916wi"Camarokid.....Actually believing that you could get $15K for an old '88 Iroc and a '91 throttle body RS(essentially a base Camaro) and you're calling other people idiots in the same post????:) "

I see somebody else here has a brain.

theyre not worth it. with 75k and 90k are you kidding me and "beat on" by you. good luck not sure what moron with $15000 youll run into

NO I dont have kids or a minivan- reading about them on here makes me not want to EVER!!!

digriz- now that is a COOL car. My dad had a 68 impala. red white top coupe. Black inside HOT ouch! wish I had it now. he gave it away and somebody cracked it up drunk driving!!

Awh..the 'circuit'. That's what it was BACK IN THE DAY.. We didn't hurt anyone, it was just fun back then. It was about muscle cars back then. By and large, it probably is still just that...about fast cars and trying to meet someone. Ladystardust said it's best in her remark. I"m 50 now....and living in Florida....but when I"m home, you bet I take a nostalgic trip around the 'circuit' with Thin Lizzy playing 'The Boys Are Back'.

"At least they’re not in the woods drinking, stealing, lawn ornaments or even vandalizing neighborhoods."
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Not true. They are still doing those things, too. Not all, but a majority are guilty at some time or another of that which you mention above. The detritus of Janesville's youth culture that can be found sloughing off of Milton Ave. on the weekends and even weeknights is quite culpable regarding those anti-social behaviors. You forgot shooting out car windows, however.
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I'm not so much worried about the kids in cars doing what I myself used to do with my venerable "sleeper" (1966 Chevy Impala with a '72 454 dropped in - slightly radical..). I may be older, and I might be annoyed by it at times, but I did nothing different when I was their age. I may have been a bit more respectful, however, to my elders.... Or maybe not. : )
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It's the kids on foot without cars that cause the most trouble in the area around Milton Ave. This I know from experience, and so does the JPD. I wish they'd focus more on THAT.

"Us cruisers are the only reason that the JPD can afford to feed, clothe, and house their employee's families."
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Spoken by someone who's apparently never been to Corvino's, etc.....

Camarokid.....Actually believing that you could get $15K for an old '88 Iroc and a '91 throttle body RS(essentially a base Camaro) and you're calling other people idiots in the same post????:) How many tickets have the JPD written you while you've been "cruising"?

Put down the beers and the cell phones, buckle up and drive right. P.S. Throw that darn pacifier out the window!

Wow, Hannah, you are an idiot. You don't use KBB to find the value of an Iroc-z Camaro, or most other Camaro's for that fact. Their prices are not adjusted for performance cars. If you look on eBay, or any other auction site, you will find that Iroc-z's like mine typically go for $7,000-$20,000. Yes, mine is a 5.7 tuned-port injection. It's bright red, and in beautiful condition with 76,000 miles. It was a South Carolina car, no rust on it anywhere. The RS is white, and has 90,000 on it, and it seems that RS's with that kind of mileage usually go for $4-5,000. I could probably get $15,000 for both cars... please learn about what you are posting in the future before you make yourself look like an idiot and post inaccurate information.

Thanks Kraut.

camarokid; I am a True-Blue Ford owner...that being said, I do applaud you for sticking with your choice of cars. The Camaro was/is a cool car (inspite of opinions like those touted by that noted automotive authority...Hannah). I've seen as many Ford Mustangs as well as Mopar Muscle cars being used and abused by the denizens of the manufactured mobile housing neighborhoods...so simply asssuming anyone in a Camaro thats from the 80's or 90's is a redneck trailer trash type is pretty much par for the course for those like our esteemed friend and auto-authority pro Hannah. I'd be willing to say that dear H herself likely cruises in a mini-van with a soccerball sticker on it...hang tough kid.

Ok...Krauts Picks for best posts go as follows:
Post w/most sense dogs_rule wins, JimPl is runner-up.
Post w/least common sense...winner is Hannah(too many runners-up to list).

Oh my God! I'm 50 yrs old and remember cruising the strip downtown when I was a teen. It's all about socializing with your peers. Can it be dangerous? Today, yes. With cell phones getting in the way of watching where you're going, absolutely. Back in the 70's it was all about the cars...I had a 1967 Chevelle...Loved that car. All my friends had Great cars to show off. Bottom line, no matter what the reason, cruising is here to stay. It's been a National past-time since the 50's. Our "Men & Women in Blue" just have to do their best to enforce the laws of the road. We can only hope our young people do the right thing and have Fun at the same time.

I am so with you on this one dog_rule. I too was at the downtown strip in my mom's rally sport custom camero. I loved it. It was fun, safe and just a good old time. I guess these older folks forget the good old days of carhops and fast cars. Cruzin' was the thing to do. Ok, what about the movie "Grease" Classic! These kids are just doing what we did. Most of the kids I know that drive on the circuit are just that, kids looking for things to do and hanging out with there friends. At least they’re not in the woods drinking, stealing, lawn ornaments or even vandalizing neighborhoods. One blogger said that there is so much to do here. Well, I guess we are doing a really bad job of advertising those events. How else would we find out? Maybe the city needs to get involved with promoting teen events. People, look outside the box. Things could be so much worse.

Leeski...it's rather unfortunate that the lein oil event got shut down. I looked forward to it every year. The police response was nothing short of rediculous. Comparing Beloit to Janesville is interesting. Beloit has always supported their car show and has even supported the cruise and a burn out pit ON A PUBLIC ROAD downtown. Beloit's car show is one of the biggest and best in the midwest and continues to grow and flourish, that is thanks to the city supporting it instead of shutting it down like Janesville did theirs. I love how the city of Janesville will whine about no tourism dollars yet is quick to shut things such as the cruise and show down. I guess it isn't much different than when the new police chief decided to make a great impression by pulling over and ticketing all the motorcycle riders that were parading in a pack together on a charity ride and charging them with running red lights and obstructing traffic. Any other city would have the police escorting and blocking traffic for the riders. Not Janesville.

Here's smth 4 teens to do!! Every 3rd Friday of the month (yes, like tomorrow!) check out Friday Night Bandstand. Local talent rockin' the stage & pizza $1 a slice. @ Grace Community International, 1509 S. Grant Ave. 8-11pm, $5 or $3 w/donation. We won't kick you out of our parking lot!

byw- no I couldnt quite drive it yet. didnt have my temps yet. Couldnt drive it to school either. Still had to take the bus. Still have stress nioghtmares about that one. oh well

I willbrag cmero kid-

when i was 15 I bought myself a BRAND NEW car. my parents didnt want me driving in an old pos. they gave me $1000 towards it. He cosigned for me ONCE. It wss a shinny new plymouth turismo. was about $8000. 4 cyl yes so. NEW!!!!! no problems. paid my own insurance, car payments, gas etc.
In two years I wanted a COOLER new car. Had to buy on my own and I did. wanted that cool iroc- they were sorta cool back then. but new and all mine and nothing to break down.

hows that iroc in the snow?????????

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/PricingR...


now for the infamous iroc-

lets just say it is the bigger v8-
lets just say it has low miles for a 21 year old car of 210k

OOPS kbb doesnt go back to 88
had to use 89

gee $550!!!

and dont worry about adding all the adds that kelly shows at this ago- dont mean squat SORRY
I used fair condition- with they way you speak of your cars I would guess poor is best choice but just trying to be nice.

camero kid- i find it offensive you didnt think I was offensive- I called you this trash before 916wi. cant oyu read well?

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/PricingR...

oops over bid for the 91- fair condition is $418- unless you dont really BEAT on your cars!!!!!!!

kbb is a bit high as well.
hey but a used car dealer can make it look like it is worth $4000 of sticker if that makes you feel better.

