May 2020

WEST ALLIS–For several months the Wisconsin State Fair Park Board of Directors and staff have been working tirelessly analyzing all facets of the annual event, in hopes of being able to provide the Wisconsin State Fair experience that Fairgoers have come to know and love over the past 169 years.

On May 26, the board voted unanimously to authorize Chairman Yingling to make the determination on whether events currently scheduled at State Fair Park, including the 2020 Wisconsin State Fair, are to be canceled, after extensive input from each board member and Kathleen O’Leary, Executive Director/CEO. On May 28, Yingling announced that for the safety of fairgoers, staff, vendors, entertainers, exhibitors, sponsors, suppliers and the broader community, the 2020 Wisconsin State Fair has been canceled.

DANE COUNTY–Dane County Sheriff’s deputies, working in conjunction with officers from 

UW–Madison Police, Sun Prairie Police, City of Madison Police, Fitchburg Police, Capitol Police, Janesville Police, Albany Police and the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, have arrested Raymond M. Sanchez, III, 37, of Footville, on multiple charges of Burglary. This was an extensive investigation that ultimately crossed state lines and resulted in the recovery of thousands of dollars in stolen property.  

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Aquatic Center will open!

The Middleton Common Council voted to open the facility at their May 19 meeting, following guidelines set forth by Public Health of Madison and Dane County (PHMDC).

Before the vote council members asked questions of Rebecca Price, assistant director of recreation, including those about capacity, sanitation and social distancing. Price told them that in Phase I the pool can open at 25 percent capacity, but she sees the pool reaching that number gradually. All furniture will be removed, and cleaning procedures will be ramped up to ensure public safety. In addition, she said it would be unlikely that the pool could accommodate the Middleton Gators swim team with the restrictions, and reminded the council that swim meets are currently not being held.

At the beginning of the meeting Gators coach Matt Flannagan made a plea to open the pool.

CROSS PLAINS–By a 4-3 vote at their May 26 meeting, the Cross Plains Village Board opened streets to all-terrain vehicles and closed off a chance for a referendum on the long-contentious topic.

The narrow votes with Board Members Sarah Francois, Bill Brosius and Kevin Thusius, voting against an ordinance permitting ATVs and UTVs; and for an advisory referendum, shows how divided the village has become.

Discussion on social media turned to “bullying,” said Amalia Hicks, an ATV opponent, and even a board member was accused of intimidating speech during a previous board meeting. However, the accuser declined to pursue the matter.