Tenzin Gyatso’s trademark chuckle echoed through Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts Wednesday, during what he, the 14th Dalai Lama, described as a “peaceful atmosphere” to simply “talk with another human being.” The 78-year-old Tibetan holy figure, who was adorned in his Buddhist monk robes and a baseball cap, was… Read more »

Madison’s City Council gained several new faces after the spring elections in April, including a new representative in the student-populated District 2. In a close race, Ald. Ledell Zellers, a community leader and former president of the Capitol Neighborhood Association known for taking hard alcohol policy stances, secured District 2… Read more »

Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, summed up the state of the Mifflin Street Block Party the day after 2013’s event, saying “the past Mifflin that some upperclassmen are used to is done.”In early April, Madison police issued a neighborhood letter saying there would be no block party on May 4,… Read more »

A new mixed-use building that would change part of State Street underwent its first critique before a city commission at a meeting Wednesday. The Urban Design Commission heard an informational proposal from Court Campus for a 12-story residential building located at 441 North Frances St.. The building, called “The Hub,”… Read more »

Property development proposals are currently adjusting to the new approval process under the city of Madison’s rewritten zoning codes that went into effect earlier this year. City officials enacted the zoning code changes on Jan. 1 to incorporate changing demands for housing and to streamline the approval process in order… Read more »

The city would require certain city contractors to disclose contributions to advocacy organizations under a new resolution proposed by Mayor Paul Soglin Tuesday. Soglin introduced the ordinance that would require disclosure for person or entities entering into a contract with the city in excess of $25,000, according the proposed legislation.… Read more »

Robbery: Mound Street A thief robbed a man walking down Mound Street early Tuesday morning, pointing a gun at the victim’s chest when he demanded the man’s phone. According to a Madison Police Department statement the victim was walking down Regent Street shortly after midnight near its intersection at… Read more »

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce released its “Path to Progress” plan Monday, which outlines the chamber’s “advocacy agenda” for business development throughout the city in 2013 through 2014. Jo-ell Carson, director of communications at the chamber, said the chamber modeled the agenda on a vision set by its… Read more »

City Council unanimously chose to oppose a bill addressing landlord-tenant interactions in their meeting Tuesday evening after concluding the legislation would severely eliminate tenants’ rights in the state. Although Madison has no jurisdiction over the bill itself, the motion was done as a gesture towards the Legislature in effort… Read more »

East Mifflin Street could see a new development project coming to the downtown area soon, as developers get ready to present a proposal for a six-story apartment building in the neighborhood next Wednesday. The development could replace four houses and a large parking lot and would be located on East… Read more »

Madison’s mayor may require city departments to significantly cut their budgets for the 2014 fiscal year in order to combat the city’s growing debt. Madison Mayor Paul Soglin said in a statement Monday he wanted the city’s departments to submit, along with their 2014 capital budget, an alternate budget that… Read more »

City of Madison and campus officials agreed the 2013 Mifflin Street Block Part was milder than the party has been in recent years, with no major incidents and figures showing record lows in citations and detox transportations.Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said no one attending the Mifflin event went… Read more »

Battery: University Avenue Madison Police arrested a man for battery on the 600 block of University Avenue at around 1 a.m. Sunday after he initiated multiple fights with another man. Police found Deon Pickett, a 24-year-old Chicago native, fighting with another 24 year-old man outside of University Avenue establishments,… Read more »

Dane County residents will have the opportunity to grow food together when the county breaks ground on the first community garden in its parks in the next several weeks. The garden, located in the Badger Prairie County Park in Verona, allows residents to rent out plots to grow anything they… Read more »

The Dane County Board unveiled a plan last week that would give local businesses an edge over their competition when the county is looking to purchase products.County supervisor Kyle Richmond said he proposed the ordinance because he wanted to strengthen the local economy. The county currently gives preference to locally-owned vendors and… Read more »

Madison’s public health department weighed in on the Mifflin Street Block Party late last week, citing the event as an example of the negative effects of the city’s alcohol culture in a report about public health.The report analyzed the effects of the block party over the past three years on… Read more »

Madison police cracked down on enforcement of city ordinances during the unofficial Mifflin Street Block Party on Saturday, with a significant officer presence leading to diminished numbers of student attendees at the event.The annual block party saw a subdued public presence on the street overall, with more police than party-goers present… Read more »

As Madison gets ready for summer to arrive, a new boat rental service and cafe are gearing up to open for Memorial Day weekend blocks from campus on Monona Bay in Brittingham Park. Tyler Leeper, the co-owner of Brittingham Boats along with Stephan Reinke, gave community members and city leaders… Read more »

A fire burned down much of a playground and its equipment at an elementary school on Regent Street early Thursday morning.  Madison Fire Department spokesperson Lori Wirth said the fire is still under investigation and the blaze’s cause remains unknown. She said a call from a neighbor of Randall Elementary… Read more »

Local and national law enforcement agencies led a manhunt Thursday that ended with the police taking a fugitive into custody who was wanted by the FBI for violating parole and for questioning in a federal murder investigation.  The hunt ended shortly after 7 p.m., when the Madison Police Department took… Read more »

The city of Madison received four proposals Wednesday to reconstruct several blocks just off Capitol Square in an effort to encourage private development downtown. The city asked developers to come forward around a set of project goals to redevelop the Judge Doyle Square area, according to George Austin, the Judge… Read more »

The city of Madison is giving residents another opportunity to participate in developing the upcoming city budget with the launch of a new website this week. Mayor Paul Soglin and members of the City Council announced they will use the website IdeaScale as a new way for residents to participate… Read more »

Elected officials and prominent Madison-area community members have raised concerns about a proposed bill that they say would infringe on the rights of tenants in Wisconsin if adopted.The new state bill builds upon a similar act passed the Legislature passed in 2011, which prompted the city to pass ordinances to… Read more »

Attempted Robbery: Baldwin Street A man attempted to steal the purse of a 27-year-old woman walking near the intersection of South Baldwin Street and East Wilson Street shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday night. According to a Madison Police Department statement, the suspect ran into the victim, said nothing and then attempted… Read more »

Madison’s top appointed and elected officials heard a presentation on the results of a study done by a federal body, which focused on a long-term option to increase bus rapid transit in Madison, at a meeting Tuesday. Bill Shaefer, the transportation planning manager of the Transportation Planning Board, said the… Read more »

After hearing impassioned pleas from residents, parishioners and Mayor Paul Soglin, Madison’s City Council narrowly granted approval for the property subdivision of Holy Redeemer School and Holy Redeemer Church. The City Council’s approval allows for the conversion of Holy Redeemer School into a future housing complex called Lumen House aimed… Read more »

The Associated Students of Madison has approved a $52,670 budget for a mental health office in the Student Activities Center  that will be used to help students with mental health issues. SAC Governing Board Chair Katie Cary said the money will fund the construction of an office in the same… Read more »

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin upped the ante for good behavior at this weekend’s Mifflin Street Block Party, announcing in a meeting with city officials any unused funds from the police budget for the event would go to funding summer youth programs. Soglin said the 2012 Mifflin event cost $190,000 for the… Read more »

After controversy surrounding the death of a Madison man who was shot and killed by a police officer last November, his family and friends are organizing a music festival in his honor. The festival, called “Paulie Fest,” aims to avoid the controversy that embroiled Paul Heenan’s death, focusing instead on celebrating… Read more »

Local business owners and city residents voiced concerns over a proposed development at the corner of State Street and North Frances Street at a neighborhood meeting Monday. The mixed-use development, proposed by the Mullins Group and Core Campus of Chicago and called “The Hub,” would be one to four stories on… Read more »

Madison police said they plan to increase their presence throughout the city in response to an anticipated increase in crime associated with warmer weather. MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain said violent and disruptive behavior tends to be more frequent in the downtown area during the warmer months of the year as people… Read more »

The City of Madison’s Mayor Paul Soglin became one of 11 mayors across the country to actively discourage the investment of city funds in fossil fuels after joining a nationwide campaign Friday. According to a statement, Soglin joined others to launch the city’s divestment campaign in an effort to discourage… Read more »

A city homeless advocacy organization officially opened a new shelter, which focuses on aiding individuals coping with addiction, on Madison’s east side on Thursday.The new Porchlight Inc. facility, located at 4006 Nakoosa Trail, is a safe haven designed to provide temporary affordable housing and connect people to the resources they… Read more »

A plan for a new hotel near the Capitol Square is the latest proposal to substantially expand the number of rooms for rent in the downtown area, a trend officials hope will spark a growth in tourism and business.The Alexander Co. announced plans to develop a hotel on a recently… Read more »

A newly proposed mixed-use building is slated to displace several popular State Street businesses with student off-campus housing, office and commercial space. The proposal from Mullins Group and Core Campus Chicago is for a 12-story building, tentatively called The Hub, with more than 200 apartments, retail and office space and… Read more »

After more than 10 years of development, a Madison company is preparing for the release of a new flu vaccine that would immunize against a wide range of strains of the illness. The vaccine works as universal protection against a wide range of flu strains, according to Paul Radspinner, co-founder… Read more »

A city committee worked to incorporate community feedback into the designs for the reconstruction of Library Mall and State Street at a public meeting Tuesday. The State Street Design Project Oversight Committee discussed input given by community members regarding the reconstruction of the 700 and 800 blocks of State Street… Read more »

Battery: State StreetPolice arrested a Madison man for the second time in the past few months after he caused a violent disturbance at a downtown bar early Thursday morning. Paris Reese, 22, was arrested for battery, disorderly conduct and carrying a concealed weapon at Whiskey Jack’s Saloon on 552 State… Read more »

George Bunn, a former University of Wisconsin Law School Dean remembered for his passion and activism for nuclear disarmament, died Tuesday at age 87 in Palo Alto, Calif. According to a UW statement, Bunn served the UW Law School from 1969 to 1986, and was dean of the school from… Read more »

Statistics released by the Madison Police Department Wednesday indicated a decrease in the overall level of crime throughout the city for 2012. Chief Noble Wray released updated statistics of crime in the city on his blog and reported a 3.4 percent decrease in crime incidents from 2011 to 2012. Specifically,… Read more »

Dane County officials and members of the Occupy Madison movement continued to clash after the protest group moved back onto a public campground last week. Members of the Dane County Board spoke out against Occupy Madison after the camp moved to Lake Farm Park just outside Madison on April 16,… Read more »

Late night food carts may soon have fewer places to park after a city committee unanimously voted to approve a compromise between vendors and restaurant owners at a meeting Wednesday. The Vending Oversight Committee gave final approval to a city ordinance amendment that would eliminate several parking spaces in front… Read more »

A city committee updated and recommended renewal of a city ordinance that prohibits liquor stores from selling to habitually drunk persons Wednesday night.  Madison’s City Council first passed the Habitually Intoxicated Persons ordinance in July 2010. The Alcohol License Review Committee chose Wednesday to recommend the ordinance be extended to 2015,… Read more »

