Common Councilors are expected to discuss an overview of changes to a proposed Edgewater redevelopment, finances and a timeline at a Jan. 28 informational presentation meeting. The Hammes Company, the developers behind the proposed project, will offer a brief presentation.

 read more »

Dane County supervisors are expected to vote on portions of the budget beginning Nov. 16. In October, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced a $10 million budget hole and proposed deep cuts to such areas as human services, along with a 3 percent pay-cut for all county employees, including elected officials. Falk's proposed budget is $490 million, a reduction from last year's. Officials also are seeking a levy increase.

 read more »

City officials are asking individuals to consider adopting ice this year to help maintain local skating rinks. People will be asked to help with removing snow and maintaining ice, and city workers will help set up facilities, provide security and equipment, among things.

The Adopt the Ice program is one way of maintaining a number of neighborhood ice rinks that had originally been cut from the 2010 budget.

 read more »

The Madison Area Transportation Planning Board will hold a public hearing on an amendment to the Regional Transportation Plan 2030: Madison Metropolitan Area and Dane County. The amendment adds major roadway and pedestrian-bicycle improvements to the Verona Road/West Beltline interchange area.

The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 2, at Madison Water Utility, 119 E. Olin Ave., Conference Room A-B.

 read more »

The Grassroots Leadership College (GLC) is accepting applications for its fall semester. GLC is a training program to help Madison-area residents improve their communities' quality of life. Applications are due Aug. 3.

Have you participated in GLC programs? If so, please tell us what skills you learned, ways you used what you learned, and more.  read more »

The Madison School and Community Recreation program is piloting a neighborhood center in the Meadwood neighborhood on the city's southwest side. An open house and sneak peek of the center will be held Feb. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. Learn more. read more »

Madison residents can track crime in the city by visiting an interactive map, CrimeReports.com. According to an Isthmus report, the police department hopes to formally announce the site in mid-January. Have you used the site? Do you think this type of information should be accessible through interactive crime maps?  read more »

East-side residents have proposed pocket dog parks, where their pets can run leash-free. Would you support having small, pocket parks for dogs? Do you use area dog parks? What are the advantages and disadvantages of neighborhood dog parks? Learn more about the issue. read more »

A local group has organized a rally to protest City Council members' decision to increase bus fares. Under the new budget, fares could increase 50 cents, to $2. Sponsors of the Nov. 24 rally at Monona Terrace, Madison Area Bus Advocates, hope to draw more attention to the issue and halt the hike.

 read more »

Members of the Board of Estimates meet Oct. 27 and are expected to discuss potential fare hikes for Metro transportation. The mayor and Metro have proposed hiking fares by 50 or 25 cents from the current $1.50.

What do you think about these hikes? Is now the time to raise fares? Do you take the bus, drive a car, carpool, bike, or walk to work and after work hours? read more »