917 W. Exchange Street, Brodhead, WI 53520
RCSO 18th Annual Awards Ceremony held April 9 The 18th Annual Rock County Sheriff’s Office Awards Ceremony was held on April 9 at the Dr. Daniel Hale Williams Resource Center in the Beckman Mill Room, located at 1717 Center Avenue, Janesville. This event is open to the public. All are welcome to attend. This ceremony recognized Sheriff’s Office staff and a citizen for outstanding public safety achievements in the past year.
Correctional Officer of the Year: Correctional Officer Lingao Khang Lingao Khang began employment at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office on May 31, 2022, as a
See AWARDS, Page 12
Photo submitted Rock Valley Publishing
Phillips honored as Educator of the Year Greg Phillips, Dean of Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Training and Technology (MATT) at Blackhawk Technical College, was recognized as Educator of the Year at the Forward Janesville Annual Luncheon on April 9. This honor, which is given to an individual or group who has actively encouraged partnerships between the business and education communities, comes on the heels of another major recognition for Phillips, who was inducted into the Wisconsin Apprenticeship Hall of Fame at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Biennial Apprenticeship Conference held in February. “It takes invested individuals to build a strong community. I thank you all for your support, your opportunities and partner-
Brodhead, WI W896 Ten Eyck Rd.
Propel Forward, a Janesville-based non-profit organization dedicated to fostering curiosity and understanding through STEAM and aviation education, is excited to announce the first-ever Pistons and Props: STEAM/Career Day, in partnership with 18 local and national organizations. This one-of-a-kind educational event will take place on Tuesday, April 29, at the Southern Wisconsin Region-
al Airport and will introduce students to real-world opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will engage seventh- and eighthgrade students in hands-on STEAM activities and career exploration. Students from Aldrich Middle School, Fruzen Middle School in Beloit, and St. John Vianney School in Janesville are ex-
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ships and the privilege to be involved in the ongoing economic and educational development of the Janesville community. Without all of you, I don’t get this award,” Phillips said at the luncheon on April 9. After graduating from Parker High School, Phillips joined the Marine Corps, where he trained in diesel and gasoline engine troubleshooting and repair. Afterward, he worked as a maintenance technician at Simmons Bedding Company before transitioning into education as a construction electrical apprentice instructor at Blackhawk Technical College in 2010. In 2020, Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk, appointed Phillips as the Dean of the MATT Division. Throughout his career, Phillips has been a key architect
of vital partnerships between industry, community, and K-12 institutions, ensuring the alignment of training programs and educational resources essential for workforce development in Rock and Green counties. His work has been foundational in creating pathways to success for students and addressing the ongoing needs of employers in the region. Phillips, who plans to retire in June, was also named the Milton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Educator of the Year in March 2024. “Greg’s dedication to workforce education and community partnership has been nothing short of transformative. His impact will be felt long after his retirement, and this recognition is a testament to his incredible legacy,” Pierner said.
Photo Courtesy Blackhawk Technical College Rock Valley Publishing
On April 9, Greg Phillips was recognized as Educator of the Year at the Forward Janesville Annual Luncheon. He is the Dean of Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Training and Technology (MATT) at Blackhawk Technical College.
Propel Forward hosts first ever STEAM/Career Day
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On April 10, Farmers on the Rock, UW–Extension, and local producers met at the Rock County Farm for their early season field day. They discussed trials of hybrid rye, winter barley, and cover crops – innovations that help protect soil and water while boosting farm productivity. Cover crops and small grains are key components in efforts to build resilient agricultural systems that benefit both farmers and the environment. The Rock County Farm is on the north side of Janesville along Hwy. 14.
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Hittin’ the Links feature....................................6-7
Early season field day discusses innovations
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Deputy of the Year: Deputy Zachary Anacker Zachary Anacker started at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 23, 2015, as a deputy sheriff. He previously served as a police officer for the City of Milton Police Department and the City of Evansville Police Department. He completed a 520-hour Law Enforcement Academy at Blackhawk Technical College on Nov. 18, 2011. He worked in the Patrol Bureau and the Special Investigations Unit before receiving his current assignment in the Bureau of Identification as an Evidence Custodian in April 2023. In this capacity, he conducts crime scene investigations for complicated, large, or otherwise unusual incidents. He acts as a trained Evidence Technician locating, documenting, collecting, processing, and preserving evidence. Deputy Anacker serves on the Crash Reconstruction Team and the Peer Support Team and mentors the police cadets. He became certified as a General Law Enforcement Instructor through the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board in 2024 and obtained part-time employment as a Law Enforcement Academy Instructor at Blackhawk Technical College. Deputy Anacker resides in Janesville with his family. He graduated from George S. Parker High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla. Deputy Anacker’s supervisor nominated him for consistently exhibiting dedication to the agency and community. His supervisor described him as a well-rounded deputy with numerous areas of expertise. While working in the Patrol Bureau, Deputy Anacker re-
ceived a Lifesaving Award for reviving a subject ejected from a traffic crash with chest compressions in 2018 and a Unit Citation for taking a proactive approach towards fraud prevention in 2021. He earned a Commendation from Representative Bryan Steil in 2022 for his participation in a roundtable discussion on the dangers of Fentanyl. He received a second Unit Citation in 2023 for the effectiveness of the Special Investigations Unit. Deputy Anacker instructs In-Service Training as requested, including drug interdiction, investigative techniques, and evidence practices. Deputy Anacker participated in crime scene investigation, evidence collection, and evidentiary follow-through efforts for several major incidents in the recent past. Deputy Anacker assumed a lead role in several aspects of the Bureau of Identification’s preparations for migrating evidence and property, storage, organization, equipment, and operations to the new Law Enforcement Services building. Deputy Anacker conducted case research to properly dispose of approximately 4,000 evidence and property items from 2023 until June 2024. Ultimately, approximately 10,000 pieces of evidence and property were successfully moved to the new building. Deputy Anacker led efforts with the Evidence Ambassador Committee to redo the Evidence Submission Handbook for Patrol Bureau personnel. In 2024, Deputy Anacker provided two school presentations, hosted a Drug Take Back event, and assisted with the donation of unclaimed abandoned bicycles to those in need. His supervisor praised his commitment in responding to incidents and picking up shifts outside of his regular work hours. Deputy Anacker regularly goes above-and-beyond the normal call-of-duty making personal sacrifices and continued contributions to the agency and community.
Wednesday, APRIL 23, 2025
Spring Spruce Up feature.....................................4-5
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pected to attend. Students will be split into morning and afternoon sessions. Each session includes free-choice STEAM stations located at Revv Aviation at 4606 S. Atlantis Drive, and career speaker rotations held
in the Conference Room of the airport terminal at 1716 W. Airport Road. Groups will rotate between the two activity tracks during their session to ensure a comprehensive
See propel, Page 3
Congregational UCC
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FISh BoIl
Saturday, May 3 • 4:30-7 p.m. Boiled cod, potatoes, carrots & onions, coleslaw, roll, dessert, beverage.
Tickets available at church office Tuesday-Friday, noon-2 p.m. & from church members
$18 at the door • $16 advance ticket by Friday, May 2 • Children 9 & under $10 Takeout orders available for adult meal tickets only.
E201 23rd St., Brodhead • 608-897-2917