Local

MADISON–Two environmental groups opposed to the Cardinal-Hickory Creek (CHC) powerline have filed lawsuits against the Public Service Commission (PSC) in state and federal courts seeking to reverse the decision to construct the Dubuque, IA-to-Town of Middleton, high voltage line.

The Driftless Area Land Conservancy (DALC) and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF) contend in federal court that the PSC decision violates private property owners’ due process rights and uses eminent domain to take property for a private use in violation of the Fourteenth and Fifth amendments.

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton is currently collecting 2019 taxes. There are 4 ways taxes can be paid:

1. Pay by Mail: City of Middleton Treasurer, 7426 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, WI 53562

The City will recognize the postmark date. Mail postmarked Dec. 31 will be credited to 2019. Mail postmarked Jan. 31, 2020 will be considered timely.

2. Pay in Person: Middleton City Hall, Finance Department, 7426 Hubbard Ave.

City Hall will be closed Dec. 24, 25, and 31, and Jan. 1, 2020. The tax payment drop box and online payments will be available during these closures. All payments dropped off or postmarked in 2019 will be processed as 2019 payments.

3. Drop Box: Located in Library parking lot 

Payments dropped off on Dec. 30, 31 or Jan. 1, 2020, will be collected from the drop box by 8 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2020, and will be processed as paid in 2019.

4. Pay Online: cityofmiddleton.us click Online Bill Pay click Property Tax.

MIDDLETON–Tucked away in the basement of the Harbor Athletic Wellness building on the corner of Allen and Century Boulevards is the state’s only free specialty care medical clinic, BSP (Benevolent Specialists Project) Clinic.

The clinic was the brainchild of three physicians who saw an unfulfilled need for specialty medical services back in 2001. BSP, a mostly volunteer organization with only a handful of paid employees, partners with hospitals, clinics, the UW-Madison and AmeriCorps VISTA to provide a variety of services to patients. 

Patients are referred to the clinic by free clinics around the state. BSP Clinic is available to uninsured adults through the clinics. “We have over 30 clinics in the state that refer patients to us,” said Chris Mullen, program development director and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer. “About 60 percent of them come from Dane County.”

MIDDLETON–The North Mendota Trail connection to Allen Boulevard will move ahead despite considerable debate among city council members on how to fund it. An item to approve increased funding of about $30,000 for design work with a total cost not to exceed  $294,313 was ultimately approved by the council in a six to two vote.

At the council meeting District 8 Alder Mark Sullivan stated that the finance committee had a two to two split vote so there was no recommendation to the common council. 

Sullivan said the council should reject item because it is funded by TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) District #5 which has a deficit balance. 

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Plan Commission reviewed a concept proposal for a new, four-story, mixed use development along the Beltline at its meeting on Dec. 10. The commission also held a public hearing for a rezoning request for the 14-story Pleasant View Park Apartments, which would be built across from Pleasant View Golf Course and overlook Greenway Station.

Tom Sanford proposed redeveloping the current site of Badger Books tucked between the Beltline and North High Point Road to build a four-story, mixed use building. Sanford’s proposal calls for 44 parking spaces, most underground and 18 apartment units. The retail space would be about 2,000 square feet. 

Sanford envisions retail on the first floor, residential on the second and third floors, and office space on the fourth floor to be visible from the Beltline. 

MIDDLETON–Middleton Police Chief Charles Foulke, 63, retires after a 38 year career in the department serving many roles and the last five and a half as chief. Foulke looks back at his career and shares what he’ll be doing after his last day on Dec. 13.

Foulke says he went to UW Madison expecting to end up in law school, but was inspired by his professors to get into criminal justice. 

In the summer of 1980 Foulke took on a criminal justice internship in Middleton going into senior year. 

Having always lived in Madison and never spending much time in Middleton, he realized he really liked the community. After graduating he felt fortunate to get offered a position at Middleton Police Department.

Foulke says he and his wife grew up moving around a lot and expected they would be the same, but it turned out they both found jobs they loved and saw the area as a great place to stay for their kids. 

MIDDLETON–Middleton High School and Clark Street Community School will not have classes on Dec. 11 after threats were made on social media.

In a call to parents on the night of Dec. 10, the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District stated the following:

We are canceling school on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Clark Street Community School and Middleton High School.

Late today, we learned of serious and specific threats to students on social media. We take these threats very seriously. We have shared the threats with the Middleton Police Department and they are investigating.  

Our elementary and middle schools will still be in session on Wednesday.  

In a separate call to elementary and middle school parents, the call stated:

Due to serious and specific threats on social media, we are canceling school on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Clark Street Community School and Middleton High School. 

**UPDATE**Lindsey M. Olson has been located and is safe.  The Dane County Sheriff’s Office thanks everyone who called following the media release to provide information.

ORIGINAL STORY

DANE COUNTY–The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is looking for information on the whereabouts of Lindsey M. Olson, age 16, from the Town of Bristol. Lindsey is 5’8” tall, 155 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. 

She was reported missing from her home in the Town of Bristol on Friday night, Dec. 6, at approximately 10: 30 p.m. Lindsey was picked up by an unknown person operating a black Pontiac vehicle. She was last seen wearing green Converse sneakers and an “All Seasons Landscaping” sweatshirt.

If you have seen Lindsey or know where she is, please call the Dane County Communications Center non-emergency line at 608-255-2345.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Plan Commission unanimously recommends approval of a rezoning request for a proposed four story, 37 unit apartment building on University Avenue, called University Flats, at the site of the closed Sonic fast food restaurant 6413 University Ave. 

The project is being proposed the Commonwealth Companies. Kevin McDonell from Commonwealth said they are the seventh largest affordable housing developer nationwide.

The proposal would consist of 37 units of market rate and affordable apartments in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, 31 of the units would be reserved for families or individuals earning 60 percent of the area median income or less, 20 percent of all units are reserved for veterans or people with disabilities.

During the public hearing residents spoke passionately both in favor and opposed to the affordable housing units.

TOWN OF BERRY–In a Dec. 2 meeting that last just over 15 minutes, the Dane County Board of Adjustments (BOA) made a decision on a parcel of land slated for quarry expansion by Yahara Materials. The board found that the 40-acre piece of land, known as the Meinholz property, was conforming status and did fall under the Town of Springfield ordinance jurisdiction, which would require a conditional use permit from the town for mineral extraction.

The decision upheld a determination by the Town of Springfield Zoning Administrator, Kory Anderson, which stated that the property was not continuous use, a requirement for non-conforming status.