Representatives from City Hall and University of Wisconsin hosted a public input meeting Tuesday at Memorial Union to generate ideas for the reconstruction of the 700 to 800 block of State Street near Library Mall.Stakeholders and community members submitted opinions to the city’s design team contractors so the designers may incorporate them… Read more »

Attempted Homicide: Jenewein Road A Madison man was shot on the 4700 block of Jenewein Road Monday night by unknown perpetrators after a clash broke out between two groups in the city’s west-side neighborhood. According to Madison Police Department Lt. Cory Nelson, the gunshot wounds were not fatal, and a… Read more »

Theft: Main Street A woman’s car was stolen from the 700 block of East Main Street on Saturday night, a Madison Police Department statement said. The woman made plans to meet up with her husband and friends in downtown Madison at around 8 p.m., MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain said. She left her dog… Read more »

Madison homeowners are likely to see a property tax increase this year to fund the Madison Metropolitan School District’s budget, although a number of factors in flux at the city and state levels will affect the final tax rate.Despite the chances of a tax increase, the school district is still looking… Read more »

A city committee green-lighted contentious new property lines for a historic city church, along with plans for outdoor volleyball courts at Essen Haus, in a meeting Monday.The Plan Commission approved a plan to separate the property owned by St. Raphael’s congregation into two lots that would divide Holy Redeemer School… Read more »

A new project slated for the corner of State and Frances Streets could change the face of the area, replacing several local businesses with a 12-story apartment building, retail space and a parking lot. The proposal includes above-ground parking spaces and a number of offices. According to Ald. Mike Verveer, District… Read more »

Residents will have a new option for pizza in the Willy Street neighborhood coming in July, with a pizzeria opening in the old storefront of an antique gun shop.Gilbert Altschul, the owner of Grampa’s Pizzeria, said the restaurant is slated to open the second week of July at 1374 Williamson St.… Read more »

Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune highlighted the impact of grassroots activism for solving environmental problems as the keynote speaker for this year’s Isthmus Green Day event. Brune emphasized the importance of everyday citizens working together to address the issues in their local community. He explained grassroots activism has already worked to… Read more »

Vinyl enthusiasts from across Madison flocked to independent record stores Saturday to celebrate its sixth national Record Store Day with special releases and in-store live performances. Record Store Day is a promotional event designed to spread awareness about local record stores and their culture, according to Dave Zero, owner of… Read more »

Madison Police Department officials clarified their stance on the Mifflin Street Block Party in a meeting hosted Friday, saying although the department’s goals of ensuring safety have not changed, this year officers will not issue warnings to students.Safety concerns were the primary motive behind MPD’s approach to this year’s Mifflin… Read more »

Saturday marked the first outdoor event of the season and introduced new marketing changes for the Dane County Farmers’ Market. The farmers’ market is planning to expand their online presence over the course of the season, according to Larry Johnson, manager of the Dane County Farmers’ Market. The farmers’ market will… Read more »

The Madison Police Department and the Dance County Sheriff’s Department worked together after receiving help from a private citizen to locate and retrieve the body of a man who went missing in January from Lake Monona. Charles Geurts, a 26-year-old Kaukana man, was last seen on Jan. 16 while he… Read more »

Local Madison police officers met with leaders in the Greek community Thursday night to respond to concerns about how the Langdon Street area will be policed on May 4, the day of the Mifflin Street Block Party and Revelry. Madison Police Department Lt. Kelly Donahue reassured the group MPD’s policies… Read more »

Hip-hop artists gained a new voice in city government with the formation of a new committee to address the community’s tenuous relationship with area venues. The Madison Arts Commission’s Hip-Hop Ad Hoc Committee was created in response to the discouragement felt by hip-hop artists throughout the city in recent years, according… Read more »

In the aftermath of the explosions at the Boston Marathon on Monday that resulted in three deaths and more than 100 hospitalizations, officials in Madison are planning to increase security measures at an upcoming local race. The Crazylegs Classic run, an eight kilometer race from Capitol Square to Camp Randall Stadium, will likely… Read more »

Well-known author and cartoonist Alison Bechdel shared her experiences on translating her sexuality into a personal narrative as the keynote speaker for an Out and About Month event on campus Wednesday. Bechdel paralleled her writing and illustrating career to the difficulties she experienced coming out to her own parents. Her lecture,… Read more »

Madison’s City Council met in a special session Tuesday to vote to appoint a downtown alder to be the City Council’s pro tem, or vice president.Ald. Scott Resnick, the District 8 who represents a large portion of the University of Wisconsin campus, was elected to be the council’s pro tem.… Read more »

A college-aged Madison resident was physically assaulted while walking on the 400 block of West Gilman Street shortly after Midnight April 16. Two men asked the 21-year-old victim how to get to State Street, according to a Madison Police Department statement. She ignored them, and one of the men hit… Read more »

On Tuesday, Madison’s City Council approved a project that will build a six-story apartment building where the soon-to-be demolished Stadium Bar is currently located. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said even though in the past many local students advocated for the Stadium Bar to remain, there is nothing City Council… Read more »

Theft: Frances Street A wallet was stolen from a female patron at the Nitty Gritty last Thursday around dinner time, according to a Madison Police Department Statement. Her purse was hanging on a chair when Bernard Beck, 36, grabbed her wallet out of it, the statement said. When the victim… Read more »

A man stole oxycodone Monday morning at a Walgreens on Cottage Grove Road in Madison. The suspect was described as a 30- to 35-year old white male, 5-foot-8, with heavy build, facial stubble. He was wearing blue jeans, black shoes, black stocking cap and a gray jacket with black and… Read more »

The Overture Center announced their performance lineup for the coming year at a meeting Monday, which includes Broadway favorites “Chicago” and “Sister Act.” “We hope that you can be inspired by what we’re about to show you this evening as we prepare to finish the Overture’s eighth most successful year… Read more »

Two explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line killed at least three people and injured more than 140 on Monday, sparking concerns of a terrorist attack on United States soil, according to the Associated Press. Of the nearly 23,000 athletes from around the world who ran in the Boston Marathon… Read more »

In light of recent uncertainty surrounding the event, city officials emphasized the Mifflin Street Block Party is not “cancelled,” as was delineated in a letter from police officials to residents, but will be treated similarly to last year’s block party. A letter sent out to residents last week said “there… Read more »

A moped and truck collided on the intersection of Park Street and University Avenue Monday afternoon. The driver of the a Chevrolet Silverado truck said cars started slowing down in front of him, which led him to slow down, and the moped ran into the back of his truck. He… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin and the City of Madison are slated to begin construction on a redevelopment of the 700 and 800 block of State Street and Library Mall at the end of 2013. According to Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, the goal of the project is to update the… Read more »

Friends of a 30-year-old man who died during a confrontation with a Madison police officer Nov. 9 gathered outside City Hall Friday evening to commemorate their friend and send a message to the police department and city officials. Participants lit candles to honor the life of Paul Heenan, the man… Read more »

A report released last week found the presence of an unexpected contaminant in the water of four wells throughout the city. After testing six wells, the Madison Water Utility found the chemical 1,4-dioxane in four of the wells, according to Joseph Grande, water quality manager for the Water Utility. Wells… Read more »

Police arrested two men accused of stealing cash off a table at a State Street restaurant Wednesday afternoon. Shortly before 1:15 p.m., Dymond Green, 19, and Donald Alford-Lofton, 18, entered Rising Sun Deli at 617 State St., where Green expressed an urgent desire to use the deli restroom, according to… Read more »

In an effort to end the Mifflin Street Block Party for the foreseeable future, the city of Madison will no longer permit or sanction this year’s event on May 4, police told residents at a neighborhood meeting Wednesday. Madison Police Department will step up the strict enforcement of city ordinances… Read more »

Mayor Paul Soglin released his appointments Wednesday for the city committees Madison’s alders will sit on for the next two years. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, was appointed to sit on Plan Commission, one of the most powerful city committees which has a large say in what gets built in… Read more »

The state could gain oversight over food stamp users’ unhealthy or “junk” food purchases under a new piece of legislation.The Assembly Committee on State Affairs held a public hearing Tuesday to gauge support for a bill authored by Rep. Dean Kaufert, R-Neenah, that would limit the amount of unhealthy or junk food recipients… Read more »

A traveling food cart program to build community in Madison’s neighborhoods will expand into several new neighborhoods in July and August this year after a highly successful first season. Madison Meet and Eat, a program that brings local food carts into vacant lots in targeted neighborhoods across the city, is… Read more »

Madison Metro Transit and a city commission solicited public comments about proposed changes to provide extra buses on crowded routes during rush hour while avoiding redundant services at a hearing on Wednesday.According to Colin Conn, Metro Transit schedule planner, not enough extra buses are available in the city to provide assistance to… Read more »

West Washington neighborhood members voiced approval for a planned new development in the area, which would include apartments targeting young professionals, such as those employed at Epic Systems.The proposed mixed-use development will be located at 425 W. Washington Avenue, with the building housing residential apartments, a local business and a… Read more »

Ledell Zellers recent election as the alder representing a large part of downtown and the Langdon Street area could have consequences on downtown alcohol policy in the future. Zellers, who will join Madison’s City Council April 17, said she supports making Madison a safe place to live and will have to do… Read more »

Food-conscious consumers consistently find themselves with a wide range of dining options in Madison, according to Livability, which ranked they city as the fifth-best for “foodies.”According to Livability’s “Top Ten Foodie Cities 2013: A Second Helping,” Madison has all the elements that attract those with a curiosity for food, from… Read more »

Sharon Dunwoody, a professor who specializes in science communication at University of Wisconsin’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, has won the Hilldale Award for professors in social science. She said she studies how people use messages in the media to make decisions about science issues, such as global warming.… Read more »

A city committee decided Tuesday the 800 block of East Washington Avenue will gain an apartment building and a Metcalfe’s, a local Wisconsin grocer that currently has three locations in the state.  The committee chose Metcalfe’s because it said to be the best fit for the neighborhood. But if Metcalfe’s… Read more »

University Avenue: Battery An aggressive panhandler accosted two 19-year-old women at 1:15 a.m. Sunday morning on the 600 block of University Avenue. The panhandler, 32-year-old Christopher Blackmer, hit one of the victims in the face, according to a Madison Police Department statement. Police were on their regular route when they noticed the man… Read more »

The friends of a 30-year-old man who a Madison police officer shot and killed Nov. 9 plan to present a petition to the Madison Police Department chief to remove the officer from street patrol. Paul Heenan, the man who was killed, was intoxicated and attempted to return to his Williamson… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Athletic Board presented its annual report and budget for the 2011-12 academic year Monday at the UW Faculty Senate meeting. The Wisconsin Athletics revenue increased from $80,941,888 in the 2010-2011 academic year to $89,998,412 in the most recent academic year, and has seen a similar increase… Read more »

The Madison Police Department detailed their plans to discourage the Mifflin Street Block Party and their investigation into a series of vandalism cases at a Bassett Street Neighborhood meeting Monday. MPD has been reminding residents the traditional block party is not a school-sponsored event and has been trying to rebrand… Read more »

