More local news

Tomah Health Community Foundation Aids Patients in Need

Imagine being taken to a hospital by ambulance and then realizing you have no way to get back to your home after being treated. For some patients, the situation is real. That’s why the Tomah Health …
Santa brings a little North Pole cheer to Sparta’s Feztival of Trees, where families can visit and take photos as they begin their holiday season. Contributed photo.

Where Christmas begins

Each visitor has their own reason for looking forward to the yearly Feztival of Trees. It could be a love of Christmas, the beauty of the decorated trees, the fascination of the gifts under them, the …

Sparta Historical Society Craft Fair Returns Saturday

The Sparta Historical Society's annual arts and crafts fair returns Saturday, Nov. 7, featuring about 150 vendors at Meadowview Middle School. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and …

Breast cancer: What you need to know about risk, screening and prevention

Breast cancer awareness often receives extra attention in October, but understanding your risk and staying up to date on recommended screenings are important throughout the year.  A common …

Monroe County Court News

October 23: Allen Cox, 44, of Sparta was charged with 2 nd degree reckless driving endangering public safety, a 2 nd offense of reckless driving endangering public safety, speeding in 55 …
The Dutch Creek pedestrian bridge approved for structural repairs.

Bangor Village Board Meeting, October 2026

The Bangor Village Board met on October 13 to discuss department reports, approve funding for bridge repairs and payment vouchers, address a board vacancy, and schedule a finance and budget meeting. …
Obituaries
Kent N. McNamar
Kent N. McNamar, age 79, of Tomah, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Kent was born on February 3, 1947, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to …
Georgia Zahorchak
SPARTA - Georgia Zahorchak, 96, of Sparta, died Monday, November 2, 2026 at her home. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at Faith Ev Free Church, Sparta, with …
Anna Mae Antony
BANGOR – Anna Mae Antony, 92, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children and grandchildren on October 31, 2026. Anna Mae was born December 29, 1933, to Arthur and Agnes Leis. On …
Darlene Doris Griffin
Darlene Doris Griffin, 88, passed away November 1, 2026, at Pine View Care Center, in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Darlene was born January 21,1938, to Joseph and Ethel (Pingel) Janusheske. She …
Robert E. Bruns
SPARTA - Robert E. Bruns, lovingly known as Bob, was born on November 21, 1945, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Dr. Edward and Elizabeth Bruns. He passed away on October 30, 2026, at Gundersen Hospital. …
Angela M. Halverson
SPARTA - Angela M. Halverson, 98, of Sparta passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026 at …
Sports

FOOTBALL: La Crosse Logan, Reedsburg advance to regional semifinals

The Onalaska Hilltoppers saw their season end in Level 1 of this year’s playoffs, falling 35-9 on the road against Plymouth.
The WIAA football playoffs got underway last Friday, with five Mississippi Valley Conference teams competing in the Division 2 and Division 3 opening rounds. La Crosse Logan and Reedsburg …
The Hillsboro Tigers earned a regional title and rolled on into sectionals with a four-set win over rival Wonewoc-Center last Saturday in Wonewoc.
VOLLYBALL: Bangor, Hillsboro stay alive into sectionals
And then there were two. Following the opening week of the high school volleyball playoffs all across Wisconsin, only two Scenic Bluffs Conference teams remain as we head into sectional action. …
EDITORIAL: Badgers defense shines in signature win over USC
Though it was very much overshadowed throughout the state by Game 2 of the World Series going on in Milwaukee at the same time, how about a toast to the Wisconsin Badgers football team on their …
Cutline: Sparta junior Lilly Hackbarth tips a ball back over the La Crosse Central block last Thursday at Logan High School.
Spartans show resilience in win over Central
If there’s one word Sparta head volley coach Mary Sackmann would use to describe her team this year, it would be resilient. Never was that on clearer display than with their backs against the wall …
Bangor advances to sectionals after five-set win
In the Division 4 regional finals, the second-seeded Bangor Cardinals (26-7) outlasted No. 3 seed Auburndale (29-10) 23-25, 25-14, 25-19, 19-25, 15-12 last Saturday in Bangor. The Cardinals …
Brookwood boys win repeat sectional title
For a second straight year, the Brookwood boys cross country team will make the trip to Wisconsin Rapids on the heels of a sectional title. The Falcons repeated as sectional champions with five …
EDITORIAL: Brewers end 44-year wait to earn cathartic pennant
Whether you’ve been waiting 44 years or your entire lifetime, the moment has finally arrived: the Milwaukee Brewers are headed back to the World Series. After years of frustrating playoff …
Business

Brush Craft Brings Creativity to Tomah

Not everyone considers themselves an artist, but at Brush Craft in Tomah, that doesn't matter. From canvas paintings to layered wooden crafts, the studio gives people of all skill levels a chance to …

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