March 2013

Mon
11
Mar
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MOM's New Day

Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM) has a new face to go along with its new home on Parmenter Street. It just so happens to be an affable, local face that is already familiar to countless people throughout the community.

On the eve of last week’s move from MOM’s outdated Hubbard Avenue offices to a new facility at 3502 Parmenter Street, Al Ripp, the charitable organization’s new executive director, was reclining in a chair in an office stripped almost bare. Boxes were piled high, and volunteers were taking a break from carrying items up and down the creaky wooden steps of the old MOM offices.

Through the window, large flakes of snow were gently swaying in the breeze as they make their way down to Hubbard Avenue.

Fri
08
Mar
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Study: Parking Structure Not Needed

A recent study suggests there is little need for a downtown parking ramp, news that was met with chagrin by many local business owners who have been calling on the city to build the structure with Tax Increment Financing.

Talk of constructing a new parking ramp is still circling, and parking limitations in the downtown area and beyond have been the source of much frustration for some time now, according the group that has been applying pressure on city leaders. In response, the City of Middleton recently hired Walker Parking Consultants to conduct the downtown parking ramp study.

On February 26, Philip Baron of Walker Parking Consultants presented the results of the draft study to Middleton residents. Baron offered a summary of the study’s findings, discussing the parking counts that were conducted, noting the total amount of public and private parking spaces, and pinpointing the peak weekday and weekend parking demands.

Fri
08
Mar
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Local Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Teen Runaway

A Middleton man who worked at a local church stands accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a male 14-year-old runaway, according to a criminal complaint filed in circuit court last week.

James A. “Alex” Gillespie, age 48, made his initial appearance in Dane County Court Thursday on charges of Sexual Assault of a Child.  He faces two counts, each of which could carry 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

The victim is a boy who went missing from his Beloit home in October of 2012.

Police allege Gillespie performed oral sex on the teen on multiple occasions, in Gillespie’s Century Avenue residence, when the victim was intoxicated. The first sexual encounter occurred shortly before Christmas of 2012, and the last took place shortly after the holiday, according to investigators.

Thu
07
Mar
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Police Unveil Anonymous Tip Texting

The Middleton Police Department (MIPD) is launching tip411, an Internet based tool that enables the public to text anonymous tips to police. It also lets police respond back, creating a two way anonymous “chat.”



Reserved exclusively for Public Safety purposes and powered by CitizenObserver, a St. Paul, MN company, tip411 puts a powerful new crime fighting tool into the hands of our community for all ages and demographics.



“We’re proud to be part of a national program that benefits over 1,000 communities around the country,” said MIPD Capt. Charles Foulke. “This new capability will help our citizens play an active role in keeping neighborhoods safer, it will engage a younger demographic in the process and it will save our agency time and resources.”



Anyone with a cell phone can now send an anonymous tip to the Middleton Police Department by texting the word “MIDDLETON,” followed by the tip information to 847411 (tip411). 

Wed
06
Mar
Wed
06
Mar
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La Follette eliminates Middleton's girls

Middleton’s girls’ basketball team won’t be making its typical trip to state this season, but it certainly won’t be for a lack of effort.

Showing true grit and heart, the Cardinals battled back from a nine-point fourth quarter deficit only to drop a 73-62 decision in overtime to Madison La Follette in a WIAA Division 1 regional final last Saturday.

The loss ended Middleton’s run of five consecutive state tournament appearances.

“When we went down by nine, nobody was ready for the season to end and we were all trying to rally back,” said junior forward Liz McMahon, who led Middleton with 17 points. “Natalie (Staples) made some big free throws and we made some big stops on defense, but we just weren’t able to finish it off. We tried really hard and we left it all out there.”

Wed
06
Mar
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Middleton's girls top Madison West

Not this time.

That was the message Middleton’s girls basketball team delivered to Madison West — and Regents standout sophomore guard Ebony Nettles-Bey — during a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal last Friday.

Two weeks earlier, Nettles-Bey erupted for 30 points and West nearly pulled a stunning upset of the Cardinals.

This time, though, Nettles Bey was held to 16 points — just six in the second half — and Middleton cruised to a 54-36 win.

The Cardinals improved to 15-8, while West ended its year 8-15.

“We did a nice job defensively on Nettles-Bay,” Middleton coach Jeff Kind said. “We tried to limit her touches vs. the press and make her give it up when she did get it. 

“She's still going to get some points, but we didn't let her get open looks in the lane like the previous game. Our guards, particularly Darcy Dean and Natalie Staples, really made things tough for her.”

Wed
06
Mar
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Skibba, Bakkar shine at state

They’ve been a dynamic duo for Middleton’s girls gymnastics team all season.

And last Friday was no different for Aryn Skibba and Bianca Bakkar.

Skibba, a junior, finished sixth in the all-around competition at the WIAA Division 1 individual state meet in Wisconsin Rapids with a sensational score of 37.317. Bakkar, a senior, placed ninth as an all-arounder with a dynamic score of 36.517.

“I am so proud of Aryn and Bianca,” Middleton coach Kari Steck said. “Between the two of them, a Middleton gymnast placed on every event in the individual competition. Only two other teams (Franklin Co-op and Burlington Co-op) could say that leaving Friday. 

“I think that's incredible and it says a lot about the depth of Middleton and the consistency of Aryn and Bianca. Even under stressful, high pressure situations such as Friday night individuals, they both shine.”

Skibba, who was fourth at state individually last year, had another banner meet.

Wed
06
Mar
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MHS girls gymnastics team 7th at state

 

This wasn’t an off day.

There was no disappointment, no dissatisfaction.

In fact, Middleton girls gymnastics coach Kari Steck isn’t sure why that question would even be asked.

Middleton went to the WIAA Division 1 state meet in Wisconsin Rapids last Saturday and finished seventh overall at the 10-team event. The Cardinals entered the meet ranked third in the state.

Middleton posted a solid score of 139.560. But that was more than one point less than the Cardinals averaged at the Big Eight Conference meet and the Waunakee Sectional.

But Steck insisted her team had no displeasure with seventh place.

“It was not an off day for the team,” Steck said. “I'm not sure why you ask? Competition at the state meet is good and tough, as it should be. We were happy to be there, and the girls did their best. I am very proud of them. 

Tue
05
Mar
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Mardi Gras Gives High School Athletic Programs a Boost

Middleton High School has one of the premier athletic programs in the state. The Cardinal Booster Club aims to keep it that way, no matter how tight the school district’s budgets get.

Mardi Gras, the booster club’s annual fundraiser, will take place Saturday from 8 p.m. until midnight at the Marriott, 1313 John Q. Hammons Dr., Middleton.

Anjie Harris-Ostrem, one of the event’s organizers, said Mardi Gras serves as both a festive respite from the long winter and an essential yearly fundraiser for 28 different Middleton High School athletic teams.

Two years ago the booster club donated $114,000 to MHS programs, but that number was down to $110,000 last year. MHS athletic director Bob Joers said his department’s annual budget remains flat from year to year. As a result, the booster club’s role is growing increasingly important.

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