Bangor police wrestle with cramped quarters (2010/03/09)
Bangor Police Chief Scot Alo may not preside over the the most cramped police department in the Coulee Region — but if he doesn’t, it’s awfully close.

Meyer autopsy reveals less alcohol, no drugs in drowning victim’s blood (2010/03/09)
Final autopsy results show a Western Technical College student who drowned Feb. 14 in the Mississippi River had a 0.19 percent blood-alcohol concentration and no drugs in his system.

Planning for Relay for Life under way (2010/03/09)
The organizing committee has announced details of activities for the American Cancer Society’s West Salem Relay for Life, to be held at West Salem High School.

4-H’ers advance to regional speaking festival (2010/03/09)
Public speaking is a popular experience in 4-H each year, and nearly 75 youth gave presentations at the recent 4-H Speaking and Demonstration Festival held at the

Gospel choir gears up for spring programs (2010/03/09)
The spring concert series for the Coulee Region Gospel Choir begins

News in brief (2010/03/09)
Here are a selection of brief news items from this week’s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn’t make it in the paper.

Gunderson returning to West Salem as superintendent (2010/03/01)
Troy Gunderson will be the West Salem School District’s new superintendent effective July 1. The district’s board unanimously chose Gunderson after a lengthy candidate selection process begun in December.

Accurate census count key for local funding (2010/03/01)
County and municipal officials are gearing up for the big count that could mean receiving $281 or more a year in federal aid for each county resident. The more people who are counted in the census, the more federal funds the county, local cities, towns and villages are eligible to receive.

June Dairy Days to mark 40 years (2010/03/01)
The village board last week gave its approval to West Salem’s annual community festival, which will feature an expanded fireworks display to commemorate the event’s 40th anniversary.

Plan commission hopes to forecast Bangor’s future (2010/03/01)
During its February meeting, held last Thursday, the Village of Bangor Planning Commission brought into sharper focus some of the ideas about what it would like to see happen in the village over the next 20 years.

West Salem Middle School to get new lockers (2010/03/01)
The West Salem School Board is tackling one item on a laundry list of equipment and facility needs by approving up to $57,000 for the purchase and installation of up to 425 lockers throughout the middle school. The estimated cost is $50,500 plus taxes but could be slightly higher depending on some options the committee might or might not approve.

WSHS grad found in river (2010/02/18)
Murky water and a Mississippi River bottom cluttered with debris made the search for a missing 21-year-old college student like “diving in a strong cup of coffee,” expert rescue diver Bill Powell said.

Trio of district superintendent candidates meet the public (2010/02/18)
According to two of the three finalists for the West Salem School District superintendent position, trust is one of the biggest problems the district faces. Troy Gunderson, Fran Finco and Heidi Schmidt introduced themselves at a public forum hosted by the district Feb. 15 as part of the search to replace Nancy Burns, who retires June 30.

Bangor sends water, power rate hike request to PSC (2010/02/18)
The Bangor Village Board approved a motion on a 3-1 vote that would begin the process of increasing water and electrical rates for the village’s utilities. The board action came Feb. 9 in the wake of a presentation at last month’s meeting by John Andres of Baker Tilly, the village’s accounting firm.

Public input meetings set for Mindoro library project (2010/02/18)
The Farmington Town Board, at the request of Vantage Architects of La Crosse, agreed at its Feb. 4 meeting to schedule two public input and information sessions to gather information on the community vision for the proposed new Mindoro Public Library and Community Center.

Hansen’s IGA stores earn five-star honor (2010/02/18)
IGA USA recently announced that Bangor/West Salem-based Hansen’s IGA and owners Leo and Rosemary Hansen have been awarded the IGA Five Star honor for achievement in IGA’s Assessment Program. Five Star is the highest level of recognition possible under the program’s rigorous standards.

News in brief (2010/02/18)
Here are a selection of brief news items from this week’s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn’t make it in the paper.

Video of Singsations at Logan Showcase (2010/02/18)
The West Salem Singsations show choir kicked off the 24th annual La Crosse Logan High School Showcase 2010. The event included performances from all the area high school show choirs. The Singsations, an all-female group, will perform at Holmen High School’s Gathering of the Stars show choir competition on March 6.

West Salem goes slow on Birdd project (2010/02/17)
The West Salem Planning Commission appears ready to work with a local developer on a proposed 100,000-square-foot commercial/residential project along Highway 16, but it will need more time to work out the conditions to be placed on the property.

