Mayor Dave Cieslewicz announced that the city of Madison will close all non-essential services to the public on Wednesday, Feb. 2 due to severe winter weather warnings.

"For the safety of our residents and our employees, only the city’s essential and emergency services will be in operation (Wednesday)," Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said. "We encourage residents to stay safe at home for the duration of the blizzard."

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning through noon Wednesday. Heavy snow is expected to fall through the overnight hours.

Emergency services, including the Madison Police and Fire Departments will not be affected by the closure. The Madison Streets Division will continue around the clock snow plowing and salting operations.

Midwest's Largest Bicycle, Equipment and Clothing SWAP is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 8th at the Alliant Energy Center.

The 20th  Annual SWAP will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Brazen Dropouts Bicycle Racing Club.

THE SWAP is designed for a casual commuter looking for a bargain, a parent looking to save a buck or a bicycle geek. The SWAP is a must attend event that has become a Midwestern midwinter cycling tradition. 

The cost is a $7 donation at the door. Vehicle parking is $4.50. Bike and ski parking is free.     

December is the season for sharing, but what happens when people are preying on people's generosity?

Such a thing happened to Madison resident Crystal Miller, and now she said she wants to warn others so they don't become victims.

The incident happened on Saturday night, and it started out as a typical December shopping experience for Miller and her husband, who were shopping at the South Towne Kohl's department store.

The night, however, took a very strange twist in the parking lot, as the Millers headed inside.

"We get out of the car and this little boy, elementary age, comes up to us and has a box of candy bars," Miller explained. "And (he) says 'Would you like to buy a candy bar for $3?'"

The money was supposedly for the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, but Miller said the red flags started flying and when they declined the offer. She said they were aggressively approached by a man with the children who gave them a hard time for not buying.