VIROQUA, Wis. — What a week for local news. From Westby Cooperative Creamery’s $14 million facility modernization and Viroqua Area Schools’ proposed $1.8 million operational referendum to Vernon County’s new ‘Driftless Bound’ worker relocation initiative and a $564,000 EV Supercharger expansion in Viroqua, VernonReporter.com highlighted a wide array of local issues over the past week. Our reporting captured the Driftless Area in motion, detailing U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden and Rebecca Cooke’s high-stakes congressional race, county efforts to combat vaccine hesitancy amid regional measles cases, an overdose prevention talk at McIntosh Memorial Library, and the grand opening of Round River Distillery and Daymoon Japanese Restaurant.
Here is a comprehensive look back at the news we brought you over the past week:
Remembering 9/11 and watching summer fade into fall: Grouse Hollow Journal for Friday, September 11, 2026
In his latest column, Greg Koelker reflects on the anniversary of 9/11 as a defining national tragedy alongside Pearl Harbor and the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He also details enjoying a recent bicycle ride through the rural countryside filled with the scent of cut alfalfa as summer transitions into autumn.
Trump ally Van Orden sticks close to the president as Cooke pushes to flip swing district
Two-term Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden is closely aligning with President Donald Trump as he seeks reelection in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Van Orden faces Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke, a former small business owner and restaurant server, in a rematch of their close 2024 contest. Both candidates campaigned at local events across the district over Labor Day weekend, including a parade in Readstown.
Viroqua dealership leads local expansion in statewide electric vehicle charging network
Sleepy Hollow Auto Group was awarded a $564,158 state grant to install eight high-speed electric vehicle charging Superchargers at its Commercial Truck Center in Viroqua. Supported by the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, Xcel Energy, and the Vernon County Energy District, the $705,000 project will deliver up to 500 kW per port and be open to all EV makes.
Vernon County Energy District to host 6th annual Drive Electric event in Viroqua
The Vernon County Energy District announced it will host its 6th Annual Drive Electric event on Tuesday, September 15, at the Western Technical College parking lot in Viroqua. The free community gathering allows area residents to meet with local EV owners to discuss real-world driving conditions, winter performance, and vehicle maintenance.
Community puppet build this weekend in preparation for the 14th Annual Harvest Parade
Organizers invited residents of all ages to attend a free Community Puppet Building Workshop at the WDRT building in Viroqua. The workshop prepares participants to build large-scale, handmade puppets for the 14th Annual Viroqua Harvest Parade, which celebrates community, art, and the autumn harvest.
Westby celebrates $14 million installation with ribbon cutting ceremony
Westby Cooperative Creamery held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a $14.1 million cottage cheese facility modernization project. The technological overhaul replaces traditional open-vat processing with an automated, enclosed-vat system that cuts processing time in half and adds seven million pounds of annual production capacity.
Vernon County launches ‘Driftless Bound’ to attract new workers and families
Vernon County officially launched “Driftless Bound,” a workforce attraction program providing up to $12,500 in relocation incentives to out-of-state workers moving to the area. Funded through a state grant and county matching funds, the initiative targets full-time employed households earning at least $55,000 annually to help bolster local businesses, schools, and the county tax base.
Dr. Cody Wenthur presents “Vaccines Against Overdose” at McIntosh Memorial Library in Opioid Awareness and Prevention Series
UW–Madison Professor Dr. Cody Wenthur presented a Badger Talk titled “Vaccines Against Overdose” at the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua. Hosted as the conclusion to the library’s Opioid Awareness and Prevention Series, the presentation outlined how vaccine strategies can assist the human immune system in reducing relapse and overdose risks.
One person injured in Hillsboro area rollover crash
Seventeen-year-old Dominic M. Kirkpatrick of rural Hillsboro was injured after losing control of his vehicle on State Highway 33, causing it to overturn near a building. Emergency responders transported Kirkpatrick to Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area hospital, where he was treated and released.
Round River Distillery and Daymoon Japanese Restaurant celebrate their opening
Round River Distillery and Daymoon Japanese Restaurant held a joint grand opening celebration at their new facility in Viroqua. Created by local farmer Dan Johnson alongside restaurateurs Cole Wilbricht and Katie Fuller, the collaborative venue pairs locally distilled spirits made from Driftless grains with traditional Japanese cuisine.
Viroqua Area Schools propose $1.8 million referendum on November ballot
The Viroqua Area School District Board of Education voted to place a four-year, $1.8 million annual nonrecurring operational referendum on the November 3 general election ballot. The funding request is designed to cover projected budget deficits, preserve instructional programs, and support minor facility maintenance following $1.2 million in administrative budget reductions implemented last year.
Minnesota woman injured in Sunday morning motorcycle crash near Ontario
Fifty-seven-year-old Sheila Marie Stewart of Shafer, Minnesota, was injured when her motorcycle slid into a guardrail on State Highway 33 in the Town of Whitestown. Sheriff’s deputies noted Stewart was wearing full protective gear and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
Woman killed, five injured after vehicle strikes Amish buggy in Monroe County
A 37-year-old Wilton woman died and five others were injured when an SUV struck a southbound Amish buggy on State Highway 131 in Monroe County. The driver of the SUV reported experiencing a sneezing fit immediately prior to the crash, which remains under investigation.
Dairyland Power Cooperative releases statement condemning threats against workforce
The executive team at Dairyland Power Cooperative released a public statement condemning violent threats and online harassment directed at employees working on the proposed MariBell transmission project. The cooperative reiterated its commitment to worker safety and open community dialogue while urging project opponents to maintain civil discourse.
Vernon County Health Department targets vaccine hesitancy with new grant as measles cases emerge nearby
The Vernon County Board of Supervisors approved accepting a $2,400 state mini-grant to fund a billboard and clinic educational campaign aimed at reducing vaccine hesitancy. The outreach follows an outbreak of 41 measles cases in neighboring southwest Wisconsin counties and seeks to address historically low local immunization rates.
Vernon County Infrastructure Committee debates landfill future as DNR decision on expansion inches closer
The Vernon County Infrastructure Committee reviewed operational challenges, compliance reports, and dwindling capacity at the county landfill as state DNR decision timelines on an expansion application approach. Committee members scheduled a broader policy review for September to evaluate the facility’s long-term financial viability.
McIntosh Library offers workshop on perennials in final “Mocktails in the Mulch” gardening series
The McIntosh Memorial Library hosted the final session of its “Mocktails in the Mulch” gardening series, focusing on fall perennial plant divisions and garden preparation. Led by Master Gardener Caleb DeWitt and Master Naturalist-in-training Denise Edmunds, registered participants received free plant divisions and custom mocktails.
Midterm elections head into the home stretch as candidates hit Labor Day events
Candidates in key Congressional and statewide races spent Labor Day weekend stumping at festivals and union events as the midterm campaign season enters its final stretch. In Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, both Rep. Derrick Van Orden and Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke met with voters along parade routes in Readstown.
U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden shares legislative achievements at the Republican convention in Dallas
U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden joined fellow Republican leaders at a national midterm convention in Dallas to highlight legislative achievements and build voter enthusiasm ahead of the November general election.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for the week ending Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office reported handling a variety of calls for service over the week, including responding to a reported burglary in progress in Readstown where deputies successfully connected the caller with non-law enforcement support resources.
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