State News
Sauk City Waterworks Receives a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced that Sauk City Waterworks has been awarded a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to a level that is effective for preventing tooth decay. The award recognizes those communities that achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining a consistent level of fluoride in drinking water throughout 2022.
For 2022, a total of 1,209 public water systems in 27 states received these awards, including 30 in Wisconsin.
“Water fluoridation is one of the best investments that a community can make in maintaining the oral health of its citizens. It is equally as effective in preventing cavities in children and adults,” states Casey Hannan, MPH, Director, CDC Division of Oral Health. “Fluoridation is also highly cost effective. Studies continue to show that for every $1 a community invests in water fluoridation, $20 are saved in dental treatment costs.”
Community water fluoridation has been recognized by CDC as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th Century. CDC recommends water fluoridation as one of the most practical, cost-effective, equitable, and safe measures a community can take to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.
“Public Health is about finding ways to protect and prevent against illness, disease, and other conditions that decrease quality of life,” shares Treemanisha Stewart, Director/Health Officer for Public Health Sauk County. “Fluoride in drinking water is one of those ways that we can protect our families from tooth decay.”
Sparta Firefighter Arrested in Relation to Child Enticement
Last week, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrested 26 year-old Peter Schneider related to an investigation into child enticement and the solicitation of nude images from a child.
While the investigation is still on-going, evidence showed that on several occasions Schneider requested nude photos from the 17 year old victim. Schneider also asked the victim to go into a private area for the purposes of sexual contact.
Schneider is employed by Ho-Chunk Police Department and is a firefighter with the Sparta Area Fire District (SAFD). The initial information related to the incident was brought to the attention of the Sheriff’s Office by Chief Mike Arnold of the SAFD and when the Sheriff’s Office notified the Ho-Chunk Police Department, they took immediate action to relieve Schneider from his duties. Both agencies showed the utmost professionalism in their cooperation with the Sheriffs Office’s investigation.
During the bond hearing in Monroe County Court, Judge Mark Goodman ordered that Schneider be held on a $1,500 cash bond.
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.
Medical Marijuana Bill in Wisconsin State Assembly Not Going Anywhere
Potential Medical Marijuana legislation has hit a dead end in Wisconsin.
Speaker Robin Vos made it clear the bill from Assembly Republicans will not be amended.
“My job is to get a bill that will get the support of at least 50 members of my caucus through the Assembly, and then it goes to the Senate and if they want to make changes we can do a conference committee, there are a lot of things that we can do through the process.”
A key supporter of medical cannabis says efforts to pass the bill are “pointless” absent a willingness for Vos to negotiate. Tomahawk Rep. Sen. Mary Felzkowski says she doesn’t see anything happening this session. Senate Republicans object to having state run medical marijuana dispensaries preferring that be done through the private sector.
Vernon County Resident Arrested for Car Thefts
On Wednesday morning, January 17, 2024, at approximately 5:45 AM, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch
Center received a report that a black, Ford F-250 pickup truck had been taken, without consent, from a
residence along Will Kumlin Road, approximately one mile northwest of State Highway 82, rural De Soto,
WI, in the town of Wheatland. The caller reported locating the vehicle in the ditch, with minor damage,
a short distance from their residence.
At approximately 6:00 AM, the Sheriff’s Office received a second call reporting that a black, 2015
Chevrolet Equinox was missing from another address on Will Kumlin Road, just north of State Highway
82.
At 7:15 AM, the Sheriff’s Office received a third call reporting that a black Chevrolet Equinox was found
abandoned along Peterson Avenue, southwest of County Road N, rural Viroqua, WI, in the Town of
Sterling. It was quickly determined the abandoned, found with possible damage from striking a
snowbank, was the same vehicle that was reported missing.
During the investigation, it was determined that a third vehicle, a silver, 2013 Chevrolet Silverado K3500
was missing from Peterson Avenue. That vehicle was located by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, in
the Village of Gays Mills, at approximately 9:00 AM.
The investigation continued and with the assistance of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Colton Allen
Frazier, age 26, of rural De Soto, WI, was taken into custody and transported to the Vernon County
Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. In addition to three counts of Take and Drive a Motor Vehicle Without
Owner’s consent, Frazier was also booked for three counts of Felony Bail Jumping stemming from similar
criminal charges filed in Crawford County Circuit Court, in October 2023 in which Frazier is due back in
court on March 8, 2024, at 10:00 AM.
Colton Frazier appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon for a bail hearing, and he
was released on a $5,000.00 Signature Bond. Frazier is due back in Vernon County Circuit Court on
February 7, 2024, at 8:30 AM for an Initial Appearance. Formal charges will be sought through Vernon
County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher.
The investigation continues and Sheriff Torgerson would like to thank Sheriff Dale Mc Cullick and his
staff at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and assistance.
