State News

6/22    A Vernon County sheriff’s deputy and officers with the Kickapoo Valley Reserve responded to a business on State Highway 131 in the Village of Ontario for report of a male party swinging a canoe paddle at other patrons.  The individual was processed for Disorderly Conduct and Resisting or Obstructing an Officer and taken to the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.

6/22    Damage to a skid steer located on Thorson Lane was reported to a deputy.  Upon investigation, it appeared a stray bullet pierced the glass on the skid steer cab and traveled into the cab causing some damage.  No possible suspects were identified.

6/23    Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence in the Town of Wheatland for report of an individual in possession of a firearm reportedly making suicidal statements.  Deputies were able to safely retrieve the firearm from the individual.  The individual was transported to an area hospital. 

6/23    A tree fell onto a car on High Avenue in Hillsboro causing temporary road blockage.  The Hillsboro Fire Department assisted on scene with removing the tree and cleaning up the roadway.  No one was injured.

6/24    A driver called to report they were involved in a car versus deer collision on US Highway 14 near East Smith Road in the Town of Viroqua.  The driver reported no injuries, and their car was still functional.  The driver was able to continue on their way.

6/24    Dispatch received a call about a lost hound dog in the Town of Liberty near Reed Drive.  The caller reported the dog named Bella was beige in color and was wearing a black and a red collar. 

6/24    A turtle was safely removed from the roadway on East Main Street in La Farge.

6/25    A deputy responded to a report of a semi that had failed to stop at an intersection before going off the road and into a cornfield near County Road F and County Road WW in the Town of Hillsboro.  The road was shut down for a short time while the semi was towed from the field.

6/25    Deputies responded to a call about a car that had crashed along a driveway on the 200 Block of East Main Street in the Village of La Farge.  It was reported the car was in the culvert and may have struck a tree.  The deputy noted signs of impairment, and the driver was taken to the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and processed for Operating While Under the Influence-3^rd Offense.

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 

 6/15   Deputies responded to an altercation that occurred at a rural De Soto business, in the Town of Wheatland.  The caller reported three males had been in the business and pushed an employee and had also put their hands on them.  The investigation is ongoing.

6/15    A deputy responded to Wildcat State Mountain Park to assist a driver with gaining entry to their vehicle.  The vehicle owner’s dog was locked inside the vehicle. 

6/15    Deputies responded to a call reporting that a motorcycle had been stolen from a residence on County Road UU in the Town of Wheatland.  The motorcycle was found a short while later in Victory.  A male from Onalaska was arrested for Criminal Trespass to Dwelling, Drive or Operate Vehicle w/o Consent as well as other charges.

6/16    Damage to a bathroom on the boat landing side of Sidie Hollow Park was reported by park employees.  A sink was ripped from the wall in the men’s bathroom and resulted in an estimated $500 in damage.  The investigation continues.

6/16    A Vernon County Detention Center inmate with work-release privileges failed to return to jail after being allowed out for an approved appointment.  An arrest warrant was obtained. 

6/17    A Stoddard resident called to report a female lying along the roadway near Windwalker Trail off State Highway 35 in the Town of Bergen.  A deputy responded to the area but did not locate the female anywhere from Genoa to the county line.

6/18    Dispatch received a call regarding a kitchen fire at a business in the Village of Ontario.  The fire was quickly knocked down with the use of a fire extinguisher. It was reported that everyone was safely out of the building and no injuries were reported. Ontario Fire and EMS assisted at the scene.

6/19    Dispatch received a call from a homeowner regarding 5-6 milking cows in their yard. It was reported that the animals had been roaming the area of Runningen Court in the Town of Bergen for about a week.  The owner of the cows was identified and stated they would attempt to get the cows back on their property.

6/19    Dispatch received multiple calls regarding a motorcycle crash on County Road T in the Town of Kickapoo.  The motorcycle slid on gravel and went into the ditch.  The cyclist reported injuries and was transported to Vernon Health. Readstown Fire and EMS assisted at the scene.

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 

Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), today announced counties and municipalities across the state received more than $108 million for General Transportation, Connecting Highway, and Expressway Policing Aids to help repair, maintain, and improve local roads and highways in every corner of Wisconsin. This announcement builds upon Gov. Evers’ efforts over the last six years to fix Wisconsin’s local roads and infrastructure to ensure the state has the 21st-century infrastructure that residents, businesses, and visitors depend on. Since 2019, the Evers Administration has improved or repaired more than 8,600 miles of road and 2,000 bridges statewide. Wisconsinites could drive from Wausau, Wisconsin, to San Diego, California, and back—twice—on the number of miles of roads fixed.

“Over the past six years, we’ve been working hard to fix the darn roads and repair more than 8,600 miles of road while investing in our state’s local roads and highways so folks can get from Point A to Point B safely and we can get product to market,” said Gov. Evers. “Fixing our roads and bridges must continue to be a top priority for our state, it’s why my budget plan makes the investments we need to continue our work building the 21st-century infrastructure Wisconsinites need and deserve.”

The 2023-25 budget signed by Gov. Evers provided a two percent increase in program funding for municipalities and counties in both calendar years 2024 and 2025—providing the highest level of funding in state history for the program. The governor’s 2025-27 Executive Budget continues this precedent with an additional three percent increase in the General Transportation Aids program in calendar years 2026 and 2027. Total funding for all WisDOT local programs, including General Transportation Aids, makes up almost one-third of the state’s transportation budget. For calendar year 2025, in total, local governments will receive more than $540 million in General Transportation Aids to support transportation-related projects over the course of the year.

“A safe and efficient transportation system starts with quality roads,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “We are working with local leaders across Wisconsin to improve the first and last mile of everyone’s trip, whether it’s a school pickup or drop off, doctor’s office visit or grocery store run, we’re committed to delivering infrastructure improvements that impact safety and strengthen our economy.”

The second quarter payments, made on April 7, totaled $108,293,793.76 and included:

• General Transportation Aids – $103,779,044.68 to local units of government;
• Connecting Highway Aids – $4,258,774.08 to eligible municipalities; and
• Expressway Policing Aids – $255,975 to Milwaukee County

General Transportation Aids help cover the costs of constructing, maintaining, and operating roads and streets under local jurisdiction. Connecting Highway Aids reimburse municipalities for maintenance and traffic control of certain state highways within municipalities. Expressway Policing Aids help the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department with the costs of patrolling expressways within the county.

Quarterly payments for cities, villages, and towns are made in four installments on the first Monday in January, April, July, and October. County payments are made in three installments, with 25 percent of the total annual payment on the first Monday in January; 50 percent on the first Monday in July; and 25 percent on the first Monday in October.

A complete list of the second-quarter aid payments is available here.