From ongoing struggles with severe weather and flooding to multi-million-dollar environmental remediation projects, our reporting highlighted a wide variety of issues over the past week. We kept you informed on critical city budgeting decisions, public safety updates, community honors, and local business news. Here is a look back at all the local stories carried on VernonReporter.com, starting with the latest news.
We believe good information helps communities make good decisions. Good decisions help create a community we want to be a part of. We work hard to bring you good information. And you can help us cover even more. If you could hit that donate button, you can help us keep doing what we are doing. $10 or $25 a month helps us add more resources. If you can give more, fantastic. EVERY donation helps.
La Crosse woman arrested on multiple drug possession allegations after Vernon County traffic stop
On July 4, 2026, a La Crosse woman was arrested on multiple drug possession allegations following a traffic stop in Vernon County.
City of Viroqua announces public input opportunities for Viroqua’s proposed comprehensive plan
The City of Viroqua is moving forward with an update to its 2007 Comprehensive Plan and has announced upcoming public input opportunities for the proposed 2025 comprehensive plan.
Citizens First Bank named among Forbes’ Best Banks in Wisconsin for 2026
Citizens First Bank, led by President and CEO Shane Ilstrup, was recently honored and named among Forbes’ Best Banks in Wisconsin for 2026.
In the latest installment of the “Grouse Hollow Journal,” columnist Greg Koelker touches on local history and everyday life, exploring topics like Mark Twain, Charles Dudley Warner, and surviving the current July heatwave.
Vernon County awarded presidential disaster declaration following April 2026 storms
President Donald Trump has officially approved a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Wisconsin. The federal declaration was issued in response to the severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that struck the state in April 2026, ensuring crucial support will be available to affected communities.
44-year-old man with ties to Ontario arrested in Dane County for threatening phone calls
Authorities arrested a 44-year-old man with ties to Ontario in Dane County. The arrest was made in connection to an investigation involving threatening phone calls.
Heavy rainfall causes sewer overflow in Viroqua
Heavy storms dumped approximately 6 inches of rain on Viroqua between July 1 and July 2. The extreme weather event forced city officials to proactively release around 18,000 gallons of wastewater into nearby waterways on Thursday to prevent the sanitary sewer system from backing up into local homes and businesses.
Vernon County on high alert as more rain expected to fall on soaked landscape
Vernon County remains on high alert as more rain threatens the already heavily soaked region. The recent storms have led to noticeable impacts across the landscape, including flooding along Highway 162 near Chaseburg.
During its June 30 meeting, the Viroqua City Council advanced critical landfill remediation plans by approving a formal loan resolution to secure $2.51 million from the United States Department of Agriculture. The funds will pay for an active methane extraction system at the old city dump to address leaking landfill gas, which previously prompted a notice of noncompliance from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The council also navigated deadlines for an overlooked street project and enlisted former City Administrator Nate Torres to assist with the upcoming budget process.
De Soto woman arrested after K‑9 alerts to drugs during Lynxville traffic stop
A 67-year-old De Soto woman was arrested on June 26 following a traffic stop in the Village of Lynxville. According to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the arrest was made after a sheriff’s K-9 unit alerted deputies to the presence of drugs inside her vehicle.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for the week ending Saturday, June 27, 2026
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office handled a variety of incidents during the last week of June. On June 21, deputies responded to a motorist’s report of a herd of cattle loose along State Highway 56 in the Town of Harmony; the cattle safely returned to their enclosure before authorities could reach the owner. Later in the week, on June 27, a crossbow scope was reported stolen from a business on South 4th Street in the Village of Readstown, and law enforcement is currently reviewing surveillance video of the suspect.
Registration opens as after school program returns to the McIntosh Memorial Library
Registration is officially open as the popular after-school program makes its return to the McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua. Parents and guardians can find more details and register through the library’s website or by contacting the library directly.
Vernon County Flood Mitigation Alliance debates costs and strategy as dam removal looms
The Vernon County Flood Mitigation Alliance recently met to debate the costs, strategies, and necessary steps ahead as the county faces the looming decommissioning and removal of several aging flood control dams across the watershed.
Emplify Health by Gundersen announces a new pharmacy is coming to Hillsboro
Emplify Health by Gundersen announced exciting local healthcare news this week, sharing plans that a new pharmacy will be coming to the Hillsboro community.
BNSF locomotive fire shuts down roads near Prairie du Chien for several hours
Emergency crews responded to a BNSF locomotive fire that forced the shutdown of multiple roads near Prairie du Chien for several hours.
Larry Parr of La Farge, Wis. wins “Friend of the Cattlemen” award
Larry Parr, a resident of La Farge, Wisconsin, was recently recognized for his ongoing contributions to local agriculture by winning the “Friend of the Cattlemen” award.
Add comment