Deputies of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are wearing black mourning bands across their badges in honor of the Milwaukee Police Department Officer who was killed in the line of duty yesterday. Law Enforcement everywhere mourn the death of this brother in blue who gave the ultimate sacrifice protecting the citizens of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Our prayers are with his family, and our brothers and sisters at the Milwaukee Police Department.
Richland Center Police Chief Lucas Clements would like to pass on a press release from the United States Department of Justice, involving the indictment of a Richland Center resident for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to deliver.
MADISON, WIS. — A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictment. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Joshua Clarke, 31, Richland Center, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on November 11, 2018.
Link to initial press release https://ci.richland-center.wi.us/traffic-stop-ends-in-arrests/
Joshua D. Clarke
If convicted, Clarke faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Richland Center Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County District Attorney’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma.
On 01/18/19 Richland County Dispatch received the report of a 2 vehicle crash on County Hwy N just east of the city of Richland Center. Law Enforcement as well as Fire and EMS responded to the scene.
The driver of the full sized van, identified as Jaron Neunschwander-Luebke age 26 of Richland Center, was westbound on County Hwy N when he lost control of his vehicle negotiating a down hill curve and crossed the center line into the path of an eastbound Dodge mini van, operated by 39 yr old Scott Coppernoll of Richland Center. The vehicles collided head on with the Ford van coming to rest on the north edge of the highway and the mini van resting in the south ditch.
Scott Coppernoll, his 37 year old wife Kelly Coppernoll and their four children were injured in the crash, as was the other operator, Jaron Neunschwander-Luebke. Scott and Kelly Coppernoll were trapped in the wreckage and were extricated by the Richland Center Fire Department’s Jaws of Life. All injured parties were transported to the Richland Hospital by Richland County EMS and Baraboo EMS. Jaron Neunschwander-Luebke and the four juveniles were treated and released. Scott and Kelly Coppernoll were transported by Baraboo EMS to UW Hospital in Madison where they are listed in stable condition.
Jaron Neunschwander-Luebke was arrested and charged with operating while revoked causing great bodily harm. The charges are being referred to the Richland County District Attorneys Office. The incident remains under investigation.
WHEN: 01-18-19 TIME of Incident: 2:35PM Location: County Hwy N just east of Richland Center
WHO INVOLVED:
Jaron Neunschwander-Luebke, 26 of Richland Center
Scott Coppernoll, 39 of Richland Center
Kelly Coppernoll, 37 of Richland Center
Other Agencies Involved:
Richland County EMS
Baraboo EMS
Richland Center Fire Department
Richland Center Police Department
Richland County District Attorneys Office
Adult School Crossing Guards play a critical role in keeping students safe as they walk to and from school each day. Adult School Crossing Guards place the children’s safety above their own while facing speeding motorists, cell phone users, and others disregarding traffic signals to ensure that all traffic is stopped before students enter the roadway
The Richland Center Police Department and the Richland School District would like to inform the community that January 14th through January 18th, 2019, has been proclaimed Wisconsin Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week.
It is important that we all take the time to say thank you to our local Adult School Crossing Guard, Bill Hall, who is tasked with the responsibility for the safe crossing of children near Jefferson Elementary. No matter if it is raining, snowing, sleeting, or 10 degrees below zero, Bill Hall never fails to do his duty. So next time you walk your child to school, or drop them off at the crosswalk, be sure to thank Bill Hall for watching out for your child. It is sometimes a thankless job, but rain or shine, he is always there.
The Richland Center Police Department would like to alert area businesses and residents to watch for counterfeit $100 bills that may begin to appear throughout Richland and surrounding counties.
On January 8th, 2019 at approximately 3:35 PM, Officers with the Richland Center Police Department received complaints of three counterfeit $100 bills being used at two local businesses within the City of Richland Center.
At approximately 5:30 PM on January 8th, 2019 the Richland Center Police Department was made aware of a counterfeit currency investigation by Officers with the Muscoda Police Department. As a result of the Muscoda Police Department investigation, probable cause was established to arrest 36 year old Michael D. Streiff for crimes he committed in Muscoda.
At approximately 10:00 PM on January 8th, 2019 Richland Center Police Officers located Streiff in the City of Richland Center, and through the subsequent investigation, Officers located 17 counterfeit $100 dollar bills in his possession.
Through further investigation, it was confirmed that the three counterfeit $100 dollar bills that had been accepted at local businesses in Richland Center earlier in the afternoon, had come from Streiff and an accomplice. The serial numbers on the counterfeit $100 bills used at the local businesses were the same as the serial numbers on the counterfeit $100 bills found on Streiff’s possession. It is unknown at this time how many of the counterfeit $100 bills may be in circulation.
On January 8th, 2019, Michael D. Streiff was arrested and transported to the Grant County Jail for charges related to the Muscoda Police Department investigation. Once Streiff’s Grant County court hearing is complete he will be turned over to Richland Center Police Department authorities and arrested for the following: Forgery (17 counts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Schedule IV Drug, Possession of Prescription Drug without a Prescription, and Bail Jumping (10 counts).
All Richland Center charges will be forwarded to Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper for prosecution.
Chief Clements states, “The counterfeit $100 bills are obvious forgeries. They also have identical serial numbers of LB45440078L and are printed on distinctly thicker paper.”
Chief Clements is urging people and businesses to pay close attention to $100 bills. The counterfeit bills can be detected with a currency detector pen and by taking an extra second to observe the front and back of the bill. Residents and stores are asked to carefully check bills when accepting money and turn in all suspected counterfeit bills to law enforcement as they are aware of the issue.
