EXTRA
Your Right to Know: When transparency is disregarded
By Bill Lueders Last month, the Wisconsin town of Hazelhurst postponed discussion of a proposed ordinance due to a typo. The meeting agenda had incorrectly listed “wake board” instead of the intended “wake boat.” Said town chairman Ted Cushing, “I’m not...
Meet the bard at Wildcat: ‘Shakespeare in the Park’ set for July 11
Wildcat Mountain State Park will host Summit Players’ “Shakespeare in the Park” on Friday, July 11, at its amphitheater. The following is the schedule. • 5:30 p.m. workshop — “Playing with Shakespeare: Get Outside with Will” This workshop focuses on helping...
Norwalk spill affects 8 miles of trout waters
At least eight miles of a Southwest-Wisconsin stream were polluted by a manure spill earlier this month. The spill killed hundreds of fish, including many wild brown trout. The affected waterways — Spring Valley Creek, Moore Creek and the Kickapoo River — have long...
Your Right to Know: Want a closed session? Explain yourself!
By Tom Kamenick Probably the most commonly used — and, in my opinion, abused — exemption in our state’s Open Meetings Law is the one that lets governmental bodies meet behind closed doors “whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session." The...
Springtime birding on the Kickapoo
By Charlie Luthin of Lodi, Wis. The month of May brings fresh rains to the Kickapoo Valley, and paddlers ready themselves for their spring float or paddle down this iconic Driftless Area River. May also brings...
Narcan training will be offered in Elroy
SAFE in Juneau County will be hosting a FREE community Narcan training in Elroy at the Elroy Public Library on Thursday, June 12th at 5pm. This training will teach participants how to take life-saving steps in the event of an opioid overdose. Participants will...
County Highway U scheduled for resurfacing
County Highway U in the towns of Jefferson and Wells in Monroe County, between Nemo Avenue in Cashton and County Highway XU, 7.9 miles in length, will be restricted to alternating one lane of traffic beginning Wednesday, June 4, and continuing for about two...
NEWS
Back-to-school bash planned at Wilton Public Library
Contributed by the Wilton Public Library The Wilton Public Library has partnered with the Monroe County Health Department to bring a back-to-school event that will help you and your littles (or not so little) get ready for a great school year coming up. ...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for July 6–12
Sunday, July 6: Dispatch received an automated crash-detection notification from a cell phone but was unable to make voice contact with anyone. A deputy went to the location and found a cell phone in the road. The owner was contacted to retrieve their phone. Monday,...
Ontario board tackles housekeeping items
By Pat Mulvaney | For the County Line The Ontario Village Board approved a $1,310 quote from Sparta Door Solutions for a 12-foot chain garage door opener at its monthly meeting Monday where board members took little time dispensing with a scant agenda. A second quote...
Wildcat to offer ‘Tales with Terry’
Wildcat Mountain State Park will host “Tales by Terry” at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the park amphitheater. Terry Visger told stories to students in her classroom for years, and she now weaves stories for all ages. She will tell folktales and scary...
Winners of Ontario July 4 pedal pull
The following were winners in the Ontario July 4 pedal pull by Kindschi Pedal Pulls. • 4-year-olds (14 in class) — First place, Jocelyn Schmitz of Kendall; second place, Arian Bergaman of Sparta; and third place, Jack Witt of Kendall • 5-year-olds (eight in class) —...
Ontario Auxiliary announces winners of July 4 raffle
Contributed by the Ontario Auxiliary The following were the winners in the Ontario American Legion Auxiliary’s July 4 raffle: • Quilt — Theresa Nicholas • $200 cash — Kathy Wolf • Battery chainsaw — Kerry Schendel • Hansen House — Emma Baldwin • Driftless Cottage —...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for June 29 to July 5
Sunday, June 29: A business on Highway 131 in the Viola called to report that some electronic cigarettes or vapes were stolen from an open case. A deputy was able to identify suspects from the store surveillance footage and made contact with them. The property was...
Barton pretrial hearing is Aug. 8
A pretrial hearing for former Wilton clerk/treasurer Leigha Barton is slated for 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at the Monroe … Read the rest
Community gathers in Ontario to celebrate Independence Day
The Ontario Community Club hosted its annual July 4 celebration from July 3–6.
Whitestown denies variance for quarry
When the Town of Whitestown Board met Tuesday, it voted to deny Kale Winchel’s request to reopen and operate the … Read the rest
Ontario Public Library going solar in 2025
This spring, the Ontario Public Library Board approved the installation of a solar array, which will be installed at the … Read the rest
Legion Riders visit Kendall
More than 100 American Legion Riders from across the state visited the Kendall Veterans Memorial on Saturday.
