Richland County Sheriff's Office

One Vehicle Crash Results in Serious Injuries

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On June 23rd, 2020, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a one vehicle crash on US hwy 14 just east of Bohman Drive. Upon arrival, deputies located two females that had been ejected from the vehicle and a male party who was also involved in the crash nearby. Emergency aid was provided to the injured parties until Richland and Baraboo EMS arrived on scene. During a subsequent investigation of the crash, it was determined that the vehicle was traveling westbound on US Hwy 14 when the vehicle left the roadway, striking a light pole and eventually rolling over. Speed and intoxication are believed to be contributing factors in the cause of the crash. Both females were later transported to UW Hospital in Madison due to injuries sustained in the crash and the male was treated for minor injuries and released from Richland Hospital. Assisting on scene were the Richland Center Police Department, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland EMS, and Baraboo EMS. Charges have been referred to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

Who Involved:

Kayla L. Warn, 25 of Janesville, WI
Deanna L. Geddes, 28 of Janesville, WI
Scott A. Chroninger, 29 of Beloit, WI

Arrests or Charges: Kayla L. Warn: 346.63(1)(a) Operating While Intoxicated (2nd Offense), 343.44(1)(b) Knowingly Operate While Revoked Causing Great Bodily Harm

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland County EMS, Baraboo EMS

Richland Center Police Department Press Release

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Richland Center Police Chief Billy Jones reports that a local man has been taken into custody after making a concerning post on social media.  Chief Jones explained that law enforcement was recently made aware of a social media post that appeared to be an attempt to organize an unlawful assembly and looting of an area business.  Law enforcement responded with an increased presence in the area and the business took special measures to ensure the safety of its employees and the building.  No disturbance ended up transpiring, although some parties did show up claiming to be there just to watch what was going to happen.  Ultimately those parties left the area without incident. As a result of the subsequent investigation, a 17 year old was taken into custody for Unlawful Use of a Computerized Communication Systems, a class B misdemeanor.

Chief Jones stated that, although the comments made on social media were relatively vague, the Richland Center Police Department takes any such comments as serious potential threats to the public’s safety and property, especially in light of the current heightened tensions across the country.  Jones added that this person’s comments not only cost the taxpayers due to the needed increase in police presence, they also cost the business  who took measures to further secure their building, and its employees who were sent home for their own safety.

Chief Jones also noted that the Richland Center Police Department was aided greatly in this investigation by several area citizens who called and made the Police Department aware of the situation.  Chief Jones stated that the vigilance of these citizens allowed the Police Department to be proactive and prevent a dangerous situation from starting.

Any citizen who has information concerning any illegal activity is encouraged to call the Richland Center Police Department at 608-647-2103 or the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2016.  Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583) and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Possible Overdose Death at Local Tavern

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On 5/19/2020 at 12:10am EMS was requested at Rumors Bar in Cazenovia for a male party that was found unresponsive in the bar. EMS and deputies responded. Once EMS arrived on scene, Kyle Feldman was found in the restroom not breathing. EMS began medical treatment. When deputies arrived they assisted EMS. Inside the bathroom was found drug paraphernalia associated with heroin use. Narcan was administered by EMS with no success. Medical treatment was stopped and Kyle Feldman was pronounced deceased. Further drug items were located. An autopsy is scheduled to find the cause of death. Assisting at the scene was Cazenovia EMS, Reedsburg EMS, and the Richland County Coroner.

WHO INVOLVED: Kyle Feldman, 33 of Madison, WI

OTHER AGENCIES INVOLVED: Cazenovia EMS, Reedsburg EMS, Richland County Coroner

Two Vehicle Crash on US HWY 14 – 04/03/2020

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On Friday 4/3/2020 Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call of a 2 vehicle crash on US Hwy 14 near Hwy 58. Sheriff’s Deputies, Richland EMS, Richland Fire and the RC Police Dept responded. According to the Sheriff’s Dept, a 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass operated by Daisha R. Sass, 20 of Richland Center, was westbound on Hwy 14 when it slowed due to cattle that had been on the roadway and were making their way to the ditch. Another westbound vehicle, a 2007 Dodge Dakota pick up operated by Joseph Durst of Lone Rock failed to notice the Sass vehicle had slowed. The truck struck the car in the rear causing extensive damage to both vehicles. One person suffered minor injuries but was not transported by EMS. Richland Center Fire assisted law enforcement at the scene with fuel clean up and traffic control. The incident remains under investigation.

