EXTRA
Local Easter egg hunts set for April 19
Local communities will host the following Easter egg hunts April 19: • Elroy — 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Elroy American Legion Hall. For ages through fourth grade. Hosted by the Elroy American Legion Auxiliary. • Ontario — Saturday, April 19, at the Ontario...
Brookwood track and field to host inaugural meets starting next week
Contributed by Brookwood High School Since it was established in the early 1960s, Brookwood has had a successful track and field program. Over the 60 years of the school’s existence, these athletes could be seen running in the parking lot and on the school’s hilly...
Brookwood selling items from Classic Gym | Facility will be remodeled into auditorium
Two dead in town of Portland crash
Two were killed Sunday in a crash involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle Sunday on Highway 33, near County Highway X, in the town of Portland. The Monroe County Communications Center was informed of the crash just about 5 p.m. During the initial investigation,...
Monroe County seasonal weight restrictions removed
The seasonal weight restrictions placed on Monroe County highways were removed effective Monday, April 7. The restrictions on each individual highway will remain in effect until the signs have been removed. All weight restrictions on bridges...
April 1, 2025, preliminary election results | Pasch, Muellenberg win N-O-W race
Challenger Damian Pasch and incumbent Matt Muellenberg will assume seats on the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School Board. Three candidates vied for two positions: Pasch received 764 votes; Muellenberg, 752; and incumbent Cari Keith, 420. The results are unofficial until...
County Highway Z in Wellington to close
County Highway Z in the town of Wellington, 1.45 miles east of Highway 131 and south of Wilton, will be closed effective Monday, April 7, to facilitate the replacement of a bridge over Poe Creek. The project is expected to be complete and the highway reopened...
NEWS
Easter scenes
Local communities hosted Easter egg hunts April 19. Brady Skowronski meets the Easter bunny at the Wilton hunt. Rory Ferries collects eggs at Ontario’s hunt near the Ontario Fire Station. The Easter bunnies greet children at the Norwalk Public Library hunt....
Elroy Museum opens Memorial Day Weekend
Contributed by the Elroy Area Museum The Elroy Area Museum, located on Main Street in Elroy, will open Memorial weekend. The museum will be open for tours on Saturdays and Sundays (plus extra days on Memorial and Labor Day weekends) from 1–4 p.m. Since opening...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for April 20–26
Sunday, April 20: Deputies conducted a traffic stop on W. Turner Avenue in Viola. A baggie with a crystal-like substance, which field-tested positive for methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia were located in the vehicle. A female was taken into custody for felony...
Ridgeville church to host ‘On the Road with St. Paul’
The lecture “On the Road with St. Paul” will be offered at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ridgeville on Monday evening, April 28. The speaker will be Dr. Glen L. Thompson, who has been researching and following the route of Paul’s missionary journeys. Dr....
Easter in Elroy!
Children were able to guess how many suckers and jelly beans there were to win each, along with a door prize when entering the annual Elroy American Legion and Auxiliary Easter Egg Hunt on April 19. (Tasha Mueller photo) Many children up to fourth grade were able to...
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for April 6–19
Sunday, April 6: Vernon County deputies, along with Hillsboro Police, responded to a residence on Mechanic Street in Hillsboro for a verbal domestic disturbance. Sunday, April 6: A deputy responded to E. Court Street in Viroqua for a locked vehicle with a 2-year-old...
Protect against measles
Contributed by the Monroe County Health Department Measles is a virus that can easily spread from person to person. It spreads through coughing, sneezing, and breathing the same air as a person with measles. About one in five people who get measles will be...
N-O-W, Royall superintendents have not received more information on federal funding
When President Donald Trump signed an executive order March 20 to dismantle the federal Department of Education, he said the … Read the rest
Vernon County Health Department may lose federal funds
After the federal administration cut $11 billion in public health funding March 24, the Vernon County Health Department learned it … Read the rest
Trial for former Wilton clerk/treasurer postponed
At the defense’s request, Monroe County Circuit Court adjourned a trial for former Wilton clerk/treasurer Leigha Barton at a Tuesday … Read the rest
Dancing the night away in Ontario
The Ontario Community Club hosted a concert with Cashton band Leather & Lace on Saturday at the Ontario Community Center. … Read the rest
Switz named Kendall Citizen of the Year
Buck Switz was named the Kendall Citizen of the Year on Saturday at the Kendall Lions Club’s annual Fundfest fundraiser. … Read the rest
Wilton Legion honors Vietnam veterans
March 29 is designated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Royall may start school earlier next year
The Royall School District will ask the state to allow it to start classes one week before Labor Day weekend … Read the rest
N-O-W change order approved
The Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School Board accepted a $106,281 change order March 17 for its expansive building project, which voters approved in … Read the rest
Royall just shy of state berth
The Royall boys basketball team traveled to Prairie du Chien on March 13 to take on North Crawford in the … Read the rest
N-O-W hosts Dennis Kelly Memorial Tournament
The Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District hosted its annual Dennis Kelly Memorial Youth Wrestling Tournament on March 7. Kelly was a longtime … Read the rest
Kendall’s public works director resigns
Longtime Kendall Public Works Director David Gruen resigned from his position at the regular village board meeting March 10, as … Read the rest
Federal actions leave school funding unsettled
Federal decisions have sparked uncertainty at the Royall and the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton school districts over the last few weeks.
