EXTRA
Brookwood’s grand opening for new athletic facility is Aug. 17
Brookwood High School will host a grand opening for its new athletic facility Saturday, Aug. 17. The school's flier for the event is posted below.
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District releases school-supply lists
The Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District has released its school-supply lists for the 2024–25 school year. Also, the district notes that Walmart and Walgreens no longer print school-supply lists, so shoppers must bring their own. Printed copies are available at...
Severe storms trigger local flooding, downed trees
Heavy rains and high winds resulted in flooding and downed trees early Sunday morning. Water inundated the intersection of Highways 131 and 33 in Ontario, and the Elroy-Sparta State Trail sustained both flood and wind damage. The entire trail was closed Monday as DNR...
Elroy Fair results
The following are the results of the Elroy Fair, which was from June 19–23. JUNIOR DAIRY CATTLE Dairy showmanship, grades nine and above • Brandau, Cora — Blue, Best Fitted, Top Senior Dairy Showmanship, Hill-n-Valley • Quarne, Domonik — White, Orange Mills •...
Music, fireworks slated for Saturday in Ontario
Barton waives preliminary hearing, is bound over for trial
By Sarah Parker | County Line Editor Facing 20 felonies related to allegations of theft from the Wilton Village Office, former clerk/treasurer Leigha Barton waived her right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday. Leigha Barton (January booking photo) At a preliminary...
County Highway F is closed until end of September
County Highway F in the towns of Jefferson and Sheldon in Monroe County, between County Highway U and County Highway T, closed to through traffic effective Monday, June 24, to facilitate resurfacing of the highway. Advance notice signs were posted. No...
NEWS
Vernon County to offer free caregivers workshop
The Vernon County Aging and Disability Center will offer its Powerful Tools for Caregivers workshop online from 3:30 to 5 p.m. every Monday from Sept. 9 to Oct. 14. According to the ADRC, the workshop series is “designed to provide tools caregivers need to better care...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for July 14–20
Sunday, July 14: A deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Main Street in Genoa because the male registered owner had a warrant for his arrest. The female driver of the vehicle provided the deputy with false identification multiple times before eventually...
Wilton Public Library to host appraisal event with antiques expert Mark Moran
The Wilton Public Library will present an antiques and collectibles appraisal event featuring author and antiques expert Mark F. Moran of Iola, Wis., on Friday, Aug. 9, starting at 11 a.m. Formerly senior editor of “Antiques and Collectibles Books” for Krause...
Wildcat Mountain to offer program on astronomy
Wildcat Mountain State Park in rural Ontario will host a program, “Our Milky Way,” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the park amphitheater. Participants will get the opportunity to learn about the Milky Way Galaxy and the types of objects they can observe through...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for July 7–13
Sunday, July 7: A deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 82 in the town of Viroqua. The driver received criminal citations for operating after revocation and ignition interlock device tampering. Monday, July 8: The sheriff’s office was notified of a male chasing...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for July 1–6
Monday, July 1: Daryl High of Mount Hope, Wis., struck a deer while driving southbound on Highway 61 in the town of Kickapoo. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed due to disabling damage. Monday, July 1: A deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on...
Tomah multi-class reunion set for Sept. 6
The fourth annual multi-class reunion of 1950 through 1959 graduates from Tomah High School will be Friday, Sept. 6, at Cranberry Country Lodge, Tomah. Registration for this reunion, designed to bring back graduates over a 10-year period, will begin in the lodge at 10...
Brookwood’s sports complex nears completion
Brookwood’s new football field and track are nearing completion, with the sod on the football field already almost playable.
Register
District attorney speaks on Wilton case
Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger talked to residents and board members at the Wilton Village Board’s meeting July 8, describing the justice system as it relates to a case pending against former Wilton clerk/treasurer Leigha Barton, who is accused of embezzling about $128,000 from the village.
Register
Ontario marks Fourth of July with festivities, fireworks
Ontario hosted its annual July 4 celebration last week.
Register
Ontario board approves contract for sewer plant
The Ontario Village Board approved a $93,000 contract with Davy Engineering on Monday for work associated with an upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant.
Register
Ontario’s cowboy church
Tor Eness, a rural Ontario country musician, and the Ontario Community Club hosted Cowboy Church on Sunday at the Ontario pavilion. The event served as a kickoff for the village’s annual July 4 celebration.
