VERNON COUNTY, Wis. — The past week in Vernon County news coverage highlighted a community navigating complex intergovernmental negotiations, rallying around neighbors in medical need, and securing vital funding for social services. From the stalemate between the county and the Town of Viroqua over landfill expansion to the heartwarming support for a young EMT facing brain surgery, the headlines reflected both the challenges and the personal resilience of the Driftless Region.
Insurance enrollment and resource connections at McIntosh Memorial Library
The McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua, in partnership with Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center, announced walk-in sessions to assist residents with insurance enrollment. Scheduled for Feb. 12 and March 12, these sessions aim to help individuals navigate Medicaid, the Marketplace, and other insurance options without the need for appointments.
This initiative underscores the library’s evolving role as a community resource hub, bridging the gap for residents who may struggle with the complexities of the healthcare system. Scenic Bluffs staff will be on hand to provide expertise on income requirements and digital enrollment processes, ensuring accessible healthcare guidance for the area.
Coon Valley Fire Dept. responds to fire at brush disposal site
Fire crews responded to a stubborn blaze at the Village of Coon Valley’s brush disposal site on Saturday evening, Feb. 7, caused by improperly discarded wood stove ashes. Firefighters and village public works staff utilized a backhoe to break apart the burning pile of yard waste, eventually extinguishing the flames that rekindled the following morning.
The incident served as a reminder to residents regarding fire safety and the proper use of the disposal site, which is strictly for brush and grass clippings. No injuries were reported, but the response required significant effort from local emergency services to ensure the fire did not spread.
Negotiations on landfill “Town Host Siting Agreement” between the county and town of Viroqua stall
Negotiations between Vernon County and the Town of Viroqua regarding the proposed landfill expansion have hit a stalemate, with town officials accusing the county of removing essential environmental protections from the draft agreement. The town is seeking specific contractual guarantees regarding groundwater protection and property values, arguing that state regulations are insufficient for the area’s fractured karst geography.
County supervisors counter that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the ultimate authority on environmental safety and that duplicating state regulations in a local contract is unnecessary. The impasse comes at a critical time, as the existing landfill is projected to reach capacity within a year, forcing the county to consider diverting waste to neighboring counties while the expansion permitting process drags on.
Vernon County awarded $447K grant to sustain domestic violence initiative
Vernon County secured a crucial $447,786 grant from the Wisconsin Partnership Program to sustain its Domestic Violence Initiative through 2028. This funding rescues the program after federal funding was unexpectedly cut last year, allowing the county to maintain its coordinated community response to intimate partner violence without interruption.
The initiative, a partnership between the Sheriff’s Office, Human Services, and local counseling agencies, has established a volunteer response team and improved training for sexual assault nurse examiners. The new grant will also allow the program to expand by incorporating public health and UW-Extension resources to further support survivors and hold offenders accountable.
Minnesota man uninjured after pickup overturns in Vernon County crash
A 27-year-old Rochester, Minnesota man escaped injury early Sunday morning, Feb. 8, after his pickup truck left State Highway 35 in the Town of Bergen and overturned. The vehicle struck a mailbox before rolling onto its passenger side, but safety equipment, including seatbelts and airbags, functioned properly.
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office reported that the driver declined medical transport at the scene. The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight, was attended by the Stoddard Bergen Fire Department and local first responders.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for the week ending Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026
The weekly Sheriff’s Report detailed a variety of incidents, including a vehicle taken without consent on County Road SS and a two-vehicle crash in Stoddard where a driver struck a parked pickup truck. Deputies also responded to reports of threats in La Farge and suspicious activity in the Town of Viroqua.
Traffic safety was a focus, with deputies citing a driver for a school bus stop violation in the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton district and intercepting a vehicle passing at high speeds in a no-passing zone on State Highway 82. The report provides a transparent look at the daily operations of law enforcement across the county’s rural and municipal areas.
Stoddard community rallies around local EMT facing major brain surgery
The Stoddard community is rallying to support Alanna Hulburt, a 20-year-old EMT and UW-Madison sophomore diagnosed with Chiari malformation, a condition where the brain extends into the spinal canal. Hulburt, who serves with the Stoddard Bergen Fire Department, is scheduled for brain surgery to relieve pressure and restore circulation.
In a show of solidarity, the community has organized a pancake breakfast fundraiser for March 1 at the Stoddard American Legion. The event highlights the deep local appreciation for Hulburt, whose family is well-known for their dedication to community service, with fellow first responders and residents stepping up to help offset her medical expenses.
Single-vehicle crash in town of Webster
Two people were transported to Vernon Health for evaluation following a single-vehicle crash on County Highway D in the Town of Webster on the evening of Feb. 11. The driver, a 22-year-old Blair man, reported a mechanical problem while navigating a curve, causing the vehicle to travel down an embankment.
Assisting at the scene were the La Farge Fire Department and La Farge Area Ambulance. The incident underscores the continued risks on rural county roads, particularly during evening hours.
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