WSBA honors Lusk, Union State Bank (2010/02/17)
Camille Lusk was named Citizen of the Year and Union State Bank was named Business of the Year at the West Salem Business Association’s 32nd annual banquet Saturday evening.

Barre Lions Club rises from ashes (2010/02/17)
Last fall, the Barre Lions Club was on the verge of disbanding. The membership was aging and it was becoming difficult to get enough people together for meetings and projects.

Towns group opposes assessment plan (2010/02/17)
For Wisconsin Towns Association Executive Director Richard Stadelman, it all boiled down to local control as area WTA members gathered recently at Hamilton Town Hall to discuss the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s proposal to have county-wide tax assessors.

WS grad to play in Spartans indoor football debut Feb. 21 (2010/02/17)
West Salem High School graduate Tom Stark, who works as a substitute teacher in the district and has coached for village recreation programs, will take the field as a running back Sunday, Feb. 21, in the La Crosse Spartans debut Indoor Football League game.

News in brief (2010/02/17)
Here are a selection of brief news items from this week’s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn’t make it in the paper.

PSC grants request on fire fee changes (2010/02/17)
In a ruling that went into effect on Jan. 20, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission agreed with the village of West Salem’s plan to recover fire protection costs through water and sewer bills.

West Salem board on board with fire fees (2010/02/10)
West Salem Village Board members affirmed that they’d prefer a more flexible fee structure for fire calls, if the issue ever moves beyond the discussion phase.

Referendum vote issues explained at meeting (2010/02/10)
The Bangor School District held the first of two informational meetings Jan. 27 at the old high school regarding the referendum questions to be posed to voters on Feb. 16. About 50 people attended the meeting.

Three in running for district administrator job (2010/02/10)
The West Salem School Board now has three superintendent finalists after starting with 17 applicants: Troy Gunderson, Fran Finco and Heidi Schmidt.

Primary ballot features county board race (2010/02/10)
Residents of the La Crosse County Board’s 23rd District, which includes the villages of Bangor and Rockland, the town of Burns and part of the town of Farmington, have the opportunity to vote in a primary election Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Fishing derby hooks crowd (2010/02/10)
The Friends of Lake Neshonoc Ice Days fishing derby went off under sunny skies and temperatures in the teens last Saturday.

News in brief (2010/02/10)
Here are a selection of brief news items from this week’s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn’t make it in the paper.

Snow blower decision delayed (2010/02/03)
The La Crosse County Highway Department recently restated its unwillingness to commit to regularly clearing the sidewalks along Hwy. 16 in the village of West Salem.

School board tackles security measures (2010/02/03)
An attempt to rewrite a policy to tighten security in the West Salem School District had to be tabled when school board members discussed gaps in security measures, some of which might be unenforceable.

West Salem Fire Department says new tanker truck needed (2010/02/03)
West Salem Fire Department officials have probably earned the right to say, “I told you so.”

Symphony wows band convention (2010/02/03)
Last fall, when the West Salem High School Wind Symphony was chosen for the rare honor of performing at the annual meeting of the Wisconsin chapter of the National Band Association, band director Dave Kies joked that he hoped they weren’t laughed out of the auditorium.

‘Toolbox’ helps parents raise responsible kids (2010/02/03)
With three daughters of her own, Bangor Elementary School guidance counselor Michelle Torgerson knows that guiding children to make good decisions can be a parental minefield. Plus, letting kids make (and learn) from their own mistakes is just not easy for most parents.

Mission fulfilled: All but handful of Guard soldiers home from Iraq (2010/01/25)
After two flights to Volk Field near Camp Douglas Monday, all but 20 of the approximately 3,200 state Wisconsin National Guard soldiers that have been on a nearly yearlong mission with the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team are back in the United States. The group spent most of their time in Iraq.

‘Hydrant rental’ hearing a quiet affair (2010/01/25)
The village of West Salem formally presented its request for a change in the way fire protection costs related to the water system are recovered in the village during a Wisconsin Public Service Commission held Jan. 13.

WS board OKs new radio-based utility monitoring system (2010/01/25)
The West Salem Village Board last week approved a $49,000 infrastructure investment that will keep village water and sewer systems functioning properly into the future.

Bigger Ice Days set for Lake Neshonoc (2010/01/25)
The Friends of Lake Neshonoc are hosting their annual fishing derby on Jan. 30, and this year’s event will be bigger than ever — both in the number of events and the actual areas where fishermen can try their luck.