Do you insure BOTH those cars or do you live up to the white trash comment and DONT INSURE!!??


do you want my educated guess NOT- you couldnt afford it
18 yr old boy in a sorts car - 2 door TIMES 2.

It's hilarious that Camarokid is actually bragging about this. You have your fun, get your tickets and end up killing somebody. A public street like Milton Avenue is no place to be racing at 100 mph. Stop embarrassing yourself. You punk kids who have no concern for anyone else will get what's coming to you.

camaro"916WI,
I find your view on Camaro's offensive. So does that mean that I am white trash that I own two Camaro's? A '91 RS and an '88 Iroc-z?"


yes DOUBLE trash

you own 2 $500 cars. you must be so proud!!!
I always thought is was fun when the white trashy radio and speakers we worth more than the car!!!!!!

916wi- i see we finally agree ;)

metromilton: Please read comment posted at 3:57 p.m. on Aug. 17 ... it explains how the passengers and the driver were within the law.

Curious question....did Miss Nelson get a citation for blantant violation of the under 18 years driver to passenger in the car ratio??

I hope so...she openly admitted it and there is photographic evidence to prove it....

I bet J.P.D. could make ALOT of $$$$ tikcketing the "kids" who cruise on this offense alone.....

Camaro's own all :) haha. I had 220k on the old '89 RS that I had. Beat the crap out of that car and still commuted with it everywhere. Never let me down once!

916 - I love it! You sound like my husband with the anti Camaro stuff! :)

Well I love them both. The Iroc-z isn't stock. But let me tell you this, it might have 245hp, but it has well over 300 lbs. torque, and that hauls ***. The Iroc-z only weighs 3,400 some pounds, hardly heavy by American standards, and the RS is a 5-speed, so it's quicker than you'd think.

dogs_rule, there used to be an organized event for cruising which was a day long event sponsered by the Lein Oil Co. which had a car show during the day, and was followed by organized cruising on Milton Ave. at night. The event was so awesome that it drew 100's of cool show cars, not the junk that most of the kids up there now drive. There were several people from as far away as milwaukee that I met, and a lot of Ill. license plates. The mall parking lot and all of the other lots on Milton ave would be packed full of cars, and people of all ages lined the streets with lawn chairs and blankets to watch the cruisers with their families just like it was a parade. Did some people get carried away a little bit and do burnouts?, yes, of coarse they did, but they were generally driving cars that they had 10's of thousands of dollars and several years of work into. What happened?!!!! The State Patrol and JPD rolled out there in force like it was marshall law and shut it down!!!! Also to all of you people ripping on the kids as being stupid, I am 40 years old, own 2 businesses, and several rental properties in Janesville, I had a long "Bon Jovi" style hair do that really pissed off the older people who probably called me a loser, I never sat around getting high, drunk, or other loser type of activities, but I cruised every chance I got to see what other people were doing to their cars, or just to see friends. How soon we forget what we all did as teenagers that our parents said was crazy, or stupid.

Camarokid......especially those two models!!!!! They were ok back in the day(20 years ago) but if Hollywood were to ever release a remake of the movie Joe Dirt, Kid Rock would DEFINITELY be behind the wheel of a mid 80's IROC Camaro--no doubt in my mind. BTW--there nothing wrong w/ white trash--I'm a huge Kid Rock fan--but those cars define it:)

P.S. As far as showing anyone "how to drive" with one of those cars, you're kidding yourself. Even the 5.7 IROC models were only pushing out around 240 horsepower. They were only offered with an automatic and were seriously overweight as well. Any number of late model domestic or foreign family sedans could give you a serious run for your money. The later model four and six cylinder sports cars(specifically the foreign models) would totally walk you.....I won't even get into the RS--the 305 TBI that Chevy dropped in that car is pathetic......

916WI,
I find your view on Camaro's offensive. So does that mean that I am white trash that I own two Camaro's? A '91 RS and an '88 Iroc-z?

Camarokid.....Please don't be stressing the fact that you have a Camaro. Unless it's a 67-69, those cars are as about white trash as they come. Stop embarrassing yourself before it's too late:)

I don't see what the big deal is, cruising is fun. Why trash my car because of the way I cruise? And for future reference Camaro is spelled C-A-M-A-R-O. See you all on Milton Ave!

Camerokid...........you ever heard of a race track??????????????????????????
I hope I never meet you on the road when you so stupidly and unrespectfully ignore the law and common sense.
Unfortunetly you will not understand or learn until YOU have to live the rest of YOUR life with the knowledge YOUR stupidity caused someoneelse's dealth.

sue the police department because you didnt look before pulling into the street WHAT!!!good luck with that one!!!

I am sure they tell you to be safe as you pull out. If not you should have learned that in drivers ed. I am sure theyll wait for traffic to be clear so you can get out safely.


sue janesville because you're driving 100. okay you dont get it do you. who made you go 100!!!!!!!!!!!!

camero are for losers!!

"what right do they have"

it is their RIGHT because it is their JOB. DUH.

IF youre breaking the law they will take care of you. If you have loud exhaust and driving like an idiot theyll pull you over. If you drive nice maybe theyll lay off even if it is too loud.

Whe i was young I had glass packs on my daytona-yes illegal but I wasnt an idiot about it so never was in trouble.

just because a parking lot has a customers only sign and another doesnt- doesnt mean it is still okay for you to hang there when closed- it is still loitering!!

and those loud trucks are hillbilly trash as well if you ask me!!


have fun cruising at 100- dirtbag it isnt safe . To bad you have nothing we can sue your butt for when you kill somebody- sorry the pos car wont due.

Yes my car can get going that fast and it isnt a camero sorry little boy you dont know everything already. We just chose to drive like responcible adults.

ever see fried green tomatoes?

better watch out one of us with MORE INSURANCE might just take you OFF THE ROAD!!!!

Lol. Nah I won't hit a tree, I have a better chance of hitting a stoplight. I've noticed that the cars on the strip are much more well behaved than the trucks, so what, we like to have fun from time to time and get on it a little bit... our cars reach 100 faster than your cars can reach the actual posted speedlimit. If we want to have fun, we will, as long as no one gets hurt and no one gets tickets.

Sue Janesville for making you leave a safe parking lot? Too bad you can't sue yourself for being a moron. Have fun racing down Milton Ave. at 100 mph. I hope you hit a tree.

I mean sue the Janesville Police Department. We've found a new lot to park at now that doesn't have "Customer Only" parking signs... so if the JPD come over, they can't do ANYTHING to us. But suppose they do tell us to leave, and I decide to go out and race someone, or go 100mph down Milton Avenue with the other Camaro's and cars (very fun to do) and someone pulls out in front of me... I sue Janesville for making me leave a safe parking lot. Rock County is great about cruisers, and in general. They leave us alone, but the JPD... ha. They come by and look at our exhausts and check ours cars, what right do they have to do that!? They give us tickets for having "aftermarket" exhausts, I have a Flowmaster, it meets emmisions and is pretty mellow. It's not half as loud as those trucks out there, and we're getting tickets...

Yes I cruised the circuit as a teenager in the 80's. My father drag raced up courthouse hill in the late 50's. We didnt do it all the time but once and awhile just to see who was out and to be seen was the only reason. Did I feel safe downtown while doing it??? NOOOOOO WAY!!!! Too many dark doorways (I never got out of the car) and dark side streets. I would much rather see the teens on Milton Ave. where it is wide open and well lite then back downtown. As far as to all the parking lots being closed so no one can park. Thats a good thing. Keep them moving so they cant sit and become more bored and come up with much more dangerous ideas to do. Not to mention it keeps the fighting down too.

camerokid- yes silly boy- sue the parking lot owner for getting into an accident.

