News
Man’s Body Found After Jumping Off Tour Boat in Wisconsin River
On Sunday, August 24th, a 41-year-old male was reported to have jumped from a tour boat on the Wisconsin River.
At approximately 12:16 PM today, the male’s body was recovered. At this time, no foul play is suspected, though the investigation remains ongoing.
The Juneau County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in this search and recovery:
Juneau County Boat Patrol
Wisconsin DNR
Sauk County Sheriff’s Office
Sauk County Dive Team
Wisconsin Dells Police Department
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
Kilbourn Fire Department
Missing Juneau County Man Found & Now Faces Criminal Charges
A missing Juneau County Man has been found but now faces criminal charges.
While searching for Blake Olson, his van was located between 25th St and 28th St in Necedah Township. Authorities searched the area and found Olson inside a nearby residence.
Blake Olson was taken into custody and has been charged with:
Armed Burglary (943.10(2)(b))
Felony Theft (943.20)
Felony Criminal Damage to Property (943.01(2))
Operating Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent (943.23)
This remains an ongoing investigation. Further updates will be shared as available.
Monroe County Authorities Looking for Man Avoiding Child Sex Crime Trial
Monroe County authorities are looking for a man who failed to appear for his child sex crimes trial Monday.
Judge Todd Ziegler issued a bench warrant for 53 year old Ruben Tirado, who was due to face a jury trial for five felony counts including child sexual assault, child enticement and soliciting a child for prostitution, per court records.
Tirado was released on GPS monitoring and a $15,000 cash bond while he awaited trial. That GPS device was tampered with and removed on Saturday.
The GPS was later found in a ditch. Tirado’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
Juneau County Arrest Report 8-26-25
Royall School Board 8-25 Agenda
City of Mauston Meetings 8-26
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report August 17th Thru August 23rd
8/17 A deputy responded to a business on State Highway 56 after receiving report of battery. Upon the deputy’s arrival, the alleged victim indicated they did not wish to pursue any charges.
8/17 A burglar alarm went off at a residence on Apple Lane in the Town of Viroqua and a deputy was dispatched. The security company called to report there had been an accidental activation and there was no emergency.
8/18 Deputies responded to a residence on US Highway 14 in the Town of Hamburg. The family returned home to find all their doors open. A search of the house showed nothing out of place or missing.
8/19 A business on Sorenson Lane in the Town of Harmony called to report that a male entered their store and took money from their till. They had wished to report the male was no longer welcome at the business.
8/19 A delivery driver called to report they had been bitten by a dog while delivering to a residence on Bagstad Lane in the Town of Coon. The delivery driver continued on for medical care and deputies stopped to serve the bite order paperwork to the owner.
8/20 Sheriff’s deputies responded to a welfare check on Jug Creek Road in the Town of Stark.
8/20 A car versus deer crash occurred on State Highway 56 in the Town of Liberty. Theresa Bell of Madison, WI struck the deer which went through the windshield of her Ford Focus. No injuries were reported and the vehicle was towed from the scene.
8/20 A deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle speeding on State Highway 131 near Aumock Road. The driver received a citation for traveling 84 mph in a 55 mph zone.
8/21 Deputies responded to a residence on Bird Street in the Village of La Farge for report of a male kicking out a window. When deputies arrived, the contents of a room were found in a parking lot. Deputies detained the male and had EMS dispatched to evaluate the male for any injuries. The male was transported to the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and processed for Criminal Damage to Property Over $2500 and Disorderly Conduct.
8/21 A construction company working on State Highway 80 in the Town of Greenwood called to report their jobsite had been robbed. Metal racks and various construction signs were taken. Investigation is ongoing.
8/21 Dispatch received a call regarding a disabled vehicle on the side of the road, south of Goose Island on State Highway 35 in the Town of Bergen. The caller had stopped to assist them and suspected the driver might be impaired. Deputies arrested the driver who was transported to the Vernon County Detention Center and processed for Operating While Under the Influence (7th, 8th, or 9th Offense), Operating After Revocation due to OWI/PAC, and Keep Open Intoxicants in Motor Vehicle.
