The top stories that defined 2007 are all in one spot.

January 2007

Outdoor Education Center repairs OK’d — Pill thief gets sentenced

After 22 years as owner-operator of the Country Style Hair Salon in Bangor, Jane Knudtson handed over the curling irons to her daughter Deann Elliot on Jan. 2.

“I’m not saying goodbye to my clients or the business,” Knudtson said. “It’ll be business as usual for my existing clients. I just don’t want to work so hard. ... I’m especially happy to hand over the book work.”

The decision by the West Salem School Board to approve $15,000 in repairs to the school forest lodge was met with applause by about 10 people attending the meeting Jan. 8. The board approved using the district’s general fund to cover half the expense, with the other half to be paid for through fundraising.

The lodge was built in the 1960s, and no major maintenance had been done to it since then. Throughout 2007, the school board approved subsequent phases for its repair.

The area had its first major snowfall Jan. 14-15, and it was the first time all season the snowplows went out in area municipalities. Even with the half foot of snow that had to be plowed from Bangor and West Salem roads, the National Weather Service said the area still had about a 10- to 15-inch precipitation deficit for the season.

The lack of snowfall at that point saved the village money but also allowed them to catch-up on projects not completed over the previous summer and fall.

The Bangor Schools Booster Club received $15,000 from the Bangor Parks and Recreation Department to launch the fund-raising for development of baseball and softball fields. The check was presented at halftime of the Bangor boys basketball game on Jan. 16.

The Bangor Village Board appointed three citizens to serve on the newly created Police Discipline Committee. The purpose of the committee is to review all matters that might result in suspension, demotion or removal of the police chief or officers and carry out such disciplinary measures. Inaugural members were Gary Althoff, Dan Brooks and Robert Nordby.

For the second consecutive year, Coulee Region Christian School held its Winterim event for three days in between semesters. Such themed days included “spiritual and community outreach day,” where younger students compiled care packages for children in the La Crosse County HALOS Project while older students shoveled driveways and volunteered at the Salvation Army in La Crosse and Children’s Vision International in Bangor.

Land owners living around Lake Neshonoc got some good news in January as the La Crosse County Board approved selling county land to adjacent property owners in the lake area.

About 20 landowners around the lake had property, such as docks, along the shore and were ordered to remove the items by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The county had the option of selling the land at market value to the homeowners, leasing the land or doing nothing, in which case landowners would have to remove their possessions; most land owners favored buying the land at market value.

Seventy-four acres of land outside the town of Bangor will be preserved as it was donated to the Mississippi Valley Conservancy by the TOLD Development Corporation in Milwaukee. The land includes wet prairies, wetlands and a trout stream, all of which will be made available to the public for fishing and hunting. Prior to the donation, TOLD invested $250,000 in restoration to the site.

More than 370 ice fishermen and women came out to the Lake Neshonoc Ice Fishing Derby on Jan. 27. Warm weather and poor ice conditions earlier in the month were concerns about the annual fundraiser, but cooler weather prevailed and approximately $4,000 was raised.

Milwaukee Brewers catcher and West Salem graduate Damian Miller attended a fundraiser on Jan. 27 for the Boys & Girls Club of West Salem Area. The event, which included silent and live auctions, raised more than $14,000 and was attended by about 250 people. The biggest sale was a voucher by Miller and his wife, Jeanne, agreeing to go out to dinner at Traditions restaurant in Onalaska with a group of four; that sold for $1,050. The Millers are honorary chairpeople of the Boys & Girls Club fundraising committee.

A former assisted living facility worker who admitted replacing patients’ morphine pills with spray-painted aspirin was sentenced to jail time and four years of probation.

Matthew P. Beron, 28, Rockland, was sentenced Jan. 29 in La Crosse County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to one count of delivery of a counterfeit controlled substance. According to court records, Beron — who formerly worked at Betts’ Place for Peace in Rockland — sliced open bubble packages and inserted aspirin pills he had painted maroon to resemble the original 30 mg morphine tablets.

Christine Koula of West Salem continued her lucky streak when she won a 2007 Toyota Yaris worth $14,500. Koula frequently enters hundreds of contests through an online Web site; this particular contest was sponsored by MTV and Toyota.

February 2007

Subway held up — Bangor referendums approved — Record snow

The West Salem Business Association held its annual banquet on Feb. 3. Paul Degenhardt was named the citizen of the year while Robert and Paula Martell were named business people of the year.

The West Salem pom team took 12th place at the Division 2 state pom competition in the funk category. The event was held Feb. 3-4 at the La Crosse Center.

Incoming West Salem residents will have to pay a little extra money to build a house in the village. To help support the cost of a second water reservoir, the West Salem Village Board approved a new impact fee for new residents and building owners on Feb. 6.

The fee would be required on any new construction that had not yet been issued a building permit. The fee would cost the typical homeowner $1,376 and could cost as much as $23,000 for a commercial water meter.

A West Salem man was arrested for armed robbery after he tried to hold up the Subway restaurant in West Salem at gunpoint Feb. 8. Nathan Larson, 20, also was charged with intentionally pointing a firearm at another person and bail jumping, all as a habitual criminal.

According to the criminal complaint, a masked Larson entered the Subway restaurant about 8:40 p.m., showed a gun and demanded money. Larson unsuccessfully attempted to open the register himself, and he left on foot but was later arrested at his residence at 1:30 a.m.; police found the mask, an unloaded .22-caliber pistol and other evidence at his residence.

Larson pleaded guilty April 5 to attempted armed robbery as a habitual criminal, while charges of intentionally pointing a firearm at a person and bail jumping, both as a habitual criminal, were dismissed. He was sentenced to five years in prison and seven years extended supervision on May 10.

The West Salem Community Fitness Center opened its doors even wider to the community. On Feb. 12, the West Salem School Board agreed to also open the center to people who work in West Salem. Residents pay $2 a day while nonresidents pay $4 a day; monthly membership is $15 for residents and $30 for nonresidents.

West Salem’s historic Palmer/Lewis Octagon House finally has a place to stay. The La Crosse County Board voted unanimously Feb. 15 to give the West Salem Historical Society a 25-year lease on two acres of county park land between highways 16 and 108.

The house had been donated to the society by Evenson & Co., developer of the Neshonoc Lake Addition, where the house is currently located. The house will be moved very close to its original site, where it was built in 1855-56.

“I’m very, very pleased ...,” said West Salem Historical Society President Errol Kindschy.

The house is expected to be moved in early January 2008.

The West Salem girls varsity basketball team captured its 14th straight Coulee Conference title with a win over Black River Falls Feb. 16. The Lady Panthers lost in the first round of playoffs to Wisconsin Dells 37-33 on Feb. 20.

The Bangor girls basketball team won its first Scenic Bluffs Conference title since 1996-97 when it topped Cashton 55-33 on Feb. 16. The Cards lost the regional semi-final game to La Crosse Aquinas 57-46 on Feb. 22.

About 30 Friends of Lake Neshonoc members, people from Muskies Inc., the Bangor Rod and Gun Club and other volunteers braved the cold weather Feb. 17 to build 14 fish cribs to go in Lake Neshonoc. The cribs — around 32 in total — provide places for fish to hide, which they would not otherwise have because of a lack of plant life in the lake.

The Aquinas/Onalaska/West Salem boys ski team took fourth place in the 2007 Wisconsin State High School Ski & Snowboard Champions hips Feb. 18-19 at Mount La Crosse. Will Mathy led the team with third place in the individual overall standings. The girls team took 21st.

Bangor School District voters said yes Feb. 20 both to exceeding its state revenue limits and a plan for $5.5 million in renovations to the elementary school.

The first referendum sought permission for the district to exceed the state-imposed revenue cap by a total of $690,000 over three years. It passed, 665 yes to 212 no.

The second referendum allowed the district to obtain general obligation bonds up to $5.5 million to build additional classrooms and make major roof repairs and other improvements to the elementary school. It was approved by a 666 to 212 vote.

“I’m just humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support that this community has shown towards our schools,” Superintendent Roger Foegen said.

Lydia Sells, a West Salem Elementary School fifth-grader, was seriously injured while at the high school Feb. 21. While walking, she turned to talk to a friend, stumbled and fell onto a welding project on the floor in the hallway going to the Heider Center. She was impaled upon the open metal prongs but bounced off and sustained injuries to her right shoulder and face.

The school’s first response team attended to Sells and stopped the bleeding. Sells was taken to urgent care, and she sustained a chest wound that required internal and external stitches.

While their third-place finish was not enough to qualify the West Salem/Aquinas gymnasts team for a return trip to the state meet, sophomore Courtney Oldenburg’s stellar individual performance advanced her to Wisconsin Rapids to compete against the state’s best in the balance beam and floor exercise events. Oldenburg set a new school record of 9.475 in the beam on her way to winning the event at sectionals Feb. 23 at Holmen, breaking the record of 9.3 she set as a freshman. Her 9.225 on floor also was good enough to advance her to state.

At the March 2 state meet, Oldenburg placed 13th in the balance beam with a score of 8.683 and finished 16th in the floor exercise with a mark of 8.667.

