The Wisconsin Ethics Board fined the Tavern League of Wisconsin $2,500 for hosting 48 state legislators-one of whom was later charged with drunken driving-at a reception in March.
The Ethics Board ruled the Tavern League illegally entertained the legislators by providing them food and drink without charging full cost. Wisconsin lobby law, which is among the strictest in the nation, forbids organizations that hire lobbyists to give gifts to state government officials.
\The Ethics Board is committed to enhancing the integrity of a legislative process in which decisions are made on the merits of ideas, not on the quantity of shrimp served or the merits of the cocktail sauce,"" said Roth Judd, Ethics Board director.
Some time after the reception ended, state Sen. Russ Decker, D-Schofield, was cited in Middleton for drunken driving. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Decker paid a $250 fine and has lost his driver's license for six months.
An 18-year old man fell from a balcony late Saturday evening during the Mifflin Street Block Party, according to WKOW 27 News.
When emergency crews arrived at the house on the 500 block of West Mifflin, the man was unconscious but the paramedics were able to revive him.
According to WKOW 27 News, eyewitnesses said the man was laying in front of the two houses on 504 and 506 West Mifflin St.
The man did not live at the residence from which he fell and his current condition is unknown.
Madison Police Department Public Information Officer Mike Hanson told WKOW 27 News ""alcohol appeared to be a major factor in this individual falling off the balcony.""
""The trouble with the Mifflin Street Block Party is these house parties are so large that strangers come walking up to your house to buy beer or party with you,"" Hanson said. ""Anytime there is an injury like this and an instance like this, we need to investigate-was it a properly fitted house, or balcony, or [was] any foul play involved?""
The Willy Street Co-op has decided not to open a grocery store at the Monroe Commons site.
According to a release from the Co-op, proposed lease terms from Monroe Partners were deemed ""unrealistic and ill-matched for [the co-op's] long-term financial stability.""
The Co-op is currently investigating other possible sites for a second store and will continue to assist other co-ops in Madison according to the release.
