EXTRA
Monroe County Health Department: Protect against respiratory illnesses
Contributed by the Monroe County Health Department Respiratory illnesses levels are reaching record highs at a national, state, and local level. In Monroe County, 12 residents have been hospitalized with respiratory illnesses since the beginning of 2026. It’s not too...
DNR’s Winter Free Fishing Weekend is Jan. 17–18
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will offer its annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend from Jan. 17–18. Winter Free Fishing Weekend gives families, friends and newcomers an opportunity to give fishing a try or introduce another to the sport. During...
Wilton man injured in logging accident
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified of a logging incident that occurred at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, on private property located on Brush Hollow Road in rural Viroqua, in the town of Webster, according to Vernon County Sheriff...
DNR confirms CWD in wild deer in La Crosse County
Contributed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources confirms the first positive test result for chronic wasting disease in a wild deer in La Crosse County. The deer was a hunter-harvested adult buck and was...
Barton attorney submits motion to withdraw guilty plea
Editor’s note: The following article has been updated from the version in the Dec. 18 print issue to reflect that a Monroe County Circuit Court hearing set for 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26, will focus on arguments and evidence related to Barton’s request for a guilty-plea...
Kendall area residents purchase love lights
The following Kendall area residents purchased love lights this season, with proceeds going toward the Kendall Public Library. • In memory of Oswald and Marie Arzt — from John and Karen Arzt and Family • In memory of Carl and Freda Bever — from John and...
Royall Education Notes: ‘You talked … We listened’
By Scott Uppena | Royall School District Superintendent It is a great day to be a Royall Panther! On Wednesday, Nov. 26, we did something that has never been done at Royall. We held an all-district academic pep rally to celebrate the results of our school district’s...
NEWS
Wagenson inducted into Wisconsin Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame
Photo: Carol Wagenson, 2025 Wisconsin Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame Inductee, pictured with Butch Teal. The Wisconsin Auctioneers Association has announced that Carol Wagenson, a longtime local auctioneer and Rrealtor, has been named a 2025 inductee into...
St. Paul’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity program postponed
Contributed by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity program scheduled at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wilton has been postponed from Jan. 17 to Jan. 24 due to circumstances beyond our control. Please take note of this...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Jan. 4–10
Sunday, Jan. 4: A deputy responded to a business in De Soto reporting that a female who had been trespassing previously was there and refused to leave. Upon the deputy’s arrival, the female was no longer there. Contact was made with the female at her residence, and...
Area Community Theatre’s Holiday Hangover Bingo is Friday, Jan. 16
Area Community Theatre in Tomah will offer its Holiday Hangover Bingo on Friday, Jan. 16, at 907 Kilbourn Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the event will start at 7 p.m. Bingo cards will be $20 each or three for $50. The event also will consist of a cookie raffle, a...
KVR Winter Fest is Saturday
Contributed by the KVR Kickapoo Valley Reserve Winter Festival will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10. Both admission and parking are free. The following activities will be offered: Activities and Highlights • Fat Tire Biking: Try out the latest fat tire bikes and...
‘The Bunco Squad’ performances set for March
Area Community Theatre in Tomah will perform “The Bunco Squad,” a comedy, in March. The shows will be at 7 p.m. on the following dates: March 12, March 13, March 19, and March 20. They also will be at 1 p.m. on the following dates: March 14, March 15, March 21...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Dec. 28 to Jan. 3
Sunday, Dec. 28: Deputies responded to the 11000 block of Highway 82 in the town of Stark for a vehicle that slid off the roadway and down into a creek. Occupants were able to self-extricate and reported no injuries. The vehicle was towed. Sunday, Dec. 28: A driver...
Village of Kendall may foreclose on Wildes property
Kendall’s village board agreed Monday to consult with its attorney on the possibility on foreclosing on Dan Wildes’ property at … Read the rest
‘Beauty and the Beast’: Brookwood Theatre begins rehearsals for first production in new auditorium
There is an extra degree of intensity and anticipation in the rehearsals for Brookwood Theatre’s spring production set for March … Read the rest
No decision yet on Barton’s request to withdraw plea
After a Monroe County Circuit Court hearing Dec. 26, no decision was made on former Wilton clerk/treasurer Leigha Barton’s request … Read the rest
Ontario’s ice rink to open
This year’s liner purchase was made possible by a generous donation from GoMacro.
Holiday gaiety at Royall Elementary
The Royall winter elementary concert, held Dec. 15, featured a number of musical selections from each grade.
N-O-W shares spirit of the season
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School put on its “Very Traditional Christmas” concert Dec. 15.
