By Kim McDarison
While Fort Atkinson Online had a soft opening in January of this year, officially, we opened our virtual doors on Feb.1.
News publications, in print and online, traditionally each year, mark that year’s passing by reflecting upon the top 10 stories of the year. Typically, news reporters and editors come together and make a list of the stories that most affected or impacted them. While these journalists usually have a good sense of the stories that impacted their communities, they are not often privy to hard numbers.
Here, at FortAtkinsonOnline.com, we are.
Our top 10 stories of 2021 are, therefore, chosen by you, our readers. The counters on our pages and stories tell us which were the most read. Our stats begin in February and run through Dec. 30.
In descending order, here are our 2021 most read top 10 headlines:
1. “Letter to middle school parents reports news of a student’s death,” read 19,703 times.
What can we say about the utter sadness of this September story? A 13-year-old Fort Atkinson Middle School student, Danny Rees, according to information shared by family members on the GoFundMe page they set up for help with expenses, had become congested with what seemed like a cold. Two days later, he stopped breathing. His death was difficult enough for his family and friends given its sudden nature, and initially the family said some of its members, including Danny, had tested positive for COVID-19. After a day of unrest, and the polarization and politicizing that gripped the greater Fort Atkinson community, which was already fraught with heated debates about mask protocols in school buildings, the Rees family rewrote its funding page, excluding information about any COVID testing Danny might have undergone.
The page ultimately raised $32,250 for Danny’s expenses, and the mask debate rages on.
The full story is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/letter-to-middle-school-parents-shares-news-of-a-students-death/.
2. “Waukesha County Sheriff Department records pertaining to arrest of Whitewater police chief released,” read 13,618 times.
A story coming from the city of Whitewater began when city officials announced that they had placed their police chief, Aaron Raap, on a paid administrative leave, pending an internal investigation. The action was announced on Dec. 3. Few details explaining why the action was taken were disclosed.
The release noted that the internal investigation found basis in “an incident that occurred outside the city of Whitewater,” further noting that the city’s action was not punitive.
On Dec. 16, Fort Atkinson Online learned that the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department had arrested Raap for a domestic dispute. Raap lives in Waukesha County.
Further, Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Opper told Fort Atkinson Online that she had “declined prosecution,” noting that she did not find “sufficient evidence” of “an intention to inflict bodily harm.”
On Dec. 18, Fort Atkinson Online, having received a 19-page report from the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office, reported on the incident alleged to have taken place at Raap’s home on Thanksgiving day.
The report documents an altercation that took place in the home between Raap and an unnamed victim. The report notes that the unnamed individual was a member of the household, and Raap and another unnamed person who was present during the incident had questioned the first individual about time missed from work. Raap also asked the first unnamed individual to give him his car keys, cell phone and playstation.
The individual gave Raap everything but his car keys and exited the home, later returning, Raap told deputies, according to the report, and entering the master bedroom of the home. Raap and the individual struggled in a manner that Raap described as “wrestling” after Raap stopped the individual and felt, he said, what he believed was a sheathed hunting knife in the individual’s waistband.
The second unnamed individual in the household called 911.
The report indicates that individuals at the scene said they did not require medical attention, although, the report continues, deputies did take photographs of a victim’s injuries sustained in the altercation.
While the district attorney has dropped the charges, Raap remains on paid administrative leave from the Whitewater Police Department.
As of Dec. 18, City of Whitewater officials have said in a press release that the internal investigation they are conducting remains underway and “runs independent from any decisions made by other agencies.”
The investigation will be completed “as soon as possible,” the release stated.
The full story is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/waukesha-county-sheriff-department-records-pertaining-to-arrest-of-whitewater-police-chief-released/.
3. “Fort police respond to two traffic accidents Thursday afternoon, one with a fatality,” read 12,714 times.
Nearly two hours later, at around 5:15, a second accident, this time involving a car and a bicycle, occurred near the intersection of Janesville Avenue, South 3rd Street and Robert Street. In the second accident, the subjects involved, police reported, were both female and both in their 40s. The bicyclist was transported by Ryan Brothers Ambulance Service to an area hospital. Injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
The full story is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/fort-police-respond-to-two-traffic-accidents-thursday-afternoon-one-with-a-fatality/.
4. “Vern Zech is a Fort native on a social-media mission,” read 12,175 times.
This story, too, represented a large loss in Fort Atkinson and its surrounding communities. At the time it was written, in early March, Vern Zech, a Fort Atkinson native, was busy at work in his one-bedroom apartment where he sat before a large TV screen, operating — as the sole administrator — two social media pages: “Fort Atkinson Wi.: Taking a Stroll Down Memory Lane Then And Now,” begun by Zech in 2012, and “Jefferson County Obituaries.” He also supplied obituaries to Fort Atkinson Online, sending us links each evening after he combed through the various funeral parlors’ sites each day. In March, his Then and Now page had 9,200 members and his obituary page had 4,800. Today, his Then and Now page has over 10,500 members.
