EXTRA
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...
One dead in motor vehicle/buggy accident
A motor vehicle collided with a horse-drawn buggy at about 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25, on Highway 82, near Pine Avenue, in rural Hillsboro, in the town of Union, according to Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson Lydia E. M. Thompson, 22, of rural Sparta and Jaydon...
Rural Ontario woman arrested on charges of recklessly endangering safety, resisting or obstructing an officer, bail jumping and throwing or expelling bodily fluids
Vernon County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Stacie Lynn Welter, 41, of Ontario on Monday, according to a press release by Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson. Shortly after 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, the sheriff’s office received a call requesting a welfare...
Two injured in town of Hillsboro crash
A single-vehicle crash occurred on Lovers Lane in the town of Hillsboro at about 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, according to Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson. Lewis E. Bontrager, 18, of rural Elroy lost control of his vehicle after negotiating a corner. After...
Your Right to Know: Long waits undercut records law
By Bill Lueders The other day, in my role as an advocate for open government, I heard from a Wisconsin resident who has waited more than five months for records he requested from a local law enforcement agency. He has gently prodded the agency several times,...
Drugs, firearms seized near Mount Tabor
Brandon Robert Sebranek, 30, is facing several drug charges after a search warrant was executed Wednesday, Nov. 20, at a residence on Mount Tabor Road in the town of Forest, according to an announcement by Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson, in partnership with the...
NEWS
I&E Club to host program on growing your business through exports
Contributed by the Vernon County I&E Club The next meeting of the Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club will be Wednesday, Jan. 8, at the Food Enterprise Center, 1201 N. Main St. in Viroqua. Start out the new year with a new way of finding new markets to grow your...
‘Back to the 1980s Christmas’ exhibit will run through Jan. 11
Submitted by Monroe County Local History Room “Back to the 1980s Christmas,” an exhibit at the Monroe County Local History Room in Sparta, will be open for two more weeks. There’s still time to experience the not-so-distant past by viewing the History Room’s special...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Dec. 15–21
Sunday, Dec. 15: A deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling northbound on Highway 35 with no front license plate or current-year registration stickers on the rear plate. During the stop, it was discovered that the driver’s license had been revoked and...
St. Peter’s, near Clifton, to host Christmas Eve service
Contributed by St. Peter’s Lutheran Church St. Peter’s Lutheran Church would like to offer you a very hearty and warm Merry Christmas! We would also like to invite to one of our most favorite church services of the year: our candlelight Christmas Eve service! We...
Kendall’s cookie walk
The Kendall Public Library put on a cookie walk Dec. 7 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Proceeds will go toward the library’s movie nights. The following were among the volunteers at the cookie walk (left to right): Jean Jefferies, Joyce Thonesen, Elaine Zinke, Amy...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Dec. 8–14
Sunday, Dec. 8: Deputies were called to assist the occupants of a car versus deer collision on Highway 14 near Brookville Road in the town of Frankin. The car sustained some minor front-end damage and was able to be driven from the scene. No injuries were reported by...
Norwalk Lions host Santa
The Norwalk Lions Club hosted a visit with Santa on Saturday at the Norwalk Village Hall. Brexley Stoikes, whose parents are Austin and Sierra Stoikes of Elroy, meets Jolly Old Saint Nick. Addie, Jay and Madison Degenhardt, children of Kelly and Joe Degenhardt,...
Royall’s winter concert marks the season
Royall Elementary School put on its winter concert Monday.
Brookwood celebrates the season
Brookwood junior high and high school choral and band members presented its annual winter concert Dec. 9.
Norwalk board hears plans for multimillion dollar street project
The Village of Norwalk is looking at a major overhaul of its water and sewer systems that could run into … Read the rest
Ontario celebrates Old-Fashioned Christmas
The Ontario Community Club put on its Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration Saturday at the Ontario Community Center.
