EXTRA
Your Right to Know: Nursing home sale shows why transparency matters
By Jeff Seering On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Sauk County Board voted to spend $40,500 to buy a sheriff’s department vehicle to replace one totaled in a July incident. The resolution printed on the agenda included details of the incident, the car dealer and...
OFD responds to car fire at gas station
The Ontario Fire Department responded to a car fire Thursday, Sept 19, at the Zzip Stop. Ten firefighters spent about a half-hour on the scene, and the fire was contained to the engine. The driver was Sherie Wondra of Norwalk. (Contributed photo)
Man accused in Dolowy murder grew up in Kendall
The man accused of the 1985 murder of La Crosse resident Terry Dolowy spent his childhood in Kendall. Michael R. Popp Michael R. Popp, 60, a current Tomah resident, was charged with first-degree murder Tuesday in Vernon County in relation to the 1985 case. ...
Several vehicles struck in Hillsboro hit-and-run crash
A hit-and-run crash occurred late Saturday night, Sept. 14, in Hillsboro, according to Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson and Hillsboro Chief of Police Patrick Clark. At about 11:45 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center began receiving calls reporting that...
Your Right to Know: Using outside record vendors brings risks
By Tom Kamenick Last March, the Wisconsin Examiner asked the Black River Falls Police Department to search for emails regarding the death of a missing Indigenous man. The department said it would process the request but the news outlet would have to pay...
Half of Wisconsin school districts go to referendum amid debate over state aid for public education
by Hallie Claflin / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch September 16, 2024 Come Nov. 5, nearly half of all Wisconsin school districts will have gone to referendum in 2024, asking for almost $6 billion in total from Wisconsin residents in districts scattered across the...
Brookwood homecoming set for next week
Brookwood will celebrate its homecoming next, culminating with a parade at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Norwalk. Pictured here is a map of the parade route, supplied by the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District. At 7 p.m. that day, the Falcon football team will take on New...
NEWS
Royall alumni honored at induction ceremony
The Royall Alumni Association inducted three graduates into its Royall Hall of Recognition Ceremony on Oct. 5: Albert Beaver, Elroy High School class of 1956; Robert VanDeHey, Royall High School class of 1978; and Kris Thompson-Ashford, Royall High School class of...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Oct. 6–12
Sunday, Oct. 6: A deputy came upon a male walking along Highway 27 and stopped to check on him. The male stated he was walking home from a local establishment; he didn’t wish to drive or wait for a ride to pick him up. The deputy assisted the male by giving him a ride...
Vernon County to offer Caregiver Bootcamp
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Vernon County will offer its free Caregiver Bootcamp from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Viola United Methodist Church, 225 N. Washington St. This is a free, educational “survival” program for families coping with...
A Wilton benefit
An overflowing crowd attended a benefit for the Lynn Evans family Saturday at the Wilton Community Center. Evans, who along with her husband Randy owned Wilton Bus Service, died of stomach cancer Sept. 21 at age 53. Here, Katelin Malecki takes part in the bean bag...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Sept. 29 to Oct. 4
Sunday, Sept. 29: Deputies initiated a traffic stop on northbound Highway 35 in the town of Bergen for a vehicle that appeared to be speeding and was confirmed by radar. The driver was cited for speeding in 55-mph zone (20–24 mph) and issued a warning for green...
Lutheran group to host fall rally in Sparta
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society Scenic Coulee Circuit Fall Rally will be Saturday, Oct. 12, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 419 Jefferson Ave., Sparta. Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m., with the program starting at 1 p.m. The guest speaker for the...
I&E Club to explore content marketing and social media
Contributed by the Vernon County I&E Club The next meeting of the Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club will be Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the Food Enterprise Center, 1201 N. Main St. in Viroqua. With the topic “Content Marketing and Social Media,” attendees will learn how...
Homecoming 2024: Royall celebrates Panther pride
The Royall School District celebrated its homecoming last week.
