News
Mauston School Board
Evers proposes $800 million UW System budget increase
The largest budget increase ever proposed for the Universities of Wisconsin System. Governor Tony Evers announced that Friday to the Board of Regents. He said in his next biennial budget, he will ask the legislature to provide an increase of over $400 million in each year of the biennium for the UW system. Evers said the big boost is needed to prevent “further degradation” of the UW System, and that being 42nd in the nation in support of public universities “doesn’t cut it.” Seven four year campuses are facing budget shortfalls and UW Oshkosh has exhausted its reserves. Republicans on the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee have rejected the Democratic governor’s previous UW budget requests.
Arrest Made in Hillboro Burglary
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the arrest of Randy Lee
Harmel, age 43, of rural Ontario, WI, as a result of the ongoing Burglary investigation that began on Thursday morning, June 6th. Harmel was taken into custody just before 5:00 PM Saturday, June 8, 2024, in rural Ontario in Monroe County. Property missing from the building on Kraemer Road, in rural Hillsboro, WI was also recovered on Saturday, in rural Ontario, WI. Harmel was booked into the Vernon County Detention Center for Burglary, Criminal Damage to Property, Theft, and Probation Violation. Formal charges, to include being charged as a Repeater for habitual criminality, are being sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher.
Sheriff Torgerson credits the arrest and recovery of stolen property to the hard work, diligence, and determination put forth by the amazing staff of the Sheriff’s Office and information and support from the community that resulted in a timely resolution of this case. Sheriff Torgerson would also like to thank Sheriff Andrew Zobal, the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Wes Revels, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for
their assistance.
The investigation continues by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.
SINGLE-VEHICLE CRASH RESULTS IN INJURIES
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.
Donate blood and save a life with Mile Bluff Medical Center!
You can help someone in need by donating during the two-day blood drive at Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston.
Do your part to save lives by joining the Blood Center of Wisconsin blood drive being held on Wednesday, June 26 and Thursday, June 27 from 9 am to 2 pm. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins will be welcomed.
Requirements for being a blood donor:
- Be at least 17 years old (16-year-olds may donate with parental consent)
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Feel well and in good health
- Not have had hepatitis after age 11 years
- Not have had any risk factors/behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS
Tips to remember the day you donate:
- Eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to and following your donation.
- Bring along a photo ID such as a driver’s license.
- Avoid strenuous physical exercise until the day following your donation.
To reserve your spot, call the Blood Center of Wisconsin at 1-877-232-4376 or visit donate.wisconsin.versiti.org and search for Mile Bluff in the mobile drives.
Juneau County Sheriff’s Office Victim of “Swatting Call”
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.
2 Kendall Residents Arrested Aftery Trying to Steal Copper from Communications Tower
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the arrests of Stephen Joseph Nofsinger, age 39, and Joshua Reed Quario, age 34, both of rural Kendall, WI. Nofsinger and Quario were taken into custody Saturday night, June 1, 2024, at approximately 11:30 PM, after being caught attempting to steal copper from a communications tower site, located in rural Westby, WI, in the town of Coon. Nofsinger and Quario both appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court on Monday, June 3 rd
. Nofsinger is currently being held on a $500.00 Cash Bond and is due back in court on June 10th, at 11:30 AM. Quario was released on a $2,000.00 Signature Bond and is due back in court July 3 rd, at 8:30 AM.
Potential charges of Criminal Damage to Property, Trespassing, Attempted Theft, Conspiracy to commit these crimes, and Party To the crimes on both Nofsinger and Quario are being sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher.
Nofsinger is also expected to be charged with Bail Jumping.
Sheriff Torgerson would like to thank the Westby Police Department for assisting the Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation continues and more arrests could be forthcoming.
If you have any information about this crime, or any other crime, contact Crime Stoppers by telephone at 608-637-TIPS (8477), or submit an online tip at
www.p3tips.com
Necedah/Dells Kids To Take Rockonsin State Finals Stage at Summerfest
The 2024 ROCKONSIN State Finals will be conducted on June 28 & June 29 at Summerfest from 12:15pm – 2:45pm each day on the Aurora Pavilion Stage.
Ten statewide garage bands representing Wisconsin high schools and middle schools from Chippewa Falls to Racine and Kewaskum to Madison and in between have been selected, by three music industry judges with 30+ years of experience each, to perform 20 minute showcases at the ROCKONSIN State Finals.
Performance times and band listings are subject to change.
