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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022
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Morse appointed new Rock County Circuit Court judge Gov. Tony Evers late last week announced his appointment of Ashley Morse to the Rock County Circuit Court–Branch 4. The appointment fills the vacancy being created by Judge Daniel T. Dillon’s resignation, effective April 5, 2022. Morse will complete a term ending July 31, 2023. “Ashley Morse is a recognized and Ashley Morse accomplished leader whose dedication to improving the legal system, especially the juvenile legal system, and tireless commitment to justice will make her an excellent judge for the people of Rock County,” Evers stated in a press release from his office. “I am proud to announce her appointment…, and of the strong, positive impact she will continue to have in the community and in our state.” Morse has worked for the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office since 2010, and has been based in Janesville since 2014, representing indigent clients as an assistant state public defender in a variety of criminal and civil proceedings in several counties across the state. Locally, she has served on the Rock County Trauma Task Force, the Rock County Youth Justice Racial Disparities Committee, and has coached the Turner High School Mock Trial Team. “I am proud that Attorney Ashley Morse will be Rock County’s first woman of color to serve as judge,” said Beloit City Councilor Regina Dunkin. “I know that her caring, intellect, and experience as a public defender will ensure that she applies the law fairly. I am happy to support her appointment and look forward to her many years of dedicated service to the community and rule of law.” “Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg once said that: ‘real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.’ I welcome Ashley Morse to the Rock County bench as she takes the next step forward,” said Rock County Circuit Court Judge Barbara McCrory. Morse lives in Janesville and is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and of the University of Wisconsin Law School. She has worked extensively with the National Juvenile Defender Center (now The Gault Center), including her selection as an Ambassador for Racial Justice. This program, which is jointly sponsored by the Georgetown Juvenile Justice Initiative, is highly selective and seeks defenders committed to challenging racial injustice in the juvenile legal system. As a capstone project, she developed a local training program on the impacts of racial trauma on youth. Her leadership led to her selection as the Racial Disparity Practice Coordinator for the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office, where she is expanding this training. “I am truly grateful to Governor Evers for the opportunity to serve Rock County as a circuit court judge,” said Morse. “I would like to thank my family, friends, and colleagues for supporting me in this endeavor, and for their unwavering confidence in my ability to serve as a fair and impartial jurist dedicated to treating all individuals with dignity and respect. I am committed to ensuring the dispensation of justice equally for all by bringing a new perspective, expertise, and extensive experience to the bench.”
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Noah’s Ark provides children with Christian-based curriculum Recent stressors on the economy, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have focused a spotlight on the need for quality childcare. But the issue of access to affordable, high-quality childcare isn’t new. In fact, the need for more childcare in Monroe is what prompted Monroe United Methodist Church to start Noah’s Ark Preschool and Childcare almost 25 years ago. Noah’s Ark began in 1998 and continues today as a mission of the church. It is a state-licensed group childcare center with a Christian-based curriculum. The center includes six rooms within the Monroe United Methodist Church building for the different age groups it serves: an infant room, 1-yearold room, 2-year-old room, 3-year-old room, 4-year-old room, and a school-age program with before- and after-school care during the school year and full- or partday childcare available during the summer. The Monroe school district provides busing for school-age and 4K students. “Our mission is to connect children with God and one another,” said Director Ruby Clark. “With the help and support of our church, the Noah’s Ark staff and board have made a commitment to offer loving care and education in a Christian environment to the children of our community.” Noah’s Ark offers a seam-
SUBMITTED PHOTO Brodhead Independent-Register
Children at Noah’s Ark Preschool and Childcare at Monroe United Methodist Church engage in Christian-based activities that help to nurture social, emotional, mental and physical development.
less progression through the center’s age-based classrooms. “We strive to give children a positive first learning experience so they can continue to become life-long learners,” she said. “It is a privilege to be a part of the lives of the children and
families we serve, and watch each child explore their world and reach milestones,” Clark said. “It is rewarding to see the families grow through the years.” Early childhood education benefits children’s social, emotional, mental and physical de-
velopment, Clark said. An example of this lasting, positive impact can be seen right at Noah’s Ark. Clark points to a former Noah’s Ark student who is now an elementary teacher in her own classroom. “She says she knew she wanted to be a teacher ever since she was 3 years old because she had enjoyed her years at Noah’s Ark so much.” With the tremendous impact that early childhood educators make, Clark advocates for changes in how her profession is viewed. “Our teachers need to be looked at as the professionals they are and be compensated with higher wages and health benefits for the incredible work they do,” she said. One way to help support childcare in the community is to extend school outreach programs to childcare centers, Clark suggested. Supporting childcare and early childcare educators really means ensuring the entire community flourishes. “Without childcare, businesses and the community would suffer,” Clark explained. “We are interwoven and need to support each other to all thrive now and in the future.”
Editor’s note: This is the ninth in a series of profiles on Green County-based child care programs penned by the Green County Development Corporation.
Tornado sirens will go off April 7 for awareness week To mark Wisconsin’s Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness week April 4-8, municipalities throughout Green County will be participating in the statewide tornado siren test on Thursday, April 7. Friday, April 8 is scheduled as the backup date in case of severe weather on Thursday. Tornado sirens will be activated at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Now is a great time to test
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personal severe weather plans and to designate a safe place to take shelter at home and at work too, according to emergency planning officials. Everyone should have an emergency-supply kit with first aid supplies, water and non-perishable food, among other supplies. A complete list, along with more emergency preparedness tips can be found at Green County Emergency Manage-
ment’s website at www.greencountyem.com. Tornadoes can be indicated by radar, but sometimes they form so quickly that there isn’t time for warnings to be activated. During severe weather, be sure to remain alert for approaching storms and changes in the weather. Look for these danger signs: dark, often greenish sky, large hail, a large dark, low – lying
cloud (particularly if rotating) and a loud roar similar to a freight train. Stay alert for weather information on local radio and television stations. Everyone should have a NOAA weather radio, which are activated by the National Weather Services that provides immediate weather watches, warning and advisories.
See SIRENS, Page 2