It's 1947 in Sparta, Wisconsin, and Spencer Jenkins is about to graduate from high school. Spencer lives on his family's farm and has a high school sweetheart he intends to marry. He has a job lined … more

140 Years ago (1885) Great changes have been made in Dr. Wells dental office, and the public library under his charge for which more room and better accommodations were imperatively demanded. … more

Under the Spartan sunset at Memorial Field on Friday, May 23rd, 2025, and packed within Tomah High School's gym on Saturday, May 24th, 2025, distinguished high-school graduates and proud families … more

The Sparta Butterfest Royal family is beginning to form and starts with introductions of the newly crowned Festmaster Charles Weaver and Lady Butterfest Penny Brueggen. As Butterfest 2025 nears, the excitement is building as the community prepares for the annual Miss Sparta and Miss Sparta’s Teen Competition. A group of talented and passionate young women, ages 13 to 26, are stepping into the spotlight, each hoping to earn the coveted title of Miss Sparta 2025 or Miss Sparta’s Teen 2025. more

Memorial Day has been called the most expensive holiday on the American Calendar, not because of the amount of money spent on sales and celebrations but in the purchase of freedoms bought by the lives of the service members who have sacrificed it all in the name of freedom. Congressman Derrick Van Orden addressed the audience at Blyton Park to honor the sacrifices made. A Navy combat veteran himself, he has experienced the pain and sorrow of losing fellow warriors. more

On Wednesday, May 21, just in time for Memorial Day celebrations, the Challenge Academy, based at Fort McCoy, hosted a traveling military history display at the Fort's community club, McCoy's. The … more

Forty years ago, on the Sunday before Memorial Day, two friends from Bangor, John McCue and Dave Zwee, met on John's front porch to share music, stories, and some quality time together. Their … more

One can find out a lot about a person’s life by visiting a cemetery. In Leon cemetery is set a government issued grave marker which reads, “In memory of Wendell K. Hendersin, Wisconsin, … more

February 24: Christopher Mason, 18, of Sparta was charged with sexual exploitation of a child by a person under the age of 18. Released on a $2000 signature bond. April 11: … more

Vietnam veteran and veteran rights advocate Steve Krueger has been named as the 2025 Memorial Day parade marshal. A 1966 graduate of Sparta High School, Steve and his friend Ron Krause enlisted in … more

Sparta Free Library at 124 W Main St in Sparta, WI,  has a new large, flexible, and divisible Community Program room with a demo kitchen; beautiful upstairs meeting and work spaces; a Discovery … more

The 2 nd Annual Mental Wellness Fair sponsored by the Monroe County Suicide Prevention Task Force was held on Thursday, May 15 th from 2 to 6 p.m. The event was to be held at Mueller Square, but … more

Town of Angelo Estate of Rita Jo Hammond to Leonard Roy Rueckheim - 11253 State Highway 71 - $197,700 Amy Bahr to Wilbur R. Filter II - 10760 Harmony Avenue - $87,950 Francisco Cruz … more

On Monday, May 19 th , 2025, the Tomah Area School District (TASD) board of education terminated the $2 million real estate purchase agreement, due to failure to satisfy required contingencies. … more

150 Years ago (1875) The Duke Alex calf gaiter (coverings worn over lower legs, shoes or boots designed to keep debris, water, and snow from entering shoes or boots) is the most approved style … more

The Spring 2025 Western Technical College Law Enforcement Academy class took advantage of a break in the weather May 22 nd to complete the cleanup of our adopted stretch of Highway 16 near … more

Walt Weiland says he donates blood to help others. “It's easy and the benefit is to help others in need,” Weiland said prior to his blood donation at Tomah Recreation Park May 14. The … more

This spring, Lisa (Gaunky) Yourell released her newest publication, “Native Wildflowers and the Creatures Who Depend on Them: Upper … more

Monday evening three talented Sparta Show Choir students were recipients of the first ever Shining a Spotlight show choir scholarship. Miss Sparta, Jenna Martin, established this full tuition … more