The School District of Necedah voters approved the budget for the 2015-2016 school year at the annual meeting on Monday night. Superintendent Larry Gierach said the budget was approved at $8,499,377, which is about a .01% increase from last year’s audited budget. The proposed tax levy is $5,239,955 and that includes the levy against taxable property ($4,245,255) and the debt retirement ($994,700). Gierach said there’s good news for the community as they are looking at about 60 cents less per $1,000 per equalized property value. Also, Gierach announced that in March, the district will be making its last debt payment.

Two Wisconsin Rapids residents have been charged with one count of uttering a forgery. According to the criminal complaint, 22-year-old Dawn Jung and 29-year-old Jared Neukirchen allegedly exchanged counterfeit money at a Necedah business this past April. Law enforcement was able to identify Jung and Neukirchen from the video surveillance. The complaint states when Jung was being interviewed by law enforcement, she admitted to using counterfeit bills at the business.  Initial appearances for Jung and Neukirchen have been scheduled for October 14.

Starting today, Habitat for Humanity of Adams and Juneau County is holding its first “House by House” campaign fundraiser. “House by House” is essentially a “pin up” fundraiser in which cashiers ask the customer if they would like to participate in “House by House”. In doing so, the customer will donate a dollar and write their name on the pin up and stick it to a corresponding location within the business for all to see. The goal of the campaign is to raise $7,800 by the end of October.

So far, several businesses in Adams & Juneau Counties have partnered with the campaign such as; Festival Foods(Mauston), Games for Us(Mauston), Log Cabin Deli & Cheese(Mauston), Brew Heaven Coffee Shop(Adams), and AF County Market(Adams).

Not only has AF County Market agreed to take us on as a partner, they have also agreed to match any funds that they raise with their own. County Market is also hosting our kickoff event on October 3rd in front of their store from 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Members of the Adams & Juneau county affiliate will be grilling up rib-eye sandwiches and talking to people of the community about the Habitat mission. All supplies for this event will be sponsored by AF County Market.

Local Habitat Facts
• Did you know? Nearly 20% of Wisconsin residents pay more than 50% of their family income for housing.
• Adams County Approximate Population: 20,215
• Approximately 1,907 of those people live below the Federal Poverty Level
• Median Household Income: $44,897

World Habitat Facts
• As of February 2014 the number of houses that have been built, repaired, rehabilitated, or improved is over 800,000
• More than 5,000,000 people live in Habitat houses worldwide
• On average, Habitat for Humanity serves a family globally every 4 minutes!

Contributed by Samuel Spotts

A Montello teen was arrested for resisting an officer. On September 22, an Adams police officer saw a teen walking on North Grant Street at the intersection of East Liberty Street and stopped to speak with the teen about a tobacco violation. The 17-year-old teen asked the officer if he could take his “stuff” out of his pockets, which were two switchblade knives and a pack of cigarettes. When the teen found out that he would not get the items back because they were illegal contraband, he began swearing and started to walk away from the officer. The officer attempted to stop the teen from leaving the scene and he began resisting arrest. The teen eventually was taken into custody. Charges of disorderly conduct, resisting/obstructing an officer, two counts of possession of a switchblade, and carrying a concealed weapon have been referred to the Adams County District Attorney.

The diabetes education team at Mile Bluff is hosting a free diabetes education event on Thursday, October 29, beginning at 1 pm in the hospital community room. If you have diabetes or have a loved one with diabetes, come and learn tips on how to live a healthy, full life with diabetes from special guest speaker, Dr. Timothy Reid.

Doctor Reid will discuss how diabetes can affect the body, the dangers of skipping meals, the importance of exercise in diabetes management, and about managing the stress that comes from dealing with this disease.

Doctor Reid is a Board Certified Family Physician currently practicing at the Mercy Diabetes Center in Janesville. He has been in practice for the last 23 years and was instrumental in the development of the Mercy Diabetes Center in 2003. Doctor Reid speaks nationally on many diabetes related topics.

During the event, Mile Bluff’s Diabetes Education team will also be on-hand to talk about the diabetes management services that are available locally. Refreshments and door prizes will also be available.

Registration for Mile Bluff’s free Diabetes Month Event on October 29 is required, so call 608-847-1846 today.

Contributed by Katie Nuttall

Information for those attending the Mauston Homecoming parade, Friday, October 2: there will be a modified parade route. The modified route will be Grayside to Division Street, then continue from Division to Oak Street and the parade will stop at Oak Street.

Senator Howard Marklein and Representative Scott Allen have introduced the Wisconsin Veterans Employment Initiative. Marklein said he believes Wisconsin has done a great job of providing opportunities for veterans returning home, but the initiative is another great step toward ensuring veterans that they have the opportunities they need to succeed. Allen said, “Wisconsin should be a leader in welcoming home military veterans. The State of Wisconsin should be an example to employers and aggressively seek to hire veterans into its workforce.”

