Thursday, 10.7
Bradley Erickson, 31, of Madison, crashes his vehicle into a disabled car on the side of I-90 near Highway 151. Its passengers - Marcus Johnson, 19, Elysia Rapp, 20, and Wilfredo Ugarte, 23 - are changing a flat tire and are all killed. Two other passengers survive. Erickson is later charged with three counts of homicide by drunken driving.
Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a fundraiser for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett at Monona Terrace. Biden criticizes Barrett's Republican opponent, Scott Walker, for repeating common GOP talking points: "He's drinking the same Kool-Aid."
Friday, 10.8
A committee recommends that the city of Madison assume ownership of the Overture Center for $1, allowing a nonprofit group to operate it but committing city tax dollars for future capital expenses. The committee makes no recommendation on who should employ Overture's workers, an issue the Common Council will take up in November.
Saturday, 10.9
The Midwestern governing body of the Presbyterian Church upholds the ordination of Scott Anderson, an openly gay man, whom the John Knox Presbytery ordained in February (see "Loved by His God," 9/30/10).
Sunday, 10.10
Michael John Burroughs, 26, turns himself in to Prairie du Chien police, allegedly confessing to the 2006 murder of his girlfriend, Shannon Fischer. The confession vindicates Jeff Stiner, Fischer's ex-boyfriend and the father of her two children, who had long been suspected of the crime.
Fire destroys Oakwood Fruit Farm's 28,000-square-foot store, packing house and coolers in Richland Center. Damage is estimated at $3 million.
Monday, 10.11
Jay R. Limestahl, 49, after attempting to play his guitar in front of the City-County Building downtown, allegedly smashes it in a rage and then throws it at a car. Police cite him for disorderly conduct and having an open container of alcohol. Everybody's a critic.
Dane County Board Chairman Scott McDonell announces he's running for county executive, to fill the post being vacated by Kathleen Falk, who is resigning mid-term. The election will likely be next April.
Tuesday, 10.12
Madison schools superintendent Dan Nerad says he'll appoint a committee next month to examine creating more charter and magnet schools. Board member Arlene Silveira tells the Wisconsin State Journal: "It's kind of exciting - there's so many ways to deliver education now." If only they had it in a pill form.
A Dane County sheriff's deputy fatally shoots a 25-year-old man who allegedly held a woman at gunpoint in Fitchburg. The man allegedly lunges at the deputy, knocking him down and hitting him; the deputy then fires several shots.
Wednesday, 10.13
State Rep. Jeff Wood (I-Chippewa Falls) pleads no contest to fourth-offense operating with a controlled substance in Marathon County Circuit Court. Judge Jill Falstad sentences him to 60 days in jail with work-release privileges and two years' probation.
Compiled (in part) from local media