By the way son- it is called LOITERRING- you are not a customer- the store isnt even open (probably not anyway). SO NO you DONT have a right to park their. THEY own the store NOT you.

Why would anyone compare "cruising" 50 years ago to this century?? Janesville is certainly not the same, traffic patterns are not the same, congestion is certainly not the same.
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Camarokid - What on earth does your last statement mean, exactly? Why in the world would you sue anyone because you got got in an accident after getting kicked out of a parking lot?? Just how old are you????? Get real!
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BYW - The POS Neon sitting on 26 towards Walmart is black for whoever asked.

camarokid: File a lawsuit for that reason and you will be throwing your money away.

milton ave is not that big of a deal to drive on while kids are cruising.

the only problem i see is at the kwick trip, and your leaving by target, because its impossible to get out.

Ok I was not goign to post anything here. When I was 15 I crusided with my Boyfriend and his friends. we hung out, out there for about 3 an da half years. Did I meet people who will be friends for a long time? Yes do I still think its cool to go out? NO.
Now when I was 15, almost 16 my boyfriend and his friends were all 17 and 18, a few in their 20s. Im now 25. But by the time I was 19 I had out grown the cruise thing. I sadly can not say thign same thing about the people I hung out with. They still do it even in their 30s!
At the time yeah it was because I had nothing else to do. We did hang out at a few of the peoples houses, even went for walks a few times. But yeah at 16/17 there isnt much to do at 9:00 at night. Go to the library? Closed. Go to the mall? Closed. Restarunts are packed with adult drinkers by then so its not fun for a kid.
As for the strip isnt for hicks. HAHAHA Yeah right!!! Look where we all live! Its a hick thing.

I'm bummed! The only cruise night I am not on the strip this year, they have reporters there!!! And what, they rode around in *that* girl's Neon? I have seen that car and wow... I'm suprised, by the way it looks, that it even runs! I love the strip, it's a fun thing to bring your girl or friends out to do on Friday's and Saturdays, if you have the gas. It's cheap, and a thrill. Those reporters need to take a ride with me though, before they write another article on the strip. I think the biggest thing is knowing how to drive and when you can act "stupid". I have a lot of fun out there, and most of the stuff that I do driving isn't legal. But it's a great time if you're with someone who knows how to drive, not a bunch of 15 and 16 year olds with a crappy car. Gazette guys shoot me an email the next time you're coming out! The parking lot thing though, I have to say is bull. I've been kicked out of parking lots before, and I think they really need to lay back on that rule. We aren't causing any trouble when we are parked, so why bother us? If I get kicked out of a parking lot and get in an accident, I know who I'm suing.

I'm about two decades removed from being a teenager. And I'm not now, nor was I ever, real keen on cruising. I went up to Hwy 100 in West Allis a couple times back in the day. I didn't quite understand what was supposed to be so cool about it.

With that said, I do chuckle at some of the alternative activities people here have posted. Going to the library? Going for a walk? Fishing? Um, I hate to break it to you but those aren't exactly "cool" things for teens to do. Sure, I love doing all those things today. I was then and am still today a voracious reader. And, when I was a teen I was known to wet a line every now and again. But, um, do you really think teens want to head off to the library on a Friday or Saturday night?

Adults will rarely ever understand teenagers. It has been that way pretty much forever and will continue to be so until the end of time. Think back to when you were a teen. I'd be willing to bet you wore things your parents thought were atrocious. You listened to music that made your parents grit their teeth. Half the appeal of such behavior was the reaction you received from adults.

While I'm not pleased at how ambivalent our young Ms Nelson is about her driving history, bear in mind the story only indicates she was pulled over three times, not that she was actually cited for anything during those traffic stops. Perhaps she was, I've no way to know for certain. But, the fact that she seems to feel rather proud at having been pulled over ONLY three times in a year is pretty sad, if you ask me. I'm hopeful her parents addressed this issue with her once this article saw print.

Twerp -

I have dual residency, HK and US. You think I surf the internet looking for meaningless blogs to attach my thoughts? Janesville is my hometown. I deeply care about it, especially in these hard times. It's some of the narrow-minded drama queens I can do without. Milton Ave is a viable way for kids to have a little rowdy fun. I don't recall reading about recent shootings, break-ins, beatings, drug-dealing or other such criminal behavior unless you can cite some for me.

When did it get renamed the "strip"? What happened to the "Circuit"???
Circuit = Downtown
Strip = Milton Ave

Riding the circut has been going on for 50 years in this town. All of a sudden if you are doing it you are a product of a broken home with terrible parents and you are a drug addict. Get real!
These kids are doing the same thing MILLIONS of other kids are doing all over the United States of America, They are expressing themselves and being individuals.
I drive Milton Ave 2 times everyday during the DAYTIME and I see everything you are calling crazy and reckless being done by adults on a day to day basis! Quit with your judgemental attitudes and let the kids be! We hire professional Police officers to patrol the strip and they do their job. If the few "idoits" are truly being reckless on a regular basis soon they are tickted and will lose the right to drive just like all the rest of us.
Insurance companies will regulate the risky driving through insane rate increases for those stupid enough the get numerious tickets or accidents.
Having a reporter ride in a car is hardly a way to get an objective view of "typical" night on the strip, Kids will boast and play up the risky badgirl or badboy acts to gain attention or noterity in the story.
Doing nuteral drops in a Neon is about as risky as blowing your nose! The worst that could happen is you will spin one rear tire for about 3 inches as you cross the painted line on the crosswalk! Hardly a life and death situation.
Many of these kids are doing the same thing you do when you take your new Buick to church or your new boat out for the day, they are expressing themselves and showing off their "creations" just as people get their hair cut at high end salons or shop at high end clothing stores they do it to be one of a kind and like to show their style and taste. we may not all agree that it is tasteful or appropiate that is one of the beauties of living in AMERICA! I am free to do as I please as long as it does not infringe upon YOU! So please quit trying to impose your values and opinions upon everyone else around you that just happens to think a little different than you do!

When did it get renamed the "strip"? What happened to the "Circuit"???

lespaulstudio - AMEN!

The funny thing is there is a out of commisson Neon sitting on the side of the road on the top of Milton Ave. before you get to Walmart. It looked blue, may have been turquoise.....

LOL. People need to lighten up. This article gave me a good smile. I remember, many moons ago, several nights cruising in Janesville, Fort Atkinson and Madison. Heck, my MOTHER remembers nights of cruising back in the 50's in Milton and Janesville! It's a right of passage, and I bet that most of the people that have written comments here have been either the driver or passenger in a car that has done at least one loop, at some point in time, around a "circuit." Times change, but this article actually brought back a bit of nostalgia to me from years ago. Oh to be young again, believe there is "nothing to do" in the city you live in and have not a care in the world on a Friday night except what adventures lie ahead for the next few hours, which boys to talk with and planning how you will sneak in way past curfew. Ah, good times. Fun article, Gazette Reporter. :-)

"Looking for Hotties" ???? WTF? Don't these girls know what kind of perverts are out there looking for little girls to assault?

Obviously not.

