1.14 Wednesday
Rolex, the Swiss watch company, files a trademark infringement suit in Dane County against Vincent Konicek of Poynette for selling fake Rolexes over the Internet. Konicek, who blew off an earlier warning from the company, tells the press: "I guess I'll have to talk to an attorney." You think?
1.15 Thursday
State and local officials leak, a day before they announce, that Dane County could host several Olympic bicycling events, if Chicago wins its bid to host the 2016 games and civilization as we know it is not yet destroyed.
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk sends a letter to Gov. Jim Doyle, asking him to press for statewide alcohol-abuse controls, like a beer tax, sobriety checkpoints, tougher drunk driving laws and a ban on home keg delivery. For those nabbed at checkpoints while delivering kegs drunk, the tax would presumably go through the roof.
1.16 Friday
Madison's overnight temperature dips to 19 below zero. The record low of 28 below was set in 1979. Hooray for global warming.
Madison police announce that Det. Jeff McPike has agreed to resign after being investigated for the third time regarding the on-duty use of alcohol.
1.19 Monday
Milele Chikasa Anana, the publisher of Umoja magazine, receives the city of Madison's Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. Her daughter accepts it on her behalf, as Anana is in Washington, D.C., for the inauguration of Barack Obama.
Madison radio station WTUX-Am ("The Tux") switches formats, from "adult standards" like Frank Sinatra to pop music from the 1950s to mid-'60s. If that doesn't work, look for all Kanye, all the time.
1.20 Tuesday
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the pilot of the UW Hospital Med Flight helicopter that crashed last May near La Crosse, killing himself and two others, was not trained in the use of instruments that could have helped him navigate through dense fog. It was earlier reported, based on newly released records, that two other helicopter crews refused flights that night due to the weather.
Hundreds of Madisonians cheer Obama's inauguration at Monona Terrace. For Isthmus' report on this event and other exclusive coverage, see here and here.
Racine Mayor Gary Becker resigns, just days after being charged with six felonies for possession of child pornography and an attempted sexual assault of a child. Becker, 51, allegedly tried to arrange a meeting with a state agent posing as a 14-year-old girl. His problems reportedly began when he asked for help with his city computer and a technician found images of young girls. Actually, his problems probably go deeper than that.
1.21 Wednesday
Mothers Against Drunk Driving announces it will cut its staff in Wisconsin from three people to one at the end of the month. Don't even think about drinking to that.
Compiled from local media
