July 2019

MADISON/MIDDLETON–Donna Jean Parisi, age 89, passed away on July 9, 2019, at her Middleton home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 29, 1930 in Madison, the daughter of Thomas and LaVerne (Peckham) Farris. 

Donna was a warm, compassionate, smart and strong woman who treasured her roles as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, sister-in-law, aunt, friend and Middleton good neighbor. She grew up in Madison and graduated from East High School. Donna married her beloved Joe Parisi on July 11, 1959, and they built their home on the street Joe managed to have named after her, Donna Drive.

CROSS PLAINS–Barbara L. Esser, age 80, passed away on July 14, 2019, at Ingleside Manor in Mount Horeb. She was born on March 28, 1939, in Saratoga Wood County, to Harry and Doris (Ingwall) Ross. Barb married George Esser on June 1, 1957. They were blessed with two children. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandkids and their pets. Barb liked to do needle work. She was always up to trying new things and willing to lend a helping hand. Barb had a passion for old westerns (especially John Wayne) and she loved music and singing. She worked for Springs for 35 years.

MIDDLETON–After a boisterous and, at times, emotional discussion Monday between Stonebrook Estates homeowners and Town of Middleton officials about a new a storm water detention pond, it was decided another meeting was needed.

The town board wanted to consider putting a $525,000 storm water pond in Stonebrook out for bid but many of the north side subdivision’s 66 families were adamantly against it and said their concerns were being ignored.

The town board has selected a 40-acre outlot between Ellington Way and Stonebrook Circle for the detention pond and has an easement recorded on the subdivision’s mid-1990s final plat that allows the town to “manage storm water”.

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.