The Dells Deep Dive

04/24/2026

04/13/2026

04/09/2026

I Can Only Count to Four!(teen).

They say 'every vote counts,' but apparently, some people like to count votes that don't actually exist. If you're going to ask for a write-in vote, the very least you can do is get your original numbers straight.

The real number: 12. In a district where every vote matters, being off by 16% isn't just a 'typo' - it's sloppy.

If someone wants to be in charge of our city's future, they should probably start by correctly reporting their own past. It’s a little embarrassing to ask for write-in votes when you can’t even accurately count the ones you already got.

If you want to represent the people, you have to be accurate with the people's data. We want leaders who pay attention to our city; maybe we should start with ones who pay attention to the numbers on the screen.

Those two "imaginary" voters aren't going to help much on the write-in line! Numbers don't lie, but sometimes people do (or just don't check their sources).

Accurate. Verified. Local.

02/19/2026

📰 THE DEEP DIVE: The Case of the Missing Candidate Profiles

The Scene: The Kilbourn Public Library is kind of like a "Sacred Vault". It’s built on the principle of free and equal access to information. But what happens when vandalism and theft results in information being hidden from the public?

I went to the library to read the candidate write-ups by John Gittings in last week’s Dells Events. The paper sat right at the front desk. I took it to a table, found Troy Ryan’s photo on the front page, read the first few paragraphs on the front page, and followed the prompt: "Continued on page A4."

I flipped the page and found myself looking at Page A5. There was no A4. There was no A3. The center leaf had vanished.

When I informed the librarian, they responded casually: “Someone else must have needed it more than we did.”

It’s sad that our hard-working librarians have to deal with people taking things that belong to all of us.

The Careful Clean Out: Newspaper pages don't just "fall out". Removing pages 3 and 4 requires opening the paper, lifting out that one sheet, and folding the rest back so it looks intact. This wasn't a child ripping a page or a clumsy reader. This was a sneaky way to hide the news.

The Audit of the Act:

Targeting the Information: That missing leaf was the only one containing the introduction of all three candidates. It prevented voters who regularly read the Dells Events at the library from comparing professional backgrounds and stated goals side-by-side.

The Paywall Barrier: Because the digital version is behind an unrealistic paywall, the library’s physical copy is a vital free resource. Removing it creates an information barrier for those who cannot afford digital access.

The Theft of Knowledge: When someone "lifts" that information, they aren't just stealing paper, they are stealing the community’s right to know the truth. Somebody went to the library not just to read the newspaper, but to make sure no one who read the paper after them would see something important.

✏️ A Personal Note from the Editor: I understand that sometimes there may be a story in the paper you really want to keep. But please remember: photocopies at the library are only $0.10 a page.
If you need an article that badly, send this page a message. I will personally meet you at the library and give you the dime or two you need for a photocopy. If the story is special—like a kid’s big achievement—I might even be nice and buy you a copy from Maurer’s! I would much rather help a neighbor get a keepsake than see our library lose its only copy.

… And that is exactly what I did next. I drove to Maurer’s and purchased an intact copy before this week's paper hits the stands today.

It is important to The Dells Deep Dive that we never post half the story and ask our followers to provide the rest.

Accurate. Verified. Local.

02/18/2026

Election results.

02/16/2026

🕰️ MISSING DECADES: How Well Does Candidate Cigel Really Know the Dells?

Claiming to be a "local" is a powerful tool, but only if the dates actually line up. Lately, we’ve heard Candidate Craig Cigel claim his history in the Dells goes back to 1977—but his own records show he’s a relative newcomer trying to pass as a veteran.

The "Arrival" vs. The History
The Claim: He tells residents he’s been here since 1977.

The Reality: On October 31, 2018, he posted a photo of the Dells population sign, writing: "Make it 2,679 today.....small town living for me."

The Confirmation: When asked if he was living here "now," he replied: "i am!"

