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-- The driver suspected in a crash that killed a Cottage Grove chiropractor faces charges of first-degree reckless homicide
also faces charges of first-degree reckless injury and first-degree recklessly endangering safety
Online jail records show he was booked into the Dane County Jail Thursday afternoon
Police said Endres' vehicle left the roadway in the 1300 block of Landmark Drive at around 6:30 p.m
An investigation into the crash remains active
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Wis. — A quiet neighborhood on the edge of an industrial park in Cottage Grove was shaken this week after a woman was struck and killed by a car while walking her dog
a chiropractor and board member of the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce
died Monday evening when a car jumped a curb
and came to rest in an embankment near the Grand Appliance and TV warehouse
was hospitalized and is undergoing surgery
said he was still trying to process the damage left near a makeshift memorial marked with flowers and pet plushies
“I don’t know how somebody couldn’t have corrected themselves that far,” Hocking said
the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce described Hansen as a beloved Chamber member who served on the Board of Directors for six years and was actively involved in two committees
“She loved her community and always wanted the very best for it,” the statement read
Riley and Dylan—we are here for you and we will help you in any way that we can.”
Grand Appliance Senior Safety Manager Pawn Singh and Hocking took photos at the crash site not just for insurance purposes
so the community can come transform it into a memorial space
Our goal is to definitely get this up and running and have that memorial.”
The Chamber is now partnering with the Cottage Grove Community Foundation
which has a memorial fund account set up for tragic events like this
Those wishing to help the family with expenses may make checks payable to The Cottage Grove Community Foundation
Contributions can be dropped off at the Chamber office
located inside the Bank of Sun Prairie at 419 W
Investigators said the crash remains under investigation
faces tentative charges that include first degree reckless homicide
Cottage Grove police have arrested the man they say was driving the vehicle that hit and killed a woman and injured her son Monday
was booked into the Dane County Jail on tentative charges of first-degree reckless homicide
first degree reckless injury and first degree recklessly endangering safety
Cottage Grove police responded to the crash just after 6:30 p.m
in the 1300 block of Landmark Drive on Cottage Grove’s north side
a chiropractor who owned Heartland Family Chiropractic
has undergone surgery but is expected to recover
who was walking with them at the time but was uninjured
which likely requires some physical therapy to get to that point,” Paul Hansen told the Wisconsin State Journal Wednesday
Cottage Grove police chief said crash that killed mother of three is 'complicated and complex'
Matthew Wagner said at an afternoon news conference Thursday
Both have been treated and released from the hospital
I want to extend our deepest condolences to the families involved in the tragic incident," the chief said
"This event has had a profound impact not only on the families directly affected but also on the neighborhood
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Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCOTTAGE GROVE, Wis. (WMTV) - The man accused of hitting and killing a woman while she was walking with her family on Monday in Cottage Grove has been arrested
was taken into custody Thursday around 1:45 p.m
WARNING: The photo below shows the 49-year-old man’s face badly bruised
He is also wearing a neck brace following the crash
The charges stem from the crash that happened around 6:30 p.m
Monday in the 1300 block of Landmark Drive
Police say Endres drove into a family and a dog who were walking along the road
Dr. Kami Hansen
a well-known chiropractor in the Cottage Grove community
died from her injuries after being taken to the hospital
police say three people were hospitalized following the crash
and owner of Heartland Family Chiropractic
Garry II said the entire community is feeling the weight of this tragedy
“This event has had a profound impact not only on the families directly affected
and the wider Dane County community,” he said Thursday during a press conference
Matthew Wagner emphasized the investigation remains active and is being handled in collaboration with the Dane County District Attorney’s Office
He said all contributing factors to the crash are still being reviewed
a small memorial has grown near the crash site
One local business, Warm Belly Farm, has also stepped forward to support the family. In a Facebook post
the store announced it will be donating 10% of all sales on Thursday
Police are not releasing additional details at this time
citing the ongoing nature of the investigation
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cottage Grove Police Department at (608) 839-4652
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app
The Assembly Committee on Corrections held an informational hearing on the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to hear from speakers on the responsibilities of the agency and select items within its biennial budget request
This segment features Committee Chair Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) and DO…
The husband of a Cottage Grove woman who died when a vehicle jumped the curb and struck them while they were walking the family dog Monday night described his wife as compassionate in a text message Wednesday
In a message to a Wisconsin State Journal reporter
came through a successful surgery Tuesday night
adding that he’s hopeful for a full recovery
“He will have a long recovery ahead which likely requires some physical therapy to get to that point.”
