This Page Contains 4 Weeks Data - Click Here For This Week
News and Notes from MRRPC
Click Here To Read Online
This Weeks Articles for 8/5/2026 ...
- More than a ride: How transportation shapes opportunity in La Crosse County - Lauren Journot...
- Small Business Clinic in Vernon County...
- Retired farmer's creative legacy lives on at Prairie Moon Sculpture Garden in Wisconsin...
- Monroe County Plan Update...
- Wisconsin governments have received $160 million in opioid settlement funds. Here’s where it’s going. ...
- Volunteers help bring joy of pickleball to Vernon County...
- Viroqua Mural Walk begins Aug. 14, 2026...
- De Soto’s Griffin Hanson, coach Brian Wrobel selected for Wisconsin American Legion All-Star Game...
- Habitat for Humanity brings new approach for homeownership and building to City of Hillsboro’s Tinkers Bluff Subdivision...
- Kwik Trip to open in Ellsworth Aug. 27...
Subscribe
...Full Story Here
More than a ride: How transportation shapes opportunity in La Crosse County - Lauren Journot
For many of us, getting somewhere is as simple as grabbing our keys.We drive to work, pick up groceries, take our children to appointments, stop at the pharmacy and head home without giving transportation much thought.
But for many people in La Crosse County, transportation isn't automatic. It's one of the biggest barriers to finding and keeping a job, accessing health care, continuing their education, or simply participating in everyday life.
Full article at the link...
Small Business Clinic in Vernon County
08:00 AM
Viroqua, Wisconsin - United States
Attend a FREE Small Business Clinic at Western Technical College on Thursday, August 27th 8AM!
Presented by the Universities of Wisconsin's Office of Business and Entrepreneurship (OBE), Food Finance Institute (FFI), Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, Western Technical College, Viroqua Chamber of Commerce, and Vernon County.
Starting or growing a business comes with questions—and you don’t have to figure it out alone. At the Small Business Clinic, you’ll have access to experienced professionals and practical resources to help you move your business forward with confidence.
- Get personalized, one-on-one guidance from business experts
- Attend workshops on key small business topics
- Connect with local and statewide business support organizations
- Learn what resources are available to support your next steps
Best of all, the event is free and flexible—attend the sessions that matter most to you.
There is no cost to participate. Breakfast, lunch, and light refreshments will be served to attendees.
Retired farmer's creative legacy lives on at Prairie Moon Sculpture Garden in Wisconsin
He made them mostly by hand and the pieces are about as random as it gets.
"Whatever inspired him at the moment," Marj Schaffner-Kanmueller said. "Eccentric. People thought he was strange."
Rusch built a snake, a church, a tower, a bear fighting a man and even dinosaurs.
"We've got our own Jurassic Park here," Schaffner-Kanmueller said...
See a Video at this link!
...Full Story HereMonroe County Plan Update
Wisconsin governments have received $160 million in opioid settlement funds. Here’s where it’s going.
Wisconsin and 87 local governments are expected to receive more than $874 million by 2038, up from projections Wisconsin Watch reported in 2025....
Highlights from the story...
Just eight local governments had spent more than half of their opioid settlement funds by the end of 2025, while 16 hadn’t spent any. Even with millions still available and more payments on the way, local officials are already worried about what happens when the money runs out. At least 17 local governments used some settlement dollars to support law enforcement. About a dozen counties are using funds for foster care or services aimed at preventing family separations. A dozen local governments identified transportation as a major barrier to accessing opioid-related services. Local governments reported spending more than $2 million on treatment for incarcerated people.
Wisconsin counties awarded federal assistance after April storms
Ken Notes: Entire story at the link...
Tourism Resources and Events in Our Region
Great River Road NEW Website
Monroe CountyEvents Calendar |
Crawford County |
Vernon County |
La Crosse County |
Trempealeau County |
Buffalo County |
Pepin County |
Pierce County |
Jackson CountyEvents Calendar |
...Full Story Here
Volunteers help bring joy of pickleball to Vernon County
VERNON COUNTY, Mo. — 4-H Volunteers are leading an effort to bring pickleball courts to southwest Missouri.
Three members of the Walker 4-H Club, including brotheres Jase and Mason Tippie, are part of a leadership project to transform the Walker City Park’s tennis court into pickleball courts.
Jase says the restoration effort includes repairing cracks, court lines and nets.
Walker 4-H leader Crystal Burch says the trio has secured grants from FCS Financial to help fund the project and received additional funding from a pickleball tournament fundraiser. So far, they’ve raised $1,300.
Viroqua Mural Walk begins Aug. 14, 2026
VIROQUA, Wis. – Thanks in part to funding from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., the McIntosh Memorial Library of Viroqua is pleased to announce a new opportunity for residents and visitors to explore the city through the Viroqua Mural Walk.
The Viroqua Mural Walk is a self-guided tour highlighting nine outdoor murals in the city of Viroqua, eight of which are located in the historic downtown business district. Each mural will feature a sign containing a QR code, phone number or website address that participants can use to access a recording of the artist sharing the story behind the creation of the mural at that location...
...Full Story Here
De Soto’s Griffin Hanson, coach Brian Wrobel selected for Wisconsin American Legion All-Star Game
DE SOTO, Wis. — A pair of familiar names from the Stoddard American Legion Baseball program will be representing Vernon County at the 2026 Wisconsin American Legion Baseball All-Star Game next month at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
Griffin Hanson has been selected as a player for the prestigious All-Star Game, while Brian Wrobel has been chosen as an All-Star coach, an honor that recognizes his leadership and commitment to youth baseball.
The selections were announced by the De Soto Booster Club, which praised both Hanson and Wrobel for their dedication, sportsmanship, and contributions to the game..
...Full Story Here
Regional Economic Development Entities
...Full Story Here
Habitat for Humanity brings new approach for homeownership and building to City of Hillsboro’s Tinkers Bluff Subdivision
July 28, 2026 - By ANASTASIA PENCHI - HILLSBORO, Wis. – Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region is looking for families that want to live in brand new homes on the west end of Vernon County in a picturesque subdivision in Hillsboro.
Habitat’s Executive Director Kahya Fox said four of its 10 CrossMod homes (a cross between manufactured and traditional stick-built homes) are now ready and listed for sale in the Tinker’s Bluff Subdivision. Each three bedroom, two bath home also includes a garage and covered front porch, and is available for purchase to income-qualified families.
These four homes are being sold at “market rate,” which means the household must earn at or below 120 percent of the area media income. A family of four can earn up to $115,200 per year, Fox said..
...Full Story Here
Kwik Trip to open in Ellsworth Aug. 27
The new Kwik Trip at the corner of Overlook Drive and Highway 65/Maple Street in Ellsworth is coming along, with an anticipated opening date of Aug. 27.
Dave Niemi, who works in corporate communications and training at Kwik Trip’s headquarters, gave chamber members an overview of the company and its mission July 23. Kwik Trip will open store #1903 at 558 W. Lucas Lane in the Crossing Meadows Business Park.
Niemi said Highway 65 was a major part of the decision to open in that location, given its role as a regional connector.
“But another significant factor was the amount of growth occurring on the north side of Ellsworth,” Niemi said.
Village President Becky Beissel said Kwik Trip had been interested in a Highway 10 location for many years, so she and Village Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Brad Roy shared the vision for the Highway 65 site...
Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC)
Working together to make the Mississippi River Region a great place to live and work.
Staff