917 W. EXCHANGE STREET, BRODHEAD, WI 53520
College news...........................2 Hybrid 2025 Badger lambing school revealed........................3
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid The IndependentRegister
Shopping News
**ecrwss Postal Customer
Independent•Register
FREE! TAKE ONE
Parkview High School winter sports teams.............4
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 2025
608•897•2193
Bill package features homestead tax credit Last month, legislative Democrats introduced the Lowering Costs, Improving Lives bill package in Wisconsin. The three-bill package includes: • Homestead Tax Credit expansion, which would reduce the tax burden for renters and homeowners, especially seniors on fixed incomes. • Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids legislation, which would cut the costs of grocery bills for families by providing free breakfast and lunch for all children who attend public schools. • Less for Rx, which decreases prescription drug prices by capping the cost of insulin and ensuring that life-saving drugs are affordable for Wisconsinites. Sen. Mark Spreitzer is the lead author of the bill to
expand the Homestead Tax Credit. The Homestead Tax Credit has helped Wisconsinites with low or fixed incomes stay in their homes, and this new bill ensures that it will continue to do so into the future. Unfortunately, the credit has not kept up with inflation and has not increased since 2010 – even with rents and home prices rising and housing affordability as an increasing problem for people across Wisconsin. This bill would increase the income cap so more people are eligible for the credit, and index it to inflation so that this tax credit keeps up with rising costs and property values. Sen. Spreitzer has been working on addressing these issues for years, and state legislators have an opportunity
this session to take action. People from across the 15th Senate District – from local elected officials to seniors on fixed incomes – have reached out to Spreitzer in support of this proposal and have urged action from the State Legislature. He states that expanding the Homestead Tax Credit is a commonsense policy that provides relief to those who need it most. Sen. Spreitzer has heard from countless constituents that rising costs are holding them back. He wants to take action to help Wisconsinites save money on groceries, prescription drugs, and housing. The Lowering Costs, Improving Lives package seeks to help people across Wisconsin address the high cost of living, and provide much needed relief to families and seniors.
Schuler, Nguyen join Rock County Arts Hall of Fame
The Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC) hosted the annual UAA Rock County Arts Hall of Fame on Jan. 17, in its Gallery Theater. Every year, JPAC and its community partners select two individuals to be inducted Laura Schuler based on incredible achievements and contributions to the arts in Rock County. This year’s honorees were Laura Schuler
PHOTO SUBMITTED Rock Valley Publishing
A three-bill package has been introduced by Sen. Mark Spreitzer in the Wisconsin legislature. It includes: Homestead Tax Credit expansion, which would reduce the tax burden for renters and homeowners; Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids legislation, which would cut the costs of grocery bills for families by providing free breakfast and lunch for all children who attend public schools; Less for Rx, which decreases prescription drug prices by capping the cost of insulin and ensuring that life-saving drugs are affordable for Wisconsinites.
Community invited to housewarming shower held for area family center
and Teresa Nguyen. “Both Laura and Tess are incredible leaders and artists in this community. They both work with numerous groups and their talents have touched an incredible number of projects and people over the years,” said JPAC Teresa Nguyen Executive Director, Nathan Burkart. “I am deeply honored to be recognized
Family Services of South- nity a meaningful way to get facility managed by Commuern Wisconsin is excited to involved and impact the lives nity Action will provide care for up to 70 local children, announce a Housewarming of those who need it most.” Shower in support of the upThe evening will include further supporting families on coming opening of the Next complimentary appetizers their journey to stability. “This project holds a speSteps Family Resilience Cen- while guests are asked to purter, a groundbreaking initia- chase their own beverages. cial place in my heart,” said tive dedicated to providing Attendees are encouraged to Margery Wakefield. “It’s stability and hope to families bring much-needed house- about much more than shelin Rock County. hold items to help families ter; it’s about giving families The event, hosted