Issuu

75¢

Proudly Serving Green County for 161 Years

Independent• Register The

WWW.INDREG.COM • PAPER@INDREG.COM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021

VOL. 161 • NO. 19

Brodhead forensics students speak up, stand out By Katelyn Black CORRESPONDENT

MARY HOOKHAM PHOTO The Independent-Register

Bonnie Zee says one thing was constant about her 46 years as town of Albany clerk — she always enjoyed working with residents and members of the town board.

Happy to help Town of Albany clerk was a ready resource for more than four decades By Mary Hookham CORRESPONDENT

Helping people is just in Bonnie Zee’s nature. As retiring town of Albany clerk, Zee has learned to adapt to new technology and more responsibilities, but working with her residents and her board has always been her favorite part of the job. “All the years I’ve worked here, I’ve always had the best people to work with,” Zee said. “That part is what I’m really going to miss.” Zee will officially be retired this month after serving 46 years as clerk of the town of Albany. When Zee started

the job in 1975, there wasn’t as much going on, so after the meetings, she and the board — which included her father-in-law — would eat popcorn and visit, she said. The town had about 600 residents back then. Now there is more to do at each meeting as well as learn technology and new rules. As a result of several new subdivisions, the town’s population has doubled. Her humility and willingness to help always have been assets to the board and residents, her colleagues said. Being accurate in all she does has also been crucial to the success of the board. “Clerks run the towns but they never admit to it,” said Abel Schultz, town of Albany chairman.

See HELP, Page 4

BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register

Cardinals run up another victory

Brodhead-Juda’s Braden Cook runs for a first down in the Cardinals’ 48-7 home victory against Fennimore on April 23. The team remains undefeated in the spring season. See page 6 for a story and more photos.

For Brodhead High School teachers Erika Klecker and Stephanie Hurt, this year was full of new challenges to tackle — not only in the classroom during school hours, but after the final bell, too. Hurt and Klecker became faculty advisers for the Brodhead forensics team for the first time, and it was pretty much anything but a typical season. Instead of going to in-person competitions and performing for a panel of judges like usual, each of the seven participating students recorded a video her piece for three separate virtual events — subdistricts in February, districts in March and state in April. The students were then given the chance to take the feedback from the judges and improve their pieces between each competition. Six of the seven participants ended up going to state, where Kiara Quimby and Hannah Shickles finished with gold medals, Abigail Mills, Amanda Visger and Cheyenne Hodgson finished with silver medals and Emily Olmedo finished with a bronze medal. Despite the virtual format, Visger, a junior, said she tackled this season just like any of the other six seasons in which she has participated — with confidence and practice. “Just as a sports player

PHOTO SUBMITTED The Independent-Register

Brodhead High School forensics participants made a strong showing in the recent state competition. Pictured in the back row from left are Amanda Visger, Hannah Shickles and Emily Olmedo. In the front row from left are Cheyenne Hodgson, Abigail Mills and Kiara Quimby.

would put hours into practicing for a game, putting in the repetition helps prepare for public speaking. As an individual activity, whatever works best for one individual doesn’t mean it will work for another,” Visger said. “For me, reading childhood books or even reading the newspaper as a news reporter helps me improve my performing aspects. “If you mess up, just have confidence. It’s OK to slip on a few words and forget what

Let the sunshine in By Mary Hookham CORRESPONDENT

a few full-time employees, Coleman said. “Once complete, they will positively impact the environment and generate enough clean, low-cost energy to power thousands of homes,” he said. Locally, Alliant Energy provides electric service in Albany and Orfordville. Alliant Energy will lease

sentence was last said, act like it was correct and keep on going.” Visger plans to finish her high school forensics career strong next year and continue with public speaking into college. “It has been a dream of mine to perform and use my voice to portray emotions that many don’t know how to express,” she said. “If someone can’t use their voice, I’m not afraid to express my voice.” Like Visger, Klecker and

Hurt are already looking ahead to the future. “Both of us had very positive experiences with forensics in high school and we wanted to help create that same experience for our students,” Hurt said about she and Klecker. “We are looking forward to continuing to build the forensics program and to encourage more participation in the coming years.” Forensics is open to all high school students.

Solar projects will produce clean energy, shared revenue for local communities the land for the solar projects, so landowners will receive lease payments throughout the 30-year duration of each project. When the project is decommissioned, the land will return to its original state, Coleman said. The costs of solar projects are low while the benefits are high, Coleman said. Solar energy costs less to operate

and maintain, and installation costs are at an all-time low. Those savings will go to customers. Communities where the projects are located will see increased tax revenue. For example, the Albany project will bring in an estimated shared revenue total of

As part of Alliant Energy’s Clean Energy Blueprint initiative, the company is adding 1,089 megawatts of solar energy to the electrical grid in Wisconsin by the end of 2023. Two of the planned 12 solar projects will be in southern Wisconsin. See PROJECTS, Page 4 A Green County project near Albany in the town of Decatur will create about 50 megawatts of energy while a town of Beloit project, called the Paddock project, in Rock County will provide 65 megawatts of energy. Construction for both projects will begin in 2022 and end late in 2023. “Solar energy helps reduce Alliant Energy’s dependence on fossil fuels,” said Chase Coleman, communications partner with Alliant Energy. The town of Decatur project will occupy 400 acres while the town of Beloit one will use 500 acres. Both developments will create new local tax revenue that will add thousands of dollars in annual shared revenue for Brodhead, Green County, Beloit and Rock County. Project construction will provide jobs PHOTO RENDERING COURTESY ALLIANT ENERGY The Independent-Register and upon completion, each This is a projected view of the town of Decatur solar project planned by Alliant location will employ at least Energy. The location is along County Highway E near Albany.

Page 2

THE INDEPENDENT-REGISTER

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

As legalization stalls at state level, local governments tackle marijuana policy WISPOLITICS.COM

Nearly a decade after Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana, the debate has spiked in Wisconsin as more states join the pro-marijuana ranks. Some local units of government have made moves to decriminalize the drug, as progress at the state level appears unlikely. Gov. Tony Evers proposed legalizing medical and recreational marijuana in his state budget plan, but GOP leaders plan to scrap the proposal as they craft a budget of their own. But Evers is still pushing the idea. “As you know, I am proposing that we legalize marijuana and that we regulate and tax it just like we do with alcohol,” Evers said during a budget listening session in mid-April. “An important piece of this proposal would be to modify criminal penalties for marijuana-related crimes to align with legalization, and create a process for individuals serving sentences, or previously convicted of marijuana-related crimes,

to have the opportunity to repeal or reduce their sentences for non-violent, minor offenses.” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has previously stated his caucus would not support recreational marijuana proposals, but members may draft their own measures regarding medicinal use. Any consideration from Republicans on the issue would occur in a separate bill outside the governor’s state budget. “I’ve supported (medical marijuana), I’ve been as public as I can be. I think I was one of the first legislators in the Capitol to say I’m open to that idea,” said Vos during a virtual WisPolitics.com luncheon in January. “I’m still trying to find a way where we can do it where people accept the fact that we are not going to legalize recreational marijuana.” But GOP Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu on April 15 told a WisPolitics. com virtual luncheon that even a separate medicinal marijuana bill couldn’t get approval from Republican senators.

“First of all, we don’t have support from the caucus,” said LeMahieu. “And that’s pretty clear that we don’t have 17 votes in the caucus for medicinal purposes, or recreational purposes, to legalize it.” He also said the state should wait for FDA approval before allowing it for medical purposes. Such approval could be long in coming. Marijuana is listed as a Schedule 1 drug — those “with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse” — which presents barriers to researching it for medical use. With legalization at an impasse, various Wisconsin jurisdictions are downgrading marijuana enforcement and prosecution. In Wisconsin, any possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor and punishable by up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine. But in some cities, possession and consumption are no longer a crime — as long as users follow guidelines set by some counties and municipalities.

