The Wisconsin Department of Justice will coordinate a Prescription Drug Take Back initiative on Saturday, October 17 with municipalities and law enforcement statewide. The goal of the Take Back Day is to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the community about the potential for abuse of these medications.

According to the DOJ:

Bring: Prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials and pet medications.

Do Not Bring: Illegal drugs, needles/sharps, inhalers, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), mercury thermometers, personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc…), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas).

• Participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box or into a clear sealable plastic bag. Plastic pill containers should not be collected. Blister packages are acceptable without the medications being removed.
• Liquids will be accepted during this initiative.  However, the liquids, creams and sprays must be in their original packaging and evenly distributed within the boxes of collected solid prescription medications.  Liquids without the original packaging will not be accepted.
• Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.
• All participants must retain possession of their own medication during the surrender process.  Law enforcement personnel should not handle the medications at any time.

Take Back Locations:

Wisconsin Dells Police Department
712 Oak Street
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
608-253-1611
Hours: 24 hours

Tonight’s City of New Lisbon Council meeting has been cancelled due to not having a quorum. The discussion and possible action on the Rocket Rec Center’s conditional use permit will be on next week’s city council’s meeting agenda.

Contributed

The Rehabilitation Services team at Mile Bluff is proud to partner with Focus On Therapeutic Outcomes, Inc. (FOTO®), a nationwide outcomes database for medical rehabilitation providers. As a participant in the program, Mile Bluff regularly submits data to FOTO to be measured against other organizations in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and utilization of treatment. These measures provide a benchmark to illustrate the overall quality and value of the services offered.

Al Amato, FOTO’s president, says that “The Mile Bluff team demonstrates its commitment to quality by agreeing to compare its performance to the other 1,700+ progressive organizations across the country that are in our network.” He continued, “We designate the Outcome Excellence Award for those groups that exceed the National Aggregate Functional Change Score for four consecutive quarters. I am pleased to announce that Mile Bluff is one of the organizations to recently earn this recognition.”

Mile Bluff’s Rehabilitation Services team provides a variety of physical and occupational specialties, along with athletic training, massage therapy, facials and more. For information, visit www.milebluff.com or call 608-847-1422.

Contributed by Travis Baumgarten

In cooperation with local businesses, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will collect samples for chronic wasting disease surveillance testing during the 2015 archery and gun hunting seasons in Adams, Juneau, Portage and Marathon counties.

Nine cases of chronic wasting disease have been detected over the past few years in Adams, Juneau and Portage counties. To help track the distribution of the disease in these counties and test additional harvested deer, the department has established surveillance areas. Surveillance is also being conducted in the areas surrounding captive white-tailed deer facilities in Portage and Marathon counties, where the disease has been previously detected. To view current focus areas, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords “cwd sampling.”

During the 2015-16 deer seasons, DNR staff will work with local taxidermists and cooperators to provide collection points near or within surveillance areas. Here, hunters can drop off deer heads and submit lymph samples. Please call ahead to ensure the cooperator will be available to sample your deer.

The current list of central Wisconsin cooperators can be found below:

* Hartnell’s Wild Game Processing – 1925 Cypress Ave., Arkdale, 608-339-7288;

* Trevor Athens Taxidermy – 982 15th Ave., Arkdale, 608-547-6117;

* B&L Taxidermy – 1088 13th Ave., Arkdale, 715-323-1782;

* Froh’s Taxidermy – W9650 Jacobsen Rd., Camp Douglas, 608-547-1279;

* Field and Stream Taxidermy – 217 S. Front St., Coloma, 608-547-1565;

* Wisconsin River Meats – N5340 County Road HH, Mauston, 608-847-7413;

* Todd’s Wildlife Taxidermy – N2148 State Road 58, Mauston, 608-847-7693;

* Vollmer Taxidermy – 3631 Plover Rd., Plover, 715-345-1934;

* All Seasons Taxidermy – W9711 Beechnut Dr., Wautoma, 920-765-1078;

* Superior Taxidermy – 9710 Camp Phillips Rd., Weston, 715-359-0557;

* Strictly Wild Processing – 140 Buffalo St., Wisconsin Rapids, 715-421-0587;

* People’s Meat Market – 6811 Burr Oak Rd., Custer, 715-592-6328;

* Almond Rod and Gun Club – 8092 County Rd. GG, Almond, 715-570-1147; and

* Roche-A-Cri Bowman (24hr drop off in wood shed) – 2021 14th Dr., Friendship, 608-339-6460.

