March 1, 2026
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. (AP) — Over the past week, the Driftless Region faced a mix of critical infrastructure challenges, environmental debates, and community-driven progress. Our local news coverage from late February through March 1 highlighted a county grappling with a landfill capacity crisis, while simultaneously celebrating new housing dedications and laying the groundwork for major economic developments, including a new hotel and the construction of a National Guard Readiness Center. From the organized opposition to a massive regional power line to the public library staff expanding job resources, the latest headlines reflect a broad range of issues impacting our area.
Here is a look back at the local stories we covered this week:
Vernon County supervisors hit pause on $1.3M HVAC borrowing, pivot to countywide energy study
Vernon County officials are pausing a $1.3 million capital request for a new courthouse HVAC system to interview consulting firms for a comprehensive countywide energy study. The goal is to identify operational savings that could completely finance needed upgrades for the courthouse, the Sheriff’s Department, the Erlandson Building, and the Courthouse Annex through Energy Savings Performance Contracting. This approach would allow local banks to provide loans based on guaranteed energy savings, keeping the massive infrastructure costs off the local tax levy. The strategy aligns with the county’s new Comprehensive Plan, which encourages the development of renewable energy resources to offset energy used by county facilities.
Habitat for Humanity dedicates renovated home in Stoddard
Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region dedicated a newly renovated home in Stoddard to the Phia Lor and Mai Chang family. The family, who have seven children, completed over 150 hours of sweat equity to qualify to purchase the home with a zero-percent interest loan.
The house was extensively remodeled with new siding, flooring, and interior finishes, turning what was once a “full gut job” into a modern living space. The event highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the housing crisis in the region, with the local food pantry also welcoming the family with groceries to show that Stoddard is a “very welcoming community”. Habitat continues to expand its footprint in the area, currently working to complete 10 additional homes in Hillsboro.
Richland Co Sheriff’s Office stakeouts discovered deputy’s on-duty liaisons
A former long-time deputy for the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Kevin Melby, resigned in 2025 after an internal investigation revealed he was repeatedly having sexual meetups with a woman while on duty. The sheriff’s office used GPS tracking, recording equipment in his patrol truck, and thermal imaging during a weeks-long stakeout to catch the encounters, which Melby admitted had occurred frequently over an 18-month period all over the county. Despite resigning in lieu of termination and also stepping down from his elected position as a Richland Center city alderman, Melby is currently employed as a part-time police officer in the nearby Village of Viola. The Viola Police Department declined to comment on the hiring.
Two men charged after scrap copper theft investigation in Crawford County
The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men, 22-year-old Joshua McCartney and 53-year-old David Reed, in connection with the theft of scrap copper and radiators from a property on Myers Lane. The arrests followed the execution of a search warrant at a home in Grant County, where deputies found stolen property, sales receipts, and cash. Both men confessed to the thefts and now face charges of theft and trespassing. McCartney was also booked on an outstanding warrant from Richland County.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Office Report for the week ending Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office handled a variety of incidents during the week, including investigating the theft of a generator, weedwhacker, and rifle in the Town of Greenwood. Deputies also responded to complaints of garbage dumping in the Town of Union, a gas drive-off in Readstown, a dog killing chickens in the Town of Webster, and an unattended construction fire in the Town of Wheatland. Traffic enforcement and safety remained a priority, with deputies citing a driver for traveling 89 mph in a 55 mph zone and successfully coordinating with local first responders after two riders went through the ice on an ATV near the Stoddard Boat Landing. A drug arrest was also made following a traffic stop on State Highway 56 where THC was seized.
Approximately 250 people packed the Gays Mills Community Center for a meeting organized by “No765 Line,” a grassroots group opposing the massive MariBell Transmission Project. Organizers and experts outlined arguments against the 140-mile, 765-kilovolt line, pushing back against the utility’s growth projections and highlighting cheaper, less destructive alternatives like high-voltage direct current lines that are already being built elsewhere.