Why did he do it?
When we asked him, he said: “I love Fort Atkinson. It’s a good place.”
But by summer’s end, Zech was in a different place. After learning of his declining health, Zech asked Fort Atkinson Online editor Kim McDarison to join him as an administrator of the Then and Now page. He archived the obituary site.
On Aug. 4, Zech sent an email to McDarison. It read: “I’ve had 2 heart attacks in the last month will be going to Dr. tomorrow. I will let you know what’s up. Right now have no idea what will happen. Crossing my fingers on what goes on from here.”
On Aug. 5, Zech wrote to McDarison: “A lot of things to take of. He is starting with some drugs to get my heart beat back to normal and not all over. Then go for a full CAT Scan next week then the bad news comes after he looks at them. He told me the possibilities of what is wrong today. Not anything good at all.”
When Zech’s health issues became more broadly known, members of his page wished him well and, as he worked to recover his health and spent some time in an area hospital, an outpouring of friendship and support filled his Then and Now page.
After his hospital stay, Zech came home to recover.
Zech invited McDarison to join him as an administrator on the page on Sept. 1. He died in his home on Sept. 30. The news of his death was reported by a family friend on his Facebook community page. He was 65.
Zech remained an active participant, continuing to perform administrative duties on the Then and Now page, until Sept. 26.
A celebration of his life was held at the American Legion Dugout on Oct. 24.
Today, although operating under a slightly different name: “Fort Atkinson Wi., Then and Now,” the page Zech founded continues to grow at a rate of between approximately 40 and 60 new participants each month.
A kind and often solitary man of few words gave Fort Atkinson the gift of gregarious community.
Participants of the page continue to think of him often.
The full story is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/vern-zech-is-a-fort-native-on-a-social-media-mission/.
5. “One dead in house fire on Foster Street; related Amber Alert issued,” read 11,030 times.
Reported on June 11, what began as a tragic house fire turned even more tragic when officials announced they had found a charred body inside a home on Foster Street. The discovery led to the issuance later that evening of an AMBER alert. The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced that it was looking for Elizabeth M. Durkee, a resident of the fire-consumed Fort Atkinson house, along with her 2-year-old daughter. The daughter, the alert stated, was believed to be in “great danger.”
The mother and daughter were found about an hour later at a hotel in Delavan. The events of June 11 were further complicated by the developments reported within our most read story designated No. 7 on our top 10 list.
The full story is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/body-found-in-house-fire-on-foster-street/.
6. “Jim, Nedra Lemke murders focus of ‘In Pursuit with John Walsh’ this Wednesday,” read 10,589 times.
In October, a set of unsolved murders from the summer of 2020 got some new attention. Fort Atkinson Online contributor and a guest on the “In Pursuit with John Walsh” Investigation Discovery Channel show, Chris Spangler, reported that the program would feature a 22-minute segment about the local case in which a town of Sumner husband and wife, Jim and Nedra Lemke, were murdered on a property formerly owned by Nedra’s late father. The murders remain unsolved. Since the murders, law enforcement officials have been looking for Kevin P. Anderson, Nedra’s brother, who has been charged in connection with the deaths.
Between June 29 and July 1, a camera crew for the show arrived in Oconomowoc where they interviewed the Lemkes’ daughter, Amanda Waterworth; her husband, Jacob Waterworth; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Det. Sgt. Chad Garcia, Det. Donald Petig, Det. Ryan McIntyre and the first deputy on the scene, who asked to remain anonymous; and Spangler, former managing editor of the Daily Jefferson County Union, who covered the murders for the paper.
The show debuted on Oct. 6.
In the days following the show, several dozen tips were received by law enforcement, Spangler said.
Anderson continues to remain at large.
The full story is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/jim-nedra-lemke-murders-focus-of-in-pursuit-with-john-walsh-this-wednesday/.
7. “Homicide, strangulation, arson among charges filed in relation to Foster Street house fire,” read 10,303 times.
Events surrounding the Foster Street fire initially reported on June 11 became more complicated when, on June 15, Fort Atkinson Online learned that charges of first-degree intentional homicide; strangulation and suffocation; arson of a building without the owner’s consent, and mutilating a corpse were being filed against Elizabeth M. Durkee, the then 36-year-old granddaughter of the woman found dead in the Foster Street home. Durkee’s grandmother was allegedly strangled to death before the house was allegedly set on fire, according to authorities.
Charges filed against Durkee bring a possible penalty of life in prison.
Durkee remains in custody. A status conference is scheduled for Jan. 6. 2022. After Durkee waived her right to a preliminary hearing in August, court records indicate that the court “binds her over for trial.”
In September, court records show, after the court read the charges and the maximum penalties, Durkee entered pleas of “not guilty” to the counts against her.