Milwaukee County passed a proposal in late March that reduced marijuana fines to $1. The Milwaukee Common Council is considering a similar move. Madison last November decriminalized the possession and use of up to 28 grams of marijuana or cannabis derivatives. And the Dane County district attorney told Madison police not to refer marijuana cases for prosecution if they involve 28 grams or less. The Badger Institute, a Madison-based conservative think tank, notes in a policy brief that Appleton, Eau Claire, Green Bay and Racine have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana as well. The report also pointed to fewer possession charges, minimal jail time and almost no prison sentences for marijuana in Wisconsin, unless the charge was accompanied by other offenses. The brief shows only 0.23 percent of all Wisconsin prison admissions were for marijuana cases that did not include more serious crimes in 2019. According to the brief,

only 16 percent of marijuana cases charged in circuit court resulted in jail or prison time. The report, authored by policy analyst Julie Grace, said lesser charges and sentences — combined with deferred prosecution agreements, diversion programs, and marijuana possession decriminalization by local municipalities — have resulted in “de facto decriminalization of marijuana use throughout much of the state.” But legal pot proponents, such as Alan Robinson of WiNORML, disagree. WiNORML has partnered with state Sen. Melissa Agard, D-Madison, on legalization efforts. “As to the question of whether or not marijuana is already decriminalized in Wisconsin, the answer is a resounding no,” Robinson said. Robinson pointed to the underbelly of the marijuana industry as a prime reason to pursue legalization. The nature of how marijuana is sold and distributed will happen with or without guidance by the state government, Robinson noted, but

he argued that some of the substance’s most noteworthy problems could be solved through regulation. “We’re in a state of unregulated chaos. We know that drug dealers don’t check IDs. We know that bud-tenders are required to in legal states. If you want to keep drugs away from children, then you take the chaos element away,” Robinson said. “One of the things that we’ve seen in states that have legalized is that (it) repairs communities that have been most negatively impacted by cannabis prohibition.” Polling has shown broad public support for marijuana legalization in Wisconsin. An April 2019 Marquette University Law School poll found that 59 percent of voters say the substance should be legalized for recreational purposes while 36 percent say it should not be made legal; 83 percent of voters said marijuana use for medical purposes with a doctor’s prescription should be legal, with 12 percent saying it should not be.

Brodhead, 608-897-2515. Pastor Rev. Kook Ho Kim. Pastor’s office hours: Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Church office hours: Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We are handicapped accessible. In-person worship at 9 a.m. Sundays. Website: brodheadumc.org. Facebook: United Methodist Church of Brodhead. Services live-streamed on Facebook Sundays at 9 a.m. and air on cable Channel 988 on Sundays at 11 a.m. Christian education online. Communion on the first Sunday of each month. Lenten worship on Facebook at 6 p.m. March 17. ~~~~~~~~~ Congregational United Church of Christ, E201 23rd St., Brodhead. Pastor Bill Wineke. Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service; Communion every Sunday. Quilting/ crafts workshop at 9 a.m. Wednesdays. ~~~~~~~~~~ Footville Church of Christ,

on County B in Footville (117 Church St.). John Thomson, preaching minister. 608876-6736 or 608-466-4710. Sunday worship and kids church at 10:30 a.m. Website: footvillechurchofchrist.org. Find us on Facebook:@footvillechurchofchrist. Services are live-streamed every Sunday. ~~~~~~~~~ Grace Independent Baptist Church, Highway 81, 3/4 mile east of junction with 11, Brodhead. Donald Adams, pastor. 608-897-8454. 9:30 a.m. Sunday school; 10:30 a.m. morning worship; 6 p.m. evening service. Wednesday 6 p.m. service. ~~~~~~~~~ Harvest Community Church, 519 E. Beloit St., Orfordville. 608-879-2640. Sunday worship services 10 a.m. ~~~~~~~~~ Hilltop Community Church, 101 S. Jackson St., Albany, 608-214-3180. Pastor Kevin

R. Phillip. Sunday worship 10 a.m.; adult Christian Bible study Sunday 9 a.m.; children’s Sunday school 9 a.m. (September through May). ~~~~~~~~~ Zion United Methodist, N2350 Church St., Juda. 608-934-5398. Rev. Kelly Jahn. Worship at 10:45 a.m. Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. for all ages. ~~~~~~~~~ Oakley-Union United Methodist, W2388 Gerber Road, Juda. 608-934-5398. Rev. Kelly Jahn. Worship service at 9 a.m. Sunday school for 4 to 12 years of age is held during the worship service. ~~~~~~~~ Living Word Church, Pastor Russ Doebler, 3825 S. County Highway T, www.livingwordwi.org, ptl@livingwordwi.org, 608-897-8246. Sunday morning worship at 10 a.m. (live streamed on website); Sunday evening IMPACT youth group from 6 to 8 p.m.; Prayday at 7 p.m. Tuesdays; men’s prayer,

6 to 7 a.m. Fridays. ~~~~~~~~~ Luther Valley Lutheran Church, ELCA. 7107 S. Luther Valley Road, Beloit. 608-879-2934. Sunday worship at 9 a.m. and Sunday school at 10 a.m. ~~~~~~~~~ New Horizon United Methodist Church. Ran Yoo, pastor. 1726 S. Murphy Road, just off Highway 11 between Orfordville and Footville. 608-876-6256. Sunday worship services at 9 a.m. All are welcome. ~~~~~~~~~ Orfordville Lutheran Church. 608-879-2575. Interim pastor. Sunday: 9 a.m. worship with Communion; Sunday school; 10 a.m. fellowship; Thursdays 9-11 a.m. CUP Pantry. ~~~~~~~~~ Plymouth United Methodist Church, 5614 S. County Highway H, Orfordville. 608879-2156. Sundays 9 a.m. church services.

See POLICY, Page 3

Church directory St. Augustine Catholic Church, 280 Haberdale Drive, Footville. 608-8766252. Father Paulraj Sellam. Sundays 8 a.m. Mass. ~~~~~~~~~ St. Paul Catholic Church, 39 Garfield St., Evansville. 608-882-4138. Father Paulraj Sellam. Saturdays 5 p.m. Mass, Sundays 11 a.m. Mass. stpaulevans@gmail.com. ~~~~~~~~~ St. Patrick Catholic Church, Albany. Father Michael Moon, pastor. 608-862-3400. Tuesday 8 a.m. Mass. Parish nurse hours: Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ~~~~~~~~~ St. Peter Lutheran Church, Pastor Tyler Swiderski. 1708 W. Sixth Ave., Brodhead. Worship at 9 a.m. Sundays, with a live feed available at stpeterlutheranbrodhead.org. Adult Bible class at 10:15 a.m. Sundays. Church council and Ladies Aid meetings held at 10 a.m. second Sunday of the month. For more information, call 608-577-4825. ~~~~~~~~~ St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 1005 W. Second Ave., Brodhead, part of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Monroe. 608-325-9506. Msgr. Larry Bakke, pastor. Mass at 8 a.m. Wednesday. ~~~~~~~~~ St. Victor Catholic Church, part of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 1760 14th St., Monroe. 608-325-9506. Msgr. Larry Bakke, pastor. Mass at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday (livestreamed via www.stclaregreencounty.org), 8:30 a.m. Thursday

Directory sponsored by:

Body Crafters Auto Body Repair, Inc. 608-897-8447

392240

2508 1st Center Ave. Brodhead, WI

(school only, livestreamed), 5:15 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. Friday (livestreamed), 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. Sunday (livestreamed). We are fully accessible for people with disabilities. Facebook: St. Clare of Assisi Parish. ~~~~~~~~~ Albany United Methodist Church, 500 Park St., Albany; 608-862-3206; Pastor Tom Moe; Sunday services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.; Recorded service at 9 a.m. on Albany UMC Facebook page. Children’s Sunday school at 8:45 a.m. (September through May); adult Bible study at 8:45 a.m. ~~~~~~~~~ Bethany Lutheran Church, 16529 W. Church Road, Brodhead. 608-897-4158. Pastor Richard Thickpenny. Sunday school and adult class, 8:45 a.m.; worship service, 10 a.m.; Holy Communion first and third Sundays of each month. ~~~~~~~~~ Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 405 E. Ninth Ave., Brodhead, 608-897-2341, Rev. Peder Johanson, pastor. Website: bethlehembrodhead. org. On-site activities are suspended due to the pandemic. Sunday worship at 9 a.m. (go online at bethlehembrodhead. org for details). For pastoral care, call 608-346-2676 or email pastor@bethlehembrodhead.org. ~~~~~~~~~ Brodhead Church of the Nazarene, 1004 13th St. Rev. Dave Krohn, pastor. 608897-9277. Pre-prayer service 8:45 a.m. (Sunday morning), children’s church 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday Bible study 6:30 p.m. (church basement); third Saturday each month (free Movie Night 6:45 p.m.); third Sunday each month (fellowship dinner after service). Sunday school all ages – 9 a.m. family worship - 10 a.m. Wednesday nights 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Caravan for children through age 12 and adult Bible study. Call pastor for information. ~~~~~~~~~ Brodhead United Methodist Church, 501 First Center Ave.,

Brodhead Community Calendar 29 | Thursday

30 | Friday

1 | Saturday

Brodhead library curbside pickup and open by appt. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Brodhead varsity softball vs. Beloit-Turner 5 p.m.

