Sept. 27, 2026
VIROQUA, Wis. — From $200,000 USDA value-added grants awarded to Driftless Seed Company and B&E’s Trees and Vernon County supervisors confronting $500,000 in legacy budget audit errors to Emplify Health’s proposed 80,000-square-foot outpatient campus in Viroqua and De Soto Area Schools preparing for a $3.6 million referendum, VernonReporter.com highlighted a wide array of specific local issues across Southwest Wisconsin over the past week. Our reporting captured the Driftless Area in motion, detailing a tactical response resolved without injury in Westby, the county board increasing municipal library reimbursement rates to 85 percent, Habitat for Humanity’s homebuyer search in Hillsboro, and an emergency train stop arrest in Crawford County. Here is a comprehensive look back at the news we brought you over the past week.
Driftless Seed Company, B&E’s Trees/Embark Maple each land $200K USDA Value Added Grant
The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $200,000 Value-Added Producer Grants to two Vernon County agricultural operations as part of an $800,000 statewide investment. Driftless Seed Company in Soldiers Grove secured funding to expand the processing, marketing, and Midwest distribution of its certified organic, non-GMO specialty crop seeds, creating four new jobs.
In Viroqua, B&E’s Trees (operating as Embark Maple) received $200,000 to scale sales of its resealable “Maple Energy” pouches, which blend organic maple syrup and sea salt for endurance athletes. Co-founder Eric Weninger emphasized that value-added grants help small family farms remain financially viable by connecting their products directly with consumers.
Vernon County Board of Supervisors confronts audit findings and structural budget errors as leaders move to right the financial ship
The Vernon County Board of Supervisors reviewed its 2025 financial audit report, receiving a clean, unmodified audit opinion from KerberRose. However, Administrative Coordinator Nate Torres and Finance Director Annie Lockyer presented a detailed review of over $500,000 in legacy calculation errors discovered in 2026 budget worksheets, including an omitted $360,000 capital expense for the emergency storage building and $240,000 in double-counted department revenues.
Officials clarified that the mathematical discrepancies were not fraudulent but reflected inherited bookkeeping flaws and decentralized budgeting on a legacy 1980s computer system. The county is actively correcting baselines and transitioning operations to modern Tyler Technologies software to ensure accurate future reporting and long-term fiscal stability.
Bank of Ontario panic alarm in Westby determined to be false alarm
A panic alarm activation at the Bank of Ontario’s Westby branch prompted a multi-agency law enforcement response on Tuesday morning. Officers from Westby Police and the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office established a soft perimeter and notified the tactical unit before confirming with bank personnel that the alarm was accidentally triggered.
Police Chief Scott C. Stuber confirmed there was no criminal activity, no injuries, and no danger to the public at any time during the incident.
Tactical situation resolved at Westby mobile home community, no injuries reported
Vernon County Sheriff’s deputies and local officers responded to Douglas Street in Westby following reports from neighbors who heard what sounded like gunshots coming from a mobile home. Law enforcement officers temporarily restricted traffic entering and exiting the mobile home community while tactical units secured the scene.
The situation was brought under control within 30 minutes without injuries. Traffic restrictions were lifted, and local school officials were notified that neighborhood students could safely return home.
Vernon County Board of Supervisors increases library funding reimbursement rate to 85 percent
The Vernon County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Resolution 2026-55, increasing the property tax reimbursement rate for local municipal libraries from 70 percent to 85 percent of operating costs incurred when serving rural township residents. Under state law, counties must reimburse municipal libraries for materials checked out by citizens living in towns without a local library.
Library directors and system leaders presented data showing how inflation and high circulation volume created budget shortfalls under the previous 70 percent statutory minimum. The increased reimbursement represents a minor distribution of approximately $10.72 per $300,000 of assessed property value levied exclusively across non-exempt rural townships.
Man arrested after BNSF train makes emergency stop in Crawford County
Ryan Troendle, 42, of Lansing, Iowa, was arrested in the Town of Freeman after walking on railroad tracks and forcing a southbound BNSF freight train to make an emergency brake stop. Crawford County Sheriff’s deputies located Troendle along Highway 35, where he exhibited signs of drug impairment and attempted to discard a pipe containing methamphetamine.
Troendle was booked into the Crawford County Jail on charges of methamphetamine possession, obstructing an officer, and railroad trespassing, alongside outstanding Iowa warrants for assault and burglary.
Boys Positive Puberty Series begins at McIntosh Memorial Library
McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua launched a four-week Positive Puberty for Boys educational series for boys ages 10–13 and their parents or guardians. Taught by local physicians, including Dr. Michael Kalinosky, the free Wednesday evening program offers open, healthy discussions regarding physical changes and wellness to eliminate the stigma surrounding puberty.
Pastor Paul Lee of Viroqua and Westby United Methodist Churches to teach free Korean Cooking class for adults
Pastor Paul Lee, chef and pastor of the Viroqua and Westby United Methodist Churches, conducted a free adult Korean cooking workshop at the United Methodist Church in Viroqua. Attendees observed demonstrations of plant-based recipes from Shin Kim’s Korean Vegetarian Cooking, sampled the dishes, and received a complimentary copy of the cookbook. The event was supported by a grant from UW–Madison’s Center for East Asian Studies.