‘Winter Lumberyard’ in Kendall
The Lumberyard, an outdoor venue in Kendall, put on its “Winter Lumberyard” program on Dec. 21.
Royall performs holiday harmonies
Royall students gave their winter concert Dec. 8.
Brookwood students strike a chord
Brookwood Junior/Senior High School students gave their holiday concert Dec. 8.
New Kendall Community Hall kitchen dedicated
The Kendall Community Hall’s new $36,000 kitchen was dedicated Dec. 6. A $35,000 donation from Lynette Vlasak in memory of … Read the rest
N-O-W receives ‘meets expectations’ rating on DPI report cards
The Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District is among the schools that received a “meets expectations” rating on state Department of Public Instruction … Read the rest
Tor’s Country Christmas Show!
The Kendall Community Club sponsored “Tor’s Country Christmas Show” on Dec. 6 at the Kendall Community Hall.
Community
On Campus
• Lainey Teynor of Ontario, a senior nursing major at Viterbo University in La Crosse, was named to the fall dean’s list. • Sophie Teynor of Ontario, a sophomore marketing major at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, was named to the fall-semester dean’s...
Kendall Lions donate AED to library
Ken Brandau, president of the Kendall Lions Club, presenting a new automated external defibrillator to Charissa Finn, librarian, for the Kendall Public Library. (Contributed photo)
Wilton crafts group to create vision boards
By Kelly Lupton | Wilton Public Library director The New Year comes with many traditions, and one of them is to have New Year resolutions. To help you get on top of your resolutions and keep them in the forefront of your goals, we are going to make vision boards...
Seeing Stars: Picture the moon
By Susan Cushing | Kickapoo Dark-Sky Initiative Have you watched the moon rise and thought it was so beautiful you’d take a picture of it with your phone? How did that turn out? For most of us, the results are disappointing. There is a small, overexposed white blob...
Senior menus for Jan. 19–30
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. Monday, Jan. 19: Chicken divan (broccoli cheese sauce) over brown...
Obituaries
Judy R. Bever (Brandau)
Judy R. Bever (Brandau), 81, passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Hyland Crossing Memory Care in Sun Prairie, Wis., after a slow decline from Parkinson's disease. Judy was born June 9, 1944, in Sparta, Wis., the daughter of Leonard and Galetta (Bucholz)...
Susan Oliver
Loving daughter, sister, friend and Aunt Susie to many, Susan Oliver passed away on Dec. 25, 2025, at her sister’s home in Rosemount, Minn. She was born on July 14, 1952, in Tucson, Ariz., to Gordon and Jeanne Oliver. At the time of her birth, Gordon was serving in...
Paul Herman Brueggen
Paul Herman Brueggen, 76, of rural Cashton, Wis., passed away, peacefully wrapped in the love of his family, on Jan. 8, 2026, at the home he so dearly loved. He was born June 27, 1949, on the family farm outside of Cashton, Wis., to Alois and Mildred (Kapeller)...
Julie Ann Hemmersbach (updated)
UPDATE: Due to a family illness, the funeral services for Julie Hemmersbach planned for this week have been postponed. The Mass of Christian Burial that was scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, along with the visitations on January 12, and Tuesday morning at St. Mary's...
Richard “Noel” George Hedrick
Richard “Noel” George Hedrick passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, at Palomar Hospital in Escondido, Calif. He was born to George and Frances (Berendes) Hedrick on March 19, 1931, on Summit Ridge, rural Norwalk, Wis. As he approached his...
Opinion
Letter to the editor: Ontario is a wonderful place
By Carolene Martalock | Ontario After having lived in the Ontario area on a rural dairy farm for over the past 62 years. I’m often asked how I like living in the village of Ontario now. My reply is, it’s okay. But as we all know, time changes...
Letter to the editor: President Trump creates his own reality
By Kent Gallaway | Readstown In the words of Tammy Baldwin, “The president does not have the unilateral authority to invade a country, seize their leader and control their resources.” This president creates his own reality and thinks he can declare his...
Letter to the editor: Snap out of it
By Dena Eakles | rural Ontario People of faith have been used and are now political pawns. If you are a self-identifying Christian National, perhaps it’s time to consider what your allegiance supports. In your name and with your bidding, families are torn apart. This...
Letter to the editor: Local residents make us proud to call Ontario home
By Carolene Martalock | rural Ontario Very interesting articles on the County Line front page this past week. The generosity of the donated receipts of the Ontario American Legion is amazing and heartwarming. They deserve our thanks for continuing to give in this way,...