According to the National Weather Service, 23.9 inches of snow fell on West Salem from Feb. 23-25 — the largest total ever recorded there from a single storm.

The record amount clogged roads and maxed out the haul-away snow dumping zones. Normally the village hauls all that snow away to storage spots near the Farmers Co-op and the Lion’s Club shelter, but West Salem Public Works Director Wade Peterson said that as of March 6, those spaces were all full.

Senior Craig Meyers joined his older brother Mark as the second state champion in West Salem/Bangor wrestling history. Meyers wrestled his way to the championship match Feb. 23-24 by beating wrestlers from Oconto Falls, Lancaster and Wrightstown. In the championship match, Meyers took the mat and beat Neillsville’s Luke Friemoth 4-2.

“I’ve lived in Mark’s shadow since I was in middle school; going into every season I got asked ‘are you going to be as good as your brother?’” Meyers said. “Winning state wasn’t to prove anything about being like my brother. This championship was something I wanted and worked hard for. It will be nice to share the Wall of Champions with my brother.”

March 2007

Relay for Life held — School board under fire — Ceresa Drive flood

West Salem took its first step toward what some call a “rain tax” when it approved the creation of a storm water utility March 6. Village President Dennis Manthei said the storm water utility creation allows West Salem to establish rates or fees to help pay for storm water management.

Randina Langrehr and Amanda Hundt opened Expressions Hair & Tanning Studio on March 6 at 1517 Commercial St. in Bangor. In addition to haircuts, the business offers pedicures, manicures, updos, color, perms and a tanning booth.

The 10th annual Relay for Life was held at West Salem High School on March 9. In all, the 21 teams — up from 2006’s 19 teams — raised $76,500. That was well beyond the goal of $58,000.

West Salem School District administration came under fire in March after three parents came forward and claimed students were punished inconsistently and inappropriately.

The previous fall, a student breached a school computer and obtained a password, later sharing it with another student. The incident was discovered and students involved were disciplined.

The school board later reviewed the matter. While additional discipline was not administered, the board did collectively state there was a “lack of clear policies in regards to student discipline.” In June, the board created an academic integrity policy with the goal of teaching and discouraging students from cheating.

Residents who lived in the Scenic Valley Addition near Maple Grove Country Club dealt with flooding issuing when snowmelt overwhelmed their storm sewer system and flooded streets and basements along Ceresa Drive.

“Trying to get help out here was a nightmare,” said resident Curt Edwardson.

About 37 homeowners along Ceresa Drive found that emergency response to their area was a bit of a bureaucratic mess. Because the development is private and the road is private, the town of Hamilton has no jurisdiction for services. The residents have a homeowners association and contract for road and other services.

West Salem School Board member Dorrene Heider suffered a stroke March 17, but she returned home the following week. She missed a board meeting and a couple committee meetings but was back in action in April.

The West Salem Business Association hosted its first Celebrate West Salem business and community expo on March 18 at the West Salem High School. The expo was meant for families and businesses to explore the variety of products and services available in the community. More than 70 businesses and groups had booths at the event.

Female athletes at Melrose-Mindoro High School got another sport to choose from when the school board agreed to co-op with Holmen and Onalaska’s girls hockey program March 26. District Administrator Ron Perry said one high school student is interested in participating while three middle school girls also have shown an interest in the future. The school will pay $650 per student for participation; students and parents are responsible for transportation costs.

Outdoor wood stoves were once again a hot topic in Bangor, six years after the village voted to ban the units. At a March meeting, village trustees learned the wishes of the board in 2001 to ban outdoor woodburning stoves was never put into legal ordinances. Later in 2007, the board updated its ordinance book to reflect the change.

It was announced March 29 that a dozen La Crosse County municipalities will share a $174,000 grant to help with their comprehensive planning.

The money was to be divided among three villages and nine townships to help with costs associated with the state-mandated creation of “Smart Growth” comprehensive plans. Recipients were the villages of West Salem, Rockland and Bangor and the towns of Bangor, Barre, Campbell, Greenfield, Hamilton, Holland, Medary, Shelby and Washington.

The application was a joint effort by the county municipalities, led by West Salem. It was the third time the group had applied to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for the Comprehensive Planning Grant Program, but it was the first time it had been approved.

The application was one of 12 approved by the Department of Administration, which had received 32 applications representing 305 communities and requesting $4.8 million.

April 2007

New police chief — Guns at school — Burns battles cemetery group

On April 2, the West Salem Village Board officially approved hiring Sgt. Charles E. Ashbeck as the new police chief, capping a four-month search; the Racine officer replaced Police Chief Dennis Abbott.

“(Ashbeck) has good supervisory skills and excellent technical capabilities,” said board President Dennis Manthei. “He has worked with different age groups and different personalities within a police department.”

Ashbeck was one of 22 applicants for the position. He started his new position May 1 at $50,000 a year.

West Salem Village President Dennis Manthei successfully defended his seat against former president J. Terry Hanson in the spring election on April 3. Manthei, who ousted Hanson from the office in 2005, garnered 518 votes while Hanson generated 272.

In other local races, last-minute write-in campaigns by Roger Henderson and Linda Brown came up short in their bid for West Salem School Board positions. Ann Bina, Scott Scafe and Steven Cash had filed for the three seats up for re-election, but when Cash announced he was withdrawing from the race, both Henderson and Brown decided to run.

Bina, the lone incumbent on the ballot, had 1,451 votes, with Scafe (1,093) and Cash (823) following. Henderson generated 225 write-in votes while Brown had 213; on April 23, the board appointed Henderson to the seventh seat.

In the town of Barre, Ron Reed (249 votes) was victorious over Jeff Semlar (113) in the race for chairman; Roger Wolter (197) edged Merna Koula (168) for supervisor; and Dawn Hemker (261) topped Tricia Mulholland (91) in the treasurer’s race

For the town of Burns, Paul Kitzmann (224) bested Rodney Young (195) for chair; Carolyn Heuer (237) beat Carol Caulum (184) for clerk; Judy Paul (249) was victorious over Sandra Langrehr (170) for treasurer; and Steven Nuttleman (211) and Matt Hoth (216) won supervisor seats over Edward Schmidt (181) and Gary Wheeler (172).

In the town of Hamilton, Rob Galbraith (396) and Blaine Lee (416) respectively beat their opponents Greg Wilhelm (202) and Eve Zellmer (217).

In the races for circuit court judge, Elliott Levine (10,812) was declared the victor over Loralee Clark (7,952) for Branch 2.

The race for Branch 3 was close, but Todd Bjerke (9,681) garnered more votes than did Roger W. LeGrand (9,229).

And in Branch 4, Scott L. Horne (13,025) defeated opponent Kara Burgos (6,048).

Bangor High School baseball pitcher Lee Weber threw his third career no-hitter against Hillsboro on April 5 as the Cardinals won 10-0 in six innings. Weber struck out 12 and allowed just one baserunner on a third-inning walk.

On May 3, Weber and Mike Craig combined for a no-no as the Cards blanked the Cashton Eagles 9-0. The only baserunner was a one-out walk by Weber in the fifth. Craig fanned all nine batters he faced in the first three innings while Weber sat down nine of his own.

Relocate-America.com released its annual list of “America’s Top 100 Places to Live,” and West Salem was among those communities to receive the distinction. The village was among more than 2,000 communities nominated and was one of three Wisconsin communities to make the list. Relocate-America ranks the top 10 while the remaining 90 are listed alphabetically.

Gasoline pumps at Hunter’s Mid-Town in West Salem were removed in early April. Owner Dave Hundt, who took over the establishment about six years ago, said the decision was based on the level of competition of service stations in the village. Hundt said he was going to try to rely on the restaurant end of the business, but the business eventually closed on Oct. 13.

Horse droppings were given the heave-ho from the Bangor Village Board on April 10. The board voted against implementing an ordinance that would require anyone accompanying an animal — be it a dog or a horse — to carry equipment for removal of any animal feces. The proposed ordinance was voted down because it would be almost impossible to enforce.

“I need probable cause to stop a person and ask them if they have a pooper scooper ...,” Police Chief Scott Alo said. “Do you want me to pull over every buggy to check if they have clean-up equipment?”

For the first time in the history of open enrollment at the West Salem School District, more students wanted in than out.

According to preliminary numbers, the WSSD was expecting to have 79 students coming to the district through Wisconsin’s open enrollment program for the 2007-08 school year, while 48 district students will be going to other school districts. The difference would be a positive gain of 31 students — the first time the district has gained more students than lost in the 10 years the state has allowed open enrollment.

A West Salem man was arrested for drunken driving and a hit-and-run after he fled the scene of a crash on Interstate 90 on April 12.

Michael Lemke, 42, was eastbound on the interstate near Exit 4 about 8:15 p.m. when he lost control of his 1996 Chevrolet, crossed the median and struck a westbound 2000 Saturn driven by Danielle Sands, 17, of La Crosse, according to the Wisconsin State Patrol. Sands and passenger Kevin Harwick, 18, of La Crosse were transported to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

Motorists were advised to use an alternative route for about an hour after the incident. Lemke fled the scene but was later arrested by Onalaska police. He was later charged with second-degree recklessly endangering safety; causing injuring while operating a vehicle under the influence; causing injury while operating a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration; a hit-and-run; possession of drug paraphernalia; and operating a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration. A jury trial is scheduled for February 2008.