Hunters that harvest adult deer in the surveillance areas during the archery season can also remove the deer head with at least three inches of neck attached, freeze the deer head and contact DNR staff (information below) and arrange to drop off the deer head at one of the following DNR offices:

* Mead Wildlife Area Headquarters – S2148 County Rd. S, Milladore, 715-457-6771;
* Wisconsin Rapids Service Center – 473 Griffith Ave., Wisconsin Rapids, 715-421-7813; and
* Adams-Friendship Ranger Station – 532 N. Main St., Adams, 715-213-5925.

CWD tests are free of charge, and test results will be sent within three to four weeks. For more information, search keyword “CWD.” Information regarding collection stations will also be made available throughout the season via the DNR website.

Contributed by Sawyer Briel – Wisconsin DNR Communication Specialist  

The Necedah Village Board adopted the Necedah Comprehensive Plan at its meeting on Monday night. The comprehensive planning law requires that adopted comprehensive plans be reviewed and updated at least once every 10 years, but county and local governments may choose to update the plan more frequently. Village Administrator Roger Herried said their old plan was adopted in November of 2008.

The board also discussed a notice from the Juneau County Treasurer regarding a parcel of land, tax parcel 291610130, which is located in the Village of Necedah. The letter provided to the Village Board stated the property was available to purchase. Herried said the board discussed the condition of the property and found it had been unoccupied for several years and is not fit for human habitation.

Herried also said there will be a meeting on November 4th at 7:00 pm at the New Lisbon City Hall to discuss the Camp Douglas Rescue bylaw changes. The communities served by the ambulance service will have an opportunity to select a representative to sit on the board of directors. Herried said more information will be released at that meeting.

And as a result of a ISO Rating – Public Protection Classification Survey, which was conducted several months ago, Herried said effective January 1, 2016, Necedah will be Public Protection Classification 05/5Y, 8B/10&10.

The Necedah Village Board meets the second Monday of every month at the Necedah Village Hall.

A Verona woman was sentenced Tuesday in a Juneau County court for burglary and resisting/obstructing an officer. 38-year-old Heather Murphy pleaded no contest to the charges before Judge Guy Reynolds. Two counts, first degree recklessly endangering safety and theft, were dismissed but read in during sentencing. Murphy was sentenced to three years probation, with the sentence withheld. She was also sentenced to 30 days in the local jail, but that time had been served. Murphy allegedly was a part of burglary in process that led to a high speed chase through Juneau County in October 2014. The other person involved in the incident, 38-year-old Jeffrey Frey of Verona, was sentenced in September.

A Stoddard man was arrested for numerous drug charges stemming from an investigation of trafficking methamphetamines from his residence in Stoddard. Vernon County Sheriff John Spears said investigators executed a search warrant of 25-year-old Stanley Holte’s residence at 400 Front Street, Lot Number 12. During the search of the residence, investigators located a vast amount of methamphetamines and other items indicating the possession and distribution of them, along with over $2,200. Holte is currently being held in the Vernon County Jail with an upcoming court appearance of November 4th to face numerous felony charges. Assisting the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation were members of the West Central Drug Task and the Vernon County Combined Tactical Unit

The Tomah VA Medical Center will offer a Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic for Veterans, VA volunteers and VA employees on October 15th and 16th from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the VA campus. Monroe County Health Department will join the medical center staff to vaccinate family, spouses, friends or others that come with the Veteran.

Veterans and family won’t even have to get out of their cars to get the immunization that will protect them from the influenza illness. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.

Tomah VA’s Drive-Thru Flu Clinic

October 15th and 16th, 2015

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Who is eligible for VA Drive-Thru Flu Clinic?

· All Veterans with ID

· Registered Tomah VA Volunteers

· VA employees

Enter at Tomah VA’s 4th Street, follow signs and don’t forget to bring VA identification. You may stay in your car, but please dress so you can expose your upper arm.

