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It’s your paper! Friday, September 11, 2020 • Vol. 7, No. 7 • Fitchburg, WI • ConnectFitchburg.com • $1
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Kathy Bartels 608-235-2927
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City of Fitchburg
Inside
No decision on D-1 polling place
Reading program faces unusual circumstances Page 2 Business loans changed
Any change must be 30 days before election
Page 8
KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
Screenshot by Emilie Heidemann
Page 13
Talking race and politics City alder, former mayor share experiences on Latinx TalkBack show
Business
EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
T Hop Haus opens new restaurant Page 15
Sports
Lauren, Courtney Shorter grapple with COVID-19, injury comeback Page B1
Schools VASD reopening plan pushes deadline Page B4
wo Fitchburg residents — an alder and a former mayor — had a single goal in mind when they appeared on Wisconsin Mujer’s ‘Latinx TalkBack’ a month ago. That goal was to bring awareness to the intersectionality of being Black or Latinx within the arena of local politics, city alder and episode moderator Joe Maldonado told the Star. The show, which aired live on the Wisconsin Mujer Facebook page Thursday, Aug. 6, was titled the “Latinx TalkBack on Black and Latinx Politics in our Community.” Former Fitchburg mayor Frances Huntley-Cooper, who was the first Black mayor in state history and served from 1991-93, was a panelist. She appeared with fellow guests Madison Metropolitan School District’s Board of Education president Gloria Reyes, social justice activist Jonathan William Osorio Delgado and Clover Phoenix Capital owner Beny Perez-Reyes, who helps fund businesses in the Milwaukee area. Madison-based social engagem e n t c o m p a n y Wi s c o n s i n Mujer, is run by founder Aracelie Esparza. She told the Star the online show started as a response to the killing of George Floyd in May. Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on
“We wanted to highlight the struggles of our generation and of our community … to break the isolation of being Latino in the Midwest. Although we try to represent all voices in each one of our (episodes), we have a long way to go to break down the hundreds of years of white supremacy, but as Latinos to refuse to be active in the Black Liberation movement is to deny ourselves an alliance that is not just necessary, but mandatory.” Aracelie Esparza Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest, which his family’s coroner said is what led to Floyd’s death. “We wanted to highlight the struggles of our generation and of our community … to break the isolation of being Latino in the Midwest,” Esparza wrote in an email. “Although we try to represent all voices in each one of our (episodes), we have a long way to go to break down the hundreds of years of white supremacy, but as Latinos to refuse to be active in the Black Liberation movement is to deny ourselves an alliance that is not just necessary, but mandatory.” Esparza wrote the show and its guests are meant to give voices to the “oppressions that are ingrained in our community and often swept under the rug.” As for Maldonado, during the episode he said as a member of
the Latinx community, he had to be incredibly aware of how the general public might perceive him upon running for office — even with Fitchburg having grown to have a more diverse population than Madison. “I had to really be aware of how I communicate ... who I was talking to … what their level of understanding is,” Maldonado told the Star in a phone interview. “I was very cognizant of what I look like.” Huntley-Cooper said during the episode that she had served during a time Fitchburg’s local government wasn’t representative of its communities of color. She recalled having a lot of support during her campaign and having no trouble garnering money for fundraising. But she had to be “strategic” about
Turn to Show /Page 13
Turn to Polling/Page 13
Photo by Kimberly Wethal
Poll worker Kim Grafenauer sanitizes the booth after a voter completed their ballot at the. District 1 polling location. The state’s partisan primary was held on Tuesday, Aug. 11, where Fitchburg residents were able to vote for a primary in either the state’s 80th assembly district, or the state’s 16th senate district. 151
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City alder Joe Maldonado and former Fitchburg mayor Frances Huntley-Cooper appeared on Wisconsin Mujer’s the Latinx TalkBack last month.
The City of Fitchburg is running out of time to move an ill-suited polling place prior to the November election. The Common Council postponed a vote during its Tuesday, Sept. 8, meeting that would have moved the District 1 polling location to a location that’s easier for most of the district to access on foot or by bus. The two resolution options would have added a second polling location on either side of Verona Road, with the one closer to the Allied Drive/Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood and shared with the City of Madison, to Fitchburg Fire Station No. 2, which is on Marketplace Drive, outside of the district boundaries. But both had complications the council could not sort out that night. The council has until Sunday, Oct. 4, to relocate the polling place for the Nov. 3 election. Voters need to be notified at least 30 days prior to such a change, and the council has only one scheduled meeting before that, Sept. 22. One of the polling locations proposed at both the Aug. 25 and Sept. 8 meetings is Redeemer City Church, on the west side of Verona Road in the Jamestown neighborhood. City clerk Tracy Oldenburg toured with District 1’s election inspectors prior to the Tuesday, Aug. 25, meeting, but found it did not allow for proper social distancing needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. She didn’t rule it out for future elections, as the pastors are eager to have the space used for community purposes. The other location, at the Boys and
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September 11, 2020
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Fitchburg Star
‘Hoping’ for a cure The Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Wisconsin Chapter hosted the “Madison Team Hope Walk/Run” Sunday, Aug. 16, at McKee Farms Park, 2930 Chapel Valley Road. The “Hope Walk/Run” included a walk and a timed 2K/5K run.
Vi s i t o r s p a r t i c i p a t e d to honor those who have battled or lost their lives to Huntington’s Disease, which is a genetic condition that affects the brain. Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@wcinet. com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.
Huntington‘s Disease Society of America’s Wisconsin Chapter Photos by Emilie Heidemann hosted the “Madison Team Hope Walk/Run” Sunday, Aug. Lillie Paxson and her daughter, Kayla, of Streamwood, Illinois, walk for a loved one who lost their life to Huntington’s 16, at McKee Farms Park, 2930 Chapel Valley Road. Disease Sunday, Aug. 16.
Fitchburg Public Library
Library makes best of pandemic with summer reading program The Fitchburg Public Library faced unusual circumstances this summer regarding its summer reading program. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, youth services manager Tim Powers had to look for virtual alternatives and used one that’s been popular in the South Central Library System. The app, Beanstack, allows readers to track their minutes read online and is a convenient way for readers
to stay on task and motivated. As with other summer reading programs, kids could earn more prizes by reading more. “It was different, but still pretty cool to see the kids stack up minutes,” Powers said. This year, 700 people of all ages signed up, and Powers says that’s due to the way his staff promoted it. “We couldn’t promote in person as we have previously,” he said. “So what we did was go ahead and promote it in the paper, on our website and Facebook page. It turned out better than we thought.”
Powers admitted the numbers were down from years past, but he was happy with the overall participation. “We look at the numbers and think, wow we reached out to a lot of people,” Powers said. “There were a lot of people that signed up for the program considering the circumstances.” Powers is planning to do a fall reading program, as well, again using the Beanstack app. Powers said it will run from September to November. The building was closed for the summer so they really
were missing the interaction they usually get on a daily basis. The kids still did find a way to show their appreciation to the staff. “Just the other day, somebody called in to collect their prizes and kids all took turns saying they’re thank you’s and we miss you,” he said. Powers was grateful for that.
File photo
Ava Kunkel-Strell places gemstones on the wings of a paper butterfly during the library’s Valentine’s Day craft workshop on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019. The Fitchburg Public Library started its online summer reading program on Monday, June 1.
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JOE HALLEY
ConnectFitchburg.com
September 11, 2020
Fitchburg Star
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Fitchburg sees 34.5% turnout for August election 82.2% of ballots cast as absentee KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
Of the registered Fitchburg residents, just under 35% voted in the Tuesday, Aug. 11, partisan primary election – but the vast majority of them did so with an absentee ballot for the second election in a row. Following a trend started in April with the prevalence of COVID-19 in Dane County, the state and the country, 82.2% of voters, or 4,742 people, filled out their ballots from home, out of 5,763 total votes cast. The votes cast represent 34.5% of the city’s 16,701 registered voters. The percentage of absentee votes closely reflects the percentage of those who participated in the April 7 election – during that election, as the state was in the middle of its Safer at Home mandate, 83% of voters submitted their ballots as absentee.
and newcomer Kimberly Smith (D-Oregon). Pope, who won the election for the district overall, collected 254 votes, while Smith tallied 189. Throughout the district, Pope received 5,265 votes, while Smith got 2,611. F i t c h bu rg a l s o h a d a c o ntested race for the state’s 16th Senate district, between Rep. Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) and Monona Grove school board president Andrew McKinney (D-Cottage Grove). Sargent, who won the race overall, received 3,014 votes from voters, and McKinney got 1,115. Throughout the district, Sargent received 27,717 votes, while McKinney tallied 8,328. The overall participation rate in the April election was higher, with 56.6% of Fitchburg residents who voted. That election featured a presidential primary, Photo by Kimberly Wethal as well as contested alder racPoll worker Sheila Rehbein checks in a voter at the District 1 polling place at Fire Station No. 2 on es in all four city districts and a Marketplace Drive. The state’s partisan primary was held on Tuesday, Aug. 11, where Fitchburg residents state-wide Supreme Court juswere able to vote for a primary in either the state’s 80th assembly district, or the state’s 16th senate district. tice contest. Email reporter Kimberly Of the absentee ballots sent F i t c h bu rg vo t e r s h a d t w o for the state’s 80th Assembly Wethal at kimberly.wethal@ out by the city, 70.9% of the contested races to vote for in d i s t r i c t , b e t w e e n i n c u m b e n t wcinet.com and follow her on 6,687 were returned. the Aug. 11 election. One was Sondy Pope (D-Mount Horeb) Twitter @kimberly_wethal.
Pope, Sargent to move on to November contest KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Mount Horeb) and Rep. Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) will run on the Democratic ticket for the state offices in the Assembly and Senate, respectively, in the November election. Pope, the incumbent, won the Democratic primary against challenger Kimberly Smith (D-Oregon) for the state’s 80th Assembly District during the Tuesday, Aug. 11, primary. P o p e r e c e iv e d 5 , 2 6 5 votes throughout the district, in comparison to Smith’s 2,611. Of those votes, 254 of those for Pope came from the City of Fitchburg. Smith received 189 votes from Fitchburg residents. Pope will move on to face Republican challenger Chase Binnie (R-Mount Horeb) in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, election. Sargent will run against Scott Barker (R-Sun Prairie) in November. Pope has represented the district since 2012, when the state’s redistricting took effect; prior to then, she represented the 79th Assembly district after first being elected in 2002. The 80th district seat represents part of the cities of Verona and Fitchburg and part of the Village of Oregon, as well as the villages of Brooklyn, Blue Mounds, Mount Horeb, Belleville and New Glarus, as well as other towns in Dane, Green and Iowa counties. In a news release published Aug. 12, Pope said that she is looking forward to November and amplifying a progressive message to improve the lives of people in the working
heavy heart that he con- Peter Theron (R-Madi not on the ballot for the received 1,115. August primary, but will In a Facebook post from ceded the Senate race, but son), a Madison College have contested races in Aug. 12, Sargent wrote was thankful for the peo- instructor, in the NovemNovember. that it was an honor to be ple who cast their ballots ber election. Sargent, who was the selected as the Democratic in support of him. The November elecr e p r e s e n t a t i v e i n t h e candidate. “As a first-timer, that tion will also feature the s t a t e ’s 4 8 t h A s s e m b l y “As a state and a nation, w a s g r e a t – 2 4 % w a s presidential race between District, won the primawe’re facing unprecedent- great,” he said. “I will not R e p u b l i c a n P r e s i d e n t Pope Sargent ry against fellow Demo- ed times,” the post reads. give up Team McKinney – Donald Trump and runcrat Andrew McKinney “The reality is that the we’ll keep moving on.” ning mate Vice President The other two Senate Mike Pence, and former (D-Cottage Grove), the current issues facing WisM o n o n a G r o v e s c h o o l consin are life and death – districts in the Oregon Vice President Joe Biden board president, for the now is not the time for the area, districts 27 and 15, and vice presidential canstate’s 16th Senate district. partisan tricks and rhetoric will not have an election didate Sen. Kamala Harris. S a r g e n t w o n 2 7 , 7 1 7 that is too often seen in the this year. Email reporter KimberFor the House of Repv o t e s , i n c o m p a r i s o n State Capitol and on the ly Wethal at kimberly. t o M c K i n n e y ’s 8 , 3 2 8 . campaign trail.” wethal@wcinet.com and resentatives, incumbent Smith McKinney Of those votes, Sargent McKinney said in a Mark Pocan (D-Black follow her on Twitter @ received 3,014 from Fitch- Facebook Live video from Earth) is the only Demokimberly_wethal. class. “Since I was first elect- bu rg , w h i l e M c K i n n ey Aug. 11 that it was with a crat running, and will face ed, I have supported and worked on policies that aim to shape our state’s future,” she said in the news release. “Adequate funding for K-12 education, non-partisan redistricting, broader access to healthcare and paid family medical leave and keeping our clean air and water sustainable are long-term solutions to build a strong future for Wisconsin.” Smith wrote a thank you to her supporters in a Facebook post on Aug. 12. In the post, Smith also encouraged having term limits for state representatives, stating that Pope Take advantage of historically low home loan rates! has been in office for too long and there’s a need for We have a home loan expert who can help! Oak Bank’s Senior new representation in the Vice President of Mortgage Banking, Carrie Montgomery has district. years of experience and has processed and closed enough “Thank you for believing in me, thank you for home loans to fill the Kohl Center. taking the time and effort Carrie Montgomery to support my campaign,” Senior Vice President of she said. “I wish I could Visit OakBankOnline.com thank each of you indiMortgage Banking to sign up for rate watch, vidually. Your vote means NMLS# 767623 apply for a loan, or use our more than you will ever know, every effort I made mortgage calculators. Put us to work t h e l a s t 4 m o n t h s wa s worth it. Knowing what for you! I know now, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.” The other Assembly disNMLS#434669 adno=175749 tricts in the Oregon area, Districts 43 and 47, were
Settle down. We’ll take it from here.
