Current Stories

Fire guts trailer - occupant safe

Vernon County Sheriff John B. Spears reports: a structure fire that occurred at E9474 County Road SS in the Town of Liberty five miles east of Viroqua. The fire was reported to the Vernon County 911 Dispatch Center at 12:01am January 18th 2020.
   It was reported at 12:01am to the Vernon County Dispatch Center that a travel trailer located on the property of E9474 County Road SS Viroqua, WI had started on fire. Emergency crews were dispatched to the location and by the time they arrived the camper was fully engulfed. The Viola Fire Department with the assistance from the Viroqua Fire Department quickly acted, knocking the fire down so the nearby residence was not affected.
   The lone occupant of the camper was able to get out and all occupants in the nearby residence were also able to get out safely.
   The fire remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff's Office and the Viola Fire Department.  (Photo courtesy of Sheriff’ Spears)

12-year student turned over to authorities for
alleged Terroristic threats

On January 14th, 2020 at 9:45 am the Superintendent for Desoto Area Schools reported they had a 7th grade student that damaged school property and has been causing problems at the school recently.
   A deputy from the Vernon County Sheriff's Office responded to the school and met with administration and the 12-year-old student.  As the investigation continued, Deputies were making their presence known at the school each day during this time.
   On Friday, January 17th, 2020, further information was obtained by the school and our investigation, and as a result the 12-year-old student was taken into custody and turned over to Juvenile Authorities on January 17th, 2020.  Charges will be sought through the Vernon County Juvenile Authorities for Terroristic threats, Wisconsin statue 947.019.  
   Sheriff John Spears would like to thank those involved in this investigation, and again cannot stress enough the importance of the statement " If You See, Hear Something, Say Something ".   Cooperation with Desoto Area Schools, Law Enforcement and Parents are vital in these types of investigations.  Law Enforcement presence will be increased in the school next week, even though there is no immediate threat of safety for students or staff at this time.

Car hits semi head-on

On December 27, 2019 at 12:48 AM the Grant County Dispatch Center received a report of a car vs. semi head on crash on U.S. Highway 61 and Indian Creek Road.
   Samantha Klein, age 29 of Potosi, was traveling north on U.S. Highway 61 when her vehicle crossed the center line into the southbound lane and struck a 2013 International Semi, owned by Reinhart Transportation, that was driven by Kallen Faas, 29 of La Crosse.
    Klein struck the semi head on. Klein was extracted from the vehicle and she sustained severe injuries due to the crash. The crash remains under investigation by the Grant County Sheriff's Office. The Grant County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Dickeyville Fire Department, Dickeyville EMS, Potosi Fire Department, and Potosi EMS. The vehicles were removed from the scene by Guys Truck and Tractor Service and Donnie's Tire and Towing.

Semi crash blocks Hwy 82

On Monday, December 9, 2019 at 7:18am, Vernon County Sheriff John B. Spears reports a semi that had slide out of control crossing State Highway 82, just west of Lafarge. 
   Thomas J. Andrew, 65 from rural Lafarge was traveling north on Slayback Rd. when he lost control on the ice-covered road.  The 1996 Freightliner, owned by Gordon Nemec, slid through the intersection at State Highway 82.  The semi traveled across both lanes and went into the ditch on the north side. 
   The fully loaded trailer was blocking both lanes of travel.  Andrew, the only occupant denied any injuries.  The highway was reduced to one lane for about 45 minutes.  The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office. (Photo courtesy Vernon Co. Sheriff)

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