Mauston, WI
Local News
New Pastor at Saint Patricks Church in Mauston
17 hours
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
IT’S OFFICIAL! The Most Reverend Gerard W. Battersby, D.D., Bishop of La Crosse, made the following announcement today!
“The Reverend Todd A. Mlsna, Parochial Administrator of St. Patrick Parish in Mauston, is appointed Pastor, effective January 20, 2026.”
Congratulations Fr. Mlsna! we are so happy to have you here!
Police Standoff at Tomah Kwik Trip Ends Peacefully
20 hours
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
At approximately 7:37 a.m. on January 20, 2026, the Monroe County Communications Center received a call from a suicidal subject who was located inside a semi-truck parked behind Kwik Trip North (310 E McCoy Blvd).
Officers from the Tomah Police Department responded to the scene and observed the subject in possession of a pistol while seated in their semi. With the assistance of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol, officers established a perimeter around the semi-truck and began aiding in the evacuation of innocent bystanders. The Tomah Area Ambulance Service and the Tomah Fire Department also responded, assisting with traffic control, securing the parking lot, and providing medical support.
Contact was ultimately made with the subject using personnel from an armored vehicle. The driver exited the semi-truck without any weapons and was taken into custody without incident.
Once in custody, the subject was transported to Tomah Health for medical clearance and a mental health evaluation. Criminal charges are pending.
The Tomah Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance:
• Tomah Fire Department
• Tomah Area Ambulance Service
• Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
• Wisconsin State Patrol
• Monroe County Communications Center
A special thank you is extended to Kwik Trip for their cooperation during this dangerous situation, for allowing officers to use their building as a warming center, and for providing warm beverages.
This was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. We thank the community for their patience and understanding.
Juneau County Arrest Report 1-20-26
22 hours
Tahoe vs Buggy Accident in Monroe County
6 days
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
One person was seriously injured in a traffic crash Thursday Morning when a vehicle struck a horse drawn
buggy on Highway 33 in the Town of Sheldon.
On January 15 th, 2026, at around 8:10am, a Chevy Tahoe traveling westbound on Hwy 33 near Opera Road,
struck an occupied horse drawn buggy as it turned into a driveway. The driver of the buggy was seriously
injured in the crash and taken by ambulance to a local hospital.
The initial investigation showed that vehicle was passing the buggy when the buggy turned in front of the
vehicle in an attempt to enter a driveway on the south side of the road.
The crash caused the highway to be closed for about an hour while emergency crews worked the scene.
Names of the vehicle operators are not being released at this time.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Monroe County 911 Communications Center, Vernon
County Sheriff’s Office, Ontario Ambulance, and the Ontario Fire Department.
Hillsboro Man Arrested for Domestic Violence
2 weeks
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!
2 weeks
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!
Juneau County Jail Roster 1-5-26
2 weeks
