Local News
Mauston NARCAN Training
SAFE in Juneau County will be hosting a FREE community Narcan training at the Hatch Public Library in
Mauston on Tuesday, December 3rd from 5:30-6:30pm. This training will teach participants how to take
life-saving steps in the event of an opioid overdose. Participants will learn how to recognize the signs of
an opioid overdose and administer the opioid overdose reversal drug Naloxone (brand name Narcan).
The free training is open to all community members, and participants will leave the training with free
resources, including two doses of Narcan. If you are unable to attend the training, stop by the Juneau
County Health Department during normal business hours to access these harm reduction materials.
Registration is required to reserve your spot and guarantee free resources. Register at this link:
https://forms.gle/vAqSz86XCWp84y1P8. Please call 608-847-9373 with any questions.
Public meeting for WIS 80 in Juneau County
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is conducting a public involvement meeting to discuss pavement improvements on WIS 80 from WIS 33 in Union Center to the Baraboo River Bridge in Elroy, Juneau County. Construction is scheduled for 2031.
The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Union Center Town Hall, 339 High Street, Union Center. The objective of this meeting is to familiarize the public with the purpose and need for the project and to obtain input on the proposed improvements.
This project will consist of a mill and relay of the existing pavement followed by an asphalt overlay. Replacement of guardrail, curb ramps and the crossing at Perry Street in Union Center. During construction WIS 80 will be closed to through traffic and detoured for one stage of the project, remaining construction will take place under flagging operations. Access to local properties and businesses will be maintained.
Adjacent property owners are encouraged to attend the meeting. If unable to attend or for more information contact WisDOT Project Manager Jered Lex at (608) 785-9956, jered.lex@dot.wi.gov. Written comments can be mailed to Jered Lex at 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse WI 54601.
Citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing and require an interpreter may request one by contacting Jered Lex at least three working days prior to the meeting.
Kendall Man Arrested on Drug Charges
Vernon County Sheri? Roy Torgerson in partnership with the Wisconsin
Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) today announced
that Brandon Robert Sebranek, age 30, is facing several drug charges afer a search
warrant was executed on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at a residence on Mt. Tabor
Road, in the town of Forest as the result of an ongoing investigation.
During the search, several items were seized. Sebranek appeared in Vernon County
Circuit Court Thursday, November 21st, and was later released after posting a $2,500.00
cash bond.
On November 25 th, Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher filed charges
against Sebranek of Possess Firearm–Convicted of Felony, Bail Jumping–Felony,
Possession of Methamphetamine, Possess Drug Paraphernalia, and two counts of
Possession of Controlled Substance, all as a repeat offender. A charge is merely an
accusation. Sebranek is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Sebranek is due back in Vernon County Circuit Court on December 3 rd, at 9:00 AM, for
an Initial Appearance.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office and DCI were the Vernon County Combined Tactical Unit,
the Wisconsin Joint Tactical Team, Hillsboro Police Department, Hillsboro Area
Ambulance, Sauk County Sheriff’s Office and tactical unit, La Crosse County Sheriff’s and
tactical unit, and the Vernon County Department of Human Services.
The incident remains under investigation.
Adams Woman Arrested for 7th Offense OWI
ANN M HOFFMAN, 43 years of age, from ADAMS has been arrested by the Wisconsin State Patrol
Tomah Post for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, 7th offense.
A Wisconsin State Patrol Southwest Region Trooper stopped a vehicle on HWY 82 in Juneau
County after receiving multiple reports of a vehicle unable to maintain its lane while traveling on
Interstate 90/94.
The trooper stopped the suspect vehicle and observed signs of impairment upon making contact
with the driver. Standardized Field Sobriety Testing was completed as well as an evidentiary blood
draw. The subject was booked without incident. The subject will be charged with Felony OWI 7th
offense.
“Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6,
Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is
presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
Mile Bluff Holiday Hours
Holiday Hours
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, all Mile Bluff clinic locations will be closed on Thursday, November 28. If you need healthcare services during this time, Mile Bluff’s Emergency Care services are always available, and Urgent Care services will be available from 9 am to 9 pm.
Additionally, the Delton Family Medical Center will be closed on Friday, November 29. To check availability at other Mile Bluff clinic locations, call 608-847-5000. As always, Mile Bluff’s Emergency Care Services are available 24 hours a day, and Urgent Care is available its regular weekday hours from 3 pm to 10 pm on that day.
Free, low-cost health screenings at Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston
In order to lead a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to take control of your health. Knowing your specific risks for developing heart disease and diabetes can help you be proactive in making healthier life choices.
Attend the health fair at Mile Bluff Medical Center, Thursday, December 12 from 7 to 11 am. Free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings will be available. Lipid profile tests will also be available for only $20. This test measures your good cholesterol, bad cholesterol, and triglycerides. Fasting is optional.
Once your tests are completed, Mile Bluff’s healthcare professionals will review your results with you, and tell you what they mean. You may also be given tips and resources to help reduce your risk for developing diabetes and heart disease. Results will be sent to your primary care provider.
The information you receive from these tests, along with the educational tools you will be given, are important steps in positively impacting your health.
Appointments are required for all services, so call 608-847-1845 to reserve your spot today!
Mile Bluff Medical Center is located at 1050 Division Street in Mauston.
