Dec. 25, 2025
VIROQUA, Wis. — Merry Christmas. You may have notices we skipped our weekly news summary on Sunday so we decided as a Christmas present to give you a summary of our local stories since Dec. 14 and to remind you we are in the midst of our end of the year fundraiser with a goal of $10,000.
Local news coverage across Vernon County from Dec. 15 through today highlighted infrastructure changes, legal developments, community debates over land use and updates on public safety. We did not hyperlink every story this week but if want to read more you can find all of our local stories on our local news page here.
Vernon County raises campground, boat slip fees to keep pace with costs, demand The Vernon County Conservation and Education Committee voted on Dec. 11 to increase fees for county campgrounds and boat slips starting in the 2026 season. The cost for a seasonal full hookup campsite will rise from $1,900 to $2,000 while nightly full hookup rates will jump from $45 to $55. Parks Director Marty Kennedy cited rising maintenance costs including holding tank fees as drivers for the change but supervisors expressed confidence that demand remains strong enough to support the increase.
Viroqua Chamber’s new director outlines fiscal shift, growth goals at annual meeting Allyson Servais delivered her first annual report as the new executive director of the Viroqua Chamber on Dec. 15 outlining a year of transition and future goals. Servais announced that the chamber will shift its fiscal year to run from July to June to better align with its event heavy schedule and detailed priorities for 2026 including a smooth move into the new Viroqua Welcome Center. She reported that despite some financial dips due to investments in staffing and events the Farmers Market performed well above projections.
Richland Center residents voice opposition to city’s plan to use park for affordable housing A plan to develop duplexes on Stori Field in Richland Center has sparked significant opposition from residents who view the six acre green space as a community staple. The city authorized the sale of the land for $1 to developer Enke Properties in October citing a critical need for housing and an aging population. Opponents have submitted petitions and are considering legal action arguing the city has ample parkland elsewhere but that this specific space is cherished and essential.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for the week ending Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office reported several incidents from the second week of December including a hunter dispute in the Town of Forest where a deer was illegally shot on private property. Deputies also responded to a call in the Town of Liberty where an officer used pepper spray on a territorial dog to allow EMS access to a patient. Other reports included a truck driving off an embankment near Hillsboro and a toddler found walking alone on a roadway in the Village of Ontario.
Viroqua Public Works Committee discusses future Walmart intersection design, budget allocations The Viroqua Public Works Committee met Dec. 16 to discuss infrastructure for the future signalized intersection near Walmart which will connect to the Hanson Farm development,. The committee opted for standard parallel white crosswalk lines funded by the DOT rather than paying extra for a block pattern deciding the high visibility red concrete used downtown was unnecessary for the highway location,. The committee also approved rolling over more than $73,000 in unspent funds to the 2026 budget for street maintenance,.
Black Hawk Bridge imploded ahead of construction of new bridge The main span of the historic Black Hawk Bridge connecting Lansing Iowa and Crawford County Wisconsin was destroyed in a controlled implosion on Friday Dec. 19,. The 1931 structure had been closed since October due to structural instability caused by the construction of its replacement which is expected to open in 2027,. Crews successfully dropped the steel truss into the Mississippi River for removal following a one day delay due to weather,.
Negotiations for VFW land paused as leadership considers options Negotiations between the City of Viroqua and the local VFW post regarding the purchase of 40 acres of land used for trails and disc golf have stalled,. VFW Commander Keith Yahn stated the post received offers from both the city partnership and a private party but neither met the club’s financial needs,. The VFW is now considering listing the property with a realtor to support its long term viability while Vernon Trails and city officials hope to preserve the land for public use,.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for the week ending Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 Deputies responded to a variety of calls the week leading up to Christmas including a vehicle stuck in a driveway in the Town of Jefferson where the driver was arrested for Operating While Under the Influence,. Another OWI arrest occurred in the Town of Sterling after a bloodied male was reported banging on a house following a crash,. The report also noted a water tank falling off a trailer on Highway 35 and an open gate investigated at an electric substation.
Crash detection alert from vehicle leads to investigation in Viola Vernon County authorities investigated an automated crash detection alert received Sunday evening Dec. 21 in the Village of Viola,. Emergency responders located a vehicle near Banker Park on West Commercial Street and determined there were no injuries associated with the alert.
Single-vehicle crash near Westby results in injuries to one person A single vehicle crash early Monday morning Dec. 22 on Coon Prairie Road resulted in injuries to one person,. The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office reported that a person was found lying on the ground near the vehicle around 2 a.m. and was subsequently transported to Vernon Health by ambulance.
Vernon County Emergency Management changes phone number for mass notification system Residents enrolled in the Vernon County mass notification system will now see the number 608 637 5399 on their caller ID for alerts. Emergency Management officials updated the system on Dec. 23 to ensure residents recognize legitimate calls regarding severe weather or road closures. The county transitioned to the Everbridge system in July to expand its reach to landlines and improve targeting capabilities.
Westby student one of seven awarded statewide FFA grant for dairy project Westby High School student Jed Olson was awarded a $1,000 Wisconsin Animal Systems SAE Grant to support his dairy entrepreneurship project. Olson was one of only seven students statewide to receive the grant which he plans to use to expand his small herd of dairy cattle. He intends to pursue a degree in dairy science at UW River Falls with a goal of running his own operation.
DNR confirms CWD in wild deer in La Crosse County The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources confirmed the first positive case of chronic wasting disease in a wild deer in La Crosse County on Dec. 23. The adult buck was harvested within 10 miles of the Vernon and Monroe County borders which triggers an extension of the baiting and feeding ban in La Crosse County for another three years. The detection does not change the current bans already in place for Vernon and Monroe counties.
Viroqua Cemetery first in Southwestern Wisconsin to offer green burials The Viroqua Cemetery has designated a five acre section for green burials making it the first public cemetery in the region to offer the natural option. The initiative was driven by the Driftless Green Burial Alliance and Threshold Care Circle who advocate for biodegradable burial practices without embalming fluids or concrete vaults. Advocates say the move reclaims traditional death care practices and reduces the environmental impact of conventional burials.
UPDATE: Charges dismissed for Genoa man previous charged with homicide in arson investigation A La Crosse County judge dismissed all charges Tuesday against Matthew R. Sierra who had been accused of homicide and arson related to a fatal November fire. Sierra was arrested Dec. 16 in connection with the death of a woman and her unborn child but his attorney stated the dismissal confirms his client is innocent. Authorities initially alleged Sierra set the fire on Taylor Street in La Crosse but the case against him has now been dropped.
VernonReporter.com welcomes Greg Koelker and ‘Grouse Hollow Journal’ Longtime local columnist Greg Koelker has moved his “Grouse Hollow Journal” to VernonReporter.Com after his previous publisher discontinued the column. Koelker has chronicled the outdoors and rural life in the Driftless region since 1990 drawing on his background as a teacher and lifelong resident. His first column on the new platform published Dec. 24 reflects on the Winter Solstice and local star gazing.
We work hard to bring good information to residents with local coverage and we are in the beginning of our end of year fundraiser to raise $10,000. The amount below is what we have raised online along with about another $2,500 donations made in person and in the mail to bring us close to $5,000. We know you want the local coverage and every donation helps bring you more.
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