Local

MIDDLETON–Lengthening the main runway at the Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field garnered only a tie vote at last week’s Airport Commission meeting.

Mayor Gurdip Brar, an ex officio member of the commission, along with Alders Robert Burck and Luke Fuszard voted for the “no-build” option while chair John Hallick, 

David Lorman and Kevin Munson voted for a 440-foot extension to the 4,000-foot runway. Michelle Bond, a citizen member, abstained.

Before passing their recommendations on to the Common Council, the Commission considered the final chapter (Design Alternatives) of the draft Airport Master Plan, a two-year-long process that has brought the airport’s problems and potential to the forefront of public debate.

Making a rare appearance at the commission, Brar said the airport was safely operating now and 93 percent of users polled were satisfied with the current runway length.

DANE COUNTY–Whether you are interested in the geological wonders of this area of Wisconsin or are just looking to spend time out in nature, county and state parks, as well as the Ice Age Trail, provide well-preserved places to enjoy the natural beauty of the region on foot.

Wisconsin has a diverse selection of terrains due to glaciers advancing into many, but not all, parts of the state. Dane County and the surrounding areas are especially varied, straddling the line of the Laurentide Ice Sheet’s furthest advance into this area before its retreat 18,000 years ago. 

That means the parks in this area offer something for everyone, from strenuous hikes to gentle walks. Here are a few nearby places to hike in the warmer months ahead:

County Parks

MIDDLETON–Friends of the Middleton Public Library treasurer Dan Olson and board member Tim Graham said they were surprised at a proposal by the Middleton Public Library Board to close the bookstore run by the Friends and housed inside the library building.

The men said they knew space constraints were a problem for the library, and when the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement was discussed at the library board’s May meeting, they expected space might be reduced, but were surprised that the board wants to close the store altogether.

We understand this is their decision,” said Olson, “we’re disappointed, but it is their decision.”

“I wish there had been more upfront communication,” added Graham.

MIDDLETON–The weather forecast from June 4-8 predicts temperatures hovering around the 90º range. Per the City of Middleton’s Emergency Plan the city will establish Cooling Centers when the following conditions are met:

• Projected prolonged heat or heat index equivalent at or above 90º; and/or

• State or Federal emergency advisories concerning heat or heat index; and/or

• Local, State or Federal emergencies that displace citizens from their residences 

in Middleton during high heat or heat index times; and/or

• Power outages of longer than 12 hours during times of high heat or heat index 

experience.

• Other times at the discretion of the City’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

The following Cooling Centers will be open in the City of Middleton during this period of excessive heat.

Middleton Police Department located at 7341 Donna Dr. (24 hours daily)

MIDDLETON–On June 2 at approximately 6:06 a.m., residents of Middleton reported seeing a black bear swimming in Lake Mendota and on land near the 2300 block of Middleton Beach Road. It eventually went into a wooded area and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff arrived to assist. They determined that the bear should be left alone and that it would likely leave the area by this evening.

Since the report on Tuesday was announced, a resident contacted the Police Department and advised that she saw the bear at approximately 5 a.m. on the morning of June 1. At that time the bear was seen in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy north of Century Avenue in the area behind Highland Way.

Short video clips can be found on the Middleton Police Department social media sites.

According to the DNR, bears are normally shy around humans and avoid them as much as possible. It is important to reinforce this fear by scaring bears away so that conflicts are reduced.

MIDDLETON–Middleton police are searching for a dog and its walker after it allegedly bit a bicyclist on Wednesday.

At about 1 p.m. on May 26, the bicyclist reported being bitten by a dog on Branch Street near Sauk Trail Elementary School. The dog was described as a tan and white, collie-type dog being walked by a teenage female.

Officers are looking to identify the female and/or the owner of the dog so it can be determined if the dog has current vaccinations. If you have any information about this incident, please call or text us at 608-824-7300 and mention incident number 21-6950

BARABOO–A Cross Plains man recently has been charged with three counts of First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child in a case that was reopened 27 years after the alleged offenses have been said to have occurred.

According to published accounts:

Michael J. Hill, 63, was a science teacher at River Valley High School and had adopted a girl from Columbia. The girl told Spring Green police in 1995 that Hill had allegedly made sexual contact with her. Hill reportedly told an investigator that he had sexual contact with the girl on one occasion. At the time, the investigation didn’t result in any prosecution against Hill.

The alleged assaults would have occurred in 1992 when the girl was 11 and Hill was 34, according to the Sauk County Department of Human Services records.

MIDDLETON–Lengthening the main runway received increased support last week at the final Airport Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting.

Prior polls showed scant interest in increasing the current 4,000-foot east-west runway, and on Thursday, a no-build option was still preferred by six members. However, five members, including all the representatives of the business community, preferred lengthening the runway by 200 or 400 feet.

Airport Manager and Morey Airplane Co. President Richard Morey initially saw no real benefit in lengthening the runway to the west but on Thursday said that it could be done “for very little additional money.”

CROSS PLAINS–Plans for the Cross Plains Chamber Annual Chicken BBQ have been cancelled, but Memorial Day activities are still taking place in the village. 

The Cross Plains-Middleton American Legion Post 245 Memorial Day will hold a  parade from Park Street at Park Elementary School to American Legaion Park beginning at 11:00 a.m. Parade on Park Street from Park Elementary School to American Legion. The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile will be in the staging area before the parade handing out whistles. A Memorial Day program to follow the parade by American Legion Post 245.

The Cross Plains Lions Club Brat Stand will be serving food from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (or until food runs out). They will pause sales for the Memorial ceremony.

MADISON–The state is working to provide greater access to COVID-19 vaccinations, including working to form pop-up clinics and worksite clinics around the state. State run clinics are also offering walk-in service. In addition, Pfizer is expected to authorize vaccines for 12 to 15 year-olds by early next week.

Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk, Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Bureau of Communicable Diseases told reporters at a press briefing Tuesday that the measures will help push the number of vaccinated individuals higher. The state currently has 43 percent of eligible residents vaccinated, which has slowed demand a bit.

Willems Van Dijk began the conference by first delivering the bad news. “I have some grim news, today we have reached 600,000 cases in the state.” She went on to say 6,850 had died from the virus in Wisconsin.