News
Altoona Man Sentenced in Monroe County Court to 25 Years in Prison for Child Sex Crimes
Today, Monroe County District Attorney Kevin D. Croninger announced that on
January 05, 2024, Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Todd L. Ziegler sentenced 44 year old, Eric L.
Wirth to 25 years in the Wisconsin State Prison System. After completing his 25 year term in the
Wisconsin State Prison System, Wirth will be supervised for an additional 15 years by the Wisconsin
Department of Corrections.
Wirth was convicted by a Monroe County jury in September of 2023 of eight charges including,
Repeated Sexual Assault of Same Child, Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime, Cause a
Child to View Sexual Activity, Exposing a Child to Harmful Material, two counts of Sexual Exploitation
of a Child, Sex with a Child Age 16 or Older and Possession of Cocaine. The charges against Wirth
stem from conduct that occurred between May of 2017 and July of 2021 in which Wirth used children
for his own sexual gratification.
The sentenced handed down by Judge Ziegler followed the recommendation of District Attorney
Kevin Croninger. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections had recommended a much shorter
sentence of 10 years of initial confinement. Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger stated,
“We are grateful to Judge Ziegler for the sentence he ordered in this matter and for going well above
what was recommended by the Department of Corrections. Judge Ziegler’s sentence demonstrates
the overwhelming need for the public to be protected from people like Mr. Wirth. Not only is Mr. Wirth
a pervert, a pedophile and a predator, but as Judge Ziegler indicated, Mr. Wirth engaged in horrible,
disgusting and disturbing behavior over the course of many years. We are grateful Judge Ziegler has
sentenced Mr. Wirth to a length of time that will keep the community safe for multiple decades.”
The prosecution of the case was handled by Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger with
the 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 from City of Sparta Police Chief Emilee Nottestad and Detective Andrew Kuen,
formerly of the City of Sparta Police Department and currently of the Monroe County District
Attorney’s Office.
Croninger praised the work of Detective Brose and all officers involved, “This is a case that involved
numerous perverse acts by the Defendant. The officers involved demonstrated the highest levels of
professional integrity and investigative skill in procuring the facts that proved the defendant was guilty
of the charges submitted to the jury. Without this high level of professional integrity and investigative
skill, these convictions would not have been possible.”
For more information on this case, please go to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access at
https://wcca.wicourts.gov and search for Monroe County Case No. 2021CF000619. Please direct
media inquiries to Kevin Croninger, Monroe County District Attorney, Monroe County District
Attorney’s Office at 608-269-8780 or monroe.call@da.wi.gov.
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Construction begins on former Shopko building in Mauston
On Wednesday, January 3, Mile Bluff’s CEO Dara Bartels invited the community into the organization’s newest facility in Mauston, the former Shopko. With construction set to begin, Bartels took advantage of the still-empty space, and provided the public with a sneak peek of the plans for the “Gateway Building.”
She explained that it will house urgent care, retail pharmacy and dialysis services – each of which will relocate from its current Mauston location. The transitions will provide more space, which will improve efficiency, privacy, safety and the overall experience for both patients and staff members. The changes will also free up space on the main campus for future construction projects – initially for the emergency room, and eventually for the clinic.
During her presentation, Bartels unveiled architectural drawings of what the building will look like when completed at the end of the year. She also shared information about Mile Bluff’s strategies, introduced the fundraising efforts that will support Mile Bluff’s construction projects, and provided insight on what it means to be a not-for-profit healthcare organization.
Over Mile Bluff’s long history, its leadership team has remained focused on meeting the community’s current healthcare needs, while preparing for future ones. During this recent public event, nearly 80 individuals from the community had the chance to hear about Mile Bluff’s commitment first-hand. Those in attendance shared their excitement for what this investment in the health of the community means to current, and future area residents.
After the presentation, many expressed their appreciation for the thorough information that was provided. Comments were made regarding how helpful it was to see just how much is involved in taking the former retail space and turning it into a safe environment for patients. It was also noted how eye-opening it was to learn about what it means to be a not-for-profit organization, and to see the reimbursement struggles that healthcare facilities like Mile Bluff face.
If you didn’t make it to the community forum, make plans to attend the Mauston/Lyndon Station Sharing Supper on Thursday, January 25 at 5 pm at Mauston High School. Members of the Mile Bluff team will be present, giving you the opportunity to hear and see more about the Gateway Building project and the “For You. With You.” fundraising campaign.
To stay up to date with the progress of construction, follow Mile Bluff on Facebook. To learn more about the fundraising efforts for the project, visit www.milebluff.com/ForYouWithYou.
Passing of retired Mauston Police Department K9 Kantor
Reedsburg Man Facing 4th Offense Drunk Driving
JONATHON JULIUS WALLS, 34 years of age, from REEDSBURG has been arrested by the
Wisconsin State Patrol DeForest Post for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, 4th offense.
On Wednesday January 3rd around 9:48pm the Wisconsin State Patrol received a driving complaint
about a silver sedan with a possible intoxicated driver. The vehicle was located at County Highway
P and Wisconsin 23. A trooper stopped the vehicle, and conducted an investigation and determined
the driver was operating while intoxicated. The driver was subsequently arrested for Operating
While Intoxicated 4th offence.
Ribbon cutting for Gundersen St. Joe’s new Elroy Clinic to be held January 16!
After 11 months of construction, Gundersen St. Joseph’s is excited to welcome the community to its new clinic in Elroy.
The community is invited to a celebration and ribbon cutting on Tuesday, January 16 at 9am.
“We’re so excited to open our new clinic in the heart of downtown Elroy,” says Kristie McCoic, administrator at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics. “This project has been as much about improving the economic health as it’s been about improving the physical health of the Elroy and surrounding community.”
The new clinic boasts a spacious waiting area, 9 exam rooms, a procedure room, bariatric room, behavioral health consultation room, lab, community room and a tele-pharmacy – the first of its kind within the Gundersen Health System.
High Speed Chase Leads to Arrest in Monroe County
On 12/29/2023 at approximately 1:56 AM, a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Sergeant attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic violations on Highway 16 near Hammer Road, just west of Sparta. The suspect vehicle fled at speeds in excess of 100 MPH and led law enforcement on a 3.29 mile pursuit. The pursuit started on Hammer Road and was terminated at 1:59 AM on County Highway BC, just north of Highway 16. Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies, Sparta Police Department Officers, and Wisconsin State Patrol Troopers flooded the area and began searching for the vehicle.
At 2:10 AM, a Monroe County Deputy located the suspect vehicle on County Highway BC near Garden Ave. The deputy initiated a second traffic stop and the vehicle pulled over without further incident. The driver was identified as Steven M. Pierce, 39 years old, from Tomah. Steven was subsequently arrested for:
346.63(1)(a): Operating While Intoxicated 4th (Felony)
346.04(3): Fleeing/Eluding an Officer (Felony)
346.62(2): Reckless Driving Endangering Safety
Steven was booked in and held at the Monroe County Jail. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Sparta Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, and Monroe County 911 Communications Center.