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September 11, 2020
Opinion
Fitchburg Star
ConnectFitchburg.com
Community Voices
City missing an opportunity to help District 1 W hen I was in my 20s, I used to hear the phrase, “Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.” Fortunately, the Fitchburg Common Council has not usually been staying out that late, but its mouthy navigators are keeping the rest of the alders up way past their bedtime. Normally, I would rate a flippant phrase like that as trite, a whiny complaint from someone who’s getting sick of late evenings. But in this case, the party most irritated by the council’s late nights is our intrepid news editor, who pithily loves the “good TV,” as I like to call it, of contentious jostling at City Hall. And the topics have been important, including one with an imminent expiration date and implications on a national election most people I know suggest is among the most important in their lives.
Certainly some issues require debate, and controversy or difference of opinion is impossible to avoid without a failure to Ferolie represent everyone. But this latest one, so far consuming two long nights at City Hall (and on Zoom), should be an easy one in political terms: If you can find a place for the election within District 1 — ideally accessible by foot to most voters on either side of Verona Road — people will be all for it. Unfortunately, the effort to find this magical location has been disorganized at best, and it’s running out of time. The lack of proper research before the debate appears to be killing the city’s chances of finding and vetting a
See something wrong? The Fitchburg Star does not sweep errors under the rug. If you see something you know or even think is in error, please contact editor Jim Ferolie at 845-9559 or at fitchburgstar@wcinet.com so we can get it right.
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suitable location. I can’t blame it all on the late nights and endless jabbing and posturing. I mean, either it’s going to be suitable and workable or it’s not. There are laws to follow, and this is not rocket science (or string theory). No, the real problem is this is not getting the staff involved. If I’m an alder representing this district or claiming to fight for the vulnerable and socioeconomically challenged in the city – or the mayor – I’m pushing the clerk and city administrator to make this a priority and get any help they need in determining the right place for a temporary voting place that’s big enough to accommodate the problems of the pandemic. It’s been mishandled from the start by the alder leading the effort, Dorothy Krause, but everyone owns this now. After that first stumble, an Aug. 25 resolution
with limited staff input, they should have decided either this is important to get figured out or it’s not, rather than let the circus continue. That we have had endless debates over proposed locations since before summer started and are still coming up with new ideas in September is evidence that people have not been working together for the common good here. It’s not fair to residents of those areas, and it’s not courteous to this same staff whom you keep asking to do emergency work when it could have been methodical and worked in with their other duties. If alders want to insist this election keep its temporary polling place outside the district to avoid confusion and return to the former fire station on King James Way after the Census, then vote for that and shut up. There’s no point in talking this
Letters to the Editor
Support the MMSD referendum My husband and I are grandparents of four children who all live in the Madison Metropolitan School District. Our oldest granddaughter is a 2019 graduate of Madison West High School. Our grandson is now a West High junior. And, in September 2021 and September 2022, our youngest two grandchildren will begin their freshman years at Madison West High. Madison West is a great school, with a diverse curriculum and wonderful teaching and support staff. It creates opportunities for children, whatever their gifts, talents, backgrounds and dreams. But, the West High building, like the other high schools in the district, has definitely seen better days. The Nov. 3 ballot includes two referendum questions: One for the operating budget for MMSD schools and one for much-needed building renovations. The renovations to four Madison high schools will include energy-saving design through thermally efficient windows and window shades and LED lighting. Plans also include installation of substantial PV (photovoltaic)
solar arrays on each high school. Those investments along with new and efficient mechanical systems will align with the school board’s Renewable Energy Resolution and will decrease the school district’s energy bills. Our grandchildren and all children everywhere will be disproportionately affected by the rapidly growing consequences of climate change. That’s why our schools represent ground zero of environmental action. The building renovation referendum question on the ballot is a step in the direction of a lower carbon footprint in the school district. It’s the job of our children to study hard and prepare for their futures as productive people and citizens. It’s our job to make sure those children have state of the art schools in which to study and learn as they take their steps toward a better future. For our children, I urge you to join me in voting Yes on the MMSD referendum questions Nov. 3. Judith Stadler City of Fitchburg
Star can be a leader in voting education In reading through the Fitchburg Star, received yesterday, as usual I learned of many things going on in and around Fitchburg. I always look forward to learning more about what’s happening in my hometown. That said, I also became aware that The Star has a tremendously important role to play in voter education. The stark reality is that many residents, even well read and informed residents, might not have the basic information they need when it comes to casting their ballot. And, like it or not, many may choose not to vote at all if they don’t know where to vote. Some even believe that their vote
“doesn’t matter.” This is where The Star can be a star. For the next two months why not feature lots of stories about how to look up voter information, where the polling locations are by area, where City Hall is if I want to vote early, what information one needs to provide, hours of polling locations, etc. You get the idea. You have a wonderful opportunity to be a leader in voter education and engagement. I look forward to seeing what important information The Star can offer us voters! Mary Power City of Fitchburg
to death. But they all need to make sure this is settled once and for all by the next meeting. They owe it to their constituents. That goes for those alders not representing District 1, too. You can’t leave the district on an island anymore. So get the staff to compile some spots and recommend them and get this over with either way. Anyone who has ever had insomnia knows the “good TV” that plays at night is a shell of the best stuff in prime time. And nobody who hears me say the phrase “good TV” has ever heard it paired with the words “good government.” Jim Ferolie is the general manager of Unified Newspaper Group, which publishes the Verona Press. He oversaw coverage of Fitchburg government from 20092020.
COVID-19 an opportunity to show love for one another As a grandmother, mother, and pastor living and serving in Dane County during the coronavirus pandemic, I am interested in the emerging practices which cross faith and secular boundaries. Experiencing the new realities of our lives, handwashing, wearing a mask, social distancing, and using technology to keep in touch can be seen as more than just keeping us physically healthy. What if we were to recognize these actions as intentional, positive moments of showing how we love our neighbors? For example, we can intentionally use the 20 seconds as we wash our hands to think of the ways in which we are connected to our global community. Billions of people are taking part in this simple daily ritual. Kamau Ayubbi of the Department of Spiritual Care, Michigan Medicine, suggests “we can embrace the act of handwashing as something more than something we do for physical health… The idea is this: that a small and necessary task done collectively with intention will contribute to a healthier social and emotional environment. Kindness and Compassion to self and others make a challenging situation bearable and meaningful and opens us up to creative ways to find health during stressful and challenging times” (FaceBook post May, 2020). Faith communities around the world share the principle we frequently refer to as the Golden Rule. In my own tradition, it is summed up as “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). The Wisconsin Council of Churches has been encouraging people to post a picture of themselves wearing a mask with the hashtag “Love your neighbor, wear a mask.” This is an act we can do to show our love and respect for others in our community. Before I became a pastor, I was a speech and language pathologist. I worked with people who could not use speech as their primary mode of communication. I helped children and adults to explore and use the low tech and high-tech tools that helped them become more independent and build meaningful relationships. This multi-modal use of technology is important to us during the pandemic as we connect with others via telephone, cards, emails, Zoom, and social media. I am grateful for the many ways we have for learning and building relationships—from low tech pencils and paper to high tech computers. These are all acts I can do to love my neighbors during the pandemic. Kris Gorton City of Fitchburg
Opinion
ConnectFitchburg.com
September 11, 2020
Fitchburg Star
5
Healthy living
Plan school lunches the same whether at home or away
W
hen the mornings start to feel a little brisker and Labor Day is behind us, it’ll always mean “back-toschool” time to me – never mind that I’ve been out of school for several years now. No matter how the school year looks this year – whether that means actually going into the physical classroom or tuning in virtually, kids will still be eating lunches every day. With all of our attention on what this school year is going to be like during the pandemic, it’s easy for the thought of packing lunches to be put on the back burner. But just like any year, it’s an important piece that can set your kids up for success during the school day. It doesn’t have to be complicated. If you plan on preparing lunches for your kids this year, do it mostly as you always have – pack it ahead, include your kids, make it a special time, keep it healthy and include variety and creativity.
The routine of packing a lunch the night before or in the morning – even if you’re at home – will help make the actual lunchtime go Hoerr more smoothly for you and your kids. Rather than trying to decide what to serve for lunch at the last minute, preparing a lunchbox will ensure you’re including a variety with multiple food groups that will nourish your child through the rest of the day. As you prepare the lunches, remember that while it’s the parents’ role to decide what to serve your kids to ensure they’re getting a balanced variety, you can still offer your kids a limited choice. For instance, ask them whether they want a turkey or chicken sandwich or what kind of vegetable – carrots or cucumber. It gives the
kids a sense of autonomy while still allowing the parent to have control. Making lunch a special time can be done in small and easy ways that don’t take a lot of effort but can be memorable for your kids. This could be adding a few chocolate chips or M&Ms, but it doesn’t have to be food. You could include a fun note, a sticker, a joke or a silly drawing or add sprinkles to the yogurt or fruit. When making a healthy upgrade to a food, keep everything else the same at first. Your kids are more likely to try the new food if a more familiar option is with it. For example, choose whole grain options to favorite foods, such as crackers, pasta or tortilla chips. Pair them with cheese slices, rather than hummus, at least at first. Being creative can help kids try and like new foods. If your child doesn’t like raw veggies, start by introducing veggies in different ways, such as beet chips, kale chips or snap pea crisps
– a great alternative to having chips with every lunch. Use dips like ranch dressing, salsa, pesto or ketchup. Add variety in small ways to help your kids see that foods they’re most familiar with can come in different ways and help prevent picky eating. It’s OK if you tend to pack the same thing most days. We’re all busy. So try changing the type of nut butter, jam, deli meat or cheese you use. Instead of always using bread, use tortillas, pitas or crackers occasionally. You can also choose different varieties of veggies or fruit – rainbow carrots or red and green grapes, for instance. Opening a lunch box at the end of the day, only to see it completely uneaten is disheartening and frustrating. If you’re offering something your child isn’t familiar with or that isn’t a favorite, pack a “safe food.” This is something you know your
child will eat if he or she is hungry (perhaps fruit or favorite crackers). This provides exposure to new foods yet also gives you a peace of mind that your child won’t go hungry. The easiest thing you can do is to simply take the time to eat with your kids as much as possible. What your kids see you eating will be more impactful than what you tell them. If possible, sit and eat with them during meals to be that positive role model – both for table manners and eating behaviors. This school year might have some uncertainties, but lunch doesn’t have to be one of them. Kara Hoerr, MS, RDN, CD, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Kara Hoerr Nutrition. Visit karahoerrnutrition.com, email kara@karahoerrnutrition.com or call 620-4461. This information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
Keep streets leaf-free to protect our waterways
T
he sight of leaves changing color and falling from trees is a beautiful event to look forward to each fall. However, if not carefully managed, leaves can become harmful to our environment. When it rains, water runs through leaves in the street forming a “leaf-tea” that is rich in dissolved phosphorus. In urban areas, this “leaf-tea” enters an underground network of pipes called the municipal storm sewer system, which gives the water a direct route to our local waterways. When phosphorous reaches our lakes, rivers and streams, it can lead to toxic algae blooms, low dissolved oxygen levels, and murky water. Phosphorous negatively impacts aquatic life, as well as recreational activities. There are ways you can help. Leaves left in the street every fall are a major source of phosphorus to urban stormwater runoff, and by simply by removing leaves from the street before a heavy rain event, we can reduce the amount of phosphorus in urban stormwater runoff by almost half. After you have raked your leaves from the street and your yard, you have a few options. The “greenest” option is to use leaves and other yard waste for mulching or home composting. Mulching is the quickest option and provides nutrients back to your lawn. Homemade compost can be used to improve the health of your lawn and garden soil. Another option is to take advantage of the city’s two curbside yardwaste collections in the fall. See the city’s solid waste and recycling calendar for exact dates. To prepare your leaves for curbside pickup, place them in a bag or container and place the bag at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on the Monday of the collection
week. The lowest footprint would be to use a reusable bag or container. Yardwaste polybags are available to Fitchburg residents at the second-floor counter at City Hall on a first-come, first served basis. The first bag is free to residents who pay the refuse and recycling special charge on their property tax bill. Additional bags are $2 per bag. Call 270-4200 to find out when/if bags are available. The next-best option is to use one-time compostable bags, which can be picked up at a local hardware store. One-time use plastic bags are not recommended. Regardless of the bag or container type, be sure to leave the bags untied so workers can easily identify the bag’s contents. If you are using reusable bags, leave a weight (such as a brick or large stone) nearby so workers can place the bags under the weight after emptying the contents. Finally, Fitchburg residents can bring yard waste to Fitchburg’s recycling drop-off site at 2373 S. Fish Hatchery Road. Do not leave bags or containers there. If you want to encourage others to keep leaves out of the street this fall, request a free yard sign by sending an email to Claudia.Guy@ fitchburgwi.gov with the subject, “Leaf-Free Streets Sign Request” and providing your name and address. For information about leaf management and city collection rules, visit fitchburgwi.gov/2568/ Brush-Yard-Waste. Thanks in advance for doing your part to keep our streets and water ways clean! Hannah Buscemi is a City of Fitchburg intern and a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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September 11, 2020
ConnectFitchburg.com
Fitchburg Star
Fitchburg bars, restaurants offer delivery, carryout Unified Newspaper Group has compiled a listing of restaurants still serving Fitchburg throughout the COVID-19 crisis. We have attempted to be as thorough as possible, but situations were still changing as of our print deadline, and not all businesses were available when we attempted contact. All listings are as of Wednesday, Aug. 19. We advise you contact the following establishments for the most up-todate hours and availability. Please email ungbusiness@wcinet.com if you’d like to be added to this list or to make an update to your listing.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Moo-Yah
Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , curbside, dine-in Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. curbside, delivery H o u r s : 1 1 a . m . t o Monday-Friday; 7:30 a.m. 10 p.m., Monday-Saturday; to 2 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday Starbucks Available: Drive-through Monkeyshines Hours: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Bar and Grill
Available: Curbside pick- Surya Cafe up, delivery Availability: Carryout, Food hours: 8 a.m. to outdoor dining 10 p.m. Hours: 4-6 p.m.
Noodles And Company
Barriques
Available: Curbside pickup, delivery, outdoor seatPhoto by Neal Patten ing Carla Williams and son Malik keep their physical distance while picking up sweet treats from Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rolling Pin Bake Shop.