Brodhead library curbside pickup and open by appt. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Brodhead sewer bills due; Brodhead-Juda varsity football at Parkview 7 p.m.

Brodhead library curbside pickup and open by appt. 9 a.m. - noon; Brodhead varsity softball at McFarland 10 a.m.; Brodhead Congregational United Church of Christ Spring Fish Boil 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Brodhead High School prom

2 | Sunday

3 | Monday

4 | Tuesday

5 | Wednesday

Brodhead library closed

Brodhead library curbside pickup and open by appt. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Brodhead varsity golf at Jefferson 3:30 p.m.; Brodhead Park Board Committee meeting 5:30 p.m.; Brodhead Plan Commission meeting 6 p.m.

Brodhead library curbside pickup and open by appt. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Brodhead varsity golf at Edgerton 3:30 p.m.; Brodhead Public Works Committee meeting 3:45 p.m.; Brodhead track meet 4:30 p.m.; Brodhead varsity softball at Whitewater 5 p.m.; Brodhead Fire Commission meeting 5 p.m.

Brodhead library curbside pickup and open by appt. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Brodhead School District early release; Brodhead Personnel Committee meeting 5:30 p.m.; Brodhead music boosters meeting 6:30 p.m.

Check out what is happening in the Brodhead area for the week!

VIEWPOINT

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

THE INDEPENDENT-REGISTER

Page 3

Earth Day is every day on the farm

By Kevin Krentz

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU

I think it’s safe to say that spring is here. Buds are showing on trees. Alfalfa and wheat fields are beginning to green. Farmers are bursting with excitement and anticipation of warmer weather and a new crop year is on their minds. Farmers fully understand in order to yield a successful crop we need our vast natural resources. The sun, air, water and soil are just some that we rely on. For thousands of years, farmers have fed the world while protecting these resources. In order to keep us sustainable in our businesses, we have a mindset that every day is Earth Day on the farm. Water During the last 100 years, many wars have been fought regarding oil. During the next 100, many will be fought regarding another precious liquid — water. Because of its abundance, fresh water is something we take for granted in the Midwest, but many parts of the country and certainly parts of the world struggle to find it and when you do, you pay high prices for it. Protecting our clean water is critical for society and critical for producing food. Farmers will continue to use innovation and practical means in protecting this vital resource. However, we need to tell the story of how we have protected water and what we are doing to safeguard it in the future. Nutrient management plans help budget what crops need for nutrients. The plans lay out crop needs, soil requirements and fertilizer applications. With timely applications of nutrients at the right amount, we will lower our impacts of nutrients escaping to water. Moving forward, we need to get more acres covered by nutrient management plans. We also need to get more funding for farmer-led watershed groups. Farmerled watershed groups across the state have been a way for farmers to use innovation and collaborative efforts in protecting waters and soils.

• Policy

Soil preservation Another tool that agriculture can use to protect topsoil and water is the use of cover crops. Creating a cover of green and growing crops in between cash crops has helped in many ways. It creates a root mass to hold topsoil and to create a healthy environment for soil microbes to live. It also takes up nutrients and holds the nutrients until the next cropping season. The use of cover crops has steadily increased over the years and will play a key role in continuing to protect water and soil. Cover crops help recycle the nutrients. Environment Farmers are instinctive recyclers. We feed our livestock the crops we grew with the help of these precious resources. The livestock help us produce nutritious food for our consumers. We complete the natural cycle by using the waste produced by livestock for the next crop. But this is only a small picture look at what farmers do for our environment. Our efficient-burning engines run cleaner than at any time in history. Some farmers are using manure digestors, as well as solar and wind energy. We are partnering on phosphorus trading, using perennial crop and pasture-based farming for sequestration of carbon. Farmers are natural innovators. We will continue to find solutions to better our environment and protect our soils and water. American farmers will keep proving ourselves to our consumers that we produce the safest, cleanest food in the world while continuing to lower our footprint on the environment around us. Farm Bureau carries this message of environmental stewardship through both our outreach work and policy work. I am proud to say that we will always carry the message of the hard work being done on the farm. Every day is Earth Day for a farmer and we all should be reminded of that. Kevin Krentz was elected president of Wisconsin Farm Bureau in 2020. He is a dairy farmer from Berlin.

Slices of life

Small tasks signify a big change Yesterday I changed a light bulb. It was the overhead one at the entrance to our basement stairs. I had to use a stepping stool in order to reach it. That light bulb has burned out many times in the 20 years since I’ve lived in my house, but this was the first time I changed it, or even contemplated the task. It was one of the first times I’ve changed any light bulb. Someone else was always here to change the light bulbs. I never had to give them a second thought. Now I do. Changing light bulbs has become my duty, as have myriad other chores. He used to brown the hamburger. He used to change the kitty litter. He used to hold the TV remote. He used to vacuum the stairs. He used to take care of the cars — oil changes, adding air to the tires and scheduling needed repairs. He could “feel” when the brakes or the tires were bad. I don’t have that particular sixth sense, but I suppose I will have to cultivate it. He was the family driver. He knew I didn’t like driving, so he took on the chore. It was like that between us. When we unloaded the dishwasher, I knew he didn’t like doing the silverware, so I always took that on first. I didn’t mind, just

In everything. moments exist, a part of him I miss the big things, for is still with me. And I will sure. But it’s the small things, want that, always. By the everyday things, that Jill Pertler is an awardJILL PERTLER winning syndicated columnist, sometimes hit the hardest. Columnist Like changing a light bulb. published playwright, author and member of the National Today I did that. I suppose Society of Newspaper with time it will become Columnists. Don’t miss a automatic and I won’t think like he didn’t mind driving. It was how we worked things it’s weird that I have to change slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook. the light bulb. out in many areas of our life But today it was weird. It together. 393039 When he was in the hospital was new, but not in a good about half an hour from home way. It made me miss him. Again. Still. I visited him daily. After a So many things do — cause few days had passed he asked how I was getting there. I told me to pause and miss him. him I drove and parked in the And as proficient as I will get at changing light bulbs, adjacent ramp. getting the oil changed and He smiled at me and said, browning the hamburger, I “Wow, that’s impressive.” hope the missing him in the Today I’m dealing with a upport the buSineSSeS small and inconsequential bathtub clog. Plumbing was moments never, ever changes. always his domain, but today that Support you it is mine. I’ll head to the store Because as long as those later to procure some heavyduty drain de-clogger. Not long ago I brought the car in for an oil change. That was new for me also. “Committed to the communities we serve.” Changing a light bulb is no big deal. Nor is driving Editor: Jenny Sharp to the hospital. I get that. Advertising Sales: Jim Bruce and Rhonda Marshall I am perfectly capable of Office Manager: Joyce Chrisbaum doing many things. But he is everywhere. In the light To contact The Independent-Register bulbs. In the kitty litter. In Telephone: 608-897-2193 car repairs. In the browned Fax: 608-897-4137 hamburger. In unloading the Email: News/Letters to the Editor: news@indreg.com dishwasher. In holding the TV Ads: Jim Bruce - ads2@indreg.com, remote. In a bathtub clog.

argued that the substance might be legalized nationally first by a U.S. Supreme Court decision. “We’re an island of prohibition,” said Agard. “(It) did not work with alcohol and it will not work with cannabis.’’ For more, visit WisPolitics. com

The Capitol Report is written by editorial staff at WisPolitics.com, a nonpartisan, Madison-based news service that specializes in coverage of government and politics, and is distributed for publication by members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.

