March 8, 2026
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. — Over the past week, the Driftless Region navigated a wave of critical developments ranging from an escalating waste management crisis and severe school budget shortfalls to intense pushback against a proposed high-voltage transmission line. Our coverage highlighted the complex challenges facing local governments, shifting local priorities, and community initiatives aimed at improving health, recreation, and environmental stewardship.
Here is a summary of the local stories covered on VernonReporter.com since March 1, 2026:
City of Viroqua votes to send its garbage to Eau Claire landfill
Starting this month, Viroqua’s household garbage will travel roughly 120 miles to a private facility near Eau Claire. The Viroqua Common Council voted unanimously to amend its hauling contract with GFL Environmental, citing a severe airspace crisis and rising tipping fees at the Vernon County landfill. Under the new bundled rate, households will pay $8.60 per month for garbage and $4.75 for recycling collection, absorbing the disposal costs the city previously paid directly to the county.
The Vernon County Landfill is technically out of room as it awaits state approval for a proposed expansion. To avoid imminent closure, the Solid Waste Department outlined an emergency plan to peel back layers of intermediate soil cover to recapture 18,000 cubic yards of buried airspace. Officials are also exploring waste diversion partnerships with neighboring counties and adjusting recycling operations to preserve space and generate revenue while navigating sluggish permit delays from the Department of Natural Resources.
Coon Creek Watershed meeting to highlight Fishers and Farmers partnership, water test kits
The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council (CCCWC) and the Vernon County Health Department partnered to offer free well water test kits to residents at a March 4 meeting in Coon Valley. The meeting also launched the 2026 Fishers and Farmers project, an initiative designed to fund soil health, flood resilience, and stream habitat efforts in the Coon Creek Watershed’s headwaters.
Embark Maple to host inaugural ‘Last Person Standing’ ultra marathon and ‘Foodie 5K’ tour
Embark Maple in Cashton is expanding its fifth annual Sap Run Scramble on March 21 by adding a “Last Person Standing” ultra-marathon option. The event allows runners to push their physical limits on a 5K loop, or casually explore the logging roads and deer trails of the maple forest while enjoying maple-based snacks and educational stops.
Readstown nurse sentenced to prison for engaging in sexual intercourse with patient
Melissa R. Knutson of Readstown was sentenced to 18 months of initial confinement in state prison and two years of extended supervision after pleading guilty to Misconduct in Public Office and Obstructing an Officer. While working as a Monroe County nurse, Knutson engaged in sexual intercourse with a drug court participant under her care and later falsely accused the patient of sexual assault to avoid consequences.
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office finalized its transition to the Next Generation 911 (NG911) network, replacing analog infrastructure with an AT&T digital network. The $237,772 upgrade, largely funded by a state grant, now allows residents to use a “Text-to-911” feature, providing a vital alternative when making a voice call is unsafe or impossible.
Sheriff Roy Torgerson is renewing a push to get Wisconsin drivers to utilize the state’s emergency contact database, a system he helped create alongside lawmakers and the founder of the “To Inform Families First” foundation. The voluntary online registry allows law enforcement to instantly access next-of-kin information during severe accidents, ensuring families are promptly notified.
Vernon County Public Safety Committee tackles jail food costs, support for emergency response
The Vernon County Public Safety Committee evaluated looming capital expenses, including an Aramark contract renewal that would front $100,000 to replace aging jail kitchen equipment in exchange for a slight per-meal price increase. The committee also discussed drafting safety handbooks for horse-drawn vehicles following recent crashes, and expressed intense frustration that the federal government quietly removed river rescue boats from the Genoa lock and dam.
No weapon found after locker search at Tomah Middle School
Tomah Middle School was placed on a brief 12-minute security hold on March 2 after reports of a possible weapon in a student’s locker. Authorities from the Tomah Police Department and Wisconsin State Patrol searched the student and the locker, found no weapon, and allowed the school to resume normal operations.
Single‑vehicle crash in Town of Union results in minor injuries
A rural Westby woman sustained minor injuries after her pickup truck slipped off State Highway 82, crashed through a fence, and traveled down an embankment in the Town of Union. Both the driver and a passenger declined ambulance transport; seatbelts were in use and airbags deployed.
State Rep. Tara Johnson introduces BadgerCare public option
State Representative Tara Johnson (D-Town of Shelby) co-introduced a BadgerCare Public Option bill aimed at addressing soaring healthcare costs for Wisconsinites. The legislation would provide an affordable alternative to private insurance carriers and expand BadgerCare enrollment to small businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
State Senators Sarah Keyeski and Brad Pfaff introduced legislation to prevent exorbitant concession pricing at publicly supported stadiums. The bill would restrict venues with a capacity of at least 3,000 people from marking up food and beverage prices by more than 20% over the seller’s cost.
Viroqua counseling organization shifting to a non-profit
Stonehouse Counseling is transitioning to a nonprofit organization and moving to a new location on East Oak Street in Viroqua. The new status allows the agency to accept grants, implement an equity-based pay structure for its staff, and sustain its commitment to serving a high volume of Medicaid clients without restrictions.
Vernon County reorganizes buildings management and interviews outside firms for facility assessments
Vernon County is restructuring its government to shift building and facilities duties away from the Highway Commissioner. Concurrently, the General Government Committee interviewed engineering firms, ultimately selecting Schneider Electric, to conduct a comprehensive energy study. The county hopes to fund major HVAC and plumbing upgrades through guaranteed long-term energy savings rather than tax levies.
Viroqua Lions donate $2,500 to Living Faith Food Pantry
The Viroqua Lions Club donated $2,500 to the Living Faith Food Pantry, which distributes approximately 6,000 pounds of food weekly to nearly 200 local households. The Lions Club continues to be a major partner for the pantry, providing both financial backing and substantial volunteer hours.
Vernon County considers banning firearms in county buildings while allowing employee concealed carry
Prompted by a recent tense encounter with the public, the Vernon County General Government Committee directed corporate counsel to draft an ordinance banning public firearms in county facilities. Concurrently, the committee is drafting a new internal policy that would allow trained county employees to carry concealed weapons at work, explicitly prohibiting open carry.
Viroqua Area Schools outline painful staff cuts to address budget shortfall
Viroqua Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Hill presented a stark five-year plan to cut administrative, teaching, and support staff to combat a projected $1.2 million deficit next year. The financial cliff is being driven by a sharp decline in enrollment—from classes of 99 down to 45—and insufficient state reimbursements for mandated special education services.
Vernon County considers resolutions, hiring attorney, to oppose MariBell transmission line
The Vernon County General Government Committee voted to draft two resolutions to officially state opposition and demand extensive environmental data regarding the proposed 765-kilovolt MariBell transmission line. County officials are also exploring sharing the costs of specialized legal counsel with neighboring Crawford and Richland counties to fight the massive utility project at the Public Service Commission.
Vernon Electric Co-Op members vote at annual meeting to demand clearer answers on MariBell project
At their 90th annual meeting, a majority of Vernon Electric Cooperative members approved an advisory resolution demanding more transparency from Dairyland Power Cooperative regarding the necessity and cost of the MariBell transmission line. Members voiced deep concerns over the unprecedented scale of the 150- to 200-foot towers and the potential for the multi-billion-dollar regional project to drastically increase local utility bills.
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