Mauston, WI
Local News
Juneau County Arrest Report 10-2-25
12 hours
17 Year old from Mauston Seriously Hurt in Vernon County 3 Vehicle Accident
12 hours
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports on Sunday morning,
September 28, 2025, at approximately 10:45 AM, the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch
Center received a report of a motor vehicle crash, resulting in serious injuries.
The crash occurred on State Highway 27, near the intersection of Erickson Road,
between the Village of Cashton and City of Westby, in the Town of Christiana.
Terry Lee Erickson, age 61, of rural Westby, WI was operating a 2011 Volkswagen
Touareg SUV attached to a single-axle utility trailer traveling south. Erickson was
stopped at a private driveway signaling a left turn, waiting for northbound traffic to
clear.
Suzanne Kathleen Bassette, age 54, of La Crosse, WI was operating a 2012 Subaru
Outback, also travelling south, behind the Erickson vehicle. While reducing her
speed, Bassette was alert to a southbound semi-truck quickly approaching from the
rear. Bassette took evasive action by steering right to avoid a collision.
The semi-truck was a 1996 Freightliner, attached to a tandem-axle H&S forage box
trailer, a farm implement, driven by a 17 year old male from Mauston, WI.
The 17 year old attempted to stop, and the semi began to jackknife. The semi struck the
utility trailer, detaching it from the Erickson vehicle. The semi-truck also struck a
northbound 2016 Ram driven by John Richard Sharp, age 68, of Richland Center, WI.
Page 2 of 2
The 17 year old from Mauston was ejected, sustained serious injuries, and was flown to Mayo Clinic
Health System in Rochester, MN by GundersenAIR.
Also injured, John Sharp was extricated from his vehicle by the Westby-Christiana
Fire Department and transported to Gundersen Health System (Emplify) in La
Crosse, by Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance.
Thanks to her alertness and quick action, Suzanne Bassette was not injured nor was
her vehicle damaged when it left the roadway.
Another alert motorist, Justin Dean Clark, age 38, of rural Ontario, WI was driving a
late model Chevrolet Colorado, traveling north, behind the Sharp vehicle and took
evasive action by maneuvering to the right. The Clark vehicle left the roadway and
came to rest in a field along the east side of the roadway. Neither Clark, nor his
passengers, a 36-year-old female, and two children were injured. There was no
apparent damage to the Clark vehicle.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office were the Westby Police Department, Westby-
Christiana Fire Department, Westby Emergency Medical Responders, Monroe
County Communications, Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit,
Wisconsin State Patrol Motor Carrier Inspectors, Rochester Police Department, and
Vernon County Emergency Management. The Cashton Fire Department also
assisted with traffic control due to the highway being closed for several hours.
The crash remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the
Wisconsin State Patrol.
“I would like to thank the many bystanders who stopped to render aid or helped in
any way. To all the first responders, thank you for your hard work and dedication
handling this difficult scene. I would also like to thank all the motorists for their
patience and taking alternate routes while the highway was closed until shortly after
6:00 PM.”
Sheriff Roy Torgerson
Village of Lake Delton Retailers Pass Compliance Checks
1 day
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
An underage customer walks into a local bar or store and tries to buy alcohol with their identification or no identification (ID) at all. Do local retailers sell to youth? This test is called an alcohol age compliance check, and these checks are a proven way to prevent alcohol sales to minors and keep our communities safe.
In coordination with the Lake Delton Police Department, the Sauk County Partnership for Prevention coalition conducted compliance checks at local businesses in August 2025. Before the checks, establishments were reminded that checks were coming and received information on how to properly check IDs.
During the checks, trained buyers under 21 years old attempted to purchase alcohol with their own ID. Out of 28 checks, seven establishments sold alcohol to youth. This means 75% of Lake Delton retailers refused the sale and followed the law.
“Unfortunately, we fell short of 100% compliance and those employees who sold to youth received additional training and education to help them be successful,” said Eric Thunberg, Chief of Police for Lake Delton. “Our goal is to have 100% compliance, and we’ll continue to partner with Sauk County Partnership for Prevention coalition to provide guidance and educational resources to alcohol retailers in Lake Delton. Compliance checks are about enhancing safety through awareness and education. Thank you to all Lake Delton alcohol retailers for your commitment to public safety.”
