Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why a Madison man avoided prison after a fire displaced his neighbors.

And on the Madison Patch calendar - Tuesday Tango Night - Class & Social

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Tuesday December 16th Patch AM
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Good morning Madison! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why a Madison man avoided prison after a fire displaced his neighbors.
  • What will MMSD’s new executive director change for Madison students?
  • Could Madison start billing neighboring police for risky high-speed chases?

Also on today's calendar: Tuesday Tango Night - Class & Social and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Madisonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Madison? Post it to Madison photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Madisonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Mostly cloudy and not as cold, with a high of 37 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Cloudy, temps: high: 36, low: 32.
  • Thursday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., with a high of 39 and low of 5 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Man given probation after pleading guilty to setting apartment fire (fox47.com) — A Madison man has been sentenced to three years of probation after admitting he set fire to his Blossom Lane apartment, which displaced five people earlier this year. Court records show he pleaded guilty to negligent handling of burning material, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct, and he now faces strict conditions including a ban from Blossom Lane and required mental health evaluation.
   

2. Madison Metropolitan School District hires new executive director of schools (fox47.com) — Madison Metropolitan School District has hired Dr. Keona S. Jones as its new senior executive director of schools and learning, bringing nearly 30 years of education leadership experience. She’ll help drive MMSD’s strategic priorities and support principals and teachers, with a focus on strong relationships, equitable access, and high expectations for Madison students.
   

3. Madison, Monona Police Depts. at odds over mutual aid reimbursement (wkow.com) — Madison city leaders are weighing a resolution that would let the city bill other agencies, like Monona Police, for “extraordinary” costs when Madison officers provide mutual aid across city lines. The move follows a serious crash involving an MPD officer during a Monona-initiated chase and has sparked tension over pursuit policies and the future of interagency cooperation.
   

4. Special committee created to investigate Wisconsin DOJ (fox47.com) — State lawmakers meeting in Madison have created a special Senate committee to scrutinize how the Wisconsin Department of Justice operates and who may be influencing its work. Led by Republican Senate leaders, the panel will review the DOJ’s priorities and authority and issue recommendations in April 2026, with two Democrats also expected to serve.
   

5. Dane County receives $100,000 grant to support gun violence victims (channel3000.com) — Dane County is getting a $100,000 state grant to expand crisis and long-term support for gun violence victims, working closely with Public Health Madison & Dane County and Focused Interruption. Local partners say the funding will strengthen on-the-ground outreach and services for affected families, aiming to make communities in and around Madison safer and more supported after shootings.
   

📸 Around Madison

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Madison

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📣 Madison Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • An adventure on the BRT.
    I was telling a visiting friend that all the flap on Next Door about the Bus Rapid Transit made me want to ride it end to end. She wanted to join in,… (Nextdoor Crawford-Marlborough-Nakoma)
  • Hi, we are new to Wisconsin.
    I would like to take my kids to help with a charity of some sort this season, food pantry, toy drive, etc. kids are age 6-12. I do not mean to sound… (Nextdoor Sprecher East)
  • WisDOT is implementing safety countermeasures across the state to reduce wrong-way driving incidents. We can’t address this alone. We urge drivers to... (X: WisconsinDOT)
  • Now the right lane is closed on the eastbound Beltline at South Towne Dr. Traffic slow back to John Nolen. (X: madisontraffic)
  • Target Corporation posted a job opening for Seasonal: 4am Inbound (Stocking) (T1069) in Madison. Apply here.
  • FedEx posted a job opening for Material Handler - Part Time (Warehouse like) in Madison. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Madison here.

Ok Madison! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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