Benvenuto’s Italian Grill
Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , curbside pickup, no-contact delivery Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Available: Pickup, delivery, dine-in Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream
Rolling Pin Bake Shop
Enrique’s Grill
Haveli Indian Restaurant
The Flying Hound
Hy-Vee Market Grille
Funk’s Pub
Jimmy John’s
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Available: Carryout Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Available: Carryout Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday
Available: Carryout Hours: 5-9 p.m.
Little Caesars Pizza
Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , delivery Available: Carryout Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. Monday-Saturday to 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Available: Carryout Av a i l a b l e : P i c k u p , Hours: 3-8 p.m. Thursno-contact delivery day-Saturday Ava i l a b l e : C u r b s i d e , H o u r s : 1 0 : 3 0 a . m . t o delivery, outdoor seating Glass Nickel Pizza Co. 8 p.m. (Fish Hatchery); Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (McKee) no-contact delivery Curry In The Box H o u r s : 1 0 : 3 0 a . m . t o Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Laredo’s 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; curbside, delivery Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , H o u r s : 1 1 a . m . t o 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri- no-contact delivery, dine-in 9 p.m., 4-9 p.m. Saturdays, day-Saturday Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 4-8:30 p.m. Sundays The Great Dane Pub Liliana’s Restaurant Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Dairy Queen Available: Curbside pickdelivery Grill & Chill up, delivery Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., no-contact delivery Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.
Me And Julio
Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , delivery, dine-in Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday
Mod Pizza
Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , curbside, delivery
Tapatios
Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Ava i l a b l e : C u r b s i d e , delivery, dine-in Hours: 4-8 p.m. delivery, dine-in H o u r s : 1 0 : 3 0 a . m . t o Thai Noodles 9 p.m., Monday-Sunday Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , delivery Oasis Café H o u r s : 1 0 a . m . t o Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; delivery, dine-in H o u r s : 6 : 3 0 a . m . t o 1-9 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m. Monday-Friday; Thirsty Goat 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , delivery Pancheros Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , delivery Toppers Pizza Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Available: Carryout, contactless delivery Pancake Café H o u r s : 1 0 : 3 0 a . m . t o Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , 1 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday, dine-in 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. ThursHours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. day; 10:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. Panera Bread Saturday Ava i l a b l e : C a r r y o u t , Yahara Bay Distillery curbside, delivery, dine-in Available: Curbside H o u r s : 6 a . m . t o Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon to Quivey’s Grove 4 p.m. Saturday Availability: Carryout H o u r s : 1 1 : 3 0 a . m . t o Closed: A t o m i c Ko i C o c k t a i l 2:30 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Sat- Lounge Tuscany Grill urday; 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday
Memorial United Church of Christ
Farmers Market FITCHBURG CENTER
Check out our youth and adult programs at memorialucc.org/learn Outdoor activities – with some in-person outdoor options too!
Thursday, May – October | 3 - 6 p.m. 5511 E CHERYL PARKWAY, FITCHBURG
Market Vendors Set Up Every Thursday!
See our website for details
5705 Lacy Road, Fitchburg 273-1008 • www.memorialucc.org
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Worship with us at 9:30 a.m. via Facebook or Zoom
Offering Fresh Produce, Baked Goods, Meats (Lamb; Goat; Beef), Eggs, Cheese, Walnuts, Flowers, Hanging Baskets, Soaps, Fiber, Organic Options, and More.
Shop the Market where we have safe Social Distancing implemented or Preorder for Pickup at FITCHBURGMARKET.COM
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ConnectFitchburg.com
September 11, 2020
Fitchburg Star
7
Fitchburg Public Library
What to read in September Bored during the COVID-19 pandemic? Why not become a bookworm? The Fitchburg Public Library has put together a list of reading recommendations for the month of September. This list was assembled by adult and technical services manager Tegan Karow.
‘All the Flowers In Paris’ by Sarah Jio
‘Marguerite’ by Marina Kemp
Set among the lush fields and olive groves of southern France, and written in clear prose of luminous beauty, Marguerite is an unforgettable novel that traces the ways in which guilt can be transformed, and how people can unexpectedly find a sense of redemption.
‘The Billionaire in Boots’
After losing her memory, Caroline by Julia London New York Times and USA Today bestfinds a World War II era diary hidden in her apartment and discovers connections selling author Julia London delivers a between her life and Celine’s decades ear- contemporary western, where a lonesome rancher and a no-nonsense cowgirl learn lier. that you don’t choose who you fall for — ‘Survival of the Fritters’ love lassos you.
‘Pretty as a Picture’
The first in a Wisconsin set cozy mystery series featuring Emily, a former 911 by Elizabeth Little A shy, but successful, film editor takes a dispatcher turned donut shop owner (and job under a notoriously demanding direcoccasional crime solver). tor before becoming embroiled in solving the case of a murdered teen on which the ‘The Dearly Beloved’ by Cara Wall A past Today show Read with Jenna pic, movie is based, an effort that is complicatthis story follows two couples over decades ed by a dangerous saboteur. of friendship, examining faith and family. ‘Jace’ by Sasha Summers Rising country star Jace Black must con‘A Beautiful Crime’ vince country music legend Krystal King by Christopher Bollen that he is far more interested in her than he From the author of The Destroyers is in making a name for himself. comes an “intricately plotted and elegantly structured” (Newsday) story of intrigue ‘The Lady from the Black Lagoon’ and deception, set in contemporary Venice by Mallory O’Meara and featuring a young American couple The story of Millicent Patrick, the creator who have set their sights on a risky con. of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and her life and legacy in Hollywood.
Virtual church services in Fitchburg The Star has compiled a list of scheduled virtual church services amid the COVID-19 pandemic. If your church is hosting an online event and would like to be included in this listing, please send any pertinent information to ungcalendar@wcinet.com. The listing will run intermittently as space and time allows, and was last updated Wednesday, Sept. 2.
All Saints Lutheran Church
All Saints Lutheran Church, 2951 Chapel Valley Road, hosts virtual services at 9 a.m. Sundays accessible on Youtube and Facebook. Pastor Kristin Woelk delivers each service. For more information, call 276-7729 or visit allsaints-madison.org.
Apostolic Faith Church
Apostolic Faith Church, 2001 Harley Dr., hosts virtual services at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sundays accessible over apostolicfaithmadison. org. For more information, email cschleicher@afpastor.org.
Blackhawk Church
Blackhawk Church, 9620 Brader Way, hosts virtual services at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays. There are also services for kids accessible at blackhawkchurch.org/connect/kidsstudents/kids/online. Videos are geared toward first and second graders and are around 20-30 minutes long. Regular services are accessible at blackhawkchurch.org, the church’s YouTube page and Facebook page. Those last around one hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. For more information,
828-4200 or visit the For more information, church’s website. visit memorialucc.org.
City on a Hill
City on a Hill, 2924 Fish Hatchery Road, hosts virtual services at 10 a.m. Sundays accessible at live. cityonahill.co. The church’s worship team and pastors deliver each service and invite the public to join in each week. For more information, call 650-5422.
Chapel Valley Church
Chapel Valley Church, a mobile church, hosts virtual services at 10 a.m. Sundays on Youtube, Facebook, and chapelvalley.org The church’s worship team and Pastors Jeremiah and Suzie Genin invite the public to join in every Sunday. For more information email info@chapelvalley. org or call 515-8855.
The Church at Christ Memorial
The Church at Christ Memorial, 2833 Raritan Road, hosts virtual services at 9 a.m. Sundays at livelifetogether.com/livestream or facebook.com/ livelifetogether. Pastor Jeff Meyer and Matt Wipperman deliver services each week on the live stream. For more information, call 271-2811 or visit livelifetogether.com.
Memorial United Church of Christ
Memorial United Church of Christ, 5705 Lacy Road, hosts virtual services at 9:30 a.m. Sundays. The services are accessible over Zoom or on the church’s Facebook page. To access a Zoom service, visit memorialucc.org and follow the link.
Redeemer City Church
Redeemer City Church, 5356 King James Way, posts its sermons, which t a ke p l a c e S u n d a y s a t 10 a.m., online at redeemercitychurch.org/sermons. Services are also filmed live for the Redeemer City Church YouTube channel. For more information, visit the redeemercitychurch.org.
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by Ginger Bolton
8
September 11, 2020
ConnectFitchburg.com
Fitchburg Star
Pharmacies adapt to provide flu vaccines amid COVID-19 Patients have the option of drive-up clinics, can wait inside vehicle EMILIE HEIDEMANN
Hy-Vee Pharmacy
Fitchburg Family Pharmacy
2920 Fitchrona Road 273-5122 hy-vee.com
Unified Newspaper Group
Photo submitted
Fitchburg Family Pharmacy managing pharmacist Thad Schumaker administers a vaccine to a patient.
Some Fitchburg pharmacies are providing flu vaccines a little differently this year amid the pandemic, paving the way for when one is available to help prevent COVID-19. Fitchburg Family Pharmacy managing pharmacist Thad Schumaker told the Star that while some plans for offering the flu vaccine are up in the air, s t a ff a r e ey e i n g d r ive up clinics where patients would be treated inside t h e i r ve h i c l e s . S o f a r, the pharmacy, located at 3050 Cahill Main #6, has teamed up with the Fitchbu rg S e n i o r C e n t e r t o achieve just that in October. A similar setup could apply when a coronavirus vaccine is accessible to the public, Schumaker said. To register for the senior center clinic, patients are instructed to fill out a form the day prior. “We will just have to see what the demand is,” Schumacher said of vaccine services outside senior center offerings. “One of the benefits of being an independent business is our ability to be flexible and change to the needs of our community.” Another pharmacy — Hy-Vee on 2920 Fitchrona Road — is providing
d r ive - u p f l u s h o t c l i n ics 7-11 a.m. Mondays, 3-7 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from Aug. 17 through Oct. 31. Patients can get other immunizations for other conditions as well, and are required to wear a mask, according to the Hy-Vee website. For people who don’t have transportation, S c h u m a c h e r s a i d s t a ff identifies patients to deliver to on a regular basis. He said staff find a morning or afternoon a week where they serve patients in a particular geographic area of Fitchburg. The only difference during COVID-19 is that staff is donned in protective gear. Fitchburg Family Pharmacy has taken additional health precautions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The business has closed its indoor interior, Schumacher said, but still offers curbside pickup and delivery options for products, and patients have the option of getting other vaccines just inside the front door. “We wanted to keep our patients safe and not be in a place where we are s p r e a d i n g C OV I D - 1 9 ,” Schumacher said.
3050 Cahill Main #6 274-3784 whatagreatpharmacy. wordpress.com
A chair awaits patients immediately inside the pharmacy’s front door, which staff wipe down after every visit. Schumacher said patients can receive most immunizations there, while there is one that requires entry into an injection room at the back of the store, but l i k e H y - Ve e , eve r y o n e wears masks. As for a COVID-19 vaccine, Schumacher said “there will be one.” But there are a lot of unknowns that come with that. “I think the biggest question for us is will there be reimbursement for administration of that v a c c i n e ,” S c h u m a c h e r said. “How much will it be? Will it be enough to cover pharmacists going into people’s homes?” “ E ve n w i t h a l l t h o s e unknowns, certainly (the flu vaccine) gives us an infrastructure for doing it,” he added. “Independent pharmacies will be at the forefront of this.” Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@ wcinet.com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.
City of Fitchburg
Business loan program amended to increase eligibility Program will continue through December KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
The City of Fitchburg’s Biz Boost program has been amended to make more businesses eligible to apply for it. Businesses who made less than $2.5 million in
annual revenue in 2019 are now eligible to apply for the city’s Forward Fitchburg Biz Boost loan, city e c o n o m i c d eve l o p m e n t director Michael Zimmerman wrote in an email to the Star. Previously, the revenue cap had been set at $1 million annually. The Common Council approved the loan pro gram at its May 26 meeting, allowing businesses to access loan funds at a 1% interest rate to use as they re-open or ramp
up their operations after being closed or reduced to limited services during the state’s Safer at Home order, meant to combat the spread of COVID-19. Applications will be due by 4:30 p.m. on the 15th of each money going until December. Funds are limited, with a business receiving no more than $10,000. Funds should be spent on specific things related to reopening, such as wages and salaries, mortgage payments,
P e r s o n a l P r o t e c t i o n zimmerman@fitchburgwi. Equipment and cleaning gov or Joyce Frey at joyce. supplies. frey@fitchburgwi.gov. To b e e l i g i b l e , bu s i Email reporter Kimbernesses must be locally ly Wethal at kimberly. owned with fewer than 25 employees, and those with 15 or fewer will be given priority. Businesses like taverns or bars that do not offer food service or are commission-based, non-profit or home-based are not eligible for funds. For information about the loan program, email Zimmerman at michael.
wethal@wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @ kimberly_wethal.
Road closed as police take man into custody McKee Road was briefly closed from Verona Road to Spoke Drive last week w h i l e F i t c h bu rg P o l i c e and members of the Dane County Sheriff ’s Office Tactical Response Team took a man into protective custody in the parking lot of a business on the 6000 block of McKee Road. According to a Fitchburg Police Facebook post, around 3:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, officers responding to a check person call provided immediate
medical assistance at the scene before the man was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. The post stated that the incident was confined to the parking lot, and the man was taken into custody “for the safety of the man, emergency personnel on scene, and the public.” No injuries were reported, and the road was reopened around 4 p.m., according to the post. The incident remains under investigation.