Police responded to the crash just after 6:30 p.m
Monday in the 1300 block of Landmark Drive on Cottage Grove’s north side
Hansen sent texts and a family photo to the State Journal on Wednesday
and the family dog when Kami and Riley were struck
Police have said speed appeared to have been a factor in the crash
The driver of the car also was taken to the hospital and is cooperating with the investigation
Garry would not release the name or age of the driver Thursday or say if there are tentative charges
this is a very complicated and complex investigation at this time
so that is why there has been no additional information."
Hansen’s profile on the Heartland Family Chiropractic website says that she was from New Lisbon and graduated from UW-La Crosse with a degree in biology
The profile mentions Hansen’s husband and three active boys — Hunter
Riley and Dylan — and that Hansen enjoyed scrapbooking
Hansen graduated in 2008 from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport
adding that a highlight of her education was traveling to Morocco on a clinic abroad trip
where her team provided chiropractic care to about 3,000 patients over 10 days
Before opening Heartland Family Chiropractic
Hansen spent a year interning at Clinton Back and Neck in Clinton
The profile says that when Hanson was young
she suffered a whiplash injury that prevented her from being able to support her head
After she couldn’t walk or sit up for three days
her family took her to see a chiropractor and she was able to walk out of the clinic
“Her interest in a chiropractic career grew when she first started learning about the amazing human body and how the nervous system influences everything within the body,” it says
who lives about a block away from the scene of the crash
calls for a stop sign at the intersection of Landmark Drive and Michelle Lane near where the crash happened
There had been a stop sign there up until a few years ago
Kucher wrote in a message to the State Journal
She also said Village President Cynthia Kelm-Nelson said she’s working with Cottage Grove police and the Public Works Department to address the issue
and it will be discussed at the Public Works meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m
Public Works Director and Village Trustee Chris Stoa has asked that public works director Kyela O’Loughlin add traffic calming considerations to the agenda of the committee’s next meeting
“We don’t yet know all the reasons behind the crash
Something must be done to reduce traffic speeds in the village,” Stoa told the State Journal
increased enforcement and ‘Slow Down’ yard signs are not doing the trick
“Cottage Grove used to be a bedroom community
and our roads are reflective of that — designed with cars in mind and getting people in and out of the village as fast and painlessly as possible,” she said
and people want to feel safe walking and biking within our village
We need to redesign our streets and crosswalks to force vehicles to slow down and make streets safer for walkers and bikers.”
The Chamber of Commerce and Cottage Grove Community Foundation have a memorial account set up to help the family with expenses
Paul Hansen said his family didn't attend the “Remembering Kami Community Campfire” Tuesday at Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church
since they were at the hospital with Riley
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The Assembly Committee on Corrections held an informational hearing on the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to hear from speakers on the re…
was charged with first-degree intentional homicide and other crimes Monday
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“Cottage Grove” is a short film that captures the complex and often painful dynamics of father-son relationships
Chicago and those searching for healing among family
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with George Ellzey Jr
George is a creative force with a heart for amplifying the city’s cultural richness
And with “Cottage Grove,” he does just that
who grew up in Hyde Park and now resides in Bronzeville
holds a deep admiration for the South Side
It’s where his story was shaped and where he found the courage to confront long-held pain
my father and I lived in the same neighborhood
But he was like a ghost—I’d hear about him from others
‘You look just like your dad,’ but I never saw him
they reconnected—thanks to a short film George had posted on YouTube
and that coincidental moment led to a call
a reunion and the beginning of something new
during George’s thesis year in DePaul University’s MFA program
George picked him up from the hospital and drove him to the Walgreens at 51st and Cottage Grove
While events in the film differ from George’s experience with his father
that drive—both literal and emotional—became the spark for “Cottage Grove.”
The film was born out of Professor Brian Zahm’s experimental film course at DePaul University where George accessed a level of creativity he hadn’t yet explored
What began as an assignment evolved into a personal
Nicole Joseph: What was the biggest challenge in bringing “Cottage Grove” to life
George Ellzey Jr.: The biggest thing was finding an audience
I’m just gonna say — I thought we would be accepted into more film festivals because I thought this story would be so relatable
but we weren’t and that was discouraging for me
I wrote this for my community and I wanted to share this with my community.
Sometimes we can put these expectations on ourselves – I need to get into this festival
You’ll land and trust when you land there
the people who need to be present will welcome you with open arms
do you feel responsible for telling your specific stories?
Ellzey Jr.: I do feel a responsibility to be authentic to my perspective
and I think that’s what makes storytelling special.
Joseph: Let’s talk about the importance of “Cottage Grove” being featured on the AMC+ Future of Film series.
I did not see this on my Bingo card when we started with this
My purpose as a director is to shine a light on the unspoken things in life so it can spark healing in our communities.
who funds your travel for the film festival circuit?
