Wednesday, 3.25
Michael E. Voltz, 46, is charged with first-degree reckless homicide for allegedly beating Mark Gregory Johnson to death in a Madison park last November, later telling a friend he "did a tap dance" on his victim. The county's 911 Center received reports of an escalating confrontation but did not send help.
Former Cherokee Middle School student Robert Heinz sues the Madison school district for failing to keep teacher Gary T. Kasmarek from molesting him in the late 1970s. Kasmarek, 67, is now in a Kentucky prison for molesting five boys at a Catholic school there.
Friday, 3.27
Two customers at Milio's Sandwiches, 540 University Ave., are attacked and choked by two strangers, one of whom is promptly apprehended. The attackers were purportedly upset that they couldn't find a place to sit.
A grass fire sweeps through Prairie Ridge Conservation Park on Madison's southwest side, burning about 40 acres and coming perilously close to houses, making for great TV visuals. Authorities suspect a "human act," like some idiot tossing a cigarette out a car window.
Sunday, 3.29
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Madison Ald. Mike Verveer is being investigated by the state for his handling of cases in his former role as an assistant Dane County district attorney. Verveer is on leave from that position, after concerns were raised about his tardiness and missed court appearances. The scope of the state Justice Department probe is unclear, but DA Brian Blanchard confirms it was initiated at his request.
Monday, 3.30
UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin signs a pact to pursue academic exchanges with Tikrit University in Iraq. Her counterpart in Iraq is late to the signing due to traffic delays caused by security checkpoints.
Tuesday, 3.31
The Madison Common Council approves a change in rules to favor earmarking tax incremental financing to projects that create jobs. It also backs a $2.5 million city investment for a Madison BioLink center.
The Madison Police Department files a complaint against the county's 911 Center for its handling of a non-emergency call regarding a parked vehicle with the engine running. The caller asked if this was legal, and was told it was. "Holy crap, what's this town coming to?" she replied, and hung up. The driver was later found dead from apparently accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
Wednesday, 4.1
The UW-Madison announces it is partnering with Vestas, the world's leading wind turbine manufacturer, to fund wind-power research. Missed headline opportunity: "UW gets blow job."
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz switches gears and endorses Ald. Brenda Konkel for reelection. UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin gives back half her $437,000 salary, saying "It's too much, really." The State Journal says it will stop picking on state lawmakers who accepted a small raise and start looking into the outrageous salaries of corporate execs. Readers check the date of this item and laugh hysterically.
Compiled (in part) from local media