Contributed by Matthew Gowen

There was a two vehicle accident in the Town of Plymouth on October 6. 20-year-old Alissa Manthey of Hillsboro was traveling east on Highway 82 near Nelson Road when she stated she reached for a phone charger and entered the opposite lane ditch. Manthey overcorrected and stuck a westbound vehicle driven by 61-year-old Jeffrey Taylor of Madison. Taylor was forced off the roadway and ended in the ditch. Taylor received non-incapacitating injuries and was medically transported. Manthey reported possible injuries but was not medically transported. She was cited for inattentive driving, failure to keep vehicle under control, and operating left of center.

A Mauston man has been charged with third degree sexual assault. According to the criminal complaint, Robert Waddell Junior allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent at a residence in the Lemonweir Township on October 3. Law enforcement went to Waddell’s residence and informed him he was under arrest. Waddell was allowed to finish his cigarette, but as soon as he was finished, he took off into a wooded area. A search of the area was unsuccessful; however Waddell was taken into custody Tuesday. Waddell also is charged with escape, sexual intercourse with a child and bail jumping.  A cash bond of $5,000 was set for Waddell and he is to have no contact with the victim. An initial appearance has been scheduled for October 28.

With cities and villages announcing their trick or treat hours, WRJC wants to remind potential trick-and-treaters of some safety tips. Children should be accompanied by an adult even when they get a little older and should try and wear light-colored clothing. If possible, wear something reflective so it is easier to be seen in the dark. Go to homes where the porch light is on and try and stay in neighborhoods you are familiar with. However, it’s not just trick-or-treaters that need to be careful. Drivers also need to be extremely attentive for children participating in trick or treat.

Halloween Trick or Treat Hours

Wonewoc – Oct. 31st from 4pm-6pm
Union Center – Oct. 31st from 4pm-6pm
Elroy – Oct. 31st from 4pm-7pm
Mauston – Oct. 31st from 4pm-7pm
Adams – Oct. 31st from 4pm-7pm
Friendship – Oct.31st from 4pm-7pm
Tomah – Oct. 31st from 5pm-8pm
New Lisbon – Oct. 31st from 4pm-6pm
Reedsburg – Oct. 31st from 4pm-7pm
Hillsboro – Oct. 31st from 4pm-7pm
Lyndon Station – Oct. 31st from 4pm-6pm
Necedah – Oct.31st from 4pm-6pm
Wisconsin Dells – Oct. 31st from 4pm-7pm

Thirty years after the first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held in October 1985, the disease remains second only to lung cancer in the number of cancer deaths in women, according to state health officials.

“Today, we know much more about this disease, including the importance of regular breast cancer screenings to catch the disease early and get women into treatment sooner,” said State Health Officer Karen McKeown.

To help accomplish this goal, the Department of Health Services Wisconsin Well Woman Program provides breast and cervical cancer screenings statewide to eligible women aged 45 through 64.

“While many women now have access to breast and cervical cancer screenings through private health insurance or BadgerCare, our program is committed to providing these life-saving screening services for women who continue to need them,” said McKeown. Low-income women historically have not accessed early detection and treatment services as frequently as other women.

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 4,300 new cases of breast cancer and more than 700 deaths from breast cancer in Wisconsin this year.

The main factors that influence your risk of breast cancer include sex, age (most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older), family history, and inherited genetic changes.

To find the Wisconsin Well Woman Program coordinator in your area, please call the Maternal and Child Health Hotline at 1-800-722-2295 or visit: Wisconsin Well Woman Program https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wwwp/index.htm.

Contributed by Annie Allen RN, PHN
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Sauk County Health Department

The Tomah City Council appointed Mike Murray as the new city council member representing the District 3 city council seat at Tuesday’s city council meeting. He will serve until April 2016 when he will have to run for re-election in the April election if he wants to keep the seat. The winner of the April election would then serve the final year of the two-year term before the seat is again up for election in April 2017.The seat was previously held by Mary Ellen Justinger, who resigned when she moved out of district.

Dylan Mercer rounds the curve as the first place finisher at Necedah Family Medical Center’s Autumn Scamper 5K.

On a windy, but beautiful, fall day individuals of all ages took advantage of the great weather to participate in Necedah Family Medical Center’s second annual Autumn Scamper 5k Run/Walk on October 3.

