EXTRA
Your Right to Know: A fund to fight government secrecy
By JONATHAN ANDERSON In 2022, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council created a designated fund to help cover legal costs associated with fighting to pry records into the public domain. Called simply the WFOIC Legal Fund, it has never had more than $4,000 in its...
Panther Nation: Thank you for voting; your voices have been heard
By Scott Uppena Royall School District Superintendent As I compose my feelings of gratitude to words regarding Nov. 5’s very important vote for our children and communities, I am at a loss for words. I know I am not alone by feeling humbled by the support we feel from...
Brookwood students named to first-quarter honor roll
The following Brookwood Junior/Senior High School students were named to the first-quarter honor roll: SENIORS High Honors: Payge Clark and Emma Haggerty Honor Roll: Emma Baldwin, Alexander Bautista Velasco, Emily Cunitz, Marshall Doll, Caston Gosda, Jaqueline...
Community Club of Kendall hosting holiday decorating contest
Contributed by the Community Club of Kendall Let’s put some Christmas magic in the air. Let those lights shine bright on these winter nights! The Community Club of Kendall would love to see the sparkle shine through our little village. We are celebrating...
Scenic Bluffs offers free marketplace health insurance enrollment services
The open enrollment period for Marketplace health insurance, also known as the Affordable Care Act, is now open until Jan. 15, 2025. Patient Access Coordinators with Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers can assist with eligibility and benefit questions as well...
First-quarter highlights: N-O-W has had great start to the school year
By Travis Anderson | N-O-W District Administrator Hello from the hallways at Brookwood! It has been a fantastic start to the 2024-2025 school year, and it’s hard to believe that the first quarter of the school year is already complete! Our students and staff did...
Semi rolls over on County Highway D
The Vernon County Sheriff's Office was notified of semi rollover on County Highway D, near Buckeye Ridge Road, in the town of Webster, at about 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Vernon County Sheriff's Office photo Christopher Harris, 23, of La Farge was...
NEWS
Kendall movie night is Nov. 22
Contributed by Lynette Vlasak The Kendall Public Library’s November movie night will be on Friday, Nov. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at St. John’s Church Fellowship Hall. We will show the western movie “The Long Ride Home” starring Randy Travis. Jake Fowler (Randy Travis) is...
Kendall Lions host holiday fair
The Kendall Lions Club put on its annual Holiday Fair on Nov. 1 at the Kendall Community Hall. Denise Murray of Murray’s Alpine Haven, a rural Kendall business, sells goat milk soap and other items. Gail Johnson (center) of Kendall, with her daughters, Sherry Spies...
Brookwood band to play at VA’s Veterans Day ceremony
The Brookwood High School band will perform at the Tomah VA Medical Center’s Veterans Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8. All veterans and the public are invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place in Building 455, Veterans Hall, at the Tomah VA...
Local History Room website gets upgrade
Contributed by the Monroe County Local History Room After two years of work behind the scenes, the Monroe County Local History Room & Museum recently launched a long-awaited update to its award-winning website, MonroeCountyHistory.org. The update includes a new,...
Ontario celebrates Halloween
The Ontario Community Club put on its annual Trunk-or-Treat on Halloween. Urella Kaufmann Barb Howard Karsyn Schmitz At the Ontario Community Club’s Trunk-or-Treat on Halloween, Rosalie Koeller (left) and Cora Noble take part in treats and games at the Ontario...
Wilton’s Halloween spectacular
The Wilton Public Library put on a Halloween party Oct. 25. Leia Johnson Brek Anderson Brady Skowronski takes to the dance floor at the Wilton Public Library’s Halloween party on Oct. 25. Josselyn Guzman Kolbo
Norwalk Public Library puts on costume party
The Norwalk Public Library hosted a costume party and a stuff-a-bear fundraiser Saturday. Charlotte Rasmussen reaches into one of the library’s “spooky substance” boxes.
Ontario levy dips slightly
The Ontario Village Board approved its 2025 budget Monday that includes a slight decrease from the 2024 levy.
Longtime Brookwood athletic director set to retire
Ken Clinton, long-time athletic director of 22 years at Brookwood Junior and Senior High School, recently announced his retirement effective … Read the rest
Kendall Lions donate $4,000 to village government
The Kendall Lions Club donated $4,000 on Friday to the Village of Kendall for a new furnace at the Kendall Community Hall. From left to right are Richard Martin, Kendall Village Board president, and Ken Brandau and Dave Heilman, both of the Kendall Lions Club. In...