One of these times, these girls are gonna give their number to the wrong person and get hurt. And who will be to blame? The Janesville Police for not "protecting cruisers" ? Probably. I smell a lawsuit...

cont:
oh right I pay taxes on roads just for these kids...NOT ! I hope the cops are out in full force this weekend especiall since now they know some of the ones to look for IE: "tenacious teal"

Edgewater you say "Get off your high horses. Let the kids have some fun. If they enjoy it and you don't, stay off of Milton Avenue and quit being so damned judgemental."
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If I remember correctly from a previous post you live in Hong Kong correct? What the H****. You have no idea how bad the situation relly is on some weekend nights. You don't live here now. But I do and I pay taxes to be able to use the roads, which includes Milton Ave on a Sat. night. Seems to me you do not.
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These kids are driving recklessly, endangering everyone around them. Why should I or any other person be forced to stay off a road...as I said before.. that I pay taxes on. Just so a bunch of kids can look for "hotties" and yell at people.

I find it interesting that many of the people being very judgemental about the "cruising" activity are also the one's that live on this message board.
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Calling kids names for cruising while you hide behind an anonymous user name...I find that curious.

This article just reinforces the small-town hick impression"
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parkeralum, This isn't just a small-town "hick" thing. Head to E. Washington Ave. in Madison this Friday night. Packed with plenty of kids cruising.
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I wouldn't label Madison and/or many of its surrounding communities as "small town".

A lot of trailer parks must be empty on Friday night across Rock County.

If only the girl knew the others names for a pacifer she may spit it out and choke on it while doing so quickly!!

egdewater- nope never "only" 3 tickets in a year with a OH WELL thats not so bad attitude.

When you have a oh well attitude to this what else is "oh well" I am pregnant OH WELL. I am only 13 I am cool with the 17 year olds and pregnant by a 17 yr old OH WELL!!!! OH well did that power breaking thing and ran over a ped in the walk way - "oops oh well" I am under 18 so they cant touch me "oh well" can I go on???? oh well my kid is in juvie- oh well.

dreec...the probationary restrictions apply only for the first 9 months, as long as the driver remains violation-free for that 9 months. So, if a driver gets his/her license on or close to the 16th birthday, the restrictions are lifted before the 17th birthday. Since all of the drivers that were interviewed were 17, they were probably all out of the restriction period.

These kids are in school with my daughter. She does know them but doesn't hang with them. Guess? who she will not be hanging with in the future either. Thanks to the Gazette for the heads up.

Hope mommie's proud of the baby with the binky!

What's up with the girl with the pacifier? Shouldn't her parents have gotten rid of it a few years ago? It really is not a fashion statement. She looks stupid.

The hypocrisy is pretty thick in this blog. As if any of you did not do questionable activities during your age of discovery, independant, and rebellious teenage years. Get off your high horses. Let the kids have some fun. If they enjoy it and you don't, stay off of Milton Avenue and quit being so damned judgemental.

When I was in high school I cruised the strip and when my parents were in high school and we all turned out OK.
I remember it being a fun thing to do when you didn't have much for cash (gas was A LOT cheaper back then though). We never thought anything we were doing was dangerous but looking back on it now, I can't believe I survived!
If I was the gazette I hope they got releases from all of the parents of the children in this article because otherwise I think they may have opened themselves up to some liabilities...JMO
I still don't get how these kids are cruising anymore with the new probationary restriction on their licenses. Can anyone explain to me why they aren't getting pulled over for violating that???
If I was the parent of any of these kids I think I would be highly embarrassed. It is kind of a what you don't know won't hurt you attitude (at least that is how my parents seemed about it) and now they are seeing just how stupid their kids are acting!
I think the circuit is a good thing but I would like to see it back downtown.

neon trans and engine of that time period certainly doent need any help with breaking down. MAYBE if she had paid for that car on her own she would respect it a bit more HEY there is something to do. GET A PART TIME JOB!!

parkeralum- I mentioned this when they had a story of a boy -young man sorry 17 that has been helping with riverside and said HERE IS SOMETHING RESPECTFUL for your kids to do!!!!

sk8: Maybe, just maybe, this story will open the eyes of some parents and spark a few at-home discussions about what teens are doing with their free time. I don't see it as the Gazette promoting anything. The paper is just doing a feature story on an activity that draws hundreds of area teens to Milton Avenue every weekend. And I would have to say the story has pulled in quite a few readers if the number of comments is any measuring stick.

Apparently I'm late to the plate.... but really, is this all that we have to write about in the Gazette? Is this even a story? What a ridiculous front page headline topic. And it sounds like a 14 year old wrote it...

Movies, jobs, roller skating, time spent w/ friends at our homes, was what we did as teens in the summer. Oh yeah, we used to have the drive-in theatre where Woodman's is now to see and be seen.
After one loop, the Circuit downtown was boring.
Still, I think the Gazette needs better topics. This article just reinforces the small-town hick impression...coming from Evansville to cruise Milton Avenue and listen to country and hip-hop? How about news about teens making a positive difference in the community?

Ish. This is what happens when a community has nothing more to promise its children than alcohol, a minimum wage job, and a house in the same community.
These are the kids that by age 25 will be staring at life on alcohol, a couple of young children, and a dead end job. I wonder if cruising on the strip will be as fun after 3 years of the same activity.
KIDS- READ, STUDY, GET HOPE TO CRAWL OUT OF THIS!

Oh, and by the way brilliant teens, neutral drops are NOT good for your car. I hope you bought the car yourself and pay for your own insurance. Transmissions aren't cheap either.

A 14 year old cruising for "hotties"??? WTF, maybe the parents of this girl should be arrested for child neglect. As soon as something happens to the CHILDREN, their parents are going to be the first ones bchin, "how come the Janesville police didn't protect my child, how dare they"?

I agree where are the comments from the gazette stating some of this behavior is NO GOOD and look out for it???

What's wrong with this world today and the way kids act is not only due to poor parenting, but also due to the fact that if we discipline our kids the way we were disciplined we'd be charged with child abuse. Most kids, but not all, are lazy and control their parents. We don't hesitate to discipline our kids when they deserve it. A lot of kids have no respect for anyone, including their parents. They want everything handed to them for nothing. Food and a place to sleep is a necessity, everything else is a luxury. If that was my daughter behind the wheel, the car keys would be taken. And what 'parent' allows their 13 and 14 year old daughters to cruise around with 17 year olds looking for boys?!!! As far as I'm concerned, the Gazette promoted bad behavior. Maybe your efforts should be focused on how to promote safety and respectful behavior.

To put a end to this all is needed is the parents of these kids get their mini-vans and CUV's out and cruise with them, the kids will soon get tired of all the old people and leave.

I'd be extremely concerned about the pacifier even if the person is not actually taking ecstasy at that time, it is well known among teenagers what this represents and what they are trying to make others assume or believe about their behavior:

What are signs of ecstasy use? Need to keep a close eye on kids these days!

*Possessing a baby pacifier, a pacifier made of candy, lollipops, and candy necklaces. Some club drugs cause the users to clench their teeth tightly which causes discomfort. The pacifier eliminates this discomfort.

*Staying out very late.

*Extreme or moderate irritability the day after consuming these drugs. A depletion of serotonin in the brain causes irritability the day after use.

*Possession of fluorescent light sticks. Because drug users' sensory preceptors are heightened, fluorescent light sticks are popular with club drug users.

*Hospital masks lined with menthol ointment. Users use them to get a vapor rush.

*Use of Tiger Balm for cramps.

*Children's vitamin containers are used to conceal Ecstasy tablets.

*Bags of small Tootsie Rolls. These are warmed and unwrapped, Ecstasy pill pushed into the roll and re-wrapped).

whythink- well a the few they picked to do the article they drive recklessly!!!!! I am sure she has had hours behind the wheel to control the car when it gets out of control and I am sure she is paying particular attention while doing the burnout while laughing and talking to friends in the back seat. NOT!!!!!!