To start the morning festivities, 28 kids took part in a run/walk around the outside of the Necedah School. After moving their little legs as fast as possible, all of the participants received medals as they crossed the finish line. Following the kids’ race, 53 individuals took part in the 5k event. It took just 22 minutes and 29 seconds for the first runner to cross the finish line.

Top male runners in 13-29 year old category:
1st place: Dylan Mercer 22:29
2nd place: Joe Taft 24:23

Top male runners in 30+ category:
1st place: Larry Gierach 25:54
2nd place: Kirk Fitpold 26:00
3rd place: Ryan Plamann 31:08

Top female runners in 13-29 year old category:
1st place: Abby Field 23:36
2nd place: Kim Kiel 30:30
3rd place: Erika Morris 34:08

Top female runners in 30+ category:
1st place: Lisa Olson 25:00
2nd place: Maureen Randall 25:39
3rd place: Nicole Manning 26:57

Proceeds from the run/walk will be donated to the Necedah Public Library. In addition to the funds raised, canned goods were also collected and donated to the local food pantry.

Plans are already underway for next year’s event; so mark your calendar for Saturday, October 1, 2016! If you missed out on the excitement of the 2015 run/walk – as a sponsor, donor or participant – contact Necedah Family Medical Center at 608-565-2000 to have your name added to the mailing list for next year’s event.

Event sponsors:
Gold sponsors – Glavinsured; Karas Dental

And they’re off… 53 people took part in the 5K run/walk during Necedah Family Medical Center’s Autumn Scamper 5K on October 3.

Silver sponsors – Rudig Jensen/ABRA Auto Body; Necedah True Value; The Bank of Mauston

Bronze sponsors – J-B Deli; Woodbine Inn Food & Spirits; Beata Zimon, Castle Rock Realty; Nelson Auto Body, Inc.; Concept Printing Company, Inc; Lambert Lumber of Mauston; Torkelson – Necedah; Murphy’s Magic Mirror; The Company Hair; Castle Rock Grooming; Eagle Promotions and Apparel

Donations/Supporters:
McDonald’s Courtesy Corp; Beyond the Daily Grind Café; Culver’s of Mauston; Wendy’s of Mauston; Rudig Jensen; Doughboyz; AliRose Nail Salon and Academy; Clearfield Pub and Grille; Raabe’s Pharmacy; New Lisbon Family Restaurant; Lulich Landscaping; Red Geranium; Pizza Hut; China Buffet of Mauston; Swiney’s Star Route Bar & Grill; Opera House; Buckhorn Store; Dixie Hadley; Winding Rivers Landscaping & Garden Center; Mauston True Value; Mauston Park Oasis Restaurant; Roman Castle Italian Restaurant; Necedah Veteran’s Memorial Hall; Debbie Kay – Scentsy Distributor; Castle Rock Golf Course & Restaurant; Necedah BP; Thayer’s Jewelry; Kim’s Floral and Gifts; Holiday Lodge of Tomah; Kozy’s Pizza; Dirty Turtle Bar and Grill; Wisconsin River Meats; Hammond Auto; Little Crane Café; Mauston Veterinary Clinic; Phillips HealthMart; Mauston Home Furnishings; The Castle Course at Northern Bay; Snap Fitness of Mauston; Quality Inn & Suites; O’Reilly’s of Mauston; Red Hen Antiques and Collectables; Log Cabin Deli; Northwoods Apple Orchard; Friends of Necedah Public Library; Powers Gourmet Chocolates; Red Ridge Ranch; The Toro Company; Festival Foods; Kwik Trip of Necedah; Patricia Spriek; Larry Gierach & Wayne Dieleman & Carol Henny; Doreen Coller; Carolyn Williams; LaVonne Voltz; Kay Lynch; Laurie Kenke; Sandy Mercer; Tasha Ragan; Tania Clark

Contributed by Katie Nuttall

Last year in Wisconsin, there were more than 7,300 traffic crashes involving large trucks that resulted in 63 fatalities and more than 2,100 injuries. To help prevent crashes involving large trucks, buses and other commercial motor vehicles, inspectors from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of State Patrol will participate in Operation Safe Driver from October 18 to 24.

Sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the mission of Operation Safe Driver is to improve the behavior, habits and decision-making of commercial motor vehicle operators and all other motorists on the road through traffic safety law enforcement and education.

