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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.

CROSS PLAINS–Rodney “Mr. Peanuts” Esser, custodian at Park Elementary School, has been named a finalist in the national 2023 Custodian of the Year contest sponsored by Cintas Corporation. This contest recognizes custodians for all they do to help provide students with a clean and safe environment.

We need your help to get Mr. Peanuts enough votes to win the title of 2023 Custodian of year, The winner will receive $10,000 cash, $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and training valued up to $30,000 from ISSA. New this year, the Top 3 finalists will also win an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas.

MIDDLETON–The city and surrounding communities in the Times-Tribune coverable area only had one thing on their Feb. 21 primary ballot–Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. 

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly, and circuit court judges Everett Mitchell (Dane County), Jennifer Dorow (Waukesha County) and Janet Protasiewicz (Milwaukee County) all ran in the Spring Primary, with the top two competing in the April 4 Spring Election.

The statewide primary saw Protasiewicz with the most votes with 46.4 percent, followed by Kelly with 24.3 percent. Dorow got 21.7 percent of votes and Everett 7.5 percent.

In Dane County Protasiewicz brought in 68.5 percent of votes, Everett 14.1, Dorow, 8.8 percent and Kelly 8.5 percent. 

A Supreme Court Justice term lasts 10 years.

Protasiewicz and Kelly will be on the ballot April 4. 

MIDDLETON-The City of Middleton Plan Commission approved a rezoning request and general implementation plan for a proposed 128-acre residential development west of Pheasant Branch Conservancy between High Road and Pheasant Branch Road.

The development to be named “Redtail Ridge” would include 867 residential dwellings and 52,957 square feet of commercial space. Housing would include a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, clustered cottages and multifamily dwellings. Parks, open space, natural green areas, wetlands and stormwater management facilities would comprise 28 percent of the total site area just beyond the city’s goal of 25 percent.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton City Council will seek approval from 250 to 300 homeowners to be granted permission to treat the spongy moth outbreak that began last summer. The permission for access is the next step after the council voted to approve a contractor for aerial spraying.

Numerous City of Middleton residents called on the council last summer to take action to mitigate the spongy moth outbreak which could devastate the city’s deciduous tree population, especially oak trees. 

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) European spongy moths (formerly known as gypsy moths) were accidentally introduced into Massachusetts in 1869 by an amateur entomologist. Since then, spongy moths have defoliated millions of acres of trees in forests and urban areas in at least 20 states. Spongy moth caterpillars feed on more than 300 species of deciduous and evergreen trees.

MIDDLETON–Middleton police have asked the Dane County District Attorney to review possible charges of misdemeanor disorderly conduct involving four members of the Middleton High School (MHS) football team, according to a report released Monday.

Middleton Police Department (MIPD) determined that due to a lack of evidence and conflicting statements, referral of criminal charges against the suspects was not prudent. Instead, the department asked the district attorney’s office to review the case for a possible charging decision.

The investigation by Kim Wood, MHS’ school resource officer, and other department members, began on Jan. 11 into a possible sexual assault in the shower areas of MHS used by the varsity football team. The report was obtained by the Times-Tribune through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

MIDDLETON–Middleton Community Orchestra (MCO) will hold its 2023 Young Artist Competition Winners Concert, featuring the winners of the auditions, which were held Jan. 8 at Capitol Lakes Retirement Home.

This year’s winners include: Kaitlyn McIntosh, viola; Ellen Zhou, violin; and Angelina Chang, piano. The women will perform with MCO On Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. at the Middleton Performing Arts Center with Christopher Ramaekers conducting.

Selections for the performance will include: Macura “An Unquiet Overture”; Elgar “From The Wand of Youth Suite 2: The Wild Bears”; Walton “Viola Concerto,” featuring McIntosh; Chopin, “Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op.11,” featuring Chang; Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47,” featuring Zhou; and Dvorak “Carnival Overture.”

Ellen Zhou

\TOWN OF MIDDLETON–The town board Monday added its voice to the growing chorus of entities urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize findings that exhaust from leaded aviation gas is a public health risk.

Last year, the EPA signaled its intention to make an “endangerment” finding regarding the fuel used in 170,000 piston-driven aircraft nationwide, including the aircraft hangered at Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field.

The town was the only Wisconsin municipality to join a petition by Earthjustice in 2020 to urge the EPA to regulate leaded aviation gas, which is the largest source of lead emissions in the country.

Morey Field is Dane County’s second-largest source of lead emissions behind only Dane County Regional Airport, annually contributing more than 200 pounds of airborne lead.