Community
Seeing Stars: Evening walks
By Susan Cushing | Kickapoo Dark-Sky Initiative When a doorway to a new experience is found, unexpected pleasures often come into our lives. Sunsets are our doorway to the beauty of the night. They are an invitation to walk through twilight into our beautiful hills...
Senior menus for May 5–9
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, May 5: Orange chicken, Asian vegetables, rice, spring...
Ontario Public Library homeschool group meets Friday
By Rachel Conner | Ontario Public Library director Happy May! It’s First-Friday Homeschool Family Friday on May 2 from 2–4 p.m. Come gather with friends, meet new friends, and find resources. Games and toys are available! Book Share, the book club for independent...
Wilton Public Library to host programs
By Kelly Lupton | Wilton Public Library director The Wilton Public Library will host the following events: • 10 a.m. Friday, May 2: Current-Events Discussion Group • 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6: Board-Game Club • 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6: Book Club for Adults with...
Seeing Stars: The oldest astronaut
By Susan Cushing | Kickapoo Dark-Sky Initiative On Sunday, April 20, Don Pettit returned to earth after seven months in space on the International Space Station. He turned 70 years old as he hurtled toward earth in a tiny metal capsule, slowed by an enormous...
Obituaries
Timothy J. Downing
Timothy J. Downing, 66, of rural Ontario passed away peacefully at his home on April 21, 2025, recently diagnosed with liver/pancreatic cancer. He was born on March 31, 1959, at Tomah Memorial to George and Delphine (Dorner) Downing of Ontario. He...
Loreen Hendricks
Loreen Hendricks, 83, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Loreen was born at home on Nov. 28, 1941, to Earl E. and Inez Pearl (Burch) Ferries. The youngest of six children, she grew up on a farm located near Ontario, Wis., a small village in Vernon County on the...
Geraldine R. Gerke
Geraldine R. Gerke, 89, of Tomah died Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Elroy Health Service, surrounded by her family. She was born to Lyle and Gertrude (Mistle) Henry in Tomah. She was a member of the Tomah Senior High School graduating class of 1954. She was...
Anthony J. Anderson
Anthony J. Anderson, 89, of Kendall, died suddenly on Monday, April 7, 2025, at his home. He was born on May 20, 1935, to Alfred and Lulu (Preuss) Anderson on the family farm in the town of Clifton. Anthony was baptized and confirmed at Fountain Lutheran Church....
Janice Helene Tassler
Janice Helene Tassler, 73, passed away March 27,2025, at the Wild Rose Hospital. She was born Feb. 6, 1952, in Wisconsin to Elgard and Ora (Sauerbriet) Foelske. She married her soulmate Aaron (Moose) Tassler. He has preceded her in death. Jan and Moose ran...
Opinion
Letter to the editor: He counts on you
By Dena Eakles | rural Ontario Do you so want a savior that any savior will do? He said you would love him even if he killed a man on Fifth Avenue, and you said, “Yes.” He said he gets away with grabbing women, and you said, “Yes.” He said reporters who challenged him...
Vote for Susan Crawford
By Don Foy | La Farge There are many good reasons to vote for Judge Susan Crawford in the April 1 Wisconsin Supreme Court race. She has experience as a prosecutor, lawyer, and Circuit Court Judge, and supports public schools, women’s rights, workers’ rights and...
Letter to the editor: April 1 decision!
By Lee D. Van Landuyt | Hillsboro Elon Musk purchased Donald Trump’s presidency for “nearly $300 million” (AP/March 5, 2025), allowing Trump to avoid ongoing court cases and ended additional convictions and possible prison time. This is why Trump desperately needed to...
Letter to the editor: Dictator
By Lee D. Van Landuyt | Hillsboro Donald Trump said he would be a dictator “only on day one.” For most, day one means 24 hours. Not so with Trump. We are now over three weeks into his promised dictatorship with no letup in his indiscriminate, dictatorial decrees....