Twenty-six-year volunteer Judy Thelen was recognized for her help in the West Salem School District with the Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award given by Coulee Region Volunteer Coordinators.

“Judy’s an invaluable resource,” said Lisa Hugo, LMC director at the elementary school. “She really gets the kids excited about reading. We couldn’t do what we do without her.”

The West Salem Village Board gave the final approval on Riverview Estates on April 17, paving the way for a new 17-acre, 28-lot development.

In a 6-0 vote, the board accepted the final plat of William Bosshard’s development. Riverview Estates, which will consist of single-family homes, will be located on the village’s northwestern edge, north of Wagon Drive and overlooking the La Crosse River.

Plans for the site had been before the village since January 2006, having been slowed due to drainage and shoreline issues.

David Amborn of West Salem won $3,500 April 17 in La Crosse County’s first “property tax raffle.” County employees and officials sold 4,277 tickets at $5 each in the raffle, which was intended to raise awareness about a $150,000 cut in federal aid for child support enforcement. The $3,500 grand prize is roughly equivalent to an average La Crosse County property tax bill. In addition, 24 other prize-winning tickets were drawn.

The West Salem School District formed an ad-hoc committee that would study the feasibility of starting a 4-year-old kindergarten program. In February 2006, the board voted against implementing a program but has since wanted more information gathered. The committee presented its findings in December, and the board will meet in early 2008 to discuss the findings.

West Salem school officials confiscated two BB handguns from a middle schooler on April 23. The incident reportedly involved a 14-year-old girl who placed the guns into a locker and spoke with a guidance counselor that morning. School officials later confiscated the guns, contacted the student’s parents and began an internal investigation.

West Salem Police Chief Dennis Abbott said authorities were not made aware of the incident until four days later when Abbott contacted school officials after a phone call from a concerned parent.

The town of Burns filed a lawsuit against the Burns Cemetery Association, who they claimed were selling cemetery lots without proper legal authority. The lawsuit asked the court to enjoin the association from selling lots until the ownership issue is resolved.

The suit was later dropped and the two sides subsequently met several times throughout the year, but no official resolution has been reached to date.

Bangor’s Jessica Anderson was crowned Fairest of the Fair during the annual event put on by the La Crosse County Agricultural Society on April 27. Anderson served as the official ambassador, spokesperson and hostess for the La Crosse Interstate Fair held in West Salem in July.

“I’m honored to represent our fair,” Anderson said. “It’s a good opportunity.”

Allison Pfaff of Onalaska was named first attendant for 2007, the second year in a row she has held the title.

It was a promenade at West Salem and Bangor high school on April 28 as both held their annual prom.

WSHS had the theme of “Red Carpet Affair,” and prom King Kyle Cornell and prom Queen Kelsey Reedy were named as the top royalty. BHS’s theme was “A Night in Paris,” and Ethan Gollnik and Kriston Siemianowski were announced as the 2007 prom king and queen.

Lois Meinking, principal of the Bangor Elementary School, was named as a Cambridge Who’s Who Professional of the Year in the Educational Curriculum for 2006. Two weeks after that honor, Meinking learned she had been nominated as an Honored Educator with Kappa Delta Pi, an international education honor society, and was recognized at a celebration in La Crosse on April 28.

On Aug. 21 in Minneapolis, she received the Bronze Leadership Award from the Junior Achievement Upper Midwest district; the award recognizes leadership of members of the board.

Scott Koepnick submitted his resignation as the West Salem High School boys basketball coach. Koepnick declined to comment specifically on what led to his resignation, but he indicated that parental pressure for him to step down had something to do with it.

Koepnick coached the Panthers to a 149-201 record in 16 seasons. Todd Van Order was named as the new coach in August.

May 2007

Business park gets hefty grant — Graduation — Supervisor is cited

May 1 marked the first day of business for Country Woolgatherer, located at W4253 Highway B, about a half mile from Maple Grove Country Club. Owned by Tammy Black, the needle workshop offers a number of products, such as exotic wool knitting needles, scissors, hand over-dyed wool, over 200 colors of fine wool yarn pattern, silk thread and antique sewing items.

The West Salem girls track and field team had another first-place finish on May 4 at UW-La Crosse. But amidst the many stellar performances the girls had, two individuals stood out. Courtney Oldenburg broke a 21-year-old West Salem High School record when she ran a time of 11:28.75 to finish first in the 3,200-meter run while Lauren Unser also broke a WSHS record when she ran a 26.45 to finish second in the 200-meter dash.

At regionals on May 17, Oldenburg broke her old school record in the 1,600-meter run by running a 5:13.29 on her way to a first-place finish.

The Bangor Cardinals boys track and field team set a couple school records at its last meet of the regular season on May 11. Sophomore A.J. Bedessem set a school record in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 41.86 — topping the previous mark of 42.3 held by Christian Puckhaber and Carl Heresy. Junior Justin Krajewski shattered the school record for discus when he threw 157-08; the previous record had been set by Tony Roh two years ago with a toss of 144.

On May 10, the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration announced it was awarding a $1.1 million investment grant to the village of West Salem to help develop the Lakeview Business Park.

“We are very lucky and we’re very blessed to have that much support from the state and federal government — which should tell you something: that this project is doing something for economic growth and development that trips some triggers in those offices,” said La Crosse County Planner Charlie Handy.

Coulee Region Christian School celebrated its building’s 90th birthday on May 12, complete with a birthday cake. Built in 1917, the building originally housed the West Salem elementary, middle and high schools. The high school moved out in 1964, followed by the middle school in the 1980s and the elementary school in the early ’90s. CRCS purchased the building in 1996.

The board of directors of CESA No. 4 in West Salem hired Guy Leavitt as the new administrator, replacing the retiring Jerry Freimark. Leavitt previously was the superintendent of schools for the Blair-Taylor School District; he began his new position July 1.

The village of Bangor received a $55,240 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to continue the clean-up and redevelopment of the old Sprehn Mill/Hussa Brewery property, while the village must provide up to $16,572 in matching contributions. It was the second grant received by the village for the clean up of the old site; the previous was $30,000 to identify areas of potential contamination on the property.

The West Salem High School held its 127th annual commencement ceremony May 27, highlighting the educational achievements of the class of 2007. That same day, 50 students representing the class of 2007 received their diplomas from Bangor High School.

In West Salem, the commencement ceremony was highlighted by presentations from valedictorian Melissa Meinking and salutatorian Jacob Isler. Commencement speaker Eric Wiggins told the graduates to make sure they appreciate the present. Also during the ceremony, retired biology teacher Jon Lewis was presented the Bearing Wall Award, which aims to recognize excellence in education.

In Bangor, valedictorian Randee Rowell and salutatorian Audrey Reigel spoke during graduation. Guest speaker, 1988 BHS graduate Lori Freit-Hammes, encouraged students to follow their passion and be authentic.

After 30 years at Christ St. John’s church in West Salem, Carol Dable announced she was retiring. She had taught pre-kindergarten for 20 years and kindergarten for the past 10 years at the church.

On May 24, Jack Twining and Ray Tollefson — both employees with the West Salem Public Works Department — were recognized by the village for their 25 years of work. Twining reached the quarter-century mark April 21 while Tollefson’s 25th anniversary was July 12.

The West Salem girls soccer program captured its first regional title on May 26 as the team beat Platteville 4-3. West Salem’s Abby Johnson, Novotny, Gorniak and Sammie Horstman put the goals in for the Panthers.

“It’s a big step for our program and we played well,” said sophomore forward Kelsey Gorniak.

The Panthers later lost to Reedsburg 2-1 to end their season.

Just over $3,300 was raised through Neshonoc Dayz held May 27, with proceeds going to the West Salem Hockey Association.

“It went good,” said Chase Miller, who co-chaired the fourth-annual West Salem event. “We had a good crowd for the derby, and it was actually a real nice crowd downtown.”

Neshonoc Dayz started off with a fishing derby in the morning at Lake Neshonoc — where about 60 people took part — followed by a chicken dinner served at Village Park. The evening was highlighted with a street dance on Leonard Street and the Miss Carp Contest.

Identity Works opened May 29 at its new location at 920 Industrial Drive in the Lakeview Business Park in West Salem. Tom and Bridget Hanchette own the business, which previously was located in Onalaska.

Tom said the new location is much larger than the previous one. Identity Works has 15 employees and designs, imports and sells promotional products, embroidered and screen-printed apparel, commercial printing and point-of-purchase products. It also offers brand development services, as well as client-specific on-line procurement with warehousing and product fulfillment.

Burns Town Board Supervisor Matt Hoth was cited for disorderly conduct May 30 after allegedly threatening two town residents May 29 at the town waste facility over the town cemetery controversy.

