Mauston, WI
Local News
Hillsboro Man Arrested for Domestic Violence
20 hours
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the arrest of James Ray
Smallwood, age 37, of rural Hillsboro, WI.
On Saturday morning, January 3rd , 2026, at approximately 12:30 AM, the Sheriff’s Office 911
Dispatch Center received a report of domestic violence at a residence on State Highway 33, rural
Hillsboro, WI, in the Town of Hillsboro.
The suspect left the scene prior to officers’ arrival but was later located by an officer with the
Hillsboro Police Department, in the City of Hillsboro. The suspect, identi?ed as James Ray
Smallwood Sr., age 37, of rural Hillsboro, was taken into custody, and booked for:
1) § 940.19(1) – Battery
2) § 947.01(1) – Disorderly Conduct
3) § 940.235(1) – Strangulation and Suffocation
4) § 943.01(1) – Criminal Damage to Property
5) § 946.49(1)(a) – Bail Jumping–Misdemeanor
6) § 946.41(1) – Resisting or Obstructing an Officer
7) § 346.63(1)(b) – Operating with Prohibited Alcohol Concentration
Smallwood appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court on Monday, January 5th, at 11:00 AM, and
bond was set at $500.00 Cash. He is due back in court on January 7th, at 10:00 AM.
Smallwood is also facing charges of Operating While Revoked and Ignition Interlock Device
Tampering/Failure to Install/Violate Court Order. These charges were ?led on August 5th, 2025,
and Smallwood signed a $1,000.00 Signature Bond on the same day.
A charge is merely an accusation. James Smallwood is presumed innocent unless and until
proven guilty in court.
In addition to assistance from Hillsboro and Viroqua Police, Sheriff Torgerson would like to thank
the Juneau, Monroe, Richland, and Sauk County Sheriff’s Offices for alerting their teams of the
incident. Thanks to the 911 dispatchers’ effective communication with officers and deputies in
the ?eld, this incident was resolved expeditiously.
I am grateful that our team is very well trained to investigate incidents of domestic violence.
Support from Vernon County End Abuse Response Team (HEART) volunteers is available to all
victims once the scene is rendered safe. Follow-up is provided by the Vernon County Domestic
Abuse Project Coordinator with further victim assistance from the District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation continues
Smallwood, age 37, of rural Hillsboro, WI.
On Saturday morning, January 3rd , 2026, at approximately 12:30 AM, the Sheriff’s Office 911
Dispatch Center received a report of domestic violence at a residence on State Highway 33, rural
Hillsboro, WI, in the Town of Hillsboro.
The suspect left the scene prior to officers’ arrival but was later located by an officer with the
Hillsboro Police Department, in the City of Hillsboro. The suspect, identi?ed as James Ray
Smallwood Sr., age 37, of rural Hillsboro, was taken into custody, and booked for:
1) § 940.19(1) – Battery
2) § 947.01(1) – Disorderly Conduct
3) § 940.235(1) – Strangulation and Suffocation
4) § 943.01(1) – Criminal Damage to Property
5) § 946.49(1)(a) – Bail Jumping–Misdemeanor
6) § 946.41(1) – Resisting or Obstructing an Officer
7) § 346.63(1)(b) – Operating with Prohibited Alcohol Concentration
Smallwood appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court on Monday, January 5th, at 11:00 AM, and
bond was set at $500.00 Cash. He is due back in court on January 7th, at 10:00 AM.
Smallwood is also facing charges of Operating While Revoked and Ignition Interlock Device
Tampering/Failure to Install/Violate Court Order. These charges were ?led on August 5th, 2025,
and Smallwood signed a $1,000.00 Signature Bond on the same day.
A charge is merely an accusation. James Smallwood is presumed innocent unless and until
proven guilty in court.
In addition to assistance from Hillsboro and Viroqua Police, Sheriff Torgerson would like to thank
the Juneau, Monroe, Richland, and Sauk County Sheriff’s Offices for alerting their teams of the
incident. Thanks to the 911 dispatchers’ effective communication with officers and deputies in
the ?eld, this incident was resolved expeditiously.
I am grateful that our team is very well trained to investigate incidents of domestic violence.
Support from Vernon County End Abuse Response Team (HEART) volunteers is available to all
victims once the scene is rendered safe. Follow-up is provided by the Vernon County Domestic
Abuse Project Coordinator with further victim assistance from the District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation continues
Mile Bluff Welcomes First Baby of 2026!
21 hours
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Mile Bluff Medical Center is excited to announce the arrival of its first baby of 2026! Harper Marie was born on New Year’s Day, January 1, at 4:28 a.m., weighing 5 pounds, 12 ounces, and measuring 18.25 inches long. Proud parents Hailie Voltz and Austin Granger are delighted to welcome Harper into the world.
Throughout the pregnancy, Hailie was supported by certified nurse midwife Lyn Wedyke. During delivery, both Lyn and Dr. Allegra Ponshock provided care and support alongside the dedicated team at Mile Bluff’s Birthing Center.
As Mile Bluff’s first baby of the year, Harper received a special welcome package that included a $50 VISA gift card from Mile Bluff Medical Center, a $25 savings account from Bank of Mauston, a gift certificate for her first prescription from Mile Bluff Pharmacy, and a one-year subscription to the Juneau County Star-Times.
Congratulations to Hailie and Austin on the birth of their beautiful daughter, Harper!
Roll the dice at Mile Bluff’s “Flappers & Fedoras: A Casino Night Gala”
5 days
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Step back into the glitz and glamour of the 1920s while supporting Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation’s mission to support local healthcare.
