News – January 15, 2019

(Dodge County) A con artist is calling people in the area claiming to be the with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, saying there is an arrest warrant and they need to report to the Dodge County Jail to pay a bond. Sheriff Dale Schmidt called the number, pressed one of the options and was transferred to a man who refused to give his name. When the sheriff identified himself, the conman hung up. He called the number back and got the same person, who he immediately began swearing and telling the sheriff to leave him alone while he was at his job. Schmidt says anyone who questions the validity of a phone call should hang-up and contact authorities through a phone number that is published in the phone book or on an official website of that agency.

(Barron County) Jake Patterson made his initial appearance on Homicide and Kidnapping charges Monday afternoon. Barron County District Attorney Brian Wright says that after Patterson shot and killed Jayme Closs’s parents and abducted her, he was ready to die fighting with officers. The 21-year-old indicated that if he had been stopped by police, it was likely that he was going to shoot at officers with his remaining three shotgun shells. He kept the shotgun shells inside of his house for two weeks in case the police came. Judge James Babler agreed with prosecutors that Patterson was likely to flee if released from court. He is being held on a $5-million-dollar cash bond and will be back in court February 6th.

(Beaver Dam) Cash bond was set at $5,000 yesterday (Monday) for a Beaver Dam man accused of making threats against police. Samuel Stephenson allegedly fled from officers on foot following reports of a fight early yesterday (Monday) morning in Beaver Dam. After a brief chase, a Taser gun was used to take Stephenson into custody. While being booked into the Dodge County Jail, Stephenson reportedly made verbal threats towards corrections officers and staff, including the city’s K9. If convicted on all charges, the 21-year-old faces roughly 32-years in prison.

(Lomira) A mother and son who are accused of burglarizing their former home in Lomira made their initial appearances in court yesterday (Monday). Nathan and Barbara Braunschweig allegedly took farm equipment from the foreclosed property. Through a confidential informant, the deputy was able to track sales of metal scrap pieces at a local recycling company that allegedly listed Nathan on the receipt. If convicted on all charges, Nathan and Barbara face up to 28 years in prison.

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam School Board last (Monday) night approved the findings of an audit of district finances during the previous school year. John Knepel (kuh-nop-il) with Baker Tilly says the district met its budget with a General Fund totaling $38-million, finishing in line with projections. The district received a “clean opinion” which is the highest form of assurance an entity can receive from an auditor.

(Baraboo) The response by the teacher’s union at Baraboo High School to the prom picture with student showing what looks like the Nazi salute is getting recognition from the Auschwitz Memorial.  The teachers raised 21-hundred dollars for the museum after the picture became public.  The memorial says they will be giving the school books about the history of the concentration camp and survivor memoirs.

(Waupun) Waupun Police crediting social media in helping to reconnect a girl with her mother Monday.  The child was found sitting on a porch around 7:20am and taken to the hospital.  As police and Dodge County Social Services searched the area for a parent, a Facebook post was made showing her in good condition.  Police say the mother saw it and contacted them.

(Iron Ridge) An Iron Ridge man who spent three decades on the Dodge County Board has passed away. Ed Qualmann died on Friday. He served as a county supervisor until the spring of 2012 when he opted not to seek another term. Funeral services for Qualmann are being held today (Tuesday), which would have been his 86th birthday.