Wednesday, 3.4
Charles Witzel Jr., 42, of Loganville, pleads no contest and gets life in prison for a shooting spree last October in which he wounded his fiancée and killed Craig Severson, 45. Witzel faces additional charges in Iowa County for shooting two other people, one fatally.
Donald Weissinger, 50, of Madison, gets three years in prison for violating his probation for a past drunk-driving conviction by driving drunk again. He still faces trial for that arrest. It's said to be his 15th, but who's counting?
Thursday, 3.5
Eric Larrabee, 24, of Madison, gets six months in jail for abusing an elderly patient in his care at the Skaalen Sunset Home in Stoughton. Larrabee, with what was said to be a "look of enjoyment," slapped the face of an 85-year woman. She died 10 days later, without ever speaking again.
Cottage Grove Police Chief John Gould is suspended with pay after seven of his 16 department members sign a complaint alleging he's used "loud and abusive profanity," among other transgressions. A hearing is set for March 30.
Friday, 3.6
The state Department of Employee Trust Funds says it will cut the pension payment of public employees enrolled in its Core Fund by 2.1%, as of May 1. Those invested in the department's Variable Fund will see their payments drop by 42%.
The Madison Repertory Theatre shuts down, possibly for good, due to "insurmountable debt and little to no money coming in the door."
Saturday, 3.7
A 31-year-old man is seriously injured when another man drives into him in the parking lot of an east-side apartment building, after an argument. The assailant, said to be in his 20s, white, bald and with a goatee, is still being sought. Anyone out there know a young bald guy who just shaved his goatee?
David Dederich, 22, of Prairie du Sac, is arrested and charged with homicide by drunk driving following an early morning crash in the town of Roxbury that killed Erin McNeely, 27, of Sauk City, a passenger in his car. Dederich and two other passengers were injured.
Sunday, 3.8
Jesse R. Ruegsegger, 29, of Madison, is arrested and charged with homicide by drunk driving following an early morning crash on the city's far east side that killed Jennifer Jastrow, 21, of Madison. Ruegsegger's pickup truck plowed broadside into Jastrow's car.
Monday, 3.9
The Madison Community Foundation awards $250,000 to nine organizations providing front-line services to local people in need. The allocations represent a shift in the foundation's focus, prompted by the current economic downturn.
Tuesday, 3.10
State Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says he'll not challenge a federal judge's ruling striking down the state's mandatory minimum markup on gasoline. Now those prices will really tumble - not!
Compiled (in part) from local media