A city committee heard arguments concerning its conditions for approval on a developer’s application to rezone and demolish the Stadium Bar at a meeting Monday. The Plan Commission meeting addressed areas of concern that will impact the construction of the planned six-story apartment and retail complex on the 1419 Monroe… Read more »

Residential Burglary: Frances Street A man entered the Statesider, an apartment building located on the 500 block of North Frances Street, shortly after bar close on Sunday morning and entered the unlocked rooms of several women, lying in one’s bed, stealing a wallet and accosting another woman. The suspect signed… Read more »

Because of a long and cold winter that stretched on longer than expected, the City of Madison’s street cleanup schedule in preparation for the warmer months has also been pushed behind schedule. The excessive amounts of snow and cold temperatures hindered the city’s ability to clear the streets and sidewalks… Read more »

A Madison woman was robbed while riding a bus downtown early Friday afternoon. The victim, a Hispanic female, 24, was texting on her iPhone on one of the Madison Metro buses at 1:47 p.m., according to a Madison Police Department statement. When the bus arrived at the stop on Frances… Read more »

Entrepreneurs across Madison had the chance to turn their business ideas into reality in a weekend-long workshop focused on the nuts and bolts of creating a startup.Startup Weekend Madison is part of a national nonprofit organization that encourages entrepreneurs to collaborate and create their own startup companies with the help… Read more »

The City of Madison updated a resource for residents to report problems, such as massive potholes or missed trash collection, last Thursday in effort to make communication between residents and city officials easier. The Report a Problem website allows residents to report non-emergency problems in the city, such as bikeway,… Read more »

Madison’s alcohol policy coordinator delivered his annual review of the controversial Alcohol License Density Ordinance to a city board Thursday afternoon. Alcohol Policy Coordinator Mark Woulf’s report to the Central Business Improvement District board focused on data gathered over the past year that will be crucial to city policymakers’ decision to… Read more »

Bridget Maniaci is, for the first time in four years, a lame duck. When Maniaci was first elected in 2009, University of Wisconsin alumna was 25 years old, making her the second-youngest member on the council. Maniaci said her passion for local government stemmed from being a photographer for the Capital… Read more »

A city committee has granted permission to student leaders to close off access to Randall Avenue near Union South for Revelry, the University of Wisconsin’s year-end arts and music festival, at a meeting Wednesday. The Revelry Arts and Music Festival Executive Committee asked the Street Use and Staff Commission to… Read more »

The City of Madison is currently participating in a week-long effort to recognize the ways city officials are working to strengthen communities throughout the area. National Community Development Week recognizes efforts to improve the lives of city residents, particularly the work of the Community Development Block Grant program and HOME… Read more »

Local bar and tavern owners learned about alcohol law and policy at a training session hosted by city officials Wednesday night. According to Mark Woulf, alcohol policy coordinator, the city hosts a tavern safety training session every six months. He said the city held the session to provide guidelines to… Read more »

East Washington Avenue: Weapons Violation The Madison Police Department arrested two teenage men on the 3000 block of East Washington Avenue Friday night after they brandished an Airsoft gun that appeared to be a handgun. According to an MPD statement, a Madison woman was pumping gas and witnessed a group… Read more »

A new transportation system may come to Madison in the near future following a recent study done by a transportation committee. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, explained bus rapid transit as being like a train running through the city, but replace the train with a bus. He said the system… Read more »

Madison voters elected Mary Kolar, a retired navy captain, to represent the downtown area on the Dane County Board over C.J. Terrell, a leader in the 2011 protests at the Capitol. Kolar said she will focus on increasing the resources and services Dane County provides to the community. She said… Read more »

Community leader Ledell Zellers will become the new representative on City Council for District 2 after defeating her opponent, Bryan Post, with 51.7 percent of the vote.Zellers said one of her first priorities as an alder will be establishing good channels of communication within the district. “I want to figure… Read more »

A temporary daytime warming shelter closed Sunday after serving Madison’s homeless community and providing them with resources since November as advocates are beginning to plan for a new permanent resource center to be built in the city. The shelter, which was located at 827 E. Washington Avenue, provided a variety of information… Read more »

North Bassett Street: Robbery A man stole an iPhone from a 19-year-old woman as she was walking down the street on North Bassett Street on the night of March 26. The woman was texting as she walked down the street and passed two men, according to a Madison Police… Read more »

The marble floors of the Capitol sustained nearly $18,000 in damage after a cleaning company’s machine spilled battery acid. The Wisconsin Department of Administration has asked the company, Peterson Cleaning Inc., to pay for the damage by the end of April, spokesperson Stephanie Marquis said in an email to The… Read more »

District 2 Bryan Post Q: What are the biggest issues facing your district and how would you address them in office? A: One issue is affordable housing for students and young families and safety on campus. We should focus on additional lighting where incidents are occurring and reinstating the SafeRide… Read more »

Mayor Paul Soglin and city advocates for victims of sexual assault, child abuse and trauma, met April 1 to raise awareness for National Sexual Assault Awareness month and National Child Abuse Prevention month this April.Violence toward children and women is at an unprecedented level, Cheryl Kato, the director of the… Read more »

Three state lawmakers introduced a bill in late March to the Wisconsin Legislature that will require universal background checks for those hoping to buy guns in the state. Rep. Terese Berceau, D-Madison, Rep Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee, and Sen. Nikiya Harris, D-Milwaukee, co-authored the bill. They released a statement March 21… Read more »

Bringing a compromise to an ongoing conflict between local restaurant owners and food cart vendors, a city committee last week unanimously approved a proposal to restrict parking spaces for late night street vendors on a downtown street. The Vending Oversight Committee voted Wednesday to eliminate several parking spaces in front… Read more »

A countywide referendum will allow voters to voice their opinions on same day voter registration at the polls this Tuesday. The referendum asks voters whether the state of Wisconsin should continue to allow people to register to vote at the polls on Election Day, according to Carrie Springer, spokesperson for… Read more »

Homeless individuals who are part of the Occupy Madison movement will continue to live on private property in Madison until the middle of April, when they will be able to move to Dane County campgrounds. Madison’s Zoning Board of Appeals voted last week to maintain county rules that make it… Read more »

A city committee granted final approval to the design plans to demolish three downtown buildings to make way for a new apartment building on Dayton Street.The Urban Design Commission approved a new apartment building, a mixed-use project requiring the demolition of three existing properties located at 415 W. Johnson Street, 226 N.… Read more »

Student leaders requested permission to close off access to Randall Avenue near Union South for Revelry, the University of Wisconsin year-end arts and music festival, at a city committee meeting held Wednesday. The Revelry Arts and Music Festival Executive Committee asked the Street Use and Staff Commission to close Randall Avenue to… Read more »

A State Street sushi restaurant may lose its liquor license after a city committee met Wednesday and chose to take action on a complaint lodged against the establishment on March 13. The Alcohol License Review Committee began the process of revoking T Sushi’s liquor license after the restaurant, located at… Read more »

Madison Opera began construction and renovation on its revamped home Wednesday, with a groundbreaking ceremony at the center’s current location. The Madison Opera Center, which will occupy the basement and first floor of the Metropolitan Place II building on 355 W. Mifflin Street, will cover a total of 17,000 square… Read more »

City Council approved plans Tuesday to demolish three downtown apartments and build new student-oriented housing in its place. The three apartment buildings to be demolished are currently located on 415 W. Johnson St., 226 N. Broom St. and 424 W. Dayton St. The project developers will be required to work… Read more »

The Madison community is gearing up for the approaching District 2 election that will take place in the beginning of April to choose an alder who will represent the area in the City Council. The current incumbent, Bridget Maniaci, will not seek re-election. Voters will have their choice April 2… Read more »

Police took a male suspect into custody Tuesday morning after he allegedly threw a female victim into an elevator.The Madison Police Department detained a 27-year-old man after he threw a woman into the elevator of an apartment building on the 1000 block of West Johnson Street and continued to… Read more »

The Brewers Association released new figures on the growth of craft breweries in the United States Wednesday, which showed a growth in Wisconsin’s local breweries. According to a Brewers Association statement, there has been a net increase of 366 breweries in the country during 2012, which brings the total to… Read more »

Opera in Madison will find a new home with the creation of a new Madison Opera Center.Construction on the new home is set to begin later this week downtown on the ground floor of Metropolitan Place II on West Mifflin Street.  The Madison Opera currently operates out of administrative… Read more »

University of Wisconsin students and community members learned about campus safety and how to prevent and act in dangerous situations from a panel of city and campus officials at a meeting Monday night.The panel included Madison Police Department officials, a city alderman and representatives of UW campus organizations addressed issues… Read more »

Madison B-cycle will celebrate its membership increase and upcoming expansions at its launch event for the 2013 season later this week. The bike sharing system will open its stations throughout the downtown area in an event hosted by Mayor Paul Soglin March 20, according to Soglin’s spokesperson Katie Crawley. The… Read more »

A local software company was recognized earlier this month for its unconventional work environment and unique opportunities, which draws a large number of Univeristy of Wisconsin college graduates each year. Epic Systems, a company that designs software for medical groups and health care organizations, was listed as number one in… Read more »

Person Down: Hawthorne Court The Madison Police Department found a male University of Wisconsin student unconscious and bleeding at the bottom of a stairwell in the downtown area early Sunday morning. The victim, 21, was found at 411 Hawthorne Ct., just off State Street, at approximately 1:40 a.m., according to… Read more »

A local nonprofit received a grant to expand strategies for spreading books, reading and literacy to communities in the Madison area. The AARP Foundation gave a “Touchpoints for Engagement” grant worth $70,000 to Little Free Library, according to Rick Brooks, co-founder of Little Free Library. The organization builds “mini” libraries… Read more »

The displacement of Occupy Madison campers from a county park Sunday sparked local philanthropy efforts from members of the community this weekend. The group, consisting of about 15 to 30 people, was camped out in the park for 120 days, according to Carrie Springer, spokesperson for the Dane County Executive’s Office.Since leaving… Read more »

College Court: BatteryFive or six college-aged men jumped a 19-year-old College Court resident Friday night around 11:30 p.m. after he refused to let the group into his apartment.The victim said there were many different parties happening in the area, but he was in his apartment with a friend listening… Read more »

More low-income city residents will have access to bus passes after Madison Metro Transit raised the monthly number from 300 to 450 to meet rising demand. On the first of every month, Metro Transit provides 300 bus passes for low-income individuals. In order to purchase a pass, people fill… Read more »

City residents will see increased patrols from the Madison Police Department in an effort to curb dangerous driving during St. Patrick’s Day weekend. MPD officers will patrol streets in increased numbers from Friday through Sunday night, according to a MPD statement. St. Patrick’s Day weekend is a time police usually… Read more »

A city committee approved a five-year plan with potential for changes in the Metro Transit system at a meeting Wednesday. According to Mike Cechvala, Transportation Planner for the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Transit Development Plan starts this year and will continue through 2017. The plan would continue to study and… Read more »

