Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports a motorcycle crash occurred on Saturday afternoon, July 13, 2024, in rural Hillsboro/Elroy, WI, in the town of Hillsboro.

The Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified of the crash, that resulted in two injuries, shortly before 3:00 PM.

Luke Michael Strandberg, age 24, of La Valle, WI was operating a 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle southbound on County Road WW, approaching a “T” intersection for the east-west portion of County Road WW, near County Road F.  Strandberg reported encountering sand or gravel on the roadway as he was slowing for the intersection.  When it became apparent, he was unable to stop, Strandberg laid the motorcycle on its side.  The motorcycle slid across the pavement and came to rest in a ditch.

Neither Stranberg nor his passenger, Payton Marie Omet age 23, also of La Valle, WI, were wearing helmets.  Both were injured and transported to Gundersen St. Joseph’s in Hillsboro, by Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service.  Omet was later transferred to a Madison, WI hospital.

Responding to the crash with the Sheriff’s Office were the Hillsboro Fire Department and Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service.

The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.

If you are looking for answers and tips on how to live your life to the fullest while managing diabetes, plan to attend this FREE event.  Passport to Healthier Living with Diabetes will explain the importance of managing diabetes through diet, medication, glucose monitoring, and stress management.

The Diabetes Education team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and give you tips on how to better manage your diabetes. They will address any questions and concerns that you may not think to ask when you visit your healthcare provider.

This event will be held on Thursday, August 1 at 1 pm at Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston.

If you would like to know more about this program, please call 608-847-1846.

The City of Elroy, Village of Union Center, Highway 71 between Kendall and Elroy, and now Wonewoc, has seen significant flooding over this past weekend and currently due to significant rainfall. Local creeks feeding in and around the Baraboo River have breached their banks. Several roads and bridges were and may still be covered with water. Be cautious, and never cross a flooded road in your vehicle.  Below are some flooding resources for local residents.  

Flooding information links for Residents

Residents:  https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/flood/residents.htm and

Private Wells https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/flood/water.htm

Ready.gov https://www.ready.gov/floods

When your well has been flooded, bacteria and other harmful organisms can get into your water

You should consider your well flooded if:

The well head was covered or well casing was inundated with water.

You notice changes in the taste or color or the presence of sediment in your water.

Your well is shallow-cased nearby areas have been flooded.

It will take time for the water to be safe to use again. You will need an unaffected source of water to use for several weeks while you fix your well. Safe water includes bottled water, tap water that you boiled for one minute, or water from a well that was not flooded.