August 2014

While questions of race, lethal force and police accountability continue to rage in Ferguson, Missouri following the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, the Middleton Police Department is making clear that it has already taken extensive steps to document its officers’ interactions with the citizenry.

“If a controversial event occurs which involves one of our officers, we are in good shape to review the incident and share the results with the public at an appropriate time,” said Chief of Police Chuck Foulke in a statement sent to city leaders last week.

“I am a firm believer in squad video cameras and am optimistic that personal body cameras will soon become part of our everyday equipment,” said Foulke. “I strongly advocate being transparent in everything we do.”

Franco Marcos is notorious for bold statements.

He doesn’t shy away from large proclamations. And he won’t run from those declarations throughout the year.

The thing is, more often than not, Marcos is right. And Middleton’s girls volleyball coach is hoping he will be correct again this year.

The Cardinals graduated eight seniors from last year’s team, including four all-conference players. That group reached the sectional finals before losing to Sun Prairie.

And while many expect Middleton to take a step back this season, Marcos certainly isn’t one of them.

“I like these kids a lot, maybe even more than last year’s team from a talent perspective,” said Marcos, who’s beginning his 19^th season as Middleton’s varsity coach. “A lot of kids that are eager to learn and I think with this group we could do some great things.

They survived the first two meets of the season without their best player.
When she returned, a terrific Middleton girls golf team became downright dynamic.

Cardinals junior Loren Skibba returned to the lineup last Friday during a dual meet against Janesville Parker at Pleasant View. And Middleton responded by shooting a school-record 2-over-par, 146.

The Cardinals’ big day helped them climb to No. 2 in the latest Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin poll.

“Friday’s match against Janesville Parker was amazing to say the least,” Middleton coach Becky Halverson said. “Loren was back for us and we got to see a sneak peak into our team's potential this season.” 

Skibba has been nursing a back injury early in the year. And the Cardinals will be cautious with her all year, making sure she’s ready for the postseason.

But Friday’s match showed just how good Middleton can be when it’s at full strength.

Middleton’s police and fire departments faced off Saturday in their third annual softball game fundraiser benefit, “The Battle of the Badges.”