The IndependenT-RegIsTeR

Rhonda Marshall - rmarshall@rvpublishing.com Classified Ads: paper@indreg.com Mailing address: The Independent-Register 917 W. Exchange Street, Brodhead, WI 53520 Website: www.indreg.com Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Closed Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday

(Continued from page 2) to 10 grams. If approved, the bill would both change the current state penalties for marijuana possession and supersede smaller fines now enforced in some municipalities. The Assembly and Senate received fiscal estimates for the bills, and neither bill has been scheduled for a public hearing. The bill currently has four co-sponsors in the Assembly including Robert Brooks, R-Saukville; Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay; David Bowen, D-Milwaukee, and Nick Milroy, D-South Range. There are currently no co-sponsors in the Senate. Agard, a longtime advocate of legalizing recreational and medicinal marijuana use, has

Your weekly community news in your hands... The Journal • The Herald • The Gazette Tempo • The Independent-Register The Clinton Topper • The Shopper McHenry County News • Belvidere Republican The Scoop Today • The Shopper’s Guide

Find us online: rvpnews.com • indreg.com

393035

POSTMASTER Please send address changes to: The Independent-Register 917 W. Exchange Street, Brodhead, WI 53520 Active Member

WISCONSIN NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION

Published Every Wednesday Periodicals Paid at Brodhead, WI USPS# 261-320

393068

Two Republican lawmakers proposed legislation in March that would significantly reduce the state penalty for possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana. Sen. Kathy Bernier, R-Lake Hallie, and Rep. Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers, noted in a memo to fellow lawmakers that Assembly Bill 130 and Senate Bill 164 wouldn’t legalize marijuana, which is still illegal at the federal level. It would reduce the current $1,000 state fine to a $100 forfeiture for possessing or attempting to possess up to 10 grams of marijuana. It also would eliminate the up to sixmonth prison sentence only with the increased penalty in current law for a second or subsequent violation involving up

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $25 for 9 months - Local $32 yr. in Green, Rock Counties $34 elsewhere in Wisconsin $42 outside Wisconsin $29 Local Seniors for 1 year Subscription transferable, non-refundable.

Page 4

THE INDEPENDENT-REGISTER

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Green County sheriff’s report April 20

Traffic crime At approximately 11:12 a.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding in the W1100 block of Wisconsin Highway 11 in the town of Spring Grove. Investigation resulted in the driver, Laura G. Gonzalez, 22, of Janesville, being cited for speeding and for operating without a valid license — third offense (traffic crime). Gonzalez was released pending a mandatory court appearance.

Investigation resulted in the driver, Nicholas B. Miller, 31, of Brodhead, being arrested for operating while under the influence (alcohol), first offense. Miller was also cited for speeding. Miller was released pending a mandatory court appearance.

Traffic crime At approximately 1 a.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the W8500 block of Wisconsin Highway 81 in the town of Jordan. Investigation resulted in the driver of the vehicle, Filomeno Vargas Cortes, 50, of Darlington, being cited for operating without a valid license, second offense within three years (traffic crime). Vargas Cortes also was cited for operating a motor vehicle without insurance. Vargas Cortes was released pending a mandatory court appearance.

Motor vehicle crash At approximately 2:44 p.m., deputies, Argyle emergency medical services and the Browntown Fire Department responded to the W8100 block of Wisconsin Highway 81 in the town of Jordan for a report of a two-vehicle crash. Investigation revealed that a westbound pickup truck hauling a trailer was being operated by Neil T. Swiggum, 69, of South Wayne, Wisconsin. At this time, an item fell off of the trailer and collided with an eastbound vehicle that was being operated by Darin M. Erickson, 51, of Blanchardville. Both vehicles then came to a rest on the shoulder of the roadway. Swiggum reported that he was not injured and that he was wearing his seat belt. Swiggum’s pickup truck and trailer were not damaged in the incident. Erickson and his three passengers were not injured and they all reported that they were wearing their seat belts. Erickson’s vehicle sustained moderate damage and the airbags did not deploy. Both vehicles were driven from the scene. Swiggum was cited for failure to secure load.

April 23

April 25

Warrant arrest At approximately 9:46 p.m., Hector M. Guerra Jr., 48, turned himself in at the Green County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant issued for his arrest. Guerra Jr. was incarcerated in the Green County Jail.

April 22

Drug incident At approximately 11:43 p.m., deputies investigated suspicious activity in the N3200 block of County Highway N in the town of Monroe. Investigation resulted in Roberto F. Garcia Fajardo, 18, of Monticello, being cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and for possession of THC. Garcia Fajardo was released pending a court appearance.

Motor vehicle crash At approximately 9:43 p.m., deputies responded to the W3200 block of County Highway EE in the town of Mount Pleasant for a report of a vehicle versus fence crash. Investigation revealed that Gwendolyn R. Carrol, 16, of Janesville, was traveling eastbound when her vehicle exited the roadway and collided with a fence. Carrol reported that she was not injured and that she was wearing her seat belt. April 24 The vehicle sustained disabling OWI arrest At approximately 2:39 a.m., damage and the airbags did not deputies conducted a traffic deploy. The vehicle was towed stop on a vehicle for speeding from the scene. in the W2000 block of WisconAll persons arrested or cited sin Highway 11 in the town of are presumed innocent until Spring Grove. proven guilty in a court of law.

• Projects

Ready to run into college

Brodhead High School senior Madelynn McIntyre signs her letter of intent to run cross-country and track at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. McIntyre is pictured at the April 23 signing with her parents, Mike and Jodi McIntyre, and her brother, Marcus.

Brodhead police blotter April 18 • 1:20 a.m. police responded to the 1100 block of 1st Center Avenue for a report of a code violation — a subject urinating in public. Contact with subject was made and a warning was issued. • 2:37 a.m., police responded to the 1100 block of West Second Avenue for a report of a hazard — a broken bottle in the roadway. Officers were able to safely remove the bottle. • 2:53 p.m., police responded to the 900 block of East Fourth Avenue for a report of a code violation — a subject with an open flame fire in the backyard. Contact was made with subjects and they were advised of the city’s fire pit ordinance. • 7:41 p.m., police responded to the 1600 block of East Eighth Avenue for a report of suspicious activity unknown activity — vehicles at residence. Contact with homeowner was made and they were advised the subjects at the house have permission to be there.

disorderly conduct; subjects driving on the walking path at the school. This matter remains under investigation. • 5:52 p.m., police responded to the 800 block of East Exchange Street for the report of a traffic crash. A warning was issued for failure to yield. • 6:54 p.m., police responded to the 400 block of 14th Street for the report of an animal problem — a dog running at large. The owner was contacted and a warning was issued.

April 19 • 12:14 p.m., a 16-year-old was cited in the 2500 block of West Fifth Avenue for disorderly conduct on school property.

April 22 • 12:52 p.m., two 13-yearolds were cited in the 2100 block of West 9th Avenue for disorderly conduct on school The following people were property following an investifound guilty or guilty by gation of an altercation. default April 7 in Brodhead Municipal Court, according April 23 • 8:03 a.m., police respond- to a report from the court: • Sarah J. Anderson of Brodhead, operating after suspension, $124 • Jamie A B Baxter of • Good constructible locaMonroe, possession of drug tions based on topography paraphernalia, $98.80 and access • Cassandra R. Bemus of • Low environmental concerns such as wetlands and Brodhead, disorderly conwaterways, sensitive habi- duct, $313 • Whitney M. Daniels of tats and natural areas Janesville, operating while Other counties slated to gain solar energy proj- revoked, $212.20 • Sam R. Geiken of Duects through this initiative include Richland, Grant, rand, Illinois, failure to disDodge, Jefferson, Sheboy- play vehicle license plates, gan, Wood and Waushara $73.60 • Christopher W. Hencounties. dricks of Brodhead, speed-

April 20 • 11:20 a.m., police responded to the 2500 block of West Fifth Avenue for the report of

(Continued from front page)

Green County?

$200,000 between the county and the town. The Paddock project will bring in an estimated shared revenue total of $260,000 between the county and the town.

