September 2022

WESTON–John David Jensen of Weston, passed away Aug. 20, 2022, of Pancreatic Cancer. John was born on Sept. 15, 1966, the son of Barbara (Flaherty) and David Jensen.

John graduated from Middleton High School in 1984 and received a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He worked as a project manager for Municipal Well and Pump where he was a highly respected colleague and friend.

John loved spending time with his family and friends. He grew up playing hockey, was a member of Madison Junior Scouts, and got great enjoyment out of boating, hunting, fishing and spending time with his dog Gracie.

In 1993 John married Lisa Gauthier and they had two children, Caylee and Taylor. They shared 19 years together until her passing in 2012. After meeting Darcy Knapp in 2014, they married and built a wonderful life together, enjoying traveling, ballroom dancing, music and cooking. Darcy was a devoted wife and caregiver throughout his illness.

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission approved a proposal to install sidewalks connecting to bus stops in the new Madison Metro bus route. The plan commission also approved the first in a series of new murals planned at Greenway Station.

The new bus route in Middleton, scheduled to begin operating in mid 2023, will entail four buses traveling north along Eagle Drive, east onto Murphy Drive, and south down Deming Way.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Mark Opitz explained that the city's comprehensive plan calls for bus stops that are accessible, safe, comfortable, and well-maintained. There are currently no sidewalks where the new bus stops will be located.

Opitz pointed out that there is a need to extend sidewalks throughout the business park, but staff recommend limiting sidewalk installation to the immediate bus route, and filling in the remaining gaps during road reconstruction projects.

Rashard Griffith never pictured himself as a basketball coach.

The former University of Wisconsin men’s basketball standout watched the daily toll it took on his former Badger coaches — Stu Jackson and Stan Van Gundy. Griffith, who returned to the UW in 2017 and earned a degree in community and non-profit leadership, saw Greg Gard grinding day after day.

“I didn’t want to be a coach in the beginning,” Griffith said. “But as I matured over the years, I saw it as a tremendous way to give back.”

Now, Middleton High School could be the beneficiary.

Griffith was named the new girls basketball coach at Middleton on Friday. Griffith replaces the legendary Jeff Kind, who stepped down last month when he and his wife moved out of the area.

When Mackenzie Sloan was diagnosed with Leukemia nearly two years ago, her prep golf career took a backseat to focus on her recovery.

Fast-forward to the current season and the Middleton senior is not only back on the course, but Sloan is also helping raise awareness for the fight against cancer.

On Monday, the Middleton and Waunakee girls golf programs hosted the first inaugural Coaches vs. Cancer high school golf fundraiser at the Maple Bluff Country Club benefiting the American Cancer Society. And amazingly, the participating golfers raised approximately $44,000 in the first year of the new event.

Sloan, who had to sit out her sophomore year while undergoing chemotherapy, was excited to be able to participate in the new event.