News

Alli Karrels, director of Sparta's Deke Slayton Museum for the last eight years, is leaving for a new position in Greenbush, WI. Herald photo by Pat Mulvaney

A 'bittersweet' departure

Monday, June 24, 2019 - 10:42am

Alli Karrels has definitely left her mark on Sparta in both her roles -- as director of the Deke Slayton museum, and as a seven-year member of the city council. The Port Washington native said her first impression of the community when she moved here eight years ago was "it feels like home." That's...

Supervisors to vote on drug court

Monday, June 24, 2019 - 10:39am

Advocates for a drug court in Monroe County are hoping county board supervisors will give the program a foothold Wednesday when they vote on three resolutions. The first resolution asks the board for its support in establishing a drug court, while the other two bolster staffing in the justice...

Veteran puller Dennis Christensen’s grandson listens intently as Christensen talks about the importance of instilling a strong work ethic and positive attitude in his grandchildren through the multi-generational motorsport that is truck and tractor pulling. Herald photos by Nicole Vik.

Tomah tractor pull is a multi-generational event

Monday, June 24, 2019 - 10:35am

It was three days packed full of action at the Budweiser Dairyland Super National Truck and Tractor Pull this past weekend. With perfect weather for pulling, fans got to enjoy all five scheduled shows of tractors, trucks, dust and smoke. Thursday afternoon, Tomah Mayor Mike Murray welcomed fans and...

U.S. Silica's Sparta facility riding a volatile market

Monday, June 24, 2019 - 10:32am

Demand for northern white frack sand, the gold standard of sand for the oil and natural gas extraction industry, is expected to remain flat for near future. But that doesn't have Troy Anderson, plant manager at Sparta's U.S. Silica sand mine, worried. "While reduction in growth is likely due to the...

Board members, from left, Ron Savall, David Schreier, Chris Schreier and Dave Kuehl present Bob Richmond (second from right) with an appreciation award during the Budweiser Dairyland Super National Truck and Tractor Pull this past weekend. Herald photo by Nicole Vik.

Long-time tractor pull volunteer honored

Monday, June 24, 2019 - 10:29am

During a special presentation Saturday evening at the Budweiser Dairyland Super National Truck and Tractor Pull, the pull’s primary promoter, the Monroe County Agricultural Society, recognized Bob Richmond for his 44 years of volunteerism at the Tomah tractor pull. Richmond started volunteering...

Life-threatening injuries in Sunday afternoon crash

Monday, June 24, 2019 - 10:26am

A Minnesota woman sustained life-threatening injuries in a two-vehicle crash east of Sparta Sunday afternoon. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, the accident happened shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Highway 16 at the Interstate 90 on-ramp. Authorities said a 2019 Nissan Armada driven...

Students at Innovations STEM Academy get to participate in a wide array of fun yet educational activities such as launching hot air balloons. Grants similar to the $10,000 WRCCS Mentor Program grant help further education in charter schools like STEM. Contributed photo.

STEM Academy receives $10,000 grant

Monday, June 24, 2019 - 10:24am

The Sparta Area School District Curriculum/Instruction, Co-Curriculars & Personnel Committee recently recommended the full board approve the participation of Innovations STEM Academy staff and governing board in the Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools (WRCCS) Mentor Program. The WRCCS...

Pastor Kory Janneke was installed May 12 as the pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Herald photo Bob Kliebenstein

Janneke getting settled as new St. Matthew pastor

Monday, June 24, 2019 - 10:16am

After seven years as an associate, Pastor Kory Janneke finds himself in a new role, leading a church. Janneke was installed as pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on Highway 12 between Tomah and Warrens on May 12. Prior to the installment Janneke was associate pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in...

Visitors of all ages at the Monroe County Local History Room & Museum enjoy the “Monroe County A to Z” exhibit, winner of the 2019 American Association for State and Local History Award of Excellence. Contributed photo

Monroe County Local History Room wins national award

Monday, June 24, 2019 - 10:08am

The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) recently named the Monroe County Local History Room & Museum in Sparta as the recipient of an Award of Excellence for the “Monroe County A to Z” exhibit. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 74th year, is the most...

Speaker to discuss strange and unusual in Wisconsin

Monday, June 24, 2019 - 10:01am

Do you believe in things that go bump in the night, or day, or other strange and unusual things? The Tomah Area Historical Museum is hosting Chad Lewis to discuss the paranormal in Wisconsin. Do you believe in ghosts? UFO’s or mysterious creatures like werewolves, hodags or Bigfoot? Lewis is a...