Wednesday, 6.25
Steven Zelich, a former West Allis police officer, is charged with two counts of hiding a corpse, after two bodies were found stuffed inside suitcases earlier in the month along a Walworth County road. The bodies are identified as Jenny Gamez, 19, of Oregon state and Laura Simonson, 37, of Minnesota. Other charges are possible, and Zelich, 52, is being held on $1 million bond.
Thursday, 6.26
The long-anticipated consultant study of Dane County's jail system finds that a new, consolidated facility could cost $135 million -- $50 million more than originally anticipated.
Randall Crocker, an attorney representing Joe Doe prosecutor Francis Schmitz, says that Gov. Scott Walker is not a target of the John Doe investigation, which has been halted by a federal judge but remains under appeal. Two weeks ago, documents unsealed in the investigation referenced the governor in connection with a "criminal scheme" to coordinate campaign efforts with independent groups. Crocker tells reporters: "At no time has [Gov. Walker] been served with a subpoena."
Saturday, 6.28
The body of Erik Winders, 19, is recovered from the Yahara River near Squaw Bay. His death is later ruled an accidental drowning.
Monday, 6.30
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Mayor Paul Soglin is proposing a 10-foot smoke-free buffer zone around public benches.
Mary Burke, Democratic candidate for governor, tells Wisconsin Public Radio that she would seek to stop or slow down approval of the $1.5 billion Gogebic Taconite mine in northern Wisconsin, saying, "I will certainly look at every tool that I have and to make sure that we are protecting our natural resources. Our air, our water are so important not only to the people who live in the community but to the tourism industry as well."
The U.S. Postal Service announces it is closing its processing and distribution center in Madison, moving those functions to Milwaukee as a cost-saving measure. No job losses are expected.
Tuesday, 7.1
The state announces that Madison schools can expect to get $2.6 million more in aid next year. Unfortunately, that's $5.6 million less than what the school board budgeted for.
Wednesday, 7.2
The Associated Press reports that Gov. Walker is looking to speed up the hiring process for state workers. Marty Beil, executive director of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, tells the Associated Press: "What they're saying is they want to change the hiring process, which makes it easier to hire, which means there's more patronage."
