1.9 Friday
Wingra Point LLC confirms it has bought the former Bancroft Dairy site at the intersection of Fish Hatchery Road and Park Street. Wingra Point is affiliated with Clark Street Development of Chicago.
The office of Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz releases its report regarding allegations by Water Utility workers. It finds that City Engineer Larry Nelson engaged in perhaps inappropriate speculation about a relationship between two employees, which was overheard and "spread further" by city Human Resources staff. Nelson gets a talking to but no one is disciplined. See report here.
1.10 Saturday
Adam Peterson, 20, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison for killing Joel Marino last January, is found dead in his cell at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun. Peterson, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and psychosis after being arrested in Marino's murder, hung himself with a bed sheet.
1.12 Monday
Madison's Board of Estimates rejects a plan to purchase the Overture Center for $1 and help retire $28 million of its construction debt. Ald. Tim Bruer calls the plan "beyond outrageous" for seeking to shift the debt burden to taxpayers.
1.13 Tuesday
Longtime Stoughton Mayor Helen Johnson, 72, announces she will resign Jan. 23, to spend more time with family. Her current term does not end until 2010, which means the city may have to hold a special election.
Madison's Transit and Parking Commission approves a 25-cent fare increase by a vote of 5-4. The move raises the cost of a cash ride to $1.75. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz had been pressuring the commission to increase fares to $2, but members say they hope he'll accept the 25-cent increase as a compromise.
The parents and fiancé of Brittany Zimmermann file a wrongful death lawsuit against Dane County, County Executive Kathleen Falk and 911 operator Rita Gahagan. It alleges that Falk failed to properly staff the 911 Center and Gahagan should have dispatched police after receiving a 911 call from Zimmermann's cell phone. Zimmerman's family also says Dane County officials caused emotional distress by covering up what they knew about the mishandled 911 call.
About 50 fans of the Mic 92.1 meet with station officials at the Dardanelles restaurant. The station agrees to bring back "The Thom Hartmann Program," which had been replaced a week earlier with a financial advice program moderated by a conservative Christian. No word on whether the station will bring back local radio host Lee Rayburn, who quit abruptly last week. (See web post here.)
Rashee Jones, 25, is sentenced to 38 years in prison for shooting at a town of Madison police officer in 2006. Jones fired twice at the officer, after he was pulled over. The officer was not injured.
The Madison Cultural Arts District unanimously decides to use its $4 million in reserves to help retire the Overture Center's $28 million in construction debt.
Compiled from local media
