Mauston, WI
Local News
Man Who Harasses Law Enforcement Nationwide, Convicted of Fifteen Counts
3 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Related to Harassing Monroe County Law Enforcement
This week, Monroe County District Attorney Kevin D. Croninger announced that on October 03, 2025, a Monroe County jury convicted 52 year old, Jacob T. Sell, of fifteen charges, those charges included four counts of Telephone Harassment and eleven counts of Misdemeanor Bail Jumping.
The convictions came after a two day jury trial. The charges stem from Sell making incessant and repeated calls to the Monroe County Communications Dispatch Center and the Village of Cashton Police Departments. The calls from Sell contained a wide range of obscene, profane, and generally abusive language towards the dispatchers and other law enforcement officers/entities. Sell also would routinely conference in law enforcement entities from other states as a means to harass not only Monroe County Law Enforcement but also law enforcement in other places. The entities Sell conferenced onto calls included, Danbury, Connecticut Police; Sacramento County, California Sheriff’s Office; Park City, Utah Police; Pewaukee, Wisconsin Dispatch; Columbia County, Wisconsin Dispatch; and several others.
After the two days of trial, the jury deliberated for just over an hour before reaching their verdicts. Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger stated, “Mr. Sell claims to be a “police auditor” this claim could not be any further from the truth. In reality, Mr. Sell is nothing more than a criminal. We are extremely grateful to the jury on this matter for seeing the truth about Mr. Sell and convicting him.”
The prosecution of the case was handled by Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger with support and assistance by the staff of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Cashton Police Department. Involved officers were Chief Deputy Chrisopher Weaver, Sergeant Rylan Corcoran, Deputy Steven Krueger and Deputy Mihai David, all of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Chief Brente Knutson and Sergeant Dalton Harrington of the Village of Cashton Police Department.
Croninger praised the professionalism of all involved but particularly praised the professional of the dispatchers who had to deal with Sell’s abusive conduct. Croninger stated, “All the dispatchers in this case displayed exemplary professionalism. Mr. Sell repeatedly demeaned, berated, and insulted them, despite Mr. Sell’s despicable behavior, the dispatchers remained extremely professional. We are grateful for the work they did on this case and the work they do every day to assist in keeping Monroe County safe.”
At sentencing, Sell faces a maximum sentence of 111 months in jail. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled, but will likely occur in December 2025.
Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area to open pharmacies in Hillsboro and Elroy
3 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Soon, residents of Hillsboro and Elroy area will have another option for filling their prescription medicines.
Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area Hospital is proud to announce plans to add pharmacy locations in both cities. The Hillsboro location will be within the Lakeside building at 300 Water Ave. on the main hospital campus, while Elroy’s pharmacy will be in the new Elroy Clinic. The planned opening for both pharmacies is 2026.
“These new pharmacies and all they bring to our communities demonstrate a significant step forward in our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible healthcare services,” said Kristie McCoic, administrator at Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area Hospital. “Patient wellbeing is at the center of all we do, and if we can find ways to provide more care options close to home, then we want to take every opportunity to do so.”
The new pharmacies will integrate seamlessly with other Emplify Health by Gundersen services to provide a cohesive patient experience. For added convenience, the Hillsboro location will include over-the-counter product sales, as well as vaccinations and a drive-thru.
As a system, Emplify Health by Gundersen is focused on making the cost of care as affordable as possible, so by operating as a non-profit entity, the priority is to ensure the community’s healthcare needs are met.
“With a focus on enhancing local care, growing access and ensuring seamless care coordination within Emplify Health, the new pharmacies will be valuable additions to the healthcare landscape in Hillsboro and Elroy area,” McCoic said.
About Emplify Health by Gundersen
Formed in December 2022, Bellin and Gundersen Health System is a not-for-profit, patient-centered, community-focused healthcare network?with headquarters in Green Bay and La Crosse, Wisconsin. Bellin and Gundersen has nearly 15,000 employees, including more than 1,000 clinicians, in 11 hospitals and more than 100 clinic locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Upper Michigan, and Iowa. With community partners, Bellin and Gundersen strives to lead local, regional and national healthcare transformation to enrich individuals for their healthiest lives at every stage. Learn more at bellin.org and gundersenhealth.org.
City of Mauston Looking For Someone to Fill Vacant Ward 6 Council Position
3 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
City Council Opening – Ward 6
The City of Mauston is currently seeking a dedicated community member to fill an open Alder position for Ward 6 on the City Council.
This is a great opportunity to get involved, represent your neighbors, and help shape the future of our community.
? Ward 6 Residents – if you’re interested in serving, please contact Mayor Teske at mayor@mauston.com for more information.
Juneau County Sheriff’s Sale
3 weeks
393 Animals Surrendered in Animal Neglect Case in Juneau County
3 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Pasch, Joanne E. Age 88 of Elroy
3 weeks
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Joanne E. Pasch, 88 of Elroy passed away on Friday, October 3, 2025 at Crest View Nursing Home, New Lisbon.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, 11:00 AM at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, 25525 CTH-P, Ontario (South Ridge). Pastor Zachary Meier will officiate. Burial will be in the South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery, Township of Wellington.
Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Thursday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Smith-Nelson/Sonnenburg Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com
17 Year old from Mauston Seriously Hurt in Vernon County 3 Vehicle Accident
4 weeks
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.
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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
4 weeks
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.