Letter to the editor: Protect life in the womb
By Michael T. Gjefle | Ontario Since the issue of abortion was brought up by a letter to the editor in last week’s County Line, let me share a few thoughts. Pro-abortion people continually emphasize the right to kill the baby for cases of rape and incest. Well, those...
Sports
Brookwood has end-of-season banquet
The Brookwood girls basketball team held its annual end-of-the-season banquet March 18. Pictured are the Brookwood Girls Basketball team players who received Scenic Bluffs All-Conference awards (left to right): Deanna Wallace, Scenic Bluffs sportsmanship award;...
Brookwood halted in first round of play
The No. 15 Brookwood boys basketball team traveled to No. 2 Royall on March 4 in the first round of the WIAA Division 5 regional tournament. Here, Jackson Cunitz leads an offensive play early in the first half. (Tasha Mueller photo) Brennen Mack started the game...
Brookwood students named athletes of the month
The following Brookwood High School students were named athletes of the month for February. Coaches’ comments follow the students’ names. BOYS BASKETBALL • Julian Cunitz: “Julian has really put all the pieces together to finish off his sophomore season on a...
Brookwood girls conclude season
The Brookwood senior girls basketball members (left to right: Deanna Wallace, Emily O'Rourke, Willow Pasch, and Alice Wiedmeyer) were honored at their last home game of the season Feb. 18. The team traveled to Cochrane-Fountain City on Feb. 25 in their first round of...
Royall girls stop at first-round tournament play
The No. 10 Royall girls basketball team traveled to No. 7 Hillsboro on Feb. 25 in the first round of regional tournament action. Elizabeth Klipstein steadied the early first-half pace, and the game was close going into halftime. (Tasha Mueller photo) Kayla Rick posts...
Backtalk
Looking back on our 40th year, 1983–2023
By KAREN PARKER | County Line Publisher Emerita Certainly one of the things that has changed a lot over 40 years is deer season. On the plus side, I no longer have to sit in a bar all day, waiting for a deer to photograph that was shot by a local hunter. Alas, when...
Private insurers insert profit-over-patient mentality into Medicare
By KAREN PARKER | County Line Publisher Emerita I met Dave Zweifel many years ago, at a Wisconsin Newspaper Association Convention. He had just stepped down as publisher of The Capital Times. We bonded immediately. We were both Swiss and from Green County, he from New...
Does the Parents’ Rights Act ensure any new rights?
By KAREN PARKER County Line Publisher Emerita It has been a curious sight last week watching the House of Representatives boot out its speaker for the first time in American history. It was reminiscent of when the kids were ordered to clean their rooms, and then spent...
Medicare Advantage reflects power insurance companies have over Congress
By KAREN PARKER County Line Publisher Emerita If you ever had any doubt about the power insurance companies have over Congress, look no further than the Medicare Advantage plan. Yes, here we are again, open-enrollment period. It’s worse than election years. We will...
Celebrating Wildcat’s 75th: The Lord brothers are two intriguing figures from Ontario’s history
By KAREN PARKER | County Line Publisher Emerita Of all the colorful and eccentric characters in local history few are as intriguing as two brothers, Ed and Charles Lord. Wildcat Mountain State Park overlook In old photographs, Ed appears in overalls, every bit the...
E-Edition
Pictures from the Past
Kendall High School class of 1934
Photo courtesy of Dean Hutchens
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...
School
Brookwood forensics excels at state tournament
Contributed by Brookwood High School Brookwood Forensics had 27 entries that were presented at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatics Arts’ State Competition on April 11 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Speakers spoke one time and were assessed by a...
Royall celebrates prom
Royall celebrated its prom last weekend. The following made up the court (left to right, back to front): Trenton, Savannah, Brycen, Liza, Dylan, Aunika, Lucas, Emma, Brock, Ella, Carter, King Trey, Queen Bria, Maddison, Beau and Oaklyn. (Contributed photo)
Brookwood students named to third-quarter honor roll
The following Brookwood Junior/Senior High students were named to the third-quarter honor roll: SENIORS High Honors: Payge A. Clark, Brayden T. Thieman and Deanna M. Wallace Honor Roll: Carter H. Arbuckle, Emma J. Baldwin, Alexander Bautista Velasco, Camden L....
Brookwood names artists of the month
The Brookwood High School Artists of the Month for March are Deja Jimenez (top) for her original watercolor, Alina Vogel (center) for her oil pastel Northern Lights drawing and Jackson DeWitt (below) for his selfie colored-pencil drawing. Art teacher Patricia Holte...
Brookwood puts on spring concert
Kendall McDonald, Ztormie Faith-Zbawa and Ellyanna Shegonee sing “Like a Mighty Stream” with the junior high choir. The group also performed “When I am Silent,” a song dedicated to young people whose lives are taken unjustly; and “Tecolote,” a folk song from New...