News

On February 23^rd at just before 5:00PM the Monroe County 911 Communications Center received a call reporting the possibility of multiple deaths and a gas leak at an address on Hobby Road.     The caller reported they had gone to the residence as they had not heard from the occupants.   When they arrived and entered the home they located a juvenile in the home that was unresponsive and noted the strong odor of gas.    They were able to remove a female juvenile from the home, however life saving measures were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Upon arrival, emergency personnel were able to shut off the gas to the house and make it safe to enter.   Inside the residence an adult male was also found to be deceased, as well as a dog and cat. 

The incident remains under investigation, however investigators were able to determine the source of the gas and there is no information at this time that foul play was involved.

Multiple emergency services responded to the scene, including Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Oakdale Fire Department, Tomah Ambulance, Monroe County Medical Examiner, and Wisconsin State Patrol.

Bridget Totzke of Wonewoc Badgers 4-H Club and Maggie Senzig of Blackhawk 4-H Club have
been selected as the Juneau County, Wisconsin 4-H Key Award winners for this past year. The
Key Award was presented by Kelly Green, Juneau County Farm Bureau, at the Juneau County 4-
H Recognition Program held on January 25, 2025 at the Elroy Theater.
The prestigious Key Award, one of the highest recognition a 4-H member can receive, honors a
select group of 4-H participants annually. The youth receiving this award are ones who have
demonstrated consistent growth in their 4-H involvement, developed and applied their leadership
skills, and actively participated in their club and community.
According to April Martell, Juneau County Positive Youth Development Educator with UW-
Madison Division of Extension, this year’s winners exemplify the goals and values of the
Wisconsin 4-H Program.
“Maggie Senzig and Bridget Totzke have been life members in Juneau County 4-H. They
have participated at every level possible including leadership positions plus local and
state competitions, all while serving as mentors and role models for our younger 4-H
members. Their commitment to living out the 4-H motto (To Make the Best Better) is
seen in everything they do. The life skills they take with them from their time in 4-H will
no doubt shape their future.”
Key Award recipients are high school students with at least three years of experience in 4-H and
one year as a youth leader. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Rural Mutual Insurance Company
sponsor the Wisconsin 4-H Key Award program. They have sponsored these awards for over 30
years, helping 4-H to honor some of Wisconsin’s finest youth

• Birchwood STEAM and Career Academy, Birchwood WI (2 teams)
• St. Thomas the Apostle School, Crystal Lake IL (2 teams)
• Darlington Community Schools, Darlington WI (4 teams)
• Madinah Academy of Madison, Madison WI (3 teams)
• Mauston High School, Mauston WI (2 teams)
• Pope Farm Elementary, Middleton WI (1 team)
• Onalaska Kid Wind Club, Onalaska WI (1 team)
• Homestead Academy – Homeschool, Pine River WI (1 team)
• Sugar Maple Nature School, Saukville WI (5 teams)
• St. Matthew Lutheran School, Stoddard WI (1 team)
• Mormon Coulee 4-H Club, Stoddard WI (1 team)

• Allison Bender, WEI outreach and events coordinator and Wisconsin KidWind coordinator, agbender@wisc.edu, 608-890-0946