News

Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports a two-vehicle crash occurred Friday afternoon, March 29, 2024, in rural Ontario, WI, in the town of Forest. At approximately 12:45 PM, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified of the crash that occurred on County Road F, near Harris Road. Lucas Paul Downing, age 34, of rural Kendall, WI was operating a 2007 Kia Spectra, traveling east and uphill. Diane Luisa Brewer, age 67, of rural Ontario, WI was driving west and as she crested the hill, she saw the Downing vehicle had crossed the centerline. Attempting to avoid a head-on collision, Brewer steered right. The left, front corner of the Downing vehicle struck and sideswiped the entire left side of the Brewer vehicle. Both frontal airbags in the Downing vehicle deployed while the side
curtain airbag was activated in the Brewer vehicle.
Both Downing and Brewer were extricated from their vehicles by the Hillsboro Fire Department. Both were transported to Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro, by
Hillsboro Ambulance. Brewer was treated and released. Downing was later transferred to the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, WI.
Brewer’s service dog, Jake, did not appear injured and was returned home, by a volunteer with Ontario Fire & Rescue, where he will be closely monitored.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office at the scene were Hillsboro Fire Department, Hillsboro Area Ambulance, an ambulance from Ontario Fire & Rescue, Ontario Police Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol. Gundersen Air II was also dispatched, but re-routed and landed at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital, but the transfer to Madison was by ground transport.
All units had left the crash scene by approximately 3:00 PM.
The investigation continues.

On March 27th A citizen came across $600.00 sitting in the dispensing drawer of an ATM at the Hillsboro County Market in the town of Hillsboro.  He called the sheriff’s office to turn it in.  Based on surveillance footage from the store, the owner was identified.  The cash will be returned to the owner.

A Tomah man was injured while attempting to flee from Monroe County deputies during a search warrant Tuesday night. 

At around 8pm Tuesday Evening, the Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at an apartment above Kelsey’s Bar in the City of Tomah where the man lived.  The Sheriff’s Office had received information from multiple sources as well as a Crime Stoppers tip about drugs being sold out of the apartment.  The Sheriff’s Office investigated further and found that Leonard Figgins, 34, was selling methamphetamine and cocaine out of his apartment.  

While serving the search warrant, deputies found that Figgins had fled his apartment and went into the neighboring apartment through a fire escape.   The Sheriff’s Office got another warrant for the neighboring apartment and upon entry they found that Figgins had barricaded himself in one of the bedrooms.    As deputies were making entry, Figgins broke out a window and jumped from the second story to the sidewalk below.     Figgins injured both ankles from his attempt to flee and was taken into custody before being transported to the hospital.     The search of Figgins’ apartment yielded more drugs and other evidence of his dealings.

Figgins is known by the Sheriff’s Office as he has had an extensive criminal history, including previous convictions for possessing and delivering cocaine, and possessing THC.   In 2014, Figgins was arrested in Tomah for attempted homicide, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm that stemmed from an incident in Pennsylvania.  

Figgins is currently on supervision through Wisconsin Probation and Parole as well as being out on bond from a La Crosse County case in which he was charged with numerous crimes stemming from a domestic dispute incident.   When he was arrested for that incident he fled from police and discarded numerous packages of drugs.

Figgins will soon face new charges in Monroe County Court for possessing with intent to deliver drugs that were located in his apartment when it was searched.  

The investigation was led by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.   The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Tomah Police Department, Wisconsin Probation and Parole and Tomah Ambulance.    

The Tomah Chamber and Visitors Center announces the talent line up for Tomah’s street concert series: Downtown Thursday Nights.

The Tomah Chamber and Visitor Center is hosting Downtown Thursday Nights again in 2024. The outdoor street concert will take place on the 800 and 900 blocks of Superior Avenue in front of the Tomah Police Station. The music event will include a free Kid Zone with bounce houses, balloon animals, caricatures, and face painting. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, cash for food and beverages, and sunscreen. Beer is available for purchase to individuals aged 21 and older. Photo ID will be required. No carry-ins will be allowed.

The line-up for the summer event is July 4^th, Ashley Wineland, July 11^th, Jonah and the Whales, July 18^th, Super Tuesday, August 1^st, The Dweebs, August 8^th, Rowan Grace and August 15^th Cherry Pie.

Ashley Wineland is returning from 2023 and Cherry Pie is returning from 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The genres of music include country, rock, and interactive party music. Each concert will start at approximately 6:00 PM and end at approximately 9:00 PM. The city of Tomah will be closing off Superior Avenue and traffic will be rerouted from 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM each night.