One Vehicle Crash Results in an OWI Arrest

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On Monday evening at 7:18pm the Richland County Dispatch Center received a call of a 1 vehicle crash on Cty Hwy B just east of Penny Lane. Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies, Lone Rock Fire & EMS as well as Ithaca 1st Responders were all sent to the scene. According to Deputies, a 2004 GMC pick up truck operated by 36 year old Kevin P. Schmitz of rural Spring Green was eastbound on Hwy B when the truck left the roadway on the south shoulder and struck a driveway. The truck became air born and landed in the ditch. Kevin Schmitz was injured and transported by Lone Rock EMS to the Richland Hospital for minor injuries. Investigators determined alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash and Schmitz was arrested for Operating While under the Influence, 1st Offense.

Other Agencies Involved: Lone Rock EMS, Lone Rock Fire, Ithaca First Responders

Report COVID-19 Fraud

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FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation

March 31, 2020

Looking for some more information about COVID-19 fraud? The United States Department of Justice set up a new website to consolidate information: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus

Be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams. There have been reports of:

  • Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
  • Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received – Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.

Criminals will likely continue to use new methods to exploit COVID-19 worldwide.

If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home through a number of platforms.

 

Richland Center Man and Woman Arrested on various Drug Related Charges

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Chief Billy Jones of the Richland Center Police Department reports that an investigation conducted by the Richland Center Police Department has culminated in the arrest of a Richland Center man and woman for various drug related charges.

Chief Jones stated that on 3-29-2020, Officers from the Richland Center Police Department, with the assistance of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force and the Richland County Special Response Team, executed a Search Warrant at an apartment in the City of Richland Center. During the search of the apartment, heroin, Suboxone, various items of drug paraphernalia, and a small amount of methamphetamine were located. As a result of the subsequent investigation the following people were taken into custody:

Harry J. Hale, 26, and Rebecca L. Dailey, 25, were arrested on the tentative charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Narcotic Drugs, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The case has been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

The Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force is a Tri-County combined investigative unit. Locally, members from the Richland Center Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are assigned to the Drug Task Force to investigate and combat area drug trafficking and abuse.

Chief Jones stated that highly addictive substances, such as Heroin and Methamphetamine, continues to be a focus of the Drug Task Force as it has continued to be an increasing problem in the area, which has seen an increase in narcotic overdoses, some even resulting in death. Chief Jones added that narcotic and methamphetamine distribution and/or usage has also been shown to be a major contributing factor to numerous other crimes against persons and property.

In addition to the Drug Task Force and Special Response Team, the Richland Center Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the Richland County Sherriff’s Department, Richland County EMS, and the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

Chief Jones would like to remind citizens to report any suspicious activity by notifying law enforcement. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-2583 and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Key information about Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment during Shelter-in-Place order

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Key information about Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment during Shelter-in-Place order:

  • Most providers are serving clients and patients via tele-health, and can provide therapy and treatment via Skype/video or phone calls. Ask about this possibility.
  • For those who need more intensive treatment, essential mental health and SUD treatment may still be done in person on a limited basis.
  • Link to Hot- and Warm-lines + online and texting resources for live support and help
  • For a list of online recovery and other support groups, see below in this list

Online Addiction Recovery Meetings and other Mental Health Support Groups:

Local and National Resources for Farmers:

Agricultural disaster preparedness planning workbook:

Center for Dairy Excellence

DATCP COVID-19 information and resources page:

Farm Bureau:

Harvest of Hope: provides emergency funding (up to $1,500) to farmers. Information and application at:

UW—Extension resources regarding COVID-19:

General Mental Health Support:

From UW—Madison health minds:

Financial Stability and Economic Support

Local County Public Health Resources

Getting Involved

I am healthy and want to help my community. What do I need to know to keep myself and others safe and healthy while doing helping work? Helping work might mean taking groceries or medications to neighbors who can’t leave their homes, working at a local pantry, or even starting an art-making campaign for nursing home residents outside their building.