THIS IS REAKLESS in her unsafe car. Is this the same girl that said the car doesnt work well. were brakes mentioned???

test

I don't want to completely cut off younger people from having a teenage life. It seems however, that if most of these teens are not cruising, talking on cell phones, face booking on line (etc), or going overboard in their social lives, then they are only sleeping. I think there is a much looser teather on them now. We need to remember that teen-years are not just for fun, but also to prepare you for adult years. I used to have to go across Milton Ave to get to work late at night. So many times the traffic backed right up through the intersection by Perkins Rest. It was unacceptable, and I had to barge my way through. I think this whole thing could tone down quite a bit, without it being too mean to the kids.

Hope the parents are immensely proud of their darlings.

"Oh my God, did you see those hotties?”
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"....most of the chicks are pretty nasty,”
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It's pretty funny that those "hotties" are probably the same ones referring to "chicks...pretty nasty".
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If it weren't for the inexperienced drivers and dangerous manuevers, this situation would be absolutely rich. What a bunch of immature pukes. (A radar detector and a scanner???) Geez. More money than brains.

Hey! Where I live cruisin the strip means that some bad dude that does'nt like your face or attitude can drive up next to you and put a gun out his window at you. Doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me. I'd rather do something exciting!!!!

truth1 - "Don't you have the internet at home?"

Haven't we been trying to get kids off of their computers/video games and get out and do something? I think being out in a car and getting some fresh air is better than frying your brain on a computer on tv!

When I was in high school, we would go cruise the strip every once in awhile if we were EXTREMELY bored and had nothing to do. But again, that was once in a great while. I met a lot of great people from different towns that I would have probably not met had I not been out there some nights. I was young, and it was something to do!

I think people just need to chill out and let kids be kids. I don't agree with the way some of the people that go out there drive, but then again you really haven't heard about people dying or being seriously injured by cruising the strip.

Everyone has their own thing that they like to do: some people like to hang out at friends houses, some like to go to the movies, others cruise the strip. I see no harm in it.

Cruising, no big deal. Having a 13 and 14 year old hanging out with a 17 year old doing burnouts and whatever else she does when not with a reporter, wrong.

hannah
Aug 17, 2009 at 10:01 a.m.
Suggest removal whythink- something BESIDES reckless driving I mean. Sorry I didnt spell that out for you enough.
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Not everyone is driving reckless. When I was in HS we cruised to avoid the drunk party scene. We would go to a movie or something and then cruise for a bit. I would race, but only to the speed limit. Not necessarily safe, but I wouldn't call it reckless.
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While other kids were getting drunk or pregnant we were riding up and down E. Wash. in Madison.
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The recklass drivers eventually ruined it for everyone as the city banned cruising. The police were allowed to pull over a car if it was scene more than twice.
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Don't let the few ruin a fairly harmless activity for everyone.
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Hannah, my point stands about your post. You can't complain that kids say they have nothing to do while complaining about what they are doing.
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It just doesn't make sense.

Note to the parents, a reminder of the application they signed at the DMV when their little angel applied for a license.

PROBATIONARY LICENSE:
All Wisconsin drivers under 18 years of age need sponsorship when issued an instruction permit or license. By signing the driver license application as sponsor, the sponsor accepts liability for all driving actions of the minor.

You can drive alone, but you are limited to only one passenger other than your immediate family or a qualified adult.

There is a reason for those guidelines!

We all know the consequences of not taking driving seriously could lead to serious injury or death. It is also a fact that it could negatively affect your child and their opportunities for years to some.... (Think; criminal record, educational scholarships, job opportunities.)

One final note: The Janesville circuit has always been for dorks, this article certainly reinforces that fact. The pacifier is absolutely ridiculous!

We did it in the 60's. It was a good way to show off your ride and check out other's. What's the harm, as long as people drive safely. I say, take it back downtown, where it originated. But, I'd rather be boating.

I used to cruize the circuit when I was in high school which was 14 years ago. I have to say that this was a better alternative to what the other kids were doing...partying, drinking, drugs, sex,...you name it. Believe me, this isn't just for the hicks. It was a way to get out and meet new friends from other schools and other cities.

Hey teens, Have fun, be safe. I never cruised downtown when I was a teen, but many of my friends did. We all have ways to expend our energy and my way may not be right for you. The article quotes a police officer as stating "most teens on the strip are well behaved" I also didn't read anything about drugs or alcohol in this story. Where did that come from? Lighten up folks, try to remeber when you were young. By the way I am 56.

whythink- something BESIDES reckless driving I mean. Sorry I didnt spell that out for you enough.

rockstar- here is something we DO agree on!!

fatwgn- you have lots to learn dont you. It is called LOITERING!!!! and NO PRETTY SURE youre not waiting for the store to open.


So if the pacifier is for drug use- neat I want to be cool too and look like a drug addict or am I one for real- youll never know!!!

I agree the 13 yr old shouldnt be hanging out with a 17 yr old cruising for guys. what the heck. that is just wrong!!!!! when this girl gets raped are the parents going to blame society???? and not them selves for letting their 13 yr old cruising. The stupid driving in unsafe cars neds to stop . Yes long ago cruising was to show off you neat car not you unsafe POS neon. I am sure theyre all belted in too!!

hannah
Aug 17, 2009 at 9:27 a.m.
"whe I was young we would hang out at a friends-watch movies, play cards.
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I am tired of hearing "aint nothin to do" find something!!!!!"
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Dumbest post EVER.
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These kids found something....Cruising.
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There certainly are a lot (alot is not a word, though it seems to be one in Janesville) of opinionated posters here who love to chime in without caring about how they look to others any more than Sara Nelson herself. An opinion should be the result of thought, not a substitute for it.

I'd rather see the Circuit re-opened than continuing to put up with this nonsense. The Circuit had its regular police presence (they'd walk around checking things out, even) and the kids cruised around in an area WITHOUT much traffic with a lot of one-way streets that ended up cutting down how much damage they could actually do. Today, to "save" us all from the mess that was the Circuit, the kids set up shop up and down Milton Avenue...arguably the busiest street of the city. Teens will always find a place to call their own, so banning it here (and enforcing it better) wouldn't matter. I just found it a lot safer when that place was in a less-busy area of town that police could more easily walk as "beat cops" and get to know the kids (and keep an eye on things). Good luck training this generation of teens to head back downtown, though...the damage has been done. Pity we can't turn back the clock.

“It’s so funny to mess with all the guys,” Serrano said. “It’s fun to yell at people.”................Yea till someone gets gets mad enough to beat the crap out of you punks . It only takes one hothead to ruin your whole night .

The idiot parents of these obnoxious kids will be the first ones to slap lawsuits when their 'precious' brats end up in an accident or worse.

ladystardust- whe I was young we would hang out at a friends-watch movies, play cards. I am tired of hearing "aint nothin to do" find something!!!!!

benneton- when you act like you are 2 I suppose you may need one!!!

"Nelson has been pulled over three times while cruising the strip.

“That’s pretty good, though, because I’ve had my license for a year,” she said."

good compared to what????

you shouldnt have any!! If you were my kid and you said pretty good guess what you can get around "pretty good" on your FEET.

If it was banned downtown WHY is it okay on milton av when traffic is even busier??

I think of the driving thing as a privilage and NOT FOR FUN and driving like idiots.

Me too!

I spelled their wrong. Sorry to the spelling police.

