News
KYLE DEGNER AND HEATHER HERSIL EARN WISCONSIN 4-H KEY AWARD
Kyle Degner of Wonewoc Badgers 4-H Club and Heather Hersil of Blackhawk 4-H Club have
been selected as the Juneau County, Wisconsin 4-H Key Award winners for this year. The Key
Award was presented by Kipp Weber, Juneau County Farm Bureau, at the Juneau County 4-H
Recognition Program held on January 27, 2024 at the Elroy Theater.
The prestigious Key Award, one of the highest recognition a 4-H member can receive, honors a
select group of 4-H participants annually. The youth receiving this award are ones who have
demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership
skills, and actively participated in their club and community.
According to April Martell, Juneau County Positive Youth Development Educator with UW-
Madison Division of Extension, this year’s winners exemplify the goals and values of the
Wisconsin 4-H Program.
“Heather Hersil and Kyle Degner have been life members in Juneau County 4-H. They
have participated at every level possible including leadership positions plus local and
state competitions, all while serving as mentors and role models for our younger 4-H
members. Their commitment to living out the 4-H motto (To Make the Best Better) is
seen in everything they do. The life skills they take with them from their time in 4-H will
no doubt shape their future.”
Key Award recipients are high school students with at least three years of experience in 4-H and
one year as a youth leader. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Rural Mutual Insurance Company
sponsor the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award program. They have sponsored these awards for over 30
years, helping 4-H to honor some of Wisconsin’s finest youth.
Huge Fire in Tomah on Superior Ave.
Friendship Man Arrested for 4th Offense OWI
BRADLEY R. MENARD, 36 years of age, from Friendship, WI has been arrested by the Wisconsin State Patrol DeForest Post for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, 4th offense. While on routine patrol, a Wisconsin State Trooper came across a truck in the median near the 91.5 eastbound mile marker on I90/94.
The trooper located MENARD at the scene. MENARD advised the trooper that he had swallowed cocaine while he was driving. An Operating While Impaired investigation ensued. MENARD declined to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. MENARD was placed under arrest for OWI 4th and transported to the hospital for medical clearance and a legal blood draw prior to be transported to the Sauk County Jail. A dog was located in the vehicle and removed for safe keeping by the Sauk County Humane Society.
Shari Sarazin to entertain at Terrace Heights Retirement Community
Plan to join the tenants of Terrace Heights Retirement Community in welcoming Shari Sarazin on Thursday, February 29 at 2 pm. Shari is a vocalist, composer and Celtic folk harpist, and is sure to offer another crowd-pleasing performance. The concert is free and open to the public.
If you would like to join the tenants for the February 29 concert, call 608-847-2377 to reserve your spot today.
City Alder Darryl Teske Kicks Off Campaign for Mayor of Mauston
Following the conclusion of the Spring Primary, 2nd District Alder Darryl Teske is officially kicking off his campaign for Mayor of Mauston.
“Mayor Neilson’s decision not to run for reelection leaves some big shoes to fill, his commitment and dedication to the City of Mauston is undeniable,” Teske said. “I am extremely grateful for his service and wish him well in all his future endeavors.” Teske was born and raised in Mauston, graduating from Mauston High School and attending the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. After college, Teske held a variety of different positions including Legislative Aide, Program Assistant for a Church Mission Organization, Director of a Non-Profit, and Social Worker. Ultimately, Teske and his wife made the decision to move back to the Mauston area in 2017 and he has served as 2nd District Alder since April of 2020. “My professional career has given me the opportunity to live and work both around the country and internationally, but no matter where life has taken me, Mauston has always been home.” Teske added, “And I have always sought to be in positions of service. The same is true for my time on the City Council, and I look forward to continuing that service as Mauston Mayor.”
As Mayor, Teske will prioritize encouraging business growth and development, continuing to boost affordable and accessible housing development, and investing in our community while being a good steward of taxpayers’ dollars. “Over the next 6 weeks I look forward to connecting with folks throughout the city and hearing their thoughts on what we can build together going forward,” Teske said. “As Mayor I will continue to actively seek out a wide range of community input and most importantly listen to our friends and neighbors as we make decisions for the future of our community.” Teske concluded, “I am honored to be trusted with the opportunity to give back to a City that has given me so much and I ask for your support on April 2nd.”
