Mauston, WI
Local News
Marklein, Kurtz Bill to Protect EMTs and Other Healthcare Providers Signed into Law
1 day
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
On Friday, the Governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 905, authored by Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc), into law. Act 197 fixes state law to define “health care facility” and “health care provider” in a way that guarantees that all individuals providing critical healthcare are properly protected and able to do their jobs safely, regardless of where they provide care.
Act 197 addresses an unintended problem in current state statute that was brought to lawmakers by Sauk County District Attorney Michael Albrecht. During a recent case, Albrecht found there was ambiguity about whether threats made outside traditional health care settings could be charged. As a result, while prosecutors could charge someone for threatening to cause bodily harm to a nurse in a hospital, they could not charge someone for making the same threat to an EMS provider working in an ambulance.
“This bill ensures our EMS providers and other health care professionals are protected no matter where they serve,” Sen. Marklein said. “EMS providers are often placed in high-stress and unpredictable situations. This bill ensures they have the protections they need while delivering care in the field.”
“We are very grateful that this commonsense, bipartisan bill has been signed into law,” Rep. Kurtz said. “Ensuring that the brave men and women who provide life-saving treatment when responding to an emergency wherever they are needed are guaranteed the same protections as healthcare professionals working inside a healthcare facility is essential.”
Act 197 protects all healthcare professionals working in their official capacity, including EMS personnel, nurses, and other providers. The bill received bipartisan support in both houses of the legislature before being signed by the Governor.
Act 197 addresses an unintended problem in current state statute that was brought to lawmakers by Sauk County District Attorney Michael Albrecht. During a recent case, Albrecht found there was ambiguity about whether threats made outside traditional health care settings could be charged. As a result, while prosecutors could charge someone for threatening to cause bodily harm to a nurse in a hospital, they could not charge someone for making the same threat to an EMS provider working in an ambulance.
“This bill ensures our EMS providers and other health care professionals are protected no matter where they serve,” Sen. Marklein said. “EMS providers are often placed in high-stress and unpredictable situations. This bill ensures they have the protections they need while delivering care in the field.”
“We are very grateful that this commonsense, bipartisan bill has been signed into law,” Rep. Kurtz said. “Ensuring that the brave men and women who provide life-saving treatment when responding to an emergency wherever they are needed are guaranteed the same protections as healthcare professionals working inside a healthcare facility is essential.”
Act 197 protects all healthcare professionals working in their official capacity, including EMS personnel, nurses, and other providers. The bill received bipartisan support in both houses of the legislature before being signed by the Governor.
Monroe County Man Sentenced for Killing Interstate Worker
1 day
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Monroe County District Attorney Kevin D. Croninger announced that on March
31, 2026, Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Richard Radcliffe, sentenced Isaac Morales, 26, to 12
years in prison, for Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Motor Vehicle. After Morales is released from
prison he will serve an additional 15 years on extended supervision. At the completion of his extended
supervision, Morales, will serve 8.5 additional years on probation in relation to a separate conviction
for Intoxicated Use of Vehicle-Great Bodily Harm. In total Morales will serve 12 years in custody and
an additional 23.5 years on supervision.
Morales entered pleas on December 30, 2025 to Homicide By Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle While
Having a Prior Intoxicant Related Conviction, and Intoxicated Use of Vehicle-Great Bodily Harm. The
convictions stem from conduct Morales engaged in on November 1, 2024. Morales, while having a
blood alcohol concentration of .148 g/100ml, operated his vehicle at a high rate of speed through an
interstate construction zone. Morales struck and killed an interstate worker, Andrew C. Skupniewitz,
35, of Portage, Wisconsin. Mr. Skupniewitz was operating construction equipment as part of a
construction project near the I-90/I-94 Interstate split in Tomah. Morales also severely injured a
passenger in his vehicle. Morales had been convicted of operating while intoxicated as a first offense
on August 21, 2024 in the City of Sparta Municipal Court.
