Wisconsin News and Sports
Janesville police say they stopped a marijuana growing operation Tuesday night. It was a big bust, one that could significantly reduce available pot on the street.
Officers serving a search warrant seized 147 pot plants with a street value of about $75,000. Police say they found an elaborate growing system, mainly in the home’s basement, consisting of a growing area, drying room and an exhaust system. [Read more…]
It’s a piece of 21st century technology that Dick Tracy would approve of: texting crime tips has proven successful for Janesville Area Crimestoppers. “Back in March we launched the ability to submit tips via texting,” says Crimestoppers Vice President Christine Rebout. “It’s been very successful, because it just gives people another communications tool, where leaving a phone message or going to the website may not have worked.”
Rebout says officers can also return the texts and communicate with tipsters for more information. “An officer responds to that almost immediately,” she says, adding that police have had an increased volume of information and tips since the texting program begin. It’s hoped that the texting capability can be expanded. “One of our goals for the next year is really to deepen our involvent in northern Rock County,” says Rebout.
Christine Rebout (:20) AUDIO: Christine Rebout (:20 MP3)
Janesville police helped an elderly woman recover three thousand dollars, after a con artist posing as the woman’s grandson called her and said he needed bail money wired to Canada. She had already wired the money, but the manager who set up the transfer inadvertently wrote down the wrong country code. Thanks to that error, police were able to recover the money.
Officer Valerie Southwick said the woman realized it was a scam when the con artists kept calling, saying they hadn’t received the money. When she called her actual grandson, he was in Michigan, not a Canadian jail. The calls came from an untraceable cell phone in Quebec. Southwick said it made her Christmas to be able to help recover the money.
Officer Valerie Southwick (:12) AUDIO: Officer Valerie Southwick (:12 MP3)
Beth Wheelock, WCLO
A deputy with the Rock County Sheriff’s Department, accused of sexually assaulting a teen at a Halloween party, has resigned. Steven L. Stenulson of Janesville was asked to resign in the midst of allegations he sexually assaulted an 18-year-girl November 1st in Milton. According to Sheriff Bob Spoden, the party included underage drinking.
Spoden said the 38 year-old Stenulson resigned November 18th, and the sheriff’s office’s internal investigation ended. Stenulson could have been disciplined or fired as a result of that investigation.
The deputy was arrested Monday, November 2nd, after the teen told Milton police investigators that she awoke from a nap at a Halloween party and found an off-duty deputy assaulting her. The two know each other. Stenulson was charged with second-degree sexual assault, a felony that involves sexual contact with someone not capable of giving consent or who is under the influence of alcohol.
Stenulson was placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Spoden said he will receive his accrued vacation and sick pay. If convicted of second-degree sexual assault, Stenulson could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison, and a $100,000 fine. He is scheduled to appear in court November 30th for an adjourned initial appearance.
WCLO
Although some neighbors served up another round of opposition, the Janesville City Council approved a liquor license for the city’s first bar with outdoor volleyball.
Council members say it was a tough decision, since a small group of neighbors was very vocally against the project. Sneakers Pub and Grill will be built next to Rogan’s Shoes on Woodman Road. The city council said the investors in the redeveloped property were willing to make a number of concessions for the project, including monthly meetings with neighbors to address concerns they have about the new business.
Residents comment (:25) AUDIO: Public testimony (:25 MP3)
WCLO’s Beth Wheelock submitted this report
Janesville police warn the public about “works” or “Macgyver” bombs. Deputy chief Dan Davis says these devices are made with chemicals commonly found in the home. Two explosions occurred in Janesville on Monday night and Tuesday afternoon. Both did “considerable damage” according to Davis.
Davis says his department is concerned, because these improvised explosive devices are unpredictable and dangerous. “Just because of the instability of these types of devices, in that sometimes several minutes or even hours can pass before they actually explode, some person passing by could be victimized if they were in proximity when one actually detonated.”
Police are warning residents to look out for any suspicious bottles filled with a white or gray liquid that has separate layers or may be cloudy.
Story contributed by Stan Stricker, WCLO