The announcement from Franciscan Skemp officials that it will close its West Salem clinic as part of a consolidation effort has been selected as the top local news story in 2004.

The top stories were selected by the Coulee News staff.

Officials announced in August that the clinic is expected to close in about a year, following completion of a new, larger clinic in Onalaska.

The new clinic will house family practice physicians from both Onalaska and West Salem clinics in addition to expanded primary care and specialty services.

The 64,000-square foot building is expected to cost $11 million to build.

The West Salem clinic might be used in the future for physical therapy, psychiatry, administrative duties or other non-primary clinic activities, said Dr. Joseph Krien of the West Salem clinic.

Walter the Farting Dog remains in school library

The book "Walter the Farting Dog" will remain in the West Salem Elementary School despite complaints that were made against it starting last January.

Maynard Carlson, the grandfather of a West Salem Elementary School student, complained to the West Salem School Board after his grandson brought the book home.

He referred to the content of the book as crude and vulgar.

A reconsideration committee -- formed to determine the fate of the book -- voted to allow the book remain in the school.

However, Carlson argued the committee was not properly formed, and a second committee was formed.

After a series of meetings were held, the committee again voted to let the book remain in the school.

West Salem hosts large scale disaster drill

A large scale disaster drill involving hundreds of volunteers was held in West Salem in August.

The drill, called Operation Heartland Defense, involved the mock derailment of a Canadian Pacific Railways train that caused an anhydrous ammonia spill at the Farmer's Co-op Supply. It was designed to assess how prepared area agencies are for a bioterrorism attack.

Organizers said the only problem that arose during the four-hour drill was communication, although now they have a better idea of what problems need to be worked out to better deal with disasters.

The drill brought together more than 600 people from 10 fire departments, six emergency management agencies, 11 law enforcement agencies, nine public health agencies, 10 emergency medical service agencies, 10 hospitals, nine public health agencies, seven private organizations and nine Department of Defense organizations.

Community service becomes a Bangor graduation requirement

The Bangor School Board approved a proposal earlier this year requiring students to complete up to 80 hours of community service to graduate.

While this year's seniors are exempt from the requirement, juniors will needed to fulfill 20 hours of community service by the end of their senior year, sophomores 40 hours and freshmen 60 hours.

All incoming freshmen will have to complete 80 hours of community service by the end of their senior year.

The new requirement spawned a series of letters to the Coulee News from parents both opposing and agreeing with it.

West Salem changing voting procedures

Responding to the fact some West Salem residents waited up to three hours to vote Nov. 2, village officials are taking measures to avoid a similar problem in the future.

West Salem Village Administrator Teresa Schnitzler blamed the long line on the fact that about 500 residents registered at the polls -- a lengthy process.

For the 2006 election, voters will be split into two lines to vote according to their last name.

Also, voters will need to register to vote prior to standing in line for the polls.

West Salem Village Administrator Teresa Schnitzler said to avoid having many people registering on election days, residents will be encourage to register any time they come to village hall.

Truck terminal moving to Bangor

The Onalaska based Hot Line Freight Systems trucking company is moving to Highway B in Bangor.

It has outgrown its current space and plans to develop nearly 32 acres at its new Bangor location.

Development is expected to begin in April or May.

Bangor residents Daryl and Maureen Wermedal, whose property will be surrounded by the trucking company on all three sides, fought against the move.

Daryl Wermedal said company offered to purchase his property for a little over its appraised value, but he recently refinanced and cannot afford to relocate at that price.

Other news

The convenience store Lloyd's Speedstop and the restaurants Coney Island and Quiznos Subs all opened in West Salem just off of I-90 within the last few months.

The bike shelter in downtown West Salem just off of Jefferson Street was completed earlier this fall.

Select Trusses became the first tenant of West Salem's Lakeview Industrial Park when it relocated there in August. The business remains the only in the park.

The West Salem School District purchased 25 acres of land from La Crosse County earlier this year for $650,000. The land will be used in the short term for green space and athletic fields and in the long term to maintain its campus concept, said district superintendent Jamie Skjeveland.