News
Bank of Mauston Donates to JUCO Sheriffs Department
From the Bank of Mauston:
Bank of Mauston donated $2600 to the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office to purchase First Responder bags for all of their squad cars. We enjoyed a nice visit with them this week when they stopped by to show off the new equipment. We even got to meet the newest K9 Deputy, Zebo! THANK YOU to all of our first responders. We so appreciate all you do!
Passport to Healthier Living with Diabetes
If you are looking for answers and tips on how to better manage diabetes, plan to attend this month’s Passport to Healthier Living with Diabetes. This educational event can be a great step towards better diabetes management and support for you, or a loved one that you care for. Mile Bluff’s Diabetes Education Team will be on hand to help answer any questions you have about the disease.
This event is FREE and will be held on Thursday, August 1 at 1pm at Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston.
For more information about this program, call 608-847-1846.
To see more events like this, check out the upcoming events page at milebluff.com!
Man Arrested After Refusing To Leave Hillsboro Business
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the arrest of Aaron Roger Miller, age 35, of rural Hillsboro, WI. Late Wednesday morning, July 10, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center received a report that Miller was refusing to leave a business in the city of Hillsboro, when asked by an employee to do so.
A deputy sheriff responded and upon further investigation, Miller was determined to be in violation of the rules of active community supervision through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Miller was arrested and booked into the Vernon County Detention Center for Parole Violation. He was released the following day and ordered to report to his supervising agent.
In June 2021, Aaron Roger Miller was convicted of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child in Washburn County and sentenced to ten years in prison. After serving a term of initial confinement, Miller was released in May 2024 on extended supervision.
The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsboro Police Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
Dump Truck Tips Over Near La Farge
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports on Tuesday morning, July 9, 2024, at approximately 11:00 AM, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified that a dump truck overturned on private property, in the town of Union. Carl Henry Haugrud, age 63, of rural Viola, WI was operating a 1991 International dump truck in rural La Farge, WI, unloading gravel. While traveling uphill and rounding a curve to the right, the dump truck tipped over and came to rest on its right (passenger) side.
Haugrud was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured, but extricated from the vehicle by the La Farge Fire Department.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office were the La Farge Fire Department and La Farge Area Ambulance.
Motorcycle Accident Between Elroy & Hillsboro
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.
Former Monroe County Sheriff Deputy Charged
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is releasing information related to criminal charges that
have been brought against one of its former deputies for an incident in La Crosse, WI.
In May, the Sheriff’s Office was made aware of allegations of possible misconduct by Aaron
Yang related to domestic disturbance in the City of Sparta.
At the onset of these allegations, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office placed Deputy Yang on
administrative leave. Sparta Police Department investigated the domestic disturbance and
charges related to it were sent to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for review. The
District Attorney’s Office found there was insufficient evidence to sustain that a crime was
committed by Yang related to that incident.
While investing that incident, additional allegations of illegal sexual activity came about
related to the incident that occurred in early 2023.
The La Crosse Police Department continued to investigate the allegations of illegal sexual
activity that occurred in early 2023, which was prior to Yang being employed by the Sheriff’s
Office.
On June 27 th , prior to completion of the internal investigation that was being conduct by the
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Yang resigned.
On 7/2/24 Aaron Yang was charged in La Crosse County Court for the incident that occurred in
La Crosse in early 2023.
Passport to Healthier Living with Diabetes
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.
Interstate Accident Near Mauston
The Wisconsin State Patrol is currently investigating a crash on I-90/94 near
mile marker 68 eastbound involving one vehicle.
All eastbound lanes are closed at this time at exit 61/Highway 80 in New Lisbon.
One person was fatally injured as a result of the crash. The names of the occupants in the vehicle
will not be released at this time.
The Wisconsin State Patrol will be conducting the reconstruction and crash
investigation
Local Communities Experiencing Flooding
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.
Lifesaving Award Issued in Juneau County
Monday afternoon, Sheriff Zobal and Undersheriff Board presented lifesaving awards to Deputy Mitchell Schlichting, Deputy Amber Kuhl and Dispatcher Megan Covelli.
Dispatcher Covelli received her lifesaving award for her actions on a cardiac arrest 911 call she received on October 9, 2023. This is her second lifesaving award.
Deputy Kuhl and Deputy Schlichting received their lifesaving award for action taken with an unresponsive adult on May 31, 2024.
Dispatcher Covelli, Deputy Kuhl, and Deputy Schlichting, thank you for doing all that you do to keep our communities safe!
