More local news

Crazy Days returns to Sparta July 19

Downtown Sparta will once again come alive for Crazy Days July 19. Also referred to as Crazy Daze, the community event is filled with shopping, food, entertainment and fun for all ages. The …

Sparta school officials weigh options after $100K federal funding freeze to after school care program

The Sparta Area School District’s (SASD) Committee of the Whole convened July 14 to address fiscal concerns linked to federal funding for the “What I Need” WIN After School Program. …

Sparta’s Lanie Brooks saddling up for Monroe County Fair rodeo

Fifteen-year-old Lanie Brooks has been doing rodeo for ten years. Since then, she’s grown a few feet taller, has practiced A LOT, and has developed many skills in horseback riding, horse …
Gwyn Horton, age 10, and mom Alice Horton, both from Sparta devote time for care and enjoyment with livestock. Gwyn Horton will be showing goats, sheep, chickens, and rabbit at the Monroe County Fair this year. She has also entered into archery and photography at this years fair.

Sparta mother and daughter prep to show livestock at Monroe County Fair

All across Monroe County, families are gearing up to show their livestock at the 2025 Monroe County Fair. Among those families are the Hortons: Gwyn Horton, 10, and her mom Alice Horton, who also …
A Monroe County 4-H club member at a floral workshop. The Monroe County Fair showcases a broad spectrum of accomplishments by area youth each year.

4-H shines at Monroe County Fair

For over a century, Monroe County has looked forward to the exhibits and events which 4-H brings to the county fair each summer. After months of hard work, practice, and effort, 4-H participants …

Monroe County Fair returns July 23

The sights, sounds and smells of summer return as the Monroe County Fair marks its 167th year with classic fair favorites and a few fresh attractions. The 167th annual Monroe County Fair kicks …
Obituaries
Louise Marie (Erpenbach) Melby
Louise Marie (Erpenbach) Melby, 101, passed away on July 16, 2025, at Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua. She was born on September 6, 1923, in Cook Creek, near Ontario, on a farm, to Lawrence and …
Walter Phillip Bender Sr.
Walter Phillip Bender Sr., age 97, of Tomah, WI, left to join Jesus in the early hours of Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Tomah Health. His wife of 74 years, Virginia, and his oldest daughter Sherieda …
Kathryn S. Culpitt
SPARTA - Kathryn S. Culpitt, 77, of Sparta passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025 at her home. She was born January 29, 1948 to Bernhard C. and Marie K. (Kotek) Danielson, in Sparta. She grew up in …
Paul R. Trout
SPARTA-Paul R. Trout, 73, of Sparta passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, La Crosse. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may …
Judith “Judy” Vick
Judith “Judy” Vick passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 13, 2025, surrounded by many loved ones. Her life was a radiant journey filled with love, laughter, joy, and unshakable …
Gerald W. Jensen
Gerald W. Jensen, 85, of Onalaska, passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Spring Brook Community Living Center. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 16th at 11:00 a.m.   at The …
Sports
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The Road to State

Bangor head track coach Dan Rampetstreiter joins the Cardinals’ 800
meter relay team (Grace Wenthold, Jaycee Michek, Marin Gasper,
Aubrey Langrehr) after placing second at sectionals and qualifying for the
WIAA state meet on Friday, May.
Just what does it take to get to state? As one may guess, skill, talent, preparation and proper training. However, there’s also a bit of luck - good or bad - that plays a role. At the …
Bangor’s Anna Fronk will play in the WBCA All-Star game Wednesday in Wisconsin Dells as a part of the D4 South team.
BASKETBALL WBCA ALL-STAR GAME: Bangor’s Fronk to lead area players at WBCA All-Star games
Bangor outgoing senior, Anna Fronk, has one more game to play at the high school level. Fronk, who was this year’s Scenic Bluffs Conference Player of the Year, will play as part of the …
TENNIS WIAA STATE TOURNAMENT: West Salem’s Hehli wins D2 singles title
West Salem can add another individual state champion to his hall of honor following the performance by Kyle Hehli in the state tennis tournament this spring. Hehli won the D2 singles state …
West Salem fans stand with applause to recognize the soccer team following its 4-0 loss to Catholic Memorial on Friday, June 20 in Milwaukee.
GIRLS SOCCER D3 STATE SEMIFINAL: An Ending
  West Salem goakeeper, Baylee Faucett was under siege almost from the onset of the Division 3 state semifinal with Waukesha Catholic Memorial. The Crusaders pressured the …
The last game of the spring season
I had grown used to the idea of staying home by the time it came to making a decision regarding going or not going to Milwaukee to watch the West Salem soccer team in its state debut on the first day …
A BREAK FROM RACING HELPS HOLZHAUSEN FOCUS ON A RETURN TO VICTORY LANE AT LACROSSE
Sometimes we all need to take a break from the fast and furious pace we live. Race car drivers also need to take a break when they run into a rough stretch of racing that tries to stymie their …
REAL ESTATE

Property taxes throughout Monroe County

In gathering data from the Monroe County Treasurer, the Herald requested a list of mill rates for each township and the different school districts. The Herald put this data together in a map that is …
Business

Sparta furniture store still running strong

More than a decade after launching Prestige Furniture as a side hustle in his garage, Mike Kidd is watching his twin sons take on a larger role in the family business. Kidd founded Prestige …

Special sections
Ancient Greek concepts about intelligence can shed light on 21st-century tech they never knew.
Ancient Greek concepts about intelligence can shed light on 21st-century tech they never knew.
Ancient Greek concepts about intelligence can shed light on 21st-century tech they never knew.
Ancient Greek concepts about intelligence can shed light on 21st-century tech they never knew.
Ancient Greek concepts about intelligence can shed light on 21st-century tech they never knew.