Good evening, everyone.
For WRCO News, I'm Todd Copernall.
The Richland County Board of Supervisors met last night at the Phoenix Center and Richland Center, taking key legislative actions on regional infrastructure, approving financial resolutions, and grappling with upcoming fiscal pressures for the 2027 budget.
Highlighting the evening's proceedings was a unified stance against the proposed massive high-voltage transmission line, alongside crucial discussions regarding departmental budget constraints and ongoing ag...
adjustments to county revenue and expense projections.
Central to the meeting was a unanimous passage of resolution number 26-52, formalizing the Board's strong opposition to the Bell Center, Columbia, Sugar Creek, Illinois, Wisconsin State Line, Becky Project proposed by Midcontinent Grid Solutions.
The contested 190 mile, 765 kilovolt alternating current high voltage transmission line
is planned to span the driftless region, raising significant local concern.
Community members spoke out during public comment with all speakers voicing firm opposition to the power line due to environmental risks, potential property value declines, stray voltage concerns, and visual impacts on the landscape.
Adding federal weight to the pushback, Molly Bonefield, representative for Congressman Derek Van Orden, read a letter submitted by Mr. Van Orden to mid-continent.
grid solutions expressing opposition to the project.
Fiscal matters also dominated the agenda, as county officials reviewed the proposed 2027 budget, which balances total revenues and expenses at $50,883,976.
Multiple department heads addressed the Board to share deep concerns over projected budget cuts, emphasizing that years of previous trims leave little room to absorb further reductions without impact
services.
Major revenue drivers for the proposed budget include more than $13 million in public charges for services, more than $12 million from intergovernmental state aid, and a tax levy of $12,314,101.
The highest departmental allocations by gross levy remain debt service at more than $4.7 million, the sheriff's department and jail at more than $4.2 million, and
and the highway department at $1,785,792.
Board members reviewed recent version iterations of the budget, including version three adjustments that incorporated changes in allowable levy limits.
The removal of certain ambulance operational levies offset by town revenues.
health insurance savings, and targeted staffing adjustments.
In addition to the power line opposition, the board demonstrated unified governance by unanimously approving resolutions related to promissory nodes to secure county financing.
In organizational news, the board formally acknowledged a transition in its membership following the resignation of Supervisor Rod Perry from the Richland County Board.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has updated its measles data dashboard reporting the ongoing outbreak has risen to 162 total cases, comprising 156 confirmed and six probable cases.
This represents an increase of one case since the previous update.
The majority of the outbreak remains concentrated in southwest Wisconsin, where case counts in key counties remain unchanged, including 20 confirmed cases in Grant County.
73 confirmed in six probable cases in Lafayette County and 62 confirmed cases in Iowa County.
In addition to the cases in southwest Wisconsin, state officials announced a new confirmed measles case in Marathon County.
DHS noted that this northern Wisconsin case is not related to the outbreak in the southwestern part of the state.
To safeguard individual privacy, state officials are withholding additional personal identifying details and specific health information regarding the individual.
The 169th Vernon County Fair gets underway tonight and runs through Sunday at the Vernon County Fairgrounds in Verroqua.
Tonight exhibits get checked in.
Mr. Ed's midway opens and at six o'clock will be the Sunflower Project.
Tomorrow at six o'clock will be an antique tractor pull followed by a modified truck and tractor pull.
Friday will be youth day.
The Little Bridges Dairy Show will be at $12.30 and the Badger State Tractor and Truck Pull will be held at $6.30.
Saturday, a livestock sale will be at $6.00 and at $7.00 will be a demo derby.
Sunday at $1.00 will be harness racing.
Each day, enjoy rides, stage shows, animals, exhibits, food and more.
Daily admission is $10 for adults 16 and older.
$5 for children 6 to 15, children 5 and under are admitted for free.
Friday for youth day children 12 and under are admitted for free.