Volunteer sought for Norwalk’s hidden, unofficial park
Bob and Susie Brownell of Norwalk have kept an unofficial, somewhat-improvised park outside of the village well-tended and available to … Read the rest
Norwalk rejected for grant; money would have gone toward new community center
In a setback for the village, Norwalk did not receive a grant for a new community center, president Levi Helgren … Read the rest
Brookwood’s Cunitz nets 1,000 assists
Coming into the Brookwood girls volleyball team’s match with Bangor on Thursday night, Falcons senior captain Emily Cunitz needed 33 … Read the rest
Benefit for Lynn Evans family of Wilton is Oct. 12
Lynn (Schmitz) Evans of Wilton had already beaten cancer once; she won her fight against breast cancer in 2018.
Royall approves preliminary 2024–25 budget
Royall’s board of education and local voters approved a provisional 2024–25 budget Sept. 23 at its annual meeting.
Kendall Lions Club to host holiday fair
The third annual Kendall Lions Holiday Fair is just around the corner, so save the date!
N-O-W celebrates homecoming
The Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District put on its homecoming parade in Norwalk last Friday.
Ontario sewer upgrade has public hearing
Ontario residents will likely see an $8.40 hike in their monthly utility bill late next year due to a required … Read the rest
Jury trial scheduled for former Wilton clerk/treasurer
Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Todd Ziegler recently scheduled a jury trial for Wilton’s former clerk/treasurer, Leigha Barton, who is … Read the rest
A floral fundraiser
One of the highlights of driving through Norwalk in the summer are the flower baskets hanging from the light poles … Read the rest
Informational sessions slated for Royall’s referendum
The Royall School District will host a series of informational sessons on its $1.5 million operations referendum, which will be … Read the rest
Community
Norwalk Public Library to host Halloween party
By Jesica Helgren | Norwalk Public Library director Get dressed up and bring the kids to the library for a costume party on Saturday, Nov. 2! The fun starts at 10 a.m. There will be bobbing for apples, games, guess the spooky substance, and more! Costumes are not...
Seeing Stars: The science of Northern Lights
By Susan Cushing | Kickapoo Dark Sky Initiative For one night, forget the stars! The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, were the show last Thursday night. Did you see them? Just after dark, they gradually began glowing until a display rarely seen here lit up the...
Ontario Family Movie Night set for Friday, Oct. 25
By Rachel Conner | Ontario Public Library director You are invited to a fun Family Movie Night on Friday, Oct. 25, at 5:30 p.m.! The hilarious and heartwarming “Despicable Me 4” will be shown. Popcorn, soda, and juice will be available for free. Make sure to turn in...
Wilton Public Library to offer programs
By Kelly Lupton | Wilton Public Library director These activities are coming up at the Wilton Public Library: • 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18: Current-Events Discussion Group • 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18: Book Club for Adults with Special Needs • 4:30 p.m....
Senior menus for Oct. 21–25
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, Oct....
Obituaries
Lewellyn Mae (Noth) Ahlfs (Lou)
Lewellyn Mae (Noth) Ahlfs (Lou), 91, of Security, Colo., and formerly of Norwalk, Wis., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at her home. She was born Aug. 27, 1933, in the Township of Sheldon, near Norwalk, Wis., to Clarence Anton Wm. And Mildred Edith...
Peter L. Fitch
Peter Lynn Fitch, 70, passed away Oct. 1, 2024, in Elroy, Wis. Born on May 31, 1954, to Max and Bernice Fitch. Peter was known for his outgoing personality, personable nature, and an uncanny sense of humor that brought joy to those around him. Peter attended...
Gilford Hoel
In the darkest hour before dawn on Sept. 26, 2024, lung cancer took Gilford Hoel from us, and he was NOT happy about it. He wanted to stay with Julie, his wife of 45 years, their daughter Jillian Hoel Winters and her daughter, Lola, and their son Timothy Hoel and his...
Helen A. (Geier) Summerfield
Helen A. (Geier) Summerfield, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, was called into eternal life with the Lord on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. Helen was born Dec. 5, 1931, one of 13 children of Basilius and Francis (Rondorf) Geier of Norwalk, Wis. She...