Register
Merriment at the Elroy Fair
Despite heavy rain, crowds turned out for the Elroy Fair, which was from June 19–23.
Register
Royall referendum likely slated for fall
It’s strongly likely the Royall School District will run a referendum in November to raise more money for operational expenses, Superintendent Scott Uppena told the board of education at its meeting Monday.
Register
Construction continues at N-O-W
As summer ramps up, work continues on the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District’s construction project, with the new track and football field tentatively due for completion in late July, Superintendent Travis Anderson told the board of education at its meeting June 13.
Register
Norwalk considers plans for possible new community center
Norwalk is working with a grant writer to seek state funds for a new community center, president Levi Helgren said at the board’s meeting June 11.
Register
Kendall Lions celebrate 75 years
The Kendall Lions Club hosted its 75th anniversaary party Sunday at The Lumberyard, an outdoor music venue in Kendall.
Register
Wilde named new Wilton Village Board president
Ed Wilde, a current Wilton Village Board member, will start his tenure as president July 1, replacing Missy Coldren, who resigned last month.
Register
Ontario board secures $1.6 M interim loan
The Ontario Village Board approved a $1.6 million interim loan Monday to temporarily cover expenses associated with construction and renovation projects in the community.
Register
Community
Wilton Public Library to host events
By Kelly Lupton | Wilton Public Library director The following activities are coming up at the Wilton Public Library: • 10 a.m. Friday, July 26: Current-Events Discussion Group • 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 26: Book Club for Adults with Special Needs...
Faith Independent Baptist Church in Ontario to host Neighborhood Bible Time
Young people in preschool through high school are invited to Faith Independent Baptist Church in Ontario for a week of Neighborhood Bible Time from 6:30 to 9 p.m. each evening from Sunday, July 28, until Thursday, Aug. 1. The closing program will be at 7 p.m....
Senior menus for July 29 to Aug. 2
Kendall, Norwalk and Wilton meal sites Call 463-7622 (Kendall), 343-3158 (Norwalk) or 487-6130 (Wilton) by noon two days before to reserve a meal. Suggested donation is $4 per meal. One-percent milk is served with each meal. Monday, July 29: Breaded pork with...
Gjefle: Spiritual Warfare
By Pastor Michael T. Gjefle Faith Independent Baptist Church, Ontario II Corinthians 10:3,4 — “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of...
Wilton Public Library to host Celtic harpist, offer book-group discussions
By Kelly Lupton | Wilton Public Library director The following activities are coming up at the Wilton Public Library: • 10 a.m. Friday, July 19: Current-Events Discussion Group • 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 19: Book Club for Adults with Special Needs...
Obituaries
Doris Glee Suiter
Doris Glee Suiter, 81, of Norwalk passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. She was born on Nov. 7, 1942, to Eric and Violet Piasecke in Richland County, Wis. She graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1960....
Lila M. Grawin
Lila M. Grawin, 97, of Tomah and formerly of Kendall died Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Touch of Home in Tomah. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home of Kendall. Online condolences may be sent...
Jackaline Jane (Preuss) Johnson/Schumann
Jackaline Jane (Preuss) Johnson/Schumann, 86, passed away peacefully at Spring Brook in Onalaska on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. She was born May 27, 1938, in Elroy to Arthur and Fannie (Searles) Preuss. Jackie married John Johnson on April 6, 1957. John preceded her in...
Sally Dana
After a courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct liver cancer), Sally Dana, 77, of Kendall, died on July 12, 2024, at her home, surrounded by love. Sally Colleen Dana was born on Jan. 26, 1947, to her parents Marjorie and Leslie Dana in Portland,...
Franklin Dwayne Rumppe (updated)
The following was updated Monday, July 15, to reflect a change in visitation time. Franklin Dwayne Rumppe, “Frank,” 83, of rural Kendall, Wis., passed away July 1, 2024. Frank was born Jan. 30, 1941, to Earl and Crystabel (Jacobus) Rumppe. He was the last of their 10...
Opinion
Letter to the editor: A warning
By Danell Sulik | Kendall While I’m all for keeping Trump out of the White House, I’m relieved he escaped the assassination attempt. This is America, and if we don’t want someone in office, the weapon of choice is a ballot, not a bullet. Trump and his followers...
