More local news

Sparta council approves ordinances changes on emergency management, North State Street parking time limit

Sparta’s city council approved two ordinance changes pertaining to emergency management and removing the two-hour time limit on parking spaces on North Spring Street. The council approved …
Fire officials have determined the cause of the June 8 fire on Terry Court in Sparta was careless use of smoking material, according to Sparta’s fire chief.

Officials determine cause of June 8 fourplex fire

Officials have determined the cause of a fire that happened June 8 on 1051 Terry Court in Sparta. After further investigation, the cause of the fire was ruled as careless use of smoking …

Tomah Area Historical Society & Museum announces death of executive director

Tomah Area Historical Society has announced the passing of its executive director Jim Weinzatl on May 28. Jim was the executive director to the Tomah Museum for over 20 years. The Board of the …

Sparta library hosts author

The Sparta Free Library hosted author Kevin Kluesner on June 4. Kluesner is from Milwaukee now and is a 1980 Marquette University grad but was born in Prairie Du Chien. He wrote three books …
Obituaries
Leland “Lee” J. Appleyard
SPARTA-Leland “Lee” J. Appleyard, 92, of Sparta, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025 at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta.  Services are pending and will be announced by …
Ann Mary (Udenberg) DeFrang
SPARTA-Ann Mary (Udenberg) DeFrang, age 65, of Sparta, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse surrounded by her family. A Celebration of Life will be …
Lyle E. Johnson
SPARTA-Lyle E. Johnson, 91, of Sparta, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at his home. He was born on April 27, 1934 to Evelyn and Melvin (Pete) Johnson, in the town of Burns. He married the love …
Gary R. Cox
Gary R. Cox, 78, of Wilton, passed away at home on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. He was born June 11, 1946, to Harold and Gladys (Wallace) Cox, the seventh of ten children. Gary grew up in the Wilton …
Brian Joseph Haas
Brian Joseph Haas, 66, of rural Cashton, WI, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI.   Brian was born in Iowa to William and Mary M. (Heri) Haas, on …
William “Bill” Burnham Kern
William “Bill” Burnham Kern, 79, of Sparta, passed away Sunday, June 8th, 2025 at LaCrosse Mayo hospital. The family invites you to a celebration of life on Wednesday, June 25th from …
Sports
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The Road to State

Bangor head track coach Dan Rampetstreiter joins the Cardinals’ 800
meter relay team (Grace Wenthold, Jaycee Michek, Marin Gasper,
Aubrey Langrehr) after placing second at sectionals and qualifying for the
WIAA state meet on Friday, May.
Just what does it take to get to state? As one may guess, skill, talent, preparation and proper training. However, there’s also a bit of luck - good or bad - that plays a role. At the …
Viroqua’s Isaac Pratt moved up two spots from prelims to finals to take fourth in the 400 meter dash at the WIAA state track and field meet.
2025 WIAA STATE TRACK AND FIELD CC DIVISION 2 ROUNDUP - Arcadia, Viroqua duos bring home state hardware
Both Arcadia and Viroqua’s boys track and field teams had a pair of visits to the state medal area in the last meet of the 2025 season. Arcadia’s Ted Teske jumped 22-10.75 to take …
Cashton’s Makayla Gooselaw and Cadott’s Iszy Sonnentag eagerly watch the results from the 100 meter hurdle final as they’re displayed on the videoboard at the WIAA state track and field championships June 7 in La Crosse.
2025 WIAA STATE TRACK AND FIELD MAKAYLA GOOSELAW, CASHTON - Gooselaw goes out as state medalist
Makayla Gooselaw stared up at the results board, hoping to see a new school record in the girls 100-meter hurdles. When the Cashton High School senior’s name finally flashed on the screen, it …
Jay Stetzer, Lincoln
2025 WIAA STATE TRACK AND FIELD LOCAL ROUNDUP (BOYS)
DAIRYLAND BOYS C-FC’s Grayden Barum was fourth in the high jump. Lincoln’s Jay Stetzer placed sixth in the long jump with a distance of 21-03. Stetzer also took seventh in the …
Luther’s Jack Schmeling revels in the moment after clearing 6-08 during the Division 3 high jump competiton. Schmeling finished second in the event to Ladysmith’s Ashton Clark who cleared 6-09.
2025 WIAA STATE TRACK AND FIELD CC DIVISION 3 ROUNDUP - Luther’s Schmeling leaps to second, Westby sends quartet of events to podium
It was hard not to notice the excitement during the Division 3 boys high jump competition on Friday, Juen 6 at the WIAA state track and field championships. One by one, competitors fell until …
Necedah’s Jacob Hite was the lone representative for the Cardinals at state. Hite, however, was the only SBC athlete from the eastern side of the league to bring home a state medal after taking fifth in the 800 meter run.
2025 WIAA STATE TRACK AND FIELD SBC ROUNDUP - Necedah’s Hite earns state hardware with fifth place finish
BOYS Necedah’s Jacob Hite was the only SBC athlete to make the podium at this year’s WIAA state track and field meet. The senior took fifth in the boys 800 in 1:56.64. Hite led …
Brookwood’s Miranda Arndt surges ahead after taking the baton from Kinsley Holmquist to start the third leg of the 800 meter relay. Brookwood finished 10th in prelims and 10th in the finals at the WIAA state track meet.
2025 WIAA STATE TRACK AND FIELD SBC ROUNDUP - Falcons’ relay earns spot in state final
There was elation and relief following the girls Division 3 800 meter relay Friday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Stadium on the campus of UW La Crosse. The Brookwood relay team of Ruby …
REAL ESTATE

Property taxes throughout Monroe County

In gathering data from the Monroe County Treasurer, the Herald requested a list of mill rates for each township and the different school districts. The Herald put this data together in a map that is …
Business

Sparta Floral & Greenhouses celebrates 80 years in Sparta

In 1945, Ray Solberg made a big purchase. one which would positively affect both his family and his new community for generations. Now, 80 years later, 3rd generation owners, Paul and Cindy Solberg, …

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