If you have any information about this crime or any other crime, contact Vernon County Crime Stoppers
at 608-637-8477 or www.p3tips.com You will not ever be asked for you name when contacting Crime
Stoppers.
Buggy Hit & Run in Vernon County
01/08 Christian Brueggen, Cashton, was following a horse and buggy northbound on State Highway 27, town of Christiana. Brueggen attempted to pass the buggy on the left, and the horse ran into Brueggen’s vehicle, causing extensive damage. The horse and buggy continued without stopping. The identity of the operator of the buggy is unknown at this time.
3 Arrested in Vernon County
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the Sheriff’s Office executed a Search Warrant on
Thursday afternoon, November 30, 2023, at approximately 2:00 PM, at a residence on Mc
Kibbin Lane, rural Westby, WI, in the town of Jefferson. The Search Warrant was authorized by
Vernon County Circuit Court as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.
Deputies/investigators located and seized forty-seven grams of Methamphetamine, several
baggies of suspected Fentanyl, and cash. Arrested were Mark Alan Mc Kibbin, age 37, of rural
Westby, WI and Melinda Sue Stalsberg, age 36, of Viroqua, WI. Also taken into custody
pursuant to an unrelated arrest warrant was a 37-year-old male, also of Viroqua, WI.
Mark Mc Kibbin was booked into the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center for:
1) Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place
2) Possession With Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine 10-50 grams
3) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Melinda Stalsberg was booked into the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center for:
1) Possession With Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine 3-10 grams
2) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Fentanyl is a deadly drug. The suspected substances will be tested later adhering to strict
safety protocols for testing unknown substances. Both Mc Kibbin and Stalsberg will be held
pending a Bail Hearing in Vernon County Circuit Court. Formal charges will be sought through
Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher.
The Sheriff’s Office utilized resources from the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group,
a five-county drug task force of which Vernon County is a member.
The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.
If you have any information about this crime or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at 608-
637-8477 or submit an online tip at www.p3tips.com Callers or persons submitting tips to
Crime Stoppers remain anonymous.
Potential Child Kidnapping in Vernon County Prevented
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports on Friday afternoon, December 1, 2023, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspicious activity along US Highway 14, in front of the Cornerstone Christian Academy, rural Viroqua, WI, in the town of Viroqua. At approximately 12:30 PM, during a school recess period, students observed a vehicle traveling north on US Highway 14. The vehicle stopped in front of the school, backed the vehicle south about 350 feet, toward County Road Y, and stopped still in the vicinity of the school. It was reported that a male, dressed in all black colors including gloves and a ski mask, exited the driver’s side door, opened the left, rear door, stood by the rear bumper, and waived or motioned in the direction of a student, age 5. The student walked toward the vehicle until intercepted and returned safely to the school. As the school principal was approaching, the vehicle left traveling north on US Highway 14. The vehicle was described as dark blue, possibly a 2020-2021 [2019-2022] Chevrolet Equinox with chrome, “star-shaped,” wheels. The vehicle may have had dealer license plates or license plates from another state. If you have any information, call the Sheriff’s Office at 608-637-2123.
JUVENILES APPREHENDED FOLLOWING READSTOWN VALDALISM
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports that early Sunday morning, November 26,
2023, at approximately 4:30 AM, the Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 Dispatch Center received a
report of vandalism in the village of Readstown. Deputies responded and found recent
graffiti spray-painted on the Church of Christ building and the US Highway 14 bridge
over the Kickapoo River. A small window was also broken at the Church of Christ.
Damage was later discovered at the Town of Kickapoo and Village of Readstown
Advancement Association building, in Readstown’s Tourist Park.
At approximately 5:30 AM, deputies located two male juveniles believed responsible for
the damage on the east side of the village. The investigation continued and both
juveniles, a 13-year-old from rural Viola, WI, in Richland County and a 13-year-old from
the village of Readstown, will be referred to the Vernon County Department of Human
Services and the Richland County Health and Human Services respectively.
The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Vernon
County Department of Human Services, and Richland County Health and Human
Services.
If you have any information about this crime, or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at
608-637-8477. Online tips can be submitted at www.p3tips.com and callers or anyone
submitting a tip will remain anonymous
De Soto Woman Involved in 1 Vehicle Crash
On Wednesday morning, October 25, 2023, at approximately 6:45 AM, the Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 Dispatch
center received a report of a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway 56 and Nottingham
Road, rural Viroqua, WI, in the town of Jefferson.
20-year-old Ella A. Penchi , of rural De Soto, WI, was driving north on Nottingham Road approaching the
intersection with State Highway 56. The vehicle traveled across the intersecting roadway and struck a tree.
Penchi sustained minor injuries and declined medical transport. Ella was wearing her seatbelt. Assisting at
the scene were the Viroqua Fire Department, Viroqua Emergency Medical Responders, and Gundersen
Tri-State Ambulance.