Email Unified Newspaper Group reporter Scott De
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September 11, 2020
Fitchburg Star
Maintaining strong roots
9
Oak Bank celebrates 20 years in Fitchburg EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
The mighty roots of the oak tree support its ability to grow, gather nutrients and maintain its weight. Without them, the tree is bound to wither and collapse, the Oak Bank website states. That’s how the business, 5951 McKee Road #100, got its name upon its August 2000 founding. In 2020, Oak Bank celebrates 20 years of building those roots, Bob Gorsuch, chief executive officer told the Star. They have held steadfast during COVID-19, he said, in how the bank has adapted to new staffing circumstances, evolved online services and helped businesses navigate the economic fallout of the pandemic. “From the design of the lobby to the type of person we hire, we are very deliberate in trying to give our clients an experience with us that feels more like a relationship than a transaction,” Terry Taylor, Oak Bank president said in a news release. “Whether on the phone or in-person, we want everyone to feel like they are a member of the Oak Bank family.” That culture is exemplified by how there are no teller windows, Gorsuch said. Staff would normally sit at desks in the lobby if it was open. Deposit boxes would be self-serve, and clients are given keys to access them. Visitors would be greeted by a fish tank, fireplace and a laid
Photo by Emilie Heidemann
Oak Bank, located at 5951 McKee Road #100, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. back feel, he said. O n e d o e s n ’t h ave t o visit the space to experience Oak Bank’s welcoming atmosphere however, Gorsuch said. Associates are available in-person by appointment, but also by email, phone and at the drive-thru. They are working in-person on a rotating schedule during COVID-19, Gorsuch said, but also remotely — especially if they have children.
Oak Bank 5951 McKee Road #100 441-6000 oakbankonline.com
To k e e p e m p l o y e e s remote as much as possible, Oak Bank continues to accommodate clients with its online services, he said. He’s seen a rise
in customers using internet banking within the last decade overall. The website offers shortcuts for secure file transfers, home loan applications, knowing deposit rates, secure file transfers and downloading Oak Bank’s app — which has features like mobile check deposits and secure transactions with Zelle software. Oak Bank has assisted several local businesses
as they navigate the recession, he said. “They pledged everything they owned to steer a business,” Gorsuch said. “We’ve been very active in the (Paycheck Protection Program).” “There’s been a lot of hurt,” he added. “We’ve (also) been modifying loans so (clients) don’t have to make payments or or pay interest only. If we can keep them alive, they will recover.”
Even without a pandemic, Oak Bank has donated to 100 local nonprofits annually — 887 in all since its founding, according to the website. “As a community bank, we have a duty to help our neighbors live their best lives,” Gorsuch said. Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@ wcinet.com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.
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September 11, 2020
ConnectFitchburg.com
Fitchburg Star
Complaint: Sgt. brought marijuana to inmate Oakhill Correctional Institution employee facing two felony charges KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
A sergeant correctional officer at Oakhill Correctional Institution in Fitchburg has been charged with two felonies for allegedly bringing in marijuana, chewing tobacco and a cell phone to an inmate. According to a complaint filed in Dane County Court on Thursday, Aug. 13, Sgt. Adam Green, 43, Madison, has been charged with two felony counts, one for conspiracy to deliver illegal
articles to an inmate, and the other conspiracy to deliver marijuana. Both carry maximum prison sentences of no more than three years and six months apiece, as well as fines of $10,000. Green was deemed to have been the person bringing in the items to inmate Christopher J. Lohry, 31, who has been charged with possessing an illegal article after an internal investigation by Oakhill Correctional Institution, the complaint states. The internal investigation was launched after marijuana, chewing tobacco and a cell phone was seized from Lohry by Oakhill staff on March 31. A warrant had been placed for Lohry’s arrest, as he was released from Oakhill after the interview with detectives and when the
complaint was filed. Lohry will have an initial appearance on Thursday, Sept. 5, and Green will have his initial appearance a week earlier on Thursday, Aug. 27. Further investigation found that Green had met with Lohry’s cousin, identified only by initials in the complaint, to retrieve the items for the inmate. Oakhill’s investigation found that during recorded phone calls, Lohry and his cousin had referred to Green as “Buddy,” and had talked about when the cousin would be able to meet up with “Buddy” to exchange the items. The cousin told police he gave Green a cell phone and a total of 7-8 tins of chewing tobacco and 7 grams of marijuana during two meetings at the Lake Mills
McDonalds. In an interview with Lohry in May with Dane County detective Heidi Gardner and City of Fitchburg detective Matthew Wiza, he confirmed Green had been the one bringing in items, and that he approached Green after hearing from others at Oakhill that Green had done this before. Lohry said Green also met with his girlfriend, only identified with initials, who gave him THC gummy bears to bring to Lohry. Lohry described Green to investigators as “not smart,” and told a Dane County Sheriff detective that he didn’t know that bringing in items was against the law, according to the complaint. “I didn’t bring it in, I just told him where to get it,” Lohry told
the detective. Another inmate told investigators Lohry, going by the nickname “Cash,” had been dealing and smoking marijuana at the facility. “He was one of the top guys,” the witness said of Lohry in the complaint. While waiting in the medical line,the inmate said he had witnessed seeing a phone get passed between Green and Lohry, and that Lohry had made a fake tablet set-up and used a steroid cream box to conceal the cell phone. Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly.wethal@wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @kimberly_wethal.
Protesters ask council for support in Police arrest two after rejecting county school requirements stolen vehicle pursuit KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
Photo by Kimberly Wethal
At left, Fitchburg resident Nicholas DiMiceli holds a sign during a protest outside the Fitchburg City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The protest was against the county’s school reopening requirements that state students in grades 3-12 must start the year virtually. be able to make decisions on our own, as families.” T h e c o u n t y ’s o r d e r, released on Friday, Aug. 21, prohibits any school, including private ones, from starting the year in-person for grades 3-12, and it requires schools to provide a virtual option for grades K-2. The order also provides metrics that will determine when other grades can be brought back to school in-person. “ M ov i n g s t u d e n t s i n grades 3-12 to virtual learning is not a step we take lightly, as schools provide critical services, and in-person instruction offers unparalleled opportunities and structure for students and parents,” Janel Heinrich, director of PHMDC, said in a news release. “Given our current case count, we believe moving students in grades 3-12 to virtual learning is necessary for the safety of our community.” Students in grades K-2 will be allowed to attend based on lower transmission rates than older children, the release states. County staff have determined that older children have been found to transmit COVID-19 at rates similar to adults when looking at data from the state Department of Health Services, Harvard Global Health Institute and the
Minnesota Department of Public Health. But if the number of cases averages more than 54 in a two-week period in Dane County, grades K-2 might be required to switch to virtual learning only as well, the release states. To bring back additional grades, the number of new daily cases would need to decrease and remain steady for a four-week period. For grades 3-5, new daily cases would need to sustain a 14-day average of 39 cases a day for four weeks in a row, and for grades 6-12, the average of permissible cases drops to 19. James’ petition to the state Supreme Court claims that Heinrich acted outside of the limits of her authority by issuing an order that infringes on the fundamental rights to an education and worship under the state’s constitution. The petition also claims that there was no known “emergency” that caused students to be sent home after being able to
EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
City of Fitchburg police have arrested two teenagers in connection with a stolen vehicle pursuit that occurred in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Aug. 19. Officers arrested Kaiwan Harvey, 17, Marshall, and Ka ‘Toine Richardson, 18, Fitchburg, on Thursday, Aug. 20, after seeing them exit the stolen vehicle at an apartment complex on Post Road, a police department news release states. On the morning of Aug. 19, Fitchburg police overheard the Dane County Sheriff ’s Office r e s p o n d t o a bu rg l a r y incident in the Village of Cross Plains, according to the release. A Dane County news release states at approximately 2:14 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, deputies responded to a residence on Lewis Street in the village, after the homeowner awoke to find unidentified individuals in the garage. The thieves, later identified as Harvey and Richardson, opened the garage door with an opener, and found an unlocked Toyota Highlander, which has since been located and returned. The homeowner, according to the county release, confronted the teenagers, who fled on foot to the
Toyota and left the area. As the thieves fled, the homeowner fired a shot in the air with a handgun and the suspects returned fire, the release states. The FPD release states an hour and a half after Harvey and Richardson stole the vehicle, a Fitchburg sergeant spotted them at a gas pump of a Kwik Trip, 6133 McKee Road. Shortly after the officer spotted the teenagers, the Toyota pulled out onto McKee Road. Fitchburg officers attempted a traffic stop but were unsuccessful, according to the release. The pursuit went through a residential neighborhood, eventually leading onto Verona Road, but officers lost sight of the Toyota as it left the city’s boundaries. Later that morning, Fitchburg officers were able to use video surveillance to identify the two suspects from the stolen Toyota, the release states, before spotting the vehicle in the early afternoon hours of Aug. 20. At around 1:20 p.m., the two suspects were seen entering an apartment on the 2600 block of Post Road, according to the release, where Harvey and Richardson were arrested and taken to the Dane County Jail. Police referred charges of receiving stolen property, operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent and eluding officers for Harvey, and for allegedly operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent as a passenger, possession of THC and bail jumping for Richardson.
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Lisa Pudlo’s son was three days into his in-person education at Our Redeemer Lutheran School when they got the call last Friday night: Their son, who is in grades 3-12, would be required to learn from home starting that following Monday, Aug. 31, based on county requirements. Pudlo and other Fitchburg residents told their stories to the City of Fitchbu rg C o m m o n C o u n c i l at its Tuesday, Aug. 25, meeting, during the public comment period, after they and a group of half a dozen others demonstrated outside the building prior. “We had started school on Wednesday already,” Pudlo said. “It’s extremely disruptive – everyone works in our family, a lot – personally, I start my busy schedule – Labor Day through Christmas, I work 60-70 hours a week.” “My son has focus issues, so a classroom is where he’s going to get the best attention,” Pudlo added. Resident and parent Nicholas DiMiceli, whose significant other Sarah James has filed a petition with the state Supreme Court against Public Health Madison and Dane County over the order, said they weren’t protesting the city. Instead, they hoped alders could show some support in asking the county to reconsider its decision to require grades 3-12 to start the year with virtual learning only. “The rug got pulled out from under us even after when my kids started school,” he told the Star prior to the meeting. “All of a sudden it’s like, you can’t go back on Monday… it is an perpetual encroachment on our personal liberties, to
return to the classroom last week. County executive Joe P a r i s i s a i d i n a n ew s release from Wednesday, Aug. 26, that the order from Heinrich is lawful and the county will defend it vigorously. “We all want schools and workplaces to be fully open and life the way we knew it to resume,” Parisi said in the release. “Until that happens, we don’t want families to go through the harrowing weeks of having loved ones on ventilators. We have seen rates of infection come down here, not by accident, but because of decisive actions.” Resident and parent Brian Bircher told the Star before speaking at the meeting that he feels that the case counts are low enough for students to safely return to school. He pointed to what New York state is doing, which at one point during the COVID-19 pandemic was considered the epicenter for the United States, where a safety plan and having the infection rate stay below 5% over a two-week period was what was required to reopen schools. “ We h ave d o n e w h a t we needed to do in Dane County to hit the numb e r s , a n d m a k e i t l ow enough to make it safe to reopen – we’ve seen that happen since the mask mandate went into effect,” he said. “I think there’s ways everyone can work together to keep things safe and still have a very important experience for kids.” Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly. wethal@wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @ kimberly_wethal.
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The Capital City State Trail near Glacier Valley Road. Starting Sept. 8, a portion of the Capital City State Trail between Fish Hatchery Road and Seminole Highway will be closed for repaving until November 2020.
Portion of Cap City Trail to close until November KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
A one-mile portion of the Capital City Trail between Fish Hatchery Road and Seminole Highway will close until November for resurfacing. According to an Aug. 25 county news release, the repaving project will start Tuesday, Sept. 8. The project will include asphalt replacement, drainage improvements, wayfinding signage and road c r o s s i n g i m p r ove m e n t s
recommended by the American Disabilities Act. Tr a i l u s e r s w i l l b e required to use alternative routes throughout the duration of the project. The trail was closed last year at a similar time for asphalt repaving for a few weeks, and other parts of the trail have been under reconstruction since 2018. The closure is part of the county’s three-phase project to replace a 10-mile portion of the two-decade-old trail. The final phase, which is
taking place this year, will comprise improvements to the trail from Seminole Highway to the bike roundabout, and it will include similar improvements completed in the prior two phases. In 2018, the largest part of the trail was restored, stretching from Nob Hill Road in Madison to Fish Hatchery Road. Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly. wethal@wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @ kimberly_wethal.
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Photo by Kimberly Wethal
Bridge installation
A bridge is in the process of being installed over McKee Road for the Badger State Trail. The bridge was installed over the road in the last week.
Bozeman joins UNG Police seek suspect in armed robbery Bryann Bozeman has joined Unified Newspaper Group’s staff as a customer relationship coordinator. In that role, which is a new position at UNG, Bozeman will provide a critical link between our advertising account executives and customers. She’ll be responsible for ensuring quality advertising, marketing and customer service for the advertisers of UNG, which publishes the Verona Press, Oregon Observer, Stoughton Courier Hub, Fitchburg Star and Great Dane. Bozeman, a Sun Prairie resident and Poynette native, formerly worked for nearly 20 years at Sleep Number, where she became a store manager. She enjoys spending as much
time as possible with her two daughters (Daylin, 7, and Ellie, 5) and their two cats, Ringo and Rosie. Bozeman When she happens to find a little extra time, she can be found doing something creative, such as making jewelry, drawing, singing or just being outside. She can be reached at bryann.bozeman@wcinet.com. Email Unified Newspaper Group general manager Jim Ferolie at ungeditor@wcinet. com. Have an opinion on this story? Send us a letter to the editor here.
Sign up for the Star online Did you know the Fitchburg Star is updated with content far more often than monthly? While our printed newspaper comes to you the second Friday of every month, we have kept our Star newsletter updated regularly since April, with at least six new stories every Thursday. The newsletter is free and easy to sign up for. To receive it, all you need to do is go to our website and type in your email address in the “Join our newsletter” ad on the top right side. If you’re on a mobile device, scroll past the news, the e-edition and the “most popular” stories on the website to find it. If you need help, feel free to call our office at (608) 8459559 or email fitchburgstar@wcinet.com.
Fitchburg police are searching for a suspect who robbed a gas station with a gun early Tuesday morning and fled. No one was injured at the scene, according to a department news release. Officers responded around 4:45 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, to the Kelley Williamson Mobil gas station, 2956 Fish Hatchery Road, for a holdup alarm, the release states.
