Midwest
Wisconsin library to accept animal photos in lieu of fines for damaged books
A library in Wisconsin announced an innovative new policy for the handling of damaged materials. Instead of paying a fine, library patrons can share a picture of the culprit.
“We understand that library materials can look delicious to pets and young children, so the Middleton Public Library has unveiled a new policy for fatally chomped materials,” said the Middleton Public Library in an April 29 post on its Facebook page.
Middleton is a suburb of Madison, Wisconsin.
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“In lieu of payment for the item, we would like to offer you the option of submitting a photo of the beloved culprit,” said the library, along with a dog emoji.
Since the policy was announced, four “chompers” have taken advantage of it, deputy library director Katharine Clark told Fox News Digital this week in an email.
From left to right, Daisy, Quik, Ward, and Sky were all featured on the Middleton Public Library’s Facebook page after they each ate a book their owners checked out from the library. (Courtesy Middleton Public Library)
The first, Daisy, ate a copy of “The Guest,” by B.A. Paris.
The second was Quik, an American water spaniel, whose choice of chomping material was not revealed.
The third was Ward, a goldendoodle who ate a book about yoga — and finally Sky, an Australian labradoodle who chomped on “Iron Flame” by Rebecca Yarros.
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“So far, all of our book chompers have been dogs, but we look forward to the diversity of animals we may see,” said Clark, noting that the library typically sees about two books a month that suffer damage from pets.
The new policy and subsequent posts were inspired by another library’s offer to waive fines in exchange for a photo of a cat, Clark told Fox News Digital.
“While the Middleton Public Library no longer has late fees for overdue materials, we do charge for lost or damaged materials,” she said.
The Middleton Public Library is located in Middleton, Wisconsin. It does not charge fines for overdue items — and will accept animal pictures instead of a fee for replacing a damaged item. (Google Maps)
Clark continued, “Quickly the conversation turned to the frequency of materials actually damaged by our furry friends, and we thought it would be fun to adapt this fine forgiveness program to showcase these ‘offenders.’”
Libraries, said Clark, “still have a lingering reputation for being places of sternness and punishment. People often approach us with a damaged item thinking that their library privileges will be revoked forever!”
“This exchange can go a long way to creating a positive and lasting relationship with the library.”
This, she said, is not true, noting “we are all human and understand that accidents happen; we would never want one damaged item to destroy someone’s relationship with the library.”
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And while the photos of pets are fun for social media followers, they have had additional benefits for library patrons, she said.
“When staff can present this photo option to a distraught patron, this exchange can go a long way to creating a positive and lasting relationship with the library,” said Clark.
The library’s Facebook post about Sky was shared nearly 500 times, with many people saying that they, too, wanted to “chomp” the book when they were finished with it. (Courtesy Middleton Public Library)
Although Sky was the fourth “chomper” to be featured by the library, the post about his misdeed garnered far more attention than the others.
The Facebook post was shared nearly 500 times, with many people defending Sky’s actions.
“Sky just did what we all wanted to do after finishing ‘Iron Flame,’” said one Facebook user.
“I mean, that book frustrated me, too. Sky is innocent,” said another.
“Australian labradoodles are EXTREMELY smart so I am sure Sky read it,” wrote another Facebook user.
Others said they were now going to follow the library’s Facebook page to see additional photos of dogs.
“I’m here for this type of puppy shaming,” said a Facebook user.
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A Minnesota police sergeant and father of two died less than 24 hours after doctors diagnosed him with a brain infection, leaving behind a young family and a stunned community.
Sgt. Cody Siebert, a K-9 officer with the East Range Police Department, died Feb. 27, the department announced. He was remembered as a devoted father, loyal colleague and a fixture in the small northern Minnesota community he served.
Siebert helped launch the K-9 program in Babbitt, Minnesota, alongside his police dog, Taconite, before later joining the East Range Police Department.
“Sgt. Siebert was well known for his happy-go lucky personality,” the department wrote in a Facebook tribute. “It was best said that if you couldn’t get along with Cody, it was your fault.”
Sgt. Cody Siebert is remembered by colleagues and community members as a dedicated officer and devoted father who left a lasting impact on northern Minnesota. (East Range Police Department)
“The hole left by Sgt. Siebert’s passing will be impossible to fill,” the department added.
A GoFundMe page launched by Siebert’s family has raised more than $107,000 as of Tuesday evening. He is survived by his life partner, Karen Blais, and their two sons, ages 1 and 2.
“To know Cody was to have a friend. He had a rare gift for connection — if you crossed paths with him, you knew you were in for a genuine conversation. He truly enjoyed people, and his absence leaves a void in our community that will be felt by many,” his family wrote on the fundraising page.
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Sgt. Cody Siebert, a K-9 officer with the East Range Police Department in Minnesota, died Feb. 27 less than 24 hours after being diagnosed with a brain infection. (East Range Police Department)
Blais told The Minnesota Star Tribune that Siebert woke up last week suffering from a headache that had begun the day before. He was hospitalized, and doctors determined that an infection in his nasal passage had spread to his brain, according to the newspaper.
“He loved people — being in that position and being able to help people in general,” his brother, Brandon Siebert, told the outlet. “Not just getting the bad guys, going to the school, checking in with people.”
The tragedy comes just months after another loss in the extended family. According to the Star Tribune, Siebert’s sister-in-law, Alyssa Siebert, died last October from a brain aneurysm.
