EXTRA
Vernon County to offer seminar on disaster preparation
Vernon County Emergency Management will offer a seminar that will feature information and resources to recover from a disaster or emergency at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Westby Area Performing Arts Center, 206 S. West Avenue. The program is intended for...
Salute to FFA
The County Line thanks our local sponsors for this week's special section on the Royall and Brookwood FFA chapters. After the list of sponsors, see photos provided by both chapters. • Bank of Ontario (www.myvernoncountybank.com) • Bank of Cashton...
Norwalk Village Board meeting postponed
Due to illness and a lack of a quorum, the Village of Norwalk monthly board meeting, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, in the Norwalk Village Hall meeting room.
Vernon County man arrested for selling firearms to Saudi Arabia
A six-count indictment was unsealed Tuesday charging a Viroqua man for allegedly selling firearms and related parts without a license to buyers in Saudi Arabia, shipping the prohibited items, and then lying to federal inspectors about it. According to allegations in...
Your Right to Know: Protect the press against frivolous lawsuits
By Jim Malewitz Shereen Siewert, publisher of the Wausau Pilot and Review, has been breathing easier these days. In September, a Wisconsin appeals court upheld a lower court’s dismissal of state Sen. Cory Tomczyk’s defamation lawsuit against Siewert, the nonprofit...
In Wilton, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office apprehends suspect in Minnesota bank robbery
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an individual wanted in connection with a back robbery that occurred in Bloomington, Minn. The arrest was made in Wilton on Tuesday, Jan. 7, as part of a coordinated effort with law enforcement agencies across...
N-O-W Elementary School principal dies
Ken Manning Ken Manning, Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School principal, died Dec. 26 at age 68 due to a sudden health condition, according to N-O-W School District superintendent Travis Anderson. Classroom teachers will have a conversation with students...
NEWS
Norwalk Public Library receives grant for East Asian studies
The Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison recently announced award recipients for the most recent “East Asia in Wisconsin Library Program” competition. The Norwalk Public Library was among the recipients. Nearly...
Last call for dinner reservations for ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Brookwood Theater will present “Romeo and Juliet” on Saturday, March 8, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. This will be the last production in the Classic Gym. The Saturday evening performance will include a special event. That evening at the school, there will...
Monroe County task force hears presentation about climate migration
By Gillian Pomplun | Crawford County Independent At its Feb. 5 meeting, the Monroe County Climate Change Task Force (CCTF) heard a presentation from Fred Schnook about “Preparing for Climate Migration.” Schnook leads the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change...
Scenic Bluffs receives $10,000 grant from Compeer Financial
Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the Farm Credit cooperative’s giving program, has awarded 41 General-Use Grants totaling $212,150, including one to Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers for completing and equipping a mobile dental unit. These grants...
Vernon County seeks representative for Human Services and Veteran’s Services Committee
Vernon County is seeking one community representative to serve on the Department of Human Services and Veteran’s Services Committee. This individual would serve on the Human Services and Veteran’s Services Committee as a community representative at monthly...
Tomah Health to host grief support series
Tomah Health Hospice Touch has scheduled a six-week group grief support and education series for each Tuesday from March 18 to April 22 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and Thursday from March 20 to April 24 from 1–2:30 p.m. the Hospice/Palliative Care offices, 601 Straw St.,...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Feb. 9–15
Sunday, Feb. 9: A deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle deviating from its lane near Highway 131 and Main Street in La Farge. The driver was arrested for operating while under the influence (fourth offense) and taken to the Vernon County Detention Center. ...
