9.18 Thursday
The Dane County Board votes 21-14 to ban smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants. The ban, which goes into effect Aug. 15, 2009, affects only towns, not Dane County's cities and villages.
The state Supreme Court reinstates Chuck Chvala's law license. The former Senate majority leader lost it when he was convicted of misconduct in office in 2005.
9.19 Friday
The Overture Center says it will liquidate its trust fund to pay off most of its $115 million debt. The fund, which fell to $95 million because of a failing stock market, was supposed to generate enough interest to pay for the facility's ongoing maintenance. Benefactor Jerry Frautschi will pay for the remaining debt through 2009; the Madison Cultural Arts District will then take over payments until 2011. It's still unclear whether Madison taxpayers will have to contribute any funding.
9.22 Monday
James Anderson, 23, is sentenced to three years in prison for unintentionally killing Tyree Jacobs, 31, during a fight outside a party on Atticus Way in March.
Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, speaks to a crowd of about 1,800 outside Camp Randall. She encourages people to get involved, noting that with fewer than 50 days before the election, "every day, every minute counts."
Madison's Board of Estimates votes against giving $250,000 in funding for an indoor public market, where vendors would sell cheese, produce and crafts. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz broke the committee's 3-3 tie, saying the city first has to pay for bigger projects, including Allied Drive's redevelopment and the Villager Mall.
Reince Priebus, chair of the state Republican Party, admits he had multiple conversations with Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen's top aide, before Van Hollen filed a lawsuit to force the state elections agency to double-check voter registrations. The elections agency has said there is not enough time to check registrations before the Nov. 4 election.
9.23 Tuesday
The Dane County Humane Society takes in 19 dogs from Texas, who were made homeless by Hurricane Ike. The dogs could be available for adoption as early as next week.
Dane County Coroner John Stanley confirms that UW-Madison student Richard Putze, 22, was drunk when he crashed his car on Midvale Boulevard last month. Putze and two other UW students, Lindsey Plank, 23, and Daniel Myers, 22, were killed in the crash.
9.24 Wednesday
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announces that she will include $250,000 in funding in the 2009 budget for new initiatives to combat alcohol abuse. Falk wants to increase drunk driving enforcement and create a pilot program to identify middle schoolers at risk for abusing alcohol.
Compiled from local media
