Jan. 11, 2025
This actually a summary of local stories we covered since Jan. 2 when we published our end of year summary of the bigger stories of 2025. We have covered a wide range of topics since then including crime and courts, public safety, health care, local business expansion, infrastructure projects and the upcoming spring elections. From the return of a fugitive to face charges and a tragic house fire to the launch of innovative school health programs and updates on major city developments residents have stayed informed on the critical issues shaping their communities.
Vernon County man returned from Minnesota on felony warrants
County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reported that 33 year old Nathan Raymond Lee Mc Namer was transported to the Vernon County Jail on Jan. 2 after being arrested in Houston County, Minnesota. Mc Namer had been held in Caledonia since his arrest in late December pursuant to an arrest warrant authorized by the Vernon County Circuit Court in March 2023.
Mc Namer faces a total of five charges including four felonies and one unclassified misdemeanor across three cases dating back to April 2022. The charges include taking and driving a vehicle without consent, misappropriating ID info to obtain money, possession of methamphetamine, felony bail jumping and possession of drug paraphernalia. He waived formal extradition proceedings and is currently being held on a $1,000 cash bond with a court appearance scheduled for Jan. 7,,.
No injuries reported in early morning crash involving Amish buggy
Authorities reported that no one was injured when a pickup truck struck a horse drawn buggy early Saturday morning on U.S. Highway 14 near West Smith Road in the Town of Viroqua. A pickup driven by a 67 year old Viroqua man was traveling south when it hit the rear of a two wheel cart operated by a 53 year old man from rural Westby.
Two children were riding in the cart at the time of the collision but no injuries were reported to the occupants of either vehicle or the horse. Authorities noted that the cart was equipped with rear facing amber lights and displayed a slow moving vehicle sign. Responding agencies included the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Westby and Viroqua police departments and local emergency services,.
Hillsboro man faces strangulation and battery charges after Saturday morning incident
A 37 year old man from rural Hillsboro faces multiple charges including strangulation and battery following a domestic disturbance reported early Saturday morning. Sheriff Roy Torgerson stated that the dispatch center received a report of domestic violence at a residence on State Highway 33 and while the suspect departed before deputies arrived he was later located in the City of Hillsboro.
Authorities identified the suspect as James Ray Smallwood Sr. who was booked on allegations of strangulation and suffocation, battery, disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property. He appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court where a judge set his bond at $500 cash. The Sheriff’s Office noted that Smallwood also faces pending charges filed in August 2025 for operating while revoked and tampering with an ignition interlock device,,.
Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area announced the launch of an innovative School based Virtual Care service designed to connect students directly with providers during the school day. This service is supervised by school nurses and uses TytoCare technology to allow providers to examine hearts, lungs, ears, throats and skin remotely.
The program is currently accessible to all students at Hillsboro and Royall school districts regardless of whether they are current patients of Emplify Health. The aim is to reduce time missed from class and minimize disruptions for families by eliminating the need for students to leave school for medical appointments for common concerns like the flu, pink eye or strep throat,,.
The Vernon County Public Safety Committee met to discuss the Sheriff’s Office use of artificial intelligence technology and the progress of a new storage facility. Sheriff Roy Torgerson emphasized a cautious approach to AI noting that while the department uses link analysis and automated license plate readers legal and ethical implications require deliberate implementation.
Emergency Management Director Brandon Larson updated the committee on the progress toward building a storage facility to house critical equipment like hazmat trailers and the mobile command center. The project is moving forward with requests for proposals sent out and bids due by Jan. 14. The project was moved into the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan authorizing the county to borrow funds rather than using Ho Chunk Nation grant funds which will be used for operating expenses,,.
Westby Cooperative Creamery unveils refreshed logos and packaging Westby Cooperative Creamery unveiled a refreshed logo and packaging design intended to reflect the company’s steps toward securing its future as a leader in cottage cheese production. The updated look introduces modern fonts and a refined color palette while honoring the creamery’s tradition.
The redesign coincides with a $14.1 million modernization effort supported by a $15.5 million funding package from the USDA. The expansion includes the installation of enclosed cottage cheese vats and other technology to increase production efficiency and yield while reducing physical strain on employees,,.
VIDEO: Viroqua family loses pet and home to fire Wednesday morning
A two story residence at the intersection of East Terhune and South Center Avenue in Viroqua was severely damaged by fire on Wednesday morning resulting in the loss of a family pet. Viroqua Fire Chief Chad Buros reported that crews observed flames and smoke at the rear of the structure upon arrival but no residents were home at the time.
