Friday, 12.3
Gov. Jim Doyle appoints Jerilyn Dietz as Calumet County district attorney, replacing Ken Kratz, who resigned in October after being accused of misconduct, including sexual harassment of a crime victim. Dietz - who was the victim of an assault at the UW-Madison - has been an assistant district attorney in Manitowoc County since 2005.
The first snowstorm of the season dumps 3.7 inches on Madison. No major incidents are reported as city's streets superintendent Al Schumacher declares it "an easy snow." Hope you knocked on wood, Al.
Sunday, 12.5
The UW Badgers are invited to play the 2011 Rose Bowl against the undefeated Texas Christian University Horned Frogs on Jan. 1.
Monday, 12.6
Sheboygan resident Karen Lueders (no relation to a certain Madison journalist), 57, allegedly bites off half of her husband's tongue as they are kissing. Her husband, 79-year-old Willard Lueders, had trouble speaking when he called 911 for help. Emergency personnel say Karen Lueders was singing Christmas carols outside when they arrived and threw coffee at them. She was charged with felony mayhem.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz announces he's running for a third term next spring, to help continue Madison's transition from good to great while opposing the "regressive" tendencies of the new GOP-controlled state Legislature.
The Badger Herald publishes an editorial listing the names of 33 students who apparently tried to sell their Rose Bowl tickets online, dubbing them "the worst people on campus." The paper later removes the names from its website, saying the allegations of students engaging in this conduct are too numerous to track.
Tuesday, 12.7
Former Madison Ald. Noel Radomski formally announces he'll run for mayor. The race now also includes Cieslewicz, Ken Golden, Richard Allen, Jeremy Ryan, Dennis de Nure and Nick Hart.
Former Madison Ald. Zach Brandon declares he's running for the Dane County executive seat being vacated by Kathleen Falk. He joins Dane County Board Chair Scott McDonell, state Rep. Joe Parisi and Verona Mayor Jon Hochkammer as candidates.
More than 600 people vent frustration with Gov.-elect Scott Walker's plan to kill the high-speed rail at a Madison meeting with state Department of Transportation officials. DOT spokeswoman Donna Brown says, "If we have to put plans on the shelf, that's something we can do, but then the plan is there if it's needed later." Like if Walker's car breaks down?
A Madison Common Council work group recommends that the financially struggling Overture Center be privately owned and run. The plan would need to be approved by the Council and others.
Wednesday, 12.8
Chris Berge says he's scrapping plans for a bike-themed restaurant in his Restaurant Magnus space since Gov.-elect Scott Walker is promising to kill the high-speed rail project, which would have stopped across the street.
Compiled (in part) from local media