La Farge man charged in alleged truck theft in Ontario
Charges were filed in Vernon County Circuit Court last week in connection with a May 25 incident in which a … Read the rest
Scenes of summer: Fun at the Elroy Fair
The 128th Elroy Fair was from June 18–22 and had the theme “Racing Into Summer.”
Whitestown takes no action on quarry
The Town of Whitestown Board last week declined to either approve or deny an application to reopen a quarry west … Read the rest
Royall community night to focus on district offerings
Royall will host a community night Monday, July 14, at which residents can learn more about district academic and co-curricular … Read the rest
Wilton to do electrical repairs at campground
At a special meeting Monday, the Wilton Village Board hired Scott Lind of Ontario to do electrical repairs on the … Read the rest
Ontario gas station has kitchen fire
A kitchen fire ignited but was quickly extinguished at the Ontario Zzip Stop last Wednesday.
Wilton Legion donates toward swimming pool
The Wilton American Legion hosted a Father’s Day chicken dinner, and proceeds from the event will help pay for concrete … Read the rest
Community
Kendall seniors go boating
Contributed by the Kendall Meal Site — Kendall Meal Site participants enjoyed a pontoon ride on Castle Rock Lake on Sunday, July 13. Pictured are Alrita Benish, Rick Popp, Laura Allen, Jean Jefferies, Carrie Doyle, Joyce Thonesen and Francis Trepes. Hosts were Joe and...
Wilton Public Library to host activities
By Kelly Lupton | Wilton Public Library director The Wilton Public Library will host the following events: • 10 a.m. Friday, July 18: Current-Events Discussion Group • 4 p.m. Monday, July 21: Monroe County Narcan Community Training • 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 22: Book...
Final wishes: End-of-life planner
Contributed by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wilton Thinking about the end of our life is difficult, but no less difficult for those around us. We place a burden on those remaining if we have not made our end-of-life instructions crystal clear. To that end,...
Kendall movie night is July 25
Contributed by Lynette Vlasak The Kendall Public Library’s movie night will be on Friday, July 25, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at St. John’s Church fellowship hall. The movie will be “Green and Gold” starring Craig T. Nelson (starred in the TV series...
Tomah classes from 1950s to reunite Sept. 5
The fifth annual multi-class reunion of 1950 through 1959 graduates from Tomah High School will be Friday, Sept. 5, at Cranberry Country Lodge in Tomah. Registration for this reunion, designed to bring back graduates over a 10-year period, will begin in the lodge at...
Obituaries
Scott Dobbs
Scott Dobbs, 68, of rural Ontario passed away peacefully at home with his wife Sue by his side on Monday, July 7, 2025. Scott was born Sept. 27, 1956, in Sparta, Wis., to Stacy and Margie (Worthington) Dobbs. He grew up on a farm outside of Ontario with his parents...
Francis R Hynek
“A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years’ mere study of books.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Francis Raymond Hynek, 91, of La Farge (and formerly of Hillsboro), a gifted storyteller and one of life’s true characters, played his...
Kenneth Odell Ottum (full obituary)
Kenneth Odell Ottum, 84, of Ontario, Wis., passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 20, 2025. He was born on May 20, 1941, to Edwin and Evelyn (Kolbo) Ottum. A proud graduate of Ontario High School, class of 1959, Ken was known for his strong work ethic,...
Rosella M. Schendel
Rosella M. Schendel, 91, of Tomah, Wis., passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Close to Home in Tomah, Wis. She was born Sept. 18, 1933, to Matt and Ottilia (Schreier) Schmid in Hillsboro, Wis. Rosella was united in holy matrimony to Darwin L. Schendel...
Kenneth Odell Ottum
Kenneth Odell Ottum, 84, of Ontario, Wis., passed away Friday, June 20, 2025. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 30, at Brush Creek Lutheran Church, rural Ontario. Pastor Pat Ziems will officiate. Burial will follow in...
Opinion
Letter to the editor: Bluebells
By Lyda Lanier | Town of Ridgeville In her column “South Ridge News,” Alice Brandau always brought us up to date in the spring when the bluebells were in bloom. This year, Carolene Martalock encouraged readers of the County Line to take a drive in Vernon County...
Letter to the editor: Democracy has been deteriorating
By Kent Gallaway | Readstown Democracy in America has been deteriorating for decades from corruption, inequality, and a flawed campaign election process. The accumulating causes have resulted in a dangerous election of a power-hungry character, Donald Trump....
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...