Locations for both of these projects were based on the following criteria: • Obtaining as much contiguous acreage needed for the megawatt capacity per

What ’s going on in

Green County? Thursday, April 29 • No events scheduled

Friday, April 30 • Live music at Bailey’s Run Vineyard, New Glarus, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Kurt Funsfinn Saturday, May 1 • Clean Sweep collection at Green County landfill, Brodhead, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. • Live music at Bailey’s Run Vineyard, New Glarus, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Gary the Band • Spring Fish Boil (drive-thru) at UCC Church, Brodhead, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. • Live music at Bennet’s

Junction House, Monroe, 8 p.m., 13 Sins Sunday, May 2 • Live music at Hawk’s Mill Winery, Browntown, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. • Live music at Bailey’s Run Vineyard, New Glarus, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Charlie Ann Monday, May 3 through Tuesday, May 4 • No events scheduled Wednesday, May 5 • Cinco de Bingo at Bailey’s Run Vineyard, New Glarus, 6 p.m. • Live music at New Glarus Fest Haus, New Glarus, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Rock Rebel Junction

PHOTO SUBMITTED The Independent-Register

project (availability of participating landowners in a smaller footprint) • Siting close to an ATC electrical transmission circuit that has available capacity and with lower network upgrade costs • Appropriately zoned (usually agricultural), typically rural areas with ideally low-population density • Siting away from residential zoned areas

• Help

ed to the 2500 block of West Fifth Avenue for the report of disorderly conduct with a motor vehicle — a subject driving recklessly through a parking lot. Contact was made and a warning was issued. • 9:56 a.m., police responded to the 1100 block of 1st Center Avenue for the report of trespassing — an unwanted subject at a business. Contact was made and a warning was issued. • 3:55 p.m., police responded to the 400 block of East Sixth Avenue for the report of a code violation — trash and debris scattered around a property. Contact was made and a warning was issued. • 11:48 p.m., a 16-year-old male was cited in the 400 block of East Ninth Avenue for operating without a valid driver’s license.

April 21 • 3:17 p.m., police responded to the 1000 block of 1st Center Avenue for the report of a parking complaint. The subject was contacted and the matter was resolved. • 5:44 p.m., police responded to the 800 block of East Seventh Avenue for the report of fraud — a subject received two April 24 • 12:20 a.m., police respondscam phone calls. No information was released by the com- ed to the 1100 block of 1st plainant; informational case Center Avenue for the report only.

of a code violation — subjects in the park after hours. Contact was made and warnings were issued. • 1:45 a.m., a 34-year-old Orfordville man was arrested in the 500 block of West Second Avenue for domestic disorderly conduct. • 4:13 a.m., a 27-year-old Brodhead man was cited in the 1100 block of 11th Street for possession of marijuana. • 4:17 p.m., a 27-year-old Davis, Illinois, man was cited in the 100 block of East Ninth Avenue for non-registration of an auto following a non-reportable traffic crash.

Green County Crime Stoppers Anyone with information on the incidents the police still have under investigation is encouraged to contact Green County Crime Stoppers at 800-422-7463 or the Brodhead Police Department at 608-8972112.

Brodhead Municipal Court report

ing, $124 • Jon K. Jordan of Brodhead, disorderly conduct, $313; battery, $313 • Nancy L. Kraft of Brodhead, inattentive driving, $111.40 • Ethan J. Learned of Janesville, operating after suspension, $124 • Raelyn F. Lewandowski of Franklin, operating after suspension, $124 • Samuel S. Lisius of Fort Atkinson, speeding, $149.20 • Matthew B. Matteson of Brodhead, operating while intoxicated, $861 • Joseph W. Moore of Brodhead, nonregistration of auto, $98.80

See REPORT, Page 5

(Continued from front page)

Zee is a very hard worker and is dedicated to finding answers to people’s questions, Schultz said. He has worked with her for the past several years and said she is well liked in the community and adds to the cohesiveness of the board. “It was so wonderful to have Bonnie here to guide me when I first started and didn’t have the experience I needed for the job,” Schultz said. “She is such a great asset and

is always available for her board members to lean on.” Zee said some of her primary challenges include keeping current on technology and new rules, completing and filing large reports for the state, managing multiple elections and dealing with the pandemic. But her favorite part continues to be working with the board and residents. “I always try to help everybody as much as I can to answer questions or direct them

to the right place to go,” she said. When asked why she’s served for so long, Zee said she has enjoyed this job the whole time and has kept going as she would with any other job. While serving as clerk, she also worked as an auction clerk at Equity Cooperative as well as at the Farmer Assist (now the Farm Center) in Madison. She encouraged younger generations to get involved

in local government as much as possible. While not many younger people are heavily involved in the town of Albany right now, she noted there is always good turnout at elections. “Some young people don’t want to take on jobs like this one because they have kids or are working a lot, but they always come to vote,” she said. It’s important for residents to know what’s happening in their towns, she said.

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

East Troy Electric Railroad opens season The depot is open, the historical cars are cleaned and polished and the East Troy Electric Railroad has kicked off its 2021 season. Trains run every Saturday and Sunday through the first weekend in November. Trains will run three times a day on Fridays starting May 28. Trains will depart on the hour from the East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., starting at 10 a.m. The last train departs at 3 p.m. On Sundays there will be three trains at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. “While we still have capacity limits in place and masks are required, per federal regulations, we hope to have a more normal year this year and we think families and individuals will be looking for something fun, safe and different to do outdoors,” Steve Thomas, East Troy Railroad volunteer, said in a news release. Because of COVID-19 concerns, the railroad asks that people go online to easttroyrr.org to purchase tickets ahead of time for a specific train. Capacity is limited to allow for social distancing. Trains will only board new passengers at the East Troy Depot. However, passengers will be able to get off the trains to shop at the Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago.

The East Troy Electric Railroad operates the last seven miles of original track from The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Co. interurban system, which had 200 miles of track in and around Milwaukee. For more than 50 years, trains left from the Public Service Building at Third and Michigan in Milwaukee and whisked passengers to and from cities and towns throughout southeastern Wisconsin, including Waukesha, Port Washington, Burlington, Sheboygan, Watertown, Kenosha, Racine and East Troy. The Public Service Building is now part of the We Energies headquarters. The tracks are gone, except between East Troy and Mukwonago, where people still experience what it was like to ride electric interurban trains in Wisconsin. One round trip takes about 90 minutes. Trains stop at the Elegant Farmer, which is a popular spot for farmfresh produce, cheese and the famous Apple Pie baked in a paper bag. The trains are heated and there are restrooms inside the East Troy Depot. For more information, go online to easttroyrr.org or call 262-642-3263.

Page 5

BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register

Springing into softball

The Lady Cardinals softball team kicked off its 2021 season with a scrimmage against Stevens Point on April 24 in Brodhead. The girls were to start their regular season this week with a conference game April 27 at Jefferson. Above, Emaleigh McNeece gets a lead from second base in the scrimmage.

BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register

Keira Malott tracks down a ground ball in the outfield.

BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register

McKenna Young fires a strike as the Brodhead girls get warmed up for spring play at a recent home scrimmage.

This advertisement for the Alaska Peerless Gold Mining Co. of Brodhead appeared in Brodhead circa 1920, according to research by Jane Copus of the Brodhead Historical Society. It states that the mine is no longer a prospect but ready for production, thus the sale of shares of stock at $1 each. Brodhead printers Steel & Schempp printed a booklet reporting the mining engineers’ surveys, equipment, property and assay reports dated 1916, 1917, 1918 and 1919 of the proposed mine. R. F. Leger of Brodhead was listed as the fiscal agent.

(Continued from page 4)

• Carley L. Muenchow of Brodhead, operating while intoxicated, $861 • Michael W. Oldenburg of Janesville, speeding, $149.20 • Armando Penuelas of Berwin, Illinois, speeding, $124 • Kenneth R. Reesman of West Allis, speeding, $149.20 • Eduardo J. Rodriguez of Janesville, failure to signal turn, $136 • Alejandro Ruiz Shilon of Brodhead, operating without valid license, $124; operating

while revoked, $250 • Dary Schulz of Evansville, operating while revoked, $250 • Mathew P. Thies of Juda, possession of THC, $691; displaying unauthorized vehicle registration plate, $161.80; nonregistration of auto, $98.80; operating while revoked, $250 • Isaac R. Williams of Rockford, speeding, $149.20; operating without a valid license, $124

as members of the community, local retailers are best qualified to work with local educators to help identify schools and programs most in need of support.”

are not sure of how many,” Lueck said. As of earlier this week, 143 of 190 total eligible district staff members had been vaccinated, he said.

Some Brodhead students receive vaccine at school About 15 Brodhead High School students were to be vaccinated for COVID-19 at an April 27 school clinic. The clinic, for ages 16 and older, was a free event, Superintendent Leonard Lueck said in an email. Students were to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, with arrangements made for a second dose. “We also have a number of students that have been vaccinated already, but we

Red Cross seeks blood donors for May events The American Red Cross will host blood drives in a number of Green County communities in May. • Albany: 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 10, at the Lions Building, 402 Cincinnati St. • New Glarus, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at New Glarus Area EMS, 401 Third St. • Monroe: 12:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, at Green County EMS, 1800 12th St.

• Juda: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, at Juda High School, N2385 Spring St. To schedule a donation appointment, call 800-7332767, go online to redcrossblood.org or download the Red Cross blood donor app.

