State News
FELONY BAIL JUMPING ARREST in Vernon County
On July 23, 2023, Jennifer Jo Taube, age 43, of Paynesville, MN was arrested following a driving complaint and pursuit that originated in Vernon County and terminated in Crawford County. Taube appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court on July 24th and was released on a $500.00 Signature Bond. One of several conditions of release is that the defendant shall not commit any crimes.
On August 28, 2023, Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher filed the following charges:
- Reckless Driving-Endanger Safety
- Possess Drug Paraphernalia
- Possession of Methamphetamine
- Vehicle Operator Flee/Elude Officer
On August 29, 2023, a court hearing was held, and Jennifer Taube’s Initial Appearance was rescheduled for October 13, 2023, at 3:00 PM, in Vernon County Circuit Court.
On September 2, 2023, Jennifer Taube was arrested in the city of La Crosse and booked for Knowingly Violating a Domestic-Abuse Order and Possession of Methamphetamine. On September 5, 2023, Taube was transported to the Vernon County Detention Center to face Bail Jumping charges. Taube appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court on September 6th for a Bail Hearing. Although the District Attorney argued for cash bail, the court ordered a $5,000.00 Signature Bond. Taube was released and she is due back in court on October 13th, at 3:00 PM.
Assisting with the original incident was the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. The incidents remain under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the La Crosse Police Department.
Father Allegedly Struck in Head by Son with a Gun in Vernon County
Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at approximately 9:00 PM, the Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 Dispatch Center received a call reporting that a shooting occurred at a residence, along Taylor Road, rural De Soto, WI, in the town of Wheatland. The caller was the reported victim’s sibling, calling from a different location. Numerous attempts to establish telephone contact with the residence were unsuccessful.
A parameter and staging area were established and a male, identified as Kraig Anthony Hanson, Sr., age 61, of rural De Soto was found walking along Taylor Road. Kraig Hanson reported being accidentally shot in the back of the head by his son, Kenneth Orlando Hanson, age 38, also of rural De Soto, WI. Kenneth appeared injured but refused any medical treatment.
A deputy sheriff with hostage negotiation training made several unsuccessful attempts to establish telephone contact with Kenneth Hanson. A Search Warrant was later executed and the firearm in question was located. It did not appear the firearm was recently fired, but evidence was found consistent with someone being struck with the firearm itself, not by any bullet or projectile.
The investigation continued and Kenneth Orlando Hanson was arrested and booked into the Vernon County Detention Center for Battery and Disorderly Conduct. Kenneth posted a $650.00 Cash Bond, was released, and is due in Vernon County Circuit Court October 4th at 8:30 AM.
Kraig Anthony Hanson Sr. was later arrested and booked for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Battery, and Disorderly Conduct. Kraig appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court on September 5th and was released on a $5,000.00 Signature Bond. Kraig is due back in Vernon County Circuit Court on September 26th at 8:30 AM.
Formal charges on both Kenneth and Kraig Hanson will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher.
Assisting were the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and Vernon County Emergency Management.
The investigation continues by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.
TOY WAGON INCIDENT RESULTS IN DEATH OF 17-YEAR-OLD MALE
On Friday night, August 4th, 2023, at approximately 10:00 PM, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center received a call of an incident involving a toy wagon on Indian Creek Road, south of Dutch Hollow Road, rural La Farge, WI, in the town of Whitestown.
Marvin L. Miller, age 17; a male juvenile, age 12; and Ervin J. Miller, age 20, all of rural La Farge, WI were riding a toy wagon downhill, on Indian Creek Road. The wagon went off the right side of the roadway, struck a tree ejecting all three occupants down a steep embankment.
Although injured himself, Ervin J. Miller was able to go for help and he sought medical treatment the following day at Neighborhood Family Clinic.
The juvenile male was transported by La Farge Ambulance to Vernon Memorial Healthcare, in Viroqua, WI, and later transferred to UW-Madison.
Marvin L. Miller was seriously injured. Extensive life-saving measures were exhausted and Miller was pronounced dead at the scene by Vernon County Coroner Betty Nigh.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office at the scene were the La Farge Fire Department, La Farge Ambulance, Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance, and Gundersen Air.
The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and Vernon County Coroner’s Office.
Vernon County Authorities Warn Woman after She was Caught Blowing Kisses and Talking to Cows
On Thursday May 11th a female was trespassing on a property on State Highway 82, town of Union. The female entered a fenced area and was talking to, blowing kisses, and waving to the cows. The female left, and a deputy located her. She stated she was from a big city and had never seen cows before. She was warned not to trespass on private property.
Rollover in Vernon County
On January 10, 2023, at approximately 8:45 a.m., Bernie J. Larry, age 63, of Lafarge was traveling southbound on State Highway 131 near McCarty Road north of Readstown. Mr. Larry was negotiating a left hand curve and hit a patch of ice on the roadway. Mr. Larry lost control of his vehicle spinning out of control, crossed the centerline, and went into the ditch. After leaving the roadway the vehicle rolled onto the drivers side and came to rest. Bernie became trapped in the vehicle and was unable to get out of the vehicle on his own.
Readstown Fire Department arrived on scene and extricated Mr. Larry from his vehicle. Bernie reported no injuries and was checked out by Readstown EMS and released at the scene.
The vehicle was removed by Lafarge Truck Center.
