K9 fundraiser sells out at Elks; sheriff previews filmed jail episode

Wood County Sheriff Shawn Becker told WFHR that a recent K9 bingo fundraising event at the Elks in Wisconsin Rapids drew a larger turnout than organizers expected, forcing staff to close entry once the venue reached capacity.

"It went more than successful," Becker said, praising community donors, raffle sponsors and the Elks for hosting the event. He named local sponsors and volunteers who donated raffle baskets and larger prizes and said the department intends to hold another event in the fall, possibly including a venue in Marshfield.

Becker also described a crew that filmed inside the county jail for a multiweek shoot and said the department previewed the first edited episode with upper command. "We got our first one yesterday and it was great," he said, praising correctional staff for their work during the filming and estimating the episode could air in the fall or toward the end of the year.

He said he plans to share the produced episode with county leadership and staff to highlight jail operations and the department's work.