EXTRA
Royall pops concert is Friday; middle school concert is Monday
The Royall High School Music Department will present its annual Pops Concert on Friday, May 9, at 7 p.m. in the old high school gymnasium. This years’ theme is “A Night on Broadway,” including songs from the Broadway musical’s “Hamilton,” “Wicked,” “The Lion...
Vehicles collide off Irish Ridge Road
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday reporting a two-vehicle collision on Oneida Road, off Irish Ridge Road, in rural Cashton, in the town of Clinton. Wayne K. Kruizenga, 64, of rural Viroqua was driving a 2011 Ford...
Your Right to Know: When people die, openness matters
By Tim Vetscher In any community, the role of the medical examiner is vital. Medical examiners — or coroners, in the nearly half of Wisconsin’s 72 counties that have them as an alternative — determine the cause and manner of death, support the criminal...
Pedestrian struck on Highway 27, near Cashton
A pedestrian was struck by a commercial motor vehicle on Highway 27, about 1½ miles south of Cashton, in the town of Christiana at about 9:45 p.m. Saturday, April 19, according to Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson. The preliminary investigation revealed that...
Wisconsin libraries brace for steep drop in services under federal funding cuts
By Baylor Spears, Wisconsin ExaminerApril 21, 2025 Threatened federal funding cuts are causing uncertainty for the future of Wisconsin libraries and the programs they provide to the public, especially for those serving rural areas — and libraries are pushing...
Norwalk’s floral fundraiser
Contributed by the Norwalk Rails-to-Trails Committee One of the highlights of driving through Norwalk in the summer are the flower baskets hanging from the light poles and in the planters lining the street. These indicators of summer have been sponsored by the Rails...
One injured in Clinton rollover
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified at 4:45 p.m. Sunday, April 6, of a single-vehicle rollover on County Highway D, east of Hall Road, in the town of Clinton. Ralph E. Smalley, 62, of Richland Center, Wis., was operating a 1999 Ford...
NEWS
Modernizations at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Construction has been underway on St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wilton. The remodeling will include new steps and a new, handicapped accessible entrance.
Kendall Mustang Riders donate to local EMS, fire departments
Contributed by the Kendall Mustang Riders ATV/UTV Club — Over the past few years, the Kendall Mustang Riders ATV/UTV Club has donated the proceeds from its annual bowling tournament to local EMS and fire departments. This money has been raised with the support of...
Monroe County Local History Room to host program on Japanese American soldiers
The Monroe County Local History Room will offer a public history program, “Went for Broke: Japanese American Soldiers at Camp McCoy During WWII” by Dr. Gerry Iguchi, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse history professor. The event is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, May...
Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club meets May 14
Contributed by the I&E Club The next meeting of the Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club will be held on Wednesday, May 14, at the Food Enterprise Center, 1201 N. Main St. in Viroqua. Maggie Cornelius, the outreach coordinator for the Rural Wisconsin...
Carla Von Haden Community Service Awards to be presented at HCE Banquet
Contributed by Millard’s Prairie HCE The Millards Prairie Home and Consumer Educators announced the 2025 Awardees of the Carla Von Haden’s Community Service Awards: Marie Preuss, Bruce Lange, Sylvia Rafajko and Owen Dedrick. It is the second year that the HCE...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for April 27 to May 3
Sunday, April 27: Vernon County sheriff’s deputies and an officer with the Westby Police Department responded to Snowflake Curve Road in the town of Christiana for a female reporting she was struck in the head by a male party. The investigation is ongoing. Sunday,...
‘We Take Our Sports Seriously’ history walk set for May 30
Contributed by the Vernon County Museum The Wisconsin Historical Society has brought its traveling History Makers Tour to Vernon County, and the historic Sherry-Butt House Museum in Viroqua is a participating host. The Sherry-Butt House is hosting the “We Take...
Ontario takes out $1.2 million loan for development projects
At a special meeting Monday, the Ontario Village Board agreed to a $1.2 million general-obligation loan at 4.75 percent interest … Read the rest
Brookwood starts new era with inaugural meet
The Brookwood track and field teams hosted their inaugural track meet on April 15 and with the new facilities, athletes … Read the rest
N-O-W hires new elementary principal
Longtime Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary teacher Kristi Vlasak will serve as the school’s new principal, the board of education decided at its … Read the rest
Brookwood’s adventure class offers outdoor lessons in life
Last year, the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District began offering an outdoor adventure program that exposes students to hands-on wilderness techniques while … Read the rest
Ridgeville honors longtime patrolman/board member
The Town of Ridgeville Board honored Jerry Haney (left) on Tuesday for 42 years of service as a road patrolman … Read the rest
Local man putting a light on the need for dark skies
By Pat Mulvaney | For the County Line Scott Lind of Ontario has had a thing for dark skies ever since he stood at 6,000 feet on a mountain in Yellowstone National Park in the mid-1970s. On that summer evening, he gazed up at the unadulterated night sky where a...
