Local

MADISON – The city of Middleton contested the town of Middleton’s request to incorporate as a village in court on Oct. 27.

CROSS PLAINS – The Village Board last week (OCT. 27) approved the annexation of 479-acre Marchstone golf course residential development from the town of Cross Plains.

A Madison-based property management group that just recently began managing transitional housing for vulnerable populations approached the Black Earth Village Board in September with a proposal for the former eldercare facility in town. The ambitious project would turn the shuttered facility into transitional housing with 52 rooms, with 25 reserved for Veterans. 24/7 staff support including licensed clinicians will aid in recovery and wellness.

MIDDLETON –The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy and Dane County Parks are seeking the public’s help to stop those vandalizing a new trail segment.

During a nearly two-hour discussion on Oct. 21, the Middleton Common Council set a calendar for a final decision on the city’s campus plan — involving the city’s downtown campus of buildings that include the Middleton Senior Center, the Middleton Public Library and Middleton City Hall.

At its October 27 meeting the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District board of education established a mill rate of $8.62 (up from $8.32 last year), approved a tax levy of $101,150,730.00 and approved an operating budget of $134,221,639.00 for the 2025-2026 school year. As a result many property owners will see larger tax bills. 

Assistant Fire Chief Gary Gillitzer received a proclamation for being named the 81st Assembly District’s First Responder of the Year as part of the Oct. 21 Middleton Common Council meeting.

A traffic safety screening study, a sinking fund for a library materials sorter, a Climate Action Roadmap, a computer replacement plan, a Police Dispatch console and the Graber Pond Conservancy Restoration were all among the items added to the 2026 City of Middleton budget during the Oct. 21 Middleton Personnel & Finance Committee meeting.

For three decades, The Old Feed Mill in Mazomanie has been serving up more than hearty meals—it’s been serving history. The 164-year-old stone building, once a bustling flour mill and railroad hub, has become a cherished landmark under the ownership of Nancy and Dan Viste, who purchased the property in 1991.

One of the first items on the agenda for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District board meeting was honoring three students for exemplifying the mindset of “curious,” one of the pillars of “A Cardinal’s Journey” that prescribes the mindset needed for future preparedness. They were Sincere Danzler and Katya Maeder, both students at Middleton High School, and Xander Cree, Park Elementary School.