🌱 County Extends Mask Mandate + Home Depot Shooter Charged

Good day, neighbors! Sean Peek here with a brand-new edition of the Madison Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Cloudy and not as cold. High: 29 Low: -6.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Madison today:

1. Public Health Madison and Dane County announced Wednesday that the county mask mandate would be extended until the beginning of March due to high COVID-19 case counts. The new order will go into effect on Feb. 1 and will remain in place for 28 days. Health officials say it is still too soon to tell whether Dane County has already ready reached peak Omicron case numbers. (Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3)
2. Beloit Police are asking the public to avoid Madison Road at this time. The road closure was prompted by a death investigation currently being conducted on the city's west side. Police say there is no danger to the public at this time but are asking people to avoid the area so law enforcement officials can investigate. (WKOW)
3. One man has been charged in connection with a shooting that occurred in a Home Depot parking lot last December. 25-year-old Alvon Ladd appeared in Dane County Circuit Court virtually on Tuesday, where he was charged with two counts of first-degree attempted homicide. Ladd is scheduled to return to court next month. (WKOW)

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Today in Madison:

• Chamber Coffee Chat At Waunakee Area Chamber Of Commerce (8:30 AM)
• Free Mending At Madison Public Library (10:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• The Wisconsin Arts Board is conducting a survey to determine the current state of the state's creative sector and priorities in the next three years. Arts Wisconsin will use this information for planning and programming. Learn how to participate in the survey on the Arts Wisconsin website. (Facebook)
• Congratulations to Wisconsin Arts Board member Karen Ann Hoffman, who has been named a 2022 United States Artists Fellow! (Facebook)
• Winter in the Wonderground at Madison Children's Museum gets kids outdoors and active with a full month of special activities and drop-in programs. To supplement what nature has already provided, the museum has teamed up with CXC Skiing to pump the Wonderground full of extra snow. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door this Thursday. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.