Wednesday 6.27
Chris Lankford, a 31-year-old Madison man charged with a felony for passing a joint at a pro-pot rally last year, agrees to a plea deal that results in a noncriminal conviction and a $249 fine. Hmm, maybe the Dane County DA's office really does have better things to do.
Dane County Board Chair Scott McDonell convenes a panel discussion on Superior Health Linens. Workers charge the company with bad working conditions, lack of benefits and low wages. Dane County dropped its $50,000 contract with Superior last year, but the company still cleans linens for St. Mary's Hospital.
Matt Gerding and Scott Leslie buy the historic Majestic Theatre downtown from the Schiavo family for $1.35 million. They plan to present national touring acts, independent films and gallery nights. The Schiavos used the theater as a nightclub, but closed it after a string of fights prompted the city of Madison to limit its operations.
Thursday 6.28
The family of Kelly Nolan, 22, holds a candlelight vigil on Library Mall. Nolan did not return home after spending the night of June 22 with a group of friends downtown. Police are still investigating. Dive teams have searched Lake Mendota, but found nothing. Melvin Moore, 35, of Middleton, is charged with fracturing the spine of a man on State Street. Police say the attack was unprovoked.
Friday 6.29
Samantha Young, 19, of Mount Horeb, is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle for causing a crash on I-90 that killed Paula Poorman, 56, a psychology professor at UW-Whitewater. Young allegedly drank a pint of cognac and used cocaine before driving at speeds of up to 120 mph.
Saturday 6.30
Debris from the Rhythm & Booms fireworks show starts a fire on an island in the Warner Park lagoon. The Madison Parks Division decides to let it burn, under supervision, to clear out some brush.
Monday 7.2
The Appleton Post-Crescent reports that Gov. Jim Doyle invests in mutual funds that include holdings in oil and tobacco companies. Doyle has taken stances against both industries. A spokesperson says the guv doesn't let his personal interests influence his decisions. Police arrest Eddie Louis Green, 29, after he allegedly carjacks a vehicle from a gas station on Commercial Avenue. Police also suspect Green in a bank robbery at the UW Credit Union, minutes earlier.
Tuesday 7.3
Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) calls President Bush's decision to commute the perjury sentence of former vice presidential aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby "a perversion of justice." She says "time and again, this president's utter disregard for the rule of law proves him unworthy of the people's trust and the office he holds." No need to sugar-coat it, Tammy.
Compiled from local media
