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Facebook dispute leads to girls fighting

A dispute that started on Facebook led to a fight between two teenage girls, according to Madison police.

Police said the 14-year-old and 15-year-old girls brought several friends with them when they met in a park near North Sixth Street Tuesday afternoon. The girls exchanged blows, and the 14-year-old struck the 15-year-old in the face with a padlock, according to police.

The 15-year-old suffered facial cuts and a swollen lip.

The 15-year-old told police the 14-year-old was given the padlock by another girl.

The 14-year-old was arrested on suspicion of battery while armed and disorderly conduct. Another 14-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct while armed.

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Education fund to focus on traditional subjects, plus arts

The Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools will focus its efforts for the foreseeable future on the achievement gap and STEAM education, according to Executive Director Stephanie Hayden.

"We just felt that it was true to our mission and our vision for all schools to be successful, and so we knew the achievement gap had to be part of our focus moving forward," she said.

STEAM refers to the traditional STEM education -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- but  includes the arts.

PTO presidents consider education challenges

PTO presidents consider education challenges

Although the school board elections are over, education-related issues still weigh on parents’ minds.

For Suzanne Swift, the president of Franklin-Randall Elementary School’s parent-teacher organization, the issues are the same as they have always been, despite certain ones being used by candidates to "hang their hats on.”

Public meeting set on postal processing consolidation

A public meeting is set as part of the U.S. Postal Service study of possible consolidation of its Madison and Milwaukee processing and distribution operations.

The Postal Service is down $16 billion this past year, and a study at the Madison Processing and Distribution Center will focus on the possible consolidation of some Madison operations to the Milwaukee Processing and Distribution Center.

Postal Service officials cite declining mail volumes and the large financial deficits the decline has created as the reason for the study.

The meeting is scheduled for May 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Alliant Energy Center inside Exhibition Hall B.

Through an Area Mail Processing study, the Postal Service said it's examining the Madison plant's efficiency in order to decide whether the center should consolidate.

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Motorists warned to watch for speed enforcement

Madison area motorists are being warned about special traffic enforcement in the city this week.

The Madison Police Department's Traffic Enforcement Safety Team, is targeting the following areas for special enforcement:

  • Speed enforcement on Tuesday at 3700 Speedway Rd.

  • Speed enforcement on Wednesday at 2800 International Ln.

  • Speed and pedestrian safety enforcement on Thursday at 1400 Williamson St.

Madison police say they rely heavily on the cooperation of the public to follow all traffic laws.

Traffic to slow on John Nolen for training drill

Emergency responders plan to assess response skills and train in a multi-agency drill Monday afternoon, organizers said. Due to the nearly four-hour exercise taking place near the Monona Terrace and Olin Park, traffic will be affected and public access to some areas will be restricted, organizers said.

The City of Madison and Dane County Metropolitan Medical Response System plans to conduct a training operation at Monona Terrace on John Nolen Drive from noon to 3:30 p.m., according to a news release.

Madison Fire Department Spokesman Eric Dahl said the drills will mean increased emergency response vehicle traffic throughout the exercise areas. He said eastbound John Nolen Drive will be reduced to one lane in the area in front of Monona Terrace for responder safety. Public parking and the bike trail at Monona Terrace will remain open during the drills, Dahl said.

Pastry shop's cookie, quiche top menu options

Pastry shop's cookie, quiche top menu options

EatDrinkMadison.com reviews Chocolaterian Cafe  

Chocolaterian Cafe, which opened late last year on Atwood Avenue, seems to have something for everyone, with its wines, Just Coffee, a window into the kitchen and weekly live music. And of course, the main attractions --  the sweet and savory items on the menu.

Read feedback on the cafe's "Ugly Cookie," lemon ricotta, brownies and even quiche.

Read more at EatDrinkMadison.com