Bangor police chief reflects on ’09 (2010/01/25)
Bangor Police Chief Scott Alo presented the department’s year-end statistics to the village board at the board’s Jan. 12 meeting and, despite an unforeseen budget hit, the year turned out to be successful from the law enforcement standpoint.

Town lawyer OKs Mindoro library architect contract (2010/01/25)
The Farmington Town Board had a full board for its Jan. 5 meeting, thanks to the wonders of modern technology. Even though West Supervisor Jack Glennie is wintering in Arizona, he participated via teleconference in the meeting, which had discussion on a wide range of topics, from the future community library and changes in recycling law to rail transportation and the town’s rules on dogs.

Hamilton opposes countywide assessor plan (2010/01/25)
The Hamilton Town Board gave a negative assessment to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s proposed plan to have county-wide assessors when the town board held its monthly meeting Jan. 12.

News in brief (2010/01/25)
Here are a selection of brief news items from this week’s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn’t make it in the paper.

Bangor board picks Peterson for president (2010/01/20)
The Bangor Village Board chose Gregg Peterson to replace Robin Gjertsen as its new president. The vote Tuesday eveningwas 3-2, with Kristy O’Heron, Dave Sampson and Peterson voting for and Eric Vaughn and Chris Robertson voting against.

Will it fly? Developer Birdd’s $8 million plan combines office, retail and housing (2010/01/20)
A new development that would combine retail and office space with high-end apartments and would have an estimated value of up to $8 million dollars has been proposed along the north side of Highway 16 across from the West Salem Veterinary Clinic.

Blackout was a wakeup call (2010/01/20)
A widespread power outage that struck parts of the town of Farmington and the town of Onalaska, as well as portions of Holmen and Onalaska highlighted the need to be prepared for any eventuality in extreme winter weather.

Snow removal solution still a little cloudy (2010/01/20)
A longtime La Crosse County snowplow driver and West Salem resident urged the West Salem Village Board to spend a little time communicating, instead of spending additional funds, to resolve the snow removal issue along Highway 16 sidewalks.

West Salem School Board expands animal ban policy (2010/01/20)
The West Salem School Board voted to expand the scope of its policy regarding animals on school property in an effort to keep dogs away from students, despite concerns about enforcement.

Bangor School Board OKs referendum info sessions (2010/01/20)
At a special meeting of the Bangor School Board on January 4, the board discussed how to provide information on the upcoming referendum questions facing voters on Feb. 16.

News in brief (2010/01/20)
Here are a selection of brief news items from this week’s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn’t make it in the paper.

Deploying reservists get an early send-off (2010/01/20)
Dustin Zabinski will return from his second tour in Iraq for a short reunion with his brother Travis Zabinski, who’ll soon depart with the 327th Engineer Company, U.S. Army Reserves.

Election slates set; Bangor Village Board deadline extended after Vaughn fails to file (2010/01/13)
The spring election picture for area school and municipal boards came into focus Tuesday with the passing of the filing deadline. In Bangor, though, that deadline has been extended.

WSHS football group gives boost to Boys & Girls Club (2010/01/13)
The West Salem High School Football Parent Boosters played Santa for the West Salem Boys & Girls Club, in the form of a check for $1,190 from

Hearing set on fire protection fee change (2010/01/13)
A public hearing set for next Wednesday, Jan. 13, has the potential to change the way fire costs are paid in the village of West Salem.

Failure to clear snow could cost property owners (2010/01/13)
The vast majority of residents in the villages of West Salem and Bangor have been conscientious about keeping their sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Those who aren’t, however, could face some pocketbook punishment.

Superintendent search, tight budgets on the horizon for the coming year (2010/01/13)
Although some scheduled civic projects will move ahead, 2010 will be a year when officials — particularly school officials — will continue to grapple with tight budgets. That was the word from school and municipal officials in Bangor and West Salem asked recently to reflect on what’s ahead in 2010.

Mindoro well drilling done (2010/01/13)
Drilling a new well for the Mindoro Sanitary District has been completed and was scheduled for testing this week.

New WS water tower is hard at work (2010/01/13)
West Salem’s new 750,000-gallon water tower went from being just a pretty landmark to a working reservoir last week.

News in brief (2010/01/13)
Here are a selection of brief news items from this week’s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn’t make it in the paper.

Transportation Department adopts, releases (2010/01/13)
long-range plan The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has formally adopted and released a new 20-year, long-range plan, called Connections 2030. The plan provides a vision for highways, local roads, air, water, rail, bicycle, pedestrian and transit through the year 2030.