The 40-Year Gap
We see the posts—sharing local business links and acting like a community insider. But there is a massive difference between hitting "share" on a post and actually being on the front lines of this town.
There are people here who have spent the last 40 years building the Dells. They’ve seen the changes, paid the taxes, and raised their families here through the off-seasons. Having a summer job at a camp decades ago is a nice memory, but it’s not the same as being a long-term, year-round resident. Real community ties take years of presence to build—time that is clearly missing from his record.

The Point: When a candidate pads their history by four decades, it’s an insult to the people who actually put in that time. If you have to inflate your history to get a vote, it suggests you don’t think your actual record is enough.

The Question: If a candidate is willing to "pad" their residency history by 40 years to appear more local, what other facts are being adjusted? If we can't trust the simple details of a candidate's past, how can we trust their word on the complex issues facing our city's future?

Accurate. Verified. Local.

02/16/2026

The Deep Dive is an independent, resident-led investigative project. We are not affiliated with any candidate, campaign, or political party.

In a small-town election, rumors often replace records. Our goal is to reverse that. We provide a fact-based audit of public documentation to ensure voters have the full picture before they head to the polls.

● We do not coordinate with candidates.

● We do not accept campaign funding.

● We only report what is publicly documented.

We follow the facts, regardless of whose name is on the ballot. If you have public records, meeting minutes, or data you believe the community should see, our inbox is open.

Accurate. Verified. Local.

02/16/2026

😮 CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Candidate Videos Himself Repeatedly Breaking the Law!

Candidate Craig Cigel’s own videos show him intentionally operating a vehicle through a closed, active construction zone on Olympus Rd, which to this day still does not have public access.

This was not an isolated incident. It occurred:

Not once (Nov. 3rd, 2024)
Not twice (Nov. 4, 2024)
But THREE times (March 10, 2025).

The footage shows the candidate filming himself intentionally bypassing "Road Closed" barrel barricades, navigating unsafe construction terrain, and weaving all over the road once it is blacktopped, treating a dangerous construction site like his own personal movie set.

The Facts:

Public Safety: These zones are closed to protect residents from open trenches, unstable ground, and heavy machinery—hazards that are clearly evident in the video.

Work Zone Hazards: Bypassing these barriers puts both the rider and the city crews at risk for the sake of a video.

Legal Standards: Under Wisconsin law (WI Statute 86.06), "Road Closed" barricades are not suggestions.
Furthermore, WI Statute 346.17(5) mandates that forfeitures are doubled for traffic violations in highway maintenance or construction areas where workers are at risk.

The Question of Leadership: If a candidate for City Council believes they are "above" the city's basic safety laws before they are even elected, how can we trust them to uphold and enforce the law once they are in power?

Transparency starts with following the same rules as everyone else.

Accurate. Verified. Local.

02/16/2026

Agenda for the Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 Common Council meeting. 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

02/15/2026

❓What makes someone a "Public Official?"

In the Dells, we are all neighbors. But there is a clear legal line where a private citizen becomes a Public Figure. When someone files to run for City Council, they are essentially applying for a job where YOU are the boss.

1. The "Public Figure" Standard: Under Wisconsin Law and legal precedents (like Gertz v. Robert Welch), an individual becomes a Limited Purpose Public Figure when they voluntarily "thrust themselves into the forefront of particular public controversies". By running for office—or even by managing a local "news" or "community" group—they have invited the public to scrutinize their record, their background, and their honesty.

2. Accountability vs. Editing: In your private life, you can delete a comment you don't like. But for a Candidate for Local Public Office, the standards of transparency are much higher:

The Public Interview: When residents ask questions about a candidate's "vision" or "plans," they are conducting a job interview for a role that handles your tax dollars.

The Record: Deleting or scrubbing tough questions from a public page can be seen as a refusal to be accountable. In Wisconsin, "public records" include electronic content that relates to government business, and public officials are expected to provide the "fullest and most complete information" regarding government affairs.

3. The "Public Trust": Holding a local public office is legally defined as a Public Trust. This means the official is an agent of the people and is required to be responsible to the residents. If a candidate isn't willing to answer to the public during a campaign, it raises a critical question: How will they answer to you when they are sitting at the Council table?

At the Deep Dive, we believe that if the story changes or the questions disappear, the Public Record remains.