Mauston, WI
WRJC WebMaster
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2025 HS Football Team Preview: Berlin Indians
6 months
Berlin Indians
2024 Record: 9-2 (7-0 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Joe Stellmacher
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 9-0 (7-0 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: RB/DE Jakob Martin RB/DB Carter Hess TE/DE Hayden Reddington TE/LB Ben Green OL/DL Trent Tetting
Team Preview: The Berlin Indians enjoyed their first year in the South Central Conference rolling to a Conference Championship in its first year. Expect much of the same this year from Berlin who brings back a backfield tandem then combined to run for over 2,000yards in Jakob Martin (147-1096 20tds) & Carter Hess (122-980 8tds). They will have to find a quarterback after the graduation of Aaron Bartol. Hess was the only other player to throw a pass last season. at 6’5 Hayden Reddington (26-478 9tds receiving) is a big pass caching and blocking tight end. Trent Tetting is back to lead the offensive line. They must replace bigtime linebacker Max Sonnentag on defense but Martin led the team in sacks with 5 last year and Hess had 5interception to lead the team last year. Ben Green is also back after notching 4sacks and 46tackles last year. Berlin should roll through the South Central again and if they can find a quarterback to manage the offense they could make a deep post season push as well.
Key to Success: Finding the next QB. Berlin returns a lot but needs to find a QB to lead the offense. Hess was 1/7 passing last year and is most likely to stay at the running back position. They will have to used their last years JV quarterback or find another player to fill that spot.
Game to watch: Week 2 Friday August 29th Kiel (Home)
It’s a non-conference game but Kiel handed Berlin their lone regular season loss a season ago. Berlin will look for redemption on its home field.
Berlin Indian games on WRJC Radio: Week 4 September 12th at Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Wonewoc-Center/Weston 8-man Football Team
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
Scam Alert: Man Pretending to Be Juneau County Sergeant Johnson
6 months
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
It has been brought to the Juneau County Sheriff’s Offices attention that residents are receiving scam phone calls from **608-975-8356**, with the caller falsely identifying themselves as **Sergeant Johnson from the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office**.
**THIS IS A SCAM. DO NOT ENGAGE.**
The Juneau County Sheriff’s Office will **never** call and demand payment.
If you receive a call like this:
* **Do not provide any personal information.**
* **Hang up immediately.**
* **Report the incident** to our non-emergency number at 608-847-5649.
Please share this information with friends, family, and neighbors—especially seniors who are often targeted in these types of scams.
Stay safe and alert.
Dells Man Wanted for Attempted Homicide Captured in Chicago
6 months
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
On July 24th, at approximately 10:00pm, Oscar Perez (34 years old, of the Wisconsin Dells area) was taken into custody by the Chicago Police Department on charges of First Degree Attempted Homicide, for the Dells Police Department. The investigation is still ongoing, but our suspect is in custody. Search warrants were executed, hours of surveillance video were reviewed, and many interviews were conducted to get us to this point.
The victim of this crime is in stable condition, and we wish them a speedy recovery.
They were assisted by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, Sauk County Emergency Response Team, Chicago Police Department, and the Lake Delton Police Department in this investigation. Chief Brinker extends his sincerest gratitude to those agencies for their assistance.
Chief Brinker would also like to recognize the staff of the Wisconsin Dells Police Department for their relentless pursuit of the suspect during this investigation. Their effort has been tremendous.
The charges are merely an accusation of criminal conduct where probable cause existed for an arrest. The individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Walston, Juan Mary Age 87 of Tomah
6 months
by WRJC WebMaster
in Obituaries
Juan Mary Walston, fondly known as Jill to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, at the age of 87 in Tomah, WI at Tomah Health. Born on September 4, 1937, in Carlton County, Minnesota to her late parents Frank and Anna (Kavitz) Tambornino.
Jill’s life was marked by her dedication to her country, as she proudly served in both the United States Air Force and Army for a combined 19 years. After her military service, Jill enjoyed living in Florida and working at Disney World, where her laughter and sense of humor was felt both by her colleagues and the visitors.
A devout Catholic, Jill lived her faith through enjoying mass with her family and especially looked forward to the family get together Sunday brunch. She found solace in prayer and was a source of spiritual support for many who knew her.
Jill’s passion for plants prompted her to obtain an associate’s degree in Horticulture. She found great pleasure in planting vegetables and tending to her garden (barefoot). Jill enjoyed making fresh baked bread and soups from scratch and sharing with others
Jill and her son, John and all those who knew them knew their bantering and how much they enjoyed convertible rides to their favorite restaurants, library, church and family gatherings. Jill wanted to go EVERYWHERE.
She leaves behind a loving family, including her devoted sons, Mark Wayne Walston (Darlene), John Carl Walston (Beth Holtz), and her beloved grandchildren, Mary, Brenda, and Jon. Jill was a cherished sister to her late brothers Frank (late Shirley) Tambornino and Donald (Rose) Tambornino, late sisters Martha (late Courtney) Lindau and Maryanne (late Glen) Neal and is survived by her siblings John “Jack” (Dorothy) Tambornino, Marcella “Sally” (late Michael) Milano, Cecelia “CeCe” (late Robert) Athearn and Father Jim, She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who will remember her fondly.
