News

Burns Firefly Festival this Saturday

Friday, August 17, 2018 - 2:58pm

At this year's Burns Firefly Festival, set for Saturday, Aug. 11, organizers will be honoring the 11-year-old event's originator. The late Gennean Vetrano started the annual one-day festival, which takes place at the Burns Community Hall located at W1313 Jewett Rd., north of Bangor off Hwy. 162. "...

Pic 1: Stuart, Faye and Kim Pedersen were recognized during the dedication of the Warrens Area Park early last week as one of the major donors who generously contributed to the project. Contributed photo. Pic 2: Lacey Meacham, 6, of Warrens takes a break from the heat while enjoying the new spray park, which was installed at the Warrens Area Park earlier this summer. Herald photo by Nicole Vik. Pic 3: A “donor tree” was installed at the park listing numerous individuals, families and businesses tha

Warren’s Area Park dedicated

Monday, August 13, 2018 - 12:00pm

The Warrens Area Youth Association can breathe a sigh of relief as the long process of installing a new park draws to a conclusion following a dedication of the Warrens Area Park last Sunday. It was a beautiful day as a small group gathered at the newly completed park to say “thank you” and...

Kevin Nicholson (right) stopped by Sparta Thursday morning to meet with constituents such as Loren Oldenburg, of Viroqua, who is running for the vacant 96th Assembly seat. Herald photo by Nicole Vik.

Senate candidate makes stop in Sparta

Monday, August 13, 2018 - 11:57am

Kevin Nicholson and his U.S. Senate campaign began a five-day trip around the state last week to visit supporters and primary voters ahead of the election on Tuesday. Nicholson stopped in downtown Sparta to visit with local constituents and the Republican Party of Monroe County Thursday morning....

Members of the Tomah, Warrens and Oakdale Lions clubs were busy Saturday, Aug. 11 collection supplies and cash donations for the Stuff the Bus campaign at the Tomah Wal-Mart. From left, Larry Hicks (Warrens), Vern Nauman, (Tomah), Randy Kissack (Warrens), Larry Friske, Jane Friske, Kathy Friske (Oakdale), Pat Hart (Warrens), Darold Kukowski (Tomah). Herald photo Bob Kliebenstein

Area Lions seek business collaboration

Monday, August 13, 2018 - 11:55am

For the last five years the Tomah, Warrens and Oakdale Lions clubs have worked together to collect school supplies as part of the Wisconsin Lions initiative. But this year the clubs joined with Timberwood Bank. Lions members were outside the Tomah Wal-Mart Saturday, Aug. 11. The Tomah School...

Mike Wegner, right, is pictured with the "Power Up", a 1,500 horsepower John Deere tractor that pulls on the Wisconsin Tractor Pullers Association circuit. His stepson Nick Wolf, left, is a crew member

Local tractor puller got his start in Norwalk

Monday, August 13, 2018 - 11:52am

For Mike Wegner, the Norwalk Tractor Pull will always be a place of fond memories. That's where the 54-year old Sparta native cut his teeth in competitive tractor pulling back in the 1980s when the event was still held on blacktop and most of the tractors in the event came directly from the corn...

Things get hoppin' in Melvina this weekend

Thursday, August 2, 2018 - 11:07am

The 41st annual Frog Days festival in Melvina will offer a hopping good time for all this weekend with games and activities beginning Friday night. While Friday night kicks off the weekend-long, over-thirty men's softball tournament, Saturday sees more action with a 5k run/walk beginning at 7:30 a....

SACS Walk/Rally to be held Friday

Monday, July 30, 2018 - 10:43am

Join Sparta Area Cancer Support (SACS) for its 2018 Walk/Rally at Sparta Memorial Football Field on Friday, Aug. 3. Gates open at 4 p.m. There will be much entertainment, including deejays Tom Molland and Mike Harris. Tony & the Invaders will accompany Trinity Lutheran Church's Worship Team....

Several members of the Monroe County Ag. Society along with Dr. Steven “Doc” Doll’s son Jason and granddaughters were present during a building dedication in “Doc’s” honor. Herald photos by Nicole Vik.

Fitting honors

Monday, July 30, 2018 - 10:42am

Emotions were high at Recreation Park over the weekend as two gentlemen were honored during the Monroe County Fair. The Monroe County Agricultural Society Board of Directors made the easy decision to dedicate the County Barn where the draft horses are stalled during the county fair to the late Dr....

Special needs exhibitors at the Monroe County Fair were Hannah Schroeder, Paul Doyle, Ronald Dixon, Amiracle Cole, Jason Gerke, Cayden Pingel, Logan Lapp and Jasmine Grey Owl. Assisting the students in the show ring were Monroe County 4-H and FFA mentors along with members of the Monroe County Junior Fair Board. Herald photo Bob Kliebenstein

A unique opportunity

Monday, July 30, 2018 - 10:39am

When asked if he was ready Paul Doyle gave a quick nod and a barely audible yes. When asked if he was a bit nervous Doyle offered mirrored responses to the question. Doyle was sitting beside his uncle, Dan Wagner, who concurred his nephew had a small case of jitters, but was ready for the show...

State Representative Nancy VanderMeer honored four long-time 4-H volunteer leaders Wednesday evening at a special Tomah/Sparta Chamber Business After 5 event on the opening night of the Monroe County Fair. From left, being presented the awards from VanderMeer, the four honored included Mary Cook of Kendall, Carol Schauf of Sparta, Barb Ornes of Norwalk and Lois Von Haden of LaGrange. Herald photo by Tim Evans.

Opening night of Monroe County Fair

Thursday, July 26, 2018 - 9:53am

Combined, they’ve given 177 years of service. That’s the math if you add up the volunteer years given by four dedicated Monroe County 4-H leaders who were honored Wednesday evening on the opening night of the county fair at the Tomah/Sparta Chamber Business After 5 event. Nancy VanderMeer of Tomah...