Mauston, WI
News
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report August 17th Thru August 23rd
6 days
by WRJC WebMaster
in State News
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
6 days
by WRJC WebMaster
in State News
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
6 days
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
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.
Incidental Take Notice For Sauk County
1 week
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue a permit for the incidental taking of a rare lizard and terrestrial, which may result from the Winnebago Heights Development in Sauk County.
Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the species’ overall population at risk.
The Ho-Chunk Nation proposes to develop multiple parcels for home construction. Temporary work areas will be established within the parcels or along roadways. Current land cover is generally unmanaged herbaceous vegetation.
The presence of the state endangered slender glass lizard is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some lizards.
The DNR concludes that the proposed project is not likely to appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival or recovery of the species within the state, the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part of or the habitat that is critical to its existence.
Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the endangered species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Permit. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on the slender glass lizard are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR Conservation Biologist Rori Paloski at Rori.Paloski@wisconsin.gov or 608-516-3742.
The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the slender glass lizard by Sept. 2, 2025 to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
c/o Rori Paloski, DNR Conservation Biologist
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI 53707
Rori.Paloski@wisconsin.gov or 608-516-3742
Van Orden Challenger Rebecca Cooke Endorsed By End Citizens United
1 week
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
This week, End Citizens United (ECU), a leading anti-corruption organization, endorsed Rebecca Cooke for Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District.
“Washington has abandoned the working families and family farms I grew up on and continues to prioritize the rich and powerful with tax breaks and special favors,” Rebecca Cooke said. “My campaign doesn’t take corporate PAC money because I can’t be bought by the special interests. We need a new generation of leadership to stop the corruption and make government accountable to the people it’s supposed to serve. I’m honored to be endorsed by End Citizens United and look forward to putting the people of Western Wisconsin first.”
“As a small business owner and someone who was raised on a dairy farm, Rebecca Cooke understands the challenges working families in Wisconsin face,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “She knows Washington has turned its back on working families, and she’ll fight to end the corruption that puts corporations and special interests ahead of everyday people. We’re proud to endorse Rebecca, and we look forward to helping her win.”
For 10 Years, End Citizens United (ECU) has been dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money in politics and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide and is one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations.
Rebecca is endorsed by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, 15 Members of Congress, State Senator Brad Pfaff, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Councils 7 & 82, the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART) Unions, UFCW Local 1437, the Blue Dog Coalition, the New Dem Action Fund, Elect Democratic Women, EMILY’s List and the National Coalition to Protect Social Security and Medicare PAC. She’s also garnered the support of a broad coalition of farmers, small business owners, educators and healthcare workers across western Wisconsin. View the full list of endorsers here.
