🌱 Verona School Evacuated For Gas Leak + Annual Blanket Drive

Rise and shine, Madison! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know in Madison today.

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First, today's weather:

A thick cloud cover and cold. High: 23 Low: 6.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Madison today:

1. Students and staff at Country View Elementary School, about 20 minutes outside of Madison, were briefly evacuated Friday morning due to a gas leak. District officials said the leak outside of the school was first reported around 6:30 a.m. The district gave the all-clear for families to drop their students off starting at 8:15 a.m. Some students and staff had been transported to Sugar Creek Elementary while utility crews addressed the leak. (Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3)
2. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Madison will hold its 30th annual blanket drive from Jan 28-30. Last year, the organization gave away more than $79,000 worth of bedding to more than 1,500 families and individuals in need across Dane County. This year, donors can drop off new or gently used blankets at participating churches and any St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in the county. (Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3)
3. The Clean Lakes Alliance is set to bring back the Frozen Assets Festival at the Edgewater after the event was canceled in 2021. Spokesperson Adam Sodersten announced in a news release that the festival will be held on Feb. 5 following a week of events surrounding clean water and sustainability. The festival will begin with the Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk, the only 5K in North America held exclusively on a frozen lake. (WKOW)

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Today in Madison:

• Dane County Farmer's Market At Garver Feed Mill (8:00 AM)
• Winter Lecture Series: Indigenous Food Ways At UW Madison Law School (Virtual) (10:00 AM)
• Food Pantry At Badger Prairie Needs Network (10:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• The Madison Police Department will hold a Sex Offender Notification Meeting on Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. The department bulletin includes contact information for anyone with questions who is unable to attend the meeting. (Facebook)
• This is the last weekend to see and celebrate "Caja de visiones: Arte moderno y contemporáneo de México en el Medio Oeste de los Estados Unidos!" at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum is hosting a cartonera workshop, guided exhibition tours, and exhibition catalog giveaways today from 1-3 p.m. (Facebook)
• The Pour'n Yer Heart Out 2022 Community Iron Pour event will return to Olbrich's Great Lawn live and in person on Saturday, Feb. 19, for a day of fiery-hot fun. (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— 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.