The city of Madison is looking to stay green by reducing waste produced by the holiday season. At least 25 percent more waste is produced during the holidays than any other time of year, according to a statement from the city.  Madison Recycling Coordinator George Dreckmann said this is partly… Read more »

A downtown neighborhood association is beginning to show signs of concern about an upcoming apartment development.  At a meeting Wednesday night, members of the State-Langdon Neighborhood Association voiced their split opinions about the historical significance of the area where a local developer plans to construct the development at the corner… Read more »

The Madison Transit and Parking Commission heard from members of the public concerning the proposed new bus rates in a meeting Wednesday night. The public hearing saw both support and opposition for the rate increase, which would raise adult cash and youth cash fares 25 cents. Senior cash fares would… Read more »

Local restaurant owners expressed serious concern over the increased number and activity of late night street vendors at a Vending Oversight Committee meeting Wednesday night. Representatives from Silver Mine Subs and Pita Pit explained to committee members that the activity of certain street vendors is hurting their business and is… Read more »

A Capitol Police officer was terminated from his position after accidentally firing a gunshot at the Governor’s Mansion in Maple Bluff last Thursday night, according to the Department of Administration. The shot was fired at about 10:45 p.m., DOA spokesperson Stephanie Marquis said. The governor, first lady and family members… Read more »

Two downtown hotspots up for review in front of the city’s Alcohol License Review Committee Wednesday were met with mixed results after the committee granted Logan’s Madtown Restaurant and Bar time to find legal counsel and deferred a request for additions to T. Sushi. ALRC granted Logan’s a period of… Read more »

A local architecture company presented improvements to plans for a new apartment building on West Main Street to a neighborhood association Wednesday evening. The improvements included more units, landscape designs and a mix of color and materials. Joe Alexander of the Alexander Company said the building, which will be marketed toward… Read more »

Madison’s Central Business Improvement District highlighted aspects of this year’s Freakfest that appeal to local businesses in a meeting Wednesday night.  BID Executive Director Mary Carbine said the organization uses Freakfest to market and promote downtown Madison, noting the event generated a negative image when Freakfest was not a gated event. “Before, it… Read more »

In its first meeting in nearly three years, the State-Langdon Neighborhood Association laid the groundwork for tackling prominent safety issues at its meeting Wednesday night. The association debated general safety, several development projects and homelessness in the State and Langdon Streets neighborhood. “We want to self-direct in goals and initiatives,”… Read more »

A Madison design committee unanimously approved varying phases of several student housing developments set to be constructed near the University of Wisconsin campus. The city’s Urban Design Committee voted for initial approval of an apartment building at 306 W. Main St. as well as initial and final approval of a mixed-use development… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin denied a series of claims filed by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Wednesday morning that accuse two UW federal institutions of animal cruelty. The allegations include multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act, specifically inadequate anesthesia vet care, Jeremy Beckham, research project manager for… Read more »

During a conference meeting Wednesday, Mayor Paul Soglin debriefed city members on incidents at Saturday’s Mifflin Street Block Party and considered the implications of estimated arrest numbers. According to Soglin, the meeting served to review the nature of this year’s event and consider its future. City officials who had attended… Read more »

Although several Dane County school districts have avoided laying off teachers to balance strict 2012-2013 budgets, staffing reductions will continue to be an obstacle for schools. The Madison Metropolitan School District is one of several districts in the county that has been able to avoid teacher cuts this year, according… Read more »

Madison police made three arrests in response to allegations of theft that resulted in a violent struggle on Lake Street earlier this week. Arielle Green, 25, Darin Graham, 27, and Briana McKnight, 21, were arrested in a high-risk traffic stop after the suspects allegedly assaulted three victims in the downtown… Read more »

Subpar test scores among Madison high school and middle school students demonstrates an urgent need to make changes to the city’s education policies, officials said Wednesday. Recent test scores show the Madison Metropolitan Board of Education should move forward with district plans to address the education gap, Rachel Strauch-Nelson, MMBE… Read more »

After a potential sponsor for the Mifflin Street Block Party recently backed out of negotiations, the city is returning to the idea of planning the event on its own. According to Madison Alcohol Policy Coordinator Mark Woulf, All Star Catering, a Hudson-based business that had applied for a permit to… Read more »

In a show of friendly competition between Wisconsin counties, two executives have agreed to put a wager on the outcome of the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament. Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi celebrated the involvement of both Marquette and University of Wisconsin teams in… Read more »

Plans to appeal the controversial injunction a Dane County circuit judge placed on the voter ID law have been announced in the days following his decision. Department of Justice spokesperson Dana Brueck said in an email to The Badger Herald that the DOJ plans to appeal Circuit Judge David Flanagan’s… Read more »

EAST WASHINGTON AVENUE: Battery A man was attacked early Sunday morning in a retail parking lot by two other men, according to a Madison Police Department report. The report said the victim accidentally hit another car around 12:30 a.m. and exited his own vehicle to exchange insurance information. He was… Read more »

An attack on a University of Wisconsin student near campus early Sunday morning has resulted in serious injuries, according to a Madison Police Department report. The UW student was attacked around 2:49 a.m., resulting in serious injury, MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain said. DeSpain said the student was attacked on the… Read more »

Prices for city parking facilities, as well as University of Wisconsin campus parking, are expected to rise this summer to maintain upkeep costs. Changes to the prices are scheduled to begin in June 2012, according to a statement from the Madison Transit and Parking Commission. “Unfortunately, the rate increases are… Read more »

SOUTHEAST SIDE Child Abuse The Madison Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation concerning a child abuse and neglect case involving a 15-year-old girl, according to a report. The report said a passerby found the girl walking outside Feb. 6 without shoes or socks. She was taken to a local… Read more »

While Mayor Paul Soglin takes a short leave of absence next week to undergo hip replacement surgery, the City Council president will take his place and perform the typical mayoral duties. Ald. Lauren Cnare, District 3, will undertake Soglin’s duties as acting mayor while he is out of town, Soglin’s… Read more »

Despite weeks of speculation about Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, seeking to unseat Gov. Scott Walker in a potential recall race, the senator announced today his name will not appear on any ballot tickets because he would not be able to financially compete with the other candidates. Cullen said in a… Read more »

City officials are currently in the process of creating a committee to discuss moped parking in response to recent problems across the city. After a recent change made by the Wisconsin Legislature, bicycles and mopeds are now considered separate transportation categories, and the city can issue ordinances for more direct… Read more »