VIROQUA, Wis. – As we ramp up a fledgling news operation and we reach the end of the year, we thought we would take a look back at some of the bigger stories from 2023.
Our first official post here was on April 8, when we posted about a rollover accident in Coon Valley. Since that post we have posted a total of 512 stories with 293 of them falling in the “local” category. Some of those are larger in-depth stories that take days or weeks to put together, and others are straight forward press releases that usually don’t take much time at all. We have covered local units of government, accidents, awards, businesses, community events, fires, law enforcement and court cases. Our goal is to get as much information as we can about what is happening in your community on as many levels as we can. That is not always easy with so much going on in local government, schools, businesses and organizations, but we did bring you a lot of information and we hope to bring you even more in 2024.
April
We wrote about a major Vernon County employer, S&S Cycle, being recognized for their support of local schools. We covered a large wildfire in Jackson County that impacted homes and businesses.
We covered a rural Vernon County fire that destroyed an Amish metals fabricating shop. We covered the race for Vernon County Circuit Court Judge’s race that saw former District Attorney Timothy Gaskell defeat local attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher for that judges seat. Palmer-Fisher would later be appointed District Attorney by Governor Tony Evers to replace Gaskell’s seat that he left to become judge.
We reported on severe flooding along the Mississippi River ,and in particular in Prairie du Chien, including a video montage of that historic flooding.
We reported on a successful drug take back day in Vernon County that collected over 675 pounds of drugs. We reported a successful drug investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office that resulted in the arrest of 23-year-old Viola man and confiscation of about $40,000 worth of drugs. We also reported on a successful burglary investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office that recovered stolen property and resulted in the arrest of a La Farge man. In April we brought you the story of the chief deputy in the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office being placed on leave in a disciplinary action.
At the end of April we brought you stories about a Burlington Northern train derailment along State Highway 35 and the Mississippi River that stopped train traffic for a time and closed Highway 35 for about a week. We also covered Governor Evers and the State Secretary of Transportation visit to the site of that derailment.
Finally, in April we brought you our video interview with the organizers of the first ever Ridges & Rivers Book Festival about where the idea for the event came from. Later we brought you coverage of that event itself, and summary of how successful the event was.
May
In May we reported on a town of Wheatland home that was destroyed by fire. We reported on a visit from the State Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson to talk with local officials about transportation issues and road funding.
In May we covered the Vernon County Law Enforcement Association 54th annual Hunter Safety Rifle Match at the Westby Rod and Gun Club.
We covered the first ever Conservation Day put on by the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council at the Coon Valley Veterans Memorial Park.
We brought you a story about new H.E.A.R.T (Help End Abuse Response Team) formed in Vernon County as the result of a collaboration between the Family & Children’s Center’s Domestic Abuse Project, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department, local law enforcement, and Stonehouse Counseling.
We brought you a story about the first ever “Kickball for the Furbabies”, a collaboration between the Driftless Humane Society and Vernon County/Viroqua emergency services and law enforcement.
In May we wrote the Viroqua Development Association purchasing of a key development property on Viroqua’s north side known as the “Hanson farm” that they intend to develop into a commercial and residential area. Later in the year we brought you the finalized plan for that property that was approved by the Viroqua City Council.
June
In June we reported about a Middleton teen that accidentally drowned while tubing on the Kickapoo River.
We reported the arrest of three Vernon County residents following a major drug investigation that resulted in recovery of three pounds of methamphetamine and over $49,000 cash. Two of those residents would later be indicted by a federal grand jury.
In June we wrote about the staff at Viroqua’s McIntosh Memorial Library speaking at a national library conference.
We brought you information about an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice into the fatal shooting of a Genoa resident by a Vernon County Sheriff’s deputy following a wellness check.
In June we reported on a housing development planned for Viroqua’s downtown that will bring 70 units of workforce housing to the city.
In June the Viroqua City Council rejected a bid to renovate the old city hall building.
Finally, at the end of June we reported the Village of La Farge among nine communities receiving share of $2.5 million in child care grants from the state.
July
We reported on the improvements to the Vernon County 911 Dispatch Center multimedia capabilities.
In July the Viroqua Police Chief lost his appeal of a 10-day suspension he received following an internal investigation by the City of Viroqua.
Governor Evers made a visit to a Bangor farm to sign is biennial budget sent to his desk after a prolonged battle with the Wisconsin legislature.
In July we reported about a Kendall man out on bond in a Vernon County sexual assault case also facing charges in Monroe County.
Also in July, we brought you the story of a Hillsboro husband and wife team that hosted a grand opening of the first Nicaraguan restaurant in Wisconsin.
In July, we reported Vernon County landed a Department of Justice grant to support domestic violence initiatives.