At sentencing, the State requested a total term of 40 years of imprisonment, bifurcated as 23 years of
initial confinement and 17 years of extended supervision. District Attorney Kevin Croninger, who
handled prosecution of the matter, made the recommendation and indicated the behavior of Morales
was particularly egregious and the harm caused was devastating. Croninger stated, “Andrew was
simply doing his job. Constructing and reconstructing our roadways is an incredibly important job as
our roadways our vital to nearly everything we do. For Mr. Morales to kill Andrew, while Andrew was
working to benefit our community, damages our entire community. More importantly than the loss to
our community, is the devastation Andrew’s death causes for the Andrew’s family and his co-workers.
Through his terrible choices, Mr. Morales has forever damaged and changed the lives of those who
loved the Andrew, and stolen Andrew’s bright future. There is no sentence which can adequately
address the harm Mr. Morales has caused.”
The case was investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Tomah Police
Department. Croninger praised the hard work and collaboration of the agencies. “From the initial
response on scene by Officer Justice Blackhawk of the City of Tomah Police Department and Sergeant
Nathaniel Heffner of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, through the crash reconstruction by Sergeant
Beau Oliver and in depth follow up by Deputy Nicole Ginter, the case was thoroughly and professionally
investigated. Without the hard work, dedication, and high level of professionalism, from these dedicated
officers, a conviction would not have been possible. All officers involved and their departments, should
be commended for their professionalism and high level of competence. We are very fortunate to have
such quality individuals serving our community.”
Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area launches SANE program to support survivors of sexual assault
1 day
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area is proud to announce the launch of its Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program, a critical new service designed to provide expert, compassionate care to survivors of sexual assault in Vernon County. The program officially goes live on April 7, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of National Sexual Assault Awareness Day.
The SANE Program features four certified nurses at Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area that will provide care within the Emergency Department, ensuring timely and specialized care for survivors.
SANE certification is provided through Wisconsin Department of Justice Forensic Nursing Program, equipping nurses with specialized skills to conduct forensic medical examinations, collect evidence and provide trauma-informed support to survivors during a critical time.
The program was made possible by a Department of Justice Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative (RVCRI) Grant awarded to Vernon County in 2023. The grant aims to improve how Vernon County responds to domestic violence, supports survivors and provides treatment and accountability for perpetrators. While the SANE Program component focuses on sexual assault examinations, the broader grant initiative targets domestic violence, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse within intimate partner relationships.
“I want to express our deep gratitude to the team at Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area for their commitment to this vital work,” says Susan Townsley, LCSW, executive director of Stonehouse Counseling and program manager for the Vernon County RVCRI Grant. “By dedicating time and resources to train their nurses, they have brought a critically needed service to our community. This is the only emergency room in Vernon County offering Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner services. Without the ability to properly collect evidence, securing convictions becomes nearly impossible — and without convictions, there can be no meaningful path to change.”
The grant narrative highlights the challenges faced by Vernon County, including limited law enforcement resources, a high rate of domestic violence calls and a lack of local services for survivors.
Recent research from the University of Minnesota highlights that rural areas experience higher rates of domestic violence, with greater frequency and severity compared to urban areas. For example, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office received 94 domestic violence calls in 2022, with nearly a third involving repeat offenders. Despite this pressing need, rural communities face significant shortages of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs and other specialized services. This shortage, along with fewer safety screenings in healthcare settings and barriers such as transportation and limited staffing, leaves many survivors without timely access to expert medical care and support.
The new SANE Program at Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area is part of a broader community effort that includes the Vernon County HEART (Helping End Abuse Response Team), coordinated community response teams, batterers intervention programs, and ongoing training for law enforcement and schools.
“Our goal is to support patients with dignity and respect,” says Anna Heier, RN, one of the certified SANE nurses in the Hillsboro Emergency Department. “We are committed to guiding them through a difficult time by providing the compassionate medical and emotional care they deserve.”
Thea Fronk, RN, director of inpatient services at Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area, emphasized the hospital’s dedication, saying, “We are committed to addressing the critical needs of our community. The SANE Program enhances our ability to provide trauma-informed care and support survivors on their path to healing.”
In addition to the SANE Program, Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area offers behavioral health services through licensed clinical social workers at clinics in Elroy and Hillsboro, providing ongoing support for survivors and their families.
The launch of the SANE Program marks a significant milestone in Vernon County’s efforts to combat domestic violence and sexual assault, ensuring survivors have access to expert care close to home.