Community leaders and educators from across the city highlighted the key ways to close the achievement gap in Madison at a panel Wednesday. The panelists presented their ideas on which issues needed to be addressed in Madison public schools. The panel was organized as a part of Ed Talks Wisconsin,… Read more »

Madison will be celebrating Irish heritage in Wisconsin this coming weekend with annual St. Patrick’s Day events.Madison’s 10th annual Shamrock Shuffle will have participants running, jogging or walking through University of Wisconsin’s campus Sunday, March 17, with the 16th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled in the Capitol Square for… Read more »

The development teams of three proposals for the redevelopment of a vacant downtown lot clarified aspects of their designs for Madison residents at a city committee meeting Tuesday. The city received three mixed-use proposals from prominent developers after announcing their intentions to redevelop the city owned lot on the 800… Read more »

Two advocates for victims of domestic violence presented a partnership between the Madison Police Department and Madison’s main service provider for victims of domestic violence to a local government committee Tuesday. MPD Capt. Joe Balles and Domestic Abuse Intervention Services Executive Director Shannon Barry, leaders of the Law Enforcement Advocate Partnership,… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed two-year budget will cut the funding of public transit systems around the state, including Madison Metro Transit, if it is passed unchanged. General Manager of Madison Metro, Chuck Kamp, said the proposed budget will restrict Madison Metro’s ability to keep up with the demand of the… Read more »

Owners of a building located at 425 W. Washington Avenue brought plans for a new 50-unit apartment complex with a Capital Fitness location before a city committee on Monday.The current building houses Dr. John Bonsett-Veal Vision Source, an optometry clinic. The new building would continue to house his clinic… Read more »

Members of the Langdon Street community introduced a petition calling for the neighborhood to be designated as a local historic district, an effort organizers said would preserve the character of the neighborhood, in a city committee meeting Monday night.The petition, which is currently being circulated online at change.org, aims to prevent… Read more »

Baldwin Street: Fire A residential building at 420 S. Baldwin St. caught fire Saturday night. None of the seven residents of the apartment were injured by the blaze, Madison Fire Department spokesperson Eric Dahl said. He said firefighters were also able to rescue pet cats that lived in the… Read more »

In conjunction with a campus festival this weekend, members of the Madison community gathered Saturday to raise awareness about atheism and highlight the need for a separation between church and state in a downtown parade. The University of Wisconsin’s Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics student organization hosted their annual Free Thought Festival,… Read more »

After the decision was made to end the SAFEcab program last year, groups across campus are promoting a new city ordinance that allows private cabs more access to the State Street area late at night.The Associated Students of Madison Student Services Finance Committee voted to cut the SAFEcab service at… Read more »

Shortly after the unexpected death of a chimpanzee last week, Henry Vilas Zoo gained a new animal for one of their most popular exhibits. Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced the arrival of Shakura, a two-year-old African lion from Sedgewick County Zoo in Wichita, Kan., in a statement released Thursday.… Read more »

A Madison man was taken to the hospital after he was apparently attacked downtown early Thursday morning. A Madison woman, 22, contacted the police after discovering the injured victim lying on the ground holding a knife around 1:47 a.m. Thursday on the 600 block of State Street, according to a… Read more »

University of Wisconsin Housing and police are working with residents of the Eagle Heights neighborhood after the arrest of three suspects in connection with an incident in the area late Tuesday night. Residents of the University Houses in the Eagle Heights neighborhood reported hearing shots fired in the area around… Read more »

Madison residents voiced their concerns over the planned conversion of a downtown church building into new student housing at a neighborhood meeting Wednesday. The meeting was called to address the application of the Cathedral Parish to convert the Holy Redeemer School building, located at 142 W. Johnson Street, into new… Read more »

The city’s government neared the end of its allocated budget for snow removal after another snowstorm hit the city earlier this week. Each calendar year, Madison allocates a certain amount of its budget to snow removal, according to Tim Fruit, an administrative analyst for the city’s Finance Department. The amount… Read more »

Mayor Paul Soglin said cuts in federal funding will ultimately lead to decreases in local organizations that provide resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. The cuts in federal funding, known as the sequester, would cut $120,000 from the Stop Violence Against Women Project, Soglin said at… Read more »

Two downtown alders have proposed a compromise that would allow late-night food carts to continue to do business on Broom Street without damaging the business of nearby restaurants. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, is one of the alders who proposed the compromise. He said that, currently, late-night vending is legal… Read more »

Madison’s City Council voted unanimously to implement a plan to include bike lanes on Sherman Avenue, the main thoroughfare on the city’s north side.The proposal would turn the four-lane street into a two-lane street with bike lanes and a center left-turn lane. Sherman Avenue will also be made safer by… Read more »

Atwood Avenue: Injury A 38-year-old woman walked in front of a moving Madison Metro bus on Atwood Avenue Monday afternoon. According to a Madison Police Department statement, the woman fell to the pavement and hit her head. She was taken to an area hospital immediately, the statement said. The bus… Read more »

A five-year plan for the future of Madison Metro Transit was presented to Madison’s City Council Tuesday evening, including potential changes to the current bus system in the downtown area. Bill Schaefer, transportation planning manager of the Madison urban area’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, presented the plan, which finds long-term solutions… Read more »

Madison police released details of an attempted strong-armed robbery on Langdon Street late last month, but officials say they do not believe the case was connected with a recent wave of connected robberies in the downtown area.Two men attempted to take a pedestrian’s phone while he was walking and texting… Read more »

A city committee unanimously approved a proposal to demolish three residential buildings for the construction of a new apartment complex in the downtown area at a meeting Monday. The Plan Commission weighed a plan to build a 12-story complex at the site of buildings located at 424 West Dayton, 226… Read more »

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin spoke out Monday against the federal sequester, arguing in a press conference the massive federal spending cuts put in place after Congress did not reach a compromise could affect nearly 1,000 University of Wisconsin System students. The sequester is set to cut $85 million in spending nationwide… Read more »

Christian Hansen, a candidate in Madison’s District 8 aldermanic race against incumbent Ald. Scott Resnick, announced he is dropping out of the race on Monday night, citing financial challenges.Hansen said he is leaving the race due to personal financial difficulties and said he could no longer balance his duties as… Read more »

As the city of Madison began to brace for an impending winter storm, some residents woke up to an alert for an unexpected kind of inclement weather Monday.The National Weather Service accidentally set out a mass tornado warning text and email to the cell phones of South Central and South… Read more »

Housing resource officials called for more affordable housing solutions in Madison after the city housing department closed their wait list for public housing to new applicants earlier this year. The Community Development Authority currently has a housing wait list of more than 3,000 families in the Madison area and made… Read more »

S2 Pizzabar, a sister restaurant to Madison mainstay Ian’s Pizza, will close later this month after opening its doors in November 2012, citing difficulties with the location on the 500 block of State Street. Ian Gurfield, owner of Ian’s Pizza and S2 Pizzabar, said the restaurant will close March 17 in an email… Read more »

Gilman Street: Battery Two Madison men were attacked outside a downtown bar early Friday morning, with one transported to the hospital after being knocked unconscious.  A Madison man, 23, reported being shoved down outside a bar on the 400 block of West Gilman Street by another bar patron around 12:10… Read more »

Madison police arrested a 20-year-old man for drunk driving after he allegedly stole a car on East Washington Avenue, drove it around Capitol Square and crashed it between the Veterans’ Museum and Ian’s Pizza. The suspect, Michael Rivera, fell asleep on a Madison Metro bus and was forced to exit… Read more »

A city committee convened for the first time in nearly a year to begin making plans for reconstruction of the 700 and 800 blocks of State Street. The city of Madison formed the State Street Design Project Oversight Committee in 2003 to design plans for the reconstruction of the State… Read more »

Clothing designers and consumers from across the city came together Wednesday night for a runway show celebrating local fashion. The runway show held at Monona Terrace was part of the inaugural weeklong event, “Strut. Madison Fashion Series,” a fashion week for the city and surrounding community, according to the “Strut.” website.Wednesday’s… Read more »

Since December, Madison has seen an increase in the number of car part thefts from parked vehicles, according to a city statement. According to the statement, 24 cases have been reported in the greater Madison area recently.  Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said catalytic converters, emission control devices located on… Read more »

Owners of downtown area restaurants and late-night vending carts continued to butt heads over location and its effect on their businesses at a city committee meeting Wednesday. The Vending Oversight Committee has been trying to come up with probable solutions to the sudden spike in late-night food carts since last… Read more »

A task force for the Madison Metropolitan School District has recommended the school board implement a mental health screening program in Madison’s public schools. Scott Strong, executive director of Community Partnerships, a local nonprofit that works to provide community-based resources to people with mental health problems, is a member of… Read more »

Police arrested 21-year-old Francisco Martinez late Monday night after he allegedly threw a bottle of beer at a worker of a restaurant on the 200 block of Gilman Street, and drove away intoxicated afterward. According the the Madison Police Department statement, Martinez threw the bottle at around 9:30 p.m.,… Read more »

A wind turbine company appealed a decision made by regulators to block the company’s plans of building a large wind turbine farm in northwestern Wisconsin, and now both sides will voice their opinion Wednesday. Matt Pagel, spokesperson for the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, said PSC is the regulatory body… Read more »

Madison’s City Council unanimously approved its annual resolution to not allow glass containers on Mifflin Street May 4 at their meeting Tuesday, as they expect the traditional block party to occur.  The resolution named Mifflin Street a glass-free zone during the period of time when the street will most likely… Read more »

Research on the bird flu may start up again on the University of Wisconsin campus after scientists voluntarily put the project on hold more than a year ago. UW spokesperson Terry Devitt said UW professor Yoshihiro Kawaoka from the university’s Department of Pathobiological Sciences may resume his research on the… Read more »

University of Wisconsin researchers have discovered a new way to detect and quantify proteins, which could potentially lead to more efficient cancer research and diagnosis. Joshua Coon, a biomolecular chemistry professor, leads the group that produced the research. Coon said the research will allow scientists to compare proteins of up… Read more »

The Madison Police Department will be working more closely with the elementary schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District in an effort to prevent violence in schools after a number of recent mass school shootings. Luis Yudice, MMSD coordinator of school safety, said there were many discussions on how to… Read more »

Park Street: Fire A popular Mexican restaurant on South Park Street caught fire early Monday morning. Firefighters arrived at the scene of the fire at Taqueria Guadalajara around 7:15 a.m., Madison Fire Department spokesperson Lori Wirth said. No one was injured in the blaze or in the building at… Read more »

Madison has begun testing trees for emerald ash borers, an invasive Chinese insect that has been devastating much of North America’s ash trees. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said around 25 percent of Madison’s trees are ash trees, adding it will cost the city millions in order to fully cover… Read more »

The Madison Police Department has partnered with the Safe Communities of Dane County to hand out free gun locks in hope of decreasing the number of suicides in the area. Suicide is Dane County’s number one cause of violent death, far exceeding homicide, said Cheryl Wittke, the director of Safe… Read more »

