News
Camp Douglas Man Convicted of Child Sex Crimes
Thursday, Monroe County District Attorney Kevin D. Croninger announced that
on March 05, 2025, a Monroe County jury convicted 54 year old, of Brian J. Jones of seven
charges related to sexual assault of a child including, Sexual Assault of a Child Under Age
13; Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child; two(2) counts of Incest; three(3) counts of Exposing
Genitals.
The convictions came after a two day jury trial. Jones has previously been convicted of
numerous charges related to sexual assault of different children. Those previous convictions
include three(3) Counts of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child; two(2) counts of Possession
of Child Pornography; one(1) count of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault. The charges in this case
presented to the jury in Monroe County stem from Jones’ conduct that occurred between the
Summer of 1995 and the Spring of 2003, during which time Jones repeatedly sexually
assaulted the victim in the case. The victim was between the ages of 6 and 13 during the
repeated sexual assaults.
After the two(2) days of trial, the jury deliberated for approximately six and a half(6 ½) hours,
over two(2) days, before reaching their verdicts. Monroe County District Attorney Kevin
Croninger stated, “Brian Jones is a serial rapist, pedophile and pervert. While he had
previously been convicted of serious child sex offenses in Juneau County for crimes
committed against other victims, it is extremely important to obtain justice for all victims. The
jury in this case listened closely to the evidence, engaged in thorough deliberations and
delivered justice for the victim in this case. We are extremely grateful to the jury for doing
so. The victim in this case has experienced a significant amount of trauma because of the
conduct of Mr. Jones, despite that she was able to take the stand and testify with incredible
strength and clarity about the perverted, disgusting, and illegal acts Mr. Jones committed
against her.”
The prosecution of this case was handled by Monroe County District Attorney Kevin
Croninger with support and assistance by the staff of the Monroe County District Attorney’s
Office.
The investigation of the case was led by Detective Ben Goehring of the Juneau County
Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of Detective John Brose of the Monroe County Sheriff’s
Office. Croninger praised the work of Detective Goehring and all officers involved, “The
number of people Mr. Jones has victimized is astounding. Detective Goehring and all law
enforcement officers and agencies involved in this case have demonstrated a tireless
commitment to achieving justice for all of those victims. Their professionalism and skill made
the convictions in this case, and in the Juneau County case(s) possible. We are immensely
grateful to these officers’ and their agencies’ commitment to achieving justice for all the
victims.
Jones is currently serving a prison sentence related to the other child sex offenses. After
conviction, he was returned to the New Lisbon Correctional Facility to await sentencing.
At sentencing, Jones, faces a maximum sentence of 120 years of additional time in
prison. Sentencing date to be scheduled before the Honorable Judge Richard Radcliffe
in Branch III of the Monroe County Circuit Court.
If you have been a victim of Brian J. Jones of Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, please contact law
enforcement so an investigation can be conducted. The Monroe County District Attorney’s
Office is committed to achieving justice for all victims of Brian J. Jones.
Mile Bluff Gateway Center Open House
Mile Bluff Medical Center is excited to announce an Open House to showcase its newly transformed Gateway Center, located in the former Shopko building in Mauston. The space has been completely renovated to house Mile Bluff’s Urgent Care, Retail Pharmacy, and Dialysis departments.
Visitors are invited to tour the facility, meet the healthcare team, and learn more about the services being provided. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available.
Details for the Open House:
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: 406 Gateway Avenue, Mauston, WI
Town of Adrian (Monroe County) Treasurer Arrested for Stealing Money From Township
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is announcing an arrest of a local town treasurer, after it was discovered she had been stealing money from the township.
On Feb 25th, 2025 Town of Adrian Treasurer Kelly Schleusener (50) was arrested after an investigation found that she had had been withdrawing sums of money from the township accounts since April of 2022. The investigation found that in total she had stolen over $294,000.
Schleusener was booked into the Monroe County Jail on charges of Misconduct in Office and Theft. Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
Schleusener will have her bond hearing on Thursday, February 27th, at 1:00pm. Bond Hearing can be viewed online by following the link on the Monroe County Clerk of Courts Website at
Mile Bluff Medical Center hosts monthly diabetes discussions
If you are looking for answers and tips on how to live your life to the fullest while managing diabetes, plan to attend this month’s Diabetes Connect. At this informative and engaging discussion, Mile Bluff’s team of experts will be available to cover a variety of key topics, while you’ll also have the opportunity to connect with others and get tips from those on a similar health journey.
This event is free and open to everyone, including individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes, as well as their loved ones and caregivers. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insight toward living your best, and healthiest, life.