Local Spring Election Results 2026
2 days
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Necedah School Referendum
No 767
Yes 614
Reedsburg School Referendum
Yes 58%
No 42%
Weston School District School Referendum
Yes 400
No 343
Wisconsin Dells School District Referendum
No defeated Yes
Juneau County Contested County Board of Supervisor races
District 3
Kim Strompolis 137
Ken Van Doren 65
District 13
Gene Morris 212
Samuel Baumel 159
District 18
Tamaya Jo Loewe (Write-in) 81
Adam Thomspon (Write-in) 29
District 19
Carl B. Miller 150
Howard Fischer 131
District 20
Tim Miller 181
Roger Lipski 139
Germantown Board of Supervisors
Tamay Jo Loewe 282
Ray Feldman 268
O’Dells Bay Commissioner
Roy Abbrederis 143
Jim Keene 139
Hillsboro Mayor Race
Zach Bender 213
Gregory Kubarski 141
Hillsboro Alderperson District 1
Mark Lankey 75
Brad Muller 9
Hillsboro Alderperson District 2
Julie Erickson 52
Richard Hanke 38
Tomah Mayor Race
Paul Dwyer 794
Remy Gomez 636
Tomah City Council District 6
Daniel Crego 174
Eric Devine 130
Tomah School Board (Top 3 Win Seats)
Mike Gnewikow 2035
Susan Bloom 1954
Rick Murray 1687
Joseph Ingalls 1299
Vaughn Kuehl 1104
Ryan DeFrietas 1043
Mile Bluff Mauston Health Fair April 16th
3 days
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Reserve your spot at the upcoming health fair hosted by Mile Bluff Medical Center on Thursday, April 16. Receive free blood pressure and blood sugar testing and learn what your risk factors are for developing heart disease and diabetes. Lipid profile testing is also available for a small fee.
Appointments are required for all services and are available from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. Call 608-847-1845 to reserve your spot today!
To see more events like this, check out the upcoming events page at milebluff.com.
City of Mauston Meetings
1 week
DNR Proposes Incidental Taking of Rare Snake in Juneau County
1 week
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue a permit for the incidental taking of a rare snake, which may result from the Altoona 188.05 Bridge Replacement in Juneau County.
Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the species’ overall population at risk.
Union Pacific Railroad Company’s existing bridge structure was constructed in 1943 and is being replaced because it has reached the end of its useful life based on previous bridge inspections. Based on the recommendations in the hydrology and hydraulics analysis for the project, the existing bridge is being replaced with three 72-inch corrugated metal pipe culverts. Permanent impacts will be approximately 0.03 acres and will be limited to the immediate bridge area. Temporary impacts for staging and construction will be approximately 2.18 acres and will be restored to pre-existing contours and reseeded.
The presence of the state endangered and federally threatened eastern massasauga is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes. This permit would cover any incidental take for the state listing and would not cover any incidental take for the federal listing.
Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Permit and are detailed in the Jeopardy Assessment. They include herp exclusion fencing to keep snakes from entering the project area and removing and relocating snakes that are found in the project area by a permitted biological monitor.
The DNR concludes that the proposed project is not likely to appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival or recovery of the species within the state, the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part of or the habitat that is critical to its existence.
Copies of the Jeopardy Assessment and background information on the eastern massasauga are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR Conservation Biologist Stacy Rowe at 608-228-9796 or Stacy.Rowe@wisconsin.gov.
The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the eastern massasauga by April 29, 2026 to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
c/o Stacy Rowe, DNR Conservation Biologist
2514 Morse St. Janesville, WI 53546
Stacy.Rowe@wisconsin.gov or 608-228-9796
Public Safety Alert: Fraudulent $100 Bills
2 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
The City of Mauston has been made aware of fraudulent $100 bills currently circulating in the area.
These counterfeit bills are particularly deceptive because they are being made using real U.S. currency (such as $10 bills) that have been washed/altered. Due to this, counterfeit detection pens may not be reliable and have incorrectly marked these bills as legitimate.
What to do:
Always double-check bills using UV/light features if your business or workplace has the capability
Look closely at security features, including watermarks and security threads
Be cautious with large bills, especially in quick transactions
If you believe you’ve received a fraudulent bill, do not attempt to use it and contact local law enforcement.
Please stay alert and help spread the word to protect our community and local businesses.