Landowners were urged to document the natural sensitivities of their properties and communicate their concerns to Dairyland Power before formal applications are submitted to the state. Forensic real estate appraiser Kurt Kielisch and eminent domain attorney Andrew Weininger also spoke, explaining landowners’ legal rights, how to challenge unfair compensation offers, and the concept of “uneconomic remnants” that could force utilities to purchase entire impacted properties and relocate residents.
Crawford County passes resolution demanding detailed information on MariBell Transmission Project
The Crawford County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution demanding 18 specific documents from developers of the MariBell Transmission Project by March 15. The requested information includes routing preferences, environmental sensitivities, and projected impacts on electric bills. Crawford County’s action joins a growing regional pushback against the massive power line, with similar informational demands coming from the Kickapoo Valley Reserve and numerous local townships. Opponents fear the 150- to 200-foot towers will scar the Driftless landscape, threaten the tourism economy, and serve as a “sacrifice zone” to power out-of-state tech data centers while offering no local benefit.
Historical Society launches ‘Good Earth – Deep Roots’ art auction to bridge county funding shortfall
The Vernon County Historical Society announced its first-ever winter art exhibition and silent auction, “Good Earth – Deep Roots,” to raise critical funds after the county slashed its budget by 25% during the latest budget cycle. Running from March 14 through March 26 at the Vernon County Museum, the event will feature rarely seen historical artwork and pieces by local artists up for auction, with all proceeds supporting museum operations.
The fundraiser comes at a crucial time for the museum, which relies on the county stipend directly for the salaries of its two part-time employees. The society hopes this new winter event—made possible by recent HVAC upgrades that allow the building to be comfortably open year-round—will bridge the financial gap and offset the steep county cuts.
McIntosh Memorial Library opens JobPod to connect Viroqua area residents with work
The McIntosh Memorial Library in Viroqua has opened a new “JobPod,” a soundproof, ADA-compliant private space designed to give job seekers reliable internet access and direct connections to the Wisconsin Job Center and regional workforce experts. The pod provides a crucial resource for Vernon County, which lacks a dedicated physical job center and where many residents lack home computers or high-speed internet to navigate modern online hiring systems. Local employers, such as Nelson Global Products, are already partnering with the library to direct applicants to the JobPod for online applications and resume help. The space can be reserved online or via phone and is the 12th site launched in Wisconsin as part of a statewide workforce development effort.
Viroqua City Council approves pre-development agreement for new GrandStay hotel
Viroqua took a major step toward addressing its lodging shortage by unanimously approving a pre-development agreement with Market Point Development for a new GrandStay hotel. The 54- to 56-room facility, which will include a pool, is proposed for the southern edge of the Viroqua Business Park along the highway. Developer Chan Johnson noted that GrandStay is an ideal fit for Midwest communities and highlighted the company’s collaborative approach, which will use local artists to capture Viroqua’s unique aesthetic for the interior design. The pre-development agreement gives the developer exclusivity to begin site preparations and secure local financing without competition, with construction potentially beginning by mid-summer.
Viroqua City Council receives update on National Guard Readiness Center construction
The Viroqua Common Council received an update on the $24 million construction of the new National Guard Readiness Center, which is scheduled for completion in late October 2026. The modern 36,000-square-foot facility will replace the obsolete 60-year-old armory and will serve as a consolidated hub for units from both Viroqua and Sparta, hosting up to 140 soldiers from across the state during drill weekends. While the facility is primarily for military use, it will be available for civic and non-profit rentals, though it will no longer feature an indoor firing range due to lead mitigation concerns. The military plans to host a public ribbon-cutting and tours once the unit fully occupies the center in 2027.
County explores cash incentives to lure new residents
Vernon County is applying for a $150,000 state grant to launch “Driftless Bound,” a pilot program offering cash incentives to out-of-state workers who relocate to the area. The program would target adults aged 25 to 54 earning at least $55,000 annually, offering up to $12,500 in down payment assistance for homebuyers and $2,500 for renters to cover initial leasing costs. County officials decided to administer the program locally through the Community Development Department to maximize funds directly reaching families rather than paying overhead fees to national relocation firms. While supervisors praised the initiative as a powerful recruitment tool for local employers, some raised concerns that the $55,000 income threshold might exclude essential early-career professionals, like young teachers.
