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Check fall color conditions across Wisconsin. Fall color reports are updated by our network of 50+ local spotters across the state.

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SOLDIERS GROVE, Wis. (WKBT) — Two local agricultural businesses will receive federal funding to expand their operations and reach new markets.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday that Driftless Seed Company, LLC in Soldiers Grove and B&E's Trees, LLC in Viroqua will each receive $200,000 Value-Added Producer Grants. The grants are part of an $800,000 investment in four agricultural projects across Wisconsin.

Driftless Seed Company will use the funding to grow its organic seed business, which specializes in vegetable, flower and native prairie seeds for Midwest growers. The company expects to add four jobs.

B&E's Trees will use the funding to expand its maple syrup energy product business. The company expects to add nearly 7,700 customers, increase revenue by $446,471, and create or save four jobs, according to the USDA...

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VERNON COUNTY, Wis. (WEAU) - Vernon County is announcing the launch of ‘Driftless Bound’, a new workforce attraction program intended to encourage working individuals and families from outside Wisconsin to make their primary home Vernon County.

According to a press release from Vernon County, the program is funded primarily through a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Talent Recruitment Grant and provides financial incentives to eligible households relocating to Vernon County.

Through the program, incentives are available to renters, homebuyers, and those building a new home.

“Vernon County has so much to offer people looking for a place where they can build a career, raise a family, and become part of a community,” Amy Oliver, Vernon County Community Development Director, said. “As communities across the country compete to attract and retain a strong workforce, Driftless Bound gives us another tool to encourage people to choose Vernon County as the place to build their future.”...

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Location

Main St. - Gays Mills, WI 54631

La Crosse Area Guide
to Apple Orchards

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There’s a lot happening in Ellsworth right now, so let’s jump right in.

First up: Kwik Trip!

Last week, we celebrated the grand opening of Ellsworth’s new Kwik Trip..

Next up: construction.

Knock on wood, the East End reconstruction project continues to move right along...

There’s plenty happening with housing, too.

Gerrard Corporation is proposing 36 new housing units...

Hines Greens, proposed by C&J Builders preliminary plat includes 27 residential lots...

We’re investing in what we already have, too.

In August, we awarded the first grants through the Village’s new Façade Improvement Program..

And finally: East End Park.

So, while summer construction season may be winding down, things certainly aren’t slowing down at Village Hall. On to budget season!   ...Full Story Here

Ken Notes: Nice job Becky!

Great River Road NEW Website

Monroe County Events Calendar	Crawford County Events Calendar	Vernon County Events Calendar
La Crosse County Events Calendar	Trempealeau County Events Calendar	Buffalo County Events Calendar
Pepin County Events Calendar	Pierce County Events Calendar	Jackson County Events Calendar

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ONALASKA, Wis. (WKBT) -- The La Crosse Area Planning Committee is asking residents for input on the County Z and ZN railroad crossings in Brice Prairie. 

Brice Prairie is a community accessible only by two county roads. Both of those intersect the same BNSF rail line. 

Officials say passenger and freight vehicles make about 4,000 trips in and out of Brice Prairie at those crossings each day, and the 32 daily train crossings often close both crossings at the same time.

La Crosse County is currently conducting the Brice Prairie Railroad Crossing Study to examine long-term safety, mobility, and access needs at the two railroad crossings to see how closures can be reduced. 

Through a new website launched from over $700,000 in funds awarded by the Biden administration, residents can share their thoughts on the crossings. ..

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Wisconsin has expanded broadband infrastructure significantly, but thousands of rural residents remain without reliable high-speed internet, sometimes even when fiber lines run near their homes, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

Mike Hesse’s family farm in northeast La Crosse County has fiber about 60 feet from his house, but the line serves a nearby cell phone tower and is unavailable for residential service. Hesse relies on bonded copper lines providing less than 25 megabits per second.

Wisconsin’s Rural Broadband Task Force estimates 92.8 percent of locations have access to service offering at least 100 Mbps downloads and 20 Mbps uploads. About 4 percent, or roughly 165,000 locations, lack what the report defines as basic internet service. Separately, state data show about 84,000 of Wisconsin’s 2.8 million housing units cannot receive 100 Mbps service...

See Also:

After decades of broadband expansion,
rural Wisconsinites still face ‘last mile’ problem

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Wisconsin's only cottage cheese manufacturer now has the nation's only closed vat system that can increase production by 50 percent using less manual labor.

Westby Cooperative Creamery operates out of a cheese plant built 100 years ago on Main Street of its small community in Vernon County.

But now inside of the century-old building is cutting-edge technology that will help the farmer-owned cooperative capitalize on booming demand for cottage cheese.

The creamery on Wednesday celebrated the completion of the nearly $15 million modernization project at a ribbon cutting ceremony....

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LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) — Two prominent La Crosse business owners will lead this year's Oktoberfest parades.

Doug Billings, president and owner of Gerrard Hoeschler Realtors, is the 2026 Maple Leaf Parade Marshal and Karla Doolittle, owner of Mark Jewellers, is the 2026 Torchlight Parade Marshal. The two were introduced during the Oktoberfest Parade Marshal Reveal on Sept. 15 at Copeland Park.