Norwalk Lions Club does civic work
Above: The Norwalk Lions Club donated $5,000 toward the digital sign that was installed earlier this year at the Norwalk Public library. Pictured (left to right): library assistant Kati Rasmussen, library director Jesica Helgren, Norwalk Lions Club President Phil ...
Royall School District referendum approved
According to unofficial results, the Royall School District’s operational referendum has passed 1,043 to 978. Canvassing is set for Thursday.… Read the rest
A breakdown of local election results
The following is a breakdown of national, state and county election results for municipalities in the County Line’s readership. Results … Read the rest
N-O-W’s new playground opens
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School’s grand opening for its new playground was Thursday.
Royall approves budget
Because the Royall School District will run a $1.5 million, nonrecurring referendum Tuesday, the board of education approved two sets … Read the rest
UPDATED: N-O-W board sets levy
The N-O-W School Board unanimously approved a $3.179 million property tax levy Monday following its sparsely attended budget hearing and … Read the rest
N-O-W building project meets code challenges
Though challenges associated with meeting state building requirements has resulted in more expenses for the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District’s new construction, … Read the rest
Kendall Community Club donates $4,000 to village
The Kendall Community Club donated $4,000 on Tuesday to the Village of Kendall to help replace the furnaces at the … Read the rest
An Ontario business owner raises concerns with village
An Ontario businessman raised issues with work already completed on the new business development at Monday’s village board meeting.
Community
Seeing Stars: Cold nights bring clear skies
By Susan Cushing | Kickapoo Dark-Sky Initiative Mid-November always feels like the beginning of winter to me, even though autumn lasts on the calendar into December. The cold nights bring clear skies, which make excellent conditions for star gazing. This month,...
Wilton Public Library to host events in November
By Kelly Lupton | Wilton Public Library director The following activities are coming up at the Wilton Public Library: • 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15: Current–Events Discussion Group • 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15: Book Club for Adults with Special Needs • 4:30...
Author to speak at Westby Performing Arts Center
By Rachel Conner | Ontario Public Library director Renowned Wisconsin author Jennifer Chiaverini will speak at the Westby Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, for the eighth annual Vernon County Reads. A book signing by the author will follow,...
Seeing Stars: Dark Sky Wisconsin to host Zoom meeting on protecting, restoring dark skies
By Susan Cushing | Kickapoo Dark Sky Initiative This week, you can join a free event to learn about what others are doing for dark skies in Wisconsin. On Thursday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m., DarkSky Wisconsin will host a statewide Zoom meeting with information about what’s...
Senior menus for Nov. 11–15
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, Nov....
Obituaries
Jack Melby
Jack Melby, 75, formerly of Ontario, died Nov. 16, 2024, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Madison. He was born in La Crosse to Orville and Lucille Melby. He received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He also served in...
Connie (Jensen) Summerfield
Connie (Jensen) Summerfield, 61, passed away Nov. 16, 2024, at Serenity House in Tomah from pancreatic cancer. Connie Elizabeth was born June 28, 1963, to Genevieve (Samz) and Gerald Jensen. Though Connie was born prematurely, she had a strong constitution. As...
Eldora Helen Thomas
Eldora Helen Thomas, “Dory,” 89, of Norwalk, Wis., passed away peacefully Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born Oct. 6, 1935, on the family farm in Oakdale, Wis., to Rineholt and Beata (VonHaden) Wagner. On Oct. 2, 1965, she was united...
Fred Albert Summerfield
Fred Albert Summerfield, 82, passed away peacefully Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Tomah Veterans Hospital. Fred was born Jan. 10, 1942, to Fred and Pauline (Marcum) Summerfield in Parkersburg, W.V. After completing high school, Fred felt a strong call to serve his...
Josephine M. (Jo) Bartz
Josephine M. (Jo) Bartz, 102, of Mauston and formerly of Wilton, passed away Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at the Fair View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mauston, Wis. She was born June 8, 1922, to Joseph and Maude (Johnson) Druschba in Griggs County, N.D.,...
Opinion
Letter to the editor: Biased news media
By Jan Path | Wilton I would like to urge all Americans to watch/listen to a wide variety of news sources. Getting all your news from the mainstream media will not give you a well-rounded perspective. MSNBC was recently recorded admitting the news of the day...
