of Juneau County
The Messenger 11TH ANNUAL FLY-IN THIS SATURDAY VOL 15, NO. 4
LOOK INSIDE FOR YOUR LOCAL NEWS:
Elroy: Page 6 Mauston: Page 4 Necedah: Page 10
County: Page 3 Wonewoc: Page 16 Hillsboro: Page 14
Classifieds: Page 18 Legals: Pages 19 & 20
THE AWARD WINNING OFFICIAL LEGAL NEWSPAPER OF JUNEAU COUNTY THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013
$1.00
Accidental shooting takes life of Mauston Man BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD
FIRE AT WALSH GRAIN FARM On Sunday afternoon just before 2:30 p.m. the Mauston Fire Department responded a call at Walsh Grain Farm east of Mauston. According to reports, sparking the flames was a by-product of manufacturing bio-diesel, which is used for fertilizer. The fire was contained to a storage shed and an adjacent open area. Fire-fighters were on the scene for approximately four hours.
Still waiting for results in Elroy hit and run death BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD According to Elroy interim Chief of Police, Tony Green, there are no updates to report in the investigation of a May hit and run accident which took the like of James F. Bendel Jr. In email correspondence with the Messenger Chief Green stated, "Unfortunately at this time there is no new information to release. Evidence is still being processed by the State Crime Lab." The incident taking the life of Bendel occurred on Friday, May 31, 2013. At approximately 10:02 p.m. the Elroy Police Department responded to a report of a suspect hit by a vehicle on State Road 80/82 near the Valley Inn in the City of Elroy. The subject identified as Bendel was transported to Gundersen St. Joseph's Hospital in Hillsboro via the Elroy Ambulance. Bendel Jr. was later pronounced dead at Gundersen St. Joseph's Hospital. Days after the accident The Messenger interviewed Chief Green who had stated that the make of the vehicle in question has not yet been determined. The investigation is being handled by the Elroy Police Dept. The Wisconsin State Patrol and the Juneau County Sheriff's Department had been assisting with the investigation.
By 12:30 Sunday afternoon rumors were flying across social media outlets of a possible murder just outside of Mauston at a mobile home park. Messages came into the Messenger stating the same. By the time we were able to get on the scene, law enforcement was stationed outside of the residence and were awaiting the Juneau County Coroner. Neighbors were in shock at what they too believed was the murder of a 28 year old man. By the following morning, Monday, Officials were on the scene at a home in Hamm’s Trailer Park for several days Sheriff Brent Oleson after an accidental shooting. issued a press release stating a deceased 28 the life of one female, and their homes on full blast out with friends the year old had been discov- critically wounded anoth- and may have covered any evening of Friday, August ered in his Lemonweir er. It was a tragedy that is signs that something was 23rd and at some point Township residence and still on the minds of many afoul next door. after returning to his resithe matter was still under and perhaps fed fears that a Sheriff Brent Oleson dence he handled a .22 calinvestigation. The release community may have stated that DCI was called iber handgun and accidendid not identify the victim. another like incident to in as they have the best tally discharged it, striking Meanwhile friends and mourn. investigators in the state in the upper left leg. A family attempted to mourn Friends reported to and wanted to ensure the short while later it is the passing of Joshua WKOW out of Madison investigation was thor- believed he succumbed to Bader, a young man many and to The Messenger that ough. Sheriff Oleson also his injury. commented was "the Bader was respected and declined to release any "Investigators were able nicest guy you would ever well liked, but in recent additional information to come to this conclusion meet." weeks had been fearful until a Monday autopsy from evidence at the scene, By Monday afternoon that someone connected to had been performed. follow-up investigations, Madison news crews drove a person he worked with By Tuesday afternoon and from the autopsy that the 70 plus miles to cover was after him. conducted on the autopsy results were in, was the story on the investigaNeighbors reported that and after holding a meet- Monday, August 26. While tion as it now involved the Bader was quiet and for ing with DCI and family, some follow-up investigaWisconsin Department of the most part kept to him- Sheriff Oleson released tion is still on-going, there Criminal Investigation self. In speaking with information that Joshua is absolutely no informa(DCI). neighbors none reported Bader died from a gunshot tion that the shooting was Sadly, this investigation hearing a gunshot, but also wound to his upper leg. not accidental," stated was being conducted just commented that with the The release went on to Sheriff Oleson. three months after a shoot- recent heat wave air condi- state that the investigation ing in Mauston which took tioners were running in revealed Bader had been
Wonewoc man dies in crash Last Thursday, August 22, Juneau County Sheriff Brent Oleson issued a press release regarding an August 18 motorcycle accident resulting in the death of 46 year old James Lierman of Wonewoc. According to Sheriff Oleson on Sunday afternoon, August 18, the Juneau County Sheriff's Office received a report of a missing person who may have been in a motorcycle accident. The deputy responding to the call meet with the caller who informed him that his brother, 22 year old Wesley Dehler of Wonewoc was located at a vacant residence on County Highway FF in Wonewoc. It was reported that Dehler had injures but was unable to remember what had occurred to cause them. The deputy also received information that Dehler had left an establishment in Wonewoc the evening prior at
approximately 11:00 p.m and he had been with Lierman. According to the release, a search of the area on County Highway FF resulted in law enforcement discovering Lierman laying in a ditch along with a crashed motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation. Lierman, formerly of Mauston, was known to family and friends as "Jimbo." According to his obituary he worked many years as a mechanic and was known to have a passion for fixing things. He especially enjoyed his Harley and muscle cars. In addition to his love for engines, he was proud of his children and was passionate about attending and coaching their sporting activities.
JAMES “JIMBO” LIERMAN