EXTRA
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...
DNR announces preliminary gun-deer harvest totals
Submitted by the Wisconsin DNR The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrates the conclusion of the 2025 nine-day gun deer hunt, which kicked off the holiday season in Wisconsin with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, harvest food for the table and...
N-O-W highlights: Brookwood celebrates a strong start to the school year
By Travis Anderson | Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District Superintendent Greetings from Brookwood! Our students and staff are off to an outstanding start as students and staff move into the second quarter of the 2025–2026 school year. With academic achievement,...
15-year-old dies in Clinton farm incident
A farm-related incident in the Plain community resulted in a fatal injury Nov. 14 in the town of Clinton, according to Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson. At about 11 a.m., the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified that a 15-year-old...
Free presentation on latest scams affecting area will be offered in Kendall
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Monroe County and Royal Bank will offer a community educational opportunity focused on money scams. This free presentation will highlight the latest scams affecting our area and provide guidance on what to do if you fall...
Hillsboro man injured in Highway 82 accident
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified of a single-vehicle crash that occurred at the intersection of Highway 82 and County Highway P in the town of Forest at about 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, according to Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson....
Brookwood releases parking map for Veterans Day program
Brookwood High School will host its Veterans Day program at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the high school varsity gymnasium. Note that construction is going on the school. Enter the school through the high school entrance ramp. Students will direct people to...
NEWS
A Thanksgiving tradition in Wilton
A group of Wilton residents put on a free Thanksgiving dinner Thursday at the Wilton American Legion Hall. The following volunteered at the event (left to right): Nick Coleman, Verlyn Prechel, Mike O’Rourke, Reina Coleman, Kari Leis, Mary Kiel, Shelby Leland and...
Royall to perform concerts Dec. 8, Dec. 15
The Royall School District will host the following holiday concerts: MONDAY, DEC. 8 In the old high school gymnasium • 6 p.m. — Fifth and sixth trades • 6:45 p.m. — Middle school • 7:30 p.m. — High school MONDAY, DEC. 15 In the elementary school gymnasium •...
KVR’s Holiday Happening is Saturday
The Kickapoo Valley Reserve Friends will celebrate the holidays Saturday, Dec. 6, 12–5 p.m. at the KVR Visitor Center, S3661 Hwy, 131, La Farge. Funds raised at the Holiday Happening support trail maintenance, habitat improvement, and the KVR’s educational...
Tomah VA provided permanent housing for 58 homeless veterans in 2025
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it permanently housed 51,936 homeless veterans across the country in fiscal year 2025, according to a press release prepared by the Tomah VA Medical Center. That number is 4,011 more veterans than the VA housed...
New equipment in Norwalk
The Village of Norwalk recently obtained a man lift, which will be used for hanging Christmas decorations and an assortment of other tasks. Norwalk Police Chief Allen Myren obtained the piece of equipment through the federal 1033 program, which allows excess military...
Norwalk applies for state grant
By Sarah Parker | County Line Editor Norwalk will apply for a grant through Wisconsin Economic Development called Thrive Rural, village board president Levi Helgren said at a Nov. 11 meeting. If awarded, the village will have access to up to $25,000 in...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Nov. 23–29
Sunday, Nov. 23: A landowner called regarding neighbors trespassing and hunting on his property on Missel Road in the town of Wheatland. The DNR responded regarding UTV and hunting violations, and sheriff’s deputies assessed possible damage and trespassing to the...
Brookwood excels at State Theatre Festival
From Nov. 20–22, 14 students from Brookwood attended the State Theatre Festival coordinated by Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts … Read the rest
Barton may seek to withdraw plea
In a possible change of course, former Wilton clerk/treasurer Leigha Barton, accused of stealing $134,618 from the village, may attempt … Read the rest
Soccer at Brookwood still a consideration
The Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Board of Education continued Monday to consider a proposal to add a soccer team to the school’s offerings. … Read the rest
Brookwood’s ‘Greek Mythology Olympiaganza’
Students in the Brookwood theatre program will go to the state theatre festival, set for Nov. 20–22, to present their … Read the rest
Royall students salute veterans
Royall Elementary School students performed numbers, honoring veterans on Tuesday.
Brookwood honors veterans
Brookwood High School and Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School students hosted a Veterans Day program Tuesday.
No change in Ontario tax levy for 2026
The Ontario Village Board adopted a budget at its regular meeting Monday that holds the tax levy steady at last … Read the rest
Court date for former Wilton clerk is Monday
A sentencing and restitution hearing for former Wilton clerk/treasurer Leigha Barton is set for 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, in … Read the rest
Local food pantries providing extra help
As the status of SNAP benefits remains uncertain due to the government shutdown, local food pantries may need to offset … Read the rest
Candy, costumes and fun
Local schools and organizations offered Halloween activities last Friday.
Brookwood cross country boys team headed to state
The Brookwood boys cross country team captured the Division 3 sectional title at Prairie du Chien on Oct. 25 and … Read the rest
Wilton clerk/treasurer resigns
Wilton’s clerk/treasurer, Mindy Haase, submitted her resignation last week.
Community
Veterans honored at Kendall Meal Site
The Monroe County Aging and Disability Resource Cemter honored local Kendall veterans with a free meal at the Kendall Meal Site. Those in attendance were Don Yahnke, Eric Schoenfeld, Francis Trepes, Carol Bradley (for Everett Bradley), Kale Kvistad and Doug Rogalla....