Royall’s referendum is of vital importance
Editor’s note: Royall High School alum Alice Palamaruk submitted the following letter to the Royall Board of Education. By Alice Palamaruk | Royall High School class of 2024 I am a former student of Royall High School, and I am writing to express my strong support for...
Letter to the editor: Farm Bureau endorses Baldwin
By Joey Esterline | Norwalk/Sparta U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin was recently endorsed by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors, which brings an important awareness to why she must be re-elected on Nov. 5. “Sen. Baldwin has been a steadfast advocate for...
Letter to the editor: Wisconsin needs to expand Medicaid
By Ed Martinez | Viroqua In 2005, my wife and I retired to Viroqua, Wis. I worked 30 years in public healthcare in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and overseas. I served as CEO of one of the largest public hospitals in the U.S. and was appointed to the Advisory...
Letter to the editor: Quit setting children against taxpayers
Nalani Bever | Royall class of 1969 Time to cut to the chase. Should you elect to vote NO on the upcoming Royall School District, you can boast that you had a part in the demise of the district. For those of you voting NO to finally wrestle the school out of Elroy,...
Sports
Royall marks sectional final berth
The Royall volleyball team secured a spot in the sectional finals in their WIAA Division 5 bracket with a 3–0 defeat over Ithaca Oct. 31 at Ithaca. Liza Krueger attacks the net for a second-set spike. (Tasha Mueller photo) The team celebrates after a late second-set...
Runners place in conference, sectional
Cross country runners competed in the Scenic Bluffs Conference championship meet Oct. 19 and the Division 3 Sectional meet at Prairie Du Chien on Oct. 26, with teams and individuals competing for the top spots in conference and advancing to the state meet. Katie Field...
Royall volleyball rolls to regional title
Royall volleyball captured a stunner of a finish over No. 1 Highland in the sectional final Oct. 26. Royall gained wins in the first and second sets, 25–22 and 25–20, as Highland came back 25–22 in the third. Royall sealed the win in the fourth set, 27–25, for the...
Hillsboro too much for Brookwood
The Brookwood volleyball team advanced to the Division 4 regional final matchup on Oct. 26 against Hillsboro after a 3–0 win over Kickapoo on Oct. 24. Brookwood kept a steady pace against Hillsboro in the first set for a close-set win for Hillsboro 27–25. Brookwood...
Falcon volleyball clinches second in conference
The Brookwood volleyball team rounded out its regular-season play by traveling to Cashton on Oct. 17. Reagan Muehlenkamp extends for the kill over the net. Brookwood took set one, 25–19. (Tasha Mueller photo) Emily Cunitz saves the ball to keep possession late in set...
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
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)
Vernon County Museum Notes: Reflections on early Ontario, Whitestown
By KRISTEN PARROTT | Vernon County Museum curator Summer is winding down, and that means that the historic Sherry-Butt House at 795 N. Main St. in Viroqua is coming to the end of its season. The house is open for tours from 1–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Labor...
School
Royall’s parade puts Halloween style on display
Royall Elementary School had a Halloween parade on Oct. 31. Students walked through the schools and visited Elroy Health Services. Remi G. Gwen P. Royall Elementary School students Drake S. Connor W.F. and Jasper D. dress up as baseball players...
Echoes of autumn: Royall High School puts on fall concert
Royall High School hosted its fall concert Oct. 29. Alex Brunner sings with the concert choir, which performed “We Are the Music Makers” by Andy Beck; “Banaha,” a Congolese folk song; “Shenandoah,” arranged by Mark Patterson; and “Rhythm of Life,” arranged by Richard...
N-O-W students take part in Performing Arts Fair
Contributed by N-O-W Elementary School — Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School fifth-graders were presented an opportunity to present something fun at our school’s Performing Arts Fair. Seven students volunteered to showcase a special talent. Performances ranged...
Brookwood theater students advance to sectionals
Back row (left to right): Director Kim Neal Nofsinger, Cooper Powell, Brayden Thieman, Jackie Hernandez and Elijah John. Front row: Emma Wiedmeyer, Samantha Markee, Miranda Arndt and Katherine McElhose. (Contributed photo) Students in the Brookwood theater program...
Brookwood names artists of the month
The Brookwood artists of the month for September are Lilly Brueggeman for her visual pun (football), Deja Jimenez for her Expressionist-inspired tempera painting and Adeline Slattery for her color-wheel families tempera painting. (Contributed photos)