Parade marshals are chosen for their community service and contributions to the area...

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LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – Jenn Speckeen has been a Title I teacher at Hamilton SOTA I Elementary for ten years. She says that seeing students’ growth throughout the school year is what got her interested in teaching. “When I came back to teaching after having my own children and staying home with them, I taught first grade. Then I got my reading license because I really get to make a difference with the kids. I get to work in small groups all day long and see the growth one-on-one.”

Speckeen also hosts morning meetings and closing circles. They allow parents to meet with the school and each other and see what their children are learning. “It’s so important that we have the parents on board and on our team with learning. The more that we can bring them into the school, and they can see what we’re doing and the communication between the parents and the teachers, the better the relationship with the parents.”...

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WESTBY, Wis. — Towns and cities around Wisconsin are seeing business districts and downtowns reshaped by infrastructure improvements and new developments.

It’s part of an effort to keep the core of the communities vibrant and attractive.

Bob Hill opened 33 + 45 = 78 Records on Westby’s main street a month ago.

He sees opportunity in the community of about 2,400 people. 

There’s also opportunity in carrying records no one else has, like one comprised of dog heartbeats used for training veterinarians...

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Mississippi River Regional Planning Commision SouthWest NorthWest State Coulee Regional Business Center THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE Vernon Co. Economic Development La Crosse Area Development Corporation SBDC La Crosse Economic Development Community Development Economic Development Economic Development Trempealeau County Economic Development The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) Vernon Economic Development Association Workforce Connections, Inc. The Pierce County EDC EDC quarterly Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Job and Business Development (JBD) Program Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority USDA Rural Development Wisconsin Xcel Energy Economic Development Economic Development

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MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters to know their target and understand the difference between elk and white-tailed deer this hunting season.

Elk occasionally venture outside of Wisconsin’s Northern and Central Elk Management Zones, especially during the fall breeding season. Wisconsin’s Northern Elk Zone utilizes portions of Ashland, Bayfield, Price, Rusk and Sawyer counties and the Central Elk Zone includes a portion of Jackson County.

Positively identifying the target ensures the safety of other people and avoids accidental shooting of non-target animals.

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Pack a lifetime of memories in two days on a Wisconsin weekend adventure. From charming small towns to rural escapes, discover bite-sized destinations right for you. Here’s to Weekend Wanderers.

Discover your unique Travel Style to explore Wisconsin

Travelers vacation in unique ways. Here in Wisconsin, you can travel in a style of your own and make memories in every season. Travel Wisconsin helps you find exactly what Travel Style you’re seeking, including ideas for Weekend Wanderers.

Cruise the fall foliage of Jackson County on a UTV

Find a weekend full of thrills on a trip to Jackson County. This area is known for its extensive ATV and UTV network.

Jackson County boasts more than 100 miles of off-road trails, which link up an additional 135 miles in neighboring Clark County — more than enough to fill a weekend! You’ll weave in and out of hardwood forests and pines, ride across rocky and sandy terrain and catch spectacular views along the trails.

Pick up a weekend-long rental in nearby Black River Falls. Bear Bogging Adventure Tours and Northwoods Powersports Adventures offer top-of-the-line UTVs, so there is no need to tow your own.

Overnight in Warrens at the Three Bears Resort when you’re ready to wind down. The resort features log cabin-like aesthetics and a large indoor waterpark for more weekend thrills...

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VIROQUA, Wis.––Nine years ago, Dan Johnson was driving home from the Gays Mills market, turning onto County Road B and approaching the Kickapoo River. 

There was a bottle of whisky on the seat next to him.

“It wasn’t open!” Johnson said, laughing.

But the idea hit him: a local distillery, making spirits from grains grown by his farm friends down the road, distilled near the Kickapoo River where he lived and raised his family.

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The first stage of deer hunting season in Wisconsin opened last week with the beginning of bow hunting.

Disabled and youth hunters may start in October, and the general firearm season opens in November.

But before you head out to the woods, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officials want to remind you of a very important consideration: recognizing a deer before you take it. That’s especially true and sometimes confusing when it comes to differentiating them from elk....

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Your next idea is waiting. Your plan starts here. 

Whether you’re an established business looking to turn employee ideas into new opportunities or an entrepreneur building your next great product, this event will show you how to move from idea to action—and action to growth. 

Danielle Goss noticed a problem nobody had solved. Today, she’s the Founder and CEO of Kul Mocks, and her product is taking over the market as one of the fastest-growing ready-to-drink mocktail brands in the U.S. On September 29, Danielle will walk through how she knew her idea was worth pursuing, how she tested it before she had significant funding, where her first dollars came from, and what it took to turn an idea into a growing business. 

Followed by a panel on non-traditional financing, featuring angel investors and small business grant experts who will answer the question everyone in the room actually has: Where should I look for funding, and what do I need to secure it? 

October 20, 2026

Development Dialogue Behind the Build:
How Development Really Works

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Ignite Innovation:

Level Up & Launch Your Idea

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Households that participated last year will receive their next test kit shortly

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Working together to make the Mississippi River Region a great place to live and work.

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