Help us reinvent local news by reaching our end of year goal to raise $10,000
We are not in Iowa and this is not baseball but we have done our best to create the local news outlet you have been asking for. We cover the local stories no one else does and we provide state and national content. We provide all of that content for free, but producing that content takes resources.
We have brought you many stories that no one else will cover. County government (dams, Vernon Manor, staff changes, sheriff office leadership changes, HEART program, landfill expansion, taxes, budgets). City government (street projects, Dragon Park, Hanson development, Northpointe development, fire station, old landfill, budget cuts, taxes). We also bring you stories about accidents, court cases, environmental issues, elections. The list goes on and on ….
Here are some photos from just some of the local stories we covered this year….
Vernon County Chief Deputy Nate Campbell’s retirement gathering at the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office – Vernon County Sheriffs Office photo 
A rendering of the new addition – Vernon Health photo 
Town of Webster resident Daniel Arnold is opposed to the Maribell transmission line proposal – Tim Hundt photo 
Garbage is showing up outside of the old city dump area as crews attempt to install a meathane abatment system – city of Viroqua photo 
One of the design options for the “Dragon Park” – contributed photo 
Blitz a the new Viroqua Fire Station – Tim Hundt photo 
Joy Miller and Rufus Haucke at Keeywaydin Farm outside of Viroqua – WIld Farm Alliance video screenshot 
Kay Deaver – Vernon County Toys for Tots – Tim Hundt photo 
Coon Valley Fire Chief Russ Cornford (right) retiring after 45 years of service – Coon Valley Fire Department photo 
The car ferry operating on the Mississippi River at Lansing after the closure of the Black Hawk Bridge – Iowa DOT photo 
The Coon Creek Community Watershed event touring a farm pond project near Coon Valley – Sydney Widell photo 
Cassidy Coulson and Evan Blattner rehearsing ‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone’ that opens Dec. 11 – Viroqua Community Theatre photo Arson charges were file related to a Thanksgiving trailer fire – Vernon County Sheriff’s Office photo 
Lt. Jason Crume with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office was honored for 37 years of service at a special ceremony – Vernon County Sheriff’s Office photo Lt. Jason Crume with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office was honored for 37 years of service at a special ceremony – Vernon County Sheriff’s Office photo 
Detective Mathew Sutton was appointed Chief Deputy a the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office – Vernon County Sheriff’s Office file photo SMRt Bus funding service was nearly elinated from county fudning this year 
Power of 100 event held in Coon Valley – contributed photo Tim Hundt photo Tim Hundt photo Tim Hundt photo Tim Hundt photo Tim Hundt photo Grain truck accident that closed State Highway 82 last week – Vernon County Sheriff’s Office photo Tim Hundt photo 
Winners from the 2025Â Vernon County Awards Banquet held at the Venue in the Valley – Brandie Myhre photo 
Ribbon (hose) cutting ceremony at the new Viroqua fire station on Thursday. Nov. 6 – Tim Hundt photo 
Vernon Health held a groundbreaking ceremony for their new MRI suite on Wednesday – Vernon Health photo Downtown Viroqua business fire – Tim Hundt photo 
The new Virooqua fire station – Tim Hundt photo.JPG 
The new Viroqua Fire Station located on Nelson Parkway – Viroqua Fire Department photo 
Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital Hillsboro 
The Casseville Car Ferry doing some test runs in Lansing over the weekend. The ferry service between Iowa and Wisconsin will start Monday – Casseville Car Ferry photo Veteran Hills Disc Gold Course located on VFW property on the south end of Viroqua – Vernon Trails photo 
Veteran Hills Disc Gold Course located on VFW property on the south end of Viroqua – Vernon Trails photo 96th Rep. Tara Johnson held an emergency conference in Viroqua as FoodShare benefits terminate amid federal shutdown – Tim Hundt photo 96th Rep. Tara Johnson held an emergency conference in Viroqua as FoodShare benefits terminate amid federal shutdown – Tim Hundt photo 
Photo by Vadym – stock.adobe.com McIntosh Memorial Library received $10,000 from the Carnegie Corporation – McIntosh Library photo Congressman Mark Pocan in Viroqua – Tim Hundt photo Viroqua FFA chapter delivered 110 “Harvest Meals” to area farmers – contributed photo Viroqua FFA chapter delivered 110 “Harvest Meals” to area farmers – contributed photo Viroqua FFA chapter delivered 110 “Harvest Meals” to area farmers – contributed photo Viroqua FFA chapter delivered 110 “Harvest Meals” to area farmers – contributed photo 
Ribbon cutting for new Mainstreet Apartments – Tim Hundt photo 
New Mainstreet Apartments – Tim Hundt photo 
One of the signs at the ‘No Kings’ rally in downtown Viroqua on Saturday – Tim Hundt photo The Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing, Iowa – Iowa DOT photo 
The audience gathers for a performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in 2023 – Thoreau College photo 
Patty Pesik of Hillsboro was named 2025 First Responder of the Year for the 96th Assembly District. She was recognized at the Wisconsin State Capitol by 96th State Rep. Tara Johnson (left) and State Sen. Brad Pfaff (right) – contributed photo 
Lavon “Spanky” Felton explianing how their solar system works and the new Sleepy Hollow Ford – contributed photo 
