Over the past several months, whooping cough, or pertussis, has been on the rise in Dane County, according to Public Health Department officials.

Since March 1, more than 90 cases have been reported in Dane County and more cases are expected, officials said.

Most of the reported cases are school aged children -- and within the age group, the hardest hit is 10 to 14 year old people, officials said. More than 160 total cases have been reported since the beginning of the year. 

While cases of pertussis have been found in quite a few areas of the county, clusters of cases have been reported in Sun Prairie, Monona and Cottage Grove. 

Other counties in Wisconsin have also seen an increase in pertussis. 

City of Madison and Dane County leaders on Monday announced the latest steps under way to tackle the root of heroin usage.

Law enforcement officials are honing in on prescription drugs as the gateway to heroin.

Officials said they hope an expansion of Safe Communities MedDrop locations can help curb the problem with opiates.

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced Monday they are more than doubling the number of Safe Communities MedDrop locations, from four locations to 10, where residents can get rid of potentially dangerous expired, unused or unwanted medicine.

The new boxes will be at police departments in Cambridge, Deerfield, Madison West District, Mazomanie, McFarland and Waunakee. The four current locations include police stations in Fitchburg, Madison East District, Middleton and Sun Prairie.