According to the La Crosse County Sheriff’s report, at around 5:30 p.m. May 29, 48-year-old Hoth confronted Donna Kitzmann, 68, and Charlotte Payton, 65, as they were distributing pamphlets regarding the cemetery controversy. The sheriff’s deputy reported that “Donna told me that as they were doing so, the town supervisor, Matthew Hoth, confronted them and was very angry. Donna told me that Matthew was using foul language and also made a threat towards her stating, ‘If it takes every cent I have, I am going to take you down.’”

Hoth has a status conference set in La Crosse County Circuit Court for Jan. 3.

June 2007

Dairy Days rained on — Girls track state champs — Storm hits area

It might have been one of the wetter June Dairy Days of recent memory, but the weather didn’t stop the crowds from coming to West Salem’s annual festival.

“It didn’t go too bad, considering the weather we were dealt,” said June Dairy Days Committee President Tim Degenhardt.

While the three-day event spanning June 1-3 saw rain each day, there were few events that were really affected by showers. The teen dance on Saturday night was cut short because of the weather and live music from Troubleshooter that evening was moved back an hour. Meanwhile, on Sunday the 4-H championship softball game was canceled. The most affected Dairy Days feature was probably the carnival as rain kept people off the rides.

The parade was probably the best-attended event throughout June Dairy Days as people lined the route along Leonard Street. The parade had about 115 entrants and lasted just under two hours. The 2007 grand marshal was Linda Saley.

Police Chief Charles Ashbeck noted there were a couple medical emergencies at Village Park on Sunday, but, overall, he said the event was moderate from a policing standpoint compared with past Dairy Days.

West Salem got a little more style as a new hair salon opened June 1. Located at 630 Commerce St., KM Salon is run by Katie Rasmussen.

“I always wanted to open my own salon, and the opportunity arose, so I took it,” Rasmussen said.

For the first time in 28 years, the West Salem girls track and field team could call itself state champs. On June 2, the team was named co-champions for WIAA Division 2.

By virtue of the second-place finish from Kait Stockheimer, Rae Davis, Carly Manske and Lauren Unser in the 1,600 relay — the last of the meet’s 18 events — West Salem earned eight points and forged a two-way tie with Brown Deer with 39 points.

Courtney Oldenburg earned 11 points the first day of the meet with her third-place finish in the 1,600-meter run and fourth-place effort in the 800.

In day two, the 3,200 relay with Courtney Rucker, Davis, Kristin Stockheimer and Oldenburg took second. And Unser took fifth in the 200 and second in the 400.

“My jaw is starting to hurt from smiling so much,” Rucker said. “That’s OK, though.”

The West Salem boys track team finished in a tie for 30th place in state competition. The highlight for the boys team was Jacob Welch, who took third at state with a new school record of 45-02 in the triple jump.

The potential to come home with a handful of medals were dashed for Bangor’s track teams as they came up short at the state meet June 1-2. Although the Cardinals competed in 10 events, between the two teams their best finish at the La Crosse meet was third, garnered by the girls 4x800-meter relay team. Runners Emily Schroeder, Kriston Siemianowski, Megan Gerke and Cheryl Hundt had a combined time of 9:51.95. As a team, the girls finished 27th and the boys were tied for 48th.

Sandy Sandvick opened Hog Wild in West Salem in June, offering a place for motorcycle enthusiasts to shop. Located in the same building as Hawg Pasture Motorcycles, the store offers an array of motorcycle-related items — everything from signs to jewelry to cloths to flags to even greeting cards for bikers.

On June 5, about 70 staff and family helped Lois Fredrick-Baker celebrate the end of 30 years of teaching at Melrose-Mindoro High School. Fredrick-Baker was honored by fellow teachers with a few comments from long-time fellow teacher Randy Ebert and a plaque of thanks from Superintendent Ron Perry.

Severe thunderstorms the afternoon of June 7 sent a brief, intense bout of rain, hail and strong winds sweeping through the Coulee Region but caused little damage, according to the National Weather Service.

Early warnings about the system had prompted some area schools to send students home early and cancel after-school activities, but the storms were fast moving and left only a scattering of downed tree limbs and power lines in its wake. The system dropped hail across the region that seemed to grow in size as it moved east: about an inch in diameter in La Crosse, golf ball-sized in West Salem and orange-sized in Bangor.

After two weeks of construction and a the dream of a lifetime, brothers Eric and Joel Jansky celebrated the opening night of La Scher’s on Leonard, Friday, June 8. As West Salem’s newest business, located at the corner of Leonard and Hamilton streets, the recreational hot-spot serves as a dance and entertainment night for both middle school and high school students.

“I have always wanted to help out the town because there is nothing here that’s just for kids,” Eric said. “This has been a lifelong goal for me, and we’ve just poured everything into it.”

In only its fourth year, the La Crosse Area YMCA Touchstone Energy Triathlon reached its maximum capacity at 275 participants when the event was held June 10 at Swarthout Park in West Salem. The endurance test featured a swim, a bike ride and a run.

In a 4-3 vote on June 11, the West Salem School Board narrowly approved to reinstate the contract for assistant high school principal Barbara Buswell. The board had originally looked to cut the job to counter an expected budget shortfall. Eliminating the job, which is considered part-time, would have saved the district $58,000.

Seven people and two dogs escaped from a West Salem house after a returning tenant noticed smoke coming from the upper unit of the two-family home. The tenant was able to alert everyone inside 154 S. Clark St. and get them out about 1 a.m. on June 17, said Matt Zavadsky, director of Tri-State Ambulance, and Greg Hutson, West Salem assistant fire chief.

Ambulance crews checked the seven people — five children and two adults — but found no injuries from the fire, Zavadsky said. A West Salem firefighter was treated at the scene for a heat-related ailment, Hutson said.

West Salem firefighters put out the fire, which was confined to the second-floor unit’s kitchen and adjacent rooms, Hutson said. The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen. The building’s first floor suffered minimal smoke damage and some water damage.

Rockland parks were the beneficiary when Bangor, Burns, Rockland and other area community residents turned out to celebrate the 10th annual Progress Days recreational and fundraising event Saturday, June 30. Complete with food, fireworks, games and games, the annual event raised approximately $2,000.

July 2007

Vandals destroy old school — Fair a hit — Youth club finally opens

Salem Terrace, a 45-unit complex that offers assisted-living as well as independent living for seniors, opened July 1 as the only assisted living facility available in West Salem. Half of the 18,000-square-foot complex will be rented to those who need assisted living and the other half rented to seniors seeking an independent lifestyle with the flexibility of obtaining assisted living services when the time comes.

July 2 marked the official last day for popular West Salem mail carrier Phil Langston, who retired after starting his job June 2, 1977. Including his regular downtown route, it’s estimated Langston had delivered more than 15 million pieces of mail and walked close to 20,000 miles.

Bruce’s Place opened in Bangor July 4 at 1526 Commercial St. Owned by Bruce Wavre and his wife Tracy, the diner focuses on cooked-from-scratch meals, such as homemade soups, real mashed potatoes, farm-fed catfish filets and sirloin steaks. With the building previously housing Main Street Soda, the new establishment maintains an ambiance of historic old-style ice cream and soda shops.

Vandals decimated the interior of the old Bangor middle and high school building on July 7, causing at least $20,000 worth of damages.

Vandals painted graffiti throughout the building’s carpet and walls, broke numerous interior windows and glass panes and even defecated in one room. Various storage items — such as computers, games and supplies — were damaged and thrown about, and fire extinguishers were discharged. It also appeared as if a small fire was started on the floor of the old library.

“It’s just senseless,” school Superintendent Roger Foegen said. “This is just disappointing. It’s such a shame because the place has a lot of memories.”

Although police later questioned persons of interest, no arrests have been made.

Mindoro Lutheran Church in Mindoro celebrated its 135th anniversary at services on Sunday, July 8. The church, originally known as the Upper Lewis Valley Lutheran Church, was organized in May 1872.

The 2007 La Crosse Interstate Fair was the place to be July 11-15, and it’ll go down in the history books as one of the best in its 117 years.

“I think we had a record year; I think we really had one of the best years we’ve ever had,” said fair event coordinator Marla Stello. “The weather totally played a factor in making it a huge success — not only for us, but for the vendors, the exhibitors, the carnival, fairgoers, everybody.

“They came, they stayed, they enjoyed.”

Sponsored by the La Crosse Area Agricultural Society, the 2007 fair marked 50 years of being held in West Salem. The fair offered tons of entertainment — from music to magic to juggling — as well as its annually popular events like the Little Squirts Dairy Show, the horsepull and the junior livestock auction. Also, there were 12,800 to 12,900 exhibits entered while about 90 percent actually made it to the fair — better than the typical 80 percent to 85 percent turnout rate.

Dan and Linda Meeker donated their old house at W3436 Highway 16 for a good cause. Dubbed Operation Shared Hope, items from the home were salvaged on July 14 and a controlled burn for fire department training was conducted July 28. The project benefited a number of groups: Army Reservists, National Guards and firefighters used the house to train, Habitat for Humanity ReStore received salvaged materials and Operation Homefront-La Crosse Coulee Region received proceeds from chickencues.

After four years in the making, the Boys & Girls Club of West Salem area opened Monday, July 16.