$1M set aside for Ontario in gov.’s budget proposal
The Ontario Village Board learned Monday night that it might receive a $1 million grant for phase-2 of the Woodland … Read the rest
Norwalk to seek $728,000 in CDBG money for street work
By Sarah Parker | County Line Editor Norwalk will apply for $728,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to help offset the cost of its $1,092,000 street project, the village board decided at its meeting April 8. The venture will consist of roadwork and...
Kendall considers rules on shipping containers
The Kendall Village Board considered how to regulate the use of shipping containers at its regular meeting Monday and will … Read the rest
After federal cuts, N-O-W’s FEMA grant remains in place
Wisconsin Emergency Management informed the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District this week that it still would receive its $2,043,865 grant that it … Read the rest
Kendall Mustang Riders donate to Village of Kendall
The Kendall Mustang Riders ATV/UTV club has donated a HeartStart Automated External Defibrillator to the Village of Kendall to have … Read the rest
Scenic Bluffs donates toward N-O-W’s negative school-lunch balance
Scenic Bluffs Health Center recently presented a donation of $389 to the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District to go toward negative student … Read the rest
Community
Perspectives: A spring drive for every age, past, present and future
By Carolene Obert Martalock | rural Ontario Find a beautiful spring day to drive Highway 131 in Vernon County, to County Highway P east toward Valley. Here in the sun-dappled woods, before Warner Creek merges with the larger meandering Kickapoo River, is the amazing...
Elroy Fairest of the Fair to visit Ontario Public Library for ‘Crowns & Cookies’
By Rachel Conner | Ontario Public Library director Get ready for a royally fun time with Elroy’s Fairest of the Fair, Tasha Reynolds! Crowns & Cookies is set for 3–4 p.m. Monday, June 2, at the Ontario Public Library. Enjoy delicious cookies while crafting your...
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, May 9: Current-Events Discussion Group • 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10: Second-Saturday Writer’s Club • 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 12: Second-Monday...
Bill Karis Shoe Store, Norwalk, circa 1910
The Bill Karis Shoe Store, located at 105 Main St. in Norwalk, circa 1910. Left to right: Joe Wepfer, Alvin Wruck and William Karis. More historic photos are available at the Monroe County Local History Room’s website at www.MCLHR.org. In its April 24 issue, the...
Senior menus for May 12–16
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, May...
Obituaries
Harold “Buzz” Jensen
Harold “Buzz” Jensen, 82, of Elroy, Wis., passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. Buzz was born Aug. 2, 1942, in Plymouth, Wis., to Lawrence and Cora (Smith) Jensen. At...
Kent Louis Hendrickson
Kent Louis Hendrickson, 73, of rural Ontario, Wis., passed from this life to be forever with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, April 26, 2025. He was born to Earl Henry Hendrickson and Geneva Merle (Gardner) Hendrickson on Sept. 29, 1951, joining...
Leila Helen Moseley
Leila Helen Moseley, 95, of Cassville, Wis., formerly of Tomah, died April 19, 2025, at Eden Vista, Madison. She was born Oct. 27, 1929, to Alloth and Helen (Mahoney) Westpfahl in Tomah, Wis. She was a member of the Tomah High School graduating class of 1947. ...
Deanna Rae Bell
Deanna Rae Bell, 78, of Kendall, Wis., passed away on April 15, 2025. Born on Feb. 24, 1947, to Everett and Donna (Severson) Walter, Deanna spent her early childhood in Minneapolis, Minn. At the age of 7, she moved to a family farm outside Kendall, where she was...
Metro Palamaruk
Metro Palamaruk, 94, of Kendall, died Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Touch of Home. He was born Feb. 7, 1931, to Konstantine and Victoria (Mamoff) Palamaruk in Fort William, Ontario, Canada. After graduating high school, he served in the Canadian Armed...
Opinion
Letter to the editor: Kennedy documents may reveal more about assassination
By Kent Gallaway | Readstown With the disclosure of the Kennedy assignation documents , hopefully we will learn more about he murder of a peace president on the streets of Dallas. There have been so many conspiracy theories and misinformation on the...
Letter to the editor: ‘Hands off’
By Lee D. Van Landuyt | Hillsboro On April 5, there were massive, coordinated national protests involving over three million angry citizens. This protest was entitled “Hands Off!” Sign-carrying protesters rejected massive cuts to essential government programs relied...