Student garners honor society invitation Cora Purdue of Brodhead was recently initiated into Phi Kappa Phi, the honor society for all disciplines, at St. Norbert College in De Pere. Membership in Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and top 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Equal Opportunity, Aﬃrmave Acon Employer

ni v 91st An ersar y!

Steady Work Available - Now Hiring

Job Opportunity

LOCAL • REGIONAL • OTR Full Time Class-A CDL for food grade liquid/dry bulk. • Excellent pay • 100% paid beneﬁts • 2+ years driving experience • Good driving record

APPLY NOW! www.jensentransport.com Call Tim Jensen for an Interview today 1-800-772-1734

Redi-Mix Driver Reedsburg * Baraboo 394630

PHOTO SUBMITTED The Independent-Register

Olin Oil works to secure grant for local school Albrecht Elementary School recently received a $500 grant from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program to support school technology initiatives. Olin Oil Company Inc. of Brodhead worked with school officials to secure the grant, which is one of 2,400 available to schools across the country served by Exxon or Mobil stations. “The ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program is designed to provide Exxon and Mobil retailers with an opportunity to invest in the future of their communities through educational grants to neighborhood schools,” according to a news release. “ExxonMobil believes that,

BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register

Daisy Nelson takes a healthy cut during the April 24 scrimmage against Stevens Point.

394157

Briefs Brodhead company mined for gold, investors

• Report

THE INDEPENDENT-REGISTER

Compeve Pay—401K—Paid Time Oﬀ—Paid Holiday—Health—Dental—Vision

To apply and for a full job descripon, visit our web site at www.croell.com/careers/posions OR call Jerry at (641) 229-1215

Page 6

THE INDEPENDENT-REGISTER

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Hard work pays off with string of wins for Cardinals football By Trenten Scheidegger CORRESPONDENT

The Brodhead-Juda football team has been a pleasant surprise in the spring alternate sports season. Although the Cardinals were expected to be much improved after returning a number of talented and experienced athletes, many were unsure what to expect after more than a year off. The Cardinals look like they have not skipped a beat, however, as they are having an exceptional season during trying times. After a 48-7 win over Fennimore on April 23, the team remains undefeated. Here’s a look back at how

things have come together this season. After opening the season with a blowout 33-8 win over Mount Horeb-Barneveld, the Cards would go two weeks before playing again. On April 9, Brodhead-Juda jumped right back into action with an away game against a struggling Poynette team. Poynette was coming off a 7-34 loss to New Glarus-Monticello, and things did not go much better when the Cardinals came to town. Brodhead-Juda was able to put up points quickly when senior quarterback Cade Walker connected with Aiden

Pepped up for a big win

Vondra for a 37-yard touchdown pass with 10:25 left in the first quarter. Just minutes later, Walker threw his second touchdown of the game when he found fellow senior wideout Connor Green for a 12yard score. Brodhead-Juda would close out the first quarter with another big play, this time on the ground, when Vondra torched the Poynette defense for a 49yard touchdown run. Vondra’s second score of the game put the Cardinals up 21-0 as they quickly looked to put the game out of reach. Head coach Jim Matthys and the Cardinals offense kept the pedal down

in the second quarter when they put up another 19 points on three rushing touchdowns, two by Gage Boegli and one by Braden Cook. Cook was able to put the final nail in the coffin in the third quarter when he tallied his second score of the game with a 30yard touchdown run. Matthys had said there would be a number of contributors on this team, and that has proven to be true, thus far. In the game against Poynette, Brodhead-Juda had three athletes with multiple scores as Cook, Boegli, and Vondra all crossed the goal line twice. That goes without mention-

ing the two scores that Walker threw in the air, as it was an all-around great performance by the Cardinals offense. The defensive play cannot be overlooked, however, as by the end of their game against Poynette, the Brodhead-Juda defense had allowed just eight points in their first eight quarters of play this season. The Cards would need their top-notch play to continue as their next opponent would be a much tougher test in the New Glarus-Monticello co-op on April 16. Both teams came into the game undefeated, as the Cardinals were 2-0 and the Ponies held a 3-0 record.

It was the Cardinals who got off to a quick start again, however, as Green ran in the first score of the game from eight yards out. The Cardinals defense was able to tack on some points, as well, when Cook forced a safety to put an extra two points on the board. The Cardinals defense was able to hold the Ponies off the scoreboard until late in the first half when New Glarus-Monticello scored with just 57 seconds left on the clock. Despite the late score, Brodhead-Juda still held a 16-8 lead going into halftime.

See FOOTBALL, Page 7

BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register

Members of the Brodhead High School pep band returned to field for the first time this season at the April 23 Brady Rosheisen puts pressure on Fennimore’s homecoming game against Fennimore. While it wasn’t the full marching band Cardinals fans are accustomed to, quarterback, which forced an interception. attendees enjoyed the return of music to the stands.

BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register

The seniors played their final game at Larsen Field on Friday night. Pictured from left in the front row are Braydon Sommerfeldt, Ben Knuth and Braden Erb. In the BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register back row from left are CJ Kamholz, Kaden Harper, Cade Walker, Braden Cook, Connor Cardinals cheerleaders and Charlie Cardinal pose for a photo at the April 23 game. Green and Devon Anderson.

BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register

Gage Boegli (22) pulls in a deep pass for Brod- Cade Walker pitches the ball to a running back in Frihead-Juda. day’s game.

BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register

Austin Moe and Jason Montiel celebrate a Cardinals’ stop. With a comfortable lead for Brodhead-Juda, the underclassmen saw some playing time.

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

THE INDEPENDENT-REGISTER

Page 7

In wake of Wisconsin’s racial justice protests, curfew tickets raise equity and speech questions By Clara Neupert and Jim “People need to see this,” Malewitz he recalled thinking. “There’s WISCONSIN WATCH no coverage.” The envelope looked like Officers inside Milwauany other — slightly wrin- kee’s Fusion Center, a hub in kled, a handwritten address a nationwide network where scrawled across the front. law enforcement agencies But Jared Cain said he felt collectively look for crimiviolated after looking inside. nal and terrorist activity, later He saw a ticket for breaking spotted Cain’s video on Facethe curfew Milwaukee adopt- book and issued the citation. ed to regulate protests after a Within a week, Cain said FBI May 25 murder in Minneap- agents showed up to his home olis seen around the world: and asked him whether he was When police officer Derek involved with antifa, a looseChauvin knelt for more than ly organized political protest nine minutes on the neck of movement that militantly opGeorge Floyd, a 46-year-old poses right-wing ideology. Black man. “I didn’t even know what Cain did not interact with antifa was,” Cain said. “I Milwaukee police during lo- was totally baffled, because I cal protests the night of May thought that they came about 31 and early morning June the ticket — because the tick1, but police cited a video et was unlawful.” he streamed on Facebook as The Milwaukee Police Deproof that he was out past 9 partment cited at least 170 p.m. The listed penalty: $691, people for curfew-related nearly the median monthly violations between May 30 rent for a one-bedroom apart- and June 2, 2020, Wisconment in Milwaukee. sin Watch found. Police later Cain remembers the night voided citations against 86 in question. Driving home af- people — in many cases after saying goodbye to a cousin ter taking them into custody. leaving for the U.S. Army, he At least six people, includnoticed blocked-off streets, a ing Cain, received tickets by car on fire and people every- mail that cited online footage where. Cain, a public school showing them outside past teacher and media entrepre- curfew, according to copies of neur, said he followed his first the citations obtained through instinct and pressed record on a public records request. his phone camera. Black residents make up

