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Thursday, October 31, 2019 • Vol. 138, No. 15 • Stoughton, WI • ConnectStoughton.com • $1.25
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City of Stoughton
Another skimpy budget up for vote Mayor’s proposal passes on most department requests JIM FEROLIE Hub editor
If You Go What: City of Stoughton budget public hearing When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 Where: City Hall, 207 S. Forrest St. Info: 873-6677
As predicted, the mayor’s proposed 2020 budget for the City of Stoughton has few frills and passes on most new department head requests. And yet, despite providing a fraction of the more Budget than $350,000 in requestpublication ed staffing and other operational additions, it also The Hub, Oct. 24 features a tax increase for most people. While the city’s tax rate rise for most residents would drop nearly 2 per- because property values cent under the proposal, the effective tax rate will Turn to Budget/Page 10
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Photo by Mackenzie Krumme
Levi Miller, gets cookies from Fosdal’s Bakery while trick or treating during Destination Weekend Saturday, Oct. 26.
Downtown destination Stoughton’s Destination Weekend saw hundreds of participants strolling through downtown to enjoy businesses, tours, rosemaling and Norwegian heritage. Visitors were able to shop at the Wisconsin State Rosemaling Association Bazaar, browse black and white photos by Knud Knudsen at Livsreise, watch the Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers perform and collect candy with
downtown trick or treating. Destination Weekend has been an annual tradition for seven years. It is put on by the Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge, Stoughton Chamber of Commerce and Stoughton Norwegian Summit group. To view or buy the photos in the slideshow, visit smugmug.com Contact Mackenzie at mackenzie. krumme@wcinet.com.
Inside More Destination Weekend photos Page 12 Photo by Mackenzie Krumme
Tru by Hilton’s construction site in Kettle Park West on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Bruno makes mental illness not guilty plea Kettle Park West hotel Stoughton man KIMBERLY WETHAL Unified Newspaper Group
A Stoughton man accused of the November 2017 murder of his roommate is set to stand trial early next year. Ted Bruno was found competent by Judge William Hanrahan on Wednesday, Oct. 2, based on a d o c t o r ’s r e p o r t . B r u n o had spent almost a year in Mendota Mental Health
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Gaida 11 times with a knife during an argument at the home on Felland Street, breaking the knife off in Gaida’s throat. He told police he had left the house after subduing Gaida and returned to make sure he was dead, according to the criminal complaint produced by the district attorney. Bruno was deemed incompetent to stand trial in October 2018 when he was sentenced to spend 335 days at MMHI. Hanrahan approved involuntary medication based on the testimony of MMHI psychologist Ana Garcia, who testified that Bruno suffers from delusions and disorganized
thinking. The October 2018 competency evaluation, completed by Wisconsin Forensic Unit psychologist Dr. Christina Engen, also concluded Bruno showed signs of undiagnosed schizophrenia. During the October 2018 competency hearing, Bruno said he felt competent to stand trial and did not need medication, but Engen argued he was not, but could become so with treatment. Bruno most recently challenged the involuntary medication order on Sept. 5. Amber Levenhagen’s reporting contributed to this story.
construction begins RENEE HICKMAN Unified Newspaper Group
More than three years after the city approved it, a new hotel is under construction on the city’s west side. Construction on the Tru by Hilton hotel in the Kettle Park West development began last week, Forward Development Group development and construction executive Fred DeVillers confirmed Monday to the Hub. Paul Harms, who will be the manager of the new
hotel, told the Hub on Monday night an official groundbreaking ceremony will take place Nov. 14. The development has faced many delays. In early 2018, FDG representative Dennis Steinkraus told the Hub construction was scheduled to begin in May 2018 and be completed by March 2019. Developers originally obtained a permit in July 2016, but it expired after one year. The Stoughton Common Council voted to approve another permit in January 2018.
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competent to be tried for roommate’s murder
Institute, receiving court-ordered medication. Bruno had pleaded not guilty to first-degree homicide in Bruno the killing of roommate Kim Gaida in April 2018. On Thursday, Oct. 24, his lawyer Eric Schulenburg sent a letter to Hanrahan, adding “Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease of Defect” to his plea. Bruno is set to stand trial for the homicide charge in early January. On Nov. 27, 2017, Bruno is alleged to have stabbed