NEWS
Local News
8th Offense OWI Arrest in Grant County
On March 20th, 2026, at approximately 8:50pm, a Grant County Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop on HWY 133, in the Township of Boscobel.
During the traffic stop, the Deputy observed signs of impairment. As a result of an impaired driving investigation, Brian Updike, 38, of Boscobel, was arrested and booked into the Grant County Jail for 8th Offense Operating While Under the Influence, Felony Bail Jumping, and Possession of THC 2nd plus offense.
**Persons arrested/or referred for charges by the Grant County Sheriff's Office are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. An arrest only indicates probable caus
Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest
On March 21st, 2026, at approximately 11:18 p.m., A Grant County Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding, on Cudahy Road, in Bloomington Township.
The Deputy made contact with the driver, who was identified as Eric Nichols, 18, of rural Mount Hope. As a result of the traffic stop, Nichols was placed under arrest and eventually booked into the Grant County Jail for Possession with Intent to Deliver THC, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Nichols was also issued citations for Absolute Sobriety, Speeding, and Possessing a fake ID.
**Persons arrested/or referred for charges by the Grant County Sheriff's Office are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. An arrest only indicates probable cause exists to bring formal charges.** The names of victims and witnesses to a crime have been withheld per Wisconsin Statute §950.04.
Two Vehicle Crash in Eastman Leaves One Seriously Injured
Village of Eastman - On Sunday, March 15th, 2026, at approximately 7:51 p.m., the Crawford County Communications Center received a report of a traffic crash on N. Main Street at Coffin Street in the Village of Eastman.
John Miller (19) of Gilman, Wisconsin, was operating a 2014 Dodge Durango southbound on N. Main Street and Patrick Wall (50) of Eastman, Wisconsin, was operating a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox northbound on N. Main Street. Miller lost control of his vehicle on a curve, crossed the centerline, and struck the front drivers side of Wall’s vehicle. Due to the impact, Wall's vehicle traveled off the street and struck a residence. Wall was extricated from his vehicle. He sustained severe injuries and was transported by ambulance to Crossing Rivers Health.
At the time of the crash, weather and road conditions were poor. The street was icy and snow covered. Law enforcement personnel investigating the crash determined that Miller was traveling at a very high rate of speed in the 25 miles per hour zone. Miller was arrested and transported to the Crawford County Jail on the charge of reckless driving causing great bodily harm and cited for driving too fast for conditions.
The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Eastman First Responders, Eastman Fire Department, Gundersen Ambulance, Crawford County Highway Department, Crossing Rivers Health, and Milo’s Towing Service.
Gays Mills Man Arrested on Felony Warrants in Grant County
On March 3, 2026, at approximately 1:00pm, the Grant County Sheriff's Office received information that Samuel Hatlan, 54, from Gays Mills, was hiding out at a residence located on Shady Dell Rd in the Township of Mount Hope. Hatlan had several felony arrest warrants out of Crawford County for Operating with a Restricted Controlled Substance (7th, 8th, or 9th), Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Illegally Obtain Prescriptions, several Felony Bail Jumping, a second case of Operating with a Restricted Controlled Substance (7th, 8th, or 9th), Resisting Arrest, and Criminal Damage to Property, dating back to June of 2025. Hatlan also has a lengthy criminal history to include Battery and Disorderly Conduct.
Several Grant County Deputies responded to the address on Shady Dell Rd. Upon approach Hatlan took off running through a pasture and adjacent field. A Grant County drone was deployed as well as two K-9 units. Hatlan continued to run and ignore officers' commands to stop. Due to the presence of K9 Vezer, Hatlan surrendered to deputies. Hatlan was taken into custody without further incident.
Hatlan was transported to the Crawford County Jail where he was booked in on all of the outstanding warrants. The Grant County Sheriff's Office will be referring new charges of resisting and possession of meth paraphernalia to the Grant County District Attorney's Office.
LaCrosse Pair Arrested in Crawford County on Narcotics Charges
On Thursday, February 26th, 2026, at approximately 2:48 a.m., Sheriff Dale McCullick reports that the Crawford County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on County Road W. The driver was identified as Matthew Murray (56) and his passenger was identified as Kelly Lamb (54), both of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Crawford County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Diego was utilized and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle ensued; methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia was discovered.
Murray was arrested and transported to the Crawford County Jail on charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a restricted controlled substance (2ndOffense), possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Also, Murray was cited for driving with an expired driver's license. Lamb was arrested and transported to the Crawford County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. All individual(s) are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Milo's Towing Service.
Prairie du Chien Man Arrested On Methamphetamine Charges
Over the past several weeks, the Prairie du Chien Police Department has been actively investigating methamphetamine distribution within the City of Prairie du Chien. This detailed investigation involved multiple controlled drug purchases and many hours of physical surveillance.
On Friday, February 27, 2026, officers executed a search warrant in the 100 block of East Blackhawk Avenue. During the search, officers seized more than 94 grams of methamphetamine, along with cocaine, numerous scales, and items of drug paraphernalia.
As a result of this search warrant, James Stewart, age 66, of Prairie du Chien, was arrested and booked into the Crawford County Jail on the following charges:
- Possession of Cocaine
- Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver (>50 grams)
- Delivery of Methamphetamine (< 3 grams) – two counts
- Delivery of Methamphetamine (3–10 grams)
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place
The investigation remains active, and additional arrests may follow as evidence is reviewed.