The Dane County Housing Authority has chosen to end a program that helps low-income residents buy their own home because of a shortage of funding and a decrease of people in the area seeking home ownership.  Judith Wilcox, the chair of the Dane County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, said… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget for 2013-2015 could create challenges for the city over the next few years, city officials said Thursday. According to city Finance Director David Schmiedicke, some of the major provisions of the proposed state budget that could affect the city are the property tax levy limits… Read more »

A string of strong-armed robberies near the University of Wisconsin campus continued with the robbery of a Madison woman Tuesday night. A 20-year-old female was walking down North Brooks Street at 10:43 p.m. when she noticed a dark-colored vehicle slowly driving behind her, according to a Madison Police Department statement.… Read more »

A Madison resident was robbed at his apartment near the University of Wisconsin campus early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at 2:14 a.m. in an apartment on the 100 block of W. Gilman Street, according to a Madison Police Department statement. A 20-year-old male reported a male suspect entered his… Read more »

A Minneapolis-based real estate company released its final proposal for the apartment building slated to replace the Stadium Bar Wednesday. The Opus Group’s proposed apartment building is a mixed-use project that will be located at 1419 Monroe St., a space the Stadium Bar currently occupies, according to Ald. Shiva Bidar-Sielaff,… Read more »

A city committee unanimously approved the initial design plans for the redevelopment of three downtown area building proposals at a meeting Wednesday. The mixed-use project that the Urban Design Committee approved is a new apartment building requiring the demolition of the three existing properties at 415 W. Johnson, 226 N.… Read more »

The Madison Police Department outlined police involvement in the 2012 Mifflin Street Block Party in an event summary released Wednesday. The summary explained the planning, preparation and enforcement of the event MPD underwent in an effort to control the Mifflin Street Block Party held on May 5, 2012, according to… Read more »

Madison residents were victims of three similar strong-armed robberies near the University of Wisconsin campus Monday night, and police say the incidents may be connected. A 20-year-old female Madison resident was walking on the 400 block of Dayton Street around 9:40 p.m. when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up in front of her,… Read more »

Capitol Police and the state government continue to approve permit requests for events held at the Capitol amid controversy over the policy. The Department of Administration announced as of Tuesday the Capitol Police Department approved 129 event permits for 2013, according to a DOA statement. In 2012, the police approved… Read more »

Candidates finalized their spots on the ballot for the aldermanic race after the primary elections held Tuesday evening. Ledell Zellers and Bryan Post will compete to represent District 2 on the Common Council. The primary results showed Zellers leading with 52.8 percent of the vote, while Post obtained 42.4 percent,… Read more »

At a Mifflin neighborhood meeting Monday night, attendees debated a proposal to expand the building space for a Madison non-profit organization off the Capitol Square.The Freedom from Religion Foundation has proposed an addition to Freethought Hall, located on 304 W. Washington Ave., Dan Barker, the organization’s co-president, said. The building was… Read more »

Candidates will face off in Tuesday’s primary race in hopes of moving onto the aldermanic general election on April 2 and gaining a seat on Madison’s City Council.So far in the race, the downtown-area candidates have run their campaigns primarily on development, environmental issues, economic growth and providing a new voice… Read more »

Mayor Paul Soglin and advocates for the Madison Metropolitan School District spoke out against Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to expand the private school voucher program to public schools in the city at a press conference Monday. Under a voucher program, the City of Madison would pay private schools to… Read more »

A City of Madison committee released the results of a public opinion survey that found positive community support for the plan to open a year-round public market in the city.The survey was distributed to gauge interest from Madison community members and vendors and conducted by the Madison Local Food Committee, Peggy Yessa,… Read more »

Flash mobs cropped up across the city and the University of Wisconsin campus on Valentine’s Day in an effort to raise awareness about violence against women, both at home and across the globe.The spontaneous dances were part of a campaign called One Billion Rising, which aims to bring people together… Read more »

South Bassett Street: Burglary Two Madison-area teenagers were arrested Thursday night after attempting to break into a house on the 10 block of South Bassett Street. The incident took place around 11 p.m. Thursday when a 21-year-old man, one of the home’s six residents, heard noises in his home and went… Read more »

A Memorial Union site construction worker was taken to the hospital this morning, as part of the the second construction accident in the City of Madison Feb. 15.Two injured construction workers were transported to the hospitals from separate building sites after falling at their respective locations Friday morning. A worker… Read more »

Mifflin Street community members and city police officers continued to weigh logistics and concerns over the upcoming Mifflin Street Block Party as well as the alternative event to be held around Union South at a meeting Thursday. Madison Police Department Lt. Kelly Donahue said MPD had its first planning meeting… Read more »

A city committee heard new requests and revisited complaints from local restaurants and bars including several State Street establishments Wednesday night. In the ALRC meeting, The Essen Haus, a Near East Side bar, asked ALRC to approve the alcohol-related aspect of its latest venture. Bob Worm, owner of the Essen… Read more »

A semiannual survey conducted last month shows that Madison’s homeless population has grown by almost 12 percent since last year. The survey is part of wider national effort to quantify the homeless population across the United States and is conducted in January and July every year, according to Sue Wallinger,… Read more »

A Madison man was robbed at gunpoint while walking into his building Tuesday evening. The incident occurred at 9:45 p.m. on the 400 block of West Main Street, according to Madison Police Department Sgt. Jason Ostrenga. MPD arrested 19-year-old Alex Mann for armed robbery Wednesday evening, Ostrenga said. The 29-year-old… Read more »

Chang Tan, the red panda at Madison’s Henry Vilas Zoo, passed away over the weekend after an extended fight with long-term ongoing medical issues. Jeff Halter, deputy director at the zoo, said Tan was 12 years old and had lived in Henry Vilas Zoo since he arrived in Madison from… Read more »

MIFFLIN STREET: Robbery A 49-year-old man’s money and laptop were stolen from his home on the 1300 block of East Mifflin Street at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. According to a Madison Police Department statement, there was no sign of forced entry but the victim heard rustling noises that awoke him.… Read more »

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin are one step closer to finding a cure for carpal tunnel syndrome through the use of video technology to record and analyze workers’ upper body movements. Robert Gadwin, a professor in biomedical engineering and industrial and systems engineering, who also led the study, said… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker announced Sunday he will increase the state’s funding of Wisconsin technical schools by millions of dollars, but some of the requirements to receive the aid was met with mixed reviews. A statement from the governor’s office said he will fund initiatives to improve the Wisconsin Technical College… Read more »

A new matching fundraiser campaign for the Overture Center will bridge local philanthropists with individual donors in hopes of raising $600,000 to maintain low-cost programming. The Kelly Family Foundation, MGE Foundation and Diane Christensen, an Overture Center Foundation Board of Directors member, plan to match individual gifts of $300,000, according… Read more »

Madison Metro reported the bus system experienced a slight decline in ridership in 2012, mainly due to a lower level of campus usage. Madison Metro spokesperson Mick Rusch said people rode the bus 14,592,214 times in 2012. This is down from the 14,923,970 bus rides people took in 2011. Rusch… Read more »

A Madison Police Department officer addressed possible police strategies for both the planned alternative spring event and the Mifflin Street Block Party in a neighborhood meeting Monday. MPD Lt. Kelly Donahue said the University of Wisconsin has plans to have a spring party on university property the same day the Mifflin… Read more »

Veterans will have improved access to public transportation with the implementation of a new program proposed by county officials. The Vets Ride with Pride program will work in conjunction with Madison Metro Transit to provide transit passes to Dane County veterans, according to Dane County spokesperson Carrie Springer. The Dane… Read more »

Three similar reports of theft occurred on the University of Wisconsin campus over the past two weeks, according to the UW Police Department. The three thefts occurred on the west side of campus, near the UW Hospital, according to UWPD Sgt. Aaron Chapin. The property reported stolen in all three… Read more »

Three Madison community members and organizations pledged Wednesday to match all donations made by Madison residents to a city performing arts center by the end of April. The Madison Gas & Electric Foundation, the Kelly Family Foundation and Overture Center board member Dianne Christensen announced they would each donate $100,000… Read more »

Dane County officials are pursuing a series of initiatives to help meet the needs of the large homeless population in the city of Madison, but in-depth plans for a new daytime shelter will likely not reach fruition until the next winter season falls.  According to Dane County Board of Supervisors… Read more »

Endorsements continue to roll in as the aldermanic District 8 candidates narrow the focus of their campaigns in preparation of the upcoming City Council elections. After facing some initial controversy over ballot signatures,  Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, and his opponent Christian Hansen are confirmed candidates on the ballot. Over… Read more »

Yet another proposal for new student housing was brought before a city body Wednesday as the Mansion Hill Neighborhood Association considered plans to convert a church-owned school building on West Johnson Street into student apartments. The Mansion Hill Neighborhood Association addressed plans to make changes to the Holy Redeemer School building,… Read more »

An unidentified suspect robbed a 21-year-old Madison woman Sunday night on West Gilman Street, according to a Madison Police Department statement. The suspect approached the woman from behind and grabbed her backpack as she walked down the 400 Block of West Gorham Street, the statement said. The suspect made off… Read more »

Users of the petition website Change.org overwhelmed Madison’s email system Tuesday, causing the city to find a new approach to dealing with a high volume of emails. Beginning Thursday, the city received an influx of emails from the site related to a petition that called for the Madison Police Department… Read more »

After months of deliberation over logistics and concerns voiced by community members, Madison’s City Council approved a proposal to build a six-story student apartment building in the Langdon Street neighborhood Tuesday evening. The City Council voted 15-3 with two absences to approve the contentious building proposal to be located on… Read more »

An unidentified suspect accosted a 21-year-old woman Saturday night on West Gorham Street, according to a Madison Police Department statement. The statement said the woman was about to enter a building on the 400 block of the street around 6 p.m. when a stranger grabbed her by the arm and tried… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Police Department and the Madison Police Department each voiced their support for a student organized event at Union South held the same day as the traditional Mifflin Street Block Party. MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain said MPD Chief Noble Wray supports ending the block party as it… Read more »

A historic residential building has one last chance at survival from demolition after a city committee voted to pass a development proposal on the 200 block of Langdon Street.  The Plan Commission unanimously passed recommendations to the City Council to demolish the Theta Chi fraternity house, consisting of 33 bedrooms… Read more »

With an eviction from their temporary location on the horizon, members of Occupy Madison are on the lookout for a more permanent location to house their movement. Dane County officials notified Occupy Madison members they need to move out of their current location in Token Creek Park, a campground located… Read more »

A federal agency announced a full review of the investigation of last year’s officer-involved shooting of a Madison man, according to the Madison Police Department. MPD Chief Noble Wray announced the U.S. Department of Justice initiated the review of the death of Paul Heenan, 30, at the request of the… Read more »

The City of Madison has been experiencing increased levels of fraudulent activity over the past weeks, according to a Madison Police Department report, giving reason for heightened awareness in the community.  Four instances of fraud, including telephone fraud, internet fraud and counterfeit bills, have been reported since the end of… Read more »

Madison delved further into sustainable development Thursday when a city department released the first draft of a feasibility study for a new green building proposed for the downtown area. The Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development proposed the Madison Sustainability Commerce Center because the city is looking to… Read more »

