Local

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Plan Commission unanimously recommends approval of a rezoning request for a proposed four story, 37 unit apartment building on University Avenue, called University Flats, at the site of the closed Sonic fast food restaurant 6413 University Ave. 

The project is being proposed the Commonwealth Companies. Kevin McDonell from Commonwealth said they are the seventh largest affordable housing developer nationwide.

The proposal would consist of 37 units of market rate and affordable apartments in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, 31 of the units would be reserved for families or individuals earning 60 percent of the area median income or less, 20 percent of all units are reserved for veterans or people with disabilities.

During the public hearing residents spoke passionately both in favor and opposed to the affordable housing units.

TOWN OF BERRY–In a Dec. 2 meeting that last just over 15 minutes, the Dane County Board of Adjustments (BOA) made a decision on a parcel of land slated for quarry expansion by Yahara Materials. The board found that the 40-acre piece of land, known as the Meinholz property, was conforming status and did fall under the Town of Springfield ordinance jurisdiction, which would require a conditional use permit from the town for mineral extraction.

The decision upheld a determination by the Town of Springfield Zoning Administrator, Kory Anderson, which stated that the property was not continuous use, a requirement for non-conforming status. 

MIDDLETON-On Nov. 29 at 4:21 a.m., Middleton Police were dispatched to an alarm at the AT&T Store located at 2173 Deming Way. On arrival, police determined that the business had been burglarized by forced entry and the suspects were no longer on scene.

Upon reviewing security footage it appears that two suspects got into the business by breaking a window. They attempted to gain access to another room in the store but were unsuccessful.  The suspects were in the store approximately one minute then fled prior to police arrival in an unknown vehicle.  It was also determined that a third suspect was likely involved as a “look out.”

The suspects are described as:

Suspect #1 was wearing light or gray pants, a black hoodie, face was covered, gloves and gray shoes.

Suspect #2 was wearing all black or dark clothing, face was covered and carrying some type of dark bag or backpack

MIDDLETON–The downtown plaza, located next to Village Green, officially has a name, Stone Horse Green. The moniker reflects the stone horse sculptures, called “Herd of Boulders,” that will be installed at the park. In addition, plans are moving forward to start work on the green space in spring of 2020. 

Abby Attoun Middleton Director of Planning & Community Development said the city has contributed $500,000 and still needs to raise $1 million to cover the costs for the new park. 

She said the concept for the green space was presented to the Plan Commission in 2015 and the city purchased properties in January 2018. The city then asked residents their vision for the space. 

“We started with a sign on the property saying, ‘What do you want to see here?’ We held widely attended public input sessions and that helped us to hone in on five design principles for the space,” Attoun explained.

Those principles are as follows:

**UPDATE** Colleen Soper Dies at Hospital

MADISON–Colleen Soper, 87, who was found in a vehicle with her deceased husband, Donald, 87, after the two disappeared on Thanksgiving, has died at a local hospital. 

She was taken to Meriter Hospital after the couple’s car was found on a remote trail in the Town of Vermont on Saturday morning. Donald Soper was found dead at the scene, and Colleen in critical condition.

The Sopers went missing after attending a family gathering on Thursday afternoon. A Silver Alert was issued when the couple failed to make it to their destination. 

Cause of death has not been released, and autopsies are being performed. 

**UPDATE** Missing Dane County Couple Found

TOWN OF VERMONT–On Thanksgiving Day, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office took the report of a missing elderly couple.

**Update** At approximately 6:50PM, on November 25, 2019, Mr. Arndt was located safe in Edgerton, WI. Thank you to the concerned citizens and Edgerton PD for their assistance. 

DANE COUNTY–The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is looking for information on the whereabouts of Christopher Arndt, aged 44 of Albion.  He was last seen at his residence on Haugen Road in the town of Albion at about 9 p.m. on Nov. 24.  

Arndt is 5’10” tall and approximately 165 lbs. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Dane County Communications Center non-emergency line, at 608-255-2345.

MIDDLETON–Residents affected by airplane noise continue to see Middleton Municipal Airport officials as unresponsive to their noise complaints, according to comments made last week at a Middleton Airport Commission meeting.

Cynthia Richson, a commission member and board chair of the Town of Middleton, said plane noise recently woke her three times between 2-3:30 a.m. 

“They may be (Med Flights) saving lives but there’s a lot of sleep deprivation caused by planes flying west of the airport,” she said.

The airport has a noise abatement program which directs pilots to avoid developed areas, but planes on instrument approach can fly as low as 400 feet above the ground.

“I’m in the noise abatement area and it isn’t working,” said a Meadowrue Circle resident.

MADISON–A Middleton man was found guilty on Oct. 24 of three counts of child sexual assault in connection with touching two girls, in instances eight years apart, at Harbor Athletic Club swimming pools.

Kevin Welton, 59, faces maximum penalties of 60 years in prison per count at his Jan. 27 sentencing before Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford. She continued Welton’s release on conditions.

After a two-day trial, jurors needed about two hours to convict Welton on the two counts of First-Degree Sexual Assault of a Child Under 13 and one count of Attempted First-Degree Sexual Assault of a Child Under 13.

Middleton police investigated a report in 2010 in which Welton was alleged to have made sexual contact with a seven-year-old girl at an indoor pool at Harbor Athletic. The case was dropped after police determined a crime hadn’t been committed, Assistant District Attorney Erin Karshen said in closing remarks to jurors.

CROSS PLAINS–On Oct. 22, over 50 people attended the Black Earth Creek Watershed Association (BECWA) fall meeting, held at the Cross Plains Fire Station. It brought interested parties together from government, nonprofits and citizens, to share and discuss findings regarding the August 2018 flood impact upon communities, farming and trout in the watershed.

BECWA President Greg Hyer began, “For over 30 years, BECWA has been a community-based watershed advocate and educator,” working with farmers, landowners, developers and communities to protect watershed wildlife, fish and water. “The past focus has been on the quality of water,” he said, “now it’s quantity.”

August 2018 to Present: Increased Water

The increased volume of water the area has experienced in the past year has significantly impacted many, garnered the attention of most and is leading to communities-wide discussions on how best to proceed in tackling excess precipitation.

WISCONSIN DELLS–When Middleton resident Gavin Katovich recently attended the 2019 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference (WSDC) he said, “I would prefer people to understand my ability more, it drives me crazy when they don’t get it.” 

Katovich, 20, has lived his life experiencing Tourette Syndrome, a nervous system disorder characterized by involuntary and repetitive tics and sounds.

His father, Kevin Katovich explained, “Basically, Gavin has no control over what he’s saying, but you may think he does because he’s got really good verbal skills.” 

Katovich also suffers from dyspraxia, a developmental coordination disorder, which impacts his physical abilities.