Located at 134 N. Leonard St., initial estimates stated it would take three years for club membership to reach 280. However, at the end of 2007, there were about 400 members.

“We’re excited to see the smiles on their faces,” said Sarah Wendland, the club’s first site director.

The West Salem club has facilities that will offer numerous services and programs, including art, music, theater, tutoring, cooking, basketball and Internet access.

West Salem, along with La Crosse County and Lakeview partners Xcel Energy and CenturyTel, was the recipient of the 2007 Triangle of Achievement Award for a collaborative effort in bringing the Lakeview Business Park into reality. The award, presented July 19, celebrates the efforts of organizations that have teamed up to bring certain projects into fruition or collaborated to resolve issues central to the area’s economic development.

The West Salem High School baseball team fell just short of its goal of reaching state. The Panthers won their regional game against Independence-Gilmanton 13-3 on July 17, and then traveled to Arcadia on July 20 for sectionals. After defeating No. 4 seed Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau 6-1, the Panthers fell in the sectional finals to their biggest rival, Arcadia, by a score of 6-1.

Work began the week of July 22 on a plan to revamp the West Salem High School baseball field. The roughly four-decade-old facility got an overhaul over the summer and fall as the sports ground received a new infield, outfield with warning track, irrigation system and fencing. It was the first of an anticipated three-phase project.

West Salem played host to millions of dollars worth of dairy cattle on July 25 as the state’s best Holsteins were on display at the La Crosse County Fairgrounds for the 2007 Wisconsin Championship Show. The championship show attracted 284 head of cattle, along with their owners, handlers and families. If some estimates were close, there might have been up to $28.4 million worth of Holsteins at the fairgrounds; if all of them produced milk, that’s a potential of 5.74 million pounds of milk in one year.

West Salem police apprehended a 14-year-old Mississippi boy after he allegedly sexually assaulted his 3-year-old cousin. The Horn Lake, Miss., boy was placed into custody on Friday, July 27, on charges of first-degree sexual assault and lewd and lascivious behavior.

According to police reports, the incident occurred in West Salem on July 23 when the boy, who was staying with a relative, was baby-sitting for his aunt at the victim’s residence. The boy reportedly exposed himself to the girl and had her orally stimulate him sexually. He also reportedly attempted to have intercourse with her but instead touched her in a sexual manner.

The case was referred to La Crosse County Child Protection Services.

A sex offender living in Bangor was arrested and charged after allegedly watching children in the village park.

Gerald W. Pischke, 58, was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court on July 27 with one count of disorderly conduct. The charge stemmed from an incident that occurred on July 21 when Pischke — who was convicted of first-degree sexual assault of a child nine years previous — was allegedly loitering in Bangor Park after noon and watching children.

According to police reports, witnesses stated they were at the park for a family reunion when they noticed a man acting suspiciously. The man, later identified as Pischke, was reportedly seen watching children play in the park. Pischke said he was at a bar during that time.

A motion hearing is set for Jan. 9 while a jury trial is scheduled for March 17.

Chad Richardson, 35, was hired by the Bangor Police Department as a part-time officer after spending most of his adult life as a maintenance worker with mechanical equipment. His official start date with the BPD was July 30.

August 2007

Man kayaks Mississippi — Death, injuries in crashes — Fun Daze

On Aug. 2, Lakeview Business Park signed a developer’s agreement with Amerhart for approximately 15 acres of development where a 100,000-square-foot building will be erected. According to La Crosse County Planner Charlie Handy, the agreement is valued at $3.3 million and includes the construction of another 700 linear feet of infrastructure and roadway improvements as well as 1,700 linear feet of rail spur at the business park. Amerhart, based in Green Bay, is a wholesaler of hardware, lumber and building materials.

West Salem Middle School seventh-grade science teacher Mike Zwonitzer returned from a kayaking trip down the Mighty Mississippi. He began his journey in early June at the tip of the Mississippi in northern Minnesota and traveled south, ending at the Sunshine Bridge not far from New Orleans on Aug. 5. All told, he traveled 2,307 miles.

“I would say that I learned determination. Even though a task or job seems enormous, biting off little chunks gets it done,” Zwonitzer said.

An attempt by the West Salem Village Board to create minimum property maintenance standards was killed as a split board couldn’t agree on the proposed ordinance. In a 3-3 tie, the board failed to set a public hearing for a 20-page draft ordinance that establishes standards for residential and commercial properties — ranging from debris regulation to landscaping maintenance to foundation condition.

The village does have a number of ordinances in place that already address property requirements, but the proposed ordinance expanded more into aesthetics and quality while compiling all the rules.

A 43-year-old Holmen man was listed in critical condition after a motorcycle accident during a spectator event at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway Aug. 10.

Craig Etlicher was preparing to participate in Spectator Drags — in which competitors race cars, trucks and motorcycles against each other in dragstrip fashion down the front stretch of the race track — when he lost control of his motorcycle about 7 p.m. during a practice run and crashed into a concrete wall that circles the outside of the 5/8ths-mile track. Etlicher was flown by helicopter to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

Despite the rain and the heat, the ninth-annual Bangor Lions Fun Daze was considered a success. Held Aug. 10-12, the event featured 140 entrants in the canoe poker run and 80 runners in the fun run/walk. Ray Horstman received the Lion of the Year Award.

“I would like to thank everyone for the success of the event,” said Brian Berg, Bangor Fun Daze committee chairman. “(Everyone) helped the club raise funds to give to other community organizations and that’s what it’s all about.”

The Friends of Burns committee organizing Firefly Fest decided to postpone the celebration until the third weekend in September 2008 due to scheduling conflicts. The first Firefly Fest in 2006 happened to fall during the town’s sesquicentennial celebration, and the committee had hoped to make it an annual event.

A newly organized group announced it will begin meeting with the goal of building an aquatic center in West Salem as an aging Swarthout Swimming Pool becomes more obsolete.

“We just know that the pool is on its last leg, and it’s not going to survive too many more years, if even that,” said Becky Auna, who organized the committee pursuing a new aquatic center. “We just want to see a new facility, and we know we had better start coming up with something soon.”

The group later named itself The West Salem Area Aquatic Center Committee and now meets twice a month.

West Salem maintained its top ranking as a low spender in the 2007 municipal spending report by the Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance.

The village’s per capita spending figures was the lowest in its population group for at least the fifth year. Among the 20 municipalities with a population of between 4,000 and 5,000 in 2005, West Salem spent $324.60 per person for net government operating expenses.

One category in which West Salem had everyone beat was general obligation debt — that’s because it had no debts. Only one other municipality among the 229 in the WTA study — Stanley — could boast that.

The village of West Salem and the West Salem Professional Police Association avoided mediation as the two agreed on a new contract.

The main issue during negotiations had been pay and the new three-year contract addresses raises, clothing allowance and mileage reimbursement. The union had been working under its last contract, a three-year deal that expired at the end of 2006.

A Rochester, Minn., man died Aug. 26 after his motorcycle collided with a car on Highway I near West Salem.

Michael W. Brown, 23, was eastbound on Highway I about 12:50 p.m. when he crossed the center lane and hit a westbound car driven by Shannon Greenland of Westby, according to the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department. Brown was wearing a helmet and pronounced dead at the scene.

Motorcyclists Kevin Wallenberg, 27, also of Rochester, and Joey Wooden of Trempealeau, Wis., collided trying to avoid the crash, according to the sheriff’s department.

Wallenberg, who was also wearing a helmet, was transported to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center by Med-link helicopter with moderate to significant injuries.

Daniel J. Odenbach, 34, was named the new principal at Coulee Region Christian School. Previously the assistant principal at Minnesota Virtual Academy in Houston, Minn., he oversees the day-to-day operation of the West Salem parochial school.

School Administrator Marliss Katsma had functioned as the school administrator and principal for the past couple years while David Kohut served as the vice principal and guidance counselor. But when Kohut left, Odenbach was hired and Katsma moved solely into the administrator’s role.

Ryan Vogler, who was a gym teacher and the head baseball coach at Bangor, was accepted by Onalaska’s school board on Aug. 27 as the replacement for Troy McDonald. Vogler was one of 23 applicants and five finalists for the position, which is a combined AD/assistant principal position. Vogler had led the baseball team to a 18-3 record in 2007.

September 2007

Power outage causes crash — Man accused of sexual assault of girl

The fourth annual Labor Day Street Dance in West Salem on Sept. 2 featured music, a street dance, a cook-off, auctions and games. Held on Leonard Street in the downtown business district, the event’s proceeds — $1,598 — went to the Boys & Girls Club of the West Salem Area.

An electrical problem was believed to be the source of a fire that destroyed a West Salem home Sept. 4, according to West Salem Fire Chief Dave Munson. The lone occupant was not home when the fire broke out about 6:40 a.m. at the Anderson Trailer Court, Munson said. When fire crews arrived, the home was completely engulfed in flames and the home sustained extensive fire, heat and smoke damage, Munson said. The Red Cross assisted the owner of the home find a place to stay.

Ingrid Herken, 28, Bangor was arrested Sept. 4 as a suspect in a series of prescription drug thefts from Coulee Region homes.

