Thursday 1.25
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz promises to hold a binding referendum on streetcars ' someday. The mayor's office says that because there's not yet a specific proposal, with details on cost or routes, the referendum can't happen anytime soon.
Friday 1.26
The state Department of Administration announces it is selling its office building on East Wilson Street. The state hopes to make $20 million from the sale of the 10-story building, which overlooks Lake Monona. After the sale, the DOA wants to lease back the building while it looks for new space.
Saturday 1.27
Jon St. John II, 25, of Neenah, is killed by a bomb in Iraq. St. John becomes the 69th soldier from Wisconsin to die in the war.
Hundreds of people gather at the state Capitol to protest the war; volunteers read aloud the names of soldiers who have died. The event coincides with a protest in Washington, D.C., that draws tens of thousands of people.
Sunday 1.28
An ice fisherman using an underwater camera spots a submerged vehicle in Monona Bay. Police say Jose Launder, 19, reported driving the car into the water last June, but police were unable to find it at the time. Launder was cited for underage drinking when he reported the accident.
Monday 1.29
A settlement agreement is reached with Robert Lowery, owner of 47 pit bulls that have burdened the Dane County Humane Society since being confiscated last June. The district attorney's office drops dog-fighting charges against Lowery in exchange for his relinquishing ownership of 38 dogs. The Humane Society plans to euthanize 25 of the dogs because of behavioral problems. But nine pit bulls will be returned to Lowery's wife. Lowery remains in federal prison awaiting sentencing on drug charges.
Tuesday 1.30
Gov. Jim Doyle delivers the State of the State speech at the Capitol. He proposes expanding Medicaid programs to cover more low-income families, banning smoking statewide in public places, including bars, and providing $225 million to the UW System over the next two years.
The state Legislature overwhelmingly approves a new ethics bill that would combine the state Ethics and Elections Boards into a Government Accountability Board, with an unlimited budget to investigate corruption. Gov. Doyle has promised to sign the bill.
Compiled from local media