In July, the Vernon County Public Safety Committee discussed reducing the chief deputy salary, and Sheriff Torgerson reiterated his commitment to transparency. The chief deputy pay issue would later go the General Government committee and then back to the Public Safety Committee where they would reverse their earlier decision to reduce the salary for that position.
The Viroqua City Council again discussed the planned demolition of the old city hall building and potential uses/improvements for that lot in July. Later in the month, despite vocal opposition the Viroqua City Council voted unanimously to move ahead with plan to demolish the building.
In July we reported about a former Viroqua man sentenced to two years of prison and four years probation for sexual assaults following revocation of diversion agreement.
City of Hillsboro receives $250,000 WEDC grant to fund state-of-the-art medicine and fitness center in July.
Also in July, the communities of Ferryville and La Farge were among 21 communities receiving $1 million state grant for infrastructure projects.
In July, Vernon County announced its pick to fill the administrative coordinator job, but the county would pay two salaries for the remainder of the year.
At the end of July Angela Palmer-Fisher was sworn in as Vernon County District Attorney and former a Vernon County employee was arrested for allegedly embezzling county funds.
August
August kicked off with a video Interview with Sheriff Roy Torgerson at Vernon County National Night Out.
In August we presented plans to revamp the city of Viroqua’s downtown traffic configuration.
A 17-year-old Amish boy suffered fatal injuries in toy wagon incident in rural La Farge in August.
In August we brought you the story of a Coon Valley resident charged for illegal buck harvest following a DNR investigation.
Former Vernon County District Attorney Gaskell was sworn in as Vernon County Circuit Court Judge.
At the end of August a Lynxville man in custody after robbing Wal-Mart armed with a knife.
September
In September a Viroqua man wanted for 2021 burglary and bail jumping was extradited back to Vernon County from North Dakota.
The Chaseburg post office temporarily closed in September after a driver suffered a fatal medical condition and damaged the building.
In September, City of Viroqua officials said they were still making adjustments to downtown traffic signals following the traffic realignment project.
Vernon County renewed its contract to house 50 state inmates at the Vernon County Jail at the end of September.
After months of contentious meetings, the Vernon County General Government Committee voted to require minimum conservation practices on county owned farmland.
October
State Department of Administration Secretary Blumenfeld visits La Farge and delivers $1 million block grant.
Two City of Viroqua employees received regional Rising Star Awards.
City of Viroqua agreed to send its waste to the Vernon County landfill in October.
The Vernon County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a 15 year expansion of its landfill on 14-3 vote.
Vernon County hires new Assistant District Attorney in October.
Governor Evers attended a ribbon cutting for Bluff Prairie Community Solar Project in Red Mound.
We reported on the Vernon County Economic Development Committee in October that was divided over creating a full-time economic development position.
We brought you a story about the Vernon County Recovery Court showing success and landing a three year operating grant from the Department of Justice.
In October, Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reported an additional arrest made in connection with a May 23 stolen vehicle investigation.
Two people on extended supervision were arrested in a La Farge drug search.
November
The City of Viroqua approved a bid for three year waste hauling contract with GFL Environmental.
In October we brought you our video interview with Viroqua Fire Chief Chad Buros about a proposed new fire station, why it is needed, the $9 million price tag, the $5.25 million federal grant to help pay for it.
In November, State Senator Brad Pfaff and fellow Dems visited the Viroqua Food Enterprise Center to highlight a package of proposed ag bills.
A Former Vernon County employee pled not guilty to embezzling over $30,000 from the county in November.
The Westby Norse Fund launched a new opportunity focused on female athletes.
A 19-year-old Amish man was returned to community after initial report of kidnapping.
We reported on the first ever Vernon County Awards event held at Willow & Oak Event Center in Hillsboro.
Vernon County uses long term debt levy to fill $2.2 million budget deficit and balance the budget in November.
Increased state aid helped the City of Viroqua lower its tax levy despite increased expenses in 2024 budget.
In November the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office says rescue personnel used drone, cell phone apps to locate missing man in the Hillsboro area.
City of Viroqua reached an agreement with Wild West Days on making room for new fire station.
December
Th Vernon County Sheriff Sheriff’s Office investigated a suspicious activity incident near Cornerstone Christian Academy.
In December Vernon County decided to reverse course and rescind proposed MOUs with local municipalities to haul waste to the Vernon County landfill.
The Viroqua City Council approved a preliminary budget for a new fire station.
In December, Vernon County moved toward countywide zoning, but first they need a comprehensive plan.
Vernon County postponed a contract extension for county legal services.
Thank you for all your work in 2023
Thank you for reporting local news! You do a great job!