The clerk told officers the suspect entered the store, pointed a gun at them and fled after being given an undisclosed amount of money. The Madison Police Department K9 unit and Town of Madison Police assisted Fitchburg officers, the release states. The K9 unit conducted a track, but could not locate the person. According to the release, the suspect is a Black male in his twenties,
around 5’10” with a slender build, wearing a blue jogging suit, black mask and white head covering. The investigation is ongoing, the release states. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Fitchburg Police Department at 270-4300 or Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 266-6014. Email Unified Newspaper Group reporter Scott De Laruelle at scott. delaruelle@wcinet.com.
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September 11, 2020
which committees she would involve herself in, and hadn’t even considered running for the position until people told her she should. The episode also touched on minority voter disenfranchisement happening in the City of Fitchburg, with all of its polling places being outside their respective boundaries. The location that’s the most egregious is District 1, where heavily traveled Verona Road and McKee Road make it difficult for residents to walk or bus to the Marketplace Drive fire station almost a mile away. The city moved the polling location to Marketplace Drive after it sold the former Jamestown fire station and ultimately lost the polling place. There is a significant
population of people of color, as well as adults who have socioeconomic limitations, who live in the Jamestown and Allied Drive/Dunn’s Marsh neighborhoods, where access to reliable transportation to get to a polling place is not guaranteed. Maldonado said that in order to get that to change, there had to be a lot of public support to add pressure on city staff and other alders. “In Fitchburg, we had to get a lot of public support in order to make sure we are able to maintain our polling places,” Maldonado told the Star. “There was an agenda item last month to consolidate (Fitchburg’s) four polling places to one.” Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@wcinet. com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.
Polling: Decision on polling place change must be made at next scheduled meeting Continued from page 1 Girls Club in the Allied Drive/Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood, would be a City of Madison polling place if Madison gets approval it has sought. But with less than two months to go before the election, Dane County elections officials told city staff Sept. 8 they would need more time for coordination and splitting of the polling place. The idea of splitting the polling locations came after the council voted down the initial proposal, by Ald. Dorothy Krause (Dist. 1), to move the polling location to Redeemer City Church on Aug. 25. The resolution had not been brought to staff prior to being submitted and lacked a required budget amendment. At that meeting, alders accused city staff of not supporting Krause and not informing her that her resolution was incomplete, before city administrator Patrick Marsh revealed that Krause had not asked staff to weigh in before proposing the polling place change.
There was less discussion at the Sept. 8 meeting, as alders knew any potential solution could not be approved that night and that they would need to go back to the drawing board with new locations. Other options that could be investigated and brought back to the Sept. 22 meeting include the former city fire station on King James Way that used to be the polling place for District 1 and is now owned by the county and and the former A1 Furniture store on the west side of Verona Road. Ald. Joe Maldonado (D-1) said even though the resolution wasn’t able to be passed, the need still exists for District 1 to have two polling places because of the major corridor running through the middle of it. “It’s really important, just given the structural barriers to walkability and transportation, to ensure that we have neighborhood-based polling sites,” he said. Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly. wethal@wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @ kimberly_wethal.
Meijer granted land split, rezone Alders still stated concerns over lack of stores on east side, tax loopholes KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
The proposed Meijer development along the city’s western border will continue to move forward, despite alders raising concerns similar to what they shared in prior meetings. At its Tuesday, Aug. 25, meeting, the City of Fitchburg Common Council voted to approve a rezone application and a land parcel split for Meijer by a vote of 6-1-1. Ald. Julia Arata-Fratta (Dist. 2) voted against, and Ald. Joe Maldonado (D-1) abstained. During future meetings, the Plan Commission and Council will review other parts of the project, like the design and stormwater drainage before its full approval. The development would be located in the northwest corner of McKee and Fitchrona Roads, across from the Orchard Pointe development that includes Target, Hy-Vee and an Aldi. Meijer, if passed, would be built on land Wingra Stone owns. This is the second Meijer proposal in Dane County in the last few months. The day before the company provided the proposal for the 159,000-square foot Fitchburg store to the city on June 30, Meijer also proposed a site in Sun Prairie near the Woodman’s and Costco on the east side. Meijer real estate manager Ashley Mack told the Council at a July meeting there
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is no set date for when the company would break ground or open the store, because it wants to get through the approval processes first. Arata-Fratta, who voted against the project’s initial site plan in July, said she’s concerned about the company using the “dark store” loophole to reduce its property tax responsibility to the city, and thinks a store on the city’s east side would be a better location.
She said she believed the market was already saturated in the area, and the east side of the city would be a better location for a grocery store. “I don’t think the city needs another supermarket in that part of town – we’ve got plenty,” she said. “This is very bad planning for the city, we don’t need another supermarket. It’s not about you, Meijer … if you can say, ‘I want to put one on the east side of the city,’ I’ll
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say, ‘Yes, we need it.’” Other alders expressed that they wanted to see more jobs come to the city, of which Mack estimated that the new store would bring closer to 300 employment opportunities. Ald. Gabriella Gerhardt (D-2) said she was worried if alders turned away a grocery store proposal on the west side, the city would develop a reputation of being hostile to development. She said that would not be conducive to getting a future grocery store on the eastern side of the city. “We definitely want to encourage grocery store growth in other parts of the community,” she said. “If we squash a project like this, (we’d) be creating a reputation that would prevent other grocery stores from coming to the community.” Ald. Tom Clauder (D-4) said he believed that opportunities for grocery stores on the east side will come as more growth occurs on that side. “I think it’s just a matter of time,” he said. Email reporter Kimberly Wethal at kimberly.wethal@ wcinet.com and follow her on Twitter @kimberly_wethal.
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13
City of Fitchburg
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Show : Panelists bring awareness to intersectionality of race and politics
Fitchburg Star
14 Fitchburg Star - September 11, 2020
City Hall - Main Line Administration Assessing Building Inspections City Clerk Economic Development
270-4200 270-4213 270-4235 270-4240 270-4210 270-4246
FACTv Finance Fire Department FitchRona Human Resources Library Municipal Court
270-4225 270-4251 278-2980 275-7148 270-4211 729-1760 270-4224
Parks & Forestry Planning/Zoning Police Public Works Recreation/Community Center Senior Center Utilities
270-4288 270-4258 270-4300 270-4260 270-4285 270-4290 270-4270
5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711 • www.fitchburgwi.gov
FORWARD FITCHBURG BIZ BOOST LOAN PROGRAM FOR FITCHBURG BUSINESSES This program continues to take applications. Two loans have been issued and funding is still available to help relaunch and reopen your business. Applications are due on or before the 15th of the month at 4:30 p.m. Details of the program can be found at https://bit.ly/3fro2yF.
The loan guidelines have been slightly modified so please read them carefully as your business may have not been eligible before but might now qualify. Please direct any questions on the program to Michael Zimmerman @ michael.zimmerman@fitchburgwi.gov or Joyce Frey @ joyce. frey@fitchburgwi.gov
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH September 15 – October 15, 2020 On Tuesday, September 8th, Mayor Aaron Richardson read a proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month in Fitchburg. Fitchburg is fortunate to count among its population a dynamic Hispanic/Latino community (17% of its population) that plays an
important role in our city’s economy and society. Mayor Richardson encourages all residents of Fitchburg to recognize and applaud the many contributions made by our Hispanic/ Latino community to enhance the quality of life in our city.
DANE COUNTY VOTER ID COALITION HOTLINE 608-285-2141 You will be instructed to leave your name, phone number and the municipality in which you live. They will return your call within 24 hours.
• Give you a ride to your polling location on Election Day
Some of the things they can assist with are:
• Assist with the voter registration process and makes sure you have your form filled out correctly and have valid proof of residency
• Serve as a witness for your absentee ballot. Someone will come out to your residence
• Give you a ride to drop off your absentee ballot to our office, prior to Election Day
INTERESTED IN SERVING AS A NOVEMBER POLL WORKER? We are looking for citizens to serve as poll workers for the November election. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many of our veteran poll workers have had to decline working at
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SLICE OF APPLE PIE DRIVE BY! Drive by the Fitchburg Senior Center on Wednesday, September 23rd, from 1:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m. to pick up a delicious slice of apple pie from Fitchburg’s own Rolling Pin Bakery! Suggested donation is just $1 thanks to the support of the Fitchburg Senior Center Friends.
DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC COMING IN OCTOBER
VOTER INFORMATION
Flu season is coming, are you ready? Are you nervous about being exposed to other folks? No worries. The Fitchburg Senior Center is teaming up with the Fitchburg Fire Department and Fitchburg Family Pharmacy to provide a safe drive through experience on October 21st from 9-11:00 a.m. Fill out your flu shot form (that is protected with Fitchburg Family Pharmacy) prior to the day of, by visiting https://bit.ly/3gGGns6
At myvote.wi.gov you can register to vote, check your voter registration status, find your polling place, see what’s on your ballot, request an absentee ballot and check provisional ballot status. Learn about photo ID, answer questions & more. If you want to vote absentee for the November election, you can set that up today. Don’t delay!
DID YOU KNOW LEAVES THAT COLLECT ON OUR STREETS EVERY FALL CAN HARM OUR WATERS? More than 50% of the annual amount of phosphorus in urban stormwater can come from leaves in the street. Too much phosphorus can lead to toxic algae blooms, low oxygen levels and green murky waters, none of which are good for animals living in the water or those of us who use it for recreation. Timely removal of street leaf litter can reduce
the amount of phosphorus in urban stormwater by 80% compared to no leaf removal. You can help! Join us in keeping streets leaffree before it rains this fall. To encourage others to keep leaves out of the street, request a free yard sign by sending an email to Claudia. Guy@fitchburgwi.gov with the subject, “LeafFree Streets Sign Request.” Thank you for joining this movement to protect our waters!
September 17th – October 15th (virtually) on Thursdays from 1:00pm-3:00pm Aging Mastery Playbook discussions will be facilitated by students from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. There is no cost to register for this program. Space is limited,
so call the Fitchburg Senior Center today at 270-4290. Once registered you will be mailed the starter kit with everything you need to begin your path to aging well!
FALL BRUSH & YARD WASTE COLLECTION DATES • Sept. 21 - 25 • Oct. 12 - 16 • Oct. 26 - 30 (yard waste also collected) • Nov. 9 - 13 • Nov. 23 - 27 (yard waste also collected) Actual collection dates may depend on weather. Brush & yard waste will be picked up between Monday and Saturday, but not necessarily on your refuse collection day. To ensure pick up, please have your brush & yard waste at the curb by 6:30 a.m. the Monday of the collection week. If you feel your brush
was missed or have questions regarding pickup, please contact Pellitteri at 608-257-4285.
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Hop Haus Brewing opens in Fitchburg Business is first brewing, canning facility in the city EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
Verona-based Hop Haus B r ew i n g C o m p a ny h a s opened a space in Fitchburg, the second for the company. The business officially unveiled its new 13,000-square foot building at 2975 Sub-Zero Pkwy. Tuesday, Sept. 1, becoming Fitchburg’s first brewing and canning facility, according to a company news release. The company’s original location, which opened in 2015, will continue to also operate at 231 N. Main St., Verona. In the release, owner and brewmaster Phil Hoechst said he’s excited to be a part of the growth in Fitchburg, as commercial buildings like Sub-Zero and Race Day Events surround them on the western side of Seminole Highway, while two subdivisions in the Stoner Prairie neighborhood are transforming from cornfi e l d s i n t o h o m e p l o t s across the street. “We look forward to sharing our unique beers, restaurant and full-service bar to new friends in Fitchburg and the surrounding area,” he said in the release. The new Hop Haus space features a modern and industrial aesthetic, with wood and metal fixtures and a high ceiling. Servers wearing masks take orders to customers, who mostly sit outside. If you were to sit at the indoor bar, you could see the brewery through
Hop Haus Brewing Company 2975 Sub-Zero Pkwy. 497-1133 hophausbrewing.com windows. That brewery will allow Hop Haus to put more beers on local store shelves throughout the year, the release states. It will help to increase its production of smaller batch beers, “as well as favorites like Magic Dragon Double IPA, Sweet Sunglasses Blonde Ale and Hiddle Slash IPA.” Hop Haus also has a rooftop dining area with a second bar, where visitors sit with friends and family members sipping craft beverages. The bar is adorned with old Wisconsin license plates. The brewery, according to the release, has created new positions for bartenders, restaurant managers, kitchen staff and nearly 25 servers. But getting the Fitchburg location up and running wasn’t easy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the release states. In addition to managing building loans, construction, new staff and systems, Hop Haus had to adapt to Public Health Madison and Dane County’s COVID-19 rules. Under PHMDC’s restrictions on restaurants, bars cannot operate their interior spaces – but it is allowed to have outdoor seating and offer carryout options. And keeping the Verona location viable, while
Rooftop bartender Courtney Preiss pours a craft brew for a customer.
The rooftop bar is adorned with old Wisconsin license plates from years past. c o m p l e t e l y s h u t d ow n , was “incredibly difficult” Hoechst said. “We are taking things
day-to-day, but we are following all (health) guidelines to make sure our employees and customers
Photos by Emilie Heidemann
Hop Haus Brewing Company is located at 2975 Sub-Zero Pkwy in Fitchburg. are safe while we work through the coronavirus pandemic,” Hoechst said in the release.
Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@wcinet. com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.