• Football

about 39% of Milwaukee’s population, but they accounted for 64% of the 162 cited where race was recorded, followed by white (26%), Hispanic (9%) and Asian American (1%) recipients, a Wisconsin Watch analysis showed. Documents do not explain why many citations were voided. Explanations on a few range from “entered in error” to a pair invalidated “due to DA refusal to issue charges.” A police department spokesman said “procedural errors” required voiding others. FBI agents visited multiple people cited for curfew violations in Milwaukee, according to attorneys representing some who challenged the infractions. That unfolded as then-President Donald Trump pushed the unsubstantiated narrative that antifa was fomenting violence amid the unrest. Later in the summer and fall, two other Wisconsin cities — Kenosha and Wauwatosa — enforced sweeping curfews during protests of separate police shootings of Black men, with police arresting dozens of protesters in each city. They were among at least 200 U.S. cities in 27 states that issued curfews

during protests last year, according to one tally by the Washington Post. City officials call curfews a tool for maintaining order during a time when vandalism and violence mix with otherwise peaceful protests. But civil rights attorneys and other critics say the curfews did more to chill speech and intimidate racial justice protesters than to preserve safety. Officials in Kenosha and Wauwatosa are now defending their curfew enforcement in federal court, and the issue returned to the national spotlight this month as law enforcement in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center aggressively responded to protests following the fatal police shooting of 20-year-old Daunte Wright on April 11 — an episode that overlapped a trial that ended when a jury convicted Chauvin of murdering Floyd. Nicole Muller, an attorney who represented dozens who received citations, said Milwaukee residents remain “traumatized” by last year’s curfew enforcement, and she questioned whether police will handle future protests much differently. “Over the past 60 years of political organizing, the people of Milwaukee have

continuously been met with restrictive curfews and excessive force, trying to claim that what the people were doing was unlawful,” Muller said. “But ultimately, what the city and law enforcement organizations were doing was violating people’s rights to free speech.” Asked whether Milwaukee police would recalibrate curfew enforcement, Jeff Fleming, a spokesperson for Mayor Tom Barrett, said, “I can tell you every situation presents unique circumstances. Previously, and in future situations, establishing a curfew is not taken lightly.” In a March 29 email, a Milwaukee Police Department spokesperson said the department is “constantly reviewing our past practices, as well as other jurisdictions’ best practices, to improve our services.” The email confirmed one change following last year’s protests: Police will no longer issue curfew citations by mail. Curfews trigger lawsuits Police are more likely to keep protest crowds peaceful by targeting people who endanger the public, while protecting the speech rights of others — rather than through violent crackdowns and mass

arrests, decades of research shows. But criminologists are less certain about the precise role that curfews play in public safety. Edward Maguire, a professor of criminology and criminal justice at Arizona State University, suspects that curfews may prove useful in quelling riots. But he remains unfamiliar with research on the issue, he said, echoing other experts who say such questions remain largely unexplored. Curfew use should be limited to riot control, with enforcement focused on people committing crimes like property damage, violence or theft, Maguire recommended. “If they are used to quell non-riotous protests, then they run the risk of making people angrier and fueling even more protest activity,” he said in an email. “They also run the risk of violating people’s civil rights, which could lead to costly lawsuits.” A lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee claims that Kenosha law enforcement exclusively arrested about 150 racial justice protesters for violating the county’s curfew — as early as 7 p.m. over nine nights last August and

See PROTESTS, Back Page

(Continued from page 6)

BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register

Brodhead-Juda’s Mason Kammerer (12) makes a tackle in the April 23 game against Fennimore.

The Cards would start the second half with the ball and they did not take long to put up some insurance points. Cook trucked into the end zone from five yards out, putting Brodhead-Juda up 23-8 with just under 11 minutes left in the third. From there on out, the pressure was on the Cardinals defense as their offense was unable to score for the remainder of the game. New Glarus-Monticello was able to put the pressure on with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. The game came down to a two-point conversion attempt by the Ponies that was snuffed out by the Brodhead-Juda defense. Matthys and the Cards were able to run out the remaining 1:53 on the clock as they held on to a 23-22 victory. Matthys was proud of how the team played, saying, “We stuck together in the fourth quarter. Our motto has been E+R=O. Event plus response equals outcome. We can only control our response, not the event or the outcome. I thought we responded well and closed out the game.” There is always

room for improvement, however, as Matthys noted, “Obviously, penalties and turnovers hampered some scoring opportunities, which would help the score. Overall, two very good teams and we came out on top.” Prior to the season, the coaching staff made a point that they wanted to get back to their winning ways. They have been able to do that so far, and Matthys attributed it to the team’s work ethic. “These kids have worked hard in and out of the season and they bought in,” the coach said. “It sounds so simple, but it is hard for a lot of teams to get everyone to buy into it. These kids have.” With things looking up for Brodhead-Juda, they will have the opportunity to play out a classic rivalry match to close out their season. On Friday, April 30, the Cards will make the seven-mile trip up Highway 11 to face off with the Parkview-Albany Vikings. It will be the first time the teams have faced off since 2015, before the Vikings made a move to a new conference.

BECKY MALKOW PHOTO The Independent-Register

Brodhead-Juda head coach Jim Matthys and the Cardinals celebrate their 48-7 win Friday night. The team remains undefeated in the spring alternate season.

393405

Page 8

THE INDEPENDENT-REGISTER

• Protests

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

(Continued from page 7)

September — while ignoring mostly white armed vigilantes and counterprotesters who also walked the streets at night during unrest after a police officer shot Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man following a domestic complaint. Curfew violations in Kenosha carried a $200 penalty. Law enforcement made 252 total arrests during that period and Kenosha saw more than $50 million in property damage. One vigilante, 17-yearold Kyle Rittenhouse, faces homicide charges for shooting two people to death after claiming he arrived to protect the city from protesters. He wasn’t arrested until he returned home to Antioch, Illinois. Meanwhile, 50 people are suing the city of Wauwatosa, alleging they were “ticketed, arrested, and/or harassed,” during October protests after the Milwaukee County district attorney announced that Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah would avoid charges for fatally shooting 17-yearold Alvin Cole months earlier. That lawsuit accuses Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride of violating state law by issuing an emergency order and curfew before any unrest and without consent from the city’s Common Council. McBride — who pushed to reduce curfew penalties from $1,321 to $313 after more than 60 people were cited — broadly denies the allegations. Attorneys for the city and county of Kenosha are also denying wrongdoing while asking the court to dismiss that lawsuit. In an email interview with Wisconsin Watch in January, McBride called Wauwatosa’s enforcement a “middle path” between “far right” demands for stronger force against protesters and a “far left (that) seemed to believe that protesters should not have to comply with state and local laws.” “We do not know what might have happened if we had not prepared” for the announcement that Mensah would face no charges, McBride told Wisconsin Watch. “We do know that unlike Kenosha, during the emergency period in Wauwatosa no one was killed, no one was seriously hurt, no serious property damage occurred — and the protests continued each day until curfew time.” But critics say tough curfew enforcement reinforced racial grievances that seeded unrest in the first place. “I think mayors who institute curfews are listening to the wrong people. They’re not listening to the decades of science behind the escalation,” said Ryan Clancy, a white Milwaukee County supervisor who was arrested for violating curfew on May 31. “They’re listening to a small, loud group of people who are responding to this misplaced fear, rather than taking a step back and looking at why people are taking to the streets.” Cain called the citations issued in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa emblematic of how those communities treat

Black and brown residents. Cain said he didn’t fully grasp the region’s extreme segregation until he traveled outside of Milwaukee’s North Side, where he grew up. When in Wauwatosa and other suburbs, he feels like residents in the white majority don’t want him there. “For them to even throw up a curfew in Wauwatosa, in light of something that may happen, is feeding into the segregational thing,” Cain said. Curfews past and present Milwaukee police officers have long been the subject of reform debates and civil and criminal proceedings, particularly after police killings. Recent lives lost to police killings include Dontre Hamilton in 2014 and Sylville Smith in 2016. But Milwaukee’s history of racial unrest and curfew clampdowns stretches back decades. That includes the summer of 1967, when years of racist housing practices and police brutality culminated in a July 30 uprising — with fires and business break-ins — that left four dead and about 100 injured. The National Guard joined police in quelling most violence by the next day, patrolling the city in armored vehicles and enforcing a strict, all-day curfew. “Street lights shined down on empty sidewalks. In outlying areas of the city, a few brave souls defied the law and were seen taking their dogs for walks,” the Wisconsin State Journal reported on Aug. 1, 1967, citing the curfew’s role in restoring order. Floyd’s death in Minneapolis came nearly 53 years later as Milwaukee also grieved Joel Acevedo, who died in April 2020 — days after Michael Mattioli, an off-duty Milwaukee police officer, allegedly put him in a 10-minute chokehold during a fight. Thousands peacefully marched in downtown Milwaukee on May 29, demanding justice for Floyd. Others caravanned past the home of Mattioli, who resigned in September and faces charges of reckless homicide. After 10 p.m., a smaller group of people vandalized and stole from businesses across the city according to media reports. Two police officers suffered minor injuries hours later — one from a shooting — and about 50 people were arrested. On May 30, Mayor Tom Barrett set a 9 p.m. curfew to “stem the coordinated looting and property damage to private and public property in the City of Milwaukee,” according to his proclamation. Gov. Tony Evers activated 125 National Guard members to help. “We are actively arresting curfew violators and towing vehicles,” police warned on Facebook the next night: “Go home unless you want to be arrested and have your vehicle towed.”