Guest view: Wisconsin residents at risk as federal low-income home energy assistance program employees abruptly fired
Contributed by Couleecap A program that keeps Wisconsinites safe by ensuring homes stay warm and cool during extreme temperatures is at risk after abrupt actions by the federal government. Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) fired all...
Letter to the editor: Federal government cuts program for food pantries
Editor's note: Couleecap leases and independently operates the food pantry at Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center in Norwalk; therefore, the Norwalk food pantry will be impacted by the program cuts. By Hetti Brown | Couleecap executive director Last week, Wisconsin...
Letter to the editor: Consider voting for incumbents in school board election
By Debbie Tainter | Ontario This morning my husband woke me up so I could see the beautiful display of orange and red before the sunrise. Breathtaking ... what an inspiring way to start the day, I thought. But then, as I often do, I turned my...
Sports
Brookwood softball edges 6-3 over Necedah
Brookwood softball gained a conference win over Necedah 6–3 in Monday night action. Reagan Muehlenkamp tosses the ball to first in the third inning as Necedah gains on an error. (Tasha Mueller photo) Deanna Wallace steadies her concentration on the ball in the third,...
Falcons score 16 over Cardinals
The Brookwood baseball team had a number of scored runs and hits at bat on Monday, May 5, hosting Necedah. Jackson Cunitz gets hit by a pitch in the first inning, as the Falcons scored nine runs as Necedah could not battle back. (Tasha Mueller photo) Drew Thurston...
Brookwood names athletes of the month
The following Brookwood High School students were named athletes of the month for March/April. Coaches’ comments follow the students’ names. BASEBALL • Braeden Pasch: “Braeden leads the team in hits and batting average. He also has a 2–0 pitching record. More...
Royall hosts home track invite
Track and field athletes competed in the Gerard Brunner Track Invitational held at Royall on April 24. Brookwood's Katherine McElhose throws in the girls shot put, extending at 25'10.50." (Tasha Mueller photo) Royall's Adonu Ingraham clears the 5'4" bar in the boys...
Softball and baseball teams govern season competition
Royall hosted Brookwood on April 21 in both baseball and softball competition. Royall's Ben Crneckey extends for a ground out over Camden Brueggeman. (Tasha Mueller photo) Braeden Pasch watches for a fast pitch, gaining a walk in the seventh inning. Royall's Jett...
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
Bill Karis Shoe Store, Norwalk, circa 1910
The Bill Karis Shoe Store, located at 105 Main St. in Norwalk, circa 1910. Left to right: Joe Wepfer, Alvin Wruck and William Karis. More historic photos are available at the Monroe County Local History Room’s website at www.MCLHR.org. In its April 24 issue, the...
Tuttle Hill, 1910s
Men construct the road on what is now County Highway ZZ, on Tuttle Hill, just southwest of Ontario, most likely in the 1910s. The back of the photo has the inscription, “Grandpa Phil Bolden driving 1st team working on Tuttle Hill.” Do you have more information about...
Wilton baseball, 1937
WILTON BASEBALL 1937: The village of Wilton’s baseball team won the Milwaukee Sentinel’s state championship in 1937. Left to right, kneeling, are Hunts Steffen, Don Harrison, Vern Ferries (manager), Bud Martalock, Bud Schneider and Bill Heilman. Standing are Bud...
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.”
School
Brookwood names artists of the month
The April Artists of the Month for Brookwood High School are Savannah Groom Cruz, Calista Zimmerman and Madelin Matias Perez (below, left to right) for their two-sided tempera paintings called Agamographs. The fourth Artist of the Month is Brayden Thieman (bottom...
Brookwood hosts FFA banquet
The Brookwood FFA put on its annual banquet April 27. The following students received awards. • Discovery Degrees — Linus Arndt, Cassandra Bever, Marlee Bohn, John DeWitt, Matthew Hyatt, Carson Johnson, Liberty Monsees, Bentley Myers, Dustin Powell, Jonas Rueckheim,...
Royall greenhouse to open
The Royall Greenhouse will have the following hours this month: • Friday, May 9 — 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. • Saturday, May 10 — 8 a.m. to 12 noon • Weekdays from May 12–16 — 3:30 to 5 p.m. • Saturday, May 17 — 8 a.m. to 12 noon • Weekdays from May 19–23 by...
Brookwood trap club fundraiser
The Brookwood Trap Club hosted a fundraiser April 13 at the Wilton Fire Station. Brookwood students serve up hamburgers and brats. Allison Maulsby and Amiyia Zimbauer accept payments for the meals. Alice Wiedmeyer and Payge Clark work the grill.
N-O-W goes to Kid’s College
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School sent a group of sixth graders to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Kid’s College on Friday, April 11. The UW and the Mississippi Valley Gifted and Talented Network partner to offer the event. Students were able to get a...