Promega develops SARS-CoV-2 antibody test EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
Since April, Promega has been conducting a voluntary study of Madison area residents who had COVID-19 and recovered – 65 people and counting – to develop a test detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Now, the biotech company has successfully developed a serological antibody test, using it to gather insights about how our bodies may protect themselves from SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, P o n c h o M e i s e n h e i m e r, Promega’s senior director of research and technology development, told the Star Aug. 11. Promega applied to the Food and Drug Administration for an emergency use authorization for the test, called the Promega Lumit Dx SARS-CoV-2 Immunoassay, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, Meisenheimer said. Meanwhile, the test is already available for use by clinical and public health laboratories, which is allowed by the FDA under a policy it adopted in March. Meisenheimer said while Promega used its product to
simply detect the presence of antibodies, other labs could use it for epidemiological purposes, including how fast SARS-CoV-2 spreads, its fatality rate and the development of a future vaccine. But Promega’s work is still far from finished, Meisenheimer said. While the study is still underway to see how long antibodies remain in participants’ bloodstreams, he said, it has already led Promega scientists to some significant findings. He said there is no time frame for when that portion of the study is to conclude. First, to qualify for the study, Meisenheimer said a person must have had a previous COVID-19 positive test and have recovered from the illness. Participants need to provide written proof or sign a release of their positive test results from their healthcare provider prior to being included in the study. Volunteers must also be at least 18 years old. Meisenheimer pointed to two “fundamental findings” of the qualitative study with the above parameters in mind — one was that people develop antibodies within two to
Promega 2800 Woods Hollow Road #5399 274-4330 promega.com three weeks after recovering from the disease, and the other was the amount of antibodies that are created. “Another thing we noticed is people would build antibodies correlating with how strong their symptoms were,” he said. “People who (had a severe COVID-19 case) … they had a huge amount of antibodies. “It’s difficult to say why,” Meisenheimer added. Of all the participants tested for antibodies, he said around 90% of them developed them. The assay itself, according to an Aug. 11 Promega news release, has a sensitivity of 93.5% when used on COVID-19 patients 20 or more days post-symptom onset. It has 100% sensitivity in patients who have been hospitalized. To understand how the process works, Meisenheimer said to first picture the SARS-CoV-2 virus with
Photo submitted
Since April, Promega has been conducting a voluntary study of Madison area residents who had COVID-19 and recovered – 65 people and counting – to develop a test detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Now, the biotech company has successfully developed a serological antibody test, using it to gather insights about how our bodies may protect themselves from SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, Poncho Meisenheimer, Promega’s senior director of research and technology development, told the Star Aug. 11. its commonly known spike proteins. When our bodies attempt to fight the virus off, it creates its own antibody proteins to bind to the virus and kill it. Promega’s test generates a bioluminescent signal by binding to antibody proteins, Meisenheimer said. So if someone’s blood sample
generates light, they have antibodies. He said the overall benefits of a serological assay, besides helping scientists know more about infectivity and the immune response, allows people to get back to work and resume their lives, while still following social distancing and mask wearing
protocols. Meisenheimer thanked the volunteers for their participation in that regard. “Because of the community, the assay turned out to be much better,” he said. Email Emilie Heidemann at emilie.heidemann@wcinet. com or follow her on Twitter at @HeidemannEmilie.
16 Fitchburg Star - September 11, 2020
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Friday, September 11, 2020
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College golf
Shorter twins lean on each other Pair of 2018 Verona Area High School graduates take different paths in college careers MARK NESBITT Sports editor
Twin sisters Lauren and Courtney Shorter have followed different paths in college after leading the Verona girls’ golf team to the WIAA Division 1 state tournament in 2017. Lauren has had more surgeries on her knee (three) than matches played at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (0), while Courtney has been a fixture as and one of the top five golfers since her freshman year at St. Thomas University. She has also provided a shoulder to cry on, support and motivation for Lauren, who has had 2 ½ years wiped out because of recurring knee pain. The Shorter twin sisters, 2018 Verona Area High School graduates of Fitchburg, have also dealt with trying to improve their golf games amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Lauren Shorter underwent her third surgery on her mensius about two weeks ago — a meniscus transplant surgery at Rush Medical Center in Chicago conducted by Dr. Brian Cole, the team physician for the Chicago Bulls and Managing Partner at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush Hospital. She had waited three months for the transplant, which replaced her own “shredded” meniscus. “I have been dealing with this pain for a long time,” she said. “I did some research on the Internet and I knew going to him would be my best bet.” D u r i n g t h e s u rg e r y, C o l e r e p l a c e d L a u r e n ’s d a m a g e d meniscus with one from a cadaver donor. She has to wear a brace on her knee while she develops more flexibility — her first mission — working on bending her knee and stretching her quad to strengthen them. She’ll also have to be on crutches for around three months and will undergo a stringent physical therapy session two hours per day, with hopes of swinging a club by March. “It’s teaching yourself how to do everything again,” Lauren said. “It will be getting the muscle memory back and learning how to swing. Hopefully, I don’t have to change my swing with my knee.” In the meantime, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay biology major has found a silver lining in rehabbing the injury. “I think having to sit out for 2 ½ years has given me an entire different perspective about golf,” she said. “I have read more books to improve my mental game and to get through the injury.” And a big part of her support group is her sister. Courtney, who worked at the Blackhawk Country Club in Madison over the summer, would take Lauren with her when she played. “I want to keep her motivation up to be back on the course after she heals and gets her swing back,” Courtney said. “She sits
St. Thomas University junior Courtney Shorter, a 2018 Verona Area High School graduate, tees off in a tournament last year. in the golf cart, watches me and gives me tips and pointers.” The Shorter sisters text, Facetime and talk often about the challenges of golf and life. “She has been a huge support system for me,” Lauren said. “If it’s a bad day for me pain-wise, she knows what to say to lift me up or give me motivation going forward.” Another outlet Lauren has in her recovery from injury is her hobby for painting. “It helps me get my mind off school and my knee and get in my own little world to paint,” she said. Courtney, St. Thomas on rise Courtney Shorter has been a star for the St. Thomas University women’s golf team since she stepped on the St. Paul, Minnesota campus. She is entering her junior year looking to improve on the 83 average on 18-holes she shot last fall. Courtney finished 25th at the MIAC Championship last year with a three-day tidal of 251 at the Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker, Minnesota. Three of the five players for the Tommies had their best score in the final round and St. Thomas finished fourth in the conference tournament. The Tommies had one of the youngest teams in Division III, with four freshmen, two sophomores and two juniors on the roster last year. Despite its youth, St. Thomas jumped from 61st to 27th in the final Division III national Golfstat computer ranking. Courtney said college golf is similar to competing on the golf team at Verona except the courses are a lot longer. “There is a little bit more pressure because everyone there is very good,” she said. Fall golf season pushed back to spring 2021 MIAC Presidents’ Council announced Aug. 31 that conference
golf play in fall 2020 would be postponed until spring 2021. “The fall season being canceled really was heartbreaking for us,” Courtney said. “We had about four or five days of practice in and it was just like a punch to the gut after hearing it because of all the hard work we put in.” Before the league ruling, St. Thomas Women’s Golf was set to play five tournaments over five consecutive weekends, capped by the three-day, 54-hole conference competition Oct. 3-5. Courtney played in the Wisconsin State Women’s Open, Wisconsin Women’s State Amateur and the Balance and Believe Invitational over the summer. She also spent time working on her chipping and putting before working at Blackhawk Country Club in Madison each week. “I was excited to get back into the tournament season,” she said of last spring’s golf season being canceled because of the COVID-19 crisis. “It (Blackhawk Country Club) gave me the environment to go hit balls and work on my game. I really concentrated on my putting and focused to do my best.” To help with any anxiety of last spring’s golf season being canceled, Courtney leaned on her hobby — fashion — to fill the void. She developed a fashion blog and shared various clothing she had made. “It really kept me motivated to have my deadlines and marks to do,” she said. This is the final season St. Thomas is playing in the Division III MIAC. Next year, St. Thomas is moving to the Division I Summit League. “I’m not sure what golfing in a Division I tournament will be like,” Courtney said. “I know the courses are much longer, but I’m excited to have the experience my senior year.”
Photos submitted
Lauren Shorter, a 2018 Verona Area High School graduate, has yet to play in a golf match or tournament for the University of WisconsinGreen Bay. She has had three surgeries on her knee, the most recent a meniscus transplant surgery at Rush Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.
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September 11, 2020
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Golf
Lemon battling cancer, course West grad played in Wis. State Open despite pancreatic cancer MARK NESBITT Sports editor
Former Wisconsin Badger golfer Jim Lemon lives for the moment on the course. A retired professional golfer who played on the European, Canadian and Asia Tours, the Verona resident is astute at having tunnel vision and blocking out obstacles. But there was one pain last year he couldn’t block out. In August 2019, after experiencing persistent back pain, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Still, despite chemotherapy, numbness in his hands and feet, he has kept golfing. Last week, he participated in the 100th annual Wisconsin State Open, which had its final round on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the Blue Mound Golf and Country Club in Wauwatosa. The 2013 champion of the event,
Lemon shot a 2-over-par 72 in the final round and tied Madison’s Brandon Cloele for 43rd with a fourday score of 13-over-par 293. “Health-wise it makes you see that there are things more important than golf scores,” Lemon said. “Golf and how I stand has changed. I’m just happy to be out here playing.” Lemon bogeyed four of the first seven holes in the final round on Wednesday after making the cut for the top 60 golfers with a 3-over-par 73 on Tuesday, Aug. 18. He got hot later in the final round, with birdies on the 494-yard No. 5, the 372-yard No. 9 and the 353-yard No. 16. Lemon, who retired from professional golf in 2011 after 10 years on the circuit, had planned to play in a couple tournaments this year but chose the Wisconsin State Open partly because he has a lifetime exemption to compete in the tournament as a former champion. He also had many friends that were playing in the three-day tournament he wanted to see. “As a past champion, I want to continue to support the Wisconsin State Open and golf in the state,” he said.
“Hopefully, in the future I can show my son Max what competition is all about.” Golfer Jim Lemon being a role model. “Hopefully, in the future I can show my son Max what competition is all about,” he said. On the first day of the tournament, Monday, Aug. 17, Lemon birdied the 372-yard No. 9, the 178-yard No. 13 and the 353-yard No. 16. Lemon also racked up seven pars in the opening round. He had to settle for a double bogey on the par-3, Submitted photo 190-yard No. 17. Jim Lemon Jim Lemon, Verona, a former Wisconsin Badger golfer, is Lemon said his yardage using battling pancreatic cancer, but is competing in the 100th annual Morgan different clubs has changed since Stanley Wisconsin State Open this week at the Blue Mound Country Club battling cancer. He had a tee shot in Wauwatosa. on the fairway, but a chip shot using a 5-iron rolled into a bunker. His The 2001 University of Wiscon- neuropathy. approach chip shot rolled on the “My hands and feet are numb and green and then rolled off. sin-Madison graduate has found it challenging to stay competitive with feel like pins and needles,” he said. “I wish I could hit a 6-iron really But with an 18 month old son, hard,” he said. “It’s really hard to hit his every-other-week chemo treatments, which sometimes result in Max, he said he wants to continue a long shorter club.”
Women’s college basketball
Prep sports
Sarah Lazar commits to Edgewood prepared Saint Louis University to play most fall sports Football, girls soccer, girls volleyball teams will play all road games
Edgewood senior is a returning Badger South, WBCA AllState selection
MARK NESBITT Sports editor
MARK NESBITT Sports editor
Madison Edgewood senior Sarah Lazar will continue her basketball career at the next level in college. Lazar announced on Twitter on Saturday, Aug. 15, that she was committing to Saint Louis University to play women’s basketball. The 6-3 Lazar averaged 11.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season in leading the Crusaders to a 16-9 record and a third-place finish in the Badger South with a 10-4 mark. She was the team leader in field goal percentage (53.1%) and blocks (30). Edgewood advanced to a WIAA regional championship and lost to Platteville 47-38 on Feb. 29. Lazar, who has the ability to shoot from the outside as a post player, scored a game-high 14 points in the loss to the Hillmen. Lazar was a first-team Badger South All-Conference selection and a firstteam selection to the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 3 All-State team. Lisa Stone, a former Oregon High School and University of Iowa standout and former coach for the Wisconsin women’s
Photo by Mark Nesbitt
Madison Edgewood senior Sarah Lazar announced on Twitter on Saturday, Aug. 15, that she was committing to Saint Louis University to play women’s basketball. basketball team, is the Saint Louis University women’s basketball coach. Lazar tweeted that she was “blessed” to play for Stone. “I’m extremely excited to announce that I will be furthering my athletic and academic career at Saint Louis University!” she
wrote. “I want to thank my family, friends and teammates, and all of my coaches who have encouraged me through the years, especially Lora Staveness, Bob Johnson, and Reggie Williams, along with my trainers Gary Close, Kjersten Bakke, and Michael Boos.”
Madison Edgewood High School will play most fall sports on the traditional schedule amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s all contingent on Forward Dane’s COVID-19 protocols. Edgewood athletic and high school administrators met on a Zoom call Friday, Aug. 21, and subsequently announced the school will play football, girls volleyball, boys soccer, girls tennis and girls golf this fall. Edgewood is switching the girls swimming and diving season and the boys volleyball season to alternative spring seasons. T h e E d g ew o o d g i r l s golf and tennis teams have already started the fall season. The Crusader boys soccer and girls volleyball teams open the season at Baraboo on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The Edghewood football team kicks off the season at Watertown at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25. “We took a long look at the mental wellness and lack of physical activity (of students) because our numbers are more manageable than the size of some other schools,” Edgewood Athletic Director Chris Zwettler said. “We felt like we could make it happen.” The Crusaders’ girls golf, girls tennis, boys and girls
cross country teams started practice Monday, Aug. 24, one week after the WIAA’s official first day of practices began. T h e E d g ew o o d f o o t ball, boys soccer and girls volleyball teams started practice Sept. 7, but will play all games on the road because of Dane County’s restrictions on gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “One of the big concerns from kids and parents is, ‘if there is no state tournament, we don’t care,’” Zwettler said. “I don’t like that attitude. You play the game for the love of the sport, competition and your team. Not to go out and win your sixth straight championship.” There is no assurance that there will be a state or postseason culminating event, however. That will be based on the county’s COVID-19 metrics, such as percentage of positivity cases, hospital visits, expanded testing and continued advancements in contact tracing. WIAA officials said they would announce plans for a state tournament or culminating event for fall sports 30 days before the postseason begins. Zwettler said the boys volleyball team has no other schools to play now because most of their matches are against schools in the Big Eight Conference, which canceled fall sports conference competition and is looking to move the season to the spring. He said the divers on the girls swim team would not have anyone to compete against, because most of their competitions are against Big
Eight schools who pushed the fall season back to the spring. “With the restrictions of how many can be inside the pool at a time, it would be difficult for practice and meet logistics,” he said. Zwettler said other factors administrators factored into the decision were overlapping of the alternate fall season into the spring, how extended high school seasons would affect later participation in club sports, and the weather in September and October compared to an alternate season held later in March and April. “We wanted to get something accomplished and completed whatever we could in the fall,” he said. This summer, Edgewood conducted contact days and workouts. Zwettler, also the school’s boys basketball coach, said the high school had 75 to 80% attendance for boys and girls basketball in those training sessions. He said football, girls soccer and cross country had maximum participation during socially distanced small group training sessions. Upcoming football practices are planned to be split into small socially-distanced groups, as well, with equipment sanitized after each use and no contact allowed, Zwettler said. He said he doesn’t know of any student-atheltes getting sick from a summer workout or contact day through the high school, and hopes that continues. “We will keep our fingers crossed, say our prayers and do our due diligence,” he said.
