Local

MIDDLETON–A Cross Plains man was arrested on March 9 in connection with an armed robbery that took place at Smoothie King on Deming Way just before 6 p.m. on Feb. 27. 

Christopher N. Montinguise was taken into custody after police received tips that the man may be involved in the robbery. 

On the day of the robbery, the Middleton Police Department shared surveillance video with the public in hopes of catching the man. A follow up investigation led police to Montinguise.

A handgun was displayed during the robbery. There were no injuries reported and the suspect left the business on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

DANE COUNTY–Cancellations have been taking place around the county, and a Cross Plains school closed for cleaning after a parent learned they were exposed to COVID-19. 

In addition, Gov. Tony Evers declared a public health emergency on March 12, in response to new cases of COVID-19, directing the Department of Health Services (DHS) to use all the resources necessary to respond to and contain the outbreak. Just this week, Wisconsin has had seven new cases and Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota have also seen increased cases. With these new cases there needs to be extensive contact tracing to contain the spread of COVID-19. Wisconsin also has 37 residents returning to the state from a Princess Cruise Ship who may have been exposed and need to be in monitored self quarantine for 14 days.

Also on Thursday, the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce postponed their annual meeting planned for March 19. A new date has not been set for the event. 

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–After losing nearly $20,000 hosting Sunflower Days last year and having only an estimated $8,811 available this year, the Town of Middleton’s Tourism Commission is looking to stage an event smaller than the annual nine-day celebration of blossoming sunflowers.

Last year, the Town of Middleton contracted with Race Days Events, Inc. to manage the festival that grew too large for the Friends of Pope Farm Conversancy to continue managing at Pope Farm Conservancy.

The event generated $48,056 in revenue from the first-ever $4 admission fee, 5k run entry fees, donations and sponsorships, but spent $167,643 on shuttle buses, labor, equipment, Race Days’ management contract, website and media expenses.

MADISON–A Middleton man who was described as a small time but persistent drug dealer was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to five and a half years in prison for selling crack cocaine.

Cameron A. Bates, 31, has accumulated two convictions for cocaine delivery, three for THC possession and substantial battery in the past 14 years. He was on probation for cocaine distribution when he sold crack cocaine five times to undercover law enforcement in July and August last year.

Bates’ prior drug convictions qualified him as a Career Offender under the advisory sentencing guidelines which elevated his sentencing guideline of 12.5 and 18 years in prison.

However, District Judge William Conley used his discretion and didn’t apply the Career Offender status to Bates, saying his prior record didn’t justify amplifying his sentence, and allowed Conley to impose a sentence of five and a half years.

MADISON–A former Middleton High School student will go to trial on charges that he allegedly sexually assaulted a 14 year old coed in 2018.

Mohammad K. Aldachach, 20 was scheduled to enter a guilty plea Feb. 28 and be sentenced, but that was pulled off Circuit Judge Susan Crawford’s calendar after Aldachach was charged with two counts of felony bail jumping on Feb. 24.

According to the criminal complaint:

At 12:13 a.m. on Feb. 23, Middleton police officer Thomas Francis was following a vehicle with dealer registration plates in the vicinity of University Avenue and Park Street. Francis followed the vehicle for about a mile during which he detected a strong and persistent odor of marijuana emanating the vehicle he was following. The vehicle failed to come to a complete stop at Park and Maywood streets an again at Park Street and Donna Drive

MIDDLETON–In December of 2019 the Middleton Police Department received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children related to a Middleton resident who was possibly in possession of child pornography. An investigation into the tip led to a search warrant that was served on Feb. 12.

Based on the investigation, Steven R. Doll, 42, of Middleton was arrested and jailed on one count of Possession of Child Pornography.

This incident is NOT related to the the investigation taking place at Middleton High School in which students were sharing nude photos.

MIDDLETON–On Feb. 27, just before 6 p.m. the Middleton Police Department responded to the report of an armed robbery that had just occurred at Smoothie King, 2019 Deming Way, in the City of Middleton. 

Employees described the suspect as white male, approximately 5’10” tall, wearing a dark hooded coat, glasses, blue jeans, and a winter hat. He also had a blonde beard. A handgun was displayed during the robbery. There were no injuries reported and the suspect left the business on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. 

The Middleton Police Department is asking anyone who may have information or witnessed this incident to contact the police department at 608-824-7300, tipster line at 608-824-7304, or text at 608-824-7300.

DANE COUNTY–Middleton and Dane County voters went to the primary on Tuesday to choose candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court Judge and Middleton mayor.

In the mayoral primary incumbent Gurdip Brar and Plan Commissioner Kurt Paulsen received the most votes and will advance to the Spring Election in April. Brar received the most votes at 51.5 percent and Paulsen got 30.8 percent. Middleton Common Council President Dan Ramsey II did not advance to the Spring Election, and received 17.6 percent of votes. 

MIDDLETON – The city’s Ethics Board met Monday to review the first-ever complaint filed with the year-old body and decided it needed more information.

The seven-member board consists of five residents appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Middleton Common Council, one council member, and the city’s human resources manager.

The board was established last year to investigate citizen complaints against city employees alleging conduct that violates the Code of Ethics.

CROSS PLAINS–Although the couple didn’t know it at the start, the deluge of snail mail letters, written in cursive, carefully folded into an envelope, affixed with a lick-able stamp and placed in the mailbox for delivery, were actually intercepted and shot from Cupid’s arrow–aided and abetted by a persistent matchmaker. For four years, so many letters traveled the nearly 800 miles between New Bedford, MA and Raleigh, NC that neither Marilyn Andrews nor Dick Cashwell bothered counting.

Both are now 83 and have been happily married for 61 years.