MONROE - As the new year draws near, we reviewed some of the events and happenings that helped shape 2013.
Below are five of what we consider to be 10 of the top stories of 2013. A few were tragic, but others signal the progress we have made as a community and why we're optimistic about an even brighter 2014.
Our list is by no means comprehensive. Rather, this list is intended to help spur your own recollections of 2013: What stories most impacted your own life, your friends and family? We invite you to reflect on other stories that made a major impact during the past year and leave other suggestions or comments online at www.themonroetimes.com.
The second half will be published in the Friday, Dec. 27 edition.
Armin Wand sentenced
Armin Wand III, 34, pleaded guilty in February to arson, felony murder by arson, three homicides and one attempted homicide for intentionally setting a house fire that killed his three young sons, ages 7, 5 and 3. For the horrific crime, he was sentenced in April to three consecutive life terms, without the possibility of parole.
During the proceedings in Lafayette County Circuit Court, a state prosecutor said Wand has shown no remorse for the fire he set Sept. 7, 2012 in the home he shared with his pregnant wife and four children. Wand told investigators he set the fire so he could collect on his family's life insurance and "get a fresh start."
His 2-year-old daughter survived, as did his now ex-wife Sharon, who lost the child she was carrying and required extensive hospitalizations.
"It's beyond comprehension" was how Green County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Vale, who presided over Wand's case, summarized Wand's actions, echoing the sentiments of area residents who followed the unfolding tale with disbelief.
An appeal in Wand's case appears to be pending: In November, an appeals attorney representing Wand filed for an extension until early January to file an appeal or post-conviction motion in the case.
Jeremy Wand sentenced
Like his brother, Jeremy Wand, 19, received life in prison for his role in the 2012 fire that killed his three young nephews - he not only helped his brother set fires in the living room and a bedroom, investigators say he locked the bedroom door, preventing two of the boys from escaping. He faces a minimum of 35 years in prison on the three concurrent life sentences, one term for each of the young boys who perished.
Jeremy Wand's sentencing in August wasn't without it's own drama. He had sought to withdraw the guilty plea he entered in June. But the judge disagreed there was sufficient evidence to allow the teen to rescind his plea and take the case to trial. While his defense maintained Jeremy Wand was less culpable in the crime than his brother, Green County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Vale, who also presided over the case, concluded at sentencing that Jeremy Wand failed to prevent the tragic crime.
"You did nothing," Vale said.
Walmart building finds buyer
For a couple of years, speculation and rumor over what would happen to the former Walmart building on 8th Street in Monroe ran rampant as many residents feared the building would sit empty indefinitely and create blight. Finally, last January, Colony Brands announced it was purchasing the retail space, which had been empty since Walmart moved into its new location north of Wisconsin 11/81 in September 2009.
The space is being converted to house the company's Catalog Merchandise Center. Once work is completed, the facility will be used to evaluate products, and will also house quality assurance and packaging staff members.
Besides putting the building to good use, Colony Brands also announced several other new developments in 2013.
In May, Colony Brands said it was acquiring the catalog and Internet brands of One Step Ahead and Leaps and Bounds, which cater to parents of young children. And in November, the company said it will be opening an inventory warehouse in Sun Prairie that could eventually employ hundreds. About 15 workers will staff the facility in the beginning.
Airport project begins
You may not see the progress every day, but Monroe undertook a significant building project at the municipal airport this year. The project broke ground this fall, and by sometime in 2014, we can expect to see a new $1 million terminal. The new facility will about double the square footage of the existing terminal, which was built in 1972. Federal funding will cover about 93 percent of the total construction price tag.
Business leaders often cite having a municipal airport as an important factor when trying to attract new industry to town - we're optimistic the new, expanded facility should further serve to put Monroe and Green County in good stead for economic development.
Klondike expands into Greek
A local cheese company jumped on the Greek bandwagon this year - the Greek yogurt bandwagon, that is. Capitalizing on the immense popularity of the tangy, thick, high-protein style of yogurt seen in recent years, Klondike expanded its facility by 33,000 square feet to accommodate its new Greek yogurt line, bringing the facility up to about 100,000 square feet.
The company, home of award-winning cheeses including feta, havarti, brick and muenster, has been in operation at the same location since the late 1800s. The expansion into the new product bodes well for the family-owned company, currently in its fourth generation. It illustrates the importance of responding to marketplace demands in order for small companies to see continued growth and success.
