Wisconsin
Former Wisconsin Rapids youth pastor charged with repeated sexual assault of a child
A warrant was issued for the arrest of James R. Lane, who was a youth pastor at Faith Reformed Church in Wisconsin Rapids from 2000-2004.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS − A 52-year-old Colorado man who worked as a youth minister at a Wisconsin Rapids church from 2000 until 2004 is accused of sexually assaulting a member of his youth group.
James R. Lane, of Centennial, Colorado, faces a charge of repeated sexual assault of a child. Wood County Circuit Judge Greg Potter issued a warrant for Lane’s arrest on June 19.
According to the criminal complaint, in March, a 36-year-old woman told a Wisconsin special agent that Lane was the youth pastor at Faith Reformed Church in Wisconsin Rapids. She said when she as 14- or 15-years-old Lane gave her a ride home after she babysat for his children. They were on a back road of Wisconsin 13 when he began kissing her. The woman said Lane stuck his hands inside of her pants and touched her inappropriately, according to the complaint.
The woman said on several occasions, Lane would “lay her down” on the floor of his office or other areas of the church and would get on top of her and kiss and touch her inappropriately. She said it happened about eight to 10 times while she was 14 or 15, according to the complaint.
Two special agents talked to Lane on May 13. Lane said he had a “relationship” with a girl in the youth group that got “inappropriate.” He confirmed the girl’s identity and said he had inappropriately touched the girl, according to the complaint. He said there were three to six times when they went on drives in his car and did what he described as “heavy petting.”
Lane said he and his family moved to Colorado in 2004.
If convicted, Lane faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
More local news: Authorities investigating body found buried in Adams County as search underway for missing 37-year-old man
More local news: Appeals court rules man convicted in fatal 2004 shooting outside Arpin tavern can argue for reduced sentence
Contact Karen Madden at 715-345-2245 or kmadden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33.
Wisconsin
Who is Diane Hendricks, Wisconsin’s richest woman?
Watch: Billionaire Diane Hendricks delivers address at the RNC
Businesswoman Diane Hendricks, a longtime donor for Republicans, spoke at the Republican National Convention.
America’s richest self-made woman lives in Wisconsin. She’s also, unsurprisingly, the richest person in the state.
So who is Diane Hendricks? Hendricks is the co-founder of Beloit-based ABC Supply Co., which sells roofing and building supplies. In June, she was named the richest self-made woman in the nation for the ninth year in a row by Forbes. She was also ranked the wealthiest Wisconsinite in 2025, with a 2026 net worth of $22.3 billion.
In 2022, Forbes dubbed Hendricks “the most successful female entrepreneur in American history.”
Raised on a dairy farm in Osseo, Wisconsin, the 79 year-old Hendricks had her first child at 17. She left school and worked as a Playboy Bunny before co-founding the ABC empire with her second husband in 1982. When he passed away in 2007, she took over the company.
Since then, Hendricks has more than tripled her net worth, acquired large competitors, and expanded into other sectors. According to Forbes, ABC Supply had 900 locations and $20.2 billion in revenue in 2025. She is also the chair and founder of Hendricks Commercial Properties, a real estate development company, and Hendricks Holding Company, Inc., a private investment firm.
A 2016 Journal Sentinel investigation found that Hendricks had paid zero state income tax for three years. Another investigation found that her 8,500 square foot mansion in the Town of Rock had been taxed as a 1,663 square foot ranch house for years.
Hendricks is also a powerful force in conservative politics in the state and nationally. She has donated millions to the GOP over the years. In 2016, she was a vice chair of the Trump Victory fundraising committee. Months before being named the richest person in Wisconsin, Hendricks spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee as an “everyday American.”
Hendricks has also championed economic development efforts in Beloit, cohosting an A&E show with her daughter titled “Betting on Beloit.”
Wisconsin
Showers Return to Southern Wisconsin for Father’s Day
- Showers will be most likely for areas along and south of the I-94 corridor
- Dry and pleasant conditions for Monday and Tuesday
- Showers and thunderstorms will return Tuesday night and into the day Wednesday
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – We are starting the day with some sunshine, but high-level clouds will continue to move in out ahead of a weather system to the southwest. This area of low pressure will move eastward across Illinois and Indiana today, bringing an increase in cloud cover as well as the chance for rain in southern Wisconsin. There is still some uncertainty with exactly how far north the rain will extend, but there is a higher confidence in the presence and coverage of showers along and south of the I-94 corridor this afternoon and evening. Activity will likely be much more hit-or-miss in areas farther north, with some spots potentially not seeing any rain at all.
The cloud cover and rain combined will work to limit temperatures today, with highs only ranging from the upper 60s (in southern Wisconsin) to the low 70s (further north where the sun may linger longer, and it will be drier). We are not expecting a heavy rain, nor are we expecting storms. In areas closer to the state line, rainfall accumulations may be around a half inch. Tonight, rain will end as the system moves east.
What’s Coming Up…
Monday will be dry and pleasant with highs into the mid-70s and some sunshine. This trend continues Tuesday, with highs in the upper 70s. Rain and thunderstorms are then likely to return Tuesday night and Wednesday, with a chance for some stronger storms Wednesday afternoon. Additional showers may linger into Thursday.
Looking Ahead…
Friday looks mostly dry before more chances for showers and thunderstorms return next weekend as temperatures warm up a bit closer to normal for this time of the year.
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2022 WMTV. All rights reserved.
Wisconsin
Northeast Wisconsin high schoolers jam in 2026 ‘Rockonsin’ contest at Summerfest
MILWAUKEE (WLUK) — Four Northeast Wisconsin garage bands took to the Aurora Pavilion Stage at Summerfest Friday in hopes of winning the 2026 edition of ‘Rockonsin.’
The bands include:
- “Mania” composed of students from East De Pere High School
- “The Danios” composed of students from Mayville High School
- “The Doorknobs” composed of students from Sheboygan North High School and Étude High School
- “Krusher” composed of students from Campbellsport High School
The local bands and six others were the finalists selected from 54 middle and high schools across across Wisconsin for the 2026 contest.
All of them performed 20 minute showcases for an audience, including a trio of music industry panel judges. The bands were judged on technique, rhythm and vocals, primary beats, and synergy among other aspects.
Rockonsin announced “Krusher” won the grand prize Saturday night. Winning the contest nets the band a 12 hour recording session at Blast House Studios in Madison. The runner up band is “Candy Cigarette” from Oconomowoc High School, which wins a shorter 8 hour recording session at Blast House Studios.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
The contest is in its 22nd year.
-
Idaho2 minutes agoEvacuations lifted as crews continue to battle Gap Fire near Pocatello
-
Illinois9 minutes agoTornado watches, warnings across Illinois on Father’s Day
-
Indiana12 minutes agoIndiana mother fatally shot after suspect tries to rob son during Facebook Marketplace meetup
-
Iowa17 minutes ago2 Iowa State Basketball Commits See Rankings Improve
-
Kansas24 minutes agoLive updates: Kansas hit with another round of severe storms
-
Kentucky27 minutes agoBorn 35 Years Ago Today in Kentucky, the Grammy-Winning Wanderer Who Gave Voice to the Appalachian Working Class
-
Louisiana32 minutes agoShelby Bordelon crowned Miss Louisiana 2026
-
Maine39 minutes ago4-year-old girl in critical condition after near drowning at Kennebunk hotel pool