Ontario board greenlights sewer upgrade
The Ontario Village Board on Monday awarded a $258,800 construction bid to a Winona firm to install a chemical feed … Read the rest
Norwalk moves forward on amended street project
The Norwalk Village Board earlier this month approved allowing engineers to begin designing an abbreviated road project for the initial … Read the rest
N-O-W will have contested board race | Royall will bring in new school board member
The Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Board of Education will have a contested race in April, and a newcomer will join the Royall Board … Read the rest
Ontario man faces array of charges after high-speed chase
An Ontario man faces a lengthy list of criminal charges after leading police on a high-speed, 28-mile pursuit from Tomah … Read the rest
Elroy Theatre to show free film on immigrant struggles
The Elroy Theatre will put on viewings of “February,” an award-winning, Wisconsin-made film by writer and director Nathan Deming that … Read the rest
Royall boys dominate conference, state rankings
The Royall boys basketball team has kept a winning pace for the past two weeks of action. The Panthers hosted Hillsboro on Jan. 23 in a battle of conference leads. Both teams were unbeaten before the matchup, as Royall paced a steady lead in the get go. The Panthers...
Ontario Village Board hit with $156K surprise
The Ontario Village Board learned Monday that the village needs to find $156,000 to fund the installation of electrical lines … Read the rest
Downtown Kendall buildings may house new businesses
Two downtown Kendall buildings soon may gain modifications and a new purpose, according to reports at a village board meeting … Read the rest
Royall Booster Club hosts Hall of Fame Banquet
The Royall Booster Club put on its annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday at the Elroy Legion Hall.
Brookwood theater to have last performance on the original stage
For over 50 years, theater productions at Brookwood have occurred on the stage in the high school gymnasium, which was … Read the rest
Police looking for information on property damage in Wilton
Police still are seeking information from the public on damage to property that occurred Nov. 30 at Sid’s Concrete, a … Read the rest
Coldren to run unopposed for Wilton Village Board spot
Missy Coldren will return to a role on the Wilton Village Board after the April election, running as the sole … Read the rest
Community
Wilton Public Library to host events
By Kelly Lupton | Wilton Public Library director The Wilton Public Library will host the following events: • 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21: Current-Events Discussion Group • 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21: VHS to DVD clinic • 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24: Lego Club • 4:30 p.m. Tuesday,...
Seeing Stars: Orion’s sword is excellent subject for binocular viewing
By Susan Cushing | Kickapoo Dark Sky Initiative Our third stop on our tour of the great winter constellation Orion is the dagger or sword at Orion’s belt. This is an excellent subject for binocular viewing. With my small binoculars on a clear night, I have seen the...
Senior menus for Feb. 24–28
Kendall and Norwalk meal sites Call 463-7622 (Kendall) or 343-3158 (Norwalk) by noon one day before to reserve a meal. Suggested donation is $4 per meal. One-percent milk is served with each meal. Note: The Wilton meal site closed permanently Sept. 6. Monday, Feb....
Ontario Public Library to host a book club for independent readers
By Rachel Conner | Ontario Public Library director Book Share, the book club for independent readers, next meets on Monday, Feb. 17, at 11 a.m. at the Ontario Public Library. Come to review what you have been reading and hear what others have been reading. Thank...
Wilton Public Library to host events in February
By Kelly Lupton | Wilton Public Library director The Wilton Public Library will host the following events. • 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14: Current-Events Discussion Group • 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18: Board-Game Club • 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18: Book Club for Adults with...
Obituaries
Ronald M. Miller
Ronald M. Miller, “Ron,” 80, of Sparta, Wis., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis. He was born on March 22, 1944, in Sparta, Wis., to Otto and Emma (Ziese) Miller. Ron met the love of his life, Julia Winchel, from...
Ardys L. Bredlow
Ardys L. Bredlow, 88, of Sparta, and formerly of Oil City, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at the Bridge Path Home in Sparta. She was born on Oct. 30, 1936, to Gerhard and Irma (Wallace) Olson in Little Ridge on the family farm. She attended the Oil City...
Darlene Josephine Brueggeman
Darlene Josephine Brueggeman (Walker), 75, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. She was born June 2, 1949, to Max and Madeline Walker in Hillsboro, Wis. She grew up in Ontario, Wis. She went to school until eighth grade, and then stayed home to help her dad...