Saturday there will be free admission to active duty and retired military veterans must have a current active duty or retiree military ID for a full list of events.
See the Vernon County Fair website.
J. Ernest leads the Minneapolis-based Church of Cash, a Johnny Cash tribute band, for a performance at the City Auditorium in Richland Center September 25th at 7 p.m.
Tickets for this all-ages show are $25.
The band features J. Ernest on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Jonathan Tabiste on drums, Jumpin' Jack Mansk on guitars, and Tony Worth on bass.
Formed in 2009, the group
has released four studio albums, including their 2021 release Flowers for June.
The Church of Cash has toured across the United States, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
They received the Best Tribute Act 2019 Award from the Midwest Country Music Organization and were inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2021.
The Vernon County Clerk of Circuit Court Office has officially commenced the distribution of juror qualification questionnaires for the upcoming term.
Vernon County Clerk of Court Sheila Olson announced that the questionnaires were dispatched to prospective jurors Friday, September 11th in compliance with Wisconsin State Statute.
Under Wisconsin Statute 756.04 Chapter 6B
state law mandates that all individuals receiving a questionnaire must complete and return the form within 10 days of receipt.
Prospective jurors have multiple avenues to submit their completed questionnaires including mailing the physical form or delivering it in person during standard business hours Monday through Friday from 8 30 a.m.
to 4 30 p.m.
to Clerk of Court 400 Courthouse Square, Suite 115, Verroqua, Wisconsin, 54665.
Alternatively, recipients are encouraged to complete the requirement electronically by visiting the official Wisconsin Courts Portal at juror.wi courts.
Those who successfully complete the submission online will immediately receive a confirmation number for their records.
County officials emphasize that prompt and accurate completion of the questionnaire is vital to ensuring efficient judicial administration and minimizing unnecessary administrative follow-up.
Additionally, completing the form allows residents to update key record details such as address changes with the Clerk of Court's Office.
County representatives expressed their sincere appreciation to citizens for their timely cooperation and attention to this civic duty.
The Grant County Holiday Project is preparing to begin distributing holiday gifts December 2nd to support local families and individuals in need this season.
Community members are invited to contribute through a variety of donations, including new, warm children's clothing, pajamas in all sizes, disposable diapers, blankets, sheets, ramping paper, and monetary donations to purchase food cards.
The majority of toys distributed through the project are provided by the Toys for Tots program, based in Dubuque, Iowa.
Monetary donations may be mailed to the Grant County Holiday Project to 35 West Elm Street in Lancaster, Wisconsin, 53813.
That is, Grant County Holiday Project to 35 West Elm Street in Lancaster.
For physical donations, Allegiant Oil is hosting two drop-off sites starting November 1st.
Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.
to 6 p.m.
at
Regent Oil in Platteville or Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.
to 6 p.m.
in Lancaster.
Applicants can use the new online portal at grantcountyholidayproject.org.
From any mobile or internet connected device, general eligibility requires households to have children under 18 living at home or individuals who are age 65 or older or those determined, disabled and receiving government benefits.
In addition, providing an act of kindness to others is required for eligibility.
To ensure no child goes without, the project also highlights the Grant County Holiday Project No Kid Without Toys initiative, which aims to ensure all local children aged 12 and under receive toys for Christmas.
Applicants must reside in Grant County.
hold custody of the children, meet income guidelines, and not be enrolled in or receiving help from other holiday projects.
A single page application for No Kid Without Toys can be requested by calling 608-723-2136.
Extension 1194.
When calling the message only phone line,
Callers are asked to speak slowly and clearly when leaving their name, address, and phone number.
Completed forms should be returned immediately after which eligible families will receive further instructions on when and where to collect their gifts.
We have two more winners to announce.
In the St.
Anthony's Raffle, today's winners of $50 each on Ticket 118, Sharon Verthang from Reedsburg, and on Ticket 517, Shelly Thompson.
Congratulations to both winners.
Vital statistics right after this.