VERNON COUNTY, Wis. — The past week in the Driftless Region has been defined by a diverse array of stories, ranging from critical public safety incidents and high-stakes law enforcement operations to significant municipal planning decisions. Our coverage spanned from harrowing road accidents and a home explosion to the detailed workings of school audits, city land negotiations, and environmental abatement efforts, highlighting the complex issues facing local residents and officials.
3 escape serious injury in Viola rollover crash
Three individuals narrowly avoided serious injury following a single-vehicle rollover on State Highway 131 near West River Road in the Town of Kickapoo on Jan. 17. Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reported that a 21-year-old Hillsboro man lost control of his sedan on a slippery curve, causing the vehicle to strike an embankment and overturn.
The driver and two passengers, including a 5-year-old child, were able to exit the vehicle on their own, with the passengers sustaining only minor injuries. Officials cited winter weather conditions as a contributing factor, and the Readstown Fire Department assisted at the scene.
Driver hospitalized after striking trees in De Soto
A 61-year-old Viroqua man was hospitalized after losing control of his SUV on Missel Road in the Town of Wheatland on Saturday, Jan. 17. The vehicle traveled down an embankment and struck several trees, requiring emergency transport for the driver, while a passenger sustained minor injuries but declined transport.
Safety equipment, including seat belts and airbags, functioned properly during the crash, which occurred amidst poor weather and road conditions. The Wheatland and De Soto Fire Departments responded to the scene to assist.
Pickup strikes disabled SUV in Genoa
Two motorists avoided injury in a collision on State Highway 56 near Mound Ridge Road in the Town of Genoa on Sunday evening. A pickup truck driven by a De Soto man struck a disabled SUV occupied by an Alma woman that was stopped on the roadway.
Both individuals were evaluated by emergency responders from Genoa Harmony Fire and Rescue but declined ambulance transport. The Sheriff’s Office noted that safety equipment functioned properly and the incident remains under investigation.
Home explosion injures two in rural Richland County
Two people were seriously injured when a home in rural Richland County near the Village of Gotham exploded on Saturday evening, Jan. 24. Richard and Mary Oman, who were inside the residence on Needle Lane, were found nearby in a vehicle suffering from significant burns and were later flown to UW-Madison Hospital.
Statements indicated the couple had smelled gas earlier in the evening but did not investigate; authorities stated foul play is not suspected but continue to investigate the cause of the blast that leveled the home.
Minnesota man faces 8th OWI charge in Crawford County
A 66-year-old Minnesota man was arrested late Saturday night, Jan. 24, and faces felony charges for an eighth offense of operating while under the influence. Crawford County deputies stopped the vehicle on State Highway 35 in the Town of Freeman after observing it traveling in the wrong lane.
Following a K9 unit alert, authorities discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, leading to additional possession charges.
De Soto schools gets “clean” audit report, but tightens procedures in some areas
The De Soto Area School District received a “clean” financial audit with no findings of non-compliance for the 2024-2025 school year, though auditors recommended improvements in cash reconciliation and receipt data timing. The district’s general fund balance increased to nearly $4 million, despite operating under a budget deficit, a discrepancy attributed to finalized revenue numbers and conservative spending by staff.
Business Manager Cherryl Knowles and Interim Superintendent Craig Gerlach emphasized that new procedures are being implemented to address the auditor’s recommendations, including updates to the capitalization policy.
Richland County resident arrested in cyber crimes investigation
A 24-year-old Lone Rock resident was arrested on Jan. 28 following a search warrant execution related to an internet crimes investigation. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, took the individual into custody on a recommended charge of exposing a child to harmful material.
Vernon County Sheriff praises teamwork after high‑risk arrest in stalking investigation
A 19-year-old Hillsboro man was arrested in rural Coon Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 27, following a series of escalating incidents involving stalking and harassment. The suspect, Nathanael Ivan Witaker, allegedly resisted arrest while in possession of a large knife, resulting in injuries to a deputy sheriff and a Westby police officer.
Witaker faces multiple tentative charges, including stalking, battery to a law enforcement officer, and violation of a harassment restraining order, and is currently held on a $100,000 cash bond.
Readstown, Community Hunger Solutions team up for monthly food giveaways
The Readstown Collaborative Partnership and Community Hunger Solutions have launched a program to provide free dairy and produce distributions on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The distributions will take place at the former Kickapoo Township building, with no income limits or forms required for residents to participate.
City of Viroqua officials weigh lease option for VFW land
The Viroqua Common Council met in closed session on Tuesday, Jan. 28, to discuss a potential lease agreement for the 40-acre VFW property, which hosts a popular disc golf course. The VFW Board presented a counter-proposal of $1,600 per month to help cover their operating costs and capital improvements, as the aging post faces financial difficulties that could otherwise force a sale.
While no final deal was reached, negotiations are expected to continue as the city explores ways to maintain public access to the green space.
Chief of La Crescent Police vows reform after no confidence vote and disciplinary incident
La Crescent Police Chief Luke M. Ahlschlager addressed the public regarding internal departmental challenges, including a recent vote of no confidence signed by six of his eight full-time officers. The unrest followed a December incident where the chief received an oral reprimand for inappropriate language during a welfare check at his home.
Ahlschlager pledged to improve communication and leadership, stating his intention to remain as chief and work with city leadership and mediators to rebuild trust within the force.
Methane abatement at old Viroqua dump site could cost $1 to $2 million
The Viroqua Common Council reviewed strategies to address methane migration at the closed city landfill, where gas has been detected moving into neighboring properties. City Engineer Sarah Grainger reported that a fully active vacuum system could cost up to $2.4 million, while a passive venting system—which could be upgraded later—would cost approximately $1 million less upfront.
The council approved immediate spending of $143,968 for a clay and gravel cutoff trench to protect the nearby Hanson Farm housing development while they weigh the longer-term, costly remediation options required by the DNR.
Viroqua hires consultant to manage growing economic development workload
To handle a surge in development projects, the Viroqua Common Council unanimously approved a $25,000 contract with Vierbicher & Associates to provide consulting support to City Administrator Nate Torres. The one-year agreement brings in Andy Kurtz to assist with tasks such as drafting development agreements, filling a capacity gap left by the passing of the former city administrator.
Administrator Torres noted that while the cost is significant, the volume of current projects requires steady support to secure taxable development for the city.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for the week ending Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026
The weekly sheriff’s report detailed various incidents, including a traffic stop in Viroqua where a K9 unit discovered drug paraphernalia, leading to citations for the driver. Other reports included a rollover crash on US Highway 14 where the driver left the scene due to the cold, and complaints regarding loose dogs in De Soto.
Viroqua reestablishes Veterans Memorial Commission to oversee park policies
The Viroqua Common Council voted unanimously to reactivate the Veterans Memorial Commission to manage maintenance and policy decisions for the city’s tribute to service members. The move was necessary after city staff realized the body designated to make decisions on adding names to memorial walls had been inactive for years.
The new commission includes two council members, two veterans, and a member at large, who will work to establish bylaws and address immediate requests for the park.
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