8/22 A deputy initiated a traffic stop on State Highway 56 in the Town of Harmony. The driver was cited for speeding 102 mph in a 55 mph zone.
|
Call Type |
This Week |
2025 Year to Date |
|
Alarm Responses |
8 |
383 |
|
Animal Related Issues |
44 |
890 |
|
Assisting Municipalities |
37 |
1126 |
|
Crimes Against People |
19 |
563 |
|
Crimes Against Property |
11 |
431 |
|
Domestic Crimes |
2 |
104 |
|
Fire Responses |
27 |
1638 |
|
K9 Calls |
1 |
45 |
|
Medical Responses |
37 |
1256 |
|
Mental Health Cases |
3 |
131 |
|
Missing Person Investigations |
1 |
55 |
|
Public Talks |
0 |
75 |
|
Safety Escorts |
3 |
147 |
|
School Walk Throughs |
1 |
317 |
|
Search and Rescues |
0 |
12 |
|
Security Checks |
87 |
4090 |
|
Serving Legal Documents |
17 |
535 |
|
Suspicious Activity |
28 |
584 |
|
Threat Investigations |
5 |
51 |
|
Traffic Accidents |
18 |
674 |
|
Traffic Related Investigations |
90 |
3895 |
|
Vehicle Lockouts |
5 |
219 |
|
Weapons Investigations |
0 |
9 |
|
Unclassified Calls for Service |
61 |
1907 |
|
TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE |
544 |
20309 |
|
COUNTY JAIL ADMISSIONS |
9 |
418 |
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
Next Steps for Change is thrilled to announce its first annual fundraising event, Next Steps
Night Out, taking place on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Capella Weddings & Events in La
Crosse.
This one-of-a-kind, adults-only evening invites the community to come together for a fun,
costumed, movie-themed celebration. Dress up as your favorite movie character or come
dressed to walk the red carpet! The Next Steps for Changes team chose
The Greatest
Showman as our movie theme! Guests will enjoy carnival-style games, dinner, live
entertainment, and the chance to win incredible prizes—including $3,000 cash!!! Costumes
are encouraged but not required, and surprises are in store throughout the night!
All proceeds from the event will directly support peer support services provided by Next Steps
for Change, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals affected by substance
use find their unique path to recovery. With services spanning Monroe, La Crosse, Vernon, and
Crawford Counties—and soon expanding into Jackson County—Next Steps for Change uses
lived experience and authentic connection to foster hope and healing.
“This event is more than a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of recovery, resilience, and the power
of community,” said Natalie Morescki, Executive Director of Next Steps for Change.
“Our peer
supporters are walking alongside people every day as they take their next steps toward a
better life.”
Sponsorship opportunities and ticket information are available at:
https://next-steps-night-out.raiselysite.com/
For those unable to attend, donations are also welcome and appreciated to help sustain and
grow these vital services.
About Next Steps for Change
Through the use of Peer Support, we empower individuals who use substances to find their
own pathway to recovery. As an organization, we aim to foster a compassionate community
and train recovery coaches who inspire hope and drive change.
Former Dells Man Arrested in South Carolina for Child Sexual Assault
In late 2024, Wisconsin Dells Law Enforcement began an investigation into a child sexual assault that allegedly occurred in 2012. As a result of the investigation, on June 4th, 2025, charges of 1st Degree Sexual of a Child were filed against Jeremy Allen Schertz (52yo, formerly of the Wisconsin Dells area).
On June 25th, 2025, a nationwide warrant was issued for Schertz’s arrest. Schertz was located and taken into custody by the Horry County Police Department (South Carolina) on August 12th, 2025. Jeremy has been extradited to Wisconsin to face the charges.
We would like to thank the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Horry County Police Department for their diligence in locating and taking into custody the suspect.
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.

