April 12, 2026
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. — Between early April and today, the Driftless Region navigated a wide variety of critical civic, environmental, healthcare, and community issues. Our local news coverage highlighted the results of the pivotal Spring 2026 elections, contentious county government debates over weapons policies and legal staffing, and a potential multi-pronged legal defense against a massive regional transmission line. The period also brought significant long-term infrastructure and housing discussions, as local officials advanced countywide energy audits, rewrote city planning maps to encourage affordable housing, and approved a new methane extraction system for the old city dump. We also covered positive community milestones, including critical healthcare expansions for specialized training and survivors of sexual assault, agricultural innovations for local farmers.
Here is a look back at the local stories we covered:
Viroqua boards weigh new tools for housing as city rewrites its long range plan
Viroqua’s Housing Advisory Board and Plan Commission have begun debating how to expand local housing options and regulate accessory dwelling units and short-term rentals as the city rewrites its comprehensive plan. The updated plan, expected to be finished in early 2026, will guide zoning, growth, and public investment for the next twenty years. The city is focusing on mapping where Viroqua expects and wants residential and mixed-use development, setting goals for housing, and guiding the formal zoning rewrite.
Vernon County continues to explore options to join legal fight against proposed transmission line
Vernon County officials are preparing a multi-pronged legal and political defense against the massive MariBell power line proposed to cut through the Driftless region. The county is actively exploring options to formally intervene to ensure local concerns regarding the 765-kilovolt transmission project are legally represented.
Viroqua approves location for landfill gas extraction equipment that includes gas flare
The Viroqua Common Council took a major step toward resolving an ongoing environmental crisis at the old city dump by approving the physical footprint for its multi-million dollar landfill gas extraction system. The approved design includes the placement of a gas flare to safely abate dangerous methane migrating from the closed municipal landfill.
Vernon County advances energy audit agreement with Schneider Electric
The Vernon County General Government Committee voted April 1 to advance an Investment Grade Audit Agreement with Schneider Electric, moving the county closer to a massive facility modernization project. The county faces millions in deferred maintenance, including failing boilers at the jail and antiquated heating systems in the courthouse annex. If approved by the full county board, Schneider Electric will conduct a comprehensive energy study and create a multi-year capital plan. The company would act as a single point of accountability for designing and installing efficient upgrades, allowing the county to address its infrastructure needs comprehensively rather than piecemeal.
Vernon Health awarded Orion Initiative grant for onsite specialty training
Vernon Health was announced as a recipient of grant funding from the Orion Initiative, a rural health-focused program. The grant will provide advanced onsite specialty training for its medical staff to enhance the hospital’s ability to provide high-quality, specialized care directly to the rural community.
Vernon County Sheriff Sgt. Justin Rahr graduates from National Police Leadership Program
Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson announced that Sgt. Justin Rahr graduated from the Leadership in Police Organizations training program. The nationally recognized leadership course is offered through the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Browne defeats Call to become new Mayor of Viroqua: Spring 2026 election results
Following the spring election, Viroqua voters elected Krista Browne as their new mayor, defeating candidate Roger Call 862-666. Browne will succeed incumbent Mayor Justin Running, having run on a platform emphasizing community engagement and housing flexibility.
Coon Creek’s Gretebeck family wins Conservation Farmer of the Year award
The Gretebeck family was recently awarded the Conservation Farmer of the Year award. They were honored for their extensive environmental stewardship and soil health efforts in local agriculture, as well as their ongoing dedication to the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council.
Vernon County committee advances public weapons ban while allowing employee carry
Prompted by a moment with a member of the public that open carried a weapon at a county building, the Vernon County General Government Committee tackled new weapons policies for county property. The committee voted to draft an ordinance prohibiting the public from bringing firearms into county buildings, while simultaneously working on internal policies that would allow trained county employees to carry concealed weapons at work.
County committee rejects full-time county attorney proposal following tense debate
The Vernon County General Government Committee convened on April 1 to handle a packed slate of hot-button issues, which became charged with emotion at times as supervisors and staff openly disagreed. During the meeting, the committee actively debated the idea and ultimately voted 3 to 2 to reject a proposal to make the contracted county attorney a full-time employee.
Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area officially launched its Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program to provide expert, compassionate care to survivors. The program establishes a critically needed service for the community, ensuring that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault have access to expert, specialized care close to home.
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