Chief Clements states in addition to the great police work among neighboring law enforcement agencies, the Richland Center Police Department is working with the United States Secret Service to find the source of the counterfeit money.
Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that, on 12-27-18, Officers made contact at a residence in the City of Richland Center over a reported concern that children were being exposed to methamphetamine, which was being used and distributed within the residence.
Upon contact with the occupants of the residence, Officers found numerous children, including several toddlers and a baby. Officers also located several methamphetamine pipes, including one that still had smoke coming out of it. Further investigation discovered a baggie of methamphetamine and numerous items associated with methamphetamine usage and distribution, such as pipes, pipe cleaning items, syringes, snorting straws, scales, and repackaging baggies. As a result of the investigation, the following subjects were taken into custody.
Hope M. Millard, 33 of Richland Center, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Maintaining a Drug Trafficking House, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Child Neglect.
Ronda K. Leffler, 53 of Richland Center, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Maintaining a Drug Trafficking House, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Child Neglect.
Derek J. McDiarmid, 25 of Blue River, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Child Neglect, and Felony Bail Jumping.
All of the above listed drug related charges also carry a penalty enhancer because the offences took place within 1,000 feet of a park. All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
All juveniles in the house were examined by medical personnel before being released to responsible parties as determined by Richland County Child Protective Services (CPS).
In addition to CPS, the Richland Center Police Department was assisted on scene by the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and Richland County EMS.
Chief Clements states that this investigation was the result of a combination of consistent, sound law enforcement tactics conducted by Officers on patrol and a concerned citizen who was observant and reported their concerns to law enforcement. Chief Clements would like citizens to remain vigilant and continue to report suspicious activity, no matter how minor, noting that this case is a great example of how citizen involvement partnered with law enforcement can reduce crime within our community.
Chief Clements added that this case was also a prime example of why the Drug Endangered Children program was adopted locally in 2016. Chief Clements explained that the Drug Endangered Children program is a State program designed to increase communication and efficiency amongst agencies vested in the protection of children.
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.
On November 13th, 2018 at approximately 8:32 A.M. Deborah Johnston, 51, of Muscoda, WI was operating motor vehicle northbound on STH 80. While traveling northbound on STH 80 a southbound vehicle driven by Terry Windsor, 72, of Wisconsin Dells, WI crossed the center line of the road causing a head on collision with Johnston. Windsor advised that he had fallen asleep at the wheel causing his vehicle into the northbound lane of traffic. After the collision both vehicles did come to rest in the middle of STH 80 causing road blockage. STH 80 was closed between STH 193 and CTH O until the crash scene was cleared by emergency personal. Johnston and Windsor were both transported to the Richland Hospital by Muscoda EMS for non-life threatening injuries.
The accident remains under investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Other Agencies Involved: Muscoda Fire and Muscoda EMS
RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Press Release
The Richland Center Police Department reports that two subjects were taken into custody on methamphetamine charges on Sunday, November 11th.
Chief of Police Lucas Clements states that at approximately 9:00 p.m. on November 11th Officers with the Richland Center Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle within the City of Richland Center for an equipment violation.
Upon contact with occupants of the vehicle, Officers identified a passenger as Joshua D. Clarke, 31, of Richland Center. Clarke was placed under arrest for an active felony warrant through the Department of Corrections. A search of Clarke, incident to his arrest, revealed several baggies of methamphetamine on his person, individually packaged for sale.
Through subsequent investigation, more methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located within the vehicle.
In addition to being arrested on the Department of Corrections warrant, Clarke was also arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting/Obstructing an Officer, and nine counts of Felony Bail Jumping.
The driver of the vehicle, Taylor N. Stolpa, 19, of La Crosse was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Restricted Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and one count of Misdemeanor Bail Jumping.
Richland Center Police Department Officers were assisted on scene by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Clarke and Stolpa were transported to the Richland County jail, with charges for both being forwarded to Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper for prosecution.
Chief Clements states “I would like to point out the diligence and thoroughness of the work that Officers displayed throughout this investigation, which lead to the largest methamphetamine seizure in Richland County to date.”
On Saturday morning, 11-10-2018 around 10:20am, deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and Viola Fire & EMS responded to Welker Hollow Road in Forest Township for a report of a hunter hanging from a tree. An unidentified hunter from Milton, Wisconsin was using a climber stand when the stand gave way and the subject was suspended upside down about 5 ft off the ground. He had his safety harness attached, however his leg became caught in the bottom rung of the stand. A neighbor to the property was walking to the woods with his son to put up their stands when the son heard someone yelling for help. The neighbor investigated and found the subject about 30 yards into the woods off Welker Hollow. The victim indicated he had been hanging upside down for approximately 2 hrs. Viola Fire, Viola EMS & Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies freed the victim, who was then flown by Medical Helicopter to Gunderson Hospital in LaCrosse with a reported leg injury and hypothermia.
The incident took place off of Welker Hollow Road in Forest Township.
Sheriff James J. Bindl reminds motorists to be extra aware of their surroundings as deer hunters enter the woods of Wisconsin.
With the increased hunting activity and the changing weather, deer and other animals are more likely to wander onto area roadways.
Sheriff Bindl also reminds motorists that while a light dusting of snow is good for the hunt, it also brings a need to extra careful as you travel.
Be sure to allow more time to get to your destination, and leave more distance between you and the car ahead of you for stopping.
Check the condition of your tires and wipers and be sure all lights on your vehicle are in working order.
Carry a cold weather kit including a blanket in your vehicles and be alert to changing weather conditions.