1.17 Thursday
Madison's Police and Fire Commission fires police officer Michael Grogan, who over the past three years has received about $250,000 in salary and benefits. Grogan was put on leave in early 2005 after he drove his car into a ditch, broke into a neighbor's house and fell asleep in the living room. Grogan is appealing his dismissal.
U.S. District Judge John Shabaz rules that UW-Madison cannot withhold student fees from a religious organization. The Roman Catholic Foundation sued after the university refused to fund things like evangelical training camps and spiritual retreats. Shabaz says the UW's decision violates students' free speech.
Anthony Hirsch, 32, a former teacher's aide at Waunakee Middle School, is charged with possessing child pornography and repeated sexual assault of a child. Police say Hirsch admitted having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student when he worked at La Follette High School in 2003.
1.18 Friday
Jeffrey Nering, 18, of Madison, is sentenced to five years in prison for repeatedly running over a rival gang member with his car last March.
Brian Buhler, 40, a homeless man in Madison, is sentenced to 10 years in prison for attacking a student in her UW dorm room in February, and for stealing checks from a man who let him stay in his home for free.
1.19 Saturday
The Madison School Board narrows the list of finalists to replace outgoing Supt. Art Rainwater. The chosen three are: Steve Gallon of the Miami/Dade Public Schools, James McIntyre of the Boston Public Schools, and Green Bay Supt. Daniel Nerad. The board will likely announce its choice in early February.
1.20 Sunday
Charles Petrak Jr., 43, of Orland Park, Ill., is killed when the car he's riding in is hit by another car on the Beltline and pushed into a large road sign. The driver of the second car, Dana Raker, 27, of Middleton, is tentatively charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.
1.21 Monday
A frozen pipe causes two sprinkler heads in the new Dane County courthouse to pop. Water soaks furniture, carpets and ceiling tiles in the clerk of courts' office, but the file system is spared. The cost of the damage is unknown.
1.22 Tuesday
The Madison Common Council approves a $28 million redevelopment project for Allied Drive on a 15-2 vote, with Alds. Brenda Konkel and Thuy Pham-Remmele dissenting. The plan includes tearing down city-owned buildings and replacing them with 48 rental units and 61-owner-occupied homes.
Compiled from local media
