Current Stories

Tractor - dump truck crash

On July 29, 2020 at 1208pm, Vernon County 911 Dispatch Center received a call reporting a dump truck vs. farm tractor crash.  66-year-old, Danny E. White from rural Lafarge was operating a farm tractor pulling a hay rake.  White was traveling west on State Highway 82 and was making a left turn onto Slayback Rd. 
   71-year-old, Michael D. Anderson from rural Lafarge was also westbound on State Highway 82 driving a dump truck.   Anderson attempted to pass the tractor and implement on the left side.  As White was making the left turn, Anderson's dump truck struck the front of White's tractor.  The tractor overturned and came to rest on its side.  Danny White was ejected off the tractor. 
   Lafarge EMS transported White to the Viroqua Airport to meet with Gundersen Air.  White was then flown to Gundersen Health Systems of Lacrosse with life-threatening injuries. Anderson had minor injuries and declined transport.
   Assisting the Vernon County Sheriff's Office on scene was the Lafarge Ambulance, Lafarge Fire Dept, Gundersen Air, Wisconsin State Patrol, Village of Lafarge Streets Dept, Vernon County Emergency Management.  (phot courtesy of Vernon Co. Sheriff Spears).
   The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff's Office.

Publics help needed in locating suspicious vehicle

Liberty, WI - Vernon County Sheriff John B. Spears reports: a suspicious vehicle in the area of Smart Hollow Rd and W. Salem Ridge Rd on July 26th around 8:30pm. The Sheriff's Office is asking the publics assistance in locating the owner of a black sedan with tinted windows and a broken off passenger side mirror.
   This is stemming from the report that this vehicle was following a 10-year-old female while she was walking near Smart Hollow Rd and W Salem Ridge Rd. The juvenile was able to jump into the cornfield and make it back to her residence safely.
   If you happen to see a vehicle matching this description contact your local Sheriff's Office or Police Department and do not approach. Sheriff Spears would like to thank the public ahead of time for their assistance.  

Semi tips over when load shifts

Vernon County Sheriff John B. Spears reports: A single vehicle crash occurred Tuesday morning, July 21, 2020, at approximately 4:45 AM, in the village of Readstown. Delbert L. Miller, age 66, of rural Soldiers Grove was operating a tractor/trailer (semi), making a left turn onto East Kickapoo Street (US Highway 14) from a private driveway.
   The left, rear tires of the flatbed trailer went off the driveway into a ditch. The load of hardwood pallets shifted slightly causing the trailer to tip onto its left side. The semi was blocking both lanes of travel, but the paved shoulder on the north side of the highway was used to move traffic until the tow truck arrived.
   The highway was closed for forty-nine minutes while the semi was removed from the highway. There were no injuries and the Readstown Fire Department assisted with traffic control.
   The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff's Office.

Aerial Flyover Clearly Shows Why Pig CAFO II
Proposed Location is Wrong

By Sandy Collins -”
What Could Go Wrong with this Placement of CAFO II?  Let me count the well documented ways!  (Flyover Video)   Now with Narration!

1. The ridgetop’s porous karst geology, gives CAFO pathogens easy access to the water table.
2. Steep slope runoff fans off into gully washers, causing landslides, and flooding basements.
3. Studies show CAFOs pose multiple health risks to families and landowners living nearby.
4. DNR Fish + Wildlife Reserve, Kickapoo River, and Lower Kickapoo Watershed risk pollution.
5. Water is Life. Well owners depend on clean water for their families, animals, and livelihood.
6. Environment of concentrated animal factories encourage virus pathogens to proliferate.
7. Disease spreading insects and vermin, are drawn by stench of manure and rotting carcasses.
8. Airborne pathogen dust exasperates respiratory illnesses, raising physical stress levels.
9. Fog blanketing the Kickapoo valley community will hold in stench and airborne pathogens.
10. Constant drone of exhaust fans and pigs squealing are impediments to enjoying nature sounds.
11. The glow of industrial security lights ruins stargazers view of the clear dark night sky.
12.  Increased heavy truck traffic will impact State, County, and Township roads and budgets.
13.  Loss of property values for residents will lower property tax income for local government.
14.  Environmental degradation discourages eco-tourists, income local business depend on.

There are an estimated 100 families (200-250 people) living within a 2 mile radius  of CAFO II.

MWN

MWN