Ellzey Jr.: I think one of the biggest things that our market lacks in the Chicago film scene is financing
but there is not a lot of infrastructure here.
Nicole: What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers — the ones who may feel like they haven’t obtained the success they desire?
George: I would say to rely on your community
some colleagues whom I was transparent and vulnerable with
“Cottage Grove” (Photo Provided)
At the heart of “Cottage Grove” is confrontation—the emotional reckoning of a son facing the silence and absence of his father
What unfolds is a healing apology—an act of grace that shifts the course of their relationship and opens the door for a new kind of truth
one where father and son can finally stand side by side
“Cottage Grove” has screened in over 20 festivals and is now shortlisted for a People’s Telly Award
George credits every supporter who helped bring this story to life
“Cottage Grove” isn’t just a film—it’s a call to believe that healing
reconciliation and common ground are always possible
is an advocate for honest storytelling—especially stories that give Black men space to express vulnerability
“Cottage Grove” is a testament to the power of community and healing
George is committed to building the industry here and uplifting overlooked talent
Nicole Joseph is a multimedia journalist with the Chicago Defender
Her work has also appeared in BlackDoctor.org
As an accomplished integrated marketing communications strategist
and marketing communications to craft compelling narratives across various platforms
She holds multiple journalism certificates
an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University
and a BS in Sales & Marketing from Tuskegee University
first-degree reckless injury and first-degree recklessly endangering safety
which likely requires some physical therapy to get to that point,” Paul Hansen told the Wisconsin State Journal
Matthew Wagner said at a Thursday afternoon news conference
Online records show that Endres lives not far from the Hansens
on the same block where the crash happened
Endres was not charged with driving under the influence
I want to extend our deepest condolences to the families involved in the tragic incident,” the chief said
“This event has had a profound impact not only on the families directly affected but also on the neighborhood
Cottage Grove Police officers responded to a report of an adult female lying on the sidewalk on Hwy 99 in Cottage Grove
officers determined the woman was deceased
Police have identified the woman as 66-year-old Judith A
Anyone who has information should contact the Cottage Grove Police Dept
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and Rob Fritze; six grandchildren,Kellen (Joel) Parsons
Wally valued family the most; he was married for 60 years to the love of his life
He and Karen loved dancing and spending time with friends in both Minnesota and Arizona
He loved the outdoors and had a passion for fishing
Wally was a handyman who could fix anything
He was a lifelong member of the Cottage Grove United Church of Christ
Initially he started as a chemical operator
then became a Steamfitter and later worked his way up to management level in Plant Engineering
He served his community as a volunteer fireman for 37 years
a new chapter begins—one where he can dance freely again
in a place where music never stops and love never fades
Funeral Service 11 AM with visitation beginning at 9 AM
2025 at Cottage Grove United Church of Christ
Burial will follow at Cottage Grove Cemetery
If you'd like to watch Wally's livestream on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 11 AM, please click here
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Yellow Tree hopes to develop this 160-unit apartment building on a challenging site in Cottage Grove
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sons Chris (Caryn) and Dan (Jaime); grandkids
He grew up on a farm where he learned the value of hard work
He served as an Army Sergeant in Vietnam and was assigned Tank Commander earning 3 Bronze Medals and a Purple Heart (among other medals of recognition)
1970 and moved to the Twin Cities where he started work at North Star Steel
Jim coached youth sports for 35 + years (including his sons and grandkids)
He made a positive impact on many young athletes in the community
and he never missed any of his grandkid’s games
Jim was an avid sportsman playing softball into his 60’s alongside his boys while Karen score kept
He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing
was his happy place where he spent time hunting
and having conversations around the bonfire
Jim was always the first to arrive and last to leave a gathering
He valued quality time with loved ones above all else
He also selflessly gave his time to help with any project and mastered each one with perfection
He is incredibly loved and will be greatly missed
Our deepest gratitude to the dedicated staff of ‘Dignity Lane’ at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center
4pm-7pm at the Kok Funeral Home (7676 80th St
Cottage Grove) with Memorial Service Saturday
Interment following service at Cottage Grove Cemetery (10999 70th St
Luncheon to follow at American Legion Post 98 (328 Broadway Ave
Donations are preferred in lieu of flowers to VFW Post #9057 in Thorp
LIVESTREAM INFORMATION: For those who would like to participate in Jim's service via livestream
It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page and click PLAY to begin
Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service
If you are having troubles with the Livestream
the service will be available to watch later in the day.