“During Operation Safe Driver, State Patrol inspectors and other law enforcement officers throughout North America will be cracking down on violations such as speeding, following too close, improper lane changes, failure to obey traffic signs and impaired driving by all motorists,” says State Patrol Captain Brian Ausloos of the Motor Carrier Enforcement Section. “In addition, commercial motor vehicle drivers will be checked for compliance with license requirements as well as regulations governing medical card and hours of service standards. Our inspectors will remove unsafe and fatigued commercial drivers from the road and ensure that all safety equipment on large trucks and other commercial vehicles is operating properly.”

During last year’s Operation Safe Driver, the State Patrol conducted 815 inspections that found 1,886 safety violations. A total of 116 vehicles and 62 drivers were placed out of service until the violations were corrected.

“In fatal crashes between cars and large trucks, driver error by the car driver, truck driver, or both is to blame 88 percent of the time,” says Captain Ausloos. “Lives can be saved and injuries prevented by reducing irresponsible and dangerous driving behavior like speeding, tailgating and aggressive driving by all motorists as well as ensuring commercial motor vehicle drivers are in compliance with all regulations.”

Contributed by the DOT

This heating season a major natural gas expansion project is bringing a new heating fuel to the Oakdale area. Alliant Energy has started serving residents and businesses in and around the area with safe, reliable and cost-effective natural gas. For some customers, this allows a switch from wood, propane or electric heat.

“This project will help unlock economic development opportunities in this area,” said John Larsen, president of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin utility. “This is one of several expansion projects we are working on for our customers in Wisconsin. With more natural gas pipelines, we can deliver a cost-effective fuel and create a stronger Wisconsin.”

The project involved building more than 21 miles of pipeline from the City of New Lisbon to the Village of Oakdale to serve residential, commercial and industrial customers, at a cost of approximately $15 million. Construction crews broke ground this March.

Applications for the 2016 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Excellence Scholarship can now be obtained in the principal’s office at Wisconsin public, religious, and independent high schools, from the Wisconsin Parents Association, and at www.kohleducation.org. A total of 100 students will be chosen to receive $3,000 scholarships from among all applicants throughout the state.

Applicants must be residents of Wisconsin who will graduate from high school in 2016, and plan to continue their education at a college, university or vocational/technical school. Students will be evaluated on academic achievement, leadership, citizenship, and school and community activities. Completed applications are due on November 6, 2015, for public high school students, and November 25, 2015, for religious, independent and homeschooled high school students. Students should contact their school principal or counselor, or go to www.kohleducation.org/students/ for a copy of the application form and detailed information on the eligibility criteria. The number of applications each high school may submit is based on enrollment.

Home schooled students can also obtain an application at www.homeschooling-wpa.org.

Selection of recipients will be made by a state-level panel composed of representatives from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation, Cooperative Educational Service Agencies, Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools, several education-related associations, and community representatives. Since the program was established in 1990, the Herb Kohl Foundation has awarded 2,600 Excellence scholarships to graduating high school students throughout the state for a total of $2.9 million.

The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Excellence Scholarship program is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools, and Cooperative Educational Service Agencies.

The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is holding another “Can You Capture It?” session this Saturday, October 17.  It will be held from 10:00am – 11:00am at the Visitor Center. This lecture series will feature capturing outdoor photography techniques, as well as tips and tricks for capturing wildlife photography. All camera types and skill levels welcome.

For more information on public programming or a copy of our trail maps, contact the Necedah NWR Visitor Center at 608-565-2551 or by e-mail at Necedah@fws.gov.  Necedah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is open Monday – Saturday, 9:00am to 4:00pm, and is located off of Highway 21 four miles west of the Village of Necedah or 18 miles east of Tomah.  Refuge lands are open sunrise to sunset year-round.  For additional information please call 608-565-2551 or visit us online at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Necedah/.

Based on a potential threat made against a New Lisbon school administrator, the New Lisbon Schools were put into a soft lockdown Friday about 2:10. With the assistance of the Juneau County Sheriff’s Department and the New Lisbon Police Department, the suspect was taken into custody. It was determined then that a threat no longer existed at 2:30. The school then came out of lockdown. School officials say at no time were any students were in danger.