Mauston, WI
News
Royall School Board Agenda 7-28
1 month
MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FATAL OWI CRASH
1 month
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger announced today
that Shane Slater, 48, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by Monroe County Circuit Court
Judge Mark Goodman for homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. After Slater’s
release from prison, he will be supervised by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for
an additional 10 years.
The conviction and sentence are in connection with a 2024 wrong-way crash on
Interstate 90 near Tomah. On September 16, 2024, at approximately 10:10 P.M., Slater
drove westbound in the eastbound lanes before he crashed head-on with a vehicle driven
by a 32-year-old man, killing the man at the crash scene. Slater’s alcohol concentration
was 0.228 g/100 mL, nearly three times the legal limit. Driving records indicated Slater was
previously convicted of three drunk driving offenses.
Monroe County Chief Assistant District Attorney Sarah Skiles, who handled the case
for the prosecution, praised the sentence, “We are grateful for Judge Goodman’s sentence.
It recognizes the immense loss the victim’s family deals with everyday because of Shane
Slater’s selfish choices to drink and drive. This sentence also protects our community from
Slater, a repeat drunk driver, for the next 20 years.”
This case was investigated by the Wisconsin State Patrol with on-scene assistance
from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Skiles noted, “”This sentence would not have been
possible without the work of the men and women of the Wisconsin State Patrol who all too
often witness the devastating consequences of drunk driving firsthand. Their work directly
led to our community being safer for the next two decades. They should be commended
for that.”
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report 7-20 Thru 7-27
1 month
by WRJC WebMaster
in State News
7/20 A sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to speak with a cyclist regarding a dark colored SUV that had driven unnecessarily close to a group of cyclists traveling on County Road SS. The incident was captured on a cyclist’s taillight video camera. Investigation is ongoing.
7/21 A sheriff’s deputy initiated a traffic stop on US Highway 14 in the Town of Franklin after radar indicated a vehicle was traveling at 75 mph in a 55 mph zone. The driver was cited for speeding.
7/21 Sheriff’s deputies and officers with the Hillsboro Police Department responded to a residence on Pine Avenue in the City of Hillsboro after receiving a report of child abuse. The child was evaluated by EMS at the scene and released. The suspect was processed for Child Abuse-Recklessly Cause Harm, Strangulation and Suffocation, and Criminal Damage to Property and transported to the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.
7/22 A minor two-vehicle crash was reported to have occurred on County Road P in the Town of Clinton. Both vehicles were able to drive from the scene and reported no injuries.
7/22 Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch received report of a horse with a halter running loose near the 5600 block of State Highway 82 in the Town of Franklin. The owner was located and the horse was returned.
7/22 A traffic stop was initiated in the 3300 block of State Highway 56 in the Town of Harmony for a vehicle traveling 85 mph in a 55 mph zone. The driver was cited for speeding.
7/24 Theft of a package delivered to a residence on East Main Street in the Village of La Farge was reported. Investigation is ongoing.
7/25 Deputies responded to a residence in the Town of Sterling after receiving a report of a domestic disturbance. The incident did not rise to the level requiring an arrest and the persons were separated.
|
Call Type |
This Week |
2025 Year to Date |
|
Alarm Responses |
6 |
346 |
|
Animal Related Issues |
35 |
767 |
|
Assisting Municipalities |
41 |
974 |
|
Crimes Against People |
19 |
505 |
|
Crimes Against Property |
12 |
376 |
|
Domestic Crimes |
3 |
93 |
|
Fire Responses |
25 |
1515 |
|
K9 Calls |
1 |
40 |
|
Medical Responses |
39 |
1092 |
|
Mental Health Cases |
2 |
124 |
|
Missing Person Investigations |
4 |
49 |
|
Public Talks |
0 |
75 |
|
Safety Escorts |
9 |
132 |
|
School Walk Throughs |
0 |
315 |
|
Search and Rescues |
1 |
8 |
|
Security Checks |
99 |
3664 |
|
Serving Legal Documents |
15 |
472 |
|
Suspicious Activity |
26 |
495 |
|
Threat Investigations |
0 |
43 |
|
Traffic Accidents |
22 |
597 |
|
Traffic Related Investigations |
115 |
3503 |
|
Vehicle Lockouts |
10 |
194 |
|
Weapons Investigations |
0 |
8 |
|
Unclassified Calls for Service |
57 |
1664 |
|
TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE |
566 |
18112 |
|
COUNTY JAIL ADMISSIONS |
12 |
376 |
IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON AN ABOVE CRIME, OR ANY CRIME, CALL THE VERNON COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS AT 608-637-8477 OR 1-800-657-6868 OR SUBMIT AN ONLINE TIP AT WWW.P3TIPS.COM
Juneau County Arrest Report 7-28-25
1 month
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Local Communities Hosting National Night Out Event on August 5th
2 months
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Area law enforcement, fire departments and emergency services staff throughout Monroe County will continue a 22- year tradition when the 2025 edition of National Night Out takes place Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Winnebago Park in Tomah.