One of the design options for the “Dragon Park” – contributed photo 
Dr. Lauren VanDeHey speaks at a press conference on Tuesday in favor of legislation to require insurers to cover infertility treatment. (Photo by Erik Gunn/Wisconsin Examiner) 
Youth Services Director Emilia Jury and Youth Services Assistant Christopher Olson – contributed photo Vernon County Sheriff’s Office photo 
Westby Mayor Danny Helgerson, center, displays the Community Service Award presented to him Sept. 17 during the WPPI Energy 45th Annual Meeting and Anniversary Celebration alongside President and CEO Mike Peters, left, and WPPI Board Chair Jim Stawicki – WPPI Energy photo Western Technical College Viroqua – Tim Hundt photo 
Ted Harris, a retired educator and longtime community servant, was inducted into the Viroqua Area Schools Excellence in Education Wall of Recognition on Saturday, Sept. 27. – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson photo Ted Harris (center) with La Farge Fire – Vernon County Sheriff’s Office photo Ted Harris, a retired educator and longtime community servant, was inducted into the Viroqua Area Schools Excellence in Education Wall of Recognition on Saturday, Sept. 27. – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson photo Viroqua Fire Chief Chad Buros and Blitz the Fire Safety Dog – contributed photo “Be The Change” event at Eckhart Park in Viroqua – Tim Hundt photo Volunteers light candles for the Luminaria Walk that closes out the Chaseburg Area Cancer Walk – Tim Hundt photo “Be The Change” event at Eckhart Park in Viroqua – Tim Hundt photo A tour of the farm pond at the Lindahl’s Swiss Hills farm in Stoddard during the 4th anniversary celebration of the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council on Sept. 3 – Sydney Widell photo CCCWC meeting 
The Michelson family in front of the family home – contributed photo 
Chess Club 65 at the McIntosh Memorial Library – contributed photo 
Viola Horse and Colt Dairy judging – contribiuted photo Viola Horse and Colt Dairy judging – contribiuted photo 
Multi vehicle accident near La Farge – Vernon County Sheriff’s Office photo Contributed photo 
Hub’s Fries founders Carol & Lowell Hubbard in front of their crew of helpers at at the 2004 Wild West Days, Larry Fanta, Josh Fanta, Mary Hughes, Linda Fanta – Photo by TH Jacobson 
Hubs Fries final year – contributed photo 
Westby Co-op Cremery open vats being replaced – contributed photo 
Tim Hundt photo 
Bumble & Bloom Early Learning Center is opening soon in the new Main Street Apartments building in Viroqua – contributed photo Power of 100+ Driftless Region gathered at the newly opened Venue in Coon Valley where the collective power of its 126 members resulted in a donation of over $12,000 to support local community organizations and projects – contributed photo 
Power of 100+ Driftless Region gathered at the newly opened Venue in Coon Valley where the collective power of its 126 members resulted in a donation of over $12,000 to support local community organizations and projects – contributed photo 
Area fire departments participated in rural disaster training over the weekend – contributed photo Area fire departments participated in rural disaster training over the weekend – contributed photo 
One of the possible designs presented for the Dragon Park renovation Power of 100 event at the Pedretti Party Barn – contributed photo 
Construction equipment is onsite for phase one of the old Viroqua landfill remediation project – Tim Hundt photo 
Aerial view of the old Viroqua City Dump site Vernon County Sheriff’s Office rescued seven family members when their boat become disabled near the lock and dam on the Mississippi River – Vernon County Sheriffs Office photo Construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing – Iowa DOT photo 
Construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing – Iowa DOT photo 
Awards presentation in La Farge – Roy Torgerson photo Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson and 96th Assembly Rep Tara Johnson – Roy Torgerson photo Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson and 32nd State Sen. Brad Pfaff – Roy Torgerson photo Awards presentation in La Farge – Roy Torgerson photo Awards presentation in La Farge – Roy Torgerson photo 
Awards presentation in La Farge – Roy Torgerson photo 
Awards presentation in La Farge – Roy Torgerson photo Awards presentation in La Farge – Roy Torgerson photo 
Vernon County non-profit Vernon Trails accepts a $48,390 grant from T-Mobile at the Live in Viroqua event – Tim Hundt photo 
Vernon County non-profit Vernon Trails accepts a $48,390 grant from T-Mobile at the Live in Viroqua event – Tim Hundt photo 
Author Josh Nygren with members of the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council at Jersey Valley Dam. Nygren gave a talk on his new book “The State of Conservation” at the organizations June 4 meeting – contributed photo An example of an on-road structure in Iowa – photos courtesy of the Iowa Flood Center A group of Southwest Wisconsin conservationists and watershed organizations recently attended a tour of watershed management projects in Northeast Iowa hosted by the Iowa Flood Center A typical on-road structure that has openings that will meter out the water at increasingly higher rates as water rises to the upper levels of the overflow pipe – Iowa Flood Center photo Driftless Music Festival – contributed photo 
DogCat Theater bringing “Masha and the Firebrand” to the stage at the Landmark Center – contributed photo Music in the Park at Sidie Hollow County Park 