Herken was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with three counts of theft and possession of narcotic drugs. According to the sheriff’s report, a south side La Crosse man said Herken had approached him in his backyard asking if she could use his bathroom, indicating she was pregnant. After she left, he went back into the bathroom and discovered his prescription bottle containing about 26 Tramadol tablets that had been in a Ziploc bag was missing.

Herken was later located and, according to the report, admitted she had entered seven residences under the same pretext and obtained prescription drugs from about four of them.

A status conference is scheduled for Jan. 10.

Eight vied for the 2007 Miss Mindoro crown, but Jolissa Gerdes will be the one wearing it for the upcoming year after she was crowned Sept. 7 during the beginning of Spanferkel. The Royal Court included first attendant Hailey Lockington, second attendant Mariah Michener and third attendant and Miss Congeniality Chelsea Olson. As Miss Mindoro, Gerdes said she would work to create more events in which youth could become more involved in the community. As part of the Spanferkel celebration, artist Susan Sampson unveiled the mural of the Mindoro Cut commissioned by the Mindoro Lions Club. Marie Tracey was named Citizen of the Year by the Mindoro Lions Club and Stanley Stetzer was named Lion of the Year.

The West Salem School District’s Open Forest fundraiser exceeded its goals Saturday, Sept. 8, raising over $6,100 for the Outdoor Education Center remodeling project. According to Dave Langer, one of the project’s committee members, about 285 participants were hauled into the woods in trailers pulled by tractors as an experienced banjo player filled the forest with music. Silent auctions and food were held for raising money.

At least two people were injured Sept. 11 after a power outage blacked out portions of West Salem and took out traffic lights. According to Xcel Energy spokesperson Chris Ouellette, about 1,700 customers lost electricity at 4:40 p.m. when a tree fell on an electrical line.

Sections of the village affected included the intersection of Highway 16 and West Avenue where traffic lights went out, causing an accident. According to the accident report, Ila M. Krueger, 53, Bangor, was driving a 2001 Ford Taurus eastbound on Highway 16 and turned left. Her vehicle was struck by a westbound 2001 Dodge Intrepid operated by Joseph J. Stavlo, 22, West Salem.

Both Krueger and Stavlo stated they did not notice the power was out, but Krueger and her passenger — Amanda M. Wynne, 19 — were transported from the scene to Franciscan Skemp, according to the police department.

All Xcel Energy customers affected by the outage had power restored by 6:10 p.m., although Ouellette said the majority had power restored before then.

Melrose police arrested Jon F. Storandt, 25, Mindoro, after he blew through the village traveling nearly 100 mph and led officers on a short vehicle pursuit and foot chase before 11 p.m. on Sept. 11.

Storandt lost control of his 2003 Chevrolet truck while attempting a turn onto Lovell Street and struck a telephone pole with the driver’s side mirror. Storandt then fled the vehicle into a wooded area, and Jackson County Sheriff’s Department K-9 deputy Matt Koran and the department dog, Nash, tracked the driver about one-quarter mile from the accident location.

Storandt was taken into custody for knowingly fleeing an officer, a third offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, operating a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol level, a second offense of operating a vehicle after revocation, speeding, reckless driving and having an open intoxicant in vehicle.

Jordan Laufenberg, a physical education teacher at Bangor High School, was named the new boys varsity basketball coach for the Cardinals on Sept. 12.

Laufenberg, who was hired by the district in August, took over for Joe Stekel, who resigned in March after leading the Cards for nine years with a 105-98 record and three conference championships.

A 2002 Highland High School grad, Laufenberg gained most of his basketball coaching experience with the Highland and Cuba City school districts.

Rita Cox retired from the Melrose-Mindoro School District on Sept. 14 after 36 years. Through the years, she has held numerous titles, including library aid, lunchroom supervisor, playground monitor, stand-in nurse and bus monitor.

“She’s had a smile and a good word for everyone, kids and adults, no matter what,” said friend and colleague Ilene Pavelko at Mindoro Elementary School.

The West Salem Historical Society put on its annual Garland Days Sept. 14-16, commemorating the village native author and Pulitzer Prize winner who would have turned 147. The three-day event featured the popular village-wide rummage sale, an auto show, a cemetery tribute and a presentation by Professor Keith Newlin, who has written a biography on Garland.

“We were pleased with the generous turnout,” said Errol Kindschy, historical society president. “It was a little better than last year.”

Luther High School in Onalaska celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 16. The school opened with a class of 20 ninth-graders in 1957, and within six years there were 200 students. School officials say there have been about 2,000 graduates, with the school’s current enrollment at 275.

The United States Army sent a certificate of appreciation to West Salem High School after a drive collected almost 1,000 shoes that were sent to Iraq. The certificate was from the 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment and the 3rd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division.

Last winter, the high school music department organized a district-wide drive to collect shoes to send to Iraq for those who didn’t have adequate footwear. In February, more than 970 pairs of new and barely used shoes were sent to Iraq, in addition to socks and hats. The drive also raised about $1,700 to cover the cost of shipping.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation decided to remove Rockland as its preferred site for a new Safety and Weight Enforcement Facility and instead focused on a site closer to Sparta. The decision came after a public meeting Sept. 19 to discuss three possible sites east of Rockland. At that meeting, DOT officials received indications from owners of at least two proposed sites they would be willing to sell their land to the DOT for the SWEF.

Rockland residents vehemently opposed the SWEF and, since March, had been urging the DOT to find another location. Rockland residents were concerned about noise, air pollution, the proximity of a housing development across the highway and the elimination of possible future Interstate 90 interchange.

“That’s what our goal was in the first place and our intention when we started this — get the DOT to move the SWEF somewhere else,” Village President Jim Walter said.

Work began on a five-unit condominium development on Lake Neshonoc on Sept. 21 when Walter Dietrich had a house demolished. The Illinois man had been using the West Salem house as a vacationing site for the last 30 years but wanted to have a condo where he could retire. Dietrich said the units will be priced in the upper $200,000 price range, and the project is expected to be finished by July 2008.

About 2,000 brook and brown trout were estimated to be killed in a manure spill Sept. 22-23 in Dutch Creek. The spill started in Monroe County and was detected at the monitoring station on Dutch Creek, said Gregg Stangl, La Crosse County conservationist.

While officials first thought the spill was runoff from area fields, data from the Dutch Creek monitoring station indicated the spill actually occurred about eight to 10 hours after the storm’s peak flow and may have been caused by a potentially failed manure system, Stangl said. A Monroe County landowner could face fines or other penalties after officials said his feedlot was the source of the manure spill.

Felony child enticement and sexual assault of a child charges were filed Sept. 24 against a Bangor man accused of luring a 10-year-old girl into his apartment and then sexually assaulting the girl.

Michael W. Hudson, 40, was accused in a criminal complaint of calling the girl into his apartment about 2:30 p.m. to talk about baby-sitting Hudson’s two young children. The girl told Bangor police that he then took her back into a bedroom, locked the door and touched her private area; about 3:10 p.m., Hudson let the girl go.

When questioned, Hudson admitted he talked to the girl for about “one minute” but denied asking the girl to baby-sit and said he did not ask the girl to come to his apartment, the complaint said.

A pretrial is set for Jan. 3 and a jury trial is scheduled for Jan. 15.

On Sept. 28, Bangor High School celebrated homecoming and held numerous events throughout the day before the game. Adam Anderson and Sam Piske were the homecoming king and queen. The Cardinals took on Hillsboro in the football match-up and came up short in a 43-22 loss.

Melrose-Mindoro had its homecoming the same day, and king and queen titles went to Jenna Johnson and Tommy Dobbs. The Mustangs lost to Eleva-Strum 44-0.

October 2007

Graffiti sprayed over village — High school battles drug problems

Vandals hit the village of West Salem during the nighttime Oct. 1-2 as graffiti was spray painted in numerous places. Areas hit included the high school, Village Park and the Lions Community Shelter, as well as a residence, a dumpster and a car. Much of the graffiti included words and symbols regarding drug use, according to reports.

West Salem Police apprehended a 14-year-old West Salem boy on Oct. 2 on a charge of criminal damage to property, and, on Oct. 9, police apprehended a 16-year-old West Salem boy on charges of criminal damage to property and theft.

West Salem held its homecoming week Oct. 1-5, and the village and school were busy with excitement. The week was highlighted by Friday’s festivities, which included a parade through downtown and homecoming queen Cassie Tremain and homecoming king Michael Ferris. The Panther football team beat Westby 55-19.

Work began on three West Salem parks after citizens brought forth concerns over sink holes and grading. Public works crews addressed holes at Village Park, Riverview Park and the future park at the corner of Mark and Lewis streets, but grading costs was to be discussed in 2008.

David A. Mikel was arrested on Oct. 3 by the Bangor police and was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, obstructing officers and five counts of felony bail jumping after police found almost 460 grams of marijuana in his vehicle.

According to the police report, at about 8:52 p.m. an officer spotted the 47-year-old Bangor man driving; the officer ran the registration for the vehicle and found it had expired. In attempting to pull the vehicle over, Mikel reportedly stopped the car and fled on foot into a nearby cornfield in Bangor. He was later located at his home.

