Local News

Gundersen St. Joseph’s is excited to announce the expansion of services for cancer patients in our area.

St. Joe’s has been providing limited oncology services out of its specialty clinic in Hillsboro for several years but expanded further in the fall of 2023. “Oncology has a wide spectrum of cases, and every case is different,” says Layne Hammer, manager of surgery and specialty services at Gundersen St. Joseph’s. “It is complex, has higher risks, and involves many departments both at St. Joseph’s and at Gundersen’s La Crosse hospital. We needed to take our time scaling this service to ensure we could confidently and safely provide care to our patients.”

Oncology services are under the direction of Kurt Oettel, MD, medical oncologist and department chair at Gundersen Health System who sees patients in Hillsboro. “It’s been very rewarding to be able to bring this service to this community,” says Oettel. “The team at St. Joe’s has been excellent to work with.”

However, due to the complex nature of oncology, Dr. Oettel stresses the importance of patient-centered care, “Each case is different and, based on potential side effects and complications, St. Joe’s may not be the best place for a patient to receive care. This is why it’s important for us to work side-by-side with the patient and their family and consider all the factors in play.”

Patients who are receiving cancer treatments within the Gundersen and Bellin Health System, soon to become Emplify health, can speak with their oncologist about receiving care at St. Joseph’s.

Patients who are receiving treatment under the direction of a non-Gundersen/Bellin physician could still obtain care at St. Joseph’s, but coordination with a Gundersen/Bellin oncologist, like Dr. Oettel, would be necessary. This is to ensure patient-specific care plans and safety protocols are communicated.

For more information on oncology services at Gundersen St. Joseph’s, please call (608) 489-8149.

Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports a single-vehicle crash occurred Sunday evening, June 2, 2024, at approximately 7:30 PM, in rural La Farge, WI, in the town of Stark. Chelsea Lynn Collar, age 37, of La Farge, WI was operating a 2007 Honda Pilot traveling east on State Highway 82, near County Road D, east of the village of La Farge. While negotiating a curve to the left, the vehicle travelled onto the right shoulder. During an apparent overcorrection, Collar lost control. The vehicle traveled across the highway, went off the left side, struck an embankment, overturned, and came to rest upright. Chelsea Collar was not wearing a seatbelt and sustained serious injuries. She was transported to Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro by La Farge Ambulance. The La Farge Fire Department assisted at the scene. The incident remains under investigation.

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, at approximately 11:00 pm, the Juneau County
Communications Center received a call from a male who identified himself as Jesse. Jesse stated that he had killed his mother and was leaving the residence. He also provided us with the address, which came back to a residence located in Clearfield Township.
Law Enforcement Officers from the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, New Lisbon Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol responded to the residence. Ultimately, law enforcement was able to make contact with the residence in the home and determined the call was a hoax.
It was determined this was a “swatting” call. “Swatting” is a criminal harassment tactic of sending law enforcement and other emergency personnel to another person’s address. Typically, this type of call will elicit a major tactical response from first responders. The “swatting” call remains under investigation by the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office. While responding to this call, a Juneau County Deputy was involved in a one vehicle crash in the City of Mauston. The deputy sustained bumps and bruises, and was treated and released from Mile Bluff Medical Center. The deputy will return to work later this week. The crash is being investigated by the Wisconsin State Patrol. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the New Lisbon Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Mauston Area Ambulance and Mile Bluff Medical Center.