Sparta WI

Committee struggles with allowing per diems for attending trial

Thursday, October 17, 2019 - 10:26am

The Monroe County Finance Committee Wednesday wrangled over whether supervisors should receive per diem and mileage payments for attending a scheduled four-day trial in January where they are defendants. The trial is for alleged open meetings law violations involving a controversial Jan. 27 county...

SHS Kiwanis Student of the Month Cole Wisniewski, flanked by his SHS Art Teacher Buck Engel, his parents Tom Wisniewski and Corina Koch and his step-dad Josh Koch. Contributed photo

Wisniewski named Kiwanis Student of the Month

Thursday, October 17, 2019 - 10:15am

When 6-foot, 3-inch Cole Wisniewski’s name appears in area news media it’s usually about success on the gridiron—or in one of the other two major sports in which he excels. But SHS Art Teacher Buck Engel rates Wisniewski’s quality of character above his athletic and academic achievements. “It’s a...

New school creates complications on West Division Street

Monday, October 14, 2019 - 10:26am

A few wrinkles surfaced at last weeks Sparta Board of Public Works meeting over a proposed no drop-off zone along West Division Street for the new Herrman Elementary School. The city is trying to prevent parents from dropping of their grade school children along the street when the school opens in...

Members of the Sparta Robotans, SASD’s first ever robotics team, were all smiles as they received what will be the chassis for their robot this season; the chassis was donated by Disruptive Innovation #6317 from Davenport, IA. Herald photo by Nicole Vik.

STEM Academy alumnus fields FIRST Robotics Team

Monday, October 14, 2019 - 10:02am

Due to the big efforts of a small group of individuals, Sparta Area School District now has a FIRST Robotics team appropriately dubbed the Sparta Robotans. Technology Education/Science Teacher Austin Lee started with the district five years ago and had been trying to get a robotics program up and...

Pictured front, from left Wisconsin State Trooper Jake Edwards, Sparta PD Officer Jenna Lee, Sparta PD Officer Chris Welker, MCSO Deputy Ethan Young, Representative Nancy VanderMeer. Back, from left Wisconsin State Patrol Lt. Jeramy Foster, Sparta PD Chief Dave Kuderer, Sparta PD Lt. Booker Ferguson, Monroe County Sheriff Wes Revels and MCSO Chief Deputy Robert Conroy. Contributed photo

Local officers receive First Responder of the Year Award

Monday, October 14, 2019 - 9:48am

Representative Nancy VanderMeer of Tomah presented five local law enforcement officers with the First Responder of the Year Award for the 70th Assembly District Thursday. The five officers were nominated for this award by Sparta Police Chief David Kuderer in recognition of their selfless actions...

Jason Hauser, of Sparta built a nearly 10-foot Baby Groot, which he placed in his front yard for the whole community to visit. Herald photo by Nicole Vik.

I am Groot

Thursday, October 10, 2019 - 10:23am

Just in time for Halloween, a new character has taken up residence at 410 N. Court Street in Sparta. Jason Hauser’s nine foot, five inches tall, handmade sculpture of Baby Groot smiles down at passersby as he does his best “Staying Alive” dance pose. Groot is a fictional character appearing in...

No easy solutions for Justice Center parking problem

Thursday, October 10, 2019 - 10:12am

Parking near the Monroe County Justice Center is at a premium. With only a few parking lot options available, most people coming and going from the facility find themselves competing for street parking. The county's Property & Purchasing Committee has been discussing options to alleviate the...

Sparta School Board members include, from left: Ed Lukasek, Nancy Sikorsky, Josh Lydon, Julie Leis and Lee Culpitt. Absent are Mary Treu and James Rasmussen. Contributed photo

SASD recognizes School Board Week

Thursday, October 10, 2019 - 9:58am

The Sparta Area School District is joining school districts throughout the state to recognize their local education leaders during Wisconsin School Board Week Oct. 6-12. The commemorative week is an opportunity to recognize the contributions made by Wisconsin's school board members, including the...

Bob Berendes hauls a collapsible booth to the Water Street Bridge over Beaver Creek in downtown Sparta, where it was erected for use in this coming Saturday's Fall Fest. Contributed photo

Organizers prep for Saturday's Fall Fest in Sparta

Thursday, October 10, 2019 - 9:42am

In preparation for Saturday’s Fall Fest in downtown Sparta, the newest downtown booths were erected this past Monday on the Water Street Bridge over Beaver Creek. Ultimately slated for the Kriskindlmarkt, starting the Friday after Thanksgiving, the “unfolding” of the booths was the last proof of...

Passersby on Highway 27 are able to watch the progress of Hermann Elementary as crews work diligently on the structure. Herald photo by Nicole Vik.

Sparta school projects "progressing nicely"

Monday, October 7, 2019 - 10:23am

Members of the Sparta School Board attended an informal meeting late last week, hearing from Craig Namyst of Market & Johnson and Tim Ruppert of HSR Associates, Inc. regarding the current updates on the school district’s building projects. As work at Southside Elementary comes to a close, the...