Madison’s Police Department arrested a 22-year-old Madison man on State Street late Wednesday night, after the suspect allegedly engaged in a fight with another city resident, according to an MPD report. Timothy McLeod first encountered the victim, a 54-year-old Madison man, on a Madison Metro bus, according to the report.… Read more »

Community members voiced their concerns and support at a neighborhood meeting Wednesday as yet another high-rise apartment building looks to make its way into downtown Madison. The proposed development by Dayton Square Apartments is set to be placed at West Johnson, North Broom and West Dayton Streets, according to Eric… Read more »

Local hip-hop artists have one less place to perform after a shooting at a city club led the manager to eliminate hip-hop shows from its bookings. According to a report from the Madison Police Department, a fight broke out between two men and one pulled a gun at The Frequency… Read more »

City volunteers found an increase in homelessness after they descended on the streets of Madison late Wednesday night to attempt to obtain an accurate count of the number of homeless people living in the city as part of national efforts to quantify America’s homeless population. Wednesday marked the start of a Department… Read more »

Three controversial ads for Pabst Blue Ribbon beer finished their six-month spot on Madison area buses at the beginning of this month, despite numerous complaints Madison Metro Transit received from community members. Mick Rusch, Madison Metro spokesperson, said on average, he received a complaint every two weeks during the six-month… Read more »

The Dane County Clerk’s Office finalized the ballot of a special election for a county board, approving two candidates to run for the vacated downtown district seat. After obtaining all the necessary signatures, the clerk’s office confirmed Mary Kolar and C.J. Terrell as the two candidates hoping to take on… Read more »

Community members met Tuesday to address the ethical controversies associated with the officer-involved shooting of a Madison man last November. Paul Heenan, 30, died as the result of a confrontation with Madison Police Department Officer Stephan Heimsness Nov. 9, according to a MPD statement. According to the statement, Heimsness was… Read more »

A city decision could mean students will have the opportunity to attend an alternative festival to the Mifflin Street Block Party May 4, leaders from the Wisconsin Union Directorate and the Associated Students of Madison said Tuesday.  Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said city and university officials, including Soglin, met… Read more »

Care Net, a Christian pro-life pregnancy center in Dane County, will continue to pursue government funding for a housing project after members of Madison’s City Council chose to drop sponsorship for the project. Care Net did not receive support from City Council members at Tuesday night’s Board of Estimates meeting… Read more »

West Johnson Street and North Park Street: Pedestrian-car collisionAn intoxicated pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of West Johnson and North Park Streets on Monday night.Madison Police Department Lt. Cory Nelson said the vehicle had the right of way. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries, and was taken… Read more »

Mayor Paul Soglin recently voiced support for a new ordinance to ramp up keg registration at the time of purchase as a tool for law enforcement officials, which one downtown alder said sends the wrong message about alcohol on campus.Mark Woulf, the City of Madison alcohol policy coordinator, said the… Read more »

A firearm was discharged during a fight between two men outside The Frequency, a music venue located off the Capitol Square, early on Monday morning. According to a Madison Police Department incident report, no one was injured by the gunshot, and the fight had moved outside by the time one of the men… Read more »

The City of Madison’s Board of Estimates met Monday night and weighed the possible consequences of a potential affordable housing project proposed by Care Net, a Christian pregnancy center, and also granted approval to a plan to create a Madison Public Market. The affordable housing would be located next to… Read more »

After accidentally releasing 50 Social Security numbers, the City of Madison has removed the leaked information from their website and is taking steps to protect those affected by the leak.City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Beh said workers in the city clerk’s office had put up the social security numbers in error. However,… Read more »

The City Council approved a new amendment to the chronic nuisance premises ordinance in their January meeting, which now allows Madison residents dealing with problematic properties to find quicker resolution for their grievances. The chronic nuisance ordinance was originally put in place to allow the city to take action against… Read more »

The Madison Police Department announced Thursday officers will shift their investigation of a recent homicide to a domestic angle after finding the victim’s husband dead in his Madison home Friday. Police began investigating the case as a domestic-related homicide after executing a search warrant for the home of the victim’s estranged husband.Although… Read more »

The Madison Police Department is investigating a possible homicide after finding a Madison woman dead in her home on the far-east side early Thursday morning, according to a MPD statement. The woman was found in her apartment on the 6800 block of Milwaukee Street, the statement said. Police believe homicide… Read more »

Madison’s City Clerk office accidentally released 50 social security numbers online of people applying for liquor licenses for Madison establishments, their office announced Thursday. According to a city of Madison statement, a city employee discovered on Dec. 19 that a liquor license application packet on a city website contained… Read more »

Mayor Paul Soglin gave his State of the City address Wednesday to the Rotary Club of Madison at a local hotel, highlighting issues and achievements in Madison. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said Soglin covered many issues he was passionate about such as poverty, education, hunger and economic development. Soglin… Read more »

The Madison Police Department said they believe a Fox Cities man may have fallen into Lake Monona after disappearing Jan. 16, according to a MPD statement. Appleton resident Charlie Geurts was reported missing from the Sheraton Hotel on John Nolen Drive, where he was staying, at 2:20 a.m. on the… Read more »

LAKE STREET: Battery A 22-year-old man was arrested at the Kollege Klub early Wednesday morning for causing a disturbance at the bar, according to a Madison Police Department report. Andrew Lochmann was taken into police custody at 1:22 a.m. after he allegedly made several threatening statements and hit two Kollege… Read more »

The City Council gave small animals with the ability to soar through the sky and steal the hearts of Madisonians approval to be household pets at its meeting Tuesday night. Sugar gliders originated in Australia and are a member of the marsupial family, according to Ald. Sue Ellingson, District 13.… Read more »

Langdon Street is one step closer to seeing a new face to the Theta Chi house after the city’s Urban Design Commission approved a modified plan for a new building for the fraternity Wednesday night.  After making many prior adjustments, UDC approved the plan for a new building for the… Read more »

City officials have organized a community meeting to gain feedback from residents on the death of a Madison man who was shot and killed by a police officer in November. Ald. Marsha Rummel, District 6, organized the meeting for next Tuesday at a community church, where attendees will consider the… Read more »

City officials are vying to engage students and other Madison residents in new ways after approving an initiative that opens up access to all city documents and records to the public via an online portal. Madison is now the second city in the country to pursue an open data initiative, which… Read more »

As President Barack Obama moves forward with his plans to pursue significant national gun control measures, Madison’s City Council added its voice to the national conversation when the body unanimously adopted a resolution calling for stricter gun control at its Jan. 8 meeting. According to City Council President Shiva Bidar-Sielaff,… Read more »

After a series of investigations, the Madison Police Department ultimately ruled to clear a police officer who shot and killed a city resident late last year of any charges, sparking controversy and protests within the city. Paul Heenan, 30, died as the result of a physical confrontation with MPD officer… Read more »

As the primary election for City Council representatives approaches, the candidates for the 2013-2015 session of Madison’s governing body have solidified their spots on the ballot and begun to address the issues most important to them. District 8 has already seen some controversy with the aldermanic race. The downtown district’s… Read more »

STATE STREET: Weapons violation Madison resident Quincy Franklin was arrested for disorderly conduct while armed at Michelangelo’s coffee shop the morning of Jan. 13, according to a Madison Police Department statement. Franklin was having stomach problems and stopped at the coffee shop to use the restroom, the statement said. After occupying the… Read more »

The fourth and final suspect in the summer battery against University of Wisconsin football running back Montee Ball has been identified. Joel DeSpain, Madison Police Department spokesperson, said 27-year-old Karlis Griffin remains at large. He said the lead detective on the case is still trying to locate Griffin and is seeking any… Read more »

A proposal for a new student-oriented apartment building received final approval from the City Council Jan. 8, continuing the years-old housing development boom in Madison. The 12-story building will be located on the 300 block of North Frances Street and is one of the many building projects expected to be… Read more »

A pedestrian was severely injured on the 600 block of University Avenue after getting hit by a car early Sunday morning. According to a Madison Police Department statement, the 20-year-old victim was crossing the street with his friends when a car struck him around 2 a.m. The statement said the… Read more »

Two of University of Wisconsin running back Montee Ball’s attackers pleaded guilty to substantial battery Wednesday. Ball was attacked by a group of men on the 500 block of University Avenue the morning of August 1. He was then hospitalized as a result of head injuries. Assistant District Attorney Michael… Read more »

5:13 p.m. — The UW campus will be closed except for “essential operations” Thursday as the area prepares for the impending winter storm, according to a website announcement.No finals will be held on campus Thursday. UW’s website provided a link to other information regarding campus functions during the storm.Campus buildings… Read more »

The City Council voted Tuesday to no longer fund the city’s operating budget with extra money the city has borrowed unless there is a two-thirds majority vote, which can overturn the ordinance in the future. Mayor Paul Soglin introduced the ordinance, and said other municipalities do not use borrowed money… Read more »

A neighborhood meeting Thursday night allowed students and city residents to voice their opinions about the unknown future of the Stadium Bar. The Opus Group, a real estate development company based in Minnesota, expressed interest in building a student-targeted housing development in place of the Stadium Bar earlier this month. … Read more »

From banning panhandlers downtown to providing a new daytime warming shelter this winter, the city of Madison has been busy this semester combating the problems homelessness brings into the city. Madison’s City Council passed an ordinance to completely ban panhandling in the downtown area in mid-September. Two months later, city officials are… Read more »

Funding for the Overture Center was the hot-button issue in Madison’s 2013 city operating budget, but it was not a new story — debate over the amount of funding the center would receive has faced controversy since it was opened in 2004. Madison Mayor Paul Soglin proposed to cut $1… Read more »

Madison restaurants received a reality check Tuesday after a dining guide for the city ranked 139 local restaurants based on how they treat their employees.  The dining guide rates restaurants by awarding up to seven stars in areas like wages for tipped and non-tipped employees, health care benefits, paid days off, sick days and… Read more »

Dane County business opportunities are looking up after a report released Wednesday showed businesses in the county were experiencing bigger sales and profits this year in comparison to last year.The 2012 First Business Economic Survey showed that profitability increased to 48 percent of businesses compared to the 38 percent from last… Read more »

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 »

Plans to put up new apartment buildings in Madison’s downtown area moved forward after receiving the Urban Design Commission’s approval Wednesday night. One of the projects, a 12-story apartment building on the 300 block of Frances Street, received final approval. The design of the building has been updated to better… Read more »

The police force on the University of Wisconsin campus this semester has been taking more action to combat underage drinking and illegal behavior by students. The amount of underage drinking, fake identification and illegal possession tickets given out at the start of this school year more than doubled the amount… Read more »

A 28-year-old Madison male reported a theft on the 700 block of University Avenue Saturday afternoon. According to Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain, the victim claimed he was picking up an acquaintance to give him a ride, but did not know his name, DeSpain added. According to an MPD… Read more »