Free class offered to local teens to build “ancient literacy” of wildlife tracking
Aris Lara, Youth Services staff member at McIntosh Memorial Library, led an outdoor Intro to Wildlife Tracking workshop for teens ages 13–17. Adapting activities from Jon Young’s Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature, the session taught youth how to identify animal footprints, interpret subtle environmental signs, and understand bird language.
Community puppet build this weekend in preparation for the 14th Annual Harvest Parade
Organizers hosted a free Community Puppet Building Workshop at the WDRT building in Viroqua in preparation for the 14th Annual Viroqua Harvest Parade. The community workshop invited residents of all ages to craft large-scale, handmade puppets to celebrate art, local agriculture, and the autumn harvest during the upcoming procession.
County dump truck overturns near Lynxville; two workers suffer minor injuries
Two Crawford County Highway Department employees sustained minor injuries when their gravel-laden dump truck suffered a mechanical issue and overturned at the intersection of County Road F and Highway 35 near Lynxville. The truck came to rest against a guardrail, temporarily closing highway lanes while emergency crews cleared the scene.
As $3.6M referendum nears, De Soto remembers lingering impact of past budget cuts
Ahead of the November 3 vote on a three-year, $3.6 million non-recurring operational referendum, the De Soto Area School District reflected on long-term budget reductions implemented after three previous referendums failed. Lingering cuts include a 10 percent reduction to classroom supply budgets and the elimination of after-school study programs and late sports buses.
Superintendent Tim Fergot is holding “Tuesdays with Tim” coffee discussions across the district to explain how the proposed referendum will cover operating deficits, maintain academic programming, and upgrade network security cameras and phone systems.
Viroqua Area Foundation hosting free local charitable giving Lunch-and-Learn at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
The Viroqua Area Foundation announced a free charitable giving Lunch-and-Learn event scheduled for October 8 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, featuring lunch catered by The Noble Rind. Featured speaker Ben Chera of Lincoln Financial will provide practical guidance on philanthropic tools, including Donor Advised Funds, Qualified Charitable Distributions, and estate planning strategies to maximize local community benefits.
Habitat for Humanity seeking qualified Hillsboro homebuyers to participate in homeownership program
Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region is accepting applications through October 9 for four income-qualified homebuyers in Hillsboro’s Tinkers Bluff Subdivision. The three-bedroom CrossMod homes feature Energy Star appliances, 7kW solar arrays with battery backups, and affordable mortgage structures tailored for households earning under 60 percent of the area median income.
Westby Police release more details about incident that caused tactical response earlier this week
Westby Police released additional details regarding a tactical response on Douglas Street that resulted in the arrest of 54-year-old Charles Erlandson. Officers from multiple agencies secured the neighborhood after residents reported hearing suspected gunfire. Investigators observed signs of impairment, recovered multiple firearms from Erlandson’s home, and arrested him on several felony charges.
Vernon County Sheriff reports single vehicle crash in Westby area
Vernon County Sheriff’s deputies investigated a single-vehicle crash on Barstad Road near Tri-State Road in the Town of Viroqua. Driver Jack Alan Fortner, 31, of Coon Valley, went off the roadway and struck a tree. Fortner was wearing a seatbelt, airbags deployed, and no injuries were reported.
WisDOT plans public information meeting for two US Highway 14 projects between Viroqua and Readstown
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation scheduled a public involvement meeting for October 8 at Viroqua City Hall to discuss two proposed improvement projects along US Highway 14. Proposed work between the north Vernon County line and Readstown includes shoulder widening, rumble strips, reconfigured turn lanes, and safety upgrades between County J and County SS.
City of Viroqua issues notices for Eckhart Park, Rock and Center Avenue construction projects
Viroqua municipal officials issued public notices detailing street closures and park restrictions for several concurrent public works projects in late September. The notices highlighted road resurfacing along Center Avenue, seal coating on Rock Avenue, and trail closures at Eckhart Park in preparation for the community playground build.
Booed at Lambeau and streaming app woes, but the Brewers hit 100!; Grouse Hollow Journal for Friday, September 25, 2026
In his September 25 column, Greg Koelker shared commentary on Wisconsin sports, reflecting on fan reactions at Lambeau Field, frustration with sports streaming services, and celebrating the Milwaukee Brewers reaching 100 wins during their impressive baseball season.
Proposed development by Emplify Health in Viroqua Business Park sparks debate about the future of local healthcare
Emplify Health presented plans to the Viroqua Business Park Commission to acquire land for a proposed 80,000-square-foot outpatient medical campus designed to handle 50,000 annual visits. The move follows Vernon Health’s decision to maintain local independence as a community hospital. Emplify representatives stressed keeping specialty care local, while Vernon Health CEO David Hartberg reiterated a desire for collaboration over competition.
Motorcyclist seriously injured after striking deer near Coon Valley
Jeffrey Scot Kauffmann, 60, of rural La Crosse, suffered life-threatening injuries when his southbound motorcycle struck a deer on State Highway 162 in the Town of Coon. Kauffmann struck a guardrail, was treated by emergency responders, and was med-flighted via air ambulance to Emplify Health by Gundersen in La Crosse.
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