Below are five of what we consider to be 10 of the top stories of 2013. A few were tragic, but others signal the progress we have made as a community and why we're optimistic about an even brighter 2014.
Our list is by no means comprehensive. Rather, this list is intended to help spur your own recollections of 2013: What stories most impacted your own life, your friends and family? We invite you to reflect on other stories that made a major impact during the past year and leave other suggestions or comments online at www.themonroetimes.com.
The second half will be published in the Friday, Dec. 27 edition.
Armin Wand sentenced
Armin Wand III, 34, pleaded guilty in February to arson, felony murder by arson, three homicides and one attempted homicide for intentionally setting a house fire that killed his three young sons, ages 7, 5 and 3. For the horrific crime, he was sentenced in April to three consecutive life terms, without the possibility of parole.
During the proceedings in Lafayette County Circuit Court, a state prosecutor said Wand has shown no remorse for the fire he set Sept. 7, 2012 in the home he shared with his pregnant wife and four children. Wand told investigators he set the fire so he could collect on his family's life insurance and "get a fresh start."
His 2-year-old daughter survived, as did his now ex-wife Sharon, who lost the child she was carrying and required extensive hospitalizations.
"It's beyond comprehension" was how Green County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Vale, who presided over Wand's case, summarized Wand's actions, echoing the sentiments of area residents who followed the unfolding tale with disbelief.
An appeal in Wand's case appears to be pending: In November, an appeals attorney representing Wand filed for an extension until early January to file an appeal or post-conviction motion in the case.
Jeremy Wand sentenced
Like his brother, Jeremy Wand, 19, received life in prison for his role in the 2012 fire that killed his three young nephews - he not only helped his brother set fires in the living room and a bedroom, investigators say he locked the bedroom door, preventing two of the boys from escaping. He faces a minimum of 35 years in prison on the three concurrent life sentences, one term for each of the young boys who perished.
Jeremy Wand's sentencing in August wasn't without it's own drama. He had sought to withdraw the guilty plea he entered in June. But the judge disagreed there was sufficient evidence to allow the teen to rescind his plea and take the case to trial. While his defense maintained Jeremy Wand was less culpable in the crime than his brother, Green County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Vale, who also presided over the case, concluded at sentencing that Jeremy Wand failed to prevent the tragic crime.
"You did nothing," Vale said.
Walmart building finds buyer
For a couple of years, speculation and rumor over what would happen to the former Walmart building on 8th Street in Monroe ran rampant as many residents feared the building would sit empty indefinitely and create blight. Finally, last January, Colony Brands announced it was purchasing the retail space, which had been empty since Walmart moved into its new location north of Wisconsin 11/81 in September 2009.
The space is being converted to house the company's Catalog Merchandise Center. Once work is completed, the facility will be used to evaluate products, and will also house quality assurance and packaging staff members.
Besides putting the building to good use, Colony Brands also announced several other new developments in 2013.
In May, Colony Brands said it was acquiring the catalog and Internet brands of One Step Ahead and Leaps and Bounds, which cater to parents of young children. And in November, the company said it will be opening an inventory warehouse in Sun Prairie that could eventually employ hundreds. About 15 workers will staff the facility in the beginning.
Airport project begins
You may not see the progress every day, but Monroe undertook a significant building project at the municipal airport this year. The project broke ground this fall, and by sometime in 2014, we can expect to see a new $1 million terminal. The new facility will about double the square footage of the existing terminal, which was built in 1972. Federal funding will cover about 93 percent of the total construction price tag.
Business leaders often cite having a municipal airport as an important factor when trying to attract new industry to town - we're optimistic the new, expanded facility should further serve to put Monroe and Green County in good stead for economic development.
Klondike expands into Greek
A local cheese company jumped on the Greek bandwagon this year - the Greek yogurt bandwagon, that is. Capitalizing on the immense popularity of the tangy, thick, high-protein style of yogurt seen in recent years, Klondike expanded its facility by 33,000 square feet to accommodate its new Greek yogurt line, bringing the facility up to about 100,000 square feet.
The company, home of award-winning cheeses including feta, havarti, brick and muenster, has been in operation at the same location since the late 1800s. The expansion into the new product bodes well for the family-owned company, currently in its fourth generation. It illustrates the importance of responding to marketplace demands in order for small companies to see continued growth and success.