County

MADISON–With excessive heat in the forecast, Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) is reminding pet families to take the extra steps necessary to keep your pets cool and safe. 

“Even healthy pets can suffer from dehydration and heat stroke if exposed to extreme high temperatures and humidity,” says Lisa Bernard, DCHS Public Relations Coordinator. “Make sure your pets stay safe by keeping them in a cool location, giving them plenty of water, and never leaving your pet alone inside a vehicle.”

To keep your pet safe and healthy during the heat:

• Watch out for heatstroke: Symptoms include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, fever, vomiting, seizures, and collapse. Call your veterinarian right away If you think your dog or cat may be suffering from heatstroke. Breeds with flatter faces (such as Pugs, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Bulldogs, Boxers, and Persian cats) and very young and senior dogs are especially vulnerable.  

MIDDLETON–The upcoming weather forecast for the next two days reveals temperatures above 90º Fahrenheit. Additionally, a number of Middleton residents are still without power from the storm which the area experienced yesterday afternoon. Per the City of Middleton’s Emergency Plan the City will establish Cooling Centers when the following conditions are met:

• Projected prolonged heat or heat index equivalent at or above 90 degrees

Fahrenheit; and/or

• State or Federal emergency advisories concerning heat or heat index; and/or

• Local, State or Federal emergencies that displace citizens from their residences

in Middleton during high heat or heat index times; and/or

• Power outages of longer than 12 hours during times of high heat or heat index

experience.

• Other times at the discretion of the City’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

DANE COUNTY–Temperatures are predicted to be dangerously hot with heat indices approaching 105° Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Extremely high or unusually hot temperatures coupled with high humidity can have some serious effects on your health such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Over 1,000 deaths from extreme heat events occur each year in the United States. People most at risk from getting sick from the heat are older adults, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, people without housing, and people with a chronic medical condition.

Here are some important precautions you should take to avoid serious health consequences related to this extreme heat.

Stay cool

DANE COUNTY–The Dane County Board of Supervisors made their committee assignments which were recently announced. The standing committees of the Dane County Board of Supervisors met last week and elected the leadership for the 2022-2024 term.

The election results are as follows:

Personnel and Finance Committee

Chair-Elizabeth Doyle (District 1)

Vice-Chair-Chuck Erickson (District 23)

Public Protection and Judiciary Committee

Chair-Richelle Andrae (District 11)

Vice Chair-Anthony Gray (District 14)

Public Works and Transportation Committee

Chair-Dave Ripp (District 29)

Vice Chair-Andrew Schauer (District 21)

Zoning and Land Regulation

Chair-Tim Kiefer (District 25)

Vice Chair-Jerry Bollig (District 31)

Health and Human Needs Committee

Chair-Heidi Wegleitner (District 2)

DANE COUNTY–The Dane County Cities and Villages Association (DCCVA) announces its 2022-23

Executive Committee, which was unanimously elected during the membership

annual meeting on May 1. They are:

President: Robert Wipperfurth, Village of Windsor President

Vice President: Carolyn Clow, Village of McFarland President

Secretary: Paul Esser, City of Sun Prairie Mayor

Treasurer: Bill Burns, City of Middleton Finance Director

Past President or Member-At-Large: Gurdip Brar, City of Middleton Mayor

The DCCVA promotes excellence in municipal government, provides opportunities

for officials to exchange ideas, advocates for cities and villages, and

develops a cooperative approach to municipal problems of importance in this

region.

DANE COUNTY–One of the most popular bumper stickers in Dane County, which may or may not come standard on any new Prius or Subaru, states a simple slogan: “No Farms, No Food.” But with rapid development in Dane County, local fields are being usurped by subdivisions and parking lots, and families who spent generations tilling the soil say goodbye to a way of life forever. 

CROSS PLAINS–The Cross Plains Lions Club and Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce is proud to sponsor Cross Plains Trout Days. Since 1984 Cross Plains has hosted Trout Days on the first Saturday of May, the opening day of fishing season. This annual community event has drawn fishing and outdoor enthusiasts to the Black Earth Creek area to fish and celebrate the spring season. 

Now in its 37th year, this growing event features food, live music, wine walk and a variety of fun outdoor educational activities for all ages and interests, with trout fishing and the area’s natural resources at heart.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–Despite a decline in reported COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Middleton Town Board last week decided to continue to meet virtually until June.

Like other public and private organizations, town committees, commissions and the town board shifted in March 2020 from in-person meetings to conducting meetings via Zoom.

Since then, the board has twice decided to extend meeting virtually including in late December when the Omicron variant spiked and created a third surge of cases.

While the City of Madison and Dane County are contemplating a return to in-person meetings, the town board was reluctant to follow suit.

“I’d like to proceed with caution…There are no windows that open at town hall,” said Town Chair Cynthia Richson.

Although the exposure to COVID-19 cases may have lessen, board supervisors noted that the virus continues to infect people ranging from House Speak Nancy Pelosi to local Costco employees.

CROSS PLAINS–Plans for a top-to-bottom restoration of a historic downtown building into and eclectic mix of entertainment, workshops and lodging advanced Monday to the Village Board.

Named after its address, The 2100 American Legion Drive project, plans to be a seven-day-a week event center for weddings, workshops, lessons, an art studio and activities for children and adults.

An art studio will operate in the basement featuring glass blowing lessons and retail sales.

Weddings, fundraisers, lessons, fitness classes, pop-up shops, music and corporate parties are among the uses envisioned for the main floor. Yoga classes and other lessons could begin as early as 5:30 a.m. and parties may continue to bar time, according to information supplied to the Cross Plains Plan Commission, which recommended rezoning the property Monday night.

A two-bedroom apartment is planned for the top floor and would be the village’s first short-term rental living unit.

MADISON–Although they would prefer that the Cardinal-Hickory Creek power line wouldn’t be built, officials in the municipalities the power line would cross said they would still welcome the money that comes with it.

Construction of the 345-kilovolt powerline, begun in November, has triggered the calculations of the one-time and annual environmental impact payments that six Dane County municipalities will receive.

The Town of Cross Plains would host the most miles of the line in the county and will receive the highest one-time distribution, an estimated $718,689, and $86,243 annually thereafter, according to American Transmission Co., (ATC) which co-owns the line with ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative.

The one-time payment about equals what the town collects in yearly property taxes, said Town Chair Greg Hyer, which creates a quite a windfall.