Kendall’s country Christmas to remember
The Community Club of Kendall sponsored Tor’s Country Christmas Show on Saturday at the Kendall Community Hall. Tor Eness of … Read the rest
Changing times at Wilton’s The Hitchin’ Post
With its change in ownership, the Hitchin’ Post in Wilton will retain some of its traditional traits, but the new … Read the rest
Ontario Village Board sets caucus date for Jan. 13
The Ontario Village Board Monday scheduled its caucus for Jan. 13 at 6:50 p.m., just before the beginning of its … Read the rest
Holiday happenings slated for December
The following holiday events will be offered in the local area this month.
27 vendors will be at show in Ontario
Twenty-seven vendors will sell their wares Saturday, Dec. 14, at Ontario’s Old-Fashioned Christmas.
Retired N-O-W teacher publishes children’s book
“Charlotte’s Big Adventure,” a children’s book by Susan Case of rural Ontario, chronicles the early days of life from the … Read the rest
Uppena gives update on Royall operational referendum
Superintendent Scott Uppena gave a post-referendum report Nov. 25 at the Royall School District’s board of education meeting, thanking board … Read the rest
Songs of the season
Members of the Brookwood High School choir, along with their teacher, Hunter Evenson, sang Christmas carols Friday at the Wilton … Read the rest
Community
Seeing Stars: Which astronomical event resulted in the Christmas Star?
By Susan Cushing | Kickapoo Dark-Sky Initiative The Christmas Star is part of the Christian Christmas story most of us know who grew up in the Midwest. This “star” shone brightly long enough to guide travelers some distance to find the Christ child. At that time in...
Senior menus for Jan. 6–10
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, Jan....
Ontario Public Library winter story times start Jan. 8
By Rachel Conner | Ontario Public Library director The Ontario Public Library will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Stop in to stock up on plenty of items for your holiday-break reading, listening, watching, and puzzling! Winter story time will be on...
N-O-W in math contest
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School’s fifth grade team members participated in the Math Knowledge Contest on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Sparta Meadowview School. The competition started with an individual round of 20 math problems, and after a break, the four students...
Seeing Stars: Golf courses are a way to improve night skies
By Susan Cushing Kickapoo Dark Sky Initiative Concerns about losing our dark night skies is spreading across the nation and around the world. On Dec. 11, the Washington Post had an opinion piece, ‘The Post’s View,” about how quickly we are polluting the night sky but...
Obituaries
Dale A. Jensen
On Jan. 6, 2025, Dale Allen Jensen of Elroy, Wis., passed away unexpectedly after a short illness at the age of 80 at the Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse. Dale was born to Frank and Ruth (Taylor) Jensen on Feb. 21, 1944, in Hillsboro. He married Linda Miller...
Myrna Jean (Berg) Ottum (updated service information)
Myrna Jean (Berg) Ottum, 71, of Kendall died Dec. 15, 2024, at home. She was born Aug. 21, 1953, in Viroqua, Wis., to Lawrence and Leona (Hanson) Berg. She married Elvin Ottum at Brush Creek Lutheran Church on Aug. 21, 1971. Together they farmed for many years...
Beverly Jean Olson
Beverly Jean Olson, 92, of Cashton, Wis., passed away Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, at Crestview Nursing Home in New Lisbon, Wis. Funeral services will be at 12 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Brush Creek Lutheran Church in rural Cashton, Wis. Pastor Patrick Ziems will...
David Kenneth Manning, Jr.
David Kenneth Manning, Jr., known to family and friends as Ken, passed away from an apparent heart attack at his home in La Crosse, Wis., on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. Born on June 2, 1956, in Fort Mammoth, New Jersey, to David Kenneth, Sr. and...
Lyle L. Smith
Lyle L. Smith, 93, of Hillsboro, Wis., and formerly of the Kendall area passed away Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Milestone Senior Living in Hillsboro. He was born Nov. 21, 1931, in Wonewoc, the son of Lester and Lena (Brockman) Smith. Lyle served in the U.S. Army from...
Opinion
Letter to the editor: Christmas bird count is this week
By Ben Johnston | Wilton ‘Tis that time again... local Christmas Bird Counts are Saturday, Dec. 21, for the Norwalk-Wilton-Ontario area, and Saturday Dec. 28, for La Farge. Please remain calm if you see a slow-moving car of birders with binoculars pointed at your...
