Jan. 25, 2026
Our local coverage this past week has spanned a diverse array of community issues ranging from critical public safety updates and tragic accidents on regional roadways to significant shifts in education policy and county administration. We have reported on the appointment of a new highway engineer legislative efforts addressing agricultural concerns utility advisories regarding cold weather and ongoing discussions regarding county funding for historical preservation.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for the week ending Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office released its weekly activity report on Monday detailing law enforcement responses across the county for the week ending Jan. 17. The report provides a public record of incidents aimed at keeping residents informed of safety and crime trends in their neighborhoods.
Hazelnut specialist joins Coon Creek Community Watershed Council at Feb. meeting
The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council will host a regional hazelnut expert at its upcoming meeting on Feb. 4 to help aspiring growers navigate the process of establishing successful orchards. Jason Fischbach, the Emerging Crops Outreach Specialist for UW-Extension and leader of the Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Institute, will provide an overview of hazelnut production and answer questions at the Coon Valley Conservation Club.
The meeting begins with dinner at 6:00 p.m. followed by the session at 6:30 p.m.. The council also noted that it has cost-share funding available for members interested in planting hazelnuts in 2026 offering $10 per plant for up to 200 plants per project to advance flood resilience
Vernon County hires highway engineer after year long search
After a search lasting nearly a year Vernon County has successfully hired a new highway engineer. The position is critical for the planning maintenance and improvement of the county infrastructure and road systems.
54-year-old man killed in Richland County crash
Authorities reported a fatal traffic accident in neighboring Richland County on Jan. 20 resulting in the death of a 54 year old man. The incident adds to a series of serious crashes in the region during the winter months.
Chaseburg Area Cancer Walk raised more than $80,000 for regional medical facilities
The Chaseburg Area Cancer Walk organization announced it raised more than $80,000 during its 2025 fundraising campaign to support oncology departments at Vernon Health in Viroqua, Mayo Clinic Health System and Emplify Health by Gundersen. Representative Monty Gilbertson stated the funds will assist patients with direct needs such as warming blankets, gas cards and accommodations, emphasizing that the grassroots nonprofit ensures all donations remain within the community to support neighbors.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the group will host a “Fight Cancer Night” with Westby High School on Feb. 13 and a series of chickenque and bake sales throughout the spring. These events lead up to the organization’s primary fundraiser, the 21st Annual Chaseburg Area Cancer Walk, scheduled for Sept. 12, 2026, at Chaseburg Village Park.
Kickapoo Conversations to host Empowering Education forum to explore school funding and policy
Kickapoo Conversations will host a nonpartisan community forum titled “Empowering Education – Funding Our Future: Schools, Taxes and You” on Tuesday, Jan. 27, to help residents understand the connection between regional policy, taxes and local school funding. Scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Westby Area Performing Arts Center, the event aims to move beyond informational isolation and foster a shared understanding of the complex financial systems affecting Driftless area schools,.
The panel will feature key educational leaders, including superintendents Steve Michaels of Westby, Jeremy Hill of Viroqua and Ryan Alderson of Cashton, alongside CESA 4 Director Paul Fischer and Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance Executive Director Jeff Eide. Building on the group’s previous work regarding federal funding impacts, this forum seeks to provide transparent information on how broader policies influence local education and tax implications for the community.
Couleecap transfers business development to CAP Services to expand program opportunities
Couleecap, Inc. announced it is transitioning its business development programming to CAP Services, a central Wisconsin organization, to expand coaching and lending support for entrepreneurs in Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe and Vernon counties,. For more than two decades, Couleecap has supported small businesses through initiatives like pop-up shops and incubators, and Executive Director Hetti Brown emphasized that this partnership ensures those needs continue to be met by an experienced organization.
Under the new arrangement, current Couleecap clients will automatically be eligible for services from CAP Services, which specializes in helping individuals plan, launch and fund businesses,. Nicole Harrison, president and CEO of CAP Services, stated the organization looks forward to building on the foundation established by Couleecap, noting that the partnership now provides clients with the ability to apply for business loans during the planning process.
Mississippi Valley Conservancy looking for volunteers for Tunnelville Cliffs project
The Mississippi Valley Conservancy is calling on community members to help prepare the Tunnelville Cliffs State Natural Area for spring restoration during a volunteer work day scheduled for Friday, Feb. 13. The event, themed “Burning Desire: Restoring the Tunnelville Cliffs Landscape,” encourages participants to celebrate Valentine’s Day early by building a relationship with the land.
From 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers will assist the land management team by clearing sticks, branches and logs to construct firebreaks. Organizers state these efforts are necessary to ensure that prescribed burns planned for the spring are both safe and effective.
State Senator Brad Pfaff has requested an investigation by the Department of Justice and the Department of Agriculture into consolidation within the meatpacking industry. The letter addresses concerns regarding market fairness and the impact of consolidation on local farmers and consumers.
De Soto Schools ban cellphones during class time
The De Soto Area School District is implementing a new policy banning the use of cellphones and personal electronic devices during instructional time effective with the start of the second semester. The move aligns with Wisconsin Act 42 and aims to reduce distractions and improve the learning environment though high school students will retain some privileges during non instructional periods.
Viroqua Utilities asking residents to take precautions during cold weather
Viroqua Utilities issued an advisory on Jan. 21 urging residents to take necessary precautions to protect their plumbing and homes during the ongoing cold weather. The utility seeks to prevent frozen pipes and other service disruptions associated with low temperatures.
Vernon County farmer-led watershed groups among those to receive state funding for 2026
The Bad Axe Watershed Stewards and the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council were among 49 producer-led groups awarded funding by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) for 2026. Governor Tony Evers announced $1 million in total awards this week to support conservation solutions and encourage farmer participation in efforts to improve soil health and water quality across the state.
The Bad Axe Watershed Stewards received $26,300, and the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council was awarded $22,000 to advance their local initiatives. This marks the 11th round of grant awards since the program began, with funding intended to help farmers implement practices that protect Wisconsin’s land and water resources.
Leadership from the Vernon County Historical Society appeared before the county Finance Committee on Jan. 20 to address funding reductions finalized in the 2026 budget. The county board had previously voted to reduce the society’s annual contribution from $50,000 to $37,500 citing concerns over fundraising and oversight. While immediate funding was not restored the meeting opened a channel for improved communication ahead of the next budget cycle.
After a failed dark sky designation, the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative looks to the light
Attempts to designate the Kickapoo Valley Reserve and Wildcat Mountain State Park as Dark Sky Sanctuaries were halted after monitoring showed light levels had increased by over 50 percent. In response, a new local group called the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative is working to lower light pollution by retrofitting streetlights and buildings with warmer, 1,800K LED bulbs which scatter less light into the atmosphere.
3 escape serious injury in Viola rollover crash
Three individuals avoided serious injury following a rollover crash in Viola on Jan. 25. Emergency crews responded to the scene of the accident which occurred earlier in the day.
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Driver hospitalized after striking trees in De Soto
A 61-year-old Viroqua man was hospitalized Saturday night after losing control of his SUV and striking several trees in the town of Wheatland. The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office reported that the single-vehicle crash occurred around 7:15 p.m. on Jan. 17 near the intersection of Missel Road and Axlen Road, where winter weather conditions caused the driver to slide off the roadway while navigating a downhill curve.
Emergency responders transported the driver to a hospital in Viroqua for treatment, while a 54-year-old female passenger sustained minor injuries but declined transport. Authorities noted that safety equipment, including airbags and seat belts, functioned properly during the incident, which required assistance from the Wheatland and De Soto fire departments to clear the scene.
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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.
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