Pull your heads out of the sand! These kids are doing this to see and be seen! We all did it. Walking the mall, going to the fair or roller rinks. The unsafe and idiotic driving and behavior needs to be stopped though. I wonder all the time why this generation of kids acts so immature and does such stupid things and it keeps coming back to how the whole lot of them were raised. These kids are raised with parents who party and get wild around them, TV shows that glorify a fast lifestyle and no real discipline. We didn't take junk, wanna be fast cars to the circuit, we made them look nice and cruised around looking and showing off but for the most part, a lot safer. Push them off Milton ave, they will find somewhere else. Why not have some decent adult gear heads try organizing the circuit. Have actual car shows and rallies. How about a car clinic in Creston Park on Friday night. Teach these kids to respect the vehicle and be proud of learning something while hanging with there friends? Maybe issuing a permit for cruising so there would be some accountability when things do go wrong? There are a bunch of ways that are cheap or free to let these kids participate in a decades old tradition while not getting all of you anal retentive folks upset.

There parents must be so proud that their children made the paper! What a joke!

Pacifiers are cool??? I think there is more to that than a "fashion statement"

what's missing in this picture? wait, where are the beer cans and cigarettes?

A 14 year old has no business hanging with a 17 year old and heading out of town looking for guys. If her parents knew this was happening they need some lessons in parenting. If she was lying about what she was doing I hope they punish her properly. The 17 year needs to find friends her own age.

What a pathetic little mating ritual.

I've got news for you -- contrary to the statement made in the article, the circuit is still for "hicks!"

Are you sure about the ages of some of these kids? The Silva-Copland girl was cited as being 15. In two weeks, she starts 8th grade -- normally a 13 or 14 year old. And what parent lets their 8th grader cruise for "hotties"?

--> Comments by ANONYMOUS -very well spoken regarding the drivers that cruise Milton Avenue. I agree with you and others that say many of these drivers are obnoxious! We stay off of Milton Avenue as much as possible due to the unsafe driving. I find it sad that our local police are allowing such unsafe and eratic driving to continue. Hey Mr. POLICE CHIEF - MORE police officers are needed if you want to improve the situation. For the local kids that cruise and drive safely - thank you. I don't mind if the kids that cruise and stop to visit, etc - it's those that endanger others by unsafe driving that need to be ticketed. Still can't figure out how the kids in the pickup truck speeding up and down Milton Avenue while one of the kids waved a large Confederate flag from the back could not be seen by police.

Growing up in the Janesville area, I never understood nor was interested in the circuit... As an adult and now that I live in a much larger city, I still do not get it. I recently returned to Janesville and Milton Avenue is pretty much the same as when I left over a decade ago and the point is? The point is this, these kids are bored and do not want to be in the house - to them driving up and down a short strip of road with other teenagers that want to get out of the house is fun to them and so long as they are not bothering anyone - who cares? (Note: the amount of judgment posted in everyones' posts is amazing to me!)

I actually think this goes to the point of... How Stupid! I have teenage sisters and they dont cruise the strip, I am almost 30 but even at 16 I would not have driven like an idiot exp with a reporter in the backseat. I cant believe these kids were ok with putting thier names in the paper. Must be nice that some ppl just have money to waste on gas to drive around in circles... I mean come on go to someones house or something.... "Hey buddy you want to sit in this parking lot and watch cars drive by?!" sounds like fun to me! lol

Cruisin' was boring when I was in high school. It sounds just as boring today. And I wouldn't put so much emphasis on the pacifier; I think the girl is just imitating what she thinks is "cool" {or whatever term is used today). As far as providing organized activities or a "hang out place" for teens is concerned, that idea never seems to work. Unless it is a sporting event or, possibly, a school dance, most teens won't show up if the thing is organized by adults.

JJ, 50 would be slow some nights. I was passed by one of the hillbilly squad (one of the nitwits with the semi style stacks on their pickups) doing at least 80. Seen 3 sets of retards in ricer cars purposely slowing traffic so they can talk at 20mph in a 40 zone. People trying to block others from passing them and other forms of reckless driving that makes DUI look sane.

Also under 16 cant ride in the bed. Although having a law like that is kinda silly with a MANDATORY SEAT BELT LAW. With it now being a "primary offense" I dont see a reason the JPD wont pull these idiots over for it.

To elaborate on Zooms radar answer, they are illegal in ALL commercial vehicles throughout the US. Only state that they are banned for everyone is Virginia and also Washington DC.

If they (the cruisers) can behave themselves, quit driving like morons, stop littering and just be respectfull to others, I have no problem letting them cruise. Heck I used to go cruising back in Oregon. Even after I got married and had a kid, we did it as a family. So many collector cars to look at. Very, very few idiot drivers though. No one screwed around to the point of being dangerous. You were lucky to even get beyond 30mph. Parking lot owners let us park.

fatwgn, the parking lots are private property and if the owners dont want people in the lots after hours, they have the cops kick ya out. From what I heard from people who cruised Milton Ave from the start, alot of the lot owners didnt care if people parked in them, but after a few years of people trashing the lots, well no more. Even Walmart had people (except the RV people) booted out after hours.

Just another case of kids being kids and parents not knowing where there kids are or probally knowing and not caring.

I understand this is something that the teens do to have fun, but I think that it's dangerous and it's an accident waiting to happen.

Some teens drive really fast, cut other drivers off and some even speed out of parking lots into traffic...its ridiculous if you ask me. I even thought that it's illegal to have people ride in the bed of a pickup truck. I see kids going at least 50+ mph on Milton Ave driving CRAZY with people in the back of the truck, and no police around. Let me do any of this on my way to work, I guarantee JPD will have me pulled over QUICK!

Unfortunately, I think nothing is actually going be done to combat this or setup some type of limitations, until its too late.

I grew up in towns that were 500 and 5000 people. We ALWAYS found things to do that weren't cruising or illegal.

And who's paying the gas for this crap?

So NICE, because the girl in the picture has a passy in her mouth.. you must KNOW she is doing drugs right?... WOW, if thats not lame I dont know what is... can the young girl just not be having that in her mouth because that is the FAD? I dyed my hair black and wore a damn trenchcoat.. doesnt mean I would EVER wear something like that now... we all have done things or wore things that we loved back in the day.. and now.. NEVER would wear or do again... doesnt mean we are drug users... Dont be so quick to judge people.. its NOT NICE

im so glad we have a complete description of ms.serranos car.which is not safe to be on the road.not having a horn alone is very dangerous.for crying out loud we need to find something to do for these kids.

AMEN.. Janesvillegirl72!! I remember going every weekend cruising downtown... It was so fun, and kept us from drinking parties. There is not alot for kids to do these days... We had dry bars at the churches and cruising.. we had the roller skating rink and overnite skates... We had drive in movies and could actually be out past dark and not be afraid someone was going to jump you. We used to sleep on the mall hill for Gods sake. I think many people are so quick to condemn and place judgement... We talk about the "young" people having nothing to do but cause trouble yet here we ALL sit ready to jump the next wrong comment or story or picture posted here... Cmon lets just not lose sight of whats really going on here.

janesvillegirl72- I agree, I also cruised the strip but I was the later generation on Milton Ave. We weren't doing drugs or getting drunk, it was just something to do when there was nothing to do.

WHERE IN THE HELL ARE THE 13 YEAR OLD GIRL'S PARENTS???? DOING X WHILE CRUSING MILTON AVE?? NICE PARENTING!!

I cruised the strip downtown as a teenager and had a great time. I was not and am not a loser, stoner or a drunk, neither are my friends. Of course back then we had faster cars and raced up courthouse hill. There was some drinking and some kids that acted up but for the most part the problem was litter. There were also quite a few adults cruising as well in classic cars and whatnot. It was fun, social and kept us from hanging in someones basement getting blasted.