The bill creates a Council on Veterans Employment, which advises and assists the governor and state agencies with recruitment and employment of veterans. It would also include veterans with a service-connected disability. The initiative requires state agencies to lay out a plan to recruit and retain more veterans in state government based on goals in each specific agency. The bill is being circulated in both the Senate and Assembly for support and awaits a public hearing and executive session before a full floor vote.

An Adams man has been arrested for OWI-first offense. On September 26, an Adams police officer was traveling in the 400 block of North Main Street when he observed an oncoming vehicle swerve in its lane before crossing the centerline. The officer turned around and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle didn’t stop until it was 500 block of Main Street in Friendship. The officer made contact with the driver, 49-year-old Keith Talley. The report states Talley had a hard time staying awake and could not answer questions. The officer conducted field sobriety tests, which indicated that Talley was impaired by a narcotic analgesic. Talley was arrested and transported to the Adams County Jail. He initially denied taking anything, but during an evaluation at the jail, admitted to consuming a white powdery substance from an unknown pill. Talley was cited for OWI.

The Tomah Police Department responded to a vehicle crash at the intersection of West Monowau Street and Oak Avenue.  The crash involved a Tomah Area School District bus with student occupants and a full size SUV. The driver of the SUV, 49-year-old Donna Matthews, was the only occupant in her vehicle.  She was transported to Tomah Memorial Hospital with a non-life threatening injury. The students were transferred to a replacement bus after the crash investigation was completed and the scene was safe.  Matthews was cited for failure to yield right-of-way.

On September 22 at approximately 9:30 am, a City of Mauston Police Officer was dispatched to a City of Mauston residence for a possible domestic disturbance. When arriving on the scene, officers made contact with 23-year-old Fred Olson of Mauston. He stated that he and his girlfriend had gotten into a verbal argument. Witnesses stated that they could hear the two yelling and that the argument carried over outside. As a result of the witness statements and those of Olson, he was taken into custody for disorderly conduct (domestic related) and transported to the Juneau County Jail without incident. Court records show Olson has a court appearance set for October 14. 

While on patrol in the City of Mauston on September 25, a Mauston Police Officer observed a vehicle that failed to make a proper stop. A traffic stop was initiated and the Officer made contact with the driver, 21 year-old Erik Delmore of Lyndon Station. Juneau County Sheriff Department’s K9 Unit also responded to the scene to assist with the stop. During a free-air sniff of the vehicle K9 Deputy Timo gave a positive alert to the presence of illegal narcotic odor emanating from the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in Delmore being cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of THC.

On September 25, a Mauston Police Officer responded to a City of Mauston residence to investigate a disturbance. Upon arriving at the scene, the Officer made contact with 30 year-old Aaron McKinney of Friendship, 25 year-old John Waugh of Friendship, and 31 year-old Christina Zieler of New Lisbon. The three individuals were involved in a verbal altercation that included yelling and swearing outside the Mauston residence. All three admitted to participating in the argument and as a result, each received a citation for disorderly conduct.

As the result of being called to a traffic accident on September 26, City of Mauston Police Officers arrested 26 year-old Devon Bubolz of Montello. At approximately 8:30 pm, Mauston Officers were dispatched for a two vehicle accident in the City of Mauston. Upon arriving at the scene, officers made contact with the driver of the second vehicle, Bubloz. A records check showed that Bubloz was operating after revocation due to a pervious operating while intoxicated incident. Juneau County Sheriff’s K9 Unit also responded to the scene to assist with the stop. During a free-air sniff of the vehicle K9 Deputy Timo gave a positive alert for the presence of illegal narcotic odor coming from the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the driver also being charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a schedule II narcotic. Bubloz was transported to the Juneau County Jail without incident. Court records show Bubolz is out on a $2,000 signature bond and he is not to drive without a valid drivers license. He is also not to use, possess, or consume any controlled substances without a valid prescription and no drug paraphernalia.

There was a two vehicle accident Friday morning in Vernon County. Sheriff John B. Spears said 64-year-old Gary Lee Jensen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and 25-year- old Sara Jane Ernstar of Dubuque, Iowa were southbound on State Highway 35.  Ernstar did not see Jensen’s vehicle slowing to turn right into Blackhawk Park and rear-ended Jensen’s truck and boat trailer.  Her vehicle came to rest in the southbound lane of State Highway 35 and Jensen’s boat trailer detached from his truck.  Both truck and trailer went out of control and came to rest on the southbound shoulder.  Spears said Jensen and Ernstar received medical attention at the scene and declined transport by ambulance to the hospital.  Both parties were wearing their seat belts.

SHERIFF JOHN SPEARS REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ONGOING ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR AND NARRATIVE EXCERPTS FROM THE WEEK ENDING October 12, 2015. 

10/5             Intentional damage was done to the lawn at the Billings Creek Cemetery, east of Ontario, in the Town of Forest.  It appeared someone was driving through the lawn, spinning out.

10/5             Michelle Olson of Viroqua was traveling westbound on Getter Road headed toward County Road NN in the Town of Viroqua.  Olson hit the back of a wagon being pulled by two horses.  The driver of the wagon, Jacob Byler, the occupant, Roman Shelter, and the two horses were not injured.  Olson reported no injuries, as well.  Olson’s vehicle suffered severe damage.

