Mauston, WI
Local News
Luxton Family To Host 25th Sauk County Dairy Breakfast
6 days
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Windi Ridge Farm Hosting the 35 th Sauk County Dairy Breakfast
What’s a great way to celebrate June Dairy Month? By attending a June Dairy Month
breakfast. The 35 th Sauk County Dairy Breakfast is a great option. It will be held Sat.,
June 13, 2026, at Windi Ridge Farm, hosted by the Luxton Family. Located at S5424 Cty
Hwy G, Hillpoint, WI, the morning will be full of opportunities to explore a working
family dairy farm, eat a great breakfast and learn more about Wisconsin’s important
dairy industry.
Breakfast and entertainment run from 7 a.m. through 11 a.m. The menu features lots of
Wisconsin dairy products with cheese curds, yogurt, cottage cheese, milk and Culver’s
frozen custard with toppings. Traditional breakfast items on the menu include pancakes,
scrambled eggs with ham, sausage, applesauce, juice and coffee. The entertainment
tent will feature Alice in Dairyland, the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair, the Cripple Creek
Cloggers, Loganville’s Drifter’s Dancers and Oasis Entertainment. Check out various
learning opportunities in the Education Tent with a cheese tasting exhibit, butter
making, a photo booth and so much more. Attendees can explore the farm with an
opportunity to receive a prize when a completed farm exploration sheet is completed.
Several dairy industry guest speakers will showcase their area of expertise and answer
questions. There will be calves to pet, cows to see and so much, much more!
It’s a morning filled with so much while learning about Wisconsin’s critical dairy
industry. This year’s hosts, Windi Ridge Farm, is owned and operated by the Luxton
Family: Tom and Kay, Travis and Sarah, Robert and Stacie. They will be available to
answer questions related to their dairy operation and farming.
Tickets will be available at the breakfast. Adults are $10, children 5-11 are $5 and
children under 5 are free. Please follow posted dairy breakfast road signs for easy site
access. Onsite parking is available with transportation provided to the farm site.
For additional information and updates, please follow the Sauk County Dairy Breakfast
Facebook page at Sauk County Dairy Breakfast Community Page and the 35 th Sauk
County Dairy Breakfast Event Page. For more information, please call 608-393-4079.
Mile Bluff Earns 4?Star CMS Hospital Quality Rating
1 week
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston is proud to share that it has earned a 4?star Overall Hospital Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In 2026, only about 40% of hospitals nationwide earned 4 or 5 stars, placing Mile Bluff above the national average for quality.
The CMS star ratings are designed to help patients and families better understand hospital quality and compare hospitals locally and across the country. The overall rating brings together many different quality measures into a single score, offering a helpful snapshot of hospital performance.
Mile Bluff’s 4?star rating reflects the dedication of its team members who work every day to provide safe, high?quality care for area residents. While public ratings are important, Mile Bluff remains focused on what matters most—caring for patients as individuals and partnering with them and their providers to support the best possible outcomes.
Mile Bluff appreciates the trust placed in the organization by patients and the community and remains committed to continuous improvement in the delivery of care.
Tomah Juvenile Killed in Accident
2 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
A 14-year-old from Tomah has died after being struck by a vehicle Friday night.
At approximately 9:45pm on 5/1/2026, the Monroe County 911 Communications Center received a report of a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle on County Hwy O, in the Township of La Grange. Upon arrival emergency responders began life savings efforts, however the juvenile succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the initial stages of the investigation, deputies determined that the juvenile was walking north on the southbound shoulder with a friend. A truck, being operated by a 38-year-old man from Tomah was headed south at the same time. He passed a northbound vehicle who had slowed down and did not see the juveniles due to the vehicles’ headlights. Only after he passed the vehicle did he observe them and was unable to stop or maneuver the vehicle before striking one of the juveniles. The exact location of the juvenile at the time he was struck is still under investigation.
The driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene and rendered aid until emergency responders arrived. He is further cooperating with the investigation which is continued to be investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office on scene were the Monroe County 911 Communications Center, Wisconsin State Patrol, Tomah Ambulance, Tomah Rescue Techs, Oakdale Fire Department, and the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to the families and community affected by this tragic accident
MBMC Mauston Will Host Blood Drive May 13-14
2 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Donating blood saves lives—please consider giving at the upcoming blood drive being held at Mile Bluff Medical Center on Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. As a thank-you, all donors will receive four free Mount Olympus Waterpark tickets (while supplies last).
To schedule your donation, call the Blood Center of Wisconsin at 1-877-232-4376 or visit donate.wisconsin.versiti.org and search for Mile Bluff Medical Center under mobile drives.
Bartels named as a Rural Hospital and Health System President and CEO to Know
2 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Becker’s Hospital Review released its 2026 list of “Rural hospital and health system presidents and CEOs to know.” Mile Bluff Medical Center’s Dara Bartels was once again part of the prestigious list. According to Becker’s, “The featured leaders are responsible for expanding the services their communities rely on, recruiting the talented caregivers who deliver that care, and investing in facilities via thoughtful renovations and ambitious new construction. These executives wield an ability to manage complexity while genuinely investing in the people and places they serve. Their hospitals’ successes are measured in healthier neighbors, stronger communities, and improved overall patient experience.”
To compile its list, the Becker’s Hospital Review team completed editorial research and accepted nominations. The following is an excerpt from Bartels’ nomination.
Ms. Bartels leads Mile Bluff Medical Center, an independent rural health system serving more than 55,000 residents across eight counties in south-central Wisconsin. She has positioned the organization as a forward-thinking competitor against large academic medical centers in Madison. Ms. Bartels piloted and implemented an AI-powered solution integrated directly into the EHR, saving clinicians more than seven minutes per patient encounter and reclaiming hundreds of administrative hours each month, with impact felt across departments including the emergency department, pharmacy, infusion centers and outpatient clinics. She has overseen the transition to a subscription-based software model and capital improvements that support the medical center’s continuum of life mission, ensuring comprehensive care from birth to end-of-life across acute, rehabilitation and specialized service lines. Under her leadership, the organization received the 2024 Chartis Center for Rural Health “Performance Leadership Award.” Ms. Bartels brings more than 20 years of healthcare finance and executive experience, including prior roles as Mile Bluff’s CFO and leadership positions at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis., and UnityPoint Health in West Des Moines, Iowa.
About Becker’s Healthcare
Becker’s Healthcare is the go-to source for healthcare decision-makers and one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry. Through print, digital and live event platforms, Becker’s Healthcare equips healthcare leaders with information and forums they need to learn, exchange ideas and further conversations about the most critical issues in American healthcare today.
Wonewoc Pair Arrested in Kendall FastTrip Burglary
2 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest of Two Suspects Related to a Series of Burglaries
In the early morning of May 1, 2026 a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant conducting extra patrol related to several burglaries that had occurred at the Kendall Fastrip observed a suspicious vehicle in the area. The Sergeant conducted surveillance on the suspect vehicle and coordinated additional resources from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Juneau County Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin State Patrol to respond to the area.
During a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle additional information was developed that linked the two suspects to the previous burglaries and they were in the process of conducting a burglary to the business this morning.
Arrested:
- Lauren Broadbent (33) of Wonewoc, WI
- Nicholas Schloff (42) of Wonewoc, WI
Broadbent and Schloff were booked at the Monroe County Jail and charges are expected to be filed soon.
