News – January 2, 2019

(Lake Mills) A Lake Mills firefighter was killed in a drunk driving crash on the Beltline in Monona Monday night. The incident involved multiple vehicles. The first crash happened just before 7pm. Lake Mills Fire Captain Christopher Truman got out to assist the victims, when he was struck by another vehicle. Truman, a 13-year veteran of the department, was taken to a local hospital where he later died. Samuel Cremers was the driver of the suspect vehicle. Cremers is facing charges of Homicide By Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle.

(Brandon) A Brandon woman killed Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash in the Town of Rosendale has been identified as Rose M. Larson. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office say the 25-year-old was southbound on Highway 26 near Griffith Road around 12:30pm when she lost control on the snow and ice covered roadway. Larson’s car spun and entered the opposite lane, striking a northbound vehicle driven by a 61-year-old Winneconne woman. Jane Piddington was wearing a seatbelt and was transported to Mercy Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Larson, who was also wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. A dog in her vehicle also perished. The accident remains under investigation.

(Johnson Creek) One person was killed Tuesday afternoon following a two-vehicle crash in Johnson Creek. Jefferson County officials say an SUV turning onto Highway 26 from Lamar Lane near the outlet mall collided with a southbound semi-truck. A passenger in the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene. Other occupants of both vehicles were transported to area hospitals for treatment of injuries sustained in the wreck.

(Dodge County) There were no major incidents reported but Dodge County deputies were still busy over the New Year’s holiday. Sheriff Dale Schmidt says “snow created significant challenges for motorists” between 3pm and 9pm New Year’s Eve. There were no serious crashes or injuries, but dispatch fielded calls for 31 runoffs during second shift Monday. Schmidt says the snow seemed to reduce highway traffic and things settled down over night, although deputies did make a couple drunk driving arrests during the morning hours.  The sheriff is encouraging everyone to make it their New Year’s resolution to slow down during winter weather events and always refrain from driving while impaired.

(Town of Trenton) A Town of Trenton homeowner awoke to a loud noise yesterday (Tuesday) and found that someone had shot a gun through a front window. The bullet itself was located on the floor of the home. More bullets and additional damage were found later in the morning to other buildings and a vehicle on the property. The call was made to dispatchers at 2:05am and the residence located on County Road W. Less that 45 minutes later, a caller on Buckhorn Road in the Town of Trenton reported hearing three gunshots in the area. Responding deputies to both incidents were not able to locate any suspects. No word yet on if the two are connected.

(Horicon) City officials in Horicon recently recognized a group of citizens for springing quickly into action in reporting a Thanksgiving night fire. Mayor Jim Grigg says by immediately notifying the fire department and alerting the homeowners they helped avert what could have been a much more serious situation for the residents and a large structural fire. Crews responded to 205 North Finch Street around 8:30pm on Thanksgiving after the eyewitnesses saw flames and called 9-1-1. Fire Chief Jim Bandsma told us at the time they were fortunate to get the fire knocked down before it spread to the rest of the house, which needed to be ventilated but was otherwise inhabitable. The cause is “suspected to be related to the use of smoking materials.” There were no injuries.

(Madison) Outgoing Governor Scott Walker says he will join a speakers’ bureau once he leaves office next week.  In an e-mail to supporters New Year’s Day, Walker says he will speak at meetings, conferences and other events about conservative issues.  He also plans to remain in Wisconsin with his wife, sons and other family, and help in the efforts to re-elect President Donald Trump.

(Beaver Dam) City of Beaver Dam residents can start placing Christmas trees and boughs street-side for collection by city crews starting today (Wednesday). Trees and boughs must be free of ornaments, lights and stands so they can be chipped. City crews will pick-up the trees through the end of the month.