Darryl Teske can be reached via email at friendsofdarrylteske@gmail.com or via phone at
(608) 352-8574.
2024 Juneau County Board of Supervisors Primary Results (Top 2 Vote Getters move on to April General Election)
County Board Supervisor District 4
Herb Dannenberg 84 Votes (advances)
Eric Ford 62 Votes (advances)
Tom Czys 23 Votes
County Board Supervisor District 6
Betty Manson 73 Votes (Advances)
Doug Marshall 51 Votes (Advances)
Michelle Lunde 42 Votes
County Board Supervisor District 9
Mike Keichinger 60 Votes (Advances)
Earl Ells 35 Votes (Advances)
Jean Arends 25 Votes
Sauk County Man Dies in Accident Between Kendall & Wilton
A Sauk County man died this morning in a two vehicle crash in the Town of Wilton. The crash shut down part of Hwy 71 for more than 5 hours.
On Monday, February 19, 2024 at approximately 9:22 a.m. the Monroe County Communications Center received a report of a two vehicle crash on State Highway 71 near the Wilton Rod and Gun Club. The accident involved a semi-tanker and a SUV.
The investigation determined that the SUV had been westbound on State Highway 71 when it crossed the centerline of the highway and went head on into the semi, which was headed eastbound. The driver of the SUV was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver from the semi sustained non-life threatening injuries.
There was a large amount of debris scattered across the highway causing State Highway 71 to be shut down for almost six hours for investigative purposes, removal of the vehicles, and clean-up of the scene.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Monroe County Communications Center, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wilton Fire Department, Wilton Ambulance, Tomah Ambulance, Monroe County Emergency Management, and the Monroe County Highway Department. The incident remains under investigation.
Mauston Man Arrested for 4th Offense OUI
Jason James Madsen, 47 years of age, from Mauston has been arrested by the Wisconsin State Patrol Tomah Post for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, 4th offense.
Jason James Madsen, 47 years of age, from Mauston has been arrested by the Wisconsin State Patrol Tomah Post for operating a motor vehicle under the influence 4th offense.
On 02/17/2024 at approximately 1:04 am, the Wisconsin State Patrol conducted a traffic stop at Powers Ave. & 51st St. During the traffic stop the Trooper observed signs of impairment and an open intoxicant in the vehicle. The driver, Jason J. Madsen admitted to the Trooper of drinking and refused to complete the standardized field sobriety testing but submitted to a PBT test. Jason J. Madsen was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant 4th offense. Mr. Madsen was transported to a nearby facility for an evidentiary test of his blood alcohol level and later transported
to Juneau County Jail. He was also charged with operating after revocation-criminal also cited for open intoxicant and operation after registration has been cancelled.
“Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
Accident in Vernon County
On Sunday, February 11, 2024, at approximately 9:00 AM, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center received multiple reports of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway 27 and County Road J (South), rural Viroqua, WI, in the town of Franklin.
Susan C. Jerrett, age 72, of Gays Mills, WI was driving south on State Highway 27. While turning left onto County Road J South, Jerrett collided with a northbound vehicle driven by Timothy K. Rehbein, age 65, of
Viroqua, WI. The Jerrett vehicle spun around and came to rest on the northbound shoulder. Rehbein was able to maintain control and pulled his vehicle also onto the northbound shoulder. The Viroqua Fire Department and Viroqua Emergency Medical responders extricated or assisted Gregeory Jerrett from his vehicle. Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance was also at the scene, but no one was transported to the hospital. The highway was closed for a short time. The crash remains under investigation.
18 Year Old Arrested in Monroe County Overdose Homicide
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect related to a drug overdose death of a 41 year-old female from Sparta, that occurred in early November 2023.
18 year-old Malik Guerra, of La Crosse, was charged with 1st Degree Reckless Homicide/Deliver Drugs and Manufacture/Deliver Narcotics in Monroe County Court today after the investigation into the woman’s death showed that Guerra had sold the victim the fentanyl that caused her death.
During the bond hearing in Monroe County Court, Judge Todd Zeigler ordered that Guerra be held on a $10,000 cash bond.
The investigation was led by Detective David Heckman of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and was assisted by the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group (WCMEG), the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin Probation and Parole.
