More local news

Looking back: This week in History

140 Years ago (1886) The youngsters were more than usual mischievous on Halloe’en (variant spelling in 1886) and the way gates and loose property became mixed up was a trial to the nerves. …
Eric Weihe presents drug court funding requests to the Monroe County Board, explaining how opioid settlement money would support treatment, transitional housing and efforts to connect people with services before they enter the criminal justice system.

County backs drug court, expands efforts to reach people sooner

Helping someone recover from addiction can mean more than getting that person into treatment. It can also mean finding a safe place to live and making sure the cost of an assessment does not stand in …

Sparta School News: STEM Academy Bike Trip

“You’ve  got this!” That is one of the phrases I had to remind myself of throughout the bike trip. The bike trip that Innovations Stem Academy took on September 24 was very engaging, fun, …

Sparta School News: Explore your interests

Every student has something that makes them stand out, and Sparta Meadowview Middle School gives them a place to discover what that is. With a variety of clubs, sports, and academic opportunities, …

Sparta School News: Student and Staff Volunteers Improve Sparta School Forest While Honoring Joan Cook’s Legacy

A group of dedicated student and staff volunteers spent Saturday making important improvements to the Sparta School Forest pavilion and entrance, helping preserve a valuable outdoor learning space …

The Electrification of Monroe County: A Five-Part History

Author’s note: Starting with this issue, we are pleased to present a five-part historical series exploring the transformative arrival of electricity in Monroe County. Part one examines how early …
Obituaries
Robert Roy
Robert “Bob” Roy, 74, of Norwalk, WI, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Funeral Services are pending at this time and will be announced by Torkelson Funeral …
Dean D. Benedict
SPARTA - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dean Douglas Benedict, who departed this life peacefully on October 27, 2026, at the age of 93. Born on November 12, 1932, in Sparta, …
Roxana Maxine O’Connor
Roxana “Roxie” Maxine (Harp) O’Connor, age 87, passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Emplify Health in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was born April 11, 1939, in Warrens Wisconsin to Roy …
Dean D. Benedict
SPARTA - Dean D. Benedict, 93, of Sparta, died Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta. Please join us in a celebration of his life from 1p.m.-4p.m., Saturday, November 7, …
Cynthia Fagan
Cynthia Fagan, 77, of Chippewa Falls, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2026, at her home while under the care of St. Croix Hospice. She was born June 12, 1949, in Tomah to Donald and Leona …
Craig H. Storkel
Craig H. Storkel, 75 of Tomah died on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at his home. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, 11:00 AM at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. …
Fall 2026 Elections

Fall 2026 Elections – Remember to vote November 3rd

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monroe County voters will choose candidates for federal, state and county offices and decide three proposed …

Sports

FOOTBALL: La Crosse Logan, Reedsburg advance to regional semifinals

The Onalaska Hilltoppers saw their season end in Level 1 of this year’s playoffs, falling 35-9 on the road against Plymouth.
The WIAA football playoffs got underway last Friday, with five Mississippi Valley Conference teams competing in the Division 2 and Division 3 opening rounds. La Crosse Logan and Reedsburg …
The Hillsboro Tigers earned a regional title and rolled on into sectionals with a four-set win over rival Wonewoc-Center last Saturday in Wonewoc.
VOLLYBALL: Bangor, Hillsboro stay alive into sectionals
And then there were two. Following the opening week of the high school volleyball playoffs all across Wisconsin, only two Scenic Bluffs Conference teams remain as we head into sectional action. …
EDITORIAL: Badgers defense shines in signature win over USC
Though it was very much overshadowed throughout the state by Game 2 of the World Series going on in Milwaukee at the same time, how about a toast to the Wisconsin Badgers football team on their …
Cutline: Sparta junior Lilly Hackbarth tips a ball back over the La Crosse Central block last Thursday at Logan High School.
Spartans show resilience in win over Central
If there’s one word Sparta head volley coach Mary Sackmann would use to describe her team this year, it would be resilient. Never was that on clearer display than with their backs against the wall …
Bangor advances to sectionals after five-set win
In the Division 4 regional finals, the second-seeded Bangor Cardinals (26-7) outlasted No. 3 seed Auburndale (29-10) 23-25, 25-14, 25-19, 19-25, 15-12 last Saturday in Bangor. The Cardinals …
Brookwood boys win repeat sectional title
For a second straight year, the Brookwood boys cross country team will make the trip to Wisconsin Rapids on the heels of a sectional title. The Falcons repeated as sectional champions with five …
EDITORIAL: Brewers end 44-year wait to earn cathartic pennant
Whether you’ve been waiting 44 years or your entire lifetime, the moment has finally arrived: the Milwaukee Brewers are headed back to the World Series. After years of frustrating playoff …
Business

Brush Craft Brings Creativity to Tomah

Not everyone considers themselves an artist, but at Brush Craft in Tomah, that doesn't matter. From canvas paintings to layered wooden crafts, the studio gives people of all skill levels a chance to …

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