Simon E. Joseph
Simon Elmer Joseph, 28, of Wilton, Wis., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at home. He was born Nov. 21, 1995, the son of Melissa Kiel and John Joseph in Hillsboro, Wis. After graduating from Tomah High School, he attended Western Technical College for...
Opinion
Letter to the editor: Royall referendum disinformation is not information
By Melissa Murray | Royall School Board | Kendall resident | Royall alum, 1984 Royall School District is going to an operational referendum in November for $1.5 million dollars NON-recurring for four years. Board members and administration understand that this is...
Letter to the editor: Sign theft illegal and unpatriotic
By Wayde Lawler, Chair, Vernon County, Democratic Part, Viola, Wis. AND By Roger Call, Chair, Vernon County Republican Party, Viroqua, Wis. As the Nov. 5 election approaches, displays of support for candidates, parties, and issues abound. Americans of all political...
Letter to the editor: Royall has wasted hard-earned tax dollars
By Jim Friedl | Elroy Once again, we’re being asked to put our trust in the Royall School Board, who have proven themselves incapable of directing a two-car parade and have no concept of fiscal responsibility. They have deliberately wasted are hard-earned tax...
Letter to the editor: Reasons not to vote for Harris/Walz
By Jenifer Hunter | Ontario Harris/Walz ONLY IF YOU AGREE WITH AND BELIEVE IN: • Ten million illegal immigrants invading the U.S. in the past 3 ½ years, including two million “got aways,” 375 terrorists from 36 countries (the ones apprehended), and another 100 on the...
Letter to the editor: Inflation Reduction Act has helped rural America
By Kate Rice | Tomah My power cooperative, Oakdale Electric Cooperative in Monroe County, keeps the lights on in my home reliably and affordably. AND, when I call them, a person answers the phone! Where else does THAT happen? That’s why I was psyched...
Sports
Brookwood goes 2-1 in tough conference battle
The top four teams in the Scenic Bluffs Conference toughed it out this past week in volleyball action, as Brookwood traveled to Hillsboro on Oct. 8. Before play, Cashton and Hillsboro were tied for first, while Brookwood was one game behind in third. The Lady Falcons...
Royall football dominates Necedah
Marking the second-to-last regular season game, Royall traveled to Necedah, and the Panthers came out ahead 55–0. Jason Johnson sets up a play early in the second half for Royall. (Tasha Mueller photo) Jason Johnson runs in his lone touchdown for the game in the...
Brookwood names athletes of the month
The following Brookwood High School students were named athletes of the month for August/September. Coaches’ comments follow the students’ names. CROSS COUNTRY • Maggie Stenerson: “Maggie has run very consistently this season with only a 15-second spread between...
Falcons seize win streak
The Brookwood volleyball team seeks toward the top of the conference play by adding two additional wins this week over Wonewoc-Center 3–1 on Tuesday and Necedah 3–1 on Thursday. Calista Zimmerman reaches over the net to keep the kill down over Wonewoc-Center on...
Ithaca spoils Royall’s homecoming
The Royall football team breaks through the banner prior to the start of Friday's homecoming game. (Tasha Mueller photo) Jackson Bender leaps for an attempted catch attempt past Ithaca's defense. (Tasha Mueller photo) Samson Degner and Lucas Peterson make a stop on...
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
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)
Royall FFA gets donation for national convention
The Royall School District recently thanked American Family Insurance-Ruiz-Jorandby Agency in Reedsburg for donating money from its summer block party and pig roast to the Royall FFA Chapter, plus the home office matched the donation. The funds will be used to help...
Brookwood names artists of the month
Fernanda Garcia Barr (top), Deja Jimenez (middle) and Sophie Teynor (below) were the Brookwood High School artists of the month for April. Sophie painted an album cover using acrylic paint, Deja created original portraits of the members of the Prom Court using an iPad...
Brookwood students put on concert
Brookwood put on its pops concert May 19.