of Juneau County
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VOL 14, NO. 50
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THE AWARD WINNING OFFICIAL LEGAL NEWSPAPER OF JUNEAU COUNTY THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2013
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Shadowland Operating addresses county board, opponents BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD
Dan Coughlin
Mistrial in Coughlin trial BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD Days into intense, and at times disturbing, testimony from witnesses Juneau County District Court Judge John Roemer declared a mistrial in the State of Wisconsin's case against 50 year old Dan Coughlin of Lyndon Station. According to online court records and reports, the move came after Assistant Attorney General, Winn Collins, informed the court that video testimony existed of two witnesses. The videos were taken during interviews with the alleged victims in the case and were conducted by the Juneau County Sheriff's Department. Prior to the trial, attorneys only had audio portions of the interviews. Defense attorney Michael Ganzer reportedly told the court that he had based his case on transcripts and the audio portions of the interviews and that had he known about the videos his defense may have taken a different route including additional expert testimony. Ganzer motioned the court for a dismissal, however Collins objected to the motion. Roemer ruled that a mistrial had occurred and an October 15th hearing is now scheduled for arguments on possible sanctions. Earlier in the week a juror, Timothy Shanahan, was removed after the court learned that he had made statements about the on-going case on his Facebook page. Those statements included critiques of the attorneys handling the case. Coughlin was charged with three counts each of First degree child sexual and Second degree child sexual assault for alleged incidents that occurred over a period of time from 1989 through 1992. Coughlin's brother Donald has also been charged and is facing 23 felony counts relating to child sexual assault. His trial was scheduled to begin later this month on July 29th however, last week a postponement was granted and a motion hearing has been scheduled for July 29th. He is being represented by defense attorney Daniel Berkos.
The question Juneau County Board Supervisors are considering is whether or not to be a conduit for $65 million in bonds so that Shadowland Operating, LLC can move forward with a sand mining operation in the Township of Orange. Should the county approve the measure it would be at no risk to the county. It was a question that was first addressed at the May meeting of the Juneau County Board of Supervisors where at the Representatives from Shadowland Operating spoke with opponents after time, with a vote of 14 to the county board meeting. 7 supervisors moved forward in the multi-step Supervisors for tackling lished in December of track record. He went on process to approving the the issue and conducting 2011. They also expressed to state Alcorn had a "stelan informational meeting. concerns over the county lar" reputation. measure. Bates introduced John At the July 16th meeting Alcorn went on to state endorsing sand mining by President of of the board, a discussion that fracking would move moving forward in support Cross, Processing was held where opponents our country forward in of Shadowland Operating, Turnkey Solutions, who is handling LLC without knowing being independent, help and proponents had a chance to voice their con- with job creation, and what negative impact may the operations of the facilcerns, and answer ques- assist with national securi- be caused to the environ- ity in the Township of ment by mining the sand. Orange. Cross stated that tions about the bonds and ty. The sand needed for They questioned the need the mine is expected to on the possible impact to Juneau County. Prior to fracking operations is what of the county's involve- produce 1 million tons per the discussion occurring, a is planned to be mined in ment when at the previous year of high quality sand. letter from Shadowland Orange Township. Alcorn meeting, George Bates - He went on to say that to Operating, LLC President, stated, "Juneau County sits Chief Financial Officer make that happen they stated that they were pre- would need to hire and George Alcorn, was read on the finest sand." Opponents of the county pared to move forward train "local folks." Cross aloud. In it Alcorn apolowith the mining facility went on to state that train approving being the congized for not being present at the board meeting duit for the bonds said they without the county's back- cars rather than trucks will be utilized in getting the about the ing. explaining that he was cur- worry At Tuesday's discussion sand to it's final destinarently in Washington D.C. Shadowland Operating at a meeting with peers. and what they considered Bates took issue with the tion, a process that would See SAND, Page 4 He applauded the Juneau to be a lack of a track question of the company's County Board of record having been estab- stability and it's officers
Elroy man dies in motorcycle/deer crash According to a Monday, July 15th press release issued by Juneau County Sheriff Brent Oleson a Sunday morning motorcycle accident ended with the operator losing his life. Sheriff Oleson stated that the initial investigation showed the motorcycle was being operated by the 42 year old rural Elroy male and had been heading eastbound on County
Highway O when a deer emerged onto the road from a ditch and in the direct path of the bike. The Juneau County Coroner pronounced the operator of the bike dead at the scene. The name of the victim was not released pending notification of family members.