10/6             A burglary occurred on Pearl Street in the Village of Stoddard.  Diamond earrings and a ring were taken from a jewelry box.

10/9             A “Stop Sign” was stolen from an intersection in the Town of Clinton.  It was reported the Town of Jefferson in Monroe County also had a sign stolen, across the road.

10/10           Aaron Johnsrude of Soldiers Grove was traveling down a gravel road on County Road T in the Town of Kickapoo.  Johnsrude was traveling northbound negotiating a curve when he lost control, struck a culvert, and came to a rest.  Johnsrude suffered no apparent injuries and the vehicle received minor damage.

10/10           Michael Doing of Eau Claire was traveling westbound on County Road P in the Town of Clinton.  Doing came around the corner, with a slight downhill grade, locked his brakes, causing his motorcycle to fishtail.  Doing crossed both lanes of traffic before the motorcycle rolled, and Doing and the motorcycle came to a rest.  No injuries were reported and the motorcycle suffered severe damage.

10/10           It was reported a tree stand was stolen from a property on State Highway 56/County Road S, in the Town of Liberty.

10/12           4 reportable car/deer crashes:

Shawn Thompson, Chaseburg, on Dodson Hollow Road, Town of Hamburg;

Andrea Good, Hillsboro, on County Road EE, Town of Greenwood;

James Oedsma, Chaseburg, on Brinkman Ridge Road, Town of Hamburg;

James Horkheimer, DeSoto, on US Highway 14, Town of Viroqua;

***********                                               This past week                 Year to Date

Alarm Responses                                           4                                     292

Animal Related issues                                     13                                   998

Assisting Municipalities                                   52                                  2459

Crimes Against People                                    12                                   692

Crimes Against Property                                 14                                   550

Domestic Crimes                                            3                                     124

Fire Responses                                               18                                   1214

K-9 Calls                                                         1                                     58

Medical Responses                                         20                                   1481

Mental Health Cases                                       3                                     131

Missing Person Investigations                         4                                     161

Safety Escorts                                                  4                                     192

School Walk Through                                     12                                   312

Search and Rescues                                        0                                     18

Security Check                                                121                                3857

Serving Legal Documents                               31                                  1227

Suspicious Activity Investigations                   18                                  941

Threat Investigation                                        0                                     55

Traffic Accidents                                             21                                   805

Traffic Related Investigations                         102                                 4466

Vehicle Lockouts                                             10                                   338

Weapons Investigation                                    0                                    16

Unclassified Calls for Assistance                      39                                 1774

_____                                _______

TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE                        555                                23110

ADMISSIONS INTO COUNTY JAIL                    12                                   838

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON AN ABOVE CRIME, OR ANY CRIME, CALL CRIME STOPPERS AT 637-8477 OR 1-800-657-6868.

John B. Spears, Sheriff

(AP) – The fall harvest of Wisconsin’s official state fruit is in full swing. Cranberries are the state’s number one fruit crop and are grown on 21,000 acres in 20 counties in central and northern Wisconsin. This year federal agricultural officials expect Wisconsin’s cranberry industry to produce five million barrels of fruit. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says eight million barrels of cranberries are expected to be harvested across the country. The cranberries that are made into juice, sauce or sweetened dried fruit are ‘wet harvested.’ The cranberry beds are flooded with water and a machine moves through the marsh and removes the berries from the vines. The cranberries that float to the surface are corralled and pumped out of the bed.

Rocket Rec will not open today after school. There will be a meeting of the New Lisbon Common Council tonight at 8pm to take up the matter. The agenda is similar to the agenda of last week’s meeting that was preceded by the public hearing. At the beginning of last week’s meeting, the Attorney for the land owner opposed to the Rocket Rec Center argued that the meeting was illegal because it was not properly posted. During the meeting, the question was posed by someone in attendance, if there were enough council members for a quorum. Notice for tonight’s meeting was posted at 3:50pm yesterday.

Senior citizens can learn how to stay healthy and safe during the Tomah Memorial Hospital Senior Health & Safety Expo this Thursday at the Cranberry Country Lodge in Tomah. Hospital community outreach health educator Whitney Sanjari says the event has new hours this year from 3 to 7 pm. The non-fasting health screenings include leg vein, glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol, plus there’s more than thirty informational displays featured from 3 to 5 o’clock followed by a foot health presentation by Tomah Mayo Podiatrist Doctor Margaret Dubois. The event will round out with a live polka band featuring ‘Brian and The Mississippi Valley Dutchman’ starting at 5:45 pm. It’s the 18th year Tomah Memorial has coordinated the free event.

On October 29, there will be another opportunity for Adams County resident to meet deputies with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office at Coffee with a Cop. Coffee with a Cop is when deputies and community members come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee. All community members are invited to attend. The event begins at 8:00 AM at Becky’s Sugar Shack in Adams and ends at 10:30 AM.

The event provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the agency’s work.

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies, or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

“We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know the staff,” said Deputy Joe LeBreck “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the county, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

Contributed