Mauston, WI
News
Mauston To Host National Night Out at Fairgrounds
16 hours
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Join The Mauston Police Department Tuesday August 5th from 4pm-7pm at the Juneau County Fairgrounds for National Night Out! Come down, grab a bite to eat and a craft soda, check out first responder vehicles and gear, watch a fire department and k9 demo, and stay for ice cream! Meet local police and fire department personnel.
Stoughtenger Among Those Honored by Tomah Police Department
16 hours
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
On November 28, 2024, Sergeant Brandon Kuhn, Officer John Reigel, Officer Jayden Olson, Officer Ethan Pedersen, Officer Brad Hoffman, Detective Lieutenant Paul Sloan, Detective Brittnay Westpfahl, and Detective Lindsey Stoughtenger demonstrated exceptional teamwork and investigative skill during an attempted homicide case in the City of Tomah. Their coordinated efforts led to the immediate arrest of a suspect, and through continued determination and persistence, a second suspect was apprehended on January 6, 2025.
In recognition of their professionalism, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to public safety, these officers have been awarded the Tomah Police Department’s Unit Citation Award.
Please join us in congratulating this outstanding group of dedicated men and women for their exemplary service to our community!
Unit Citation – awarded to a department member who is a member of a unit, team, or shift that, either as an individual or as a unit, perform(s) a highly creditable police accomplishment.
Name Released in SUV vs Semi Crash in Mauston
17 hours
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Update: The Deceased of this crash has been identified as 90 year old Robert L. Franke of the Mauston area.
At approximately 1:36pm on July 29th the Juneau County Communication Center received multiple 911 calls regarding and SUV vs semi traffic crash at the East State Street and North Union Street intersection in downtown Mauston. Dispatch advised responding units that the driver of the SUV was unresponsive.
Upon arrival, law enforcement observed the SUV had struck the side of a semi with full eastbound lane blockage. Numerous bystanders were attempting to assist the driver and sole occupant of the SUV. The driver of the semi was not injured. Law enforcement from the Mauston Police Department and Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, along with Mauston Ambulance and Mauston Fire rendered aid to the driver. Ultimately, the driver of the SUV, and adult male, was pronounced deceased by the Juneau County Medical Examiner’s Office. There was a partial road closure for approximately three hours while the crash was being investigated.
The Mauston Police Department was assisted by the following agencies: Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Mauston Ambulance, Mauston Fire Department, Juneau County Medical Examiner’s Office, Mauston Public Works, GundersenAIR, and Northside Mobil.
Juneau County Arrest Report 8-1
18 hours
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Scam Alert: Man Pretending to Be Juneau County Sergeant Johnson
2 days
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
2 days
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.
Motorcycle v Deer Accident in Vernon County
3 days
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
3 days
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.