The family would like to express great gratitude to the wonderful staff of Greenfield House. To Missy (owner of Greenfield House) you now have a special angel who will continue to shower you with prayers. More gratitude to VA staff and their care esp. Amy Pollack NP who won over Jill’s heart and also the amazing staff at Tomah Health who cared and brought her comfort on her last days.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church (408 W. River St.) in New Lisbon. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Friday, August 1, 2025, from 5:00 P.M until 7:00 P.M at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, with a rosary at 7:00P.M, and on Saturday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service. Fr. Peter Raj Mariasamy presiding Burial will be in St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery. The Hare Funeral Home in New Lisbon is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.harefuneralhome.com
Juneau County Arrest Report 7-31
6 months
Motorcycle v Deer Accident in Vernon County
6 months
by WRJC WebMaster
in State News
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports on Tuesday afternoon, July 15, 2025, at
approximately 2:45 PM the Sheriff’s Office 911 dispatch center received a report of a motorcycle crash on
State Highway 82, near Zahm Road, rural La Farge, WI, in the Town of Stark.
Ronald Wesley Kane, age 73, of Leesburg, FL was traveling west, and struck a deer. Kane was ejected and
sustained injuries. He was transported to Vernon Health by La Farge Area Ambulance and later
transferred to Emplify by Gundersen in La Crosse, WI.
Kane was wearing a helmet and full protective riding gear.
Vernon County Resident Intentionally Posted Photos of Minors
6 months
by WRJC WebMaster
in State News
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the Sheriff’s Office completed an
investigation following information brought forward alleging that a registered sex offender
intentionally photographed minors in Vernon County.
In late March 2025, the Sheriff’s Office received a report from the La Crosse Police Department
indicating that during the execution of a search warrant at the home of a registered sex offender,
digital storage media was found containing photographs of minors, believed to have been taken in
Vernon County.
The investigation revealed that twenty-four victims, all minors, from three area school districts were
photographed during a sporting event in October 2024, in the Village of De Soto. All victims that
were photographed have been identified.
As a result of the investigation, Jonathan R. Staats, age 41, Jay Street, La Crosse, WI was identified
as the source of the photographs.
Findings of the investigation to date have been forwarded to the Office of Vernon County District
Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher for review. The Sheriff’s Office is recommending a charge of
Registered Sex Offender Intentionally Photographing Minors §948.14(2)(a) for each victim
photographed for a total of twenty-four counts. A charge is merely an accusation. The defendant is
presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
In November 2023, Staats was convicted of Trafficking of a Child, Party to the Crime, in La Crosse
County Circuit Court (2021-CF-832) and required to register as a sex offender for fifteen years.
Staats is currently facing multiple felony charges in La Crosse County (2025-CF-216) stemming from
a La Crosse Police Child Pornography investigation that began in February 2025 following a cyber
tip. The Vernon County photos were subsequently discovered during their investigation. Staats has
remained in the custody of the La Crosse County Sheriff since his arrest on March 25, 2025.
The investigation continues. If you have any information about this crime, or any other crime, call
Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS (8477), or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com
Protecting a community’s most vulnerable members is crucial for a safe and healthy environment.
2025 HS Football Previews -Reedsburg Beavers
6 months
by WRJC WebMaster
in Sports
Reedsburg Beavers
2024 Record: 6-3 (5-2 Mississippi Valley Conference)
Head Coach: Calvin Senz (5th Year 16-21 Record)
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 8-1 (6-1 Mississippi Valley Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Will Mikownowicz RB/LB Landon Purifoy WR/DB Ian McClure RB/DB Jaxon Hess RB/LB Colin Wolf TE/LB Grant Wolf OL/DL Landen Knuth RB/DB Gavin Budnik
Team Preview: Last year’s surprise team in our area was the Reedsburg Beavers. The Beavers came off a sluggish 2023 and some early season off-field issues to win a share of the MVC conference and make it to level 2 of the post-season. Reedsburg brings back plenty from last year’s team including running back Landon Purifoy (122-1174 19tds rushing) and quarterback Will Mikonowicz (18-39-3-256 3tds) who had 761yard and 10tds rushing. Reedsburg also has a lot back on the offensive and defensive line including Landen Knuth who had 2sacks last year. The top 4 tacklers are also are returning for Reedsburg defensively Jaxon Hess (62tkls), Colin Wolf (61tkls), Grant Weber (61tkls), and Gavin Budnik (47tkls). Reedsburg has the experience and a dominating rushing attack to content for another Mississippi Valley Conference Championship and a potential deep post season run.
Key to Success: Defensive improvements. Reedsburg relied on their offense last year in a big way because the defense struggled. The Beavers gave up 24 or more points in half of their games and gave up nearly 900 passing yards in just two post season games. If the Beavers can sure up on defense they could be the best team in our area.
Game to watch: Week 4 Friday September 12th at Onalaska
It’s an early conference showdown but might go a long way in deciding the MVC championship. Last year both team tied for the championship with 3 other teams both teams would like to do a little less sharing this year.
Reedsburg Beavers games on WRJC Radio: None
Next Preview: Berlin Indians
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
La Valle Man Identified in Deadly Sauk County Crash
6 months
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office has identified a victim of a fatal crash that took place at the intersection of Schutte Road and Highway 33 in the Town of La Valle.
Jake Strampe, 42, a resident of La Valle died following a two-vehicle crash on Monday afternoon.
An initial investigation showed that the SUV was traveling west on State Highway 33 and crossed the centerline while the dump truck was traveling east. They crashed at the intersection. State Highway 33 at Schutte Road was closed for several hours.
Strampe died at the scene, the operator of the dump truck was transported to the Reedsburg Area Medical Center for treatment. His condition in unknown at this time.