James F. Wojtowicz
James F. Wojtowicz, 83, of Elroy, Wis., passed away Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro. He was born Dec. 21, 1941, in Mauston, the son of Stanley and Winifred (Mullen) Wojtowicz. He graduated from Elroy High School. On Feb. 24,...
Phyllis Mae Britzman
Phyllis Mae Britzman, 90, of New Lisbon and formerly of Clifton passed away on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, at Crestview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, New Lisbon. She was born on Jan. 18, 1935, to Emil and Freda (Saxby) Zimmerman at home in the town of Clifton....
Opinion
Letter to the editor: Dictator
By Lee D. Van Landuyt | Hillsboro Donald Trump said he would be a dictator “only on day one.” For most, day one means 24 hours. Not so with Trump. We are now over three weeks into his promised dictatorship with no letup in his indiscriminate, dictatorial decrees....
Letter to the editor: Protect life in the womb
By Michael T. Gjefle | Ontario Since the issue of abortion was brought up by a letter to the editor in last week’s County Line, let me share a few thoughts. Pro-abortion people continually emphasize the right to kill the baby for cases of rape and incest. Well, those...
Letter to the editor: Sheriffs are not final authority
By Don Foy | La Farge Sheriffs, deputies and police officers perform a very difficult job, often under very difficult circumstances. Sometimes they risk their lives to protect us, so they deserve our esteem and should probably be paid more. But the notion of...
Letter to the editor: An overused word: abortion
By Kay Ziegahn | Richland Center The word “abortion” comes from two Latin words: “ab,” a preposition meaning “out of” or “away from,” and “ortus,” a noun meaning “place” or “origin, birth.” English puts those two Latin words together, giving us a verb, “abort,” and a...
Letter to the editor: A retrospective story
By Bob Breidenstein | rural Ontario “Backward turn backward O time in your flight Make me a child again Just for tonight” — Elizabeth Allen The experience was seared into my memory forever and all time. It should not have happened to any child. Perhaps even at this...
Sports
Royall rumbles over Brookwood
Brookwood welcomed Royall on Feb. 14 for a conference contest as Royall looked toward advancing its winning streak. Royall broke free on a 52–15 halftime lead and went on from there to score an additional 29 points in the second half to take the 81–30 win. Carter...
Brookwood students named athletes of the month
The following Brookwood High School students were named athletes of the month for January. Coaches’ comments follow the students’ names. BOYS BASKETBALL • Braeden Pasch: “Braeden has been a great leader for us this year. He is constantly working on getting...
Falcons narrowly defeat Royall in SBC action
The Brookwood girls basketball team defeated Royall 49–47 on Feb. 7. Ruby Muehlenkamp led the Falcons with 29 points, followed by Willow Pasch with 7; Reagan Muehlenkamp, 5; Kelsey Holmquist, 5; and Emily O’Rourke, 3. For Royall, Bria Gruen had 18 points, followed by...
Royall girls fall one point shy in overtime
After being tied at halftime 23-23, the Royall girls steadied the pace throughout the second half with hosting Necedah on February 4. Laya Wainwright maintains possession from a strong defense. (Tasha Mueller photo) Kayla Rick scopes out the open spots for a...
Falcons stay afloat over Eagles
The Brookwood boys hosted Cashton February 6 and kept the matchup close throughout. Cashton edged at halftime 25-21, as Jackson Cunitz ran the route down the court in the opening minutes of play. (Tasha Mueller photo) Carter Arbuckle gets an early pass to Jackson...
Backtalk
It will be a seemingly endless campaign season
By KAREN PARKER County Line Publisher Emerita I would imagine if Eric Hovde has secured any demographic in his campaign for Wisconsin Senate, it would be lonely ladies over 40 swooning over his rugged, Marlboro-man-lookalike appearance. You may have noticed that a...