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Sgt. Cody Siebert poses with his K-9 partner, Taconite, and Chief Tim Soular. (East Range Police Department)
“We’re in a déjà vu of an unusual situation,” said his other sister-in-law, Ashley Siebert. “They both helped others the whole time. They were both great people. They’ve done more than most 30-year-olds have accomplished in their lives.”
Like his sister-in-law, Siebert donated his organs, the newspaper reported.
The East Range Police Department in Minnesota announced the unexpected death of Sgt. Cody Siebert on Feb. 27. (East Range Police Department )
Mesabi East Schools also paid tribute, remembering Siebert as someone who saw the potential in every student.
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“The impact he had on our students and staff cannot be measured. He wasn’t just our K9 officer, he was a mentor, a role model, a friend, and a steady, positive presence in our Giants community,” the school district wrote.
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A new mixed-use, mixed-income apartment building proposed for Detroit’s Brush Park is expected to bring 37 units of housing to the neighborhood, according to the project’s lead developer.
The $12 million project at 205 Watson St., known as Wallace Estates, is owned by Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley, whose legal name is Terry Wallace. The 30,000-square-foot development is expected to go before the Detroit Historic District Commission on Wednesday for review. Because the quarter-acre site sits within a historic district, the commission must approve elements such as windows, brickwork, facade materials and other architectural features.
Wallace Estates is planned to be a five-story building with the residential units across the first four floors. The ground floor is expected to include a lobby, a walk-up apartment, commercial space and tuck-under parking. A partial fifth floor will house indoor and outdoor amenities for residents. The building is designed with a masonry facade and large, offset windows, according to the project application.
“Detroit raised me — I’m a west side kid, and I’m passionate about bringing mixed-income housing to my city,” Wallace said in a statement Thursday. “The 205 Watson project is about building safe, quality housing for everybody; that respects longtime residents and welcomes new neighbors — building opportunity without pushing people out.”
The project was the winning bid of a City of Detroit request for proposals for the site, said Nevan Shokar, principal of Shokar Group and the day-to-day development lead. McIntosh Poris Architects is the designer.
“It’s an infill site that’s bringing high-quality housing, both for affordable and market-rate renters,” Shokar said. “And I think it complements the neighborhood nicely with the brick aesthetic, as well as the brass inlays in the windows.”
Construction could begin this summer and be finished in 18 months, Shokar said, placing completion at late 2027.
Wallace Estates will join a wave of new residential development in Brush Park, a neighborhood that has seen nearly a decade of revitalization. Last summer, Bedrock celebrated the completion of City Modern, a nearly 10-year effort to transform a once-neglected area of the historic district.
Shokar said the building would primarily include studios and one-bedroom units, with a few two-bedroom apartments. About 20% of the units will be designated affordable at 80% of area median income, with the remainder rented at market rates.
“The highest demand that you have within this neighborhood and across the city as a whole, is to produce more studio and one-bedroom units,” Shokar said. “The two-bedroom units sometimes and larger sometimes have a hard time filling up, leasing up within buildings, and that’s why you typically see units generally smaller in size.”
Shokar said estimated rents for the new building could range from $1,800 per month for a 450-square-foot studio to $2,700 per month for an 800-square-foot two-bedroom unit.
Shokar said the team will pursue incentives including a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone tax abatement and a housing tax increment financing package.
cwilliams@detroitnews.com
Illegal dumping plagues closed Pick ‘n Save
Neighbors say since a Milwaukee Pick ‘n Save at 35th and North closed in 2025, the parking lot has been filling up, but not with cars or people. It has been attracting illegal dumpers.
MILWAUKEE – Neighbors say since the Milwaukee Pick ‘n Save at 35th and North closed in 2025, the parking lot has been filling up, but not with cars or people. It has been attracting illegal dumpers.
Trash piling up
What we know:
There are old mattresses and furniture in the parking lot. There are piles of garbage at the entrance of the old grocery store. Behind the building, there are tires, more mattresses and more trash.
Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee
The Pick ‘n Save stores closed in July 2025. Since then, the building has sat empty.
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FOX6 News was contacted by a man who manages senior and family housing in the area. He said in the last couple of months, he has noticed the stile turn into a place for illegal dumping. The man said he was so fed up, he called the office of Milwaukee Alderman Russell Stamper about the problem. The man said the whole site is an eyesore, and something needs to change.
Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee
Change sought
What they’re saying:
“As the snow melts, it’s full of garbage. People are dumping furniture on it, tires,” said Jeffrey Sessions, who manages nearby property. “If you drive around it, it’s garbage everywhere. It’s unsightly for the neighborhood, and it’s probably going to create rats and mice problems.”
FOX6 News reached out to the Department of Neighborhood Services. Officials said the dumping has not been reported. They said the department’s commercial team will now be made aware of the issue.
Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee
“It makes the whole neighborhood look like garbage, like nobody’s taking care of anything around here,” Sessions said. “It’s a detriment, it’s unsightly, and it needs to be addressed.”
Illegal dumpers could face fines
Dig deeper:
If the dumpers are caught on camera, they could face fines.
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The owner of the property may also be ordered to clean it up.
Illegal dumping at former grocery store near 35th and North, Milwaukee
The Source: Information in this post was provided by a person who owns property near the former grocery store, as well as Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services.
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