Clancy, the newly elected county supervisor. He said he acted as an American Civil Liberties Union legal observer during the day and remained out past curfew on May 31 to engage with constituents. Clancy posted a video on Facebook of the events leading up to his arrest near the border of Milwaukee and Shorewood, where a small group of protesters milled about. The video shows an armored vehicle rolling down the street and police officers in riot gear blocking movement into Shorewood, a predominantly white village that had no curfew. An officer knocked Clancy to the ground, and officers later zip tied his hands behind his back and loaded him into a vehicle with several others — ignoring that the curfew exempted government officials. That arrest during the COVID-19 pandemic forced Clancy to later quarantine away from his family. His citation was later voided, and he said he’s considering legal action against the police department and Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office. In another instance, police laid spike strips to stop a 27-year-old as he drove down North Sixth Street after midnight on June 2, according to the man’s citation. Officers noted a directive to use the spikes “in areas that had experienced high levels of civil unrest.” The man was “combative,” following the stop, and officers eventually took him into custody, the citation said. Milwaukee’s curfew stretched three nights before Barrett cited “notable reduction in illegal activity associated with public protests,” in lifting it on June 2. “I have respect for the thousands of Milwaukee residents who have peacefully demonstrated in recent days, and I hope that all future protests are lawful,” Barrett said at the time.

Curfew disparities Critics decried the curfew enforcement in a city where police have long disproportionately stopped, frisked or otherwise targeted enforcement in Black-majority neighborhoods. Intuitively, high Black turnout at protests may partly explain citation disparities, Muller said. But misperceptions that Black people pose higher threats to police may also play a role, she added. Last June, Milwaukee City Attorney Spencer Tearman announced that his office would review each curfew citation and decide whom to prosecute. “When we have civil unrest, the proclamation and the intent is to gain order in the community — lawfully,” he said. “Once a person has been arrested and detained, taken to a station, whether for two hours or eight hours, I think they will have the message and understand that they need County supervisor to disassemble in the streets.” arrested That process should be Among those affected: “remedy enough” for breaking curfew — without adding fines, Tearman added. Ten months later, however, it remains unclear how many WISCONSIN - $17 / HOUR • INTERVIEWING NOW! faced curfew penalties in Daytime, full time Locate Technician positions available Milwaukee. Tearman’s office 100% PAID TRAINING would not say how many citaCompany vehicle & equipment provided tions it declined to prosecute PLUS medical, dental, vision, & life insurance nor would it answer related REQUIREMENTS questions. Must be able to work outdoors Muller, one of several atAbility to work OT & weekends Must have valid driver’s license with safe driving record torneys who offered free legal representation to citation Apply today: www.workatusic.com recipients, said many were We are an Equal Opportunity Employer 392966 05524676

USIC LOCATE TECHNICIAN

COBURN DUKEHART/WISCONSIN WATCH The Independent-Register

Jared Cain, a special education teacher and media entrepreneur, is seen near the intersection of West Center Street and North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Milwaukee on March 11. That’s where he filmed and livestreamed a video showing protests against the police killing of George Floyd and property damage just after midnight on June 1, 2020. Police later cited the video as proof that Cain was in public after a 9 p.m. curfew kicked in — part of an emergency order aimed at curbing unrest. The ticket was later dismissed. “To me it’s just systematic racism, and something has got to change,” Cain said of Milwaukee’s curfew enforcement.

dismissed — but their effects will linger. “There are a lot of people who are still gonna think twice about going to protest again, because of the negative experience that happened here,” she said. Kenosha lawsuit: ‘two sets of laws’ In Kenosha, protesters of Blake’s shooting last summer allege that law enforcement practices “two sets of laws — one that applies to those who protest police brutality and racism, and another for those who support the police,” according to an amended complaint filed in October. “Even though there were both pro-police and anti-police brutality protesters, ONLY anti-police protesters were arrested by Kenosha police officers under this curfew,” according to the federal civil rights lawsuit, which is based on interviews and affidavits of witnesses. The complaint cites viral footage of Kenosha law enforcement appearing to use friendlier tactics on counter-protesters. That includes an Aug. 25 video showing an officer thanking armed vigilantes and tossing a bottle of water to Rittenhouse — hours before the teenager killed 26-year-old Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum, 36. Kenosha law enforcement allowed Rittenhouse — who was seen on video walking past an armored vehicle with his hands up — return to Illinois, where he was arrested. He awaits trial on seven charges, including two charges of first-degree reckless homicide. Prosecutors didn’t add the last charge — breaking curfew — until nearly four months after the shooting. He has pleaded not guilty to the killings, citing self-defense. Neither the Kenosha Police Department nor the county sheriff’s office responded to requests to comment for this story. But in asking the court to dismiss the civil lawsuit, the city’s legal team says the curfew helped curb the “rioting, mayhem, and attacks on person and property” that drew national attention and left parts of Uptown in flames and a 71-year-old man brutally assaulted. Arrested protesters rely on “formulaic conclusions and speculation” in accusing officers of unequal curfew enforcement, the city argues.

Secret declaration in Wauwatosa Wauwatosa officials say they had already spent months preparing for potential unrest linked to the announcement of whether Mensah would face charges for fatally shooting Cole in February 2020 outside of Mayfair Mall. Then they watched Kenosha erupt. McBride said he sought to avoid similar violence by enacting a 7 p.m. curfew beginning on Oct. 7. That’s when Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm announced that Mensah, who was cleared of criminal wrongdoing in three previous deadly shootings, would again avoid charges. The Democratic district attorney called Mensah’s fourth deadly shooting “objectively reasonable,” in part citing evidence that Cole fired a handgun while fleeing. Wauwatosa police arrested about 60 people during the weeklong curfew and charged others with attempting to start fires or breaking into businesses. The curfew citations carried a $1,000 forfeiture, with additional court costs that pushed the penalty to $1,321. McBride later asked the city prosecutor to reduce the fines to $200 plus court costs ($313), to prevent the fines from being “unduly punitive.” He called the curfew successful, yielding only minor injuries and property damage — far less fallout than in Kenosha. Others saw it differently. Critics included Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, who in an Oct. 12 letter wrote that Wauwatosa’s “overly aggressive” police response “created a more violent, more dangerous situation for everyone in the area of the protests.” Protesters suing the city described suffering various injuries and emotional distress. Plaintiffs include Alvin Cole’s mother and two sisters. They were arrested on Oct. 8 while trying to leave Wauwatosa; a portion of that encounter was livestreamed. Officers forced mother Tracy Cole from her car, pulled her hair, tased her and punched her in the face multiple times, the lawsuit alleges, adding that she suffered a concussion, cuts to her face and a sprained arm. Attorneys for the city deny

the allegations. The lawsuit alleges Wauwatosa’s curfew was illegal for several reasons, including that McBride on Sept. 30 secretly signed an emergency declaration — before any unrest and without consent of the Common Council, “the only entity with legal authority” to make such a declaration. Wisconsin law allows local governing bodies to declare emergencies. Chief executive officers have such power only when those bodies can’t meet promptly. McBride did not mention his declaration when the Common Council met on Oct. 6, one day before the curfew went into effect. He later told council members that local police and Gov. Tony Evers’ office asked him to declare the emergency — a move necessary for the governor to activate the National Guard. McBride said preparing for potential unrest required confidentiality.

That defense drew mixed reviews from council members, with a majority expressing disappointment. “We had one man enact a law for a period of a few days, and that law became the basis for most of the police action that happened that weekend,” Alderman Craig Wilson said at an Oct. 13 meeting. A few council members said they believed McBride acted in good faith. Said Alderman Mike Morgan at the meeting: “This was a very, extremely difficult situation to watch from any perspective.” But Clancy sees a simpler solution for keeping cities peaceful. “There is one way to stop people from taking to the streets,” he told Wisconsin Watch. “And that’s to change the conditions that they’re there for.”

Clara Neupert interned with Wisconsin Watch as part of the Ann Devroy Memorial Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Wisconsin Watch (wisconsinwatch.org) collaborates with WPR, PBS Wisconsin, other news media and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by Wisconsin Watch do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or Rock Valley Publishing.