Thursday, 12.29
Barb Dimick, director of the Madison Public Library, announces she will retire on Feb. 24 after 16 years. Tripp Widder, president of the library board, tells the State Journal: "She's been an outstanding director and we will miss her."
Friday, 12.30
Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne asks the state Supreme Court to vacate its decision upholding Gov. Walker's law limiting collective bargaining rights and rehear the case. The request comes after Ozanne learned Justice Michael Gableman received free legal services from the firm that represented Walker in the case.
Madison police arrest Robert Clark, 47, for allegedly taking a car for a two-hour test drive from A to Z Auto on South Stoughton Road. Clark reportedly told police, "You don't just take a car for a 15-minute test drive."
Ken Hur, the first lawyer to advertise on TV in Madison, dies at the state Veterans Home at King at age 87.
Monday, 1.2
For the second year in a row, the Badgers football team loses the Rose Bowl, this time to the Oregon Ducks by 45 to 38. Coach Bret Bielema says: "I'm kind of tired of tears of sadness. I want to come out here and experience tears of joy at some point."
The State Journal reports that Madison's new recycling contractor will accept more items, including plastic containers numbered 1 through 7, metal pots and pans, and small metal appliances such as toasters and power tools.
Hugh Edwin Young, who served as UW chancellor during the Vietnam War era, dies at age 94 in Madison. Young headed the university during the Sterling Hall bombing and the merger of the University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Universities. He drew criticism for calling in the National Guard to deal with protesters, who called him "War Maker, Strike Breaker."
Tuesday, 1.3
Madison's Police and Fire Commission announces that it has named Steven A. Davis the new fire chief. The 42-year-old has been with the department since 1989 and had been the department's division chief. He was selected over four other candidates to replace Chief Debra Amesqua, who retired.
Middleton City Council votes down a proposal for a snowmobile path over safety concerns.
The Associated Press reports that the state Department of Justice has been overwhelmed with applications for concealed carry permits and will probably not meet the deadline for issuing approvals. As of Dec. 28, the DOJ had received 64,832 applications but issued only 36,373.
Wednesday, 1.4
After a few days of cold weather, Madison opens most of its outdoor ice rinks for the first time this season. However, they may close in a few days with warmer weather expected.
Compiled (in part) from local media.