After pleas were entered, counsel on both sides indicated “that they are not requesting speedy trial,” the court filing reports.
“The defense requests that these matters be scheduled far enough out to allow for the considerable amount of discovery to be reviewed,” the record stated. A pretrial conference was scheduled for Nov. 20, which is followed by the Jan. 6 status conference, defined as a pretrial meeting of attorneys with a judge. It is held to share the progress of the case and set a timeline for discovery matters and a trial.
The full story is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/homicide-strangulation-arson-among-charges-filed-against-foster-street-house-fire-suspect/.
8. “Fort Firefighter injured during Oak Street Fire says fast action saved his life,” read 9,053 times.
The five alarm fire, which came to be known locally as “the Oak Street” fire, consumed a large portion of the enormous D.B. Oak building, a warehouse on Oak Street. The fire smoldered for days and brought equipment from fire departments across the state. On the first day, Aug. 10, a Fort Atkinson Fire Department captain, Nick Rueth, was among the first on the scene. As the fire raged on into the evening and a storm swept in, Rueth sustained a life-threatening injury when some glass blew free from a compromised window. Recovering in his home nearly a month later, he shared the captivating story of what happened, complete with the heroic actions of a fellow firefighter, Capt. Paul Verhalen, whom, Rueth noted, is among those he credits with saving his life. Rueth also cited the efforts to save him made by ambulance personnel, and healthcare workers in Fort Atkinson and Madison.
Verhalen, Rueth said, was by his side when the piece of glass fell from the window and lodged in his arm. Verhalen created a temporary tourniquet, radioed ahead for a medical team and then carried Rueth from the building and through debris and standing water to a waiting ambulance.
Fort Atkinson Fire Department Capt. Paul Verhalen was later recognized for his heroic actions as a First Responders Hometown Hero by State Rep. Cody Horlacher. A ceremony, recognizing Verhalen, along with other Hometown Heroes from across the state, was held Oct. 26 on the Assembly floor in the State Capitol in Madison.
The full story is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/fort-firefighter-injured-during-oak-street-fire-says-fast-action-saved-his-life/.
9. “Fort man killed in rear end crash in Milton,”read 7,407 times.
In October, authorities reported a deadly accident involving two Fort Atkinson residents. The accident, involving a pickup truck with a trailer and a commercial box truck, occurred on State Highway 26 in Rock County in the town of Milton.
According to information released by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, on Oct. 31, a 30-year-old male from Elkhorn who was driving the pickup truck, began to turn into a driveway from the northbound lane.
The commercial box truck, which was being driven by a 37-year-old male from Fort Atkinson, and was traveling behind the pickup truck, struck the rear end of the trailer which was being towed by the pickup truck. A passenger in the commercial box truck, 35-year-old Jeremy Jorgensen of Fort Atkinson, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The full story is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/fort-man-killed-in-rear-end-crash-in-milton/.
10. “Fort dog trainer with warrant apprehended in Illinois,” read 7,055 times.
This story, too, follows event that began as summer ended in 2020.
On Sept. 10, 2020, Janesville resident Lindsey Davidson, the owner of an 8-month-old puppy, made a call for assistance to the Fort Atkinson Police Department. Davidson told officers that she believed her puppy had been subjected to cruelty. She had been presented that night with the lifeless body of her puppy after Fort Atkinson dog trainer Tammy Flemming told Davidson, Davidson alleged, that she had mistakenly used too much force while engaged with the puppy in a training exercise.
Flemming was arrested in March of 2021 and charged with one count of mistreatment of animals/causing death. After a short time in the Jefferson County Jail, she was released on a $1,000 signature bond.
In June, Flemming failed to appear for a scheduled arraignment hearing prompting the court to issue a judgement in the amount of the bond. Flemming next failed to appear at the bond forfeiture hearing and the court issued a warrant for her arrest.
On Aug. 4. Capt. Jeff Davis, of the Fort Atkinson Police Department, confirmed that Flemming had been taken into custody the night before. She had been located in Illinois, Davis said.
In September, after the completion of a court-ordered competency hearing, a motion to reduce the amount of Flemming’s bail was entered. On Oct. 8, the court modified its cash bond from $10,000 to $2,500, and found Flemming competent to proceed with a trial. Flemming posted bond on Oct. 8.
According to court records, a pretrial conference was set for Oct. 27 and an arraignment was scheduled for Dec. 2.
On Dec. 2, Flemming entered a plea of “not guilty” to the charge against her and the court scheduled a final status conference for Feb. 22, 2022, and a one-day jury trial scheduled for Feb. 28, 2022.
If convicted on the felony animal cruelty charge, Flemming could face fines up to $10,000, up to three years of incarceration, or both.
The full story is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/fort-dog-trainer-with-warrant-apprehended-in-illinois/.
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