Local

VERONA–Dane County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene of a vehicle and bicycle accident on the Town of Verona Sunday afternoon. Just before 4 p.m. on July 21, the accident was reported near the intersection of CTH PD and Timber Lane, at Military Ridge State Trail.

An early investigation by deputies indicated that a Ford Escape, driven by a 34-year-old female, was westbound on CTH PD when the vehicle was stuck by a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 56-year-old-woman, was traveling southbound, and did not stop at the trail stop sign. 

The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Escape was not injured.

CTH PD was closed between Timber Lane and Gust Rd. for approximately four hours while law enforcement officials investigated the crash.The Dane County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and the crash remains under investigation.  

WASHINGTON DC–The Middleton workplace shooting that took place at Paradigm (then known as WTS Paradigm) on Sept. 19, 2018, was used as part of a study by the US Secret Service regarding mass shootings in the United States. 

The survey, “Mass Attacks in Public Spaces–2018,” produced by the agency’s National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) examined 27 shootings from Jan.-Dec. 2018. This is only the second year the assessment has been done, with the inaugural study in 2017, which examined 28 shootings. The study required that three or more people had been injured in an incident to be considered a mass shooting–there is no standard definition of “mass shooting” in the US. The study considers public spaces to be anywhere people gather in public, places of worship, shopping malls, schools and the workplace.

CROSS PLAINS–Dane County Sheriff’s deputies arrest two men in connection with a burglary on the afternoon of July 17 in the Town of Cross Plains.

At 12:28 p.m., a neighbor called in a report of a suspicious person near a home on Valley Spring Rd. Deputies noticed damage to the screen of a back door and then saw a man running from the house. Later, a second man was seen running in the same area. 

Deputies found Fred L. Rushing, aged 21, of Madison, at a nearby tavern where he was taken into custody. An ID belonging to Tyrone K. Chrisco-Johnson, aged 28, of Fitchburg, was found inside a Chevrolet Impala at the scene. Deputies searched using a K9 and a UAV (drone), but they were not able to locate the second suspect.  

MIDDLETON–The city’s Cooling Centers Policy is in effect for the next several days during a predicted heat wave that could push temperatures into the mid 90s by the weekend. As an adjunct policy to the City’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 90 degrees Fahrenheit; 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 may be established:

Middleton Police Department located at 7341 Donna Dr.

• 24 hours daily

MIDDLETON–Bluesy notes will fill the air on July 18 when the Downtown Middleton Business Association hosts their Fourth Annual Downtown Middleton Shop ‘n Blues event from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

This year, Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys featuring Westside Andy on harmonica, will be the musical act. The Madison-based band is described as Chicago blues (the Reverend hails from the south side of the Windy City) and is celebrating its 20^thanniversary this year. 

Restaurants and retailers will offer specials and sidewalk sales throughout the day, and the band will begin playing at 4 p.m. Elmwood Ave., between Parmenter and Aurora Streets, will close at 2 p.m. to set up for the live music.

DANE COUNTY–Over the past two and a half years, the Madison metro area, including Middleton, has been plagued with both thefts of vehicles and thefts from vehicles carried out by a group of young teens. Despite efforts by law enforcement in the area, the crimes have continued leading to frustration of both law enforcement and citizens. Law enforcement officials say that these crimes can be prevented for the most part, by removing opportunity.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Cross Plains Times-Tribune will host its second annual School Supply Drive in conjunction with Middleton Outreach Ministries (MOM). The donations will benefit the charitable organization’s Back to School program. Last year the program provided backpacks full of supplies to 666 children in the area.

“We know that many families struggle with the lengthy list of supplies their kids need for school each year. The Times-Tribune is excited to host this drive for the second year, and plans to continue it into the future,” said Times-TribuneEditor Michelle Phillips. “MOM provides aa outstanding service to the community, and we want to help them provide supplies for more students.”

DANE COUNTY-The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is aware of a crew posing as an asphalt paving business operating in western Dane County during the first week of July. The crew attempted to fraudulently charge residents an exorbitant cost for laying low cost recycled asphalt.  

Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating and asking that if anyone had contact with this crew to call the tip line at 608-284-6900.

CROSS PLAINS–Just after 6 p.m. on July 8, Dane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home burglary on CTH J in the town of Cross Plains.  

The victim arrived home to find her back door shattered and a number of electronics and miscellaneous items missing. 

Sheriff’s deputies are continuing to investigate and are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area or knows anything about this crime to call the tip line at 608-284-6900. As always, tips can be left anonymously.  

Farmers Markets in Full Swing Despite Cool, Damp Weather

CROSS PLAINS/MIDDLETON–Although off to a slow start, Mother Nature will not be denied her growing season. And, thankfully, the public will not be denied their farmers’ markets, despite weather-related cancellations, wind, rain and chilly temperatures. Both Cross Plains and Middleton Farmers’ Markets, held respectively on Wednesdays 3:30-6 p.m., at the corner of Hwy. P and Main St., and Thursdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m., in Greenway Station, are proof. 

Vendors, coming from localities such as Arena, Blue Mounds, Cross Plains, Gays Mills, Highland, Oregon and Madison, expect that in July seasonal fruit and vegetables will be in abundance.

“It’s coming around,” said Natalie Ortega of Natalie’s Garden and Greenhouse, “We’re optimistic and we have our expected produce, now.” Her stall in Middleton is one of several selling herbs and flowering plants.