Richland County Sheriff's Office

Two Car Crash with Injuries

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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 Guard Recognition Week

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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.

Arrest Made in Connection With Counterfeit $100 Bills

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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.

Child Welfare Investigation Leads to Drug Arrests

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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.

Two Car Crash Results in Minor Injuries

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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

Hunter Injured in Tree Stand Incident in Forest Township

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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.

Reminders for Motorists

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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.

Deer Damages to Two Vehicles

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On November 7th, 2018 at 12:16pm, the Richland County Communications Center received a 911 call of a possible semi versus car crash west of Richland Center on US Hwy 14. Sheriff Deputies, along with the Richland Center Police Department, Richland County EMS and Richland Center Fire Department all responded to the scene. As deputies arrived it was determined that a 2013 Toyota, operated by Ann Stoltenow of Westby, was traveling west on US Hwy 14 when a deer appeared from a cornfield in to the roadway. A collision was unavoidable. Stoltenow struck the deer, the animal went airborne and flew behind her vehicle, landing on and breaking the windshield and side mirror of a 2011 Ford pickup operated by Craig Kaiser of Viroqua that was following the Stoltenow vehicle. A passing semi has witnessed the crash and stopped to render aid. Heavy damage was noted to the Stoltenow vehicle, and minor damage to the Kaiser truck. The 2013 Toyota was towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.

The incident took place on US Hwy 14, one tenth of a mile east of Vivian’s Lane in Dayton Township.

One Critically Injured in Two Vehicle Crash on Hwy 14

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At 1:21 pm a 911 call came in to the Richland County Communications Center for a 2 vehicle crash on US HWY 14 at Peebles Drive. Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with the Richland Center Police Department, Richland County EMS and Richland Fire responded to the scene.

A 2004 Ford pickup operated by 54 year old Michael D. Rynes of Richland Center was traveling west on US HWY 14 when a 2005 Chevy pickup operated by 87 Year old Willard Jindrick of rural Hillsboro entered onto Hwy 14 from the Ash Creek Plumbing & Heating driveway to go Westbound. The Jindrick vehicle entered on Hwy 14 at a rapid rate, into the path of the Rynes vehicle, making a collision unavoidable. The Rynes truck came to rest in the intersection, while the Jindrick truck continued off the road into the grass just west of Peebles drive. Willard Jindrick was ejected from the vehicle and suffered severe injuries, he was not wearing a seat belt. Jindrick was transported by Richland County EMS to the Richland Hospital, and later flown by Med-Flight to UW Hospital in Madison where this morning he is listed in critical condition.

The crash remains under investigation.

 

UTV Accident Claims The Life Of A Rural Cazenovia Man

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On 9-16-18 at 7:04pm the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Communications Center received a 911 call of a UTV crash on Beatty Drive in Henrietta Township. The caller stated there was one person lying in the roadway and one person trapped in the UTV. Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies, as well as Yuba Fire & First Responders and Richland EMS responded. When Sheriff’s Deputies arrived, they discovered the passenger in the UTV had gotten out of the unit and was not injured. A passerby was performing CPR on the subject lying in the roadway. Deputies assisted the citizen with life saving efforts as Yuba and Richland County responders arrived on scene. The subject was transported to the Richland Hospital by Richland County EMS and then transferred by MedLink helicopter to UW Hospital in Madison where he was later pronounced dead. The victim, 65 year old Michael S. Sweatt of rural Cazenovia, had been traveling south bound on Beatty Drive with a passenger when the vehicle left the road way on the right and rolled over. The incident is being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

WHEN: 09-16-18          TIME of Incident: 7:04PM        Location: Beatty Drive

WHO INVOLVED:
Michael S. Sweatt, 65 of Cazenovia, WI

Other Agencies Involved:
Yuba Fire Department
Yuba First Responders
Richland County EMS
Wisconsin DNR