To see more events like this, check out the upcoming events page at milebluff.com.
Rural Tomah Man Arrested Sexual Assault of Minor
On November 19th, 2024 shortly after 9:00 a.m., the Monroe County Combined Tactical Unit executed a
search warrant and arrested 56 year old James Ossinger of rural Tomah. The arrest of Ossinger came after months of investigation that was first reported to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office by NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children). The investigation uncovered that Ossinger was in possession of hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse material. The investigation also uncovered that Ossinger was involved in the creation of the material.
Ossinger was booked into the Monroe County Jail on multiple counts each of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a child under the age of 13, Child Enticement, and possession of child pornography, however additional charges will likely be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
Ossinger will have his Bond hearing on Wednesday, November 20th, at 1:00pm. Bond Hearing can be viewed online by following the link on the Monroe County Clerk of Courts Website at
https://www.co.monroe.wi.us/departments/clerk-of-courts/ .
Due to the sensitive nature of this case, no additional details are available.
Man Arrested Near Oakdale After Leading Authorities on Chase
An Illinois man was arrested on Saturday night for possessing a large amount of drugs and attempting to flee from deputies, K-9.
On November 16 the 2024 just before 10pm, a Monroe County Sergeant observed a 2021 Audi traveling 100mph on I-94 west of Oakdale. The vehicle, being driven by Ivran Gilmore (43), was stopped for the speeding violation. While speaking to the Ivran and passenger, the Sergeant observed indicators of drug use. After speaking further with Ivran outside of the vehicle, Ivran ran from the Sergeant and another Deputy and was able to get back into his vehicle and flee. A pursuit ensued for over 2 miles before the vehicle crashed and Ivran fled on foot. Monroe County K-9 Rebel was deployed during the foot pursuit and assisted in taking Ivran into custody. The crash caused injuries to the passenger of the vehicle, who later told authorities he forced Ivran to crash by grabbing the steering wheel as he did not want to be involved in the pursuit.
A search of the vehicle and area Ivran had run, uncovered 3 Kilograms (about 8.5 pounds) of Cocaine, and over 30 grams of marijuana, which in total, street values at over $300,000.
After being taken to the hospital due to injuries sustained by K-9 Rebel, Ivran was taken to the Monroe County jail where is was charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing an officer (causing bodily harm), 2 nd degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and two separate counts of speeding.
During his bond hearing on Monday afternoon, Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger requested a $100,000 cash bond due to the seriousness of the offense and Ivran’s previous drug dealing history. After hearing arguments from the defense, Monroe County Branch III Judge Rick Radcliffe agreed with the DA and ordered a $100,000 cash bond.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Monroe County 911 Communications Center,
Wisconsin State Patrol, Tomah Police Department, and Tomah Ambulance.
Mauston Board of Education Approves Resolutions on District Dissolution and 2025-26 Budget Cuts
At its November 18 meeting, the School District of Mauston Board of Education
approved resolutions to consider the dissolution of the district and implement significant budget cuts for the 2025-26 school year.
These actions come as the district continues to face financial challenges after two referendums in 2024
did not pass.
The November 5, 2024 referendum, which received 49.3% voter support but did not pass, would have
allowed the district to exceed its state-imposed revenue limit by $1.75 million annually for the next four
years. An earlier referendum on April 2, 2024, received 38.2% voter support. Both measures aimed to
provide the necessary funding to maintain district operations.
With these referendums not passing, the board anticipates that the district will be unable to continue
operations beyond the 2026-2027 school year without additional revenue. The resolution to dissolve the
school district, approved on November 18, states:
“Whereas, the District sought, by referendum held on November 5, 2024, authorizing the District
to exceed the statutory revenue limit by $1.75 million on a four-year recurring basis; this
referendum failed to pass; the District had previously sought, by referendum held on April 2,
2024, to exceed the statutory revenue limit by $2 million on a four-year recurring basis; this prior
referendum also failed to pass,
Whereas, due to the failure of the above-referenced referenda, the District anticipates that it will
be unable to continue to operate after the 2026-2027 school year concludes,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Education of the School District of Mauston will
consider the dissolution of the District, in accordance with Wis. Stat. 117.10.”
Additionally, the board approved a resolution to implement previously proposed budget cuts for the
2025-26 school year. The approved cuts include:
? Closing Lyndon Station Elementary
? Cutting athletics, clubs, and field trips
? Eliminating afternoon summer school
? Eliminating one bus route
? Discontinuing the JEDI (virtual school) program
? Closing the Olson Middle School swimming pool during winter
? Eliminating elementary Family Fun Nights
? Eliminating the school musical
The board has opted not to move forward with cutting an additional 15-18 staff positions as originally
proposed. Instead, the district will pause hiring to balance the budget while minimizing the impact on
current staff and students.
“The board did not make this decision lightly,” said Mike Zilisch, Board Vice President. “Our community
has demonstrated a deep commitment to its schools, and we have explored multiple solutions to keep
our district operating. We are incredibly grateful to our families, students, staff, and community
members who have supported our schools through both challenges and successes. Unfortunately,
without additional funding, these measures are necessary to address our financial challenges
responsibly.”
The board will begin working with state and local officials to determine the next steps under Wisconsin
Statute 117.10, which outlines procedures for the dissolution of school districts. Community members
will be kept informed as the district proceeds with this process