WPA Bath House Task Force members Aaron Aslin, Steve Willis, Christina Dollhaussen. Karen Innis, Jean Driscoll, Cyndy Hubbard, Randy Skinner, WEDC CEO Missy Hughes, Dan Moen (Artisan Preservation Co.) and Architect Marc Zettler – Tim Hundt photo WPA Bath House groundbreaking – Tim Hundt photo The old and new bridges across the Mississippi River at Lansing – Iowa DOT photo 
WPA Bathhouse rendering WEDC CEO Missy Hughes at the future home of Round River Distilling in Viroqua – Tim Hundt photo WEDC CEO Missy Hughes on a tour of downtown Viroqua with City Administrator Nate Torres, mayor Justin Running and City Council Member Cyndy Hubbard – Tim Hundt photo WEDC CEO Missy Hughes on a tour of downtown Viroqua with City Administrator Nate Torres, mayor Justin Running and City Council Member Cyndy Hubbard – Tim Hundt photo 
Rendering of the McIntosh Library space that will be the beginning of the Viroqua Mural Walk Vernon County Law Enforcement Memorial Service held and the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office – Tim Hundt photo Vernon County Law Enforcement Memorial Service held and the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office – Tim Hundt photo Sheriff Roy Torgerson speaking at the Vernon County Law Enforcement Memorial Service held and the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office – Tim Hundt photo 
VEDA – Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club – contributed photo Viroqua Area Schools’ Staff members past and present remember former Viroqua teacher John Can Cleave – contributed photo The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council hosted the Coon Creek Confluence in Timber Coulee The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council hosted the Coon Creek Confluence in Timber Coulee – Tim Hundt photo The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council hosted the Coon Creek Confluence in Timber Coulee – Tim Hundt photo 
The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council hosted the Coon Creek Confluence in Timber Coulee – Tim Hundt photo.JPG The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council hosted the Coon Creek Confluence in Timber Coulee – Tim Hundt photo 
Board Chair Orlin Engh, and Town Clerk Sharon Engh, accept the Mississippi Valley Conservancy’s Conservation Excellence Award on behalf of the Town of Liberty. (Photo by Scott Lind, President of the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative) 
Viroqua Police Department K9 Loki with is new body armor – Viroqua Police Department photo 
Peer support program participants and trainers – contributed photo 
Contributed photo Work crews finishing installation of traffic lights at Main and South Streets – Tim Hundt photo Ridges and Rivers Book Festival sign in downtown Viroqua – Tim Hundt photo 
Ridges and Rivers Book Festival sign in downtown Viroqua – Tim Hundt photo Vernon County Board of Supervisors meeting April 15, 2025 – Tim Hundt photo Vernon County Board of Supervisors meeting April 15, 2025 – Tim Hundt photo Downtown Viroqua Street improvements – Tim Hundt photo 
Women Exploring Careers in Law Enforcement event at the Sparta Police Department – Sparta Police Dept. photo 
Women Exploring Careers in Law Enforcement event at the Sparta Police Department – Sparta Police Dept. photo 
Rural Viroqua home on Ellefson Road destroyed by fire McIntosh Memorial Library located behind the future Viroqua Welcome Center (former Bath House) on Rock Avenue – contributed photo 
Scenic Bluffs Mobile Dental Clinic received a $50,000 Mayo Clinic Launch Grant – Scenic Bluffs photo 
Viroqua Fire Department at the Viroqua Family Restaurant that was damaged by fire on Saturday – Tim Hundt photo Viroqua Fire Department at the Viroqua Family Restaurant that was damaged by fire on Saturday – Tim Hundt photo Viroqua Fire Department at the Viroqua Family Restaurant that was damaged by fire on Saturday – Tim Hundt photo 
Town Hall for Congressman Derrick Van Orden at the Historic Temple Theatre – Tim Hundt photo 
CouleeCap Executive Director Hetti Brown at a roundtable discussion about federal cuts in Westby hosted by State Representative Tara Johnson 
State Representative Tara Johnson meets with local stakeholders in Westby about federal cuts – Tim Hundt photo 
CJ Trussoni the class instructor and Director of Adult Services at the McIntosh Memorial Library. 
Viroqua Mayor Justin Running crowned Chili King for the second year at the Amara Rose Chili Challenge in Viroqua Heidi Overson with Amara Rose Foundation at their annual chilli cookoff fundraiser – Tim Hundt photo 
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson – video screenshot 
And we are also incredibly proud to be chosen of as one of 50 news outlets nationwide to be a part of the Associated Press local news partnership. The AP is non-profit that has been doing quality journalism since 1846. Access to AP content along with the content from some of state partners, and our local coverage, allows us to give a readers a complete news platform that is located right here.
We bring you all of that with no paywall. No membership. No subscription.
Please help us continue building a better local news model and bring you even more content.
The total below reflects only our online donations. We received number of donations via mail and in person that brings us to over $3,000. We have 12 more days to reach our goal. Every donation makes a difference.
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