Letter to the editor: Groups will gather to host National Night Out
By Eric Prise | Director, Marketing & Public Relations, Tomah Health For 21 years, Monroe County law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency services personnel, and various not-for-profit groups have devoted various resources to help residents learn ways to...
Letter to the editor: Debate debacle
By Dani Sulik | Kendall Thursday’s presidential debate was painful to watch. It showcased two candidates who were well past their sell-by date. Unless the grim reaper pays a visit, it really is down to these two. Trump was a verbal volcano, spewing lies and dodging...
Your Right to Know: Redaction costs threaten police video access
By Bill Lueders The bill moved with lightning speed. It was introduced last December, passed the state Senate in January and the Assembly in February, and was signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers in March. 2023 Wisconsin Act 253 allows police and corrections officials...
Letter to the editor: By design, Wisconsin education system no longer envy of nation
By Lee D. Van Landuyt | Hillsboro Wisconsin’s public education system was once the envy of our nation. By design, this is no longer true! Wisconsin State Senator Chris Larson (District 7) serves on the Senate Education Committee, and what is written below comes from...
Sports
Brookwood Athletic Notes
Contributed by Ken Clinton | Brookwood athletic director BROOKWOOD FALL SPORTS START DATES • Tuesday, Aug. 6: High school football (4 p.m.) • Monday, Aug. 19: High school/junior high cross country (8 a.m.), high school volleyball (3:30 p.m.), and junior high...
Royall succumbs to one run in sectional final
The Royall baseball team was just one run away to making a state baseball appearance close to a quarter-century in the making. With receiving a first round bye, Royall, the No. 2 seed in the WIAA Division 4 baseball bracket, hosted No. 7 seed Brookwood on May 28 in...
Brookwood athletes compete at state track
Four Brookwood students competed in the WIAA state track meet in La Crosse last weekend: Marshall Doll, 400-meter dash; Wyatt Maurhoff, high jump; Elijah Johns, 110-meter hurdles; and Cooper Powell, 3,200-meter run. Maurhoff placed fifth. Elijah Johns competes in the...
Royall baseball wins regional
Royall’s baseball team defeated Seneca to win the regional championship on May 29. The team advanced to sectionals, defeating De Soto but falling to Eleva-Strum, just missing a trip to state.
Track stars make strides at conference, regionals
Brookwood’s Sophie Teynor claimed the track regional championship in the girls triple jump when teams competed at Cashton on May 20. Teynor jumped 31-6.50. When Royall hosted conference, Teynor placed fifth at 29-10.25. (Tasha Mueller photo) The top four individuals...
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 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...
Palen Park: Before and after
Although Ontario has diminished since the August 2018 flood and the subsequent removal of many downtown buildings, one bright spot remains. Pictured above is Palen Park in 2012. Below are photos from last August featuring the gardening skills of Ontario resident...
St. Luke’s to be placed on National Registers
Contributed by MARIE SCHAUER FINDLAY Descendant of St. Luke’s founders On Saturday, Oct. 1, St. Luke’s Church, located at 30013 Oxford Road in rural Elroy, invites everyone to join them to celebrate being officially listed on both the State and National Registers of...
School
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.
N-O-W highlights for fourth-quarter
By Travis Anderson | N-O-W Superintendent Wow, what a great year the 2023–2024 school year was thanks to all of our wonderful students, staff, and our supportive community.One thing I mentioned in my graduation speech this year was that the old saying rings true, “It...
RMS musicians perform in spring concert
The sixth grade general music group opened the Royall Middle School spring concert May 13 with playing ukuleles to Johnny Cash’s top hit “Ring of Fire.” (Tasha Mueller photo) The sixth-graders have fun throwing pieces of homework in “I’ve Lost My Homework." (Tasha...
Brookwood club hosts trap shoot
The Brookwood trap club recently hosted its trap shoot. The follow are members of the trap club. Front row (left to right): Wyatt Maurhoff, Tim DeWitt, Mason Rex, Jennafer Fennigkoh, Taylor Fennigkoh, Saleen Ford, Zaida Carpenter and Katherine McElhose. Back row:...