Vernon County considers multi-million dollar capital campaign to dredge Sidie Hollow Lake
Vernon County officials are preparing to hire a professional fundraising firm to assess the feasibility of a multi-million dollar capital campaign to dredge Sidie Hollow Lake and restore a public zero-entrance swimming beach. The Conservation and Education Committee approved seeking proposals for a feasibility study, an essential first step before attempting to raise the estimated $2 million required. A previous attempt to secure a $2 million state grant for the project failed in 2022, but the rapid mobilization of local matching pledges during that effort convinced officials that significant private donor appetite exists. The project is seen as a key quality-of-life and economic development initiative for the region, specifically aiding businesses and hospitals in recruitment.
Earth Day stewardship event planned at Wildcat Mountain State Park
The Friends of Wildcat Mountain State Park and park staff will host an Earth Day stewardship and volunteer event on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Families and residents are invited to help from 9 a.m. to noon with activities including tree planting, trail and campground cleanup, invasive species removal, and picnic table maintenance. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and sturdy footwear, with refreshments provided by the Friends group.
Readstown man suffers minor injuries in town of Franklin crash A
39-year-old Readstown man suffered minor injuries Friday afternoon when the tandem-axle trailer he was towing began to sway on a downhill stretch of U.S. Highway 14, causing his truck to jackknife. The vehicle was pulled backward into a ditch and went airborne before coming to rest on its side, while the trailer, loaded with wood planks, detached and overturned. Emergency crews from Viroqua and Readstown responded to the scene, and the driver declined ambulance transport. The crash remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.
Viroqua City Council amends noxious weed ordinance and delays parking fine changes
The Viroqua Common Council unanimously amended the city’s noxious weed ordinance to make it easier for local police to enforce lawn maintenance rules. The new language simplifies the standard to focus on height limits for “herbaceous non-woody vegetation,” removing the burden from police to identify specific plant species—like differentiating between grass, dandelions, or red amaranth—in court when citations are challenged. During the same meeting, the council tabled a planned vote to overhaul parking fines. Following budget discussions that highlighted rising parking citation revenues, the council opted to give city staff more time to draft the specific details of the new fine structure.
Viroqua woman injured in single‑vehicle crash near Readstown
An 86-year-old Viroqua woman was injured Tuesday evening after her vehicle hit a patch of ice, left the roadway, and struck a tree on Kolstad Road in the Town of Franklin. Emergency responders from Viroqua and Readstown assisted at the scene, and the driver was transported to Vernon Health in Viroqua for treatment. She was wearing a seatbelt, and her airbags deployed.
City of Viroqua votes to send its garbage to Eau Claire landfill
Faced with an imminent airspace crisis at the local Vernon County facility, the Viroqua Common Council voted unanimously to send the city’s household garbage roughly 200 miles away to a private landfill near Eau Claire. Starting March 1, the city’s waste-hauler, GFL Environmental, will handle both collection and disposal under a single bundled rate. The shift was driven by the Vernon County landfill’s lack of capacity and its recent rate increases. Viroqua residents will see their base collection fees rise to $8.60 for garbage and $4.75 for recycling, but the change eliminates the separate tipping fees previously passed down by the county, resulting in a more predictable long-term cost for the city.
The Vernon County Landfill is technically out of room, forcing officials to explore desperate measures—including digging up 18,000 cubic yards of soil used as intermediate cover—just to keep the facility open while they await a state permit for a major expansion. The expansion process has been severely delayed by Department of Natural Resources requirements for additional geological data and stalled local negotiations with the Town of Viroqua. To ease the burden, the county is actively looking to divert waste to neighboring La Crosse or Monroe counties, and is already set to lose Viroqua’s municipal waste stream to an out-of-county private facility. Meanwhile, the Solid Waste Department is debating the purchase of a new front-load packer truck and dumpsters to make rural recycling collection more efficient and help offset the department’s financial losses.
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