News

Lawmakers seek answers following foster care fraud allegations

Thursday, February 14th, 2013, 8:29pm

State lawmakers said they want to know what changes could be made to prevent fraud in the state's foster care program following alleged fraud by Middleton's Community Care Resources Inc.

The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services called Wisconsin Department of Children and Families officials to testify at a hearing Thursday to ask how luxury cars, boats and pricey travel were allegedly charged to accounts by CCR using taxpayer money.

Lawmakers are anxious to get to the bottom of the alleged fraud, but based on testimony from DCF, they may not have an immediate solution to prevent it from happening again.

State DCF officials said CCR's alleged fraud was caused by a lack of financial oversight. DCF officials told the Senate health committee that CCR's unusual expenses reports caught their attention in November 2011, when several counties reported missing the company's expenses reports.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Teacher awarded for commitment to literacy instruction

Submitted by Perry Hibner, Community Relations Specialist, MCPASD

Thursday, February 14th, 2013, 7:13pm

Teacher awarded for commitment to literacy instruction

Accolade honors West Middleton staff member

An area elementary school received the Outstanding Service Award from the Wisconsin State Reading Association at its state convention last week at the Delta Center in Milwaukee.

"I was pleased just to be nominated for the award and was very excited about receiving it,'' West Middleton staff member Judy Ellickson said.

Ellickson has worked in education for about 25 years, including the last 12 in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District. Prior to that she worked in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Dells and Johnson Creek.

She became involved in WSRA in 1990 while serving as a reading specialist in the Johnson Creek School District. She has served on the WSRA executive committee and been a state officer serving previously as recording secretary and now as the Southwest Zone coordinator.

View Comments | Post a Comment

10 residents displaced in Middleton apartment fire

Submitted by Channel3000 Web Staff

Wednesday, February 13th, 2013, 9:56am

A fire at an apartment complex in Middleton Tuesday night displaced at least 10 people from their homes.

The fire was reported just before 10 p.m. at a multi-unit apartment building at 2070 Allen Blvd in Middleton.

According to Middleton fire spokesperson Brad Subera, no one was injured in the blaze, and firefighters managed to save a cat from the fire.

However, Subera said one unit was heavily damaged, and much of the second floor of the complex suffered smoke damage.

Subera said the fire started after a resident planned to cook something on the stove, but changed his mind and fell asleep. However, he left the stove on, along with some storage items on top of the burner, which caught fire.

Fire officials hope to have a damage estimate later Wednesday.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Sun Prairie, Memorial boys remain tied for first

Submitted by Channel3000 Web Staff

Wednesday, February 13th, 2013, 8:40am

Sun Prairie's Nick Fuller hit a three-point shot at the end of regulation, and the Cardinals held off Middleton for a 72-70 boys basketball win in overtime at Sun Prairie Tuesday night.

Fuller sent the game to overtime with a long three at the fourth quarter buzzer, then hit key free throws in the final minutes of overtime to ice the game.

Nick Noskowiak led Sun Prairie with 31 points, while Fuller added 23.

Luke Schaefer had 25 for Middleton which made 13 3-point shots in the game.

Madison Memorial defeated Madison West 68-47. Jester Weah did not play for the Spartans after he was injured in a game Saturday.

Sun Prairie and Madison Memorial remain tied for the Big Eight Conference lead in boys basketball with 15 and 2 records.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Little oversight cited in possible foster care overcharges

Submitted by Channel3000 Web Staff

Monday, February 11th, 2013, 9:04am

County officials working with a Middleton foster care agency accused of overcharging taxpayers say the financial information the agency disclosed wasn't detailed enough to spot potential misuse.

The State Journal said Community Care Resources may have overcharged taxpayers by more than $6 million by exploiting weaknesses in financial oversight by the counties and the state.

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families revoked the agency's license following an audit it said found inflated salaries and taxpayer money spent on luxury cars, personal travel and other expenses between 2009 and 2011.

Owner Dan Simon has vigorously denied the allegations.

Until a year ago, the state had no oversight over the charges the company billed each county. Now the state sets the rates that can be charged per child.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Fines for hosting underage-drinking parties up to $5K

Submitted by Tabatha Wethal, Channel3000.com Community Reporter

Sunday, February 10th, 2013, 6:50pm

The Middleton Common Council on Tuesday reiterated its opposition to, and significantly increased local penalties levied against, adults who help minors gain access to alcohol.

District 1 alderman Paul Kinne said the ordinance, which was approved unanimously, was designed to counter a "disturbing trend" in which adults believe they are preventing drunk driving and other dangerous activities by allowing minors to drink in a safe setting, according to the Middleton Times-Tribune.

Tuesday’s vote to impose fines of up to $5,000 for repeat offenders showed the Middleton Common Council disagrees with parents who feel that way.

View Comments | Post a Comment