Pacifier = Ecstasy These kids are well aware of what the pacifier means and why it is used. Why would you use one and risk being accused of using drugs?

Where I grew up they had non alcoholic dance clubs for teens. In addition, the schools held summer dances to raise money for various school functions. The basket ball courts would stay lit all night if you put a quarter in the machine. If we weren't at a dance we'd play pickup basket ball or football. We also had a giant indoor sports complex called Sportland, which had indoor golf driving range, mini golf, batting cage, roller rink, bumper cars, mountain climbing, pitching cage, pool hall, and arcade for all ages. It was about the size of Super Walmart give or take maybe a bit smaller. It was open to 1:00 with security. The company bought an empty warehouse and set up shop. It was jam packed all day long and there was rarely any problems there. This city pretty much shuts down after 10:00.

This is being typed from my Moms account.. I am a young boy in Janesville who sometimes cruises with my older brother. We have alot of fun cuz we just get to spend time together without Mom and Dad being around. We get to meet up with new people and just hang out without causing trouble. You guys complain about us playing xbox and spend to much in the house.. but yet, you now say we shouldnt be out driving around either. Some kids are trouble.. but the Police are there to take care of them.. Its no different then school really. We are there to learn yes but some of the kids dont listen and get into to trouble.. the police get involved... does that mean we should be banned from going to school? please dont take this away from us... We are just having fun! ( I typed what my Son had to say, as we would of been here all night if he had typed it..lol) My youngest Son is Autistic and my older son takes him out cruising to look at all the cars and have fun.. I see NOTHING wrong with it... and honestly.. I dont believe this makes me a bad parent.

Pacifier = Ecstasy These kids are well aware of what the pacifier means and why it is used. You wouldn't use one and risk being accused of using drugs.

Dang! I wished you people were around 40-years ago when I use to cruise the "circuit" every Friday and Saturday night. Never would have thought that I could have stayed home and read a book, watched movies, take in a ball game or even hang out with my parents. Boy, did I miss all the "fun stuff" growing up. And I thought American Graffiti was a "cool" movie. But with your insights I now know it was about a bunch of "stupid kids involved in illegal activities".

spent a lot of time cruising E. Washington Ave. in Madison as a teen. Eventually they tried to ban it but then you just parked a second car and rotated.
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As long as kids are speeding or driving crazy I think it is a pretty safe activity.
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Better than a lot of the alternatives kids are involved in these days.

My only problem is when the kids out on a cruise of the "Strip" miss the turn on to Mt Zion and then turn down the street I live on it is only a block to Ringold. They come racing down the street to ether to slam on there brakes at the stop sign or just go sailing thru. Also our street turns into a dumping grounds for all the trash. Oh yeah and if your having problems with your girlfriend please don't choose right in front of my house to have your fight. Just be safe, take your trash with you and be nice to each other. Also keep the baseball bats at home, the stop sign will always be replaced.

wow really come on guys the strip isn't always about racing everyone at every stoplight its about going out and hanging with friends or showing off the work you've done to your car.

Some say y dont they just go to the movies because, it gets old real quick and, y would u go out and waste gas. we go out to meet new people and have fun. that doesn't mean were going out to parking lots and doing 360's.

i just want to comment on the cops shuting down people at parking lots. the stores are closed how can we be customers maybe were waiting for it to open tommorow the cops dont know. from my perspective they focus on shuting down the little groups with imports. why arn't the cops shuting the hicks down at the parking lots. Every weekend i see 10-20 trucks that gather at a location and the cops will never go in there but when 3 of my friends sit in a parking lot for 10-15min a cop come up and will tell us to go meet up somewhere else. I dont understand

Looks like a good place to go hoggin'.

Holy crap people, lighten up! We had great times downtown in the late 70's. People put a lot of effort into making their cars look and sound nice and for the most part, didn't bother anyone. As someone earlier said, at least they're all in one place. It's part of growing up, those bitching either lived a sheltered life or are hypocrites. By the way, don't turn the pacifier thing into more than what it is. It started with a rap singer and then wanna be gangsters.

the parents of the girl with the pacifier must really be proud.

"Aren't radar detectors illegal too?"

They are only illegal for use in commercial vehicles in Wisconsion (and Illinois).

also, i dont get the pacifier. i am in high school and i dont get it. someone please explain it to me.

i have lived in rock county for four years, and now i finally know what cruisin the strip means. i also think it's a stupid thing to do. definitely not worth it. rather go to a cubs game. (i am a brewers fan!)

Most of the kids that "cruise the strip" are obnoxious drivers that dangerously swerve in and out of traffic. So "pretty good" is getting pulled over three times in a year? I've had my license for 4 years and I've never been pulled over.

These kids' standards suck.

I have to laugh at the overeactions to this article. Cruising has been going on in the good old USA since the 50's. When tires squeal, I smell freedom.

I will say that destroying an automatic transmission doing "neutral drop burnouts" would be stupid if Ms. Nelson wasn't driving a 1996 Neon. Killing that car would be an improvement.

Aren't radar detectors illegal too?

I haven't read anyone's comments, but I cannot believe that THIS got the front page! The article made it seem like "hooooooo di hummm" no big deal....but HELLO?! These cruisers are so annoying! When I have to make "quick" trip to Target at 9, I have to stay focused and not look in windows cuz who knows how many pre-pubecent boys will be starin me down at a stop light! And to think of all the gas wasted....the loud music distracting drivers. HELLO!? I grew up in this godforsaken town too, but I had better things to do than drive down Milton Ave. and look for what? Boys? Then what? God only knows.....or waste my parents gas? Ugh, I could go on and on....

I see the one car had a 13 , 14, and 15 year old with the 17 year old driver. Now how much fun can that be ? I mean a almost legal adult (and I use the term loosely here) paling around on the circuit with 13 year olds....looking for hotties. Something is just wrong here. If I were one of those parents I would be furious and my kid would be grounded..no car, ipod, phone, etc... for a VERY long time. Maybe then they would see what having nothing to do is REALLY like.
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All I can say is find something better to do than waste gas, cause traffic problems and break the law. I see kids everyday want to be treated like a adult and want PRIVILAGES like driving, and such...well then act like you deserve them, not like these kids who deserve license revocation and a ticket that comes with community service to pay them off , then they will have something to do.

I have been nearly hit by these "cruisers" a couple of times. I can't stand going anywhere near Milton Avenue on weekend nights because these kids try and talk to my daughter (who is only 11- but, 5'6"). And, there are things for kids to do here. Add to the movies and the bowling, ice skating (Friday nights is open skate) amd the skateboarder place in addition to the mall and sports activities, health centers that are open. Driving around staring at one another seems SO beyond lame to me... Especially when you are endangering other people by not paying attention.

I can imagine the next article...kids playing the passout game, while a gazette reporter takes pics. wow.

Hmmm... a pacifier and a designer purse.

Sounds like at least one of the kids in the car has money to burn on wasting gas, designer handbags and possibly Ecstacy. LOL.

Still... there's "nothing to do here".

This article was ridiculous.

I am also wondering why the Gazette had staff riding in cars, documenting all the illegal activity and it sounds like they actually had fun doing it! The Gazette rarely sides with law enforcement though so it doesn't surprise me.

"Cruising used to be for “hicks,” the teens said, but anyone can cruise these days."

Ammm i see nothing but hicks cruising nowadays.. Cruising used to be about fast cars and fast women. Rarely see either anymore. Anyone remember the cruise nights we used to have every year? Or the tank that went down milton ave?