Sports
Brookwood names athletes of the month
The following Brookwood High School students were named athletes of the month for May/June. Coaches’ comments follow the students’ names. BASEBALL • Julian Cunitz: “Julian led the team in batting with .480 average for May. He also was one of our most reliable...
Local athletes named all-conference
The following local high school athletes were named to the Scenic Bluffs All-Conference Teams: BASEBALL First team — Braeden Pasch, Owen Wang and Jackson Cunitz, Brookwood; and Seth Brandau, Jackson Bender, Trey Wildes and Cole Eberhardt, Royall Second team — Ben...
Falcon softball claims regional title
The Brookwood softball team claimed the WIAA Division 5 regional title with a 15–5 win in six innings over No. 6 Kickapoo on May 29. In the regional semifinal, Brookwood hosted No. 7 Wonewoc-Center on May 27 with a 12–0 wn in five innings. Brookwood traveled to No. 1...
Royall softball runs to regional final
The No. 4 Royall softball team hosted No. 5 Cochrane-Fountain City on May 27 in the regional semifinal WIAA Division 5 tournament game. Kenady Olson catches a quick ground ball and tosses to first for an out in the fourth inning, as Royall led 6–1. (Tasha Mueller...
Falcon baseball flies past CFC
The No. 4 Brookwood baseball team hosted No.13 Cochrane-Fountain City on May 29 in the first round of tournament play in the WIAA Division 4 regional. Braeden Pasch bats a fly out to centerfield in the second inning. Drew Thurston fueled a homerun to bring in four...
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 CCC camp, 1930s
This circa 1930s photo depicts the pool hall at the Civilian Conservation Corps camp north of Ontario. It was one of nearly 4,000 camps operated by the federal government through the New Deal program. The program, which employed unmarried men from ages 18–25, ended in...
Norwalk Dry Goods and Groceries, 1901
This 1901 photo depicts the Norwalk Dry Goods and Groceries store, which was located at 203 Main St. It was established in 1900 and incorporated in 1903. Later, it became Norwalk IGA, and then Lehner’s IGA Market. More historic photos are available at the Monroe...
In 1942, Wilton woman joined husband in blacksmith shop
After Fred W. Lueck (right) couldn’t find help for his blacksmith shop in Wilton in 1942, his wife, Anna Lueck (left), joined him in the endeavor. The blacksmith shop was behind the Polstin’s building, which is on Main Street. Herbert Anderson photo (courtesy of Aldis...
Kendall dramatic club, circa 1900
This circa 1900 photo shows members of “Finnegan’s Alley,” which was an amateur dramatic club in Kendall. Seated, from left to right, are Mamie Moote and Clarence S. Dodge. In back are Mayne Daily, Louis H. Felker, Edward DeBarr, Walter F. Houk, Roy Ebert and Mayme...
Wilton Memorial Day parade, 1965
Herbert Anderson of Wilton (1887–1989) captured these photos of the Wilton American Post’s Memorial Day parade in 1965. Along with the legion members, the Royall High School band took part in the event. Do you have more information on these photos? Contact the...
School
Royall hosts sixth-grade science fair
The Royall School District recently hosted its sixth-grade science fair. Westly, Ashton, Denaza, Desirae take part in an experiment. Gabe, Liam, Corbin and Dwight also created an experiment. (Contributed photo) THIRD-PLACE TEAM — “Magic Mud,” Drake, Connor, Brian...
Brookwood hosts trap shoot
Before school got out, the Brookwood High School trap club hosted a trap shoot. Bella Brandau (Kathy Nelson photo) Katherine McElhose and Gracin Stebbins (Kathy Nelson photo) Sophie Hyatt. (Kathy Nelson photo) Marshall Dol (Kathy Nelson photo)
Royall seniors receive scholarships
The following 2025 Royall High School graduates received the following scholarships and awards: • Royall Alumni Association Scholarship — CJ Anderson, Tyler Marshall, Maddison Peterson and Piper Pursell • Royall Booster Club Athletic Scholarship — Jackson Bender, Seth...
Brookwood’s night of musical magic
The Brookwood music department put on its pops concert May 13. Jocelyn Pacheco Pastrana and Drew Powell play with the high school band, which performed the main theme from “Mandalorian,” “Defying Gravity” from Broadway’s “Wicked,” and “My Shot” from Broadway’s...
Brookwood students named to honor roll
The following Brookwood Junior/Senior High School students were named to the fourth-quarter honor roll: SENIORS High Honors: Payge A. Clark, Deja S. Jimenez and Hunter A. Zimmerman Honor Roll: Emma J. Baldwin, Camden L. Brueggeman, Marshall C. Doll, Savannah Groom...