The day of Oct. 3 was a whirlwind for West Salem stock car driver Steve Carlson when he was named the Whelen All-American Series national short-track champion. He was later recognized for his achievement at a ceremony in Las Vegas.

A stretch of drug incidents began at the West Salem High School involving drugs on school grounds and expulsions.

The string of drug-related incidents seemed to come to a front on Oct. 4 when Ryan J. Clements, 17, of Coon Valley, was arrested for felony possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver and for two counts of bail jumping. According to the West Salem police report, authorities were conducting a drug search with a K-9 unit and reportedly found three individually wrapped bags of marijuana in Clements’ vehicle.

That same day, the West Salem School Board expelled a 15-year-old boy after 95 grams of marijuana were confiscated from the student’s locker on Sept. 21.

On Oct. 5, a 16-year-old girl collapsed in front of the high school after having reportedly smoked marijuana that she bought from another student; she was medically transferred to Gundersen Lutheran and later released. The other student was later apprehended.

By the first week of November, the WSSD expelled a total of five students — including a ninth-grade male, two 11th-grade females and a 12th-grade male — all for drug-related offenses. The last time the district expelled five students was the 2002-03 school year.

“It won’t be tolerated,” Superintendent Nancy Burns said. “I’ve said it before: The board and the staff and I are going to make sure that our schools are safe and students will not have to fear about being approached by (other) students with drugs.”

At its Oct. 9 meeting, the Bangor Village Board directed its police department to begin posting names, addresses and photos of known Bangor sex offenders found on the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Sex Offender Registry Web site. The move came after two sex offenders living in Bangor were arrested in separate incidents.

The Burns Town Board agreed to sign a letter of understanding about the legal and financial relationships between the town and the Ho Chunk Nation for any improvements to routes owned by the town but serving tribal members. According to town Chairman Paul Kitzmann, the letter essentially states that the Ho Chunk Nation would be responsible for any financing improvements it wants to implement on the town for its members, but the town will continue to own and maintain them.

The Hmong community in the Coulee Region kicked off a new year with ceremonial fanfare at West Salem’s Veterans Memorial Park on Oct. 13. Over 5,000 people game out to enjoy entertainment, games and authentic Hmong food.

Presbyterian Church of West Salem celebrated its 150th anniversary on Oct. 14, marked by food, music and worship. The church itself was actually 151 years old in 2007, but the sesquicentennial was overlooked in 2006 because the church’s 75th anniversary had been off a year.

“We were off a year, but it was still something worth celebrating,” said Pastor Stephanie Steiner. “And it’s important to look back when moving forward.”

West Salem’s longtime, downtown feed store Coulee Farm Supply packed up and moved to Sparta on Oct. 15 as the business merged with its sister store, Country Farm Supply, located on Highway 16 between Rockland and Sparta.

Tom Graff, manager of Coulee Farm Supply, said the move was for financial reasons because a portion of the supply for the West Salem location was coming from Sparta anyway, so it was sensible to consider merging. The downtown business, located at 214 S. Leonard St., dates back to at least 1909 when it carried just the Purina name, later changing to Coulee Farm Supply.

The town of Farmington decided to delay the opening of Meridian Street. The board rejected the two bids it received for the project because of nearly $15,000 difference between the two, and neither bidder was available to answer questions about their bid at the October meeting. The board opted to reconsider bidding the project — a goal since 2005 — in the spring of 2008.

Taxpayers in the Melrose-Mindoro School District voted Oct. 22 to levy $25,000 for the Melrose swimming pool. During a school board meeting in August, when the board approved the idea of levying the pool, Superintendent Ron Perry said taxpayers would pay $12 to $13 annually for every $100,000 in equalized value if $35,000 was levied; annual costs to operate the pool vary from $27,000 to $35,000.

While the event was actually held at the La Crosse Center, West Salem hosted the 41st Wisconsin Wastewater Operators’ Association conference on Oct. 23-26. The event drew 835 people, and, as host, West Salem and its wastewater treatment plant was toured and featured in the fall edition of “The Clarifier,” a quarterly magazine for those interested in fields such as wastewater management.

It was a magical season for West Salem soccer, volleyball and cross country, but Oct. 27 marked the end of the season for the teams.

The Panther soccer team made school history with its best season with 17 wins, five losses and two ties. Regional champs, West Salem made it to sectional finals but lost at Marshfield against Northland Pines in a 2-1 game.

After winning regionals, the volleyball team traveled to Durand looking to qualify for a second straight WIAA Division 2 state tournament. The Lady Panthers came up short, though, as they lost to the Osceola Chieftains.

The girls cross country team was ranked second going into the state meet and suffered a disappointing 14th-place finish. The team’s top seed, Courtney Oldenburg, was unable to finish the race due to medical complications. West Salem also sent one boy runner.

Bangor’s Kriston Siemianowski capped her high school cross country career in one of the best ways she could: standing on the podium to get a medal at state. The senior ran the WIAA Division 3 state meet in Wisconsin Rapids in 15:25 on Oct. 27, putting her fourth-best individually and topping her 13th-place finish last year. Bangor sent the whole girls team and one boy to state.

Melrose-Mindoro freshman Samantha Rodenberg and junior Anthony Stelter competed in the WIAA Division 3 cross country state meet. Rodenberg finished 113th and Stelter finished 74th.

November 2007

Panther football wins state title — Truckers busted with marijuana

Barre and area residents celebrated the receipt of a grant award from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources by hosting a fundraising party, Parkfest 2007, on Nov. 3. The event raised over $3,600, and the funds will qualify as matching funds for the Stewardship Grant; Barre had received a grant in the amount of $23,143 for its Park Land Acquisition Project.

A La Crosse man was arrested in West Salem Nov. 3 on a seventh drunken driving charge. Todd Defliger, 45, was charged in La Crosse Circuit County Court with fifth and subsequent offense operating while intoxicated and with a prohibited alcohol concentration in La Crosse County Circuit Court. A La Crosse County Sheriff’s deputy stopped Defliger’s brown Pontiac Grand Prix about 8:30 p.m. after he failed to stop for a stop sign at Leonard and Garland streets, according to the criminal complaint.

About 300 people celebrated St. Leo the Great Catholic Church’s 50th anniversary Sunday, Nov. 4. What started with 25 families gathering at the village theater in 1957 has grown to more than 400 parishioners for the West Salem church.

Selling the naming rights of West Salem School District facilities won’t be supported by the school board. At a special meeting on Nov. 5, the school board stated that selling naming rights will not be a district philosophy in an attempt to possibly generate more money for the school district.

The board made the direction after discussing whether to establish a policy regarding the naming of facilities, which included an option to allow a third-party — such as a business — to pay the district for naming rights. The board, however, opted to retain its current policy of accepting bequests or monetary gifts per board approval; any naming of the facilities, though, would still be at the board’s discretion.

Augie Walters, owner of Hayfield’s market in Barre Mills dug up the two gas tanks from the property as he got out of the gas business. The restaurant and convenience store will remain open, but, with the price of gasoline, the fuel end of the business became too costly.

“It’s been 20 years of fun,” Walters said. “But I think the independent stations are about done with gas. I can’t compete with the big boys.”

The village of West Salem moved forward with a $1.23 million project that, in effect, will alleviate occasionally bad-tasting water. At its Nov. 6 meeting, the village board approved a project that will add an iron and manganese filter treatment system to two of its three wells in addition to replacing the well house for well No. 2.

The West Salem Police Department began offering Department of Motor Vehicle services on Nov. 6, including vehicle registration, plate renewals and title replacement. Police Chief Charles Ashbeck said he decided to bring the service to West Salem as a convenience to local residents. The nearest DMV to West Salem is in Onalaska.

On Nov. 20, the village began taking credit card and debit payments. The village installed a credit card machine at its main counter in Village Hall as well as the police department.

West Salem High School senior Megan Hussey was among those honored by The Young Women’s Christian Association at a ceremony Nov. 8. Hussey, active in performance arts and a member of NHS, was recognized as a YWCA high school representative.

The West Salem Fire Protection District cut more than $60,500 from its already approved budget after municipalities would not absorb the excess in tax levy. The 2007-08 budget for the district — which covers West Salem, Hamilton and Barre — had been poised for a nearly 40 percent increase under plans approved at an annual meeting in July. Fire protection districts, though, are only allowed by the state to increase their levy limits 4.3 percent annually, so the board had to revisit its budget.

Mississippi Valley Conservancy completed a conservation agreement with Leonard and Alberta Kick to permanently protect their 400-acre property in the town of Bangor in La Crosse County, near Middle Ridge.

The property consists of blufflands containing prominent ridges and open fields, dramatic bluff slopes, rugged ravines, secluded valleys and a cold-water spring and creek. The property is approximately one-half forestland and one-half agricultural fields and pastures.

The Boys & Girls Club of West Salem Area began searching for a new site director after Sarah Wendland announced she would be leaving after five months at the club. On Nov. 12, Wendland said she accepted the position of site director at the Hamilton and Amie L. Mathy Boys & Girls Clubs, which are also part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse.

