconsin Emergency Management, the Wisconsin National Guard, the State Patrol, and other Wisconsin state agencies.

“I issued this executive order to make sure Wisconsin is prepared for whatever this winter storm may bring,” Governor Walker said.  “Mobilizing our state agency resources during this storm will ensure we leave nothing to chance when it comes to protecting the citizens of Wisconsin.”

From the Dane County Sheriff's Office, in advance of the impending snow storm:

As most Wisconsinites know, Mother Nature isn’t concerned with whether or not we have our Christmas shopping done, or we’ve been too busy to stock up on winter supplies.  The National Weather Service is warning of a major snowstorm heading toward our area and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind citizens to get prepared.

If you’ll be traveling, make sure your vehicle is ready for winter and check things like:

·            Antifreeze levels; 

 ·           Battery

·            Brakes

·            Exhaust system

·            Fuel and air filters

·            Heater and defroster

·            Oil

·            Thermostat

·            Windshield wiper equipment

·            Tires