by board settle into their new homes. the tools and opportunities to members Carol Wickersham, During a presentation and thrive. Being part of this iniretired Beloit College profes- Q&A session, guests will also tiative is an honor, and I look See ARTS, Page 3 sor, and Margery Wakefield, have the opportunity to learn forward to seeing its positive retired attorney, will take more about the transformative impact on our community.” To contribute, attendees place on Wednesday, Feb. work of the Next Steps Famiare asked to bring household 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Tim- ly Resilience Center. ber Hill Winery, 8220 N. John The Center will feature 18 items or visit their Amazon • Toe Town Tap of Footville Paul Road, in Milton, Wis. fully furnished apartments for Wish List at https://a.co/fg• Bass Creek Golf Club “This project is about more unhoused families in Rock 21PyU for needed supplies, • Dollar General of Orford- than just housing – it’s about County, offering up to two which can be shipped directly ville and HWY 51 creating a foundation for fam- years of wrap-around support to Family Services at 416 Col• Stables of Orfordville ilies to build brighter futures,” to help them achieve sustain- lege Street, Beloit. Monetary • Knutes of Orfordville said Carol Wickersham. “We able housing and indepenSee COMMUNITY, Page 3 • Willowdale Tavern wanted to offer the commu- dence. An onsite childcare • The Table Bar • Rhuester’s Friendly Village Tavern • Hanson’s Hollow Bar • Jake’s Mobil Saturday, February 15 • Cougar Lanes of Clinton • Boxcars Pub and Grub Prime Rib Buffet...........................................................$25.95 • Rocken Rogers Prime Rib 16 oz. ............................................................$24.95 • Clinton Foods • Bootleggers Prime Rib 10 oz. ............................................................$22.95 • Shopiere Tap Prime Rib & Lobster ....................................................$36.95 • Carl’s Shell Lobster 1 tail, 5 - 6 oz. .....................................................$24.95 • Lions Quickmart – Station 51 – HWY 14/51 Lobster 2 tails, 5 - 6 oz. ....................................................$42.95
RCSO announces outcome of alcohol compliance checks
ADAMS
Since 1941 • Roofing • Siding • Insulation
Janesville, WI
Valentine’s Day Specials!
Steak & Lobster ...........................................................$37.95 Tiger Shrimp X-Large ....................................................$18.95
Friday, February 14
Valentine Specials
Choice of one: blackened, scampi or battered
New York Strip 14 oz. ...................................................$21.95 Bacon Wrapped Filet 8 oz. .........................................$27.95 Soup & Salad & Dessert Bar Only .............................$10.95 Add 3 Jumbo Shrimp ...............................................$8.95
Serving 4:30-9:30 p.m.
• Steak & Lobster • Prime Rib & Lobster
All dinners include: soup, salad & dessert bar, and choice of potato (baked, twice baked, fries or au gratin)
Other specials available including full menu of steak, prime rib, seafood and chicken. Many drink specials. Also offering our Friday Fish Fry.
Reservations Always Accepted and Appreciated
Reservations suggested. 608-879-9209
392242
800-887-3385
• The Station Gas Station, 616 W. Beloit St., Orfordville • Tex’s Too, 723 Milwaukee Road, Clinton The clerk or bartender at each of these establishments received a $452.50 citation. The Sheriff’s Office provided advanced written notice to each establishment of upcoming random alcohol compliance checks along with information on underage alcohol violations. Sheriff Fell would also like to congratulate the 20 businesses that remained vigilant and complied with liquor laws: • Footville Mini Mart • B’Ners Bar of Footville
DING-A-LING
SUPPER CLUB County H • Hanover, WI
46
75
33
206 East Beloit Street Orfordville, WI 53576
Questions? Call Knutes at
608-879-2011
467534
The Rock County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with Janesville Mobilizing 4 Change/Rock County Prevention Network, completed alcohol compliance checks on Jan. 30 in an effort to enforce liquor laws in Rock County. The Sheriff’s Office educates businesses on liquor laws and conducts compliance checks to help businesses curtail law violations, such as selling alcohol to underage people. They believe compliance checks are beneficial to reducing the problems that come with underage drinking. An underage adult entered businesses in Rock County to try to procure alcoholic beverages. Staff who sold alcohol to underage buyers were issued municipal citations. The underage adult, under the supervision of deputies, purchased alcohol at four Rock County businesses: • Butterfly Club, 5246 E. CTH X, Beloit • Chubby Bubba’s, 6501 US-51, Janesville