Diabetes Connect will be held on Thursday, March 6 at 1pm at Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston.
Registration is not required to attend. A virtual option is also available. Call 1 week in advance for details.
For more information, call 608-847-1848 or visit the upcoming events page at milebluff.com.
Multiple People Found Dead in Home Gas Leak Near Oakdale
On February 23rd at just before 5:00PM the Monroe County 911 Communications Center received a call reporting the possibility of multiple deaths and a gas leak at an address on Hobby Road. The caller reported they had gone to the residence as they had not heard from the occupants. When they arrived and entered the home they located a juvenile in the home that was unresponsive and noted the strong odor of gas. They were able to remove a female juvenile from the home, however life saving measures were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel were able to shut off the gas to the house and make it safe to enter. Inside the residence an adult male was also found to be deceased, as well as a dog and cat.
The incident remains under investigation, however investigators were able to determine the source of the gas and there is no information at this time that foul play was involved.
Multiple emergency services responded to the scene, including Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Oakdale Fire Department, Tomah Ambulance, Monroe County Medical Examiner, and Wisconsin State Patrol.
Shari Sarazin to entertain at Terrace Heights Retirement Community
Plan to join the tenants of Terrace Heights Retirement Community in welcoming Shari Sarazin on Monday, March 3, at 3:15 p.m. Shari is a talented vocalist, composer, and Celtic folk harpist. Her soothing melodies on the iconic Celtic harp, paired with captivating stories and historical insights, are sure to delight everyone in attendance. This event is a perfect celebration in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the beauty of Irish culture through song and storytelling!
This event is free and open to the public. However, seating is limited, so call 608-847-2377 to reserve your spot today.
To see more events like this, check out the upcoming events page at milebluff.com.
MAGGIE SENZIG AND BRIDGET TOTZKE EARN WISCONSIN 4-H KEY AWARD
Bridget Totzke of Wonewoc Badgers 4-H Club and Maggie Senzig of Blackhawk 4-H Club have
been selected as the Juneau County, Wisconsin 4-H Key Award winners for this past year. The
Key Award was presented by Kelly Green, Juneau County Farm Bureau, at the Juneau County 4-
H Recognition Program held on January 25, 2025 at the Elroy Theater.
The prestigious Key Award, one of the highest recognition a 4-H member can receive, honors a
select group of 4-H participants annually. The youth receiving this award are ones who have
demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership
skills, and actively participated in their club and community.
According to April Martell, Juneau County Positive Youth Development Educator with UW-
Madison Division of Extension, this year’s winners exemplify the goals and values of the
Wisconsin 4-H Program.
“Maggie Senzig and Bridget Totzke have been life members in Juneau County 4-H. They
have participated at every level possible including leadership positions plus local and
state competitions, all while serving as mentors and role models for our younger 4-H
members. Their commitment to living out the 4-H motto (To Make the Best Better) is
seen in everything they do. The life skills they take with them from their time in 4-H will
no doubt shape their future.”
Key Award recipients are high school students with at least three years of experience in 4-H and
one year as a youth leader. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Rural Mutual Insurance Company
sponsor the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award program. They have sponsored these awards for over 30
years, helping 4-H to honor some of Wisconsin’s finest youth
Learn About History of Mile Bluff Medical Center on February 26th
The public is invited to join the tenants of Terrace Heights Retirement Community in Mauston on Wednesday, February 26, at 2:00 p.m. for an engaging presentation on the rich history of Mile Bluff Medical Center, presented by Natty Kranz and Jill Finley.
This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the fascinating journey and key milestones that have shaped Mile Bluff throughout the years.
The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Call 608-847-2377 to reserve your spot today!
Ask about a facility tour; apartments are now available.
Mauston High School to Compete in KidWind Challenge
-
Birchwood STEAM and Career Academy, Birchwood WI (2 teams)
-
St. Thomas the Apostle School, Crystal Lake IL (2 teams)
-
Darlington Community Schools, Darlington WI (4 teams)
-
Madinah Academy of Madison, Madison WI (3 teams)
-
Mauston High School, Mauston WI (2 teams)
-
Pope Farm Elementary, Middleton WI (1 team)
-
Onalaska Kid Wind Club, Onalaska WI (1 team)
-
Homestead Academy – Homeschool, Pine River WI (1 team)
-
Sugar Maple Nature School, Saukville WI (5 teams)
-
St. Matthew Lutheran School, Stoddard WI (1 team)
-
Mormon Coulee 4-H Club, Stoddard WI (1 team)
-
Allison Bender, WEI outreach and events coordinator and Wisconsin KidWind coordinator, agbender@wisc.edu, 608-890-0946