Local News

Mile Bluff Medical Center is proud to announce the opening of its new Simulation Learning Lab, a dedicated training space designed to support the ongoing development of healthcare professionals across the organization.

Located in the former Dialysis Department at Mile Bluff Clinic, the Simulation Learning Lab provides a realistic, hands-on environment where employees can practice procedures, strengthen critical thinking skills, and respond to real-world scenarios in a safe setting. The lab allows staff to build confidence and gain practical experience before encountering similar situations in patient care.

The new area will be used by the Education Department to orient and train new employees, provide continuing education, and support advanced skill development for the Mile Bluff team. It will also be used for emergency response drills and cross-training staff across multiple specialties.

One of the lab’s most valuable features is its ability to run automated patient care scenarios that promote critical and clinical thinking. While previous training often relied on facilitators guiding participants through staged medical situation using discussion and basic interactive manikins, the new simulation technology creates realistic patient situations that unfold in real time.

Using advanced, high-functioning manikins, the computer system can simulate changes in pulse, breathing, vital signs, and overall patient condition. As scenarios progress, new symptoms and complications can be introduced, requiring participants to assess patients, communicate with teammates, prioritize interventions, and respond as they would in an actual clinical setting. Scenarios range from routine situations like a drop in blood pressure to complex emergencies like strokes and heart attacks. Participation encourages staff to ask the right questions, identify missing information, and recognize subtle changes in a patient’s condition.

The lab also includes manikins and equipment commonly used in Mile Bluff’s inpatient and clinic settings. Staff can practice taking manual blood pressures, starting IVs, and working through childbirth and other patient care scenarios. Training with the same tools used in day-to-day care helps employees build confidence and maintain competency in a wide range of clinical skills.

“We are excited to provide our employees with a dedicated space for learning, collaboration, and skill development,” said Clinical Education Manager, Diane Butts.  “This Simulation Learning Lab represents an investment not only in our staff, but also in the quality of care we provide to our patients and community.”

The lab was made possible through a generous gift to Mile Bluff Medical Center Foundation from the Estate of Josette and Glenn Buehlman, who designated the funds to support nursing education and professional development.

The foundation and Mile Bluff Medical Center are deeply grateful for the Buehlman’s vision and commitment to strengthening the future healthcare workforce. Their generosity will continue to create opportunities for education, professional growth, and exceptional patient care for years to come.

A man from the Village of Friendship has been arrested after the Adams County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Monday.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office executed the search warrant on the 600 block of Main Street as the result of an ongoing investigation into the sale of illegal drugs, officials said.

As a result of the investigation, Samuel Smith, 59, was arrested. He faces charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of felony bail jumping, two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping and maintaining a drug trafficking place.

Smith was put on multiple signature bonds for 2025 charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC and maintaining a drug trafficking place, as well as a July 2024 charge of disorderly conduct.

Once a police station, city hall, municipal court, and fire station, the historic brick building in downtown Wonewoc has sat vacant for nearly 20 years. Soon, the village will turn the space into something new and bring more business back to the village’s downtown.

The building will feature a resale boutique on the lower level and an art center and Wonewoc history museum on the upper level.

“I think it’s going to be the hub of the community, because it’s going to be a really cool place for people to hang out and explore,” said Michelle Noll, executive director of the Wonewoc Area Chamber of Commerce.”

Located along the Baraboo River in Juneau County, Wonewoc is a rural village with a population of 740 people. From affordable, accessible clothing options to creative, kid-friendly spaces, the new development will fill many long-standing needs in the community.

A $120,000 Community Development Investment grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and matching funds from the Bell Family Trust will support building renovations for a total project cost of $311,000.

“Building an economy for all starts with small communities where new developments often have the biggest impacts,” said Joh W. Miller, secretary and CEO of the WEDC, the state’s leading economic development organization. “This investment in Wonewoc meets a long-standing need in the community and helps build an economy where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

Local artists Alicia Cosnahan and Peter Krsko will run the Wonewoc Art Center . They will display local art and offer art classes and creative opportunities for kids.

“I’m excited about a community space that highlights the uniqueness of this village, and hopefully this will become a really fun, cool, neat place where everyone in the village feels welcome,” Cosnahan said.

The pair currently run art classes at the library, sometimes attracting over 50 attendees, but space is limited. Once the arts center is finished, they’ll move these classes into the new, larger space.

After school kids will be able to go to the art center and complete new projects every day, including quilting, sewing, ceramics, drawing, and painting.

“Right now, the library is the only place that kids can go after school, but they don’t have the creative space that we’ll be able to offer,” Noll said.

The museum will showcase Wonewoc’s unique history through old advertisements, wood carvings, letters, and an old school bell.

“It’s almost unbelievable how much history is here,” Cosnahan said. “We really want to?highlight?that.”

Settled in 1851, Wonewoc is home to the Dode Fisk Circus and the Western Wisconsin Spiritualist Camp founded in 1902. The village also has one of two last standing, historic “Hoover Hotels,” which gave railroad hobos a place to stay as they looked for odd jobs during the Great depression.

“I hope people find a real sense of pride for Wonewoc again,” Cosnahan said. “Hopefully when we’re finished, all 758 people will be so glad that they live in Wonewoc and be able to spread the knowledge, joy and uniqueness of the village.”

Long-time friends, Ann Blackdeer and Peggy Mlnsa will own and run 464 Exchange, a resale clothing botique on the ground floor. The name is a nod to Wonewoc’s telephone exchange number, 464.

464 Exchange will be the first clothing store in Wonewoc and will make clothes shopping more accessible and convenient.

“We’re hoping to offer affordable, stylish clothing and accessories, so that people don’t have to drive to Madison or La Crosse,” Blackdeer said. “We’re hoping that we can fill a need for people without having to travel and pay retail prices as well.”

Their vision for the store is “industrial meets vintage” that features industrial pipes, exposed brick and wooden beams, and repurposed, reused, and recycled décor pieces like an old workbench and old school lockers.

“I’m looking forward to bringing something that they’ve never had before, not just in Wonewoc but the surrounding area too, and bringing that little hip vibe to our little hometown,” Mlnsa said.

Village officials hope the project will bring additional traffic to Wonewoc and inspire future development in four vacant buildings nearby.

“This is going to be a segue for people to realize you can put a business in Wonewoc and be successful,” Noll said. “I think this is going to help precipitate some creative people to come in and want to fill those buildings.”