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Boston bombing prompts Crazylegs changes

Concerns about security after the bombing of the Boston Marathon are prompting organizers of the Crazylegs Classic in Madison to change the Camp Randall carry-in policy for Saturday's race.

Organizers said the carry-in policy will mirror Badger game day carry-in policies. Items permitted include bags no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches, binoculars, cameras, blankets, jackets, umbrellas, items related to a medical condition, chairbacks that are no more than 16 inches wide and diaper bags if a child is present. Items not permitted include food, beverages, containers, laser pointers, banners, flags, signs, noisemakers, weapons, inflatables, laptops, video recorders or any items deemed dangerous or inappropriate.

Anyone entering the stadium is subject to search. Storage facilities are not available for checking prohibited items.

Organizers have also said additional security measures will be taken during Saturday's race, but no specifics have been shared.

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Madison School Board conflicted over 7 percent tax increase

The majority of Madison school board members on Monday rejected a proposal to increase property taxes 7.4 percent, which the district's superintendent called the most "for quite some time."

It wasn't an official vote, but it came in response to a question posed by Superintendent Jen Cheatham. Cheatham hadn't arrived in Madison when district staff wrote the draft budget [PDF], and said she wanted input on how to improve it.

"I know how I feel, and I share the concerns of quite a few of the board members about raising taxes to that extent," Cheatham said.

Board president James Howard and members Arlene Silveira and Mary Burke said they wouldn't support a property tax increase near the 7.4 percent mark.

Wet fields become costly for coaches

Madison?s forecast is not what Chris Delehanty has been hoping for. He?s ready to not hear the words ?chance of showers.?

?We haven't been able to get outside at all yet. We've had games canceled, a tournament cancelled,? Delehanty said.

Delehanty ,and his Regent U14 boys team have been stuck indoors. Luckily, they scored a field at Break Away Sports in Fitchburg. Other teams have had to use gym floors or tennis courts for practice, but Delehanty understood why they can?t be on the real fields.

?Even just changing direction on a field, you bring up so much of the mud and dirt that can really ruin a field for months, or even a year,? Delehanty said.

While coaches have to shell out $70 to $110 an hour for field time at Break Away Sports, manager Greg Kinsey is welcoming the abnormally late surge in business.

Speeders targeted on Madison streets

Madison police are targeting speeders in three areas of the city during a special enforcement effort this week.

The Traffic Enforcement Safety Team will join officers at the following locations to watch for speeders:

  • Tuesday at 900 Packers Avenue

  • Wednesday at 3700 Speedway Road

  • Thursday at 3000 Highway 30

Madison police said they rely heavily on the cooperation of the public to be aware of and to follow all traffic laws.

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Living next door to bees: The pitfalls and perks

Living next door to bees: The pitfalls and perks

Madison buzzed last year when urban beekeeping became legal, but not everyone loves living near a hive. While they are relatively few, the city has received some complaints about beekeepers over the last year.

According to zoning administrator Matt Tucker, there are 39 beekeeping licenses out in Madison, and only about three or four have had complaints lodged against them since the ordinance passed in February 2012. This is comparable to complaints about Madison's urban chicken raisers, Tucker said.

He noted the issues that most commonly come up with beekeepers have to do with the personal responsibility of keepers, like hives resting closer to lot lines than the ordinance allows.

Loni Broesch has filed multiple complaints about her neighbor and said she's miserable living next to a beekeeper.

Area Earth Day events offer nature excursions

Zoo, children's museum, nature center to host celebrations    

A variety of events this weekend tied to Earth Day celebration and National Environmental Education Week will take place in the Madison area. Events include opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, get involved in the local nature community and make a difference in the health and sustainability of the environment.

Madison assessments increase in 2013, but residential values fall again

Madison residents are receiving mailings indicating their assessments have fallen for the fourth consecutive year, although property values across the city rose because of rising commercial values.

Residential assessments fell an average of 0.5 percent across the city in 2013, with condominiums and properties on the north and far east sides leading the decline, according to data from the city assessor's office.

City Assessor Mark Hanson said the city is turning a corner.

"This follows three years in a row of declines, so overall this is a good report," he said.

Condo values fell an average of 2.7 percent, as the market remains soft. Only 4.1 percent of condo units rose in value.

Single-neighborhood assessments fell by 12.6 percent in the Burr Oaks-Lincoln School neighborhood on the South side, the worst drop in the city. The neighborhood generally covers the area between Fish Hatchery Road, West Wingra Drive, South Park Street, and the Beltline.