Letter to the editor: Thank you for remembering high school English teacher
By Lyda Lanier | rural Norwalk Thank you, Mr. Bob Breidenstein, for acknowledging the impact and the influence Mrs. Woods had on your life as your English teacher in high school. You remember those quotes from Thomas Moore and Shakespeare you had to memorize. You...
Letter to the editor: A new day is upon us
By Dena Eakles | rural Ontario A new day is upon us. Rejoice. Black youth received messages telling them they will be taken back to plantations to pick cotton. Check CNN and other legacy outlets for details — while you still can, of course. News outlets that...
Letter to the editor: A glance at the past and a peek at the future
By Bob Breidenstein | rural Ontario “Oft in the stilly night, Ere slumber’s chain has bound me, Fond memory brings the light of other days around me.” — Thomas Moore County Line, Oct. 3, I left the Ontario High School class of ’56 in limbo, 16 years old, on the cusp...
Letter to the editor: Nation is experiencing critical moment
By Rosalind Woodward | Madison Our country is experiencing a critical moment where a powerful leader, shaped by personal struggles and survival instincts, has gained significant political influence. This leader’s rise reflects deeper, unresolved issues within our...
Sports
Falcon basketball falls to Cashton
On Dec. 20, the Brookwood girls basketball team hosted Cashton in conference play. Here, Reagan Muehlenkamp goes straight for the basket in the first half. (Tasha Mueller photo) Cashton took the lead at halftime 17–11. Here, Deanna Wallace attempts to strike the ball...
Royall leads in conference, division
The Royall boys basketball team has a strong lead in the first two weeks of the season. The Panthers opened their conference schedule by traveling to Cashton on Dec. 10. Seth Brandau found a quick open lane to rush the ball as the team led 8–0 in the first opening...
Mack lands five 3-pointers, not enough to edge Bangor
The Brookwood boys basketball team hosted Bangor on Dec. 13 and gave the home crowd an exciting game down to the last few seconds. Julian Cunitz sweeps through the lane toward the basket to open the first couple minutes of play. (Tasha Mueller photo) Brennen Mack...
Brookwood marks first conference loss
The Brookwood girls basketball team hosted Necedah on Dec. 6 in its first conference game of the season. Ruby Muehlenkamp steadied the ball at the start of the second half; Brookwood was down 32–5 at halftime. (Tasha Mueller photo) Reagan Muehlenkamp keeps the ball...
Brookwood names athletes of the month for November
The following Brookwood High School students were named athletes of the month for November. Coaches’ comments follow the students’ names. CROSS COUNTRY • Samantha Markee: “Samantha qualified for and competed in the state cross-country meet in Wisconsin...
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
N-O-W composes poems for the season
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School second-graders wrote the following poems: Max grinch dog nice little funny cute puppy Max By Kohen Santa nice elves good fat red powers sparkles Santa By Teagan Christmas Tree pine green ornaments lights tall pokey...
N-O-W hosts leadership conference
The Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District hosted an eighth-grade leadership conference Nov. 14 at the Wilton Community Center gymnasium. Ten schools took part in the event. The speaker, Carl Olson, “encouraged the students to make a difference in their schools and be...
RMS students in honors choir
Hillsboro hosted a middle school honors-choir event Nov. 15. The following Royall students were invited to attend. Front row (left to right): Ronan Brunner, Jaxon Velazquez, Brynleigh Trankle, Hannah Biermeier, Kolton Hauge and Kellen Brown. Second row: Lola Palmer,...
Royall madrigal performs at school board meeting
Members of the Royall High School madrigal performed an a capella version of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” at the board of education meeting Nov. 25. The group had performed the song at its fall concert.
Royall National Honor Society conducts fundraisers
Above — During its Hurricane Relief Coin Wars, the NHS raised $309, which will be donated to Samaritan’s Purse. Back row (left to right): Mason Morrissette, Carter Uppena, Ben Crneckiy and CJ Anderson. Front row: Piper Pursell, Sylvia Rafajko and Maddison Peterson....