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September 11, 2020
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Gymfinity
Ninja Warriors aim to conquer Classes are open each month for children ages 4 to 12 MARK NESBITT Sports editor
With a red mask around his mouth and nose, Bryant Donny swings through the fitness rig and races up the 12-foot warped wall with one goal in mind — conquer the course. It’s just a snapshot of the 1 hour, 45 minute Gymfinity Ninja Warrior class Donny participates in every Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the Madison gymnastics center. D o n n y , a Ve r o n a sixth-grader competes in four other sports besides the Gymfinity Ninja Warrior team — diving in swimming, freestyle snow skiing, baseball and Motorcross. “I just like being there and seeing how well I do against a ton of other people,” he said. “It’s fun to go to new gyms and try a ton of other stuff they don’t have here.” The Ninja Warrior courses focus on building strength, balance, agility, grip and parkour training, a discipline using movement developed from military obstacle course training. In February, Donny finished third place at the Legendary Fitness Ninja Warrior competition that included 15 participants in his age group. “I’m surprised I finished that high with that many ninjas there,” he said. “I was just amazed.” Donny said his favorite training sessions are on the fitness rig, where he has to swing through monkey bars and climb across without touching the mats below his dangling feet and the trampoline. Gymfinity Ninja Warrior
Photos by Mark Nesbitt
Bryant Donny, a Verona sixth-grader, swings through the fitness rig at the Gymfinity Ninja Warrior course on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Gymfinity in Madison. Donny is one of the members of the Ninja Warrior team. courses are open for children ages 4-12. Participants can sign up on the Gymfinity website a month at a time. There are nine levels ranging from the beginning mini level to the final silver level, with children placed in groups of eight or less for the courses. Jake Vis of McFarland has been a Gymfinity Ninja Warrior instructor for one year, and has been competing in obstacle and Ninja course
races for 1. He also has several friends who own Ninja Warrior gyms where he grew up in Milwaukee. Vis said the biggest joy is seeing the progress children make in the course. “If they can make it halfway down the monkey bars and two weeks later they can go down and back, that’s huge,” he said. “To me, it’s a big deal to see progress.” Vis said multi-sport athletes
Bryn Richardson tries to maneuver across the balance beam at Gymfinity. can see an improvement in their strength, speed and agility by taking the course. “Whenever they play baseball, have swimming or whatever sport they do this will carry over to that, too,” he said. “In daily life, it keeps them more positive.” Before getting the chance to try their hand at Ninja Warrior courses at Gymfinity,
children are taught the proper way to complete pull-ups, squats and push-ups. To join the Gymfinity Ninja Warrior team, Vis said children have to master tests at each level. Once children make the Ninja Warrior team, Vis said the focus is on honing their skills. “We focus on getting them ready for new competitions
and getting them better at what they are already good at,” he said. Vis said he’s keeping his eyes open for more Ninja Warrior competitions to enter. “We have toyed with the idea of even setting a whole (fitness) rig here and giving them their own competition here,” he said.
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Reopening plan pushes deadline
Safety sections were waiting on guidance from PHMDC KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
Safe classrooms are the district’s top priority in the Verona Area School District’s fall 2020 reopening plan. Yet, when the plan was released 12 days before the start of the school year, most of its sections were still blank. Those sections will likely be filled in this week, after the district’s legal counsel Lori Lubinsky finished reviewing the plans to ensure they met Public Health Madison and Dane County’s Order No. 9, superintendent Dean Gorrell said at the Monday, Aug. 31, board meeting. Those sections within are significant – pertaining to COVID-19 testing, an illness and fever action plan for students, protocols for confirmed cases of COVID-19 and when students might be able to return to school. “We took a look at our existing policies and literally lined
them up with Order No. 9 and the action plan, and made corrections as necessary,” Gorrell said. “Some of those policies didn’t need much (fixing), others needed quite a bit.” PHMDC released its requirements for reopening schools for the 2020-21 school year on Friday, Aug. 21, ordering all students in grades 3-12 to be educated virtually. The district has some safety measures in place based on what worked during the two one-week summer school sessions held in late July and early August. However, the social distancing, hygiene practices and mask requirements it had during summer school were not in the reopening plan that was sent to parents Aug. 25. Administrators have said that information is being reviewed by the district’s legal counsel to ensure they match the county’s new requirements. Other pieces of the plan were marked as unfinished Aug. 25. Lubinksy said the district is in good shape to meet the standards set by the county. “In my judgment, we are extremely well-situated,” she said during the board meeting. “They do comply with the order to the T, and go even
further to really put our best foot forward to keep your schools open.” Gorrell said the hardest piece of the requirements from the county to follow along with is the action plan for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases in district buildings and, subsequently, when schools should close. Current PHMDC guidance lists school closures – whether it be a classroom, a building or the whole district – as on a case-by-case basis. Gorrell advised that he’d be following up with the agency Tuesday, Sept. 1, to get a more concrete answer. “That’s a very squishy approach, in my opinion,” he said. “I don’t know what that means, I don’t know if that has to do with how well we contact trace, because there’s a pretty heady responsibility on schools to assist with contact tracing.” Face coverings are expected to be worn in buildings and on buses for students and staff, per PHMDC’s mask mandate that went into effect in July. The district’s reopening plan also outlines requirements for school-funded transportation and defines when students will be expected to be online for virtual learning.
On buses, there can be no more than 13 students at one time, and only siblings will be permitted to sit next to each other, the reopening plan states. Students will fill the bus on alternating sides, starting at the back and moving toward the front closer to the end of the route, to ensure social distancing. B u s w i n d ow s w i l l b e required to be open at least one inch at all times to promote air circulation, since the buses have no other ventilation system. Whether students are physically present in the schools or attending from home, attendance will be taken and daily schedules will feature rotations of lessons, screen breaks and independent work times. At the elementary level, students will be assigned a district teacher and will begin their days with social-emotional learning and rotate throughout the day with mini lessons, independent work and breaks, the reopening plan states. Students who cannot attend in-person will be able to access all of the content when it is convenient, and teachers will be watching for lesson progression.
VASD news in brief County allows more in-person learning
District students with a disability and/or an Individualized Education Program can now receive in-person schooling after Public Health Madison and Dane County on Sept. 1 amended its Emergency Order 9 issued last month.
New principals at three schools
Three district schools have new principals for the 2020-21 school year. At Stoner Prairie, Julie Musgrove will succeed Tammy Thompson-Kapp, who resigned to take an administrative role in Baraboo. Jessica Beem, at Country View, and Paris Echoles, at Savanna Oaks, are succeeding two retiring administrators, Michelle Nummerdor and Sandy Eskrich, respectively.
Black staff hoping for increased district support
During the school board’s, Aug. 17, meeting, VAHS counselor Walter Williams and Badger Ridge language and literacy equity specialist Shayla Glass-Thompson spoke about the need for better recruitment and retainment efforts for Black staff and supporting Black families.
Ten applicants for school board spot
Ten people have applied to be the seventh member of the district Board of Education, which has had a vacant seat since July 20, when Debbie Biddle announced her resignation prior to moving out of state. Biddle was re-elected to the seat in April after having been appointed in 2019. Email Unified Newspaper Group reporter Scott De Laruelle at scott.delaruelle@wcinet.com.
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Spreading out into a new high school KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
For years, Sugar Creek Elementary School has tried to put in extra effort to serve underrepresented communities and those of lower socioeconomic status. Now – once restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic allow for it – the school will have far more capacity to do so. That starts with the creation of a community room aimed at providing resources to families who might not have access to basic needs otherwise, including food, computers and laundry machines. Sugar Creek had used its multipurpose Step Room for things like early childhood development programs, but with a larger and more accessible area in what once was Badger Ridge Middle School, it will be able to provide space for them without having to work around the demands of the school day. “One of the things about having a larger facility is that we can really be committed to serving the needs of our community,” Sugar Creek principal Todd Brunner said. That’s one of many ways the addition of the new Verona Area High School on the city’s west side can have an impact on the community. In addition to bringing new opportunities and experiences for students in grades 9-12, it’ll change the education of some of the district’s K-8 students and add amenities for the community at large. With the moves, charter schools
Photo by Kimberly Wethal
The hallway of the New Century School and Verona Area International School building is seen with its lockers removed to make way for cubbies during a construction tour of the building on Friday, July 10.
will get their own spaces, or at least room to breathe, and Badger Ridge will be able to take advantage of facilities they previously could only use as community members. Five of the district’s K-8 sites – Badger Ridge, Core Knowledge Charter School, Verona Area International School, New Century School and Sugar Creek Elementary School – are taking up new residences in other district buildings, which allows all nine schools in the district to accommodate growth, provide extra amenities to students and families and give sites that previously shared spaces more control over what schedules
look like. Each will get more space, and for three of them, that means having room to breathe rather than feeling like the sites are constantly working around one another. While for another, that means no longer feeling like it’s bursting at the seams and having dedicated spaces while still being able to add more than 100 students. The extra space and facilities come with some challenges. Those include extra time needed for Badger Ridge and Core Knowledge students to get to classes and unbalanced facilities between the middle schools. Prior to COVID-19 taking the attention of district staff and the school board elsewhere, the district was working on aligning the experiences and curriculums of Badger Ridge and Savanna Oaks Middle School. Badger Ridge will have access to everything at the old high school – a performing arts center, a pool, a football field, a track and a small school forest – in its backyard, while Savanna Oaks students will not. And no longer are Badger Ridge’s classrooms configured in a pod style, in which each group of teachers is gathered in a central area. Instead, there will have to be a cluster of science classrooms near the main office, and a smattering of other subjects gathered in other areas, based on the layout of the old high school building. With a bigger building, it’ll take more time to get around, meaning changed schedule times to assist students in getting to class on time. “It’s unfortunately going to
Added amenities
With the new spaces at Sugar Creek and Badger Ridge come added options for students and the community. At Badger Ridge, students will get opportunities they normally wouldn’t receive until they got into high school. Now, they’ll have access to expansive wood and metal labs, a greenhouse and larger family and consumer education and art rooms with pottery wheels. “The opportunities are definitely there,” Buss said. “What we’re going to have to do is balance out what opportunities our space provides, versus making sure that we keep an equitable experience between Badger and Savanna Oaks, and Core Knowledge.” In the new Sugar Creek, what was once the career and technology wing of the school has been transformed into classrooms for kindergarteners, with new art and music rooms next door just around the hall and a makerspace tucked into the library.
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The new high school will be able to fit 2,000 students at its maximum capacity, and as it moves to a larger space, the other schools will be able to step up, as well. Sugar Creek will go from having 560 students to nearly 700, releasing some of the strain on the other schools. Badger Ridge will be able to expand past its 518 students in the new space, while Savanna Oaks can stay at a similar enrollment without having to squeeze. And for the first time, the charter schools will have their own areas to space out. Previously, each charter school had to do some sharing with other neighborhood schools that were inching closer and closer to capacity as the district’s population grew. Not all of VAIS’s classrooms were grouped together, and Core Knowledge had to base its schedule around when Badger Ridge wasn’t using shared spaces such as the lunch room. While all of the charter schools will still have to share some spaces, they’ll get more autonomy. Core Knowledge’s elementary school students will get their own lunch room, housed in what was the former wrestling room, with windows and a serving line part of the renovations in the space. And New Century and VAIS
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students will be able to have their own library and gym to use, rather than sharing with Sugar Creek and Stoner Prairie. “In terms of day-to-day, things like a separate lunch room for our elementary students from the middle school is going to be huge in terms of us having some flexibility with the schedule that we didn’t have before,” Kisting said. “Before, we were trying to get four different lunch periods within the elementary and middle schools.”
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be a little bit more of a junior high feel,” Badger Ridge Middle School principal Alan Buss said. “We were able to configure it so generally seventh grade will be in the same area, and eighth grade will be in the same area.”
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6
September 11, 2020
Oregon Schools
Fitchburg Star
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New year set for virtual start Sept. 8 SCOTT DE LARUELLE Unified Newspaper Group
In “normal” times, the opening of a spacious, modern elementary school in a fast-growing area of the school district would be the biggest thing to look forward to in the new school year. Instead, the 2020-21 school year that starts Tuesday, Sept. 8 – a week later than previously scheduled, to provide more prep time – will be all virtual as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. That means the schools will largely be empty as teachers and students start the fall semester in the same place they ended last spring – at home. So as district officials adjust to the rapidly changi n g “ n ew n o r m a l ,” t h e Observer’s list of things to watch for the 2020-21 school year is different from most years. O u r N o . 1 s t o r y, o f course, is the all-virtual restart and the preparations district staff and parents will have to make for the possibility some students return to class in the coming weeks and that they could all be sent home afterward. Related to that story is the now essential expansion of technology to create a 1:1 ratio – one school-issued device per student.
