SERVING GAYS MILLS, “WISCONSIN’S APPLE CAPITAL,” AND SOLDIERS GROVE, “AMERICA’S FIRST SOLAR VILLAGE”

& Kickapoo Scout VOL. 114 • NO. 45 THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 ONE DOLLAR COVID 19 DAWS testing Cancellation offers update Crawford, Vernon and Rich- list growing land counties are in commu- Note: this is the most up-to-date nication with the water test- information that we have at the ing lab at UW-Stevens Point time of going to press. We will regarding the timing for the continue to share updated infor- Driftless Area Water Study mation on our Facebook page as (DAWS) spring well testing it becomes available. initiative. As of Monday, March 16, The tests will go forward, there were no confirmed cases though the date may be de- of COVID-19 (cornona virus) layed. More information will in Crawford, Vernon, Rich- be available from your coun- land, Monroe or Grant coun- ty’s Land Conservation De- ties. We will update on our partment soon. Facebook page as information Crawford County: the let- becomes available. ters inviting residents to par- State of Wisconsin ticipate in the spring well test- ing went out via U.S. mail the • Governor Tony Evers an- week of March 8. The Land nounced on Friday, March Conservation has had a good 13, that all K-12 schools in response, and reports that Wisconsin would be closed “spots are filling up fast.” effective Wednesday, March 18. Many schools have opted Richland County: the Land to close their doors effective Conservation Department is Monday, March 16. The an- slightly delaying sending out ticipated reopening date was the letters, but expects them to April 6, 2020; however, the go out soon. the school closure has now Vernon County: continue been changed to indefinite. to contact Sarah McDowell • Governor Tony Evers is at the Land Conservation De- calling on utility companies partment if you are interested across Wisconsin to keep in participating in the spring power turned on for people well testing at 608-637-5480 even if they are not paying or smcdowell@vernoncounty. their bills. org. During this time, your best method for contacting the • In support of Gov. Tony LCD is via e-mail. Evers and the Wisconsin De- partment of Health Services See COVID-19 Page 2 Col 1 In Sparta Monroