Wednesday, 12.22
Dozens of police officers are called in to break up a brawl between about 80 and 100 high school students at a dance at the Alliant Energy Center. Police later charge Favian Velasco, 17, with disorderly conduct and cite four others with underage drinking.
Thursday, 12.23
Vilas Zoo announces that Henry and Vilas, the zoo's African lion pair, had a baby cub on Dec. 18. The proud parents and cub - who will be named in a contest - are reportedly doing fine.
Former Fox Lake Police Chief Patrick Lynch is charged in Dodge County with sexual assault and stalking for allegedly assaulting a 7-year-old girl in 1989 and later stalking her. Lynch resigned as chief in 2009 after 23 years. He denies the allegations.
Friday, 12.24
Madison police arrest Lorentz Preysz, 56, of Madison for allegedly calling 911 to report that his wife was sexually assaulted and then murdered. Both claims were false.
Saturday, 12.25
Tammy Alexander, 49, of Deerfield receives a kidney transplant. "It's an awesome Christmas present," she tells the Wisconsin State Journal. "The only one I wanted."
Sunday, 12.26
The State Journal reports that an oversight board recommends the UW School of Medicine and Public Health get a refund of the 1% share the UW Foundation has kept annually - more than $20 million in all - for managing an endowment fund for the medical school.
Tuesday, 12.28
Gov.-elect Scott Walker unveils plans for a new private-public agency that would replace the state's Commerce Department. Called the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the agency would be a corporation but follow open records and financial-disclosure laws. Walker says the new agency will be "more nimble." Think of it as regulatory yoga.
Madison announces a deal to buy the remaining portion of the Brayton parking lot at Washington Avenue and Butler Street from the state for $1.4 million, using parking revenues. The city hopes to redevelop the site into a mix of parking, residential, retail and commercial uses.
Wednesday, 12.29
About 10,000 people fly out of the Dane County Regional Airport toward Los Angeles for Saturday's Rose Bowl game.
Dane County cautions farmers not to spread manure on fields, because an expected thaw could cause runoff into streams and lakes, contaminating water. "We're asking everyone who manages manure to be extra careful over the next few days, so we can avoid a serious runoff problem," acting County Executive Scott McDonell tells The Capital Times.
Gov.-elect Scott Walker names senior team members, including health-care lobbyist Eric Schutt as deputy chief of staff, Assistant Attorney General Brian Hagedorn as chief legal counsel, state legislative aide Ryan Murray as director of policy and legislative affairs, and Republican Governors Association spokesman Chris Schrimpf as communications director. Walker previously tapped campaign manager Keith Gilkes as his chief of staff and transition team spokesman Cullen Werwie as his press secretary.
Compiled (in part) from local media