Public Health Sauk County Health Educator Kate Hansen, who facilitates the coalition, expressed thanks. “On behalf of the Sauk County Partnership for Prevention coalition, we thank alcohol retailers for their commitment to the safe sale of alcohol in Lake Delton. The compliance rate shows that most retailers are taking steps to protect youth and strengthen our community.”
Hansen explained that strong complianceenefits both businesses and the community. When businesses check IDs and refuse underage sales, they reduce their own risk of fines or lawsuits. Importantly, they help prevent both the short-term harms linked to underage drinking– such as car crashes, vandalism, and violence— and long-term harms like addiction and problems with memory and learning. “Retailers and their employees have the power to protect young people from the impact alcohol has on their brains, which are still developing,” Hansen said.
Alcohol compliance checks are just one tool used to reduce youth access to alcohol. The Sauk County Partnership for Prevention coalition also focuses on youth vaping/youth nicotine use prevention and other strategies to keep families healthy. The coalition meets every other month, and all community members are welcome to attend. For more information about the Sauk County Partnership for Prevention coalition, please visit www.P4PSauk.org.
Emplify Health by Gundersen encourages women to get their annual mammograms
1 day
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Emplify Health by Gundersen is expanding access to mammography screenings during the month of October with extended hours, including early evening appointments, at their Hillsboro Hospital on October 13 & 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Emplify Health by Gundersen is encouraging women to schedule their mammograms. “Mammograms are recommended for women ages 40 and over on a yearly basis,” says Dee Olson, Manager of Medical Imaging at Hillsboro Hospital.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women and early detection is the best protection.
Patients should call the imaging department at (608) 489-8232 to schedule their mammogram or if they have questions.
Faith Christian Church Celebrates Pastor Shirek Retirement & 40 Years
3 days
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
This past Sunday marked a joyful milestone in the heart of the community, as Faith Christian Church celebrated its 40th anniversary and honored the retirement of their founding pastor, Paul Shirek, who has faithfully served God and the people of Mauston over the last four decades.
The church, which began as a small group of believers meeting in rented spaces, has grown into a thriving community of faith under Pastor Paul’s leadership. Sunday’s special service drew current members, past congregants, community leaders, and family from across the region to reflect on the church’s history and the impact of Pastor Paul’s decades-long ministry.
Pastor Paul has been more than a preacher—he’s been a shepherd, counselor, and friend to generations of families. From baptisms and weddings to hospital visits and Sunday sermons, his unwavering faith and quiet strength have touched countless lives.
This weekend, Faith Christian Church gathered not just to mark 40 years of ministry, but to say a heartfelt thank you to the man who helped build it.
Pastor Paul Shirek retires and leaves behind a legacy that will echo for generations.
From all of us—thank you, Pastor Paul.
Deadly Accident in Town of Dellona
3 days
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Three people died during a crash in the Town of Dellona Sunday morning, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The county’s communication center received a call for a single-vehicle accident on Coon Bluff Road just north of CTH P before 10:35 a.m.
Preliminary investigations indicated that a northbound vehicle caught fire after traveling at high speeds, losing control and entering a wooded area. The vehicle’s three occupants sustained fatal injuries, and their names were withheld as of Monday morning.
The Delton Fire Department, Delton EMS, and the Sauk County Coroner’s Office also assisted at the scene.
Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro to offer drive-thru flu vaccination clinics in Hillsboro, Elroy, and Wonewoc.
6 days
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
This fall, Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro is offering convenient, drive-thru flu vaccination clinics in Hillsboro, Elroy and Wonewoc to protect patients and communities against the flu.
This year’s flu shot formulation will be a preservative-free trivalent vaccine.
Clinics will be held 8 a.m. – noon in:
- Wonewoc: 27 at Railroad St., outside Emplify Health by Gundersen Wonewoc Clinic.
- Hillsboro: 18 in the parking lot of Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Hospital.
- Elroy: 1. Downtown Elroy.
Flu shots can be given to patients 6 months and older. Appointments are encouraged but not necessary. Appointments allow for a quicker and smoother process. Call (608) 489-8280 to make an appointment.
Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro are also offering flu vaccines by appointment during regular business hours. Call (608) 489-8280 to schedule your clinic appointment.