1. Virtual start
This summer, Oregon decided on an all virtual start, with the potential of some small-group instruction for grades K-4, but had the district planned to have
Photo submitted
Forest Edge Elementary School fifth- and sixth-grade teachers finish a day of final preparations last week. From left are: Kristen Dupuis, Kerrie Zacharski, Dave Kean, Lindsey Lee and Jen Hoppe. some grades taught in-person or provide in-person support from the start, it would have been superseded by a county order. Public Health Madison-Dane County Order No. 9, issued Friday, Aug. 21, allows in-person pupil instruction with social distancing and other health precautions for K-2 students only. Small group instruction and other supports for older grades could be available as the school year progresses depending on COVID-19 metrics. District superintendent Leslie Bergstrom addressed some of the impacts of that order in a letter sent to parents Friday, Aug. 28. In particular, she wrote that it changed the district’s plans to offer in-person education to students in grades K-4 as part of it’s “Phased Restart” option, chosen by around two-thirds of families. “ ( N ow ) , s t u d e n t s i n grades 3 and 4 who chose the Phased Restart option w i l l b eg i n t h e i r s m a l l
group cohorts online and will phase to in-person cohorts as soon as guidance allows,” she wrote. “We will continue to offer Oregon Online for those who prefer a full online option, and the Phased Restart approach in accordance with public health metrics.” Given the timing of the Aug. 21 county COVID-19 stats, K-2 students in the restart plan could return as soon as Monday, Sept. 14. Bergstrom said the plan would be to keep those students in “really small groups” for short sessions to get them used to physical distancing, hygiene and wearing masks. “Once we are feeling confident they can do this well … we will increase in-person instruction,” she told the school board at its Aug. 24 meeting.
June 30, in July, the Oregon School Board wasted no time in purchasing 625 tablets for K-2 students and 580 Chromebooks for Oregon High School students. With the move, all K-12 students now have access to a device when classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 2. Previously, the district has had a 1:1 student-to-device ratio in grades 3-8, but with the recent necessity of virtual learning, providing them to younger students was a must. The tablets are easier to operate than keyboards for younger students, said district communications director Erika Mundinger, and using them in early grades will better prepare everyone for future online learning. “The need to provide access at home changed, in that an online learning format became essential with the pandemic,” she wrote the Observer in an email then. “We still believe that hands-on, face to face learning is best, but when that is not possible, this technology gives us more options.”
3. New school
An expansive 130,00-square-foot building with a design and name emphasizing the area’s natural look, the new Forest Edge Elementary School is a sight to behold — and still will be whenever everyone gets to move in. Featuring an outdoor classroom, planting beds 2. 1:1 Technology ratio and a school forest, the With around $1.2 million school is believed to be the left over in revenues from first “net zero” public school last year’s budget that ended in Wisconsin, producing more energy through solar power and geothermal technology than it uses. The project was funded by the $47 million November 2018
referenda approved by nearly a 2-to-1 margin. Groundbreaking at 4848 Brassica Road site was held June 6, 2019. Since, the district has hired long-time Brooklyn Elementary leader Kerri Modjeski as the school’s first principal, with around 45 staff members and – eventually – around 360 students.
4. New boundaries
With rapid growth expected in the northern part of the district and a new elementary school set to open in summer, the Oregon School Board approved new elementary school attendance boundaries in December 2019Criteria including transportation safety/efficiency and keeping students in an attendance zone for the school closest to where they live. The approved plan included three parameters: students would go to the school closest to their home, an exemption process would be available to families, and there would be “simplified” busing zones for each attendance area. The new map divides the district laterally into thirds, with students in the top portion – roughly the northern portion of the City of Fitchburg and Town of Dunn – going to the new Fitchburg K-6 school. Students in the “middle” section – the southern half of Fitchburg and Dunn, down to Lincoln Road/Janesville streets in the Village of Oregon – would attend Prairie View or Netherwood Knoll elementaries in the Village of Oregon, and Rome Corners Intermediate. Students living south of the Lincoln Road/ Janesville Street line would attend Brooklyn Elementary and RCI.
5. Coordinated start and end times
Addressing concern about the effects of earlier start times on younger students – and later end times on older ones with after school jobs – the Oregon School Board reached a compromise on new, coordinated start and end times for all buildings. The changes, approved in March after months of discussion and listening sessions, were spurred by the opening of Forest Edge Elementary and the additional transportation coordination it requires. Most importantly, district officials used the opportunity to synchronize the school days of grades K-6 and 7-12 students into separate time frames without drastically affecting the old schedules. The change added 10 minutes to the elementary school days, which previously had starting times at either 8 or 8:05 a.m. ending times at 2:50 or 2:55 p.m. It took 20 minutes from RCI’s school day, which had been 7:50 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. The OMS school day has added five minutes as it moves from its former 7:55 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. schedule, while the OHS day has added 15 minutes to the former 8:35 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. school day. Brooklyn, Forest Edge, Netherwood and Prairie View K-4 elementaries and Rome Corners Intermediate (grades 5-6) now have seven-hour days for students, running from 7:50 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. Oregon Middle School (7-8) and Oregon High School (9-12) students have an additional 15 minutes in their school days, which run from 8:35 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.
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Growing nature theme for the future at new school SCOTT DE LARUELLE Unified Newspaper Group
Rising out of the beehive of activity in the fast-growing Terravessa development, Forest Edge Elementary School is a beacon of the area’s future, blending natural themes with modern design. Whenever students and parents finally get to visit, they’ll likely be impressed by an elementary school that’s probably unlike anything they’ve seen. With a multitude of windows letting natural light through the expansive 130,00-square-foot building, the school’s design emphasizes the area’s natural look, featuring an outdoor classroom, gardens and planting beds and a school forest. Nature themes are found throughout the building, with green carpeting that looks like grass and plastic chairs that like stones — even some wood from trees harvested to make room for the school was used in countertops. The school is also believed to be the first “Net Zero” public school in Wisconsin, producing more energy through solar power than it uses. It’s a remarkable building in scope and design, but so far, only a few dozen staff members have actually seen the inside because of social distancing restrictions. Forest Edge principal Kerri Modjeski, who would normally be busy giving tours for new families, has instead spent plenty of time walking around the building with her Chromebook, giving virtual tours. “You just keep finding ways to adapt,” she told the Observer last week. “And the kids will do better than they expect, getting into the routine.” As strange as it is to open a new school during a global pandemic, Modjeski said the thing she still can’t wrap her around is seeing how three years of planning has turned into reality “from the blueprints up.” “To think we were trudging around
in these woods a year-and-a-half ago,” she said. “You kind of ‘Minecraft’ it in your head, and it’s almost surreal that we designed this as a team, and people are now working here and can see elements they suggested; different features in classrooms or the furniture.”As she looked out at the multiple construction projects through the school’s spacious second story windows, Modjeski called it a “great front row seat to the neighborhood” when school does finally get back in full swing again. “It will be really neat for kids to see the neighborhood develop,” she said. “(Now), a lot of our rooms look pretty empty, and it’s just sad because teachers live for (the first day of school), especially in a new building. But we’ll take kids however we can get’ em.”
Personalized design
Over two summers, the district’s design group visited several dozen schools in the area, also traveling as far as Milwaukee and the Fox Valley. In 2018, the visits focused on building design, while last summer, the group looked at furniture. “We really made tracks,” Modjeski said. “It’s interesting, because you could get a sense of what different schools value in how they program for kids. Every building had a different feel, and it was nice to be able to say, ‘I want to do something like this.’” The group’s feedback resulted in several features, including areas for (eventual) large group teaching and some classrooms joined for partner teaching. Modjeski said many educators’ ideas were used. “It’s things like having rows of hooks in the hallway where kids leave the cafeteria and go out, so they can hang their coats and go right outside,” she said. “The location of where sinks are – having low ones and higher ones; just that teacher perspective. It was amazing working with (Bray
have fun in a safe sanitized environment
Fitchburg Star
7
OSD in brief Building a culture at Forest Edge Elementary
It’s hard enough planning for a new school year, much less one in a brand-new school with new teachers and students. But to do it all in the middle of a pandemic is something Forest Edge principal Kerri Modjeski and her staff have learned to adapt with during a busy summer.
Architects) because we would present an idea and they would come back with an answer for it on paper.” Modjeski said the school’s design was also altered a bit to improve security in the wake of the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Those mainly were adjustments to have more durable windows. The design also allows school officials to remotely lock down various sections of the building in case of emergency to help protect students and staff.Varia-
tions on a theme
The various grades (K-6) all have their own color-themed sections, with similar, yet slightly different furniture and surroundings. The desks are destined to be configured in different ways, bringing them together if needed for group projects, while chairs are a bit bigger at each level, with a variety of seating options, particularly for older grades. The common areas include a large cafeteria near the building’s entrance, complete with a small stage. There’s also a special education room for small group instruction, a dedicated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) lab, which will eventually house a 3D printer and other equipment and a community room for groups such as Scouts to use for meetings. Throughout the building are little nooks with desks and work areas for paraprofessionals, which Modjeski calls “‘touchdown spaces.” Everywhere there are various elements to help provide character – mainly mature-themed, like raised beds for kids to plant seeds and windows placed at “kid level” to see things like meters and gauges that show the building’s energy production and usage. “It’s letting kids see a bit behind the scenes,” Modjeski said.
Police officer agreement extended
Less than a year after school board members unanimously rejected the village’s version of an agreement to keep a police officer at OHS, they were much happier with the new plan, unanimously approving a 2020-21 deal for a school resource officer.
County health order shifts school start plans
District administrators had to alter plans to begin limited in-person schooling late just weeks before the start of school after Dane County health officials ordered all grades 3-12 to start virtually. All district students started virtual school on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
OSD hopes to learn lessons from spring
Former superintendent Brian Busler remembers a sign of what was to come with the COVID-19 pandemic this spring, although he didn’t quite grasp it at the time. Since then, district educators have learned important lessons about how virtual learning needs to be handled for a successful online start to the school year.
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Ask the Fitchburg
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As part of my running workouts, I have been doing more interval training and have developed pain in the top part of my hamstring. I have been stretching it but it does not seem to be getting any better. How would you recommend treating it?
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Q. : I hear about “stress-free vet visits” all the time but wonder what that means and if it is even possible for my higher anxiety pets?
A. The veterinarian’s dream: a friendly, happy animal and a physical exam free of any incidents. The idea requires help from both the veterinary clinic and the owner, but the goal is to ensure the trip to the vet, the physical exam, and any interactions or procedures with staff are happy, relaxing ones that leave a positive impact on your pet. As an owner, socialize your animals to riding in cars (with cats in cat carriers), having their paws, ears, and belly regularly touched, and teach them to sit or stand still (the “sit” command is helpful). Notice and mention the situations in which your pet seems more anxious. Do your best to project a calm attitude on the way to the vet, if you are stressed out your pet will feel stressed out and perhaps unsafe, too. The clinic will have a quiet, safe space for your animals free from other distractions, and staff trained in proper restraint and other techniques to minimize stress or fear will help keep them comfortable. During the physical exam the veterinarian will quickly learn your pet’s attitude and may suggest they would benefit from an anti-anxiety medication to get them to and through their next visit; these are prescribed for your pet to “take the edge off” the fear and anxiety they might have associated with visiting the vet and make the experience more comfortable for you, your pet, and staff. There is not one perfect technique that works for every animal, it’s the combination and team effort that really makes for happy pets and appointments. Don’t hesitate to contact your local veterinarian and formulate the plan together that will work best for you and your pet.
A. Yes, this Fall is a perfect time to buy a home for several reasons. Interest rates continue to remain low. Historic low interest rates allow buyers to afford more and achieve long-term savings. We are all dealing with the impacts of COVID-19, however, the overall economy is in a positive place. Many home sales can be brisk due to the lack of inventory and Buyer demand, so that is why you need to be ready Shawn Pfaff to act quickly and confidently. As an experienced Fitchburg Realtor, my Buyers are prepared with the latest market statistics and key insights and successful negotiating skills to write an offer (and get it accepted) in our very competitive market. Please visit www.shawnpfaff.firstweber.com to get started, so you can be in your new home before the Holidays!
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CREMATION SERVICES Q. My little brother has a lot of health issues and I am his POA. Can I Pre-Pay for his Cremation without him being involved? We have discussed it; however, it is very upsetting to him and he has said to “ JUST DO IT, I Don’t want to hear about it”. A. We hear this a lot! Many people know it is the right thing to do and they need to handle it so the family is not “scrambling” to make arrangements at a time of grief. Absolutely, if you are the POA and need to Pre-Pay for your loved ones Cremation just call Jodi, she can help you get it done. She can streamline the process very quickly!
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Speech Therapists can provide in-home therapy services if you qualify for homecare services. There are certain criteria that must be met that determines if you are “homebound”, meaning that you require the services to be provided in your home rather than going to an outpatient setting. If those criteria are met and your physician provides an order for homecare services, your insurance will likely cover your services in-home. Stellar’s partnerships with homecare agencies also allows for RN’s to provide in-home care. Stellar’s highly qualified staff can help you with this process. Contact Stellar Rehab at www.stellarrehab. com to find out if this is an option for you after your knee replacement. Comprehensive Therapy Services 1049 N. Edge Trail • Prairie Oaks (608) 845-2100 • Verona, WI 53593 • www.stellarrehab.com
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or more simply, the upper hamstring attachment. This is a common injury for runners doing speed work or stride work. You can continue to stretch the hamstrings, but you should only do so to the point that you feel the stretch in the middle of the muscle, not at the upper attachment point. Stretching too far only reaggravates injury. Also, get a sport specific massage to treat the injury. Treatment should consist of a technique called cross fiber friction followed by icing of the area. This treatment only takes 15 minutes 1-2 times per week for approximately 4 weeks. It is a very effective and economical treatment that promotes proper healing. Lastly, watch your form. You should be working to strike the ground mid-foot and not with a heavy heel strike. Striding too far out and landing on the heel will also re-aggravate this type of injury. Jill Unwin, DC, CCEP
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A. It sounds like you may have strained the biceps femoris tendon
interest you’ll pay over the life of your loan. A low interest rate saves you money in both the short and long term. Of course, just like you can’t time the stock market, it’s nearly impossible to time your home purchase with the best interest rates. The past five years have held some of the most affordable interest rates ever, according to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and their recent forecast predicts the trend will continue for 2018.(1,2) It may be hard to time your home purchase with the best interest rates, but there are things you can do to get a lower rate. For example, a benefit of the 15-year, fixed mortgage is that it has a lower interest rate than a 30-year, fixed mortgage. Sometimes a bigger down payment can also help you get a better interest rate.
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