Thursday, 7.1
Wisconsin chooses the Department of Administration building, 101 E. Wilson St., to be the site of Madison's high-speed rail station. See Joe Tarr's report.
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk asks the county's largest departments to cut their budgets by 5%, and smaller departments to make 2.5% in cuts. The county hopes to shave $8.4 million from next year's budget.
Friday, 7.2
Dr. Hani Hennein, a UW Hospital pediatric heart surgeon, evidently shoots his estranged wife in the face and then kills himself at a home in suburban Chicago. His wife, 52-year-old Julia M. Hennein, is expected to survive.
Dane County Clerk Bob Ohlsen says it's unlikely a referendum on a regional transit plan can be held this fall. Ohlsen says a special voting district must first be created, and he doesn't have enough staff to do so in time.
Sunday, 7.4
Ruth Stewart of Stoughton celebrates her 105th birthday with a margarita and lunch at Coachman's restaurant. She's now making plans for her 115th.
Monday, 7.5
Wisconsin's new smoking ban takes effect, prohibiting smoking in all bars, restaurants and other workplaces. Madison passed a similar ban in 2005, which is still, technically, in existence.
Tuesday, 7.6
A badly decomposed body is found behind an office building in the 5800 block of Russett Road on the west side. Madison police later identify it as a 60-year-old neighborhood man. Foul play is not suspected.
The Madison Common Council approves a no-serve list that would ban retailers from selling alcohol to chronic drunks. Anyone who is drunk while committing a crime or has to be taken to treatment six times within 180 days could be put on the list, which will include a photograph. The ban does not apply to sales at bars or restaurants. Retailers who sell to people on the list could be fined up to $1,000 for a second offense.
Dane County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Moeser rules that the state Department of Natural Resources has the final say on a village of Mazomanie proposal to allow a 200-acre development in the Black Creek watershed. The Capital Area Regional Planning Commission had opposed the project.
After being kicked out of Visions strip club on East Washington Avenue, Keith Rasmussen, 50, allegedly backs his SUV into the club and drives off. Police find Rasmussen sitting in his car blocks away, where he allegedly tells them he arrived "with the help of Martians." None are observed at the scene.
Wednesday, 7.7
The city of Madison reaches an agreement with the owner of the Highlander Motor Inn, which it set out to seize under a state drug nuisance law. The hotel agrees to close by Jan. 31, 2011, and in the meantime adopt measures to address drug dealing and other problems.
Compiled (in part) from local media