A vibrant press is essential to democracy
By KAREN PARKER | County Line Publisher Emerita Sadly, there was no obituary in the paper for the Vernon Focus. You likely did not know Vernon, but in his past life, you might have known him as Foxxy Shopper. In my salad days, the Foxxy Shopper was the 800-pound...
America’s bent toward fascism
By KAREN PARKER | County Line Publisher Emerita Imagine living in a country where the simple act of gathering together to lay flowers after the death of a prominent person could result in a two-week jail sentence. Worse yet, two weeks in a Russian prison possibly...
In 2024, remember that politics were ugly 100 years ago, too
By KAREN PARKER | County Line Publisher Emerita Good grief! We are barely into the new year, and I am ready to go back to 2023 or leap ahead to 2025. Are we really in for an entire year of presidential election babble? While they exerted monumental efforts to convince...
Looking back on our 40th year, 1983–2023 (part two)
By KAREN PARKER County Line Publisher Emerita Forty years is a long time. Sadly, it’s long enough for most of our area business to have gone away. It’s hard to believe now, but in 1983 Ontario had two bars, two grocery stores, three gas stations, a variety store, and...
E-Edition
Pictures from the Past
Ontario, 1915
This 1915 photo depicts the road from Hillsboro into Ontario, past the Charles Lord house (a pillared house that's still in place), as the road turns the corner into Ontario. (Photo courtesy of Bob Breidenstein)
Wilton senior quartet, 1955
The following students were members of the senior quartet at Wilton High School in 1955: Orvis Schindler, Roger Pasch, Charles Zellmer and Merlyn Eckelberg. This photo appeared in the Wilton High School yearbook, “Wiltonian.”
Kendall High School class of 1934
Photo courtesy of Dean Hutchens
Ontario High School basketball, 1949–50
The 1949–50 Ontario High School basketball team sits on the Ontario Community Hall stage. Back row (left to right): Roger Budde, Donald Breidenstein, Bob Bassett, Stan White and coach Joe Ott. Front row: Dale Thomas, Bill Calhoun, Dick Olson, Bill Jantz and Bob...
Pictures from the past: Early 20th century Ontario
These undated, early 20th century images depict Ontario. Can you offer more information on the photos and what they portray? Contact the County Line at (608) 337-4232 or countyline@centurytel.net. (Photos courtesy of Aldis Strazdins)
School
Brookwood forensics to host sub-district tournament
The Brookwood forensics program will host the sub-district tournament in classrooms throughout the high school and elementary school on Monday, Feb. 17. This is the first in a series of three tournaments that are part of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and...
Brookwood names artists of the month
The Brookwood seventh through 12th grade artists of the month for December and January are Joselyne Santos Garcia, Fernanda Garcia Barr and Alex Bautista Velasco “for their wonderful ceramics,” said art teacher Patricia Holte. The assignment was to make a set of three...
Royall High School students receive straight A’s
The following Royall High School students received straight A’s for the first semester: • Seniors: Carl Anderson, Mason Morrissette, Maddison Peterson, Piper Pursell and Carter Uppena • Juniors: Josh Anderson, Josh Cilley and Bria Gruen • Sophomores: Anna...
Brookwood students named to honor roll
The following Brookwood Junior/Senior High School students were named to the second-quarter honor roll: SENIORS High Honors: Payge A. Clark, Emma J. Haggerty, Katherine B. McElhose and Deanna M. Wallace Honor Roll: Carter H. Arbuckle, Emma J. Baldwin, Alexander...
Brookwood fifth graders win three
The Brookwood fifth-grade girls basketball team played at Bangor on Jan. 11, defeating DeSoto 16–2, Kickapoo 28–4, and Bangor 23–19. Back row (left to right): Coach Shawn Wallace, Josie Kennedy, Annika Bolton, Mattea Poff, Olivia Doll, Allison Helgren, coach Paul...