Wednesday, 7.10
The heavily armed security detail guarding the Gogebic Taconite mine site in the Penokee Hills is pulled after it is discovered the contractor did not have permits to operate in Wisconsin. If Bulletproof Securities of Arizona is found guilty of operating without a permit, the company would be barred from operating in the state for a year, as stipulated by state law, although it is not clear whether anybody intends to file charges.
UW-Madison researcher Yoshihiro Kawaoka publishes a paper in Nature warning that a new strain of bird flu that has killed 43 people in China has the potential to become a global outbreak.
Friday, 7.12
Jennifer Cheatham, the recently hired Madison schools superintendent, releases details of her first budget proposal, calling for a slight decrease in spending and a 4.5% property tax increase. The budget raises $260 million from taxes, about $7.2 million less than what district officials estimated in the spring. Even though spending is down slightly, the district was forced to raise taxes to make up for an $8.7 million cut in state aid.
Gov. Scott Walker criticizes protesters at the Gogebic Taconite mine site, saying, "These extremists -- who are disrupting work and causing harm to law-abiding employees -- should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Residents near the intersection of Monroe and Knickerbocker streets file an appeal to the Common Council to overturn the Plan Commission's approval of a 3-1/2-story apartment and retail development proposed there.
Monday, 7.15
Two groups of neighbors that sued Madison-Kipp Corp. for alleged contamination agree to settle for a combined $7.2 million. The company -- which makes vehicle parts on the east side -- also agrees to replace contaminated soil on some properties and install pollution-control equipment in homes. Both settlements need court approval.
Tuesday, 7.16
Police Chief Noble Wray tells a community gathering on the east side that he still supports the conclusions of the internal review that found Officer Stephen Heimsness justified in killing an unarmed, intoxicated Paul Heenan last November. But he tells the audience the department is looking to see what changes can be made to better identify problem officers.
Wednesday, 7.17
The city announces that Rhythm & Booms, the annual Independence Day fireworks extravaganza held at Warner Park, is being moved to Lake Monona next year. The fireworks will be fired from a barge in the lake, and John Nolen Drive will be blocked off to traffic.
Compiled, in part, from local media.
