News

 Today, Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger announced
Jerome Leuck, age 77, of Cashton was sentenced to 31 years in prison. He will be supervised by
the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for 7 years following his release from prison.
Court documents show Leuck was charged in October 2020 with 14 child sex crimes. The
case was tried to a Monroe County jury in January 2023, but a mistrial was declared after the jury
was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Leuck was tried again in November 2023 and found
guilty.
Leuck was sentenced on February 2, 2024, by Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Richard
Radcliffe. Leuck faced a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 25 years. Assistant District
Attorney Sarah Skiles argued for a lengthy prison sentence that would have the effect of confining
Leuck for the remainder of his life. During sentencing, Skiles commented the “State of Wisconsin
now knows who [Leuck] really [is]” and he cannot hide in the darkness anymore. Skiles stated it
was time to acknowledge the unvarnished truth that Leuck is “a pedophile, manipulator, deceiver,
and child rapist.” Skiles said Leuck will no longer hold the victim hostage with this case and that
she will be free while Leuck lives out the remainder of his days in prison. Before handing down the
prison sentence, Judge Radcliffe commended the victim, telling her that she was “brave” and
“strong” and now had the justice she sought for over three years. Following sentencing, Leuck was
taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.
ADA Skiles later stated, “We are grateful the sentence ordered by Judge Radcliffe is more
than the minimum prescribed by law. It recognizes the seriousness of Leuck’s actions and the
profound negative impact of his conduct. This sentence ensures Leuck is forever removed from
our community and cannot further victimize children.”
The investigation of this case was handled by Detective John Brose of the Monroe County
Sheriff’s Office with assistance from social workers in the Department of Human Services from
Monroe and Vernon Counties and the staff of Stepping Stones Child Advocacy Center. The
prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant District Attorney Sarah Skiles through support
and assistance of the staff of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office and with special thanks
to Sara Kast, Anje Schmitz, and Investigator Andrew Kuen. Skiles praised the work of all involved,
“The investigation and prosecution of this case required a collaborative multidisciplinary approach.
An outcome like this would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of each
professional.”

Construction crews have officially started working on Mile Bluff Medical Center’s remodeling of the former Mauston Shopko building.  While it may be hard to see any progress on the outside of the building, internal demolition has begun.  

Currently referred to as the Gateway Building, this location will be home to Mile Bluff’s urgent care, retail pharmacy, and dialysis services.  It is part of a two-phased expansion project that will provide more space for these services, as well as Mile Bluff’s Emergency Department.  These new spaces will improve efficiency, privacy, safety and the overall experience for both patients and staff members.  

Including the purchase of the building, the estimated cost to remodel Gateway and the Emergency Department is $17 million.  To help offset costs, Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign – For You. With You – with the goal of raising $5 million to support this project. 

Several individuals and businesses, including the Bank of Mauston, have already made commitments to the campaign.  At the beginning of the year, Bank of Mauston President/CEO, Molly Scully, presented a $25,000 pledge to support this initiative and to help build Mile Bluff’s future.

“Bank of Mauston is excited to contribute to the ‘For You. With You.’ Capital Campaign,” said Scully.  “We recognize the value in having access to local, independent healthcare and appreciate the positive economic impact Mile Bluff has on our community.  Supporting this campaign is a great way for Bank of Mauston to continue to help our community grow.”

“We are grateful to our partners at the Bank of Mauston,” said Katie Nuttall, foundation director.  “Their gift speaks to their commitment to community growth and their desire to support the lives of those living in our area.  At Mile Bluff, we are excited for the Gateway expansion project as we work to build a brighter, healthier future for those we serve.”

Just as the community has been able to count on Mile Bluff, now the medical center is looking for help in making these crucial facility updates possible.  If you are grateful for the care you have received at Mile Bluff or want to ensure healthcare services continue to be available locally, please consider supporting Mile Bluff’s efforts to strengthen healthcare in Juneau County. 

If you would like to learn more about making a donation, or would like more information about pledge and recognition opportunities, please call the foundation at 608-847-2735 or visit www.milebluff.com/ForYouWithYou.

Four of the five patients have been discharged from the hospital(s).  Only a 5-month-old remains hospitalized, at the University of Madison Children’s Hospital.  The bail hearing has been scheduled for 3:00 PM in Vernon County Circuit Court.  The investigation has continued throughout the day.

Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports a pickup truck collided with a horse-drawn vehicle on Monday night, January 29, 2024, in rural Hillsboro, WI, in the town of Greenwood.  The Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center received the call shortly after 9:00 PM.  The pickup truck was traveling southeast on Kolash Road, near County Road C, and collided with the horse-drawn vehicle traveling the opposite direction.  The horse-drawn vehicle was occupied by a family of five, resulting in serious injuries.  Three patients were transported to Gundersen St. Joseph’s in Hillsboro, by Hillsboro Area Ambulance.  Richland County EMS transported the remaining two patients to Richland Hospital.  Two of the patients were later transferred to the University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital in Madison, WI.

The operator of the pickup truck, Bruce P. Donlan, age 63, of rural Hillsboro, WI was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated-Causing Injury.  Donlan is being held pending a bail hearing in Vernon County Circuit Court and formal charges will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher.

The crash remains under active investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and more information may be released later.  Assisting at the scene were the Yuba Fire Department, Yuba First Responders, Hillsboro Area Ambulance, Richland County EMS, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsboro Police Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit.

Today, Monroe County District Attorney Kevin D. Croninger announced that on January 24, 2024, a Monroe County jury convicted 46 year old, Jonathan L. Ellenburg, of four charges including,
two counts of Repeated Sexual Assault of A Child, and two counts of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a
Child- Sexual Contact or Sexual Intercourse with a Person Under Age of 13.
The convictions came after a two and a half day jury trial. The charges against Ellenburg stem from
conduct that occurred between September of 2012 and April of 2018, during which time Ellenburg
repeatedly sexually assaulted three different victims. Ellenburg refused to be present during the
proceedings and instead appeared via video from a cell at the Monroe County Jail each morning and
advised the Court that he (Ellenburg) would not be participating.
After two and a half days of trial, the jury deliberated for approximately an hour and a half before
reaching their verdicts. Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger stated, “This was a difficult
case. The victims in this case have been presented with extremely difficult circumstances in their lives,
despite these circumstances they demonstrated a tremendous amount of strength and courage by
taking the stand and describing the deplorable acts Mr. Ellenburg committed against them. We are
grateful for the careful attention the jury paid to this serious matter and for the verdicts they returned.
The verdicts will hopefully give some level of relief to the three victims who Mr. Ellenburg repeatedly
sexually assaulted.”
The prosecution of the case was handled by Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger with
support and assistance by the staff of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation of the case was led by Detective John Brose of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office,
with assistance the Village of Norwalk Police Department and Monroe County Human Services.
Croninger praised the work of Detective Brose and all officers involved, “This was a difficult and
emotional case. The investigation needed to be done in an effective but sensitive manner. Detective
Brose demonstrated a tremendous amount of skill and empathy throughout his investigation, and
without his highly professional and effective work, convictions would not have been possible.”
Ellenburg is currently serving a prison sentence related to other crimes he committed previously. After
conviction, he was returned to the Kettle Moraine Correctional Facility to await sentencing.