News

Two Monroe County Sheriff’s Department personnel man a road block on Hazelwood Avenue Tuesday during a manhunt for two suspects who abandoned their car near the area and fled on foot. The 28-year-old suspects from Minnesota were eventually captured without incident. Herald photo by Pat Mulvaney

Minnesota pair nabbed in Sparta after manhunt

Thursday, December 5, 2019 - 10:21am

A pair of suspects involved in a high-speed chase Tuesday before abandoning their car near Sparta and leading officers on a manhunt, are in custody. According to law enforcement officials, Janssen McGee and Paris Akon, both 27-year- old Minnesota residents, are facing a raft of charges, including...

The Shell-Bells have selected a 30-foot tree that will be the center of attention in Bangor during a tree lighting ceremony on Sunday and throughout the holiday season. Contributed photo.

Christmas in the Village set for this weekend

Thursday, December 5, 2019 - 10:17am

It was always a dream of former village administrator Shelly Miller to have a Christmas parade and/or a tree lighting ceremony in the Village of Bangor. Something she never accomplished due to her unexpected passing on Dec. 1, 2018. Miller’s good friend Staci Tenner, along with a group of eleven...

Sparta woman honored with Gundersen nursing award

Thursday, December 5, 2019 - 10:15am

Paige Hafner, a licensed practice nurse in Gundersen’s Renal Dialysis Unit in Onalaska has only been a part of the unit since October 2018, but she is already making an impact, not only on her patients, but her co-workers as well. Hafner, a Sparta resident, was honored recently with the 2019...

Kriskindlmarkt opening weekend is a big hit

Thursday, December 5, 2019 - 10:12am

The 5th annual Sparta Kriskindlmarkt kicked off on Friday, Nov. 29th with opening remarks from the event’s founder, Reinhard Mueller, and Mayor Kristen Gust. Both touted not only the Holiday spirit the market brings to the downtown area, but also the sense of community and the volunteer spirit...

Monroe County Deputy placed on administrative leave

Thursday, December 5, 2019 - 10:09am

Charges have yet to be filed against Monroe County Deputy Jesse Murphy, who has been placed on administrative leave after his arrest related to a domestic violence incident that occurred at a rural Camp Douglas location on Nov. 26. At approximately 5:37 p.m., the Monroe County 911 Center received a...

Pictured are participants of the 2019 Wisconsin Farmers Union Farm and Rural Lobby Day in January. Westby dairy farmer and WFU president Darin Von Ruden is pictured on the far left standing on the steps by the handrail. Contributed photo

Farmers Union sets day for Farm and Rural Lobby Day

Thursday, December 5, 2019 - 10:07am

Registration is now open for Farm and Rural Lobby Day Wednesday Jan. 15 in Madison. The annual event is hosted by Wisconsin Farmers Union. WFU Executive Director Julie Bomar urged farmers and rural advocates to attend, noting, “This is our day in Madison as regular citizen lobbyists. We are...

Contractors with Relyant Global LLC work on a new $7.03 million shipping and receiving facility Nov. 22, near the new Gate 20 on North Post at Fort McCoy. The contract calls for the construction of a pre-engineered metal building that will have an estimated 19,500 square feet of space. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy)

Construction on new shipping, receiving facility at Fort McCoy continues

Thursday, December 5, 2019 - 10:04am

Work continues on a new $7.03 million shipping and receiving facility near the new Gate 20 at Fort McCoy. Contractor Relyant Global LLC, headquartered in Maryville, Tenn., was awarded a contract of $7,030,235 to design and build the facility, said Ken Green with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers...

Manny Hedrick, Savannah Stendel, Gage Bath, Lily Bloyer, and Ali Amparo attended a conference earlier this month. Also attending but missing from photo is Nathan Allen.

Sparta FFA members attend FFA 360º Conference

Thursday, December 5, 2019 - 9:58am

A contingent from the Sparta High School FFA attended the National FFA Organization’s 360º Conference at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells Nov. 15-16. They included Manny Hedrick, Savannah Stendel, Gage Bath, Lily Bloyer, Ali Amparo and Nathan Allen. Over 500 FFA members and advisors from...

SASD classes resume after safety concern investigated by law enforcement

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 - 4:34pm

On Dec. 2, it was reported to staff at the Sparta Area School District that a photo had been posted on a social media platform of a current student holding a handgun. “We perceived this to be a credible concern and moved forward per district protocol,” Superintendent Dr. Amy Van Deuren wrote in a...

SASD cancels classes district-wide

Monday, December 2, 2019 - 6:22pm

At approximately 2:45 p.m. today (Monday,) Sparta High School went into a secure perimeter and classroom hold. These procedures were enacted as precautionary measures in response to a potential safety concern. Shortly before the secure perimeter and classroom hold were called, high...