On the eve of the first weekend in May, Madison officials are reminding residents the Mifflin Street Block Party will not take place Saturday as it has for decades.

A report released Thursday by Public Health Madison and Dane County showed the Mifflin Street Block Party cost city taxpayers $196,000 in policing efforts last year. Mayor Paul Soglin said he hopes to save some of the money spent on Mifflin policing and put it toward youth activities.

"We will reduce that check," Soglin said in a statement. "We will make those funds available for summer youth programming."

Madison Police Chief Noble Wray and Soglin said in the statement that the annual student event has grown out of control, and they want to reduce the burden on the community and the police department.

25,000 tickets already sold, rep says   

In its 15th year, the Wisconsin Film Festival will present 158 films between five area theaters from April 11-18.

The festival -- programmed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arts Institute and the UW Department of Communication Arts' film studies program -- will offer four extra days of films, doubling its viewing schedule over years past.

Art reflects 'unique abilities'   

Paintings, photographs, sculptures, and other works of art created by Wisconsin residents who have varying degrees of hearing loss, plus artwork by sign language interpreters, is on display at the Department of Health Services building in downtown Madison to commemorate Deaf History Month, celebrated March 13-April 15.

Linda Huffer, director of the Office Deaf and Hard of Hearing at DHS, said the exhibit is meant to give attendees a sense of the challenges of hearing loss.

"These amazing works of art reflect the richness and diversity of people who have a hearing loss and those who work with them,” Huffer said in a news release. 

Secretary-elect Kitty Rhoades invited everyone to come and view the artwork at the DHS headquarters this month.