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56 arts projects, orgs get cut of $91K grants

More than 50 area artists and organizations got a cut of $91,775 in funding earmarked for cultural programs, city representatives said.

At its May 21 meeting, the Madison Common Council approved the recommendations of the Madison Arts Commission to award 56 of Madison's artists and non-profit organizations.

The commission said more than 90 percent of funding applicants received a grant, which MAC chair Leslee Nelson described as seed money.

“Especially for new projects, even a small amount of funding provides an endorsement that groups use to find additional resources required,” Nelson said in a news release.

The projects funded ranged from theatrical productions, dance and ballet programs, musical instruction at various schools, and more.

For a list of the 56 organizations and projects, visit the City of Madison website.

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'Thong Cape Scooter Man' cleared from complaint

A man well-known to many Madison residents has been cleared after a complaint about one of his many appearances as what police call the ?Thong Cape Scooter Man,? according to Madison police.

The 56-year-old man, who is known to police, has been spotted around Madison riding a scooter and wearing a black cape with red trim, a thong, a helmet and nothing else.

Staff at Kennedy Elementary School at 221 Meadowlark Drive complained to police when the man drove past the school on May 16 while students were being let out of class.

When police visited the man about the complaint, he admitted he exercised poor judgment by going past the school during that time of day. He told the officer it was unintentional because he just happened to be traveling through the area.

Police said the officer checked with the City Attorney?s Office about issuing a disorderly conduct citation. An assistant city attorney told the officer there had been no violation of any ordinances.

Pizza driver on delivery robbed, police say

A pizza delivery driver was robbed while taking an order to the east side, police said.

The Madison Police Department said a driver taking food to the 1500 block of Wayridge Drive just after midnight Saturday was approached at the delivery address by three men wearing hooded jackets and bandanas over their faces.

According to the report, two of the men with covered faces had guns. The men fled on foot after taking money and other items from the 24-year-old pizza driver, police said.
The driver was not injured, Madison police added.

The incident is under investigation.

Local bowling alleys donate to tornado victims

Three local bowling alleys are contributing proceeds generated on Saturday to tornado victims in Oklahoma.

Bowl-A-Vard Lanes in Madison, Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg and Prairie Lanes in Sun Prairie are donating half of their proceeds from noon to midnight to the United Way of Central Okalahoma.

United Way uses funds to house and feed victims of the tornado in Oklahoma.

Sun Prairie girls, LaFollette boys win track titles

The Sun Prairie girls and Madison LaFollette boys won team titles at the WIAA Track regional at Mansfield Stadium Thursday night.

Sun Prairie got wins from Kamry Gipson in the shot put, Katie Hietpas in the 3200 meter run, Laura Skornia in the pole vault and Tierney Lindner in the high jump.

LaFollette's boys event winners include Chandler Diffee in the 1600 and 3200, Daniel Freiberg in the 400, and the Lancers' 4x400 meter relay.

Memorial's Jester Weah won the 100 meter dash with the fastest time in the state this season- 10.59 seconds.

His Memorial teammate, Daurice Fountain won the 110 and 300 meter hurdle races.

The WIAA State Track and Field meet begins Friday May 31 at UW-LaCrosse.

For video on this story, visit the video section

Boys' golf team has unique No. 1

Boys' golf team has unique No. 1

The Madison Abundant Life/Country Day boys golf team has made great strides this season starting at the top.

Junior Maya Muldowney picked up the game only two years ago, but she's already playing at the No. 1 position for the Challengers boys golf team.

Burglar flees golf course clubhouse empty-handed

A burglary attempt was interrupted when Madison police arrived at the scene of a golf course clubhouse Thursday morning.

Police were called to Bridges Golf Course & Restaurant at 2702 Shopko Drive at 1:20 a.m. in response to a burglar alarm.

Officers said they found a door to the club house pried open, but the burglar fled empty-handed.

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