Firefighters achieved a quick knock down of the fire but the home sustained heavy smoke damage concentrated in the kitchen area. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and mutual aid was provided by Westby, Viola and La Farge fire departments.
Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area announced the launch of an innovative School based Virtual Care service designed to connect students directly with providers during the school day. This service is supervised by school nurses and uses TytoCare technology to allow providers to listen to hearts and lungs and examine ears throats and skin remotely.
The program is currently accessible to all students at Hillsboro and Royall school districts regardless of whether they are current patients of Emplify Health. The aim is to reduce time missed from class and minimize disruptions for families by eliminating the need for students to leave school for medical appointments for common concerns like the flu pink eye or strep throat
UPDATE – Sheriff identifies logger injured in Vernon County accident
Vernon County authorities identified the logger injured in a Wednesday accident as 34 year old Cole Scott Leis of Wilton. Sheriff Roy Torgerson said Leis was struck in the head by a falling tree while cutting another tree on private property in the town of Webster.
Leis was transported to Vernon Health in Viroqua and later transferred to Emplify Health in La Crosse. The sheriff’s office noted that Leis was wearing a hard hat which likely reduced the severity of his injuries,.
Sheriff Torgerson reports school bus task force found bus passing violations not widespread
A targeted enforcement campaign aimed at catching drivers illegally passing school buses revealed that violations are largely isolated to specific state highway corridors rather than widespread across rural roads. Sheriff Roy Torgerson presented the findings to the Vernon County Highway Safety Committee explaining that recent complaints near Readstown prompted the task force.
Deputies rode on bus routes across the county to observe traffic behavior and found that while violations occurred on state highways the problem was not as pervasive on rural roads. Torgerson emphasized that the presence of law enforcement and engagement with schools was a positive step for public safety.
Local health officials still recommending vaccine as flu season hits hard
Local health officials are reporting a surge in flu cases across the area driven by the H3N2 strain which is not covered well by this year’s vaccine. Infection preventionist Megan Meller at Emplify Health stated that the virus has mutated enough to spread quickly though symptoms are not more severe than usual.
Experts emphasize the importance of getting the flu shot to reduce the risk of hospitalization and complications despite the lower match effectiveness. Residents are encouraged to wash hands cover coughs and stay home when sick to reduce the spread.
Viroqua makes first payment for Hanson Farm infrastructure work, reports water main break
The Viroqua Public Works Committee approved a substantial pay request of over $680,000 for the ongoing Hanson Farm infrastructure project reflecting completed underground work and stored materials. City Engineer Sarah Grainger noted that contractors have made significant progress on water and sewer mains despite winter conditions.
The committee also discussed a recent water main break near the Park Bowl that resulted in significant water loss and updated the committee on mandatory lead service line notifications required by the EPA. Grainger also reported that the city recouped approximately $19,000 in state highway aid after correcting data related to the North Main Street reconfiguration,,.
April election rundown, Browne and Call file papers to run for mayor in Viroqua
The field is set for the April 7 spring election in Vernon County featuring competitive races for the Viroqua mayoral seat and the County Board of Supervisors. In Viroqua voters will elect a new mayor following Justin Running’s decision not to run with candidates Krista Browne and Roger Call vying for the open seat.
The Viroqua City Council sees a mix of uncontested seats and one challenge in Ward 8 while several incumbents are running unopposed. In Westby the election for city council is uncontested with incumbents in Wards 1, 2 and 3 running for new terms. Voters in Vernon County Board District 14 and District 17 will see contested races.
City of Viroqua considers future of outdoor ice citing poor weather, cost
The Viroqua Park and Recreation Committee addressed the absence of an outdoor ice rink this winter setting a deadline for favorable weather before canceling the season. Park and Recreation Director Kale Proksch explained that the region has not experienced the consistent freezing temperatures required to flood and maintain the ice at the Park Bowl.
Proksch noted that neighboring municipalities face similar challenges with weather and staffing priorities when snow removal is required. City Administrator Nate Torres suggested the city may need to evaluate long term solutions such as indoor options or technical assistance as the committee set Feb. 1 as the deadline to decide on this year’s rink.
De Soto Schools Committee weighs plan for unified 4K-12 campus
A De Soto Area School District Community Stakeholder Committee is finalizing a recommendation to address the district’s declining enrollment and aging buildings. The committee will likely advise the board to maintain all buildings at a minimal level for now and eventually add an elementary school addition to the existing middle/high school to create a unified 4K 12 campus.
Survey results from late 2025 showed no single option rose to the top among residents but committee members identified the unified campus as the most fiscally responsible path. The district faces projected enrollment declines of up to 15 percent and has identified $24.4 million in high priority building needs over the next five years.
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