Press Release - Wisconsin's Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week

Wisconsin’s Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week 

April 15-19, 2013

Listen, Act and Live!

 (MADISON) – Listen, Act and Live! Those words could protect you and your family during severe storm season. Listening to warnings and seeking shelter immediately will save lives. That’s why Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM), ReadyWisconsin and the National Weather Service (NWS) have teamed up for Wisconsin’s Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week April 15-19, 2013.

Did you know that…

• Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually. 
• Last year, only 4 tornadoes were reported in Wisconsin by the NWS. The strongest tornado in 2012 hit near Patch Grove in Grant County on September 4. No fatalities or injuries were reported.
• In 2011, 38 tornadoes in Wisconsin were confirmed by the NWS, the fourth highest number on record. On August 19, a man was killed when a tornado with winds of 105 mph struck Marinette County. 
• The peak tornado season in Wisconsin is April to August, but tornadoes can occur any time of year, like the January 7, 2008 storms near Kenosha.

On Thursday, April 18, 2013, a statewide tornado drill is planned. At 1:00pm, the National Weather Service will issue a statewide mock tornado watch and at 1:45pm a statewide mock tornado warning. Many radio and TV stations will participate in the drill. In addition, NOAA weather radios (also known as emergency weather radios) will issue alert messaging. This is an ideal opportunity for schools, businesses and families to practice safe procedures for severe weather.

Important: The tornado drill will take place even if the sky is cloudy, dark and/or rainy. If actual severe storms are expected in the state on Thursday April 18, the tornado drill will be postponed until Friday, April 19 with the same times. If severe storms are possible Friday the drill will be cancelled.

Additional information can be found in this document: Tornado 2013 Media (attachment).pdf

Information From STH 26 Bypass Public Information Meeting

It was a full house in the Council Chambers at the Public Information Meeting on Thursday, April 4th for the State Highway 26 Bypass.

Here are a few of the key points from the meeting. In the coming weeks we will post maps on our website for the project.

The segment of STH 26 from Townline Road to CTH N:

• Contacts:
• Teri Schopp 608-516-6467 
• Jim Grender 608-712-0533 

• Key Dates:
• Lane Closures on STH 26 starting the week of April 22nd 
• Traffic switch to the new bypass on the northbound lanes, late August-early October
• Project completed by the end of 2013 

The segment of STH 26 from CTH N to Fort Atkinson:

• Contacts: 
• Teri Schopp 608-516-6467 
• Chris Fredrick 608-516-7129 

• Key Dates:
• Starting work on April 15th 
• Complete off alignment work (new lanes) in 2013 
• Early 2014, switch traffic to the newly constructed lanes and reconstruct the existing STH 26 lanes 
• Project completed by the end of 2014

The segment of existing STH 26, jurisdictional transfer design project:

• Contact:
• Jeremy Hall 608-245-2655 

• Key Dates:
• Tentatively schedule for construction in 2014

Press Release - Copper Burglary

Below is a press release from April 6, 2013 from Milton Police Lieutenant John Conger.  The incident described below is believed to have occurred sometime after March 30, 2013



Today, at approximately 2:00pm, our agency responded to the report of yet another residential copper theft burglary. This is the fourth similar incident since January that has been reported in the City of Milton. The vacant residence was located in the 300 block of Rogers Street, and entry was forced through a rear window on the West side of the house.

All of the exposed copper piping had been removed from the residence in the incident. Nothing else of value was reported stolen. 

We are continuing to ask that owners of vacant homes, realtors and neighbors that are nearby vacant homes to be extra vigilant in securing the properties and that neighbors report any suspicious behavior at such homes.

Individuals that come forward with information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for this crime are eligible for a cash reward through Janesville Area Crimestoppers. Individuals with tips can remain anonymous. If you have information regarding this incident please contact the Milton Police Department at 757-2244 or Janesville Area Crimestoppers at 756-3636. Anonymous tips can also be sent via text to CRIMES (274637), then enter JACS, plus your message.

Milton Middle School Presents Willy Wonka Junior - April 12th and 13th

 The Milton Middle School will be performing their production of Willy Wonka Junior on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at the Milton Middle School Gymnasium.  Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door on the day of the show.

Outdoor Warning System: Siren Testing - April 3, 2013

Below is a press release from the Rock County Sheriff's Office regarding outdoor warning system testing that will take place tomorrow, April 3, 2013 at 12:05 p.m.



Rock County tests the Outdoor Warning System sirens on a monthly basis from April through October every year. The sirens are tested at 12:05 pm on the first Wednesday of the month unless Rock County is threatened with inclement weather at the time. In the event that there is a chance of inclement weather, siren testing will be postponed until 12:05 pm on the second Wednesday of the month. 

The Rock County Outdoor Warning System will resume monthly siren tests on April 3rd, 2013 at 12:05 pm. The test signal will be 1 -2 minutes in duration. Please tune in to your local radio stations or weather radios for all weather related information and instructions when the sirens are sounded.

Test Signal vs. Tornado Warning  

• Test signal: Steady tone lasting 1 – 2 minutes
• Tornado Warning: Steady tone lasting 3 – 5 minutes 

In the event of a tornado warning, the sirens will alert steadily for three to five minutes. This alert will indicate that citizens should immediately take shelter and tune in to local broadcasting stations or weather radios for further information.

Citizens are reminded that they should not call the Rock County 911 Communications Center or local radio stations for weather information. If residents find that the siren in their area is not working, they should contact the Rock County Sheriff’s Office – Emergency Management Division at 608-758-8440. For further information on the Outdoor Warning System, please visit http://www.co.rock.wi.us/outdoor-warning-system.

Spring Election - April 2, 2013

The Spring Election is taking place tomorrow, April 2, 2013. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All City of Milton residents vote in the Council Chambers located on the lower level of the Shaw Municipal Center, 430 E. High Street. There are currently 6 outstanding absentee ballots.

First Community Bank - Community Shred Day!

Below is information from First Community Bank about a document shredding event they are hosting on April 20th.  Contact First Community Bank at (608) 868-7644 if you have any questions.

 Community Shred Day!

When: Saturday, April 20th from 9 a.m. to noon

Where: First Community Bank parking lot (across the street from the bank)

Cost: Free!  Donations to the Milton Food Pantry are appreciated but not required.

Protect your identity!  Securely shredding personal information keeps it out of the hands of identity thieves.

Help the environment!  All shredded paper is recycled, keeping it out of the landfills.

***Paper must be dry***