The downtown Logan’s Madtown Bar and Restaurant is poised to permanently close its doors after a city committee gave the establishment 15 days to relinquish its liquor license. Logan’s general manager Adam Mais represented the establishment at an Alcohol License Review Committee hearing Tuesday. He told ALRC members that its… Read more »

A campus relief drive organized by the University of Wisconsin and student groups for those in the New Jersey and New York area will come to an end this week. Susannah Brooks, a UW spokesperson, said the drive started Friday, Nov. 30, and will continue until Saturday, Dec. 8. Members… Read more »

Mayor Paul Soglin and members of the Madison Local Food Committee explained the vision of a public market in the Madison area and introduced details of a survey for potential vendors for the market. The 2013 city budget allocated $1.2 million for planning, development and possible site purchasing for the… Read more »

The development of a new 12-story apartment complex has been proposed as part of redeveloping downtown Madison’s rental housing. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the apartment complex would be located on the 200 block of North Broom Street and the 400 blocks of West Dayton and West Johnson streets… Read more »

The Plan Commission unanimously recommended a new downtown apartment development for approval at a meeting Monday. The proposed development is between 202 to 210 N. Bassett St. and 512 to 520 W. Dayton St. The permit for the development allows three residences and an office building to be demolished in… Read more »

The Madison Board of Estimates finalized the 2013 operating budget at a meeting Monday and unanimously voted to recommend a resolution that will reallocate general funds to police, the fire department and the city clerk’s office. The proposed resolution will allocate $5,099,500 from the general fund balance to cover unbudgeted… Read more »

A restaurant specializing in the art of hot dogs will be shutting its doors after three and a half years of business. Mad Dogs Eatery, located at 309 N. Henry St., closed Sunday evening, according to owner Steve Nelson. Nelson stated personal issues as the reason for closing. He said… Read more »

Some of Madison’s homeless have a permanent place to stay now that a Madison non-profit opened up single room occupancy housing on the city’s East Side. The resource development director at Porchlight Inc., Beatrice Hadidian, said there are 14 Safe Haven units in the facility, which share a kitchen and… Read more »

Four more of the 20-member Madison City Council members have announced they will not seek re-election for another two-year term. Ald. Brian Solomon, District 10; Ald. Satya Rhodes-Conway, District 12; Ald. Larry Palm, District 15; and Ald. Jill Johnson, District 16, are calling it an end to their time in… Read more »

The Madison Police Department released a sketch of the suspect who attacked a female as she was walking home last Saturday in the early morning. The 21-year-old victim was walking from the State Street area to her house when she was attacked on the 100 block of East Johnson Street,… Read more »

A new hotel behind West Gorham Street’s Aberdeen Apartments is set to open in the fall of 2013.Jeff Kraemer, a representative for property owners Raymond Management Company, said the Hampton Inn and Suites Hotel, located at the intersection of West Johnson and North Bassett streets, will contain 194 rooms and… Read more »

Police have arrested a suspect for stealing a cell phone and credit card from a female victim at State Street Brats last Sunday morning. Brian Bromberek, 29, from Milwaukee, has been arrested on a charge that he stole an iPhone worth $500 and a credit card from the victim, 23,… Read more »

Plans for a twelve-story student apartment building on the 300 Block of Frances Street were delayed after the Urban Design Committee chose not to approve the project at Wednesday night’s meeting, citing ordinance violations and inadequate living accommodations for residents.  Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the plans for the building did… Read more »

An apartment building on the south side of Madison will be redeveloped after the City Council granted a permit to the developers at its meeting Tuesday night. The Nob Hill apartment building’s redevelopment will include a community center, better safety features and an overall update for the 30-year-old building. Zilber… Read more »

In response to the new federal health care law, Meriter Hospital reported Tuesday it would be releasing 50 employees in an effort to rethink health care services. According to a Meriter statement, all health systems are facing significant cuts in federal Medicare and Medicaid. “The new federal health care law, Patient Protection… Read more »

A city committee may be looking to include the homeless population in an ordinance that would protect them from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation. Division Manager for the Equal Opportunities Commission Marcus Miles said commission members are in the studying phase of this idea and still have to… Read more »

Despite the continued presence of singing protestors occupying the Capitol without a permit, citations handed out by the Capitol Police Department took a dive in the month of November.After a busy September and October, Capitol Police handed out only three citations in November, according to the most recent data collected… Read more »

Plans to put student housing developments in place of the Stadium Bar may be in the works, despite the establishment’s long-standing history as college hot spot for home football games. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said the owners of the Stadium Bar are looking to sell it in the near future, a… Read more »

A daytime warming center opened Monday in an effort to keep the homeless warm during the winter and offer support. The center will remain open until the end of March 2013 from about 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., according to Steve Schooler, executive director of Porchlight Inc., a homeless shelter located… Read more »

A city of Madison commission failed to approve the construction of a seven-story student housing unit near Langdon Street Monday night. The nearly 17,000-square foot housing unit was proposed to be built on Henry Street and Iota Court and would have been adjacent the Chi Psi Fraternity house, but the Landmarks… Read more »

The Alcohol License Review Committee unanimously approved Frank Productions, the temporary managers of the Orpheum, for a liquor license at a meeting Monday night. The ALRC recently denied the Orpheum a liquor license last June under its previous ownership. In order for the venue to re-open, it must obtain a… Read more »

Two residents were held at gunpoint and tied up by several suspects at their apartment Monday night. According to a Madison Police Department statement, three suspects carried a handgun and demanded items from the victims at their apartment at 200 Langdon St. One suspect is identified as a male between… Read more »

A man was allegedly beaten to the ground and temporarily lost consciousness on the 600 block of State Street early Sunday morning. According to a Madison Police Department statement, two men punched and kicked the 26-year-old male victim around bar time, 1:30 a.m. One of the suspects is a white… Read more »

The opening of a temporary homeless shelter may provide refuge to homeless members of the Occupy Madison group with winter not far away. According to Josh Wescott, chief of staff for Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, homeless members of the Occupy Madison group were relocated from Lake View County Park… Read more »

A moped caught fire outside a campus residence Tuesday morning, according to a Madison Fire Department report. Firefighters were sent to the scene of 625 Mendota Ct. in response to a call from the moped’s owner at around 11 a.m, just after his roommate told him his moped was on… Read more »

Madison city officials will gather Wednesday to discuss a controversial measure to place 20-feet tall light posts along the Southwest Commuter Bike Path.The disagreement over the lights centers on a concern over the brightness of the lights versus the added safety they would bring for nighttime bikers and walkers. The… Read more »

The Urban Design Commission met Tuesday to address general city guidelines and goals for the downtown area’s zoning code, which will go into effect in January. Principal planner for the city of Madison’s planning department Bill Fruhling said reviewing and talking through the guidelines have great value. He said the… Read more »

Countless children look forward to the end of a school day when they can come home to a snack, afternoon cartoons and a family. Yet the reality in Dane County is a growing number of children have neither a home nor a parent to go home to. The number of… Read more »

Madison officials and community leaders are calling the new ban on panhandling a success nearly two months after taking effect. The ban, approved by the City Council in mid-September, specifically targets State Street and the Capitol Square area. According to Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain, the ban has been… Read more »

The season of sickness has hit Wisconsin as state lab tests confirmed more than 50 cases of influenza statewide, but officials are reminding Wisconsinites vaccinations are still available. Anne McCue with Public Health of Madison and Dane County said of the 50 confirmed cases of influenza statewide, one is in… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association officially extended a contract allowing high school state championships to take place on campus until 2020. According to a WIAA statement, university facilities will host championships in basketball, football, golf, wrestling and softball until the spring of 2020. WIAA spokesperson… Read more »

A male suspect allegedly punched a Madison Metro bus driver after being asked to show identification with his student bus pass Saturday, highlighting the city’s recent issues with fraud and the Metro system. According to a Madison Police Department statement, a teenage male and his two friends yelled at the… Read more »

In an effort to help the community stay active and learn about health, the Madison Parks Department launched a program that recruits local doctors to lead walks in various parks in the Madison area. “Walk with a Doc” is a national program that Madison officials implemented locally to take advantage… Read more »

The City of Madison is looking to create a Madison Sustainability Commerce Center in an effort to promote an increase in “green” building. According to a statement, the city is hoping for the center to target the area along East Washington Avenue between Blair Street and First Street. The first… Read more »

The air quality alert issued over the weekend by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resourses for eastern and south-central Wisconsin expired Monday afternoon. DNR Land Records Officer Ann Runyard said the department alerted 18 counties Sunday, citing high levels of fine particle pollution. Runyard said people most affected by fine… Read more »

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin signed off on the 2013 city budget Friday, which included numerous amendments in a package from the City Council that slightly altered his original budget proposal. After the City Council voted to make various changes to the original 2013 capital and operating budgets Tuesday and Wednesday… Read more »

A temporary day shelter for the homeless will open the Monday after Thanksgiving, thanks to a vote of approval from the Dane County Board of Supervisors. The shelter will be located at the former Lussier Teen Center at 827 E. Washington Ave. Dianne Hesselbein, Dane County Supervisor, District 9, said the county… Read more »

As Madison Metro begins to enforce the existing student ID policy, many have observed a smooth transition into full implementation. According to Metro Madison Bus Driver Frances Craig, the policies, which are intended to eliminate fraudulent use of the unlimited bus pass by prohibiting students from selling their bus passes… Read more »

A ceremonial ground-breaking Thursday kicked off the start to renovations at The Edgewater Hotel, a controversial project previously denied funding from the city but now financed through private sources. The ground-breaking served as the start to the construction, Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said. He said this project was particularly unique… Read more »

Madison’s City Council passed the 2013 operating budget Wednesday night, eliminating a bus fare increase and allocating $1.75 million to the Overture Center. The total cost for next year’s operating budget will be $267.1 million, and Mayor Paul Soglin now has to decide whether to pass the budget or veto… 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 »

After hours of public hearing and discussion among members, the City Council voted 16-4 to adopt a series of important amendments to the 2013 capital budget. The capital budget’s total cost is $192,642,092. Numerous speakers addressed the operating budget amendment to allocate more funding to the Overture Center, which will… Read more »

State Superintendent Tony Evers revealed his 2013-15 budget proposal Monday, which calls for an increase in school aid and property tax relief all over Wisconsin, with $30 million in mind for the Madison Metropolitan School District.According to a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction statement, categorical aid came to $653.9 million… Read more »

Police arrested a man for battery early Sunday morning on the 400 block of West Gilman Street after he punched a stranger. Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said the violence occurred after an argument broke out between two intoxicated strangers. According to a MPD statement, the argument led Kresten… Read more »

Mayor Paul Soglin put forth a number of amendments to the 2013 city budget less than a week after City Council members introduced their own changes. At a news conference Monday, Soglin introduced 16 amendment proposals in a press conference, two key issues being the elimination of the $.25 bus… Read more »

Madison Police Department Chief Noble Wray addressed the concerns of the community and details of the incident after a MPD officer shot and killed a man early Friday morning. Paul Heenan, 30, died as the result of a physical confrontation between himself and MPD officer Stephen Heimsness. Heimsness originally reported… Read more »

