Wednesday, 2.10
Judge Julie Genovese sentences April M. Walker, 40, to three years in prison for neglect in the accidental overdose death of her 3-year-old granddaughter, Amaya. Walker found Amaya limp on the morning of Feb. 6, 2009, but did not seek medical attention for her until later that day. Genovese tells Walker, "I just can't get past the fact that you let Amaya die."
Thursday, 2.11
Former Sheriff's Office Lt. Shawn Haney, 46, says he'll run for sheriff against his former boss, Dave Mahoney. A 22-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, Haney was fired in December 2007 for reasons that remain in dispute. Haney insists the challenge is "not a grudge match."
Friday, 2.12
State Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) pays the state $631 for a trip to a California event, which was also attended by a lobbyist he was dating.
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority announces it will resume lending to first-time home buyers after suspending loans for 17 months. The group plans to lend $180 million this year.
Saturday, 2.13
A 16-year-old Mount Horeb High School student, Haleyem M. Thorpe, dies of bacterial meningitis, the second death from the disease in a month. Amanda Kita-Yarbro, an epidemiologist at the Madison-Dane County Health Department, tells the Wisconsin State Journal, "While it's a scary disease...it's not all that easily transmitted."
Monday, 2.15
Madison's Board of Estimates recommends a proposal to vacate part of Wisconsin Avenue to allow an addition to the Edgewater Hotel. The proposal is scheduled to go before the Plan Commission and the Common Council next week.
The Sierra Club sues the Department of Natural Resources seeking records regarding alleged Clean Air Act violations at state power plants.
Tuesday, 2.16
The state Senate passes a ban on manufacturing or distributing the hallucinogenic herb Salvia divinorum, with fines of up $10,000. The Assembly passed a ban on it last year; it now goes to Gov. Jim Doyle.
Police execute a search warrant seeking evidence in the death of Charles J. "Skip" Triller, who was found unconscious last November on the 300 block of East Mifflin and died a week later. Police say a felon's DNA was found on Triller.
Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard easily tops his two rivals in the race for a state appeals court judgeship. As of press time Wednesday, it still wasn't clear whom he'll face in the April 6 election. Bill Clausius and Steve Schwartzer win the Dane County Board's lone contested primary.
Dane County announces an automated system for non-emergency calls. Madison quickly protests, saying it violates an agreement made 20 years ago between the city and county.
Wednesday, 2.17
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the UW's patent arm, says it's hired Steven Mixtacki, the longtime senior vice president and chief financial officer of American TV and Appliance, as its chief financial and operating officer. From now on, get a patent, get a bike!
Compiled (in part) from local media
