April 2022

The wait seemed endless at times.

But when Middleton’s track and field teams finally made their debut on April 12, they made sure it was a memorable unveiling.

Middleton’s boys defeated Janesville Craig, 75-56. The Cardinals’ girls toppled the Cougars, 87-49.

“This meet is always an opportunity for our athletes to put their hard work to the test,” boys coach Chad Kliefoth said. “It is also an opportunity to get a feel for competition speed, learn the flow of the meet, and get the jitters out. The weather wasn't amazing, but our athletes showed up and gave us some really good performances to set some solid marks to work from.”

Middleton’s Finn Patenaude won the 400-meter dash in 55.55 and the 110-meter high hurdles (16.68). Harper Fahey won the 800 in 2:05.08 and Parker Worden won the 1,600 (4:59.62).

MIDDLETON–Warren H. Stolper died peacefully on April 1, 2022, at age 100.  He was one of the last members of the “Greatest Generation,” those whose lives were shaped by both the Great Depression and World War II.

Warren was born in Plymouth, the son of Herbert and Selma Stolper, on July 4, 1921, making him a “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” After graduating from high school in Plymouth, he attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison and graduated in 1942 with an accounting degree. Like many from the Greatest Generation, Warren answered his nation’s call to service in the Army during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the bloodiest battle in the history of the US Army. This experience shaped his life for the next 75 years, cementing his belief in God and in the greatness of the United States.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Common Council reviewed possible scenarios for the planned staffing referendum to appear on the November ballot. The council deferred any decision until two new council members are sworn in next month. The council also passed a first reading of a chicken keeping ordinance which has been a cause of outcry in the local chicken keeping community. 

City Administrator Mike Davis laid out three possible scenarios for the planned November referendum to exceed property tax levy limits up to $500,000 annually.

Scenario one would direct a little more than half the funds to the police department and use the rest to increase hours for a communications specialist and management analyst. Create a half-time HR support position and a full-time streets crew position.

The second scenario Davis described would direct all the additional revenue to the police department. 

MIDDLETON–March 25 was an average Friday for Siobhan Wren, or so it seemed. The 20-year-old British, exchange student at UW-Madison had come to Middleton to thrift shop with friends. Paying for purchases and leaving the Goodwill on Century Avenue would be the last thing she would remember before waking up at University Hospital and Clinics. 

Middleton Police Officer Cesar Salinas was doing regular patrols on the same afternoon when a young woman ran out to the street to flag him down. The woman, named Laura, told Salinas that her friend had collapsed. She and Irene, both exchange students from the Netherlands had been shopping with Siobhan at the time. Salinas immediately called dispatch and told them there was a medical emergency, prompting both Officer Ryan Roettger and Officer Kim Wood to arrive at the scene and later Middleton EMS and Middleton Fire Department personnel.