Onalaska police chief Charles Ashbeck is about to retire, after 30 years of service.

We got the chief to tell some stories to the WIZM audience, including one that was promoted by a caller on La Crosse Talk PM.

Ashbeck also talked about his career path and ending up in Onalaska, plus what he's going to do in retirement.

Onalaska police chief Charles Ashbeck is about to retire, after 30 years of service.
We got the chief to tell some stories to the WIZM audience, including one that was promoted&nbsp;by a caller on La Crosse Talk PM.
Ashbeck also talked about his career path and ending up in Onalaska, plus what he's going to do in retirement.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM - La Crosse  Talk Interviews

WIZM’s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin.
Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at wizmnews.com and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities. Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM&rsquo;s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin. Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">wizmnews.com</a> and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities.&nbsp;Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM - La Crosse

Onalaska Police Chief Charles Ashbeck reminisces, before retiring after 30 years 

Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude spoke with WIZM News Director Kevin Millard as he looked back on his career in law enforcement.  

He announced earlier this year that he wouldn’t seek another term in office.  

During the conversation, Ganrude said he ran this term to see the completion of a big project for the county-the new jail.  

When asked, it was one of the things he wanted to be remembered for and is proud of its construction. He said he wanted to see it up and running and running smoothly before there was a new sheriff.  

“I’m very satisfied with the facility we have now. It will take us far into the future. It’s well designed and well-built and it’s very manageable for the staff. We didn’t add any staff which was huge for me and our jail administrator. We told the board we wouldn’t add any staff, which we didn’t.” 

They also added a new expanded dispatch center as well.  

He also talked about some of the cases that stand out. The one he spoke about was the Baby Angel case, which is still working its way through the court system. A Winona woman was arrested in 2025 after DNA evidence linked her to the body of an infant found in the Mississippi River in 2011. With the body were angel figurines.  

Ganrude also spoke about how technology has changed over the years. Today, deputies use computers and cell phones, where before, when he first started, all reports were handwritten.  

As far as the future goes, Ganrude said he’s going to enjoy spending time with his family, especially his eight grandchildren. There’s also plenty of time on the river fishing.  

Listen to the full interview below as Sheriff Ganrude shares more stories and memories of his career in law enforcement.  

 

Winona County Sheriff Ron&nbsp;Ganrude&nbsp;spoke with WIZM News Director Kevin Millard as he looked back on his career in law enforcement.&nbsp;&nbsp;
He&nbsp;announced earlier this year that he&nbsp;wouldn&rsquo;t&nbsp;seek another term in&nbsp;office.&nbsp;&nbsp;
During the conversation,&nbsp;Ganrude&nbsp;said he&nbsp;ran&nbsp;this term to see the completion of a big project for the county-the new jail.&nbsp;&nbsp;
When asked, it was one of the things he wanted to&nbsp;be remembered for&nbsp;and is proud of its construction.&nbsp;He said he wanted to see it up and&nbsp;running&nbsp;and&nbsp;running&nbsp;smoothly before there was a new sheriff.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m&nbsp;very satisfied with the facility we have now. It will take us far into the future.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s&nbsp;well designed and well-built and&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;very manageable for the staff.&nbsp;We&nbsp;didn&rsquo;t&nbsp;add any&nbsp;staff&nbsp;which was huge for me and our jail administrator.&nbsp;We told the board we&nbsp;wouldn&rsquo;t&nbsp;add any staff, which we&nbsp;didn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;&nbsp;
They also added a new expanded dispatch center as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;
He also talked about some of the cases that stand out. The one he spoke about was the Baby Angel case, which is still working its way through the court system. A Winona woman was arrested in 2025&nbsp;after DNA evidence linked her to the body of an infant found in the Mississippi River in 2011. With the body were angel figurines.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Ganrude&nbsp;also spoke about how technology&nbsp;has changed over the years. Today, deputies use computers and cell phones, where before, when&nbsp;he&nbsp;first started,&nbsp;all reports were handwritten.&nbsp;&nbsp;
As far as the future goes, Ganrude said he&rsquo;s going to enjoy spending time with his family, especially his eight grandchildren. There&rsquo;s also plenty of time on the river fishing.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Listen to the full interview below as Sheriff&nbsp;Ganrude&nbsp;shares more stories and memories of his career in law enforcement.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude looks back at law enforcement career

Emplify Health by  Gundersen is collaborating with the La Crosse and Onalaska fire departments is teaming up for a community initiative to address hazards posed by throw rugs, especially for seniors. The goal is to simply reduce the number of injuries that end up in emergency rooms. Residents can drop off rugs at many local coffee shops and get a free cup of coffee and mug. How it all works was discussed on WIZM La Crosse Talk with Sean Dwyer.

Emplify Health by&nbsp; Gundersen is collaborating with the La Crosse and Onalaska fire departments is teaming up for a community initiative to address hazards posed by throw rugs, especially for seniors. The goal is to simply reduce the number of injuries that end up in emergency rooms. Residents can drop off rugs at many local coffee shops and get a free cup of coffee and mug. How it all works was discussed on WIZM La Crosse Talk with Sean Dwyer.

Mugs for Rugs aims to reduce falls

Dani Smith is donating her kidney to save her Mom's life.  Paula Smith needs a kidney. Later this month the couple will undergo a transplant Surgery at UW Health in Madison.  It is a life changing decision and a life saving choice.  But Mom Paula shared a heartwarming story on WIZM La Crosse Talk with Sean Dwyer about their journey.  Be prepared to laugh.

Dani Smith is donating her kidney to save her Mom's life.&nbsp; Paula Smith needs a kidney. Later this month the couple will undergo a transplant Surgery at UW Health in Madison.&nbsp; It is a life changing decision and a life saving choice.&nbsp; But Mom Paula shared a heartwarming story on WIZM La Crosse Talk with Sean Dwyer about their journey.&nbsp; Be prepared to laugh.

Onalaska Police Chief Charles Ashbeck reminisces, before retiring after 30 years

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