Mauston, WI
News
Name Released in SUV vs Semi Crash in Mauston
1 month
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Update: The Deceased of this crash has been identified as 90 year old Robert L. Franke of the Mauston area.
At approximately 1:36pm on July 29th the Juneau County Communication Center received multiple 911 calls regarding and SUV vs semi traffic crash at the East State Street and North Union Street intersection in downtown Mauston. Dispatch advised responding units that the driver of the SUV was unresponsive.
Upon arrival, law enforcement observed the SUV had struck the side of a semi with full eastbound lane blockage. Numerous bystanders were attempting to assist the driver and sole occupant of the SUV. The driver of the semi was not injured. Law enforcement from the Mauston Police Department and Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, along with Mauston Ambulance and Mauston Fire rendered aid to the driver. Ultimately, the driver of the SUV, and adult male, was pronounced deceased by the Juneau County Medical Examiner’s Office. There was a partial road closure for approximately three hours while the crash was being investigated.
The Mauston Police Department was assisted by the following agencies: Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Mauston Ambulance, Mauston Fire Department, Juneau County Medical Examiner’s Office, Mauston Public Works, GundersenAIR, and Northside Mobil.
Juneau County Arrest Report 8-1
1 month
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
Scam Alert: Man Pretending to Be Juneau County Sergeant Johnson
1 month
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
It has been brought to the Juneau County Sheriff’s Offices attention that residents are receiving scam phone calls from **608-975-8356**, with the caller falsely identifying themselves as **Sergeant Johnson from the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office**.
**THIS IS A SCAM. DO NOT ENGAGE.**
The Juneau County Sheriff’s Office will **never** call and demand payment.
If you receive a call like this:
* **Do not provide any personal information.**
* **Hang up immediately.**
* **Report the incident** to our non-emergency number at 608-847-5649.
Please share this information with friends, family, and neighbors—especially seniors who are often targeted in these types of scams.
Stay safe and alert.
Dells Man Wanted for Attempted Homicide Captured in Chicago
1 month
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
On July 24th, at approximately 10:00pm, Oscar Perez (34 years old, of the Wisconsin Dells area) was taken into custody by the Chicago Police Department on charges of First Degree Attempted Homicide, for the Dells Police Department. The investigation is still ongoing, but our suspect is in custody. Search warrants were executed, hours of surveillance video were reviewed, and many interviews were conducted to get us to this point.
The victim of this crime is in stable condition, and we wish them a speedy recovery.
They were assisted by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, Sauk County Emergency Response Team, Chicago Police Department, and the Lake Delton Police Department in this investigation. Chief Brinker extends his sincerest gratitude to those agencies for their assistance.
Chief Brinker would also like to recognize the staff of the Wisconsin Dells Police Department for their relentless pursuit of the suspect during this investigation. Their effort has been tremendous.
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.
Juneau County Arrest Report 7-31
1 month
Motorcycle v Deer Accident in Vernon County
1 month
by WRJC WebMaster
in State News
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports on Tuesday afternoon, July 15, 2025, at
approximately 2:45 PM the Sheriff’s Office 911 dispatch center received a report of a motorcycle crash on
State Highway 82, near Zahm Road, rural La Farge, WI, in the Town of Stark.
Ronald Wesley Kane, age 73, of Leesburg, FL was traveling west, and struck a deer. Kane was ejected and
sustained injuries. He was transported to Vernon Health by La Farge Area Ambulance and later
transferred to Emplify by Gundersen in La Crosse, WI.
Kane was wearing a helmet and full protective riding gear.
Vernon County Resident Intentionally Posted Photos of Minors
1 month
by WRJC WebMaster
in State News
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the Sheriff’s Office completed an
investigation following information brought forward alleging that a registered sex offender
intentionally photographed minors in Vernon County.
In late March 2025, the Sheriff’s Office received a report from the La Crosse Police Department
indicating that during the execution of a search warrant at the home of a registered sex offender,
digital storage media was found containing photographs of minors, believed to have been taken in
Vernon County.
The investigation revealed that twenty-four victims, all minors, from three area school districts were
photographed during a sporting event in October 2024, in the Village of De Soto. All victims that
were photographed have been identified.
As a result of the investigation, Jonathan R. Staats, age 41, Jay Street, La Crosse, WI was identified
as the source of the photographs.
Findings of the investigation to date have been forwarded to the Office of Vernon County District
Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher for review. The Sheriff’s Office is recommending a charge of
Registered Sex Offender Intentionally Photographing Minors §948.14(2)(a) for each victim
photographed for a total of twenty-four counts. A charge is merely an accusation. The defendant is
presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
In November 2023, Staats was convicted of Trafficking of a Child, Party to the Crime, in La Crosse
County Circuit Court (2021-CF-832) and required to register as a sex offender for fifteen years.
Staats is currently facing multiple felony charges in La Crosse County (2025-CF-216) stemming from
a La Crosse Police Child Pornography investigation that began in February 2025 following a cyber
tip. The Vernon County photos were subsequently discovered during their investigation. Staats has
remained in the custody of the La Crosse County Sheriff since his arrest on March 25, 2025.
The investigation continues. If you have any information about this crime, or any other crime, call
Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS (8477), or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com
Protecting a community’s most vulnerable members is crucial for a safe and healthy environment.
La Valle Man Identified in Deadly Sauk County Crash
1 month
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office has identified a victim of a fatal crash that took place at the intersection of Schutte Road and Highway 33 in the Town of La Valle.
Jake Strampe, 42, a resident of La Valle died following a two-vehicle crash on Monday afternoon.
An initial investigation showed that the SUV was traveling west on State Highway 33 and crossed the centerline while the dump truck was traveling east. They crashed at the intersection. State Highway 33 at Schutte Road was closed for several hours.
Strampe died at the scene, the operator of the dump truck was transported to the Reedsburg Area Medical Center for treatment. His condition in unknown at this time.
Fatal Vehicle Crash in Mauston by Small Kwik Trip
1 month
by WRJC WebMaster
in Local News
At approximately 1:36pm on July 29th the Juneau County Communication Center received multiple 911 calls regarding and SUV vs semi traffic crash at the East State Street and North Union Street intersection in downtown Mauston. Dispatch advised responding units that the driver of the SUV was unresponsive.
Upon arrival, law enforcement observed the SUV had struck the side of a semi with full eastbound lane blockage. Numerous bystanders were attempting to assist the driver and sole occupant of the SUV. The driver of the semi was not injured. Law enforcement from the Mauston Police Department and Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, along with Mauston Ambulance and Mauston Fire rendered aid to the driver. Ultimately, the driver of the SUV, and adult male, was pronounced deceased by the Juneau County Medical Examiner’s Office. At this time the crash investigation is oncoming and the name of the deceased will not be released. There was a partial road closure for approximately three hours while the crash was being investigated.
The Mauston Police Department was assisted by the following agencies: Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Mauston Ambulance, Mauston Fire Department, Juneau County Medical Examiner’s Office, Mauston Public Works, GundersenAIR, and Northside Mobil.