Things haven't changed a bit since the days when I cruised 'The Cicuit.' Squawking tires, look outs for the cops, and those just sitting in parking lots and just watching everything go by. There were A LOT of negative comments about the kids in comments, however I bet very few of them rode the circuit or even the strip today. It's part of social networking. Give 'em credit that at least they are out getting fresh air rather than sitting on the computer all night or going to some party, getting drunk, and crashing into a family of six heading home from dinner. At least if they are on the strip, the police can do a better job of picking out the the losers as well as keeping an eye on all of them. Sure, it's a carral of sorts, but it works and they aren't in residential areas per say. Get over it old folks. It's a blessing in disguise for not only law enforcement but the residents in general. At least they are all in one place.

This article is so pathetic I can't hardly stand it. Why are we glorifying stupidity and illegal activity. Neutral drops, loud music, hanging in parking lots that don't belong to these kids....I can't stand it. And whoever mentioned the ecstacy with the pacify is exactly right. It is very common for kids to use pacifiers to keep them from grinding their teeth down to nothing because of a, once again, illegal drug/activity.

pacifiers ......nope aint gonna go there

Exfib**

And these are the kids that the 80 million dollars for school improvements are supposed to benefit?

At least I won't have to pay for that stupid girls transmission when she fries it......

How soon you forget she could turn it in for Cash for Clunkers then we all pay for it!! not picking on you ..... JMO

"Nothing to do".....??????????..Really???
Don't you have the internet at home?
Maybe not everyone does, but its like having an entire college right in your house to me.
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How about going for a "walk"?..by the river, or anywhere....
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Read a printed book....etc., etc....
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"NOTHING" to do???...That makes no sense whatsoever.

Oh, I missed it the first read through...it's to meet hotties. Good luck with that.

I used to cruise as a teenager, and alls i can say is that i had a great time hanging out with my friends and having fun! Actually I met my husband of 10 years there, and i couldnt be happier. Im so thankful for being able to cruise back in the day. For all the young teens today i hope they enjoy it and do it safeley!

Maybe one of the "cruisers" could explain the point of "cruising". I can't even begin to understand it. We were having a conversation about this article, and no one could come up with anything noteworthy about cruising, except that these people are truly lost.

Here's an idea: How about we enact another ordinance to prevent cruising on Milton Avenue? It's a time consuming nuisance for people that have real places to go, promotes dangerous activities, creates more pollutants in the air, etc. And, all these kids that are on "the strip" are from out of town. All from Milton, Evansville, and Edgerton. Of course there isn't anything for them to do except come to Janesville and do burnouts on Milton Avenue. For God's sake, WHAT HAPPENED TO GOOD PARENTING?
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Here's hoping Ms. Nelson's mother or father does a nice "neutral drop burnout" right upside her head. What an idiot. And to let the paper use her name... I'm sure her parents are proud.

story. of. the. year.

OMG-how pathetic are these kids?? I never had to ride the circuit when I was a teen...my sister did and she hung out with losers. There was...and still is...plenty to do as a teen without cruising around like a moron. Wow. This article says alot about these kids..and none of it is good. I can't even imagine what made these kids give photos and names. If that were me, I would have asked to be kept anonymous.

The article makes this activity sound very benign, when in fact it creates dangerous driving conditions for those of us who are not cruising around and wasting gas.

The pacifier is a high school thing I think. When I was in high school and cruised the strip when I was 18. Alot of the girls had them. I still dont know why, just a fad I am guessing. There is never anything to do in a town you grow up in. I'm 27 and not a bar rat or a mall rat and i'm not rich so that leaves me little options. Maybe this all I have ever noticed. Just my 2 cents.

theres nothing to do? are u kiddin me? what happened to the 3 bowling alleys, 2 theatres, the river open to fishing, and spending time at home? i bet these kids' parents are complaining about the economy as thier kids burn up a tank of gas everytime they cruise up and down milton ave. why doesnt the gazette ride with the teens that are "cruising" drunk or just lookin for a fight? im glad they printed this stupid article so these kids' families realize what thier dumb@$$ kids are spending thier summer doing

If someone were taking ecstasy, the reason for the pacifier or anything in the mouth is to prevent the grinding of the teeth. Has nothing to do with keeping saliva in the mouth. Teeth grinding is one of the side affects of ecstasy.

I've lived in towns with a population of under 1,000 and others over 250,000. No matter where I've lived, teenagers all cry, "There's nothing to do." In reality, Janesville has LOTS of things to do everyday and night. Perhaps teens on the circuit are correct in the fact that no one caters to them specifically but, if they pay attention and look for activities to join, they'll find plenty of fun ways to participate in a myriad of diversions. Only boring people are ever bored. Teens will garner far more respect from everyone and they'll open the dialog with adults who can help develop new activities aimed at their age group if they contribute effort toward those goals; if they learn they can take responsibility and develop leadership skills on their own behalf. Creating traffic and pedestrian hazards while aimlessly wasting natural resources (oil) that will likely be completely depleted within their lifetimes and contribute to a warming planet will not impress anyone.

I think this article tops the cake for the editors of our paper. Shame on you for promoting such bad behavior. I also as a teen went to movies, friends houses, etc. Don't get me wrong, I was in no way a "model" teenager, in fact I was pretty rotten, but to brag about this while an adult is with you? Whats up with that?

And these are the kids that the 80 million dollars for school improvements are supposed to benefit?

At least I won't have to pay for that stupid girls transmission when she fries it......

Pacifiers??? Guess they are actually showing their true ages. As a teen we never cruised the strip, instead we went to movies, friends houses, and had fun actually doing things with our families.
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I Can't wait until the kids parents see this article and learn how stupidly their child behaves. I know I would take the car keys away after hearing how they admit to doing such IMO stupid things while driving. Wonder if their insurance provider will read this too and make notes for their future rate adjustments. After all "Nelson has been pulled over three times while cruising the strip.

“That’s pretty good, though, because I’ve had my license for a year,” she said.
WOW I have had my license for 24 years and only pulled over 1 time. YIKES is all I can say.
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Also just a question...isn't there a law about how many kids can be in a car at one time, especially a newer driver? I thought there was.
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One last thing, the kids (girls) say they like messing with the hotties, now if god forbid something bad happens to them what will they say... it wasn't my fault, or I didn't do anything wrong? This kind of behavior scares me and could have terrible consequences.

This story makes it sound like a good thing to get pulled over and get tickets. Only 3 tickets in one year of driving? They make it sound like it's cool. You outdid yourself again, Janesburg Gaggit

"there's nothing to do here". Where is there a place with something to do, and what would you do if you where there?

Sucking on a pacifier is a good indication that the person is on ecstasy. People suck on things like that (and suckers) to help keep them salivated. I'm not accusing anyone of using ecstasy, but they could have been on it. You never know. I remember cruising the strip and seeing how much drugs were out there.

This story goes straight to the point of there being nothing for younger teens to do around here. Traffic on 26 is a nightmare and I've personally seen people rear ended by kids not paying attention to the road. I feel for the kids, but I also feel for regular drivers trying to get around.

Wow I didn't know pacifiers were in? The town did have places for kids to hang out but they all failed in fights or just left, but it is true we do need places for kids to go.

this proves there is nothing to do in this town. Yes we are the city of parks, but no one's allowed past 10 pm to be in one. It's true, you can't do anything unless your under 6 or over 21. Or you have money. This kind of blanket boredom gives kids a reason to cause trouble, and eventually end up in the juvenile detention center or seriously harmed. Why not have more options for our town. A drive in theatre, a real youth center that's available after 9 pm during the summer. Everybody "cruises the strip" because there's nothing better to do.

Whats with the pacifier?