Join the foundation for Flappers & Fedoras: A Casino Night Gala on Saturday, March 7 at Glacier Canyon Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. This event will feature exquisite food, entertainment, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in our community.
With appetizers, a plated dinner, and our own speakeasy casino, you can join your fellow guys and gals to use your ‘Funny Money’ to see if Lady Luck is on your side. In addition to the casino, there will be other raffles and games for you to enjoy.
Our mission is to raise funds to support local healthcare through the work of Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation. Funds raised will go to support the areas of greatest need at the medical center which include building projects, needed medical equipment, healthcare scholarships, and community health education events.
This event is sure to be the Bee’s Knees! General admission, group opportunities, and sponsorships are now available. For purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.milebluff.com/gala or call the foundation office at 608-847-2735.
K9 Tracks Down Domestic Disturbance Violator in Adams County
1 week
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in the 1800 block of Cypress Avenue, Adams County, WI for a reported domestic violence disturbance involving a firearm. Initial information provided by the caller was that the offender had discharged a firearm several times and had been involved in a physical altercation at the residence. Upon arrival of deputies, contact was made with members at the residence, in an initial search for the suspect he was not located. An exterior search was conducted and deputies observed shoe impressions in the snow which were heading north from the residence. K-9 Tekla was deployed for a track. K-9 Tekla tracked from the residence across several farm fields, through thick wooded areas with briars and across a roadway. After approximately 35 minutes of tracking and approximately 3/4 of a mile, the track entered a barn located on a separate property. The barn was stacked with round hay bales. K-9 Tekla went to the back corner of the barn and indicated the suspect was located high in the barn at which time deputies could see the suspect. The suspect was on top of hay bales approximately 20 feet up, near the rafters and initially did not comply with deputies commands. With the assistance of K9 Tekla and after giving several minutes of verbal commands the suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Adams County Jail.
The suspect identified was Bradley J. Scheel, age 22 Arkdale, WI. Bradly was arrested for Disorderly Conduct While Armed – Domestic Abuse, Criminal Damage To Property – Domestic Abuse, Resisting or Obstructing an Officer and a probation hold. On December 26, Bradley was given a $2,500 signature bond in Adams County Circuit Court. At the time of this release Bradely is incarcerated in the Adams County Jail on a probation hold.
Blood Drive Coming Up at MBMC
1 week
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
The holidays are a time for giving, and what better gift than the gift of life? Donating blood is a gift that can save lives. Please consider donating at the two-day blood drive, held at Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston on Wednesday, January 7 and Thursday, January 8 from 9 am to 2 pm.
Appointments are strongly encouraged for anyone who would like to donate, but walk-ins will be welcomed.
To reserve your spot, call the Blood Center of Wisconsin at 1-877-232-4376 or visit donate.wisconsin.versiti.org and search for Mile Bluff Medical Center in the mobile drives.
Mail Boxes Damaged in Adams County
2 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports of vandalism to mailboxes in the Towns of Jackson and New Haven. The reported incidents occurred in the 400-500 block of Fur Ln, 500 block of Gale Ct, and the 500 block of S Golden Ct Pvt. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Deputy Dunse, reference cases #25-7947, #25-7949, #25-7950, #25-7951, or Crime Stoppers with the information below.
Anyone with information on this crime or any other crimes is encouraged to contact the Adams County Crime Stoppers by downloading the P3Tips app or by calling (877)524-5846. You may be eligible for CA$H rewards up to $1,000.00 and can remain anonymous.
STORAGE FACILITY THEFT IN TOMAH
2 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
A Tomah man is in custody after breaking into a storage facility in the evening of Saturday night.
On 12/20/2025 at approximately 11:22 AM, Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a theft complaint at 22475 STH 21 (VB Storage), Tomah, WI. The victim reported their camper along with others, had been broken into recently.
At 8:15 PM on 12/20/2025, Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a suspect at VB Storage actively stealing things. The suspect had cut a hole in the fence to gain access to the property. Deputies arrived to investigate and K9 Rebel and his handler located the suspect near a vehicle where he had cut off a catalytic converter. The suspect was identified as 29-year-old Mark A. Sayre Jr. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Mark was arrested and booked into the Monroe County Jail for the following charges.
Criminal Damage to Property, Theft-Movable Property <=$2500, Possess Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine, and a Juneau County Warrant. Further charges may be issued as the investigation is ongoing.
Sayre is expected to appear in Monroe County Circuit Court on December 22th, 2025 at 1 p.m. for a bond hearing. Bond Hearings can be viewed online by following the link on the Monroe County Clerk of Courts Website at
https://www.co.monroe.wi.us/departments/clerk-of-courts/
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Monroe County 911 Communications Center.
Lincoln Street in Mauston to be Paved Upcoming Monday Tuesday!
3 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Gateway Ave. at the intersection of Lincoln St. was dug up after a utility main break in the early hours of Friday, December 19, 2025. While the main has since been repaired, the road is currently filled with gravel. Please use caution.
Final paving is scheduled for Monday, December 22, and Tuesday, December 23, 2025. On Monday, the eastbound north lane of Gateway Ave. at Lincoln St. will be closed for repairs. On Tuesday, closure will shift to the eastbound south lane of Gateway Ave. at Lincoln St. Both closures will last throughout each workday. Please allow extra time for travel and follow posted detours while the work is ongoing. Both eastbound lanes will be fully open on Wednesday December 23, 2025.