Two Cottage Grove men have been arrested for allegedly operating an illegal butane THC extraction lab at a home in the 32300 block of Woodson Lane east of Cottage Grove
the Lane County Sheriff's Office served a search warrant at the property on March 5
BHO (Butane Hash Oil) labs are extremely dangerous and can result in catastrophic deadly explosions," according to a release from the sheriff's office
Deputies also located 1.6 pounds of suspected cocaine and a stolen firearm
were arrested and cited in lieu of custody pending court proceedings
The 38-year-old was arrested for unlawful manufacture of a cannabinoid
unlawful delivery of cocaine and first-degree theft
The 35-year-old man was arrested for unlawful manufacture of cannabinoids
unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful delivery of marijuana
neither suspect had been arraigned on charges at the Lane County Circuit Court
Sheriff's Office officials said the investigation was made possible by grant funding from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission's Illegal Marijuana Market Grant
The grant was created in 2018 by the Oregon Legislature to assist law enforcement agencies and district attorneys' offices in their efforts to address the illegal marijuana market in Oregon
Anyone with additional information was asked to contact the sheriff's office at 541-682-4141 and reference case #25-0250
Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard
You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com
Cottage Grove Public Safety is warning participants to make smart decisions if they plan to play the popular game of “Nerf Wars” later this summer
According to Cottage Grove Public Safety (CGPS)
Nerf Wars are very popular in the city and are a fun passtime for young kids looking to do something with their friends
the activity has a habit of getting out of hand
leading to unsafe and sometimes illegal activity
“While we encourage safe and responsible fun
we’ve received multiple 911 calls this past weekend regarding unsafe and illegal behavior related to these activities,” CGPS said in a statement
police had received multiple reports of participants shooting Nerf guns from moving vehicles
Nerf guns being pointed at random people on public and private property and traffic being blocked due to ongoing “battles.”
Police warn that engaging in unsafe or illegal behavior could result in citations being issued and participant losing their licenses if they decide to drive during the games
and at the right time,” CGPS said in a statement
The organization asks parents to speak with their kids about being responsible when they play and ensure they understand the risks the game can have when not played correctly
RELATED: Police warn of serious consequences for high school students over ‘senior assassin’ game
Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public File may contact KSTP via our online form or call 651-646-5555
Missing Cottage Grove resident Robert Ray Bennett II was found dead by a boater who discovered his body in Dorena Lake southeast of Eugene on March 2
Lane County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue crews had been searching for Bennett after he went missing from his campsite near Brice Creek on Dec
High water levels at Brice Creek and Row River complicated search operations for volunteers at the time
Deputies said they recovered Bennett downstream in Dorena Lake after he was located by the boater
Lane County officials said an investigation is ongoing
but they believe Bennett fell into Brice Creek
which was running near historically high levels at the time of his disappearance
Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@registerguard.com
Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a physical dispute in the 32100 block of Rachel Road
The caller was able to separate from the other person
The first deputy on scene learned Morgan had fled along the railroad tracks in the area
deputies developed probable cause to arrest Morgan for Strangulation and Assault in the 4th Degree
The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment
additional deputies and officers arrived and established a perimeter
K9 Tito responded with his handler and began searching the area
Springfield Police also responded with a drone to assist in the search
deputies learned Morgan had injured himself while attempting to escape
K9 Tito located Morgan hiding under a tree several hundred yards away and he was arrested without further incident
Morgan was transported to an area hospital for treatment
then lodged at the Lane County Jail for Strangulation and Assault in the 4th Degree
Members of the Springfield Police Department
and Oregon State Police also responded to assist
peacefully in her sleep in her Cottage Grove home
She was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Echo
Minnesota where she also grew up and graduated high school
Elaine then attended Glenwood Hills School of Nursing
she worked briefly as a licensed practical nurse before dedicating herself to raising her children as a proud stay-at-home mother
Elaine married Gordon Pederson at Peace Lutheran Church
Together they shared nearly 60 years of love
dedication and the joy of watching their family grow
Elaine had a kindhearted personality that made her a friend to all
She loved connecting with people- whether it was at gatherings with friends and family or through conversations on the phone
Elaine enjoyed working in the sunshine in her garden
capturing memories through taking pictures
and listening to polka music and dancing whenever she got the chance
She especially loved her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother.
Elaine was preceded in death by her husband
Catherine and Karen (Don) Evazich; daughter-in-law
and Harley; and great-grandchildren Natalie
Elaine’s warmth and unwavering dedication to those she loved will be deeply missed by all who knew her
May her memory bring comfort to those who mourn her passing
Celebration of Life 11 AM with visitation beginning at 10 AM
Burial to follow at Cottage Grove Cemetery
LIVESTREAM INFORMATION: For those who would like to participate in Elaine's service via livestream