AURORA PAVILION STAGE
June 28
12:15 pm – 12:35pm Extra (Rock)
Mukwonago & Waterford High Schools
12:45pm – 1:05pm No Limit (Rock)
Columbus Middle & High School, Monona Grove High School
1:15pm – 1:35pm Powerhouse (Rock)
Madison Milestone Democratic School, Madison West High School, Madison Community Montessori School, Home School
1:45pm – 2:05pm SACRAMENT (Metal)
Racine Lutheran High School, Muskego High School
2:15pm – 2:35pm The Lightways (Rock)
Germantown Kennedy Middle School, Sussex Hamilton High School, Brookfield East High School, Home School
June 29
12:15pm – 12:35pm Greater Than Human (Metal)
Tony – Flambeau School District
12:45pm – 1:05pm Baker & Boys (Rock) New London High School
1:15pm – 1:35pm The XI Project (Rock)
Kewaskum High School
1:45pm – 2:05pm New Normal (Rock)
Necedah Queen of the Holy Rosary, Wisconsin Dells High School
2:15pm – 2:35pm 30 Minute Difference (Rock)
Chippewa Falls High School
The 2024 winning & runner-up bands will be announced on Saturday June 29 at 8:00pm on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok @rockonsin and on the website www.rockonsin.org.
Each of the 10 bands will perform 20 minute showcases on the Aurora Pavilion Stage and will be evaluated by a different set of three music industry judges, for the State Finals, on expression/creativity/technique, rhythm/vocals, primary beats/blend/time, synergy and a summary of each musician knowing their role and how the band jells as one musical unit. Each band, after their Summerfest performance, will receive a private verbal critique from one of the judges.
“ROCKONSIN State Finals will highlight ten talented 7th – 12th grade Wisconsin garagebands in the spotlight at Summerfest. Join us in cheering on the cool new wave of young hot Badger State bands that will hit the Aurora Pavilion Stage on June 28 & June 29 – next up The World’s Largest Music Festival!” said ROCKONSIN Founder & Producer Dennis Graham.
The 2024 ROCKONSIN winning and runner-up bands will each perform a second prize winning 45 minute showcase gig at The Big Gig on the Aurora Pavilion Stage on July 6th with the runner-up hitting the stage at 12:45pm followed by the winning band at 2:00pm.
The winner and runner-up each win a professional recording session at Madison’s Blast House Studios (Winner: 12 hours; Runner-up: 8 hours). Each of the 10 State Finalist bands receive two (2) Shure microphones (one vocal and one instrument with cords). The winning band will also receive a Shure wireless vocal microphone system.
In addition, one ROCKONSIN State Finalist band will perform a one hour showcase set on August 9th at the Waukesha Rotary BluesFest at Naga-Waukee Park in Delafield.
ROCKONSIN, which is brought to you by the Nicholas Family Foundation, is also made possible with the generous support of these statewide sponsors that have a passion for providing opportunities to recognize and showcase the talents of these young bands: MAMA (Madison Area Music Association),Tilt Media, Shure, and Summerfest. This program is produced by Dennis Graham Associates that founded, in 2005, this statewide competition for 7th – 12th grade Wisconsin students which is still the only alternative statewide music competition of its kind in the nation.
For more information on ROCKONSIN including up to date news, to run off a State Finals poster and more, go to www.ROCKONSIN.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @rockonsin.
One person was seriously injured after a motorcycle vs. SUV crash on May 29, 2024
On Thursday, May 29, 2024, at around 4:15 PM, The Monroe County 911 Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a motorcycle vs SUV crash at the intersection of Ironwood Rd and County Highway A in the Tomah Township. Both vehicles sustained severe damage, which caused the eastbound lane of County Highway A to be closed for approximately forty-five minutes for emergency personnel to investigate and safely land Gundersen Air.
The initial investigation revealed that the SUV driver was stopped on Ironwood Road and proceeded into the intersection to cross County Highway A. The SUV driver looked but did not see the motorcycle traveling East on County Highway A. The motorcycle impacted the SUV on the passenger side, causing both vehicles to become disabled.
The driver of the SUV called 911 and rendered aid to the motorcycle operator. The motorcycle operator sustained severe injuries in the crash and was airlifted from the scene by Gundersen Air to a local La Crosse, WI, hospital.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Monroe County 911 Communications Center, Oakdale Fire, Tomah Ambulance, Tomah Area Medical Responders, Tomah Rescue Techs, Gundersen Air, Wisconsin State Patrol, Larkins Towing, and Grangers Towing.
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, June 20 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.