More than thirty not-for-profit organizations will have various exhibits, information booths and displays in Tomah.
Food and refreshment sales will be available, and there will be children’s activities, including a bounce house provided by Tomah Health.
The Tomah Police Department’s Bike Safety Expo will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with the door prize drawing to follow (must be present to win).
An informational Mock Crash is schedule at 6:30 p.m.
New this year, Tomah Health Women’s Health staff will provide complimentary car seat safety checks in the Tomah High School parking lot. Look for the Tomah Health pop up tent.
Officials ask residents to park in the Tomah High School parking lot along Butts Avenue and walk to Winnebago Park. Introduced in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out is a nonprofit crime prevention event that puts the spotlight on crime while building relationships that create safe communities.
Juneau County will also host a national night out that same day from 4-8pm at Lions Park on Harvey Street in Necedah.
JCEDC Offering Grants to Small Businesses
2 months
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
The JCEDC is giving out $250,000 in microgrants to Juneau County small businesses and individuals to boost our local economy!!!
It’s called the JCEDC Small Business Development Grant (JC-SBDG) program and there are several rounds for applications through next spring, each with a different theme. Details attached and also on our website. I’m presenting 3 information sessions this week – short notice I know – flyer attached with dates and locations – but don’t worry if you can’t get to one of these because the virtual one tomorrow will be recorded and posted to our website for you to view anytime.
Small businesses are those with less than 25 full time permanent employees, and can apply for grants for patents, starting up a new business, or improving an existing business. Individuals can also apply if they have a product idea for a patent, registration, or business… or if they are starting up a new business venture.
All the same information is available on our website www.JuneauCounty.com, and click on the left side orange button SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANT. I’ve attached summary docs here for your convenience as well.
FOR ALL GRANT INQUIRIES, PLEASE EMAIL SUBMISSION@JUNEAUCOUNTY.COM. I will be responding to that portal more timely around the various deadlines in the program so its your best chance for answers quickly.
Juneau County Arrest Report 7-24-25
2 months
Reminder to Take Care of Your Trash Cans
2 months
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
The City of Mauston wants to give a quick heads-up: when setting out your garbage cans on pick-up day, please try to place them on the boulevard or right of way instead of in the street. We totally get that sometimes the garbage company might set them back down in the road after collection—that’s not something we can control. But if we all start by putting them in the right spot, it really helps.
Keeping the cans out of the street makes things easier for the street sweeper and brush pick-up crews, and helps keep our streets safer for everyone. It’s especially important in winter, when snow cleanup gets underway—having clear streets makes a big difference for the plows.
Little things like this add up and truly help our whole community. Thanks again for your cooperation and for being such a great part of this neighborhood!
Criminal Charges Recommended in Motor Vehicle Accident That Left Multiple Teens Injured
2 months
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
On May 16, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the Adams County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a two-vehicle accident with multiple critical injuries on Highway 13 near 13th Drive in the Town of Dell Prairie. Deputies, along with multiple other first responder units, arrived on scene and began administering life-saving measures. Several patients were transported to various medical facilities for treatment.
An in-depth investigation into the cause of the crash has been ongoing. The investigation revealed that a Dodge Durango driven by Denver Joseph, age 38, of New York, NY, was traveling southbound on Highway 13 crossed the centerline and struck a Chevy Silverado that was traveling northbound. Alcohol was not a contributing factor in this crash. A criminal charge has been referred to the Adams County District Attorney’s Office against Mr. Denver for Reckless Driving Causing Great Bodily Harm.
The operator of the Chevy Silverado, along with two passengers—all under the age of 18—will not be identified due to their ages.
No further information will be released at this time.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Kilbourn Fire Department, Dells-Delton EMS, Lifestar EMS, UW-Health Med Flight, and Murray’s Transport and Recovery.