Christmas is coming
The Wilton Public Library hosted a holiday party Friday to kick off the season. The library also will offer its annual Christmas Gathering from 5–8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Wilton Community Center gymnasium. The event will feature dinner, Santa, songs, games and...
‘Christmas in Connecticut’ will be shown in Kendall
Contributed by Lynette Vlasak Kendall’s movie night will be Friday, Dec. 12, at St. John’s Church Fellowship Hall in Kendall. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the classic black and white film starring Barbara Stanwyke, “Christmas in Connecticut,” will be...
Seeing Stars: The best gifts
By Susan Cushing | Kickapoo Dark-Sky Initiative The best gifts are sharing what we love with someone else. Regularly sharing a walk together to enjoy the new snowfall or the sunset has been something people used to do, but now we often forget the pleasure it can be....
Senior menus for Dec. 8–12
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, Dec. 8: German-style beef tips, hearty mashed potatoes,...
Obituaries
Willard Bernard Brueggen
Willard Bernard Brueggen, 95, of Sparta, Wis., passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta. He was born on June 28, 1930, to Herman and Margaret (Mlsna) Brueggen, one of 12 children raised in the...
Kenneth Joseph Anthony Paul Cook
Kenneth Joseph Anthony Paul Cook was born in Graceville, Minn., to Grace and Joseph Cook on Sept. 10, 1931. He died peacefully on Nov. 4, 2025, at the age of 94 years young in Norwalk, Wis. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Joseph Cook; his daughter,...
Alan Jerome Bell
Alan Jerome Bell, 81, of Kendall, Wis., passed away peacefully Nov. 23, 2025, at home, surrounded by family. Alan was born on June 14, 1944, to Norman and Marion (Wuensch) Bell. He grew up on the family farm in Schumann Valley near Elroy, Wis., where he enjoyed his...
Ruthie Brueggeman-Parker
Ruthie Brueggeman-Parker, 90, of Tomah, and formerly of Wilton, died on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at Touch of Home in Tomah. On Nov. 30, 1934, Ruth was born to Carl and Iva (Alton) Winchell in Posey Creek, Wis. She attended Wilton Elementary...
Jan L. Brandau
Jan L. Brandau, 70, of Wilton, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at St. Joseph’s, Hillsboro. He was born on Oct. 4, 1955, to Leonard and Galetta (Bucholz) Brandau in Sparta. He was a member of the Royall High School graduating class of 1973. On March...
Opinion
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...
Letter to the editor: Mega-scale transmission line impacts
By Rob Danielson | La Farge I write because some readers may be unaware of a very large transmission line being proposed for construction in Vernon, Crawford, Richland and, eventually, Sauk and Columbia counties. An important, first informational meeting about the...
Letter to the editor: Entire U.S. military was antifa
By Don Foy | La Farge “Antifa” is short for “anti-fascist.” My dad, uncles, and all the dads and uncles of my neighborhood pals were once antifa. That label didn’t exist yet, but they were anti-fascists. They risked their lives to fight the fascist threat in World War...
Letter to the Editor: No Kings Day
By Lee D. Van Landuyt | Hillsboro Consumers spend money. Big businesses benefit. Billionaires get richer. And on it goes! If this pattern were broken for one day, do you think it would get any attention from the uberwealthy? Of course it would! This is their Achillies...
Letter to the editor: We have president who is turning country inside out
By Kent Gallaway | Readstown It’s pretty clear to me what’s happening at the federal level. We have a president who is moving very quickly to turn the country inside out. The president is removing opposition to a corporate takeover of all institutions that support...
Sports
Royall, Brookwood volleyball unable to surpass regionals
Both the Royall and Brookwood volleyball teams advanced in the WIAA regional finals, and both fell in their home seeded matches. Royall's senior libero Ella Schroeder reaches on a fast play as it extends to the back court line to stay in bounds, as No. 1 Royall hosted...
Cashton too much for Brookwood in playoff run
No. 4 Brookwood hosted No. 5 Cashton in the first round of WIAA Division 7 football playoffs on Oct. 24. Brookwood football has not seen a playoff seed since 2019, as the Falcons faced the Eagles earlier this season to catch a 15–0 win. In the first quarter, both...
Falcons dominate home conference meet
The Brookwood cross country team hosted this season's Scenic Bluffs Conference meet at the Noth farm of rural Norwalk. The Brookwood boys claimed the title with 30 points, Bangor earned second at 76 points, and Necedah rounded out the top three with 79 points. (Tasha...
Royall volleyball gains conference title
In their continued season battle, Royall gained the SBC title October 16 with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-18) victory over Necedah. The team rounds out the regular season 13-1 in conference and 22-7 overall. The Panthers look toward the postseason, as the team received a...
Royall football closes out regular season
The Royall football team stands on their home field for the last time in the regular season, hosting Cashton on Oct. 17. (Tasha Mueller photo) Both Cashton and Royall came into the final game 4–2, looking to advance into the postseason with a playoff bid. Braxton...
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 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 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,...
Brookwood names artists of the month
Brookwood High School artists of the month for September were (above) Marissa Brueggeman and Eileen Bautista Santiago for their micrography drawings where they shaded only words that are synonyms of the expression on the faces. Below, Ellie Thieman, Katie Lee and...
Royall puts on fall concert
Royall put on its fall concert Oct. 27. Sydney F., Cydonia R., Layla M., Lily W., Brea L., Devyn J., Denali N., Sage F., and Hannah B. Kayden H., Josh A., Delvin S., Jaxon V., Kellen B., Adonu I., and Brooklyn M.