News

Work on five new battle simulations is shown Oct. 3 at Fort McCoy. Contractor MDM Construction Supply of Rockford, Ill., is constructing the new buildings and related infrastructure. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy)

New construction for simulations buildings under way at Fort McCoy

Thursday, October 24, 2019 - 11:12am

Work on five new battle simulations buildings in the 200 block is under way at Fort McCoy. Contractor MDM Construction Supply of Rockford, Ill., is constructing the new buildings and related infrastructure, according to the Fort McCoy Directorate of Public Works (DPW). The projected completion date...

A piece of Sparta history, it's first fire engine, is on display for the next year at the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial in Wisconsin Rapids. Contributed photo

Sparta fire truck on loan to state museum

Monday, October 21, 2019 - 10:40am

Sparta's first motorized fire truck, a 1923 American LaFrance, has become quite an eye catcher after Sparta Fire Chief Mike Arnold took on the monumental task of restoring it to its original splendor. He did such a good job, the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial in Wisconsin Rapids couldn't...

Haunted house volunteers assaulted

Monday, October 21, 2019 - 10:35am

On Friday evening at approximately 10:34 p.m., the Sparta Police Department responded to the House of Shadows located at 501 Osborne Drive for a report of an intoxicated male assaulting volunteers. The suspect, later identified as 23-year-old Irwin Q. Dykes, of Sparta had left prior to police...

Jason Burch, Kendra Lene, Matthew Hennessey, Hanna Killgo and Diana Samuels rehearse a scene from the upcoming THS fall production. Contributed photo

THS presents The Importance of Being Earnest

Monday, October 21, 2019 - 10:32am

Tomah High School students will bring to life one of Oscar Wilde's most memorable comedies. The Importance of Being Earnest will be performed Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. with an Oct. 27 matinee at 1 p.m. at the THS auditorium. Originally written in 1895 by Wilde, the plot centers around two fun...

Charlie Hilt appears to have the hang of bottle feeding this young calf. Herald photos Bob Kliebenstein.

Elementary students learn about dairy, cranberry industries

Monday, October 21, 2019 - 10:29am

It's easier to educate youth when you have hands on classrooms nearby. Students from LaGrange Elementary School had the opportunity on Tuesday to learn more about Wisconsin's dairy and cranberry industries. Students visited Valley Corporation cranberry marsh outside Valley Junction and the Bailey...

Larry and LuAnn Hutson are pictured in Used Anew's new showroom at 4975 Garden Ave. south of Sparta. The showroom is an idea starter for customers interested in user-friendly, repurposed building materials. Herald photos by Pat Mulvaney

Finding new life in old structures

Monday, October 21, 2019 - 10:20am

Larry Hutson is a lot like his father, Llewellyn, a Sparta-area farm boy who grew up during the Great Depression. The elder Hutson's philosophy, developed during that time of austerity, was waste nothing. He would salvage old, uneeded buildings on the Big Creek farm, and have Larry, a 1974 Sparta...

Tomah Health Women’s Health Services Director Carrie Lord, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, left, accepted a Cuddle Cot from Melissa and Matt Shore of Holmen and their children Keegan, front left and Emmerson recently. The Cuddle Cot is a crib-cooling device that allows grieving parents to spend some extra time with their newborn after death in an effort to ease the mourning process. Contributed photo.

Holmen couple remembers son with Cuddle Cot donation 

Monday, October 21, 2019 - 10:14am

Melissa and Matt Shore wished that they were able to spend some additional time with their son, Kipton, who was delivered stillborn in July 2018. “One of the things that people kept asking us was ‘what can we do, how can we help, what do you need?’” recalled Melissa of the tragic event. “When we...

Mendez American Diner opened Aug. 8, offering a variety of traditional American food as well as Mexican dishes. Contributed photo.

Mendez American Diner opens to good reviews

Monday, October 21, 2019 - 10:10am

Mendez American Diner, a new restaurant in Sparta, has been open for just over two months and already its Facebook page is flooded with good reviews and recommendations. Co-owner Valentin Sanchez and manager Hannia Gaytan opened the diner back in early August and have been having a very successful...

Students in the Regional Training Site (RTS)-Maintenance Tracked Vehicle Recovery Course prepare to hook an M88A1 Medium-Tracked Recovery Vehicle to another M88A1 during course operations July 19 at a training area on North Post at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photo by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy)

RTS-Maintenance at Fort McCoy looking at busy training schedule

Monday, October 21, 2019 - 10:05am

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, Regional Training Site (RTS)-Maintenance will be completing eight courses of training, said Maj. Anthony Strong, the unit's commandant. "It's going to be a busy year for sure, but we're ready for it," Strong said. RTS-Maintenance at Fort McCoy trains...

Hemp production receives legislative boost

Monday, October 21, 2019 - 9:11am

A bill to boost Wisconsin hemp industry passed the State Senate earlier this month. Those participating in Wisconsin’s burgeoning hemp industry scored a win on Tuesday with the passage of the Growing Opportunities Act through the State Senate. The bill was authored by senators Patrick Testin and...