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Beltline Delays Expected Friday, Saturday Morning

Beltline Delays Expected Friday, Saturday Morning

Beltline delays near the Rimrock Road and John Nolan Drive exits are expected Friday and Saturday morning due to the Midwest Horse Fair being held at the Alliant Energy Center campus.

Motorists are advised of likely traffic slowdowns in the area. Alternate routes are suggested.

Motorists can use the state’s 511 traveler information system at www.511wi.gov, or by dialing 511 on their phone, for the most current information on lane closures, incidents, and road conditions.

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Beltline Shoulder Closures Thursday, Friday

Beltline Shoulder Closures Thursday, Friday

Beltline shoulder closures will occur in each direction between Park Street and Fish Hatchery Road from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Motorists are advised of potential traffic slowdowns in the area.

 

Dane County Credit Union Employee Charged With Fraud

 Dane County Credit Union Employee Charged With Fraud

A former branch manager at the Dane County Credit Union has been charged with fraud, authorities said.

Jacqueline Smith, 32, of Oregon, is accused of falsifying loans to family members for more than $36,000, then using the money herself. She was charged in Dane County court Tuesday.

The credit union reported the alleged thefts to police in April 2010. Her relatives told authorities that they knew nothing about the loans taken out between 2008 and 2010, according to a criminal complaint.

The complaint quotes Smith telling Town of Madison police that she had gotten too far in debt, was working two jobs while her husband was in school and was having a hard time paying off credit cards.

Smith is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

Leopold Elementary's Community Walk Takes Stand Against Bullying

Leopold Elementary's Community Walk Takes Stand Against Bullying

As the culmination of the Bully Prevention emphasis at Leopold Elementary School over the past several weeks, the school is hosting a Community Walk.

The walk took place on Wednesday afternoon. It included all 700 Leopold students, staff, parents and community partners.

"We try to talk to kids about what they can do when they see bullying going on because we know, from research, that one of the problems with bullying is that bystanders often times don't take a stand against bullying," said John Burkholder, Leopold Elementary principal. "The goal is to show a unified front in an effort to stand up against bullying and make Leopold School and it's neighborhood a Bully Free Zone."

School leaders said the event was also a way to reach out to the public and let them know bullying isn't only a problem at school, but in the community as well.

DNR Sets Up Bat Fest

Bat lovers of Wisconsin, unite. The state Department of Natural Resources is planning a party to celebrate the furry flying mammals this weekend.

The Wisconsin Bat Festival is set for Saturday at the Lussier Family Heritage Center in Madison.

The agenda calls for presentations featuring bats from around the world, including a live flying foxbat from Malaysia. The creature has a 6-foot wing span.

Experts also will discuss white-nose syndrome, a deadly bat disease, and the public will get a chance to build bat houses.

Admission is $8 for adults. Children are free.

Arboretum To Host Largest Native Plant Sale In Southern Wisconsin

Arboretum To Host Largest Native Plant Sale In Southern Wisconsin

More than 100 species of woodland flowers, prairie plants, ferns, shrubs and trees will be for sale, all under one big tent on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum

Organizers said more people are gardening with native plants and recognize that the naturalistic approach improves the ecology of the land and enhances an area’s bio-diversity. 

A native garden reduces the need for fertilizers and herbicides, and attracts birds and butterflies, organizers said. 

Rain gardens can increase the amount of water filtering into the ground by 30 percent while enhancing the beauty of your yard and neighborhood.

Experts will be at the Arboretum’s Wildflower Tent throughout the sale to answer questions. The Friends of the Arboretum sponsor the sale annually to benefit Arboretum projects.  

The UW Arboretum is located at 1207 Seminole Highway.

Pellet Gun Stolen In South Madison Robbery

Pellet Gun Stolen In South Madison Robbery

Four masked and armed men burst into a south Madison apartment early Friday morning, according to the Madison Police Department.

The robbers entered the apartment in the 500 block of Moorland Road at about 6 a.m. and asked the 23-year-old victim, "Where is it at?"

The victim said he was struck in the head and then the men took his pellet gun that looked like a real handgun and left.

The victim was not seriously injured, police said.

The intruders were black men in their late teens to early 20s and were last seen wearing black clothing and carrying handguns, police said.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.