In December, Deana Protz, a recreational facility director in Prairie du Chien, was chosen to replace Wendland; Protz is expected to start in January.

The third time was indeed the charm, and the community of the West Salem School District couldn’t have been more proud. After coming close in 2002 and 2005, the West Salem High School Panther football team won its first state championship when it topped Kettle Moraine Lutheran 52-14 on Nov. 15.

For the Panthers, quarterback Dan Schneider threw four touchdown passes and ran for another; Jacob Welch caught five passes for 122 yards; Hunter Burke had 107 rushing yards, 85 receiving yards and two touchdowns; Sam Lehmann caught five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown; and Matt Gorniak kicked seven extra points in addition to a 28-yard field goal.

Ralph and Cindy Hoffman announced their 3-year-old business Hoffman Trucking would be moving from their home on Highway C in West Salem to Bangor. The Hoffman’s started the business with one truck but now have six, so they needed more room.

Jolivette Family Farms just outside West Salem bought the former Lakeview Furniture property next door along Highway 16. John Jolivette, president of the family business, said he plans to use the building — which housed a furniture store from 2003 to 2006 and before that a grocery store — for his family’s wholesale foods business.

Alcohol played a role in a single-vehicle crash in the town of Burns Nov. 16 that injured two.

At about 12:27 a.m., a pickup driven by Kenneth L. Fish, 21, was traveling northbound on Highway 162 at Pettiger Hill Road when the vehicle left the roadway, struck a ditch and culvert, overturned and came to rest on its roof after striking a power pole.

Fish was air-lifted to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. The passenger, Mark A. Kendhammer, 22, was transported by ambulance to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

Fish was later cited for operating while under the influence of alcohol causing injury.

Two California semi-truck drivers were arrested after state investigators reportedly discovered they were hauling more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana. Marco Corzo, 54, and Gurmit Singh, 37, both of Palmdale, Calif., were arrested the morning of Nov. 20 after a Wisconsin State Patrol drug-sniffing dog detected the marijuana in the truck’s trailer at the West Salem Safety and Weight Facility on eastbound Interstate 90, according to the state patrol.

The men then gave investigators permission to search the trailer, which held about 15 cardboard boxes and several pallets of tomatoes. The dog stopped at one box, which turned out to contain two packages of marijuana, each about 25 pounds, according to the state patrol. The remaining boxes had about 1,048 pounds of marijuana in 44 packages.

The amount seized by the state Division of Criminal Investigation could be the most marijuana ever confiscated in western Wisconsin, according to the state patrol.

December 2007

Village warning sirens go on and off — Principal charged with battery

The West Salem Village Board originally voted to stop the daily warning tests of its two sirens but then reversed its decision ... sort of.

On Nov. 20, at the urging of two residents who said the sirens were a nuisance because they were loud, the board said it would only test the sirens monthly beginning in January. However, on Dec. 4, the board decided it would keep testing only the downtown siren daily after some board members heard residents’ concerns over safety and wanting to keep tradition.

“I don’t think it’s a cure-all from what everyone’s been discussing, but at least it gives us a safety net,” said board Trustee Jim Leicht, who brought the matter up for reconsideration. “These are civil defense issues. It is a safety issue.”

It will now be against the law to be in West Salem parks after 11 p.m. after the village enacted closing hours for all seven of the village’s parks.

Parks will now be considered closed between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The board approved the new ordinance in a 4-2 vote at its Dec. 4 meeting. The village has never had a park closing time, but the ordinance was brought forward at the urging of Police Chief Charles Ashbeck after a number of park vandalisms over the summer.

Rudolph E. Paulson, 58, Rockland, was arrested after attempting to grab $120 from the cash register at the Rockland Stop & Go on Dec. 8.

According to the Bangor Police Department, Paulson had asked the cashier, Courtney Valentine, 18, for change for a $5 bill at about 7:35 p.m. When she opened the cash drawer, police say Paulson reached across the counter and tried to grab the $20 bills, but Valentine was able to regain the money in a struggle and told Paulson to leave.

A family lost two cats and almost all their material belongings in a house fire that caused extensive damage to the home at 600 Eagle St. in Rockland on Dec. 10. Gilbert Symons, 63, and Toni Kresen, 48, awakened to a fire in their chimney about 3:10 a.m., but they both managed to escape.

“I woke up, for some reason, and it was really hazy,” Kresen said. “I went out to the living room and I saw it was really bright outside. I looked out the window and could see the chimney was on fire.”

After the fire, the couple went to the home of Symons’ son and daughter-in-law in West Salem. At 7:40 a.m., someone called the Bangor Fire Department back because the fire had flared up again and created further damage.

It was the second fire that had destroyed a home for Kresen. When she was 13, her family’s home burned down.

West Salem Elementary Principal John J. Smalley was charged with battery after he reportedly assaulted his wife. Smalley, 43, was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court on Dec. 12 with domestic battery and domestic disorderly conduct.

The charges stemmed from an incident Dec. 9 at Smalley’s Onalaska home in which he reportedly pushed his wife and pulled her hair, according to the criminal complaint. Smalley’s wife told police she and her husband had been at a holiday party when Smalley went into a bathroom with another woman. Smalley’s wife reportedly became upset and left.

Smalley later returned home and received a phone call on his cell phone, according to the complaint. Smalley’s wife told police she confronted him that the caller was a woman, and, when she reached for the phone, Smalley pushed her to the floor and pulled her hair.

On Dec. 10 — the day after the incident — the West Salem School Board voted in closed session to put Smalley on paid administrative leave and he was notified the next morning. Due to personnel privacy reasons, Superintendent Nancy Burns said she could not say why Smalley was put on leave, but she did state she and the school board were aware of the incident and the charges Smalley faces.

One-third of the West Salem School Board had their vehicles run into on Dec. 10. Kristine Alumbaugh, 39, and Roger Henderson, 60, were both victims of a hit-and-run while they were attending a school board meeting. Alumbaugh’s 2002 Dodge Caravan and Henderson’s 2000 Chrysler Voyager were parked on E. Hamlin Street when another vehicle drove into the side of them.

It was later learned a 16-year-old Bangor girl had driven a 1996 Mercury Villager into the vehicles, panicked and fled. She was later cited for unreasonable and imprudent speed and failure to notify police of an accident.

The Webster Hardwoods plant near Bangor closed Dec. 14, laying off at least 76 employees.The plant-closing notice did not say why the facility shut down. A Montana company later filed a lawsuit against Webster Hardwoods in La Crosse County Circuit Court, claiming it hasn’t been paid for $200,000 worth of lumber delivered in July and August.

On Dec. 14, forensic scientists and anthropologists examined Terry Dolowy’s beheaded body, exhumed the previous day from a Chicago area cemetery 22 years after she was left burning in a Vernon County ditch.

Authorities said there may be new evidence regarding Dolowy’s death, but results of forensic testing could take months.

Dolowy, 24, a University of Wisconsin-La Crosse senior, disappeared along with her white poodle on Valentine’s Day. Her body was found four days later in a roadside ditch in the town of Bergen in Vernon County; her head was never located.

Heidi J. Schott, 28, Onalaska, was arrested and charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, possession of a narcotic drug and theft of movable property after allegedly stealing drugs from patients at Mulder Health Care Facility.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Dec. 17 when staff at the West Salem health care facility discovered Vicoden was missing. According to the West Salem Police Department report, missing narcotics had been an on-going issue at the facility for two weeks prior to Schott’s arrest.

In a 6-0 vote on Dec. 18, the West Salem Village Board denied a fireworks business permit to Ron and Linda Radke, owners of Shooting Star Fireworks Inc. The Radkes had been interested in purchasing land between Lloyd’s Speedstop and the AmericInn of West Salem and constructing a fireworks establishment.

However, board members had concerns over fireworks being sold and then ignited within the village limits. The board echoed similar comments from the summer of 2006, when it denied three different fireworks business permit requests.

“I’m not fond of regulating business and so forth, but we’ve been down this road before,” said Trustee Harold Hoffman. “The problem is how do you control who gets them? It quickly falls into the category of a nuisance.”

Coulee Area Renewable Energy announced it might consider building an ethanol plant near Bangor. CARE filed a lawsuit claiming Century Foods and Hormel had breached terms of a settlement agreement by insisting on a new condition — that CARE board members agree not to allow an ethanol plant on land they personally own. The Oct. 9 agreement had been a settlement of a dispute after CARE originally wanted to construct a plant near Century Foods International in Sparta.

In the lawsuit, CARE asks that Century Foods be required to buy the Sparta site under the terms in the settlement agreement and that monetary damages be awarded to CARE for the breach of the agreement. CARE President Dave Rundahl said the site CARE has optioned near Bangor is owned by a farmer but not a CARE member. He declined to say exactly where the site is.

Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, and Sen. Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse, took time Dec. 21 to recognize the West Salem High School football team by presenting a plaque congratulating the team for winning the state Division 4 football championship. Joint Resolution 79 recognized the athletes for demonstrating “admirable sportsmanship and commitment to the game of football.”

Huebsch and Kapanke presented the award to coach Wayne Sackett and congratulated Sackett, Principal Troy Gunderson and Superintendent Nancy Burns.

.