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.
April 19, 2026
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. — Over the past week, the Driftless Region navigated a wave of extreme spring weather alongside an array of important community, health, and infrastructure updates. Our local news coverage highlighted the unprecedented destruction caused by a historic hail and wind storm in Westby and the subsequent mobilization of local businesses. Amidst the severe weather response, we also covered proposed state traffic changes in Viroqua, new health resources like free screenings and drug take-back kiosks, the celebration of local literary arts and history, and the official start of downtown summer construction.
Here is a look back at the local stories carried on VernonReporter.com over the last week:
Tornado warnings and a turkey taunts Greg in his own yard: Grouse Hollow Journal for April 18, 2026
In the latest installment of the Grouse Hollow Journal, author Greg Koelker reflects on the turbulent spring weather hitting the Driftless region, including recent tornado warnings. Koelker shares a slice-of-life update about a 40-foot-tall cherry tree on his property that finally succumbed to wind and clay erosion, gradually falling over the ridge road, all while a wild turkey brazenly taunted him in his own yard.
McIntosh Memorial Library of Viroqua hosting “Books UnBanned: Freedom to Read”
On Friday, April 24, the McIntosh Memorial Library will host “Books UnBanned: Freedom to Read,” an event focused on intellectual freedom, book censorship, and the power of storytelling at the Viroqua Area High School Gymnasium and the Westby Area Performing Arts Center. The event will feature acclaimed authors Lois Lowry and Angie Thomas, along with student advocacy presentations by the Books UnBanned Teen Ambassadors and a documentary film screening addressing the national rise in book bans.
Readstown Library hosting “A Rare Pearl: Honoring the Legacy of Pearl Swiggum”
The Readstown Public Library invites the community to a special program on Saturday, May 9, honoring the legacy of beloved Kickapoo Valley columnist Pearl Swiggum. Swiggum wrote for the Crawford County Independent and the Wisconsin State Journal for over 50 years, capturing the humor, resilience, and everyday beauty of rural life in her writing.
Vernon Health Foundation adds drug take-back kiosks to their pharmacies
The Vernon Health Foundation has installed secure drug take-back kiosks at its pharmacies in La Farge, Viroqua, and Soldiers Grove to make it easier for community members to safely dispose of unused or expired medications. This free, year-round service offers a convenient and responsible way to clean out medicine cabinets, helping prevent misuse and protect the environment.
Downtown Viroqua utility work marks the start of summer street projects
Major summer street projects have officially kicked off in downtown Viroqua with the start of extensive utility work. This marks the beginning of a busy construction season aimed at improving the city’s infrastructure.
Sleepy Hollow and Nuzum Lumber doing what they can to help residents hit with historic hail damage
Local auto dealers and building supply outlets are scrambling to assist area residents dealing with the aftermath of severe weather. Businesses like Sleepy Hollow and Nuzum Lumber have stepped up their efforts to provide necessary materials and support as the community begins the daunting task of recovering from historic hail damage.
Vernon County Finance Committee approves funding for Sidie Hollow dredging feasibility study
The Vernon County Finance Committee took a major step toward revitalizing Sidie Hollow County Park during its April 16 meeting by unanimously approving budget amendments to fully fund a feasibility study. The $35,000 study, conducted by a professional fundraising firm, will determine if the community can support a $2 to $3 million capital campaign to dredge the 38-acre lake and potentially add a new zero-entrance swimming beach
Westby suffers heavy damage from hail and wind storm
Four days after a severe storm hammered Westby with ice chunks large enough to shatter windshields and punch holes in roofs, the town is still digging out from an unprecedented wave of destruction. In response to the widespread and historic damage, United Way 2-1-1 has been officially activated, and local officials are encouraging residents to report property damages to help emergency management assess unmet needs.
State proposes extending three lane traffic design, lower speed limit on south end of Viroqua
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is exploring a preliminary plan to dramatically change traffic flow on the south end of Viroqua along State Highway 14 and US Highway 61. The proposal would eliminate a “climbing lane” to extend the three-lane traffic design—known as the “twiddle”—and lower the speed limit to address long-standing complaints about excessive speeds and the difficulty motorists face when trying to safely pull out of the local golf course.
Free Health Screenings and breakfast to be held in Hillsboro
Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area is hosting a community event featuring free health screenings and breakfast. The event provides an excellent opportunity for area residents to access preventative care and connect with local medical professionals.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for the week ending Saturday, April 11, 2026
The weekly sheriff’s report documented a tense situation on April 11 when a caller reported seeing an individual in a long coat carrying a rifle and pointing it at homes in the Mound Park Trailer Court in the Village of Viola. The area was searched, but no one matching the description of the suspect was located. Earlier in the week, deputies investigated a hit-and-run in the Town of Franklin where a vehicle struck mailboxes on Finley Road and fled, leaving a license plate behind at the scene.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for the week ending Saturday, April 4, 2026
Reflecting the severe spring weather patterns impacting the region, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office reported a massive influx of weather-related emergency calls. Between April 2 and April 4, the 911 Dispatch Center fielded over 40 calls specifically related to road hazards and downed power lines.
Add comment