News – October 23, 2021

(Horicon) The Dodge County DA’s office has declined to prosecute allegations of Misconduct In Office and Open Meetings Law violations related to the Horicon Common Council vote to dissolve the city’s Police and Fire Commission. The council cast the vote in March following disagreement with the PFC on the hiring process to replace former Police Chief Joe Adamson. The PFC decided to post the position externally with any internal candidates who apply automatically advancing straight to final interviews. However, Horicon’s employee handbook says that openings for city positions must be posted internally first and council feared a lawsuit. The DA’s office said the city council had the authority to disband the PFC and properly followed the legal advice of the city attorney.

(Emmet) An Iowa man who had an inappropriate contract with a minor was sentenced Friday to two-and-a-half years in prison. Selvin Ivan Santos Ortez pled no contest to a reduced felony count of Third Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. In the fall of 2018, authorities were notified of a complaint made against Ortez for assaulting a minor in the summer of 2015 in the town of Emmet. Through their investigation, it was determined that Ortez was aware that the victim was 14-years-old at the time. According to the criminal complaint, the victim told investigators that Ortez did make sexual contact. In addition to the 30 month prison sentence, the 27-year-old will spend three years on extended supervision and must register as a sex offender for 15 years.

(Dodge County) A number of Dodge County agencies will be participating in Saturday’s ‘Prescription Drug Take Back Day.’ Residents are encouraged to bring any unwanted, unneeded, and expired medications to their local law enforcement agency for proper disposal. There is no cost for residents or the county to dispose of the drugs which can be dropped off at the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office in Juneau between 10am and 2pm today as well as police departments in Beaver Dam, Columbus, Juneau, Lomira, Mayville, Watertown, and Waupun.

(Marquette County) Fewer Wisconsin counties are “in the red” for the coronavirus. State health officials say only eight Wisconsin counties have “critically high” coronavirus activity. That number was 16 to start the week. “Critically high” activity means a positivity rate of more than one-percent, although population plays a role, too. The Department of Health Services says most of the rest of Wisconsin has “very high” activity. Dane County has been downgraded to just “high” coronavirus activity. Marquette County is the only county in the region listed as “critically high.” Dodge County is in the “very high” category.

(Juneau) The Dodge County Board honored the memory of a supervisor that recently passed away. Jeff Schmitt died on September 29th. During the county board’s regular monthly meeting this week, a resolution was read and passed that recognized Schmitt’s commitment to the county and his community. The resolution state’s that during Schmitt’s combined 13 years serving on the county board he dedicated himself to his constituents and approached his duties with common sense, in a concerned, conscientious, and effective manner.