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Crews rescue fishermen who fell through ice

The Middleton Fire Department and the city of Madison Lake Rescue Team rescued two ice fishermen whose ATV broke through the ice on Lake Mendota Sunday morning.

Middleton firefighters, Madison Engine 9 and the Lake Rescue Team were called at 7:51 a.m. to the area of Marshall Park.

Middleton firefighters, wearing dry rescue suits, made their way onto the ice to assess the victims' conditions. One fisherman was helped out of the icy water.

Both victims were brought to shore, where Middleton paramedics were waiting. The patients were evaluated for injuries but didn't need to be transported for treatment.

Once the rescue was completed, the Lake Rescue team assisted Middleton firefighters with pulling the ATV out of the ice, according to a Madison Fire Department news release.

Local online sex trade revealed in Middleton investigation

A Middleton man was caught in an online prostitution ring, which is just the tip of the Internet crime iceberg, authorities said. Law enforcement said prostitution is prevalent online, but finding the culprits can get complex, expensive and time consuming.

Just a few clicks of the mouse and Web users will find they can buy or sell almost anything on sites like backpage.com.

Ads can be found promising $80 specials for a "good time."

"It's a very easy way for them to sell their wares and make victims available for victimization on the Internet," said Dean Stensberg, director of public affairs with the state Department of Justice.

Alvin Siller, 38, known as "Slim," has been charged with more than a dozen felony offenses, including human trafficking, pimping and child enticement. Siller is accused of using backpage.com to advertise women for sex.

It's a case Middleton police have been tracking for more than a year.

Middleton man sentenced in embezzlement case

A Middleton man was sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison and restitution for his role in an embezzlement case involving a Madison company.

Erick Torrez, 36, was a distributor service representative for Hy Cite between 2002- 2009. Prosecutors said between April 2006 and July 2009 Torrez diverted $147,244 from Hy Cite to a bank account he controlled.

Hy Cite sells cookware and air and water filtration systems.

Torrez was sentenced Thursday to 21 months in prison and was ordered to pay $147,244 in restitution. He pleaded guilty on Jan. 10.

Fight leads to 6th offense OWI arrest

Fight leads to 6th offense OWI arrest

A Middleton woman was arrested on suspicion of sixth offense operating while intoxicated after police responded to a report of a fight at a bar Wednesday morning.

Middleton police were called to Club Tavern at 1915 Branch St. at 1:54 a.m. for a report of a fight. Police said one of the people involved in the fight was backing out of a parking spot when they arrived.

Police said Dawn M. Jessie, 50, of Middleton, failed field sobriety tests. She was also arrested on suspicion of operating after revocation and operating without insurance.

CCR owner built company from scratch

The owner of a foster care company accused of misusing $6.1 million in taxpayer dollars built his operation from the ground up.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports Dan Simon began Community Care Resources 23 years ago. He built the company into the largest for-profit foster care placement agency in the state, licensing foster parents and contracting with counties to place children in their homes. The newspaper reported the company generates about $6 million in annual revenue.

The state Department of Children and Families revoked CCR's license. The agency alleges CCR misused tax dollars to inflate salaries, purchase luxury cars and personal travel. Simon has denied the allegations.

Middleton home damaged in fire

A Middleton home was damaged late Monday after a fire broke out in the attached garage.

Just before midnight, crews were called to a report of a structure fire on the 15-hundred block of Camberwell court. That's not far from the Beltline and North High Point road.

Police said the single-family home was safely evacuated during the fire.

Eyewitnesses said the fire was mostly burning on the attached garage, with two cars burned out inside.

Crews worked to keep the fire from spreading to the house.��� No one was injured and damage estimates aren't known at this time.

Two felony drug arrests made in Middleton

Two felony drug arrests made in Middleton

Extra patrols in Middleton over the St. Partrick's Day holiday led to more than 50 traffic stops over the weekend, and two people facing felony drug charges.

Middleton police pulled the two men over around 2:30 a.m. Saturday in the 2000 block of Allen Boulevard.

Denneil Acklin, 33, of Sun Prairie, faces charges of cocaine and marijuana possession with intent to deliver following a traffic stop.

Anthony Hall, 29, of Middleton also faces charges of marijuana possession with intent to deliver.

In addition to those arrests, police issued 67 other citations to other drivers as part of extra patrols, including charges of operating while intoxicated, open intoxicants and underage drinking.