CRIME & SAFETY

WATERTOWN — Police officers used video surveillance to allege that a preacher subsequently removed from a park placed a fake bomb scare, according to court documents. Marcus J. J. Schroeder, 19, of Waukesha faces a single charge of conveying false information about a bomb threat. He has been released on a $5,000 signature bond pending trial, court records show. The charges stem from a pair of 911 calls placed during...

BEAVER DAM, Wis. - Beaver Dam fire officials helped two people after a van went into a creek on Wednesday, Sept. 20. Fire officials said the elderly female driver tried to turn into a parking lot and went into the creek. The driver and passenger were helped to shore by...

A 39-year-old New London-area man is dead after an overnight crash, according to a news release from the Waupaca County Sheriff's Office.

TOWN OF LEBANON, Wis. — A New London man dies in a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning. Around 6:40 a.m. Sunday the Waupaca County Communications Center was notified of a crash on Stage Road near Larry Road in the town of Lebanon. Investigators say the vehicle was traveling west on...

This week in Watertown, Wisconsin, two incidents occurred that are worth noting in the weekly safety report. The first incident involved a man who attempted to flee from the police after driving above the speed limit. He refused to stop for the officers and even tried to enter his home before being tased and arrested. The second incident is the announcement of the retirement of Watertown's police chief, Robert Kaminski, who has had a distinguished 32-year career in law enforcement.

JUNEAU — A 19-year-old Waukesha man made his initial appearance in court on Thursday after being charged with causing a bomb scare during this summer’s Pride event in Watertown. Marcus Schroeder appeared before Dodge County Circuit Court Commissioner Steven Seim on Thursday. Schroeder was placed on a $5,000...

(Juneau) Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt recently attended a Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (LEEDS) hosted by the F.B.I. in Washington DC and had two big takeaways. The first was a presentation done by a northern New York sheriff. He says the sheriff was the best speaker he had ever seen in all his training and wants him to come to the state of Wisconsin to speak. The second takeaway was forensic film analysis and how modern cameras drop frames.

(Juneau) Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt recently attended a Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (LEEDS) hosted by the F.B.I. in Washington DC. The seminar is meant for midlevel agencies. Schmidt had two main takeaways while he was there. One, being a presentation by a sheriff from northern New York who...

Capt. Brandon Sachse, of the Fort Atkinson Police Department, will begin serving as the chief of the Milton Police Department next month. Milton City Clerk Jenny Salvo said Wednesday that while the Milton Police Commission had earlier appointed Sachse as the chief in Milton, a final piece in the recruitment process was completed Tuesday after the Milton City Council approved a compensation package for the chief.

JUNEAU — A 40-year-old Fond du Lac man faces attempted homicide charges after allegedly attempting to stab his girlfriend in the stomach with a kitchen knife after driving the woman down a remote Dodge County road last month. Oscar Lopez Toruno had the charge filed against him on Tuesday...

A Watertown man, who drove 45 mph in a 25 mph zone on Sunday morning, decided against stopping for police, pulled into his driveway where he ignored officers and tried entering his home when police tased him. Kenneth Mingo Jr., 51, was charged with a felony count of attempting to flee or elude an officer. If convicted, he faces a fine up to $10,000 and up to three years and six months in prison. ...

(Juneau) With summer coming to an end, days get shorter and it becomes darker outside earlier in the evening. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is reminding motorists to turn their headlights on during hours of darkness or reduced visibility. Although many newer cars have daytime running lights or automatic...

On September 16th, the third annual 'Cardboard Regatta' was held in the Oconomowoc community. Participants, including novices and experienced sailors, competed in a boat race with vessels made from cardboard, tape, and paint.

(Watertown) Watertown’s chief of police has announced his plans to retire. Robert Kaminski started with the department in 1991 as a patrol officer before becoming a field training officer in 1998. In 2002, he was promoted to patrol sergeant then to investigations sergeant five years later. Kaminski became police...

MILTON — Brandon Sachse has been tentatively named Milton’s police chief, the city’s police commission announced Monday. City Clerk Jenny Salvo said in an email Monday that the commission voted Thursday, Sept. 7, to recommend that Sachse be offered the job. He was one of two finalists. Sachse is currently the captain of investigations with the Fort Atkinson Police Department where he oversees the investigations division, records, and information technology....

(Calamus) A Fond du Lac man has been charged with Attempted First-Degree Intentional Homicide in Dodge County. Oscar Toruno allegedly tried to stab his girlfriend somewhere near Calamus and Lowell after he accused her of cheating. The victim reportedly promised not to report the incident if Toruno did not kill her. He then handed over the knife and she threw it into a nearby field. When authorities questioned Toruno, he reportedly admitted to trying to kill the victim but said he did not because she had a right to live. If convicted, the 40-year-old faces up to 60 years in prison.

The following information was provided by the Hartford Police Department. An 18 year-old Hartford man was arrested on Aug. 15 on charges of domestic battery and child abuse-intentionally/cause great bodily harm. Charges of domestic battery, disorderly conduct and knowingly violating a domestic abuse order have been requested on a 38...

(Brownsville) A two-day jury trial as well as a competency hearing was scheduled Monday for an Illinois man accused of running from Dodge County authorities. A plea and sentencing hearing was originally scheduled yesterday for James Cochrane who is facing a felony count of Fleeing. The marshall of the village...

(Juneau) The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office along with the village of Lomira are recognizing the crossing guards who volunteer their time protecting students. Sheriff Dale Schmidt says they were the easiest group to supervise as the acting commissioner for the Lomira Police Department. “They just showed up, did their...

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Common Council recently passed an ordinance permitting the use of all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles on city streets. Operators will be held to the same law enforcement, expectations, and penalties as motor vehicles. Beaver Dam Police Lieutenant Jeremiah Johnson says that includes driving under the influence.