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MIDDLETON–Michael Mounajjed is only 17 years old, but already the Middleton resident is running a successful company providing hardware and consulting services for cryptocurrency mining. Now the Middleton High School junior can add Junior Achievement (JA) Young Entrepreneur to his resume.

On Feb. 19 Mounajjed was the winner of the JA Young Entrepreneur Competition, beating out three presentations to take the title in the organization’s second annual contest. 

Mounajjed, who started his company, Calceus Trading LLC at the age of 14 began because a friend was looking for components to help mine crypto currency, specifically Ethereum. Because he was too young to trade the currency–you must be 18–he started up the business to help others. In the process, the teen has recorded $600,000 in sales and said he hopes to hit $1 million by the time he graduates high school in 2023.

It is Wednesday night, 9:15 p.m. I receive a text from my former co-worker saying, “CNN just announced explosions are heard in Kyiv.” I am in shock and ask for the direct link. His reply is simply, “CNN Live.” I turn on the news. I download the CNN app. I stand in the middle of my kitchen staring at the screen in complete belief as I watch on TV the capital of my country, Kyiv, being bombed. I know it’s only 5 a.m. in Ukraine and I know that my dad, habitually an early riser, is probably still sleeping. He is not in Kyiv. I don’t dare to disturb him. I continue to verify the facts, trying to wrap my head around this in complete shock. I try to go to bed because I need sleep to function, but I keep checking my phone. Before I fall asleep at midnight, I message my brother who lives in the Netherlands and get his reply the next morning. “The war has started. Putin is bombing our country.”  Another message comes in from my stepmom, Valentina. “Pray for our country. Fear and Terror.”

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–The Middleton Town Board Monday authorized American Transmission Co. (ATC) to use its roads to build a power line from north of Dubuque to a substation in the town.

ATC would use Timber Lane plus Airport, Old Sauk, Twin Valley and Rocky Dell Roads largely as return routes for semi-trucks hauling in construction material to be stockpiled on leased land in the Town of Cross Plains.

The Road Repair Reimbursement Agreement is similar to one the board rejected two weeks ago as it didn’t mention reimbursement for damage to guardrails on what Town Chair Cynthia Richson called “narrow, windy Rocky Dell Road.” 

Jon Callaway, of ATC, said hauling would occur during a two-week period this spring after load limits are lifted from roads, as well as a 45-day period near the end of the year.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–At approximately 4:53 a.m. on Feb. 27, Dane County deputies were dispatched to the Quality Inn located at 6900 Seybold Rd. in the Town of Middleton for a report of an armed robbery. 

An unidentified sole suspect entered the hotel and threatened the clerk with a knife. The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately six feet tall, slim build, approximately 160 pounds, wearing a white sweatshirt with black jeans and no shoes. The suspect fled the hotel on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

If any members of public may have information related to this incident, they are asked to call the Dane County tip line at 608-284-6900. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

MIDDLETON-On Feb. 15 at 11:51 AM a Middleton officer was involved in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Century Avenue and High Road. Two police department employees along with the driver, 26-yer-old Sergio Vazquez Ramirez and sole occupant of the other vehicle were transported to the hospital for evaluation. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash. 

An investigation by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office alleges Ramirez was intoxicated at the time of the crash and he is tentatively being charged with Operating While Intoxicated-Causing Injury and was cited for Operating Left of Center and Operating After Revocation.

In addition to the Dane County Sheriff's Office, Madison Fire Department, Middleton EMS, and Middleton Public Works assisted at the scene.

MIDDLETON–Polco has presented the results of the multi-community survey they conducted on behalf of the city last fall to gather input related to the Middleton Airport Master Plan. To view final report visit: https://www.cityofmiddleton.us/DocumentCenter/View/9633/Airport-2021-Sur... (open survey results can be found in Appendix D).

Staff from Polco’s Research wing (National Research Center, NRC) led the creation, implementation and analysis of the survey. Households invited to participate in the survey were selected randomly from a US Postal Service (USPS) list of households in the City of Middleton, Town of Middleton, and Town of Springfield to respond to the survey.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Committee of the Whole or COW, which is composed of the Middleton Common Council and the Plan Commission, held a meeting Jan. 12 to discuss several topics which could have a major impact on the future direction of the city. The topics covered included holding a referendum to hire additional police officers and city staff, restructuring the city’s public transit system and determining next steps in the development of an airport master plan.

Police Referendum

MADISON–A Madison man charged with killing two Middleton High School students and a Madison student in a fiery crash last fall, was bound over for trial Jan. 6 on eight felony counts including three counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.

Eric Mehring, 31, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and Circuit Judge Stephen Ehlke entered not guilty pleas to all charges in his behalf.

In addition to the three homicide counts, Mehring was charged with three counts of second-degree reckless homicide, and three counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety.

Each homicide conviction carries maximum penalties of 25 years in prison and 10 years for each recklessly endangering safety conviction.

Mehring’s case was transferred to Circuit Judge Ellen Berz and his $75,000 bail was continued.

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Common Council approved two TIF agreements totaling nearly $3 million to assist with a new residential development and a large-scale stormwater management project. The council also rejected a resolution to halt all purchases of fossil fuel vehicles and equipment until a review of the city’s purchase policy is completed but directed city staff to work toward a plan to phase out fossil fuels.

The council approved an agreement for tax increment district (TID) #5 assistance with T5 Real Estate to help cover extraordinary costs at the site of the former Captain Bill's restaurant at 6100 Lake Street.

T5 Real Estate’s finalized building plan was also approved by the council. The developer can now apply for building permits to construct a four story, 65-unit apartment building.

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission approved a concept proposal for a 50-unit apartment building at 6904-6908 Century Ave. The plan commission also approved the concept for a proposal which would construct three two story duplexes at 7107-7109 University Ave. 

Concept approval from the plan commission is not required for development proposals in the city but it gives developers a chance to get preliminary review of a project before creating detailed design and architecture plans needed for a rezoning request or general building plan, termed general implementation plan (GIP).

The concept proposal for the apartment comes from Madison Development Corporation. It calls for a 50-unit building, four story multi-family building stepped back to appear like a three story.