of Juneau County
NECEDAH GRAD BREAKS 5 POWERLIFTING RECORDS VOL 15, NO. 24
The Messenger LOOK INSIDE FOR YOUR LOCAL NEWS:
Elroy: Page 5 Mauston: Page 4 New Lisbon: Page 6
County: Page 3 Wonewoc: Page 11 Hillsboro: Page 10
Classifieds: Page 12 Legals: Page 13
THE AWARD WINNING OFFICIAL LEGAL NEWSPAPER OF JUNEAU COUNTY
Mental illness to blame for injuries BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD
A possible anxiety attack and mental health condition is suspected to be the reason why a Monroe County male was found wandering a field near Ocean Spray, naked and bleeding. According to a January 16, 2014 press release the Monroe County Sheriff's Department stated they were notified at 4:04 p.m. that same day of a nude male subject being spotted walking in the snow in the area of Essex Avenue near Ocean Spray in the Township of Byron. Deputies responding to the call began a search for the subject and requests for assistance were made to the Oakdale Fire Department and Wisconsin DNR to assist with the search. Weather conditions at the time were dangerously cold due to wind chills, however they were able to locate the subject’s tracks in the snow and confirmed the footprints showed him to be barefoot. Once they tracked him down they found him disoriented and suffering from frostbite. The deputies provided liners from their coats and a face mask to help protect the subject until EMS personnel could arrive. He was then transported to Tomah Memorial Hospital with life threatening injuries including a body temperature of 90 degrees. According to a police report the subject told deputies he had an argument with a family member which resulted in an anxiety attack. It was after that he was unsure what had happened. That same family member had a different account of the situation stating that she had been in a gas station and when returning to her vehicle the subject had disappeared. She claimed that there hadn't been an argument. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by the Tomah Area Ambulance Service, the Oakdale Fire Department, the Wisconsin State Patrol, the Wisconsin DNR, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Reserve and the Monroe County 911 Dispatch Center.
Accident claims one life The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported a fatal motor vehicle crash which was reported at 11:57 p.m., January 18, 2014. The crash occurred on Desoto Avenue about one tenth of a mile west of Ellsworth Road in the township of La Grange. A pickup truck with two occupants was traveling west on Desoto Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle, left the road on the south side struck and knocked over a power pole then rolled onto its side in a ditch. Both occupants of the vehicle were transported to Tomah Memorial Hospital by the Tomah Ambulance Service where one of the occupants a 33 year old male from rural Tomah, WI was pronounced dead. The other occupant a 26 year old female also from rural Tomah was transferred to a Marshfield hospital by Spirit Air medical helicopter. The severity of her injuries is unknown at this time. The names of the occupants are not being released at this time pending notification of family. Assisting at the scene were the Wisconsin State Patrol, Warrens Fire Department and First Responders, Tomah Area Ambulance Service and Rescue Techs and the Monroe County 911 Communication Center. The crash remains under investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Monroe County Medical Examiner.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2014
$1.00
Offender being released in Mauston Juneau County Sheriff Brent Oleson and Mauston Police Chief Mark Messer are releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 301.46(2m) which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender’s release when; at the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety, awareness, and protection. Sex offenders have always lived in our communities; with approximately 85 currently living in Juneau County. It was not until Act 440 was enacted that law enforcement is able to share this information with the community. Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate, or harass registered sex offenders will NOT be tolerated. The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense. Further, his criminal offense places him in a classification level which reflects the need to notify the community. James D. Kern has served the secure portion of his commitment imposed on him by the courts. He is NOT wanted by law enforcement at this time. This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public. Kern will be granted his mandatory prison release date on February 4, 2014 and he will then be residing at the TLP house in the City of Mauston located at 108 Wisconsin Street. Kern is a lifetime registrant of the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registration Program and will be monitored by a GPS ankle bracelet. Kern is not to be off the Wisconsin Street property without approval of his probation and parole agent. James D. Kern was convicted in 2005 for 1st Degree sexual assault of a child less than 13 years of age (as a
James D. Kern repeater). The female victim was seven years old and known to Kern. Kern is a 26 year old white male who is 5’10”, 209 pounds and has brown hair with hazel eyes.
Juneau County in desperate need of welders; county supports education BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD Although the unemployment rate in Juneau County is over seven percent, there is one trade in which many area companies are in desperate need of filling vacancies - welding. At Tuesday's morning meeting of the Juneau County Board of Supervisors members voted in favor of a resolution issuing support for welder training and education. In the resolution it states: "Whereas, at the Juneau County Economic Development Corporation community meeting in New Lisbon on August 20, 2013 there was a discussion about
Walkers Stainless Steel in New Lisbon displaying a "Welders Wanted" sign outside the front of the building for more than a year; and Whereas, city officials at the meeting indicated that more could be done to help local employers in Juneau County find, prepare and train qualified employees; and Whereas, W.M. Sprinkman Manufacturing Service in Elroy and Brenner Tank in Mauston also have a need for several different types of welders." Juneau County Economic and Development Corporation Director Terry Whipple was present for the meeting and explained that
the Wisconsin Technical College is currently writing for a $500,000 grant to help provide more education and training in the field of welding and could use the board's support in applying for the grant. If awarded, the college is looking to partner with New Lisbon High School in providing a space where some of the classes could take place. "It will keep businesses here and draw new businesses to Juneau County," he said. Larry Willard with Sprinkman Manufacturing stated that currently the company is losing business due to a lack of trained
welders and open positions. "People do not generally relocate for shop jobs," he said. Walkers Stainless in New Lisbon is reportedly suffering from 20 vacant welding positions. The resolution did not ask for monetary support from the county, however, stated: The Juneau County Board of Supervisors shall and hereby does request that Western Technical College provide the necessary leadership, teachers, technical assistance, and monetary support for the establishment of the type of welding courses needed by Juneau County manufactures at New Lisbon High School.
Tax Time Special!
10% DOWN on your new stove holds it until you get your Tax Refund!
“Proud to carry the area’s best pellets”
Showroom model stove sale* Natures Heat • N9171 State Rd 80 • Necedah, WI 54646 608-565-2676 • www.naturesheatcornstoves.com *