I hate raking leaves. Yet, higher authorities within my household insist that it must be done. Sometimes it must even be done while important football games are on TV or during designated nap times. 

Now, there is new vindication for my position that raking leaves is an absolute waste of time. This vindication comes from SCIENCE! And also, City Recycling Coordinator George Dreckmann. 

Your leaves and those of your neighbors and your neighbors' neighbors add up to a whopping 16,000 tons of leaves every fall. For the cost of about $1.1 million, we pick them up and take them to a central site where they are composted. Then you can drive to the city compost sites and pick up some of the stuff to return to your yard and garden.

Read More at Mayor Dave's Blog.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office has received a $60,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for additional operating while intoxicated traffic enforcement.  The money is twice the amount received in last year's grant cycle.

The first deployment under the new grant will be on Saturday when an additional five deputies will be working overtime patrol to stop intoxicated drivers. The deputies will be focusing on the Beltline Highway for this initial deployment from about 11 p.m. until 2 a.m.

With the increase in grant money, the additional patrols may be on the roads throughout Dane County nearly two times per week.  The times, days and locations of the deployments will vary.

October is National Physical Therapy Month, and Dean Clinic Physical Therapists are celebrating by cleaning out their basements, closets and garages.  They are in search of any medical supplies that may be in working order.  That includes, but is not limited to, braces, walkers, crutches, accessible clean bathroom equipment, wheel chairs, etc.

You can help as well, by donating any medical supplies you no longer need.  The following clinics will be accepting donations through Nov. 15.