The Joint Southeast Campus Area Committee met Monday night to consider future projects on campus and updates on existing projects. Committee member Gary Brown led the discussion about future projects, which included the development of a music performance facility and bringing an art warehouse back to the University of Wisconsin… Read more »

The group of homeless people living in tents at the Occupy Madison site on East Washington Avenue was required by the city to leave by 3 p.m. Sunday. According to a Madison Police Department statement, approximately 15 people from the site moved their camp to Lake View Hill County Park.… Read more »

A man was arrested Thursday night after hitting another man in the head with a fire extinguisher Monday. According to a Madison Police Department statement, the suspect has been identified as Javonte Woods, 22, of Madison. Woods was charged with disorderly conduct while armed and battery while armed. The incident… Read more »

A man was shot and killed by a Madison police officer early Friday morning during a physical confrontation in connection to a residential burglary on the 500 block of South Baldwin Street. According to a statement by the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office, the deceased has been identified as Paul… Read more »

A local neighborhood committee met to make future plans for the Mifflin Street Block Party and continued a discussion on the Overture Center for the Arts’ budget Thursday night. At a meeting of the Mifflin Neighborhood Association, Larry Warman, district chair, said Capitol Neighborhoods Inc. plans to coordinate with Mayor… Read more »

A Madison woman received fake money after selling her computer monitor on Craigslist. According to a Madison Police Department statement, the woman advertised a like-new monitor for $120 on Craigslist and was contacted by a man who was willing to pay the full price. She met with the man near… Read more »

Mayor Paul Soglin expressed his hopes and concerns Thursday regarding how results of the state and federal elections will affect the political climate in Madison.Soglin said his biggest concern for the city is the unequal distribution of revenue throughout the state. He said now both houses in the state legislature… Read more »

Members of Madison’s City Council are proposing an unprecedented package deal of changes to Mayor Paul Soglin’s $266.4 million 2013 operating budget. Two of the main items the council proposed would prevent the raise of city bus fare costs and allocate more funds to the Overture Center for the Arts.… Read more »

Madison’s Urban Design Commission met Wednesday night to review plans for three new student-oriented apartment buildings located on campus. The first apartment building is slated to be built on the corner of Bassett and Dayton Streets and was approved unanimously. The apartment will comprise five stories and an underground parking… 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 »

Registration measures and few reported problems helped move voting along smoothly on an Election Day that drew crowds of students whose votes largely reflected the end results of the election. According to Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, the University of Wisconsin campus turnout was between 65 and 66 percent, a… Read more »

For the first time in history, Wisconsin residents were permitted to show proof of residency with their smartphones and tablets while registering for the presidential election Tuesday.   The State of Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board unanimously approved the decision to allow electronic documents on Election Day, according to Analiese Eicher,… Read more »

With only 20 hours until polls opened in Wisconsin for Election Day, President Barack Obama took to the stage near the foot of the Capitol Monday, the first stop of a last-minute blitz to swing battleground states in his direction. According to the Madison Police Department, 20,000 onlookers packed the… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Law School will launch its new Veterans Law Center this Thursday, aimed at providing legal assistance to Dane County veterans. Ann Zimmerman, pro bono director for UW Law School, said an open house will be held Thursday to celebrate the launch. She said the first clinic… Read more »

The State-Langdon Neighborhood Association gathered in a meeting Monday night to provide input on a controversial apartment proposal. The proposal would reconstruct three buildings and construct one new building on Henry Street and Iota Court. Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2, said the proposal has been passed around several city meetings… Read more »

The Dane County Board of Supervisors announced an initiative Friday to help the county’s homeless population with a proposed year-round day shelter and affordable apartment housing. Sup. Heidi Wegleitner, District 2, said the initiative is made up of amendments to Dane County Executive Joe Parisi’s 2012 county budget. She said… Read more »

Public Health Madison and Dane County confirmed 17 cases of an infectious disease in Dane County, spokesperson for PHMDC Amanda Kita-Yarbro said. According to a PHMDC statement, these cases of shigellosis occurred between Sept. 20 and Oct. 30, compared to the 19 reported cases in Dane County in 2011 alone.… Read more »

The Madison Police Department arrested a suspect in connection to an apartment burglary Friday morning. Jai D. Patterson, 26, of Madison was charged in the case with burglary and possession of heroin, as well as felony bail jumping and a warrant-causing injury while OWI, according to an MPD statement. The… Read more »

President Barack Obama, in his second appearance in Madison in just over a month, will take the stage near the State Capitol Monday morning, according to Kylie Nelson, assistant to the Wisconsin Department of Administration spokesperson. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said Obama will be speak some time between 9… Read more »

President Barack Obama will speak near the Capitol Monday, according to Kylie Nelson, assistant to the Department of Administration spokesperson. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said Obama will be speak some time between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between the City County Building and… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin’s student government and a student organization hosted an event Thursday night to inform students about the importance of voting and to bridge the gap between student-athletes and the rest of campus. The event was put on by the Student-Athletes Equally Supporting Others and Associated Students of… Read more »

A neighborhood meeting Thursday welcomed student resident participation and introduced proposals for two development projects.Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, introduced two new developments, one on the corner of North Bassett Street and West Dayton Street and the other on North Frances Street.Scott Kohler, who represented Capitol Neighborhoods, said the purpose… Read more »

After being denied funding from the city, the reconstruction project for The Edgewater Hotel on Wisconsin Avenue will begin the week of Nov. 19 with aid from the Midwest Disaster Area Bonds. Robert Dunn, president of Hammes Company Sports Development Inc., said he filed an application for the bonds last… Read more »

A University of Wisconsin student suffered several facial fractures after being attacked on Langdon Street early Thursday morning. Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said the male victim, 20, was treated at the hospital for a broken nose and fractured cheek. He said even though the victim’s injuries were not… 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 »

Mayor Paul Soglin held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to promote early and absentee voting in the 2012 presidential election, as well as the importance of voting in the city of Madison. Soglin said this year’s early voting numbers have far surpassed the 2008 election’s in terms of total ballots… Read more »

Two men were attacked by a man dressed as a marijuana “blunt” while walking in the 1700 Block of Madison Street early Saturday morning. According to a Madison Police Department statement, the attacks were reported at 2:20 am, but had occurred an hour earlier. The men, both aged 20, from Madison and… Read more »

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced a proposal in his 2013 operating budget that would cut funding to the Ferris Center, a minimum security jail on Rimrock Road Tuesday afternoon. County Supervisor Paul Rusk, District 12, and chair of the Public Protection and Judiciary Committee, said the county has proposed… Read more »

Madison’s City Council unanimously approved plans to build two apartment buildings near the University of Wisconsin campus on West Johnson Street and Main Street at a meeting Tuesday night. The proposed West Johnson Street apartment will include 250 apartment units and will comprise 60,000 square feet. The Main Street apartment building is… Read more »

After a contentious few years of seeing no progress as a result of funding arguments, The Edgewater Hotel will begin major reconstruction this November. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said he believes the reconstruction of the hotel will serve as a major investment for the city. For two mayoral terms, the redevelopment has… Read more »

Mayor Paul Soglin moved forward Tuesday with efforts to develop a vacant lot northeast of the Capitol by appointing community leaders to a committee set on getting a project off the ground.The lot, located on the 800 block of East Washington Avenue next to Breese Stevens Field, is a full… Read more »

Individuals who lived in tents on East Washington Avenue last winter as part of an Occupy Madison movement have set up camp on the same site this winter, despite the city’s decision last year that the encampment is illegal.According to Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2, what started out as Occupy… Read more »

A Baraboo teen was sexually assaulted by a man claiming to be dressed as Hugh Hefner late Saturday night, according to Madison police. The incident occurred on the 20th block of South Mills Street at 11 pm, according to a Madison Police Department statement. MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain said the… Read more »

Two 21-year-old Madison residents suffered injuries after being attacked outside Lucky’s Bar on Regent Street early Saturday morning. According to a Madison Police Department statement, one suspect in the case, Jason Siebecker, 19, of Mauston, Wis., has been arrested for alleged battery, resisting and underage consumption of alcohol. The victims… Read more »

Prominent scholars and professors from around the country convened at a China Town Hall meeting Monday night to focus on the impact of social media on U.S.- China relations. Min Jiang, a Chinese Internet specialist from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Sida Liu, University of Wisconsin professor… Read more »

University of Wisconsin Dean of Students Lori Berquam has confirmed the death of a UW student in Smith Hall Monday. Berquam said the student died of cardiac arrest, according to the family. UW has not released the name of the student, leaving the release up to the student’s family. Counselors… Read more »

More than 30,000 people celebrated Madison’s twelfth Freakfest Saturday night with the amount of police citations and arrests dipping to a record low. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said the last unofficial report he received said four arrests and more than thirty citations were made during the event.A Madison Police… Read more »

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin is proposing to allocate $50,000 of city funding for a music video that would promote the city. Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8 said Soglin wants to use the money to promote Madison through an alternative media. Some cities use the money for national television spots, which… Read more »

City officials, the Madison Police Department and Frank Productions have finalized the plans for this year’s Freakfest celebration, which is expected to draw up to 45,000 people. As Frank Productions announced earlier this semester  Mac Miller and Big Gigantic will headline the event. The company’s spokesperson Charlie Goldstone said Frank… Read more »

A University of Wisconsin student was the victim of a recent fraud involving suspicious contact from the suspect, who threatened the victim with police involvement. According to a Madison Police Department report, the victim was a 22-year-old female student in the UW School of Business. The incident was reported Oct.… Read more »

Jeff Dowd, Los Angeles film producer and character basis for “The Dude” in “The Big Lebowski,” visited campus Thursday afternoon to weigh in on his observations and encourage students to vote. According to Dowd, each vote counts, and voting is important for college students because they are helping shape the… Read more »

The largest donation campaign of its kind in the county has begun soliciting pledges in its 39th annual drive from state employees to donate funds to local, state and international charities.Jody Medeke, campaign marketing chair for the Partners in Giving Campaign, said the campaign runs through Nov. 30 and added she… Read more »

Four teens were arrested Tuesday after allegedly attacking a man on a Madison Metro bus. According to a Madison Police Department statement, the suspects are all males from Madison, ranging from ages 14 to 18. The victim, 56, was trying to get to the back of the bus when the… 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 »

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., spoke to students at the University of Wisconsin Tuesday night to educate them about the nation’s deficit and to urge their participation on Election Day. John Lambert, second vice chair of the UW College Republicans, said the organization wanted to bring Johnson to campus because… Read more »

Mayor Paul Soglin will help Madison celebrate national Food Day today by holding the first meeting of the Food Policy Council, which has a goal of improving Madison’s food system. According to a statement, Food Day takes place annually on Oct. 24. It said the Food Policy Council is made… Read more »

Madison’s annual Halloween festival alone is enough to make city officials and local law enforcement batten down the hatches.Throw in a University of Wisconsin football game and Homecoming festivities, and things could get interesting.As such, planning officials for Freakfest held a press conference Tuesday, laying out the city’s plans to… Read more »