Letter to the editor: Voucher school payments and school consolidation
By Melissa Murray | Kendall (Royall School Board President) I was SHOCKED to learn that the N-O-W School District has a voucher payment requirement of nearly $340,000 dollars. I thought maybe that was a typo, but it’s not. Here’s the really problematic...
Sports
Royall/W-C Wrestling margins 2-0 SBC gain
The Royall/Wonewoc-Center wrestling squad hosted the first conference double dual of the season on Jan. 8 with Brookwood, Hillsboro and New Lisbon. Royall/W-C matched up with Brookwood in the first match, as R/W-C’s Easton Wopat went for a reversal and gained a 16-0...
Royall girls command 7–0 win streak
Brookwood hosted Royall in its first conference matchup of the season, and Brookwood steadied an early lead throughout much of the first half. Brookwood's Stella Mack takes control of the rebound early in the first few minutes of play. (Tasha Mueller photo) Kinsley...
Royall drops one loss against Bangor
It was a battle of the two undefeated teams amid the Scenic Bluffs Conference on Dec. 19, as Royall hosted Bangor. Bangor held out on a 10–0 run in the opening 11 minutes of play before Layla Marty made a 3-pointer to get on the board. (Tasha Mueller photo) Bria Gruen...
Brookwood girls gain wins in conference contests
The Brookwood girls basketball team tackled two conference contests this week, first with Necedah on Dec. 16 and the second with New Lisbon on Dec. 19. The Falcons kept a steady momentum with Necedah, leading at halftime 30–14, and keeping the lead for the win of...
Brookwood wrestling begins season with quad
The Brookwood wrestling squads hosted a quad Dec. 2, going against North Crawford/Seneca, La Crescent-Hokah and Viroqua. In the Falcons first bout against N-C/Seneca, the boys and girls gained their first wins, 42–28 and 18–12, respectively. In the teams’ second bout,...
E-Edition
Pictures from the Past
Wilton Home Bakery, 1935
In this 1935 photo, Erwin C. “Stub” Mannel and Almeda Tonn work in the Wilton Home Bakery. Mannel was the proprietor. More historic photos are available at the Monroe County Local History Room’s website at www.MCLHR.org.
Norwalk Creamery float, 1935
In this 1935 photo, a float sponsored by the Farmers Co-op Creamery Association of Norwalk makes its way through a parade. More historic photos are available at the Monroe County Local History Room’s website at www.MCLHR.org.
Georgia’s Cafe, 1942
This 1942 photo shows people at Georgia’s Cafe, 114 W. South Railroad St., Kendall. Georgia Matthews and Sylvia Smith are behind the counter. The boys are LeRoy Matthews and Dick Smith, with Charlotte Smith at the right and Elle Matthews sitting. More historic photos...
Wilton women’s basketball, 1925
A black and white postcard shows the 1925 Wilton High School women’s basketball team. Left to right: Dave Hulbert, Hilda Blado, Susan Hillyer, Gertrude Cox, Luella Stark, Viola Boetzel, Agnes Riordan and Luella Wendorf.
Ontario Odd Fellows, 1905
This photo shows the members of the Ontario Odd Fellows Lodge in 1905.
School
Brookwood names artists of the month
The Brookwood High School artists of the month for November are Yoselin Gonzalez Lopez for her watercolor portrait of a video game character, Fernanda Garcia Barr for her parody of Grant Wood’s “American Gothic,” with characters from the movie “Coraline,” and Betsy...
N-O-W second-graders compose Christmas poems
Reindeer fly magically furry brown antlers black hooves Reindeer — by Cora Reindeer fluffy soft fly high fast pull sleigh Reindeer — by Rosie Gingerbread Man yummy delicious colorful sprinkles frosting sweet chocolate Gingerbread Man — by Keean Santa red suit brings...
Brookwood names artists of the month for October
The Brookwood High School artists of the month for October are (above, left to right) Betsy Aguilar, Ava DeWitt and Marissa Brueggeman for their white charcoal drawings (on view in the main hallway by the LMC) and Fernanda Garcia Barr and Amelia Wilson (below) for...
N-O-W hosts Performing Arts Fair
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School hosted its annual Fifth-Grade Performing Arts Fair on Oct. 17. Two performances were chosen to represent the school at the Performing Arts Fair in Hillsboro. Those performers were Richard Lopez Morales and Lainey Cunitz. All...
Brookwood students named to the honor roll
The following Brookwood Junior/Senior High School students were named to the first-quarter honor roll: SENIORS High Honors: Alivia Brandau, Fernanda Garcia Barr, Alicia Henderson, Reagan Muehlenkamp, Ruby Muehlenkamp and Ruth Wooten Honor Roll: Marianela Alcantar,...