A second lightning tragedy in Madison within a matter of days. A 75 year old Madison man is dead, after being struck by lightning at a municipal course Monday morning. Madison police officer Mike Hanson says the victim was part of a group which plays regularly at the Odana Hills course on the city's west side. Police believe the victim was coming off the course, but took shelter under a tree when he was hit, as thunderstorms rolled through the city at mid-morning. He was killed instantly. Eleanor Riley with the Madison parks department says course stay open during inclement weather, although posters advise players of the dangers posed by lightning. A Madison woman, her two year old daughter and a man who attempted to help them were all killed last Wednesday , when lightning knocked a power line onto a water covered bus stop during a heavy downpour.
Flooding hits areas already flooded
After a weekend of sunshine… rain has returned to areas of the sate that just don't need anymore.
The people in the small Grant County community of Bagley have been trying to recover from massive flooding that damaged more than a hundred homes a month ago.
But once again heavy rain moved through the area Monday morning. Julie Loeffelholz with Grant County Emergency Management says waters have receded but several homes were surrounded by water at one point.
Damage may not have been as extensive but the constant threat is taking its toll. Loeffelholz says she visited with one elderly couple who, in her words, were freaking out. The man had been hospitalized from stress after the first major flood in July. They've been trying to repair their home but the rain keeps coming.
Grant County has finally been put on the list of counties applying for federal disaster aid. FEMA inspectors will be in Grant County Tuesday assessing not only earlier damage but also the destruction done by the storms last week that so severely flooded Vernon, Crawford and Richland counties.
It's hard to believe, but the Brewers aren't done yet
The Milwaukee Brewers dropped their 4th straight and 7th in the last 10 yesterday, falling 5-4 to the San Francisco Giants yesterday. The Brewers were swept in the series and remain 1 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central.
Yet, somehow, the Brewers aren't even close to being out of it. They'll open a 3-game series in Chicago against the Cubs starting Tuesday.
Rich Aurilia singled home the game winning run in the 8th for the Giants as the Brewers blew another lead. The loss goes to Scott Linebrink, who fell to 4-5.
Brewers starter Dave Bush gave up four runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings, briking out four and walking only one.
Ryan Braun hit a three run homer in the loss.
Gonzales is gone. Who's next?
Alberto Gonzales is out but will the next US Attorney general be able to get along with Congress any better?
Some wondered how Gonzales lasted so long, others thought his loyalty to the president meant he could stay as long as he wanted.
UW Political scientist Charles Franklin says apparently he did stay as long as he wanted.
Franklin says, if Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff is the chosen successor, he would be a good choice for the White House because he's a known commodity and he would continue the focus on Homeland Security at the Justice Department.
Franklin says while Congress will be happy to have just about anyone as Attorney General other than Gonzales, confirmation hearings for Chertoff will still be tricky. Chertoff's record on Katrina recovery, terrorists and domestic wire tapping will certainly be part of any confirmation hearing.
But the president has another option. Make a recess appointment and avoid any confrontation with the some frustrated senators. The president could name an interim Attorney General to fill out the remaining months of his administration.
Stricker has tears of joy
If you were looking for one of those great sports stories, you didn't have to look any further than The Barclays on the PGA Tour this weekend.
When I saw Steve Stricker had the lead after three rounds, it was must see TV.
You see, Stricker, from Madison, has been so close at times this season but just couldn't manage a win. It has been 6 1/2 years since last winning the World Match Play Championship and a span of 11 years since his last win on American soil (The Western Open).
Things started slow for Stricker and more than midway through the final round, he found himself stumbling along at 2-over for the day, and out of the lead. Then came a stretch of 4 birdies over the last 5 holes and The Barclays belonged to Stricker.
It also just happens to be the first of four FedEx Cup events, which soared Stricker into the lead in the points standings. There's still three events to go, but to the winner is a monetary bonus of more than $7-million.
But it wasn't about the money yesterday. It was about a man who had fallen so far that he lost his PGA Tour playing card.
Stricker broke into tears afterwards, and I couldn't help but joining him. What a great moment and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. If you know Steve Stricker, you'll know what I'm talking about. If you don't, I would encourage that meeting if it ever presents itself.
There's a lot of good and a lot of bad in sports. Steve Stricker's win at The Barclays, in my mind, just made the world a better place.