  1. Wash hands frequently, and upon leaving and entering any building (your home, grocery stores).
  2. Clean doorknobs and smartphones ( how to clean your smartphone) at least daily.
  3. Only leave home if you are experiencing no symptoms of illness.
  4. Stay at least 6 feet away from others, or better, drop items at the curb our outside their door, using clean hands.
  5. Use phone, text, or video calls to communicate, minimize or eliminate in person contact and communication with people outside your home.
  6. Remember the best way to not spread the virus is to think and act as if you actually are sick.
  7. Donate money to community funds and organizations that you know are stepping up to serve the community.

Mutual Aid groups are platforms for communities to identify what people need and figure out ways to get them what they need, a way of crowd-sourcing solutions in difficult times. Learn more about how to set up your own Mutual Aid group in your community:

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a report of a person impersonating an officer.

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a report of a person impersonating an officer.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening in Rockbridge Township on St Hwy 80. A male in a black passenger car with a spot light and red and blue emergency lights, pulled over a vehicle and approached it. The male was wearing a brown uniform. The uniform did not have a name or a badge on it. The male asked the citizen if they had a permit to be out driving. When the answer was no the male got back into his car and left.

As part of the investigation, authorities have obtained information that a male in a black Chevrolet Impala with a spot light on it and red and blue warning lights matching the same description did the same thing in southern Grant County and also in Iowa County as recent as yesterday.

The male is described to be in his mid 30’s with short brown hair. He does not have facial hair.

Sheriff Bindl reminds residents that local Law Enforcement wear a name tag and a badge as part of their uniform every day. If something doesn’t feel right, call 911 and try to give as much information as you can for law enforcement.

If anyone has more information, please contact the Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2106.

Burning Permit Restrictions

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**Effective March 27, 2020 all DNR burning permits are suspended until further notice**

What does this mean?

  • All DNR burn permits suspended and will no longer be issued (written or electronically)
  • NO burning debris piles in barrels, on the ground, grass or wooded areas
  • Small campfires for warming or cooking are ok but, strongly discouraged; burning debris in a campfire ring is NOT considered a campfire

How will I know when I get a burn permit and/or burn debris again?

  • Check website dnr.wi.gov, keyword “fire” and the DNR social media for the up-to-date status
  • DNR will continue to remain in compliance with department leadership mandates and recommendations and will evaluate wildfire and pandemic risks as the situation evolves

Why is this being done?

  • Spring in Wisconsin has the highest fire risk; debris burning is the #1 cause
    • After snowmelt and before green-up when vegetation is dry (March-May)
  • People are traditionally doing yard clean-up and choose to burn to dispose of yard waste, increasing fire risk
  • Increase social distancing/decrease person-to-person contact and decrease geographic travel of emergency responders and firefighters
  • Teleworking and reduced number of available staff may result in compromised emergency response and can result in rapid wildfire growth
  • Reduce smoke impact to those with compromised respiratory functions and firefighters

Are public services still being provided?

  • Fire and emergency response personnel are prepared to respond as usual
    • They are operating on more strict standard operating procedures (e.g., one person per vehicle, sanitizing equipment, precautions when interacting with others, etc.)
    • Response time may be slower (see above)
  • Fire detection measures include citizen reporting and patrol aircraft; report fires early, dial 911

What if I have a special situation/need?

  • Special burning permits may be allowed for time-sensitive reasons and with a site inspection (e.g., agricultural site prep or land clearing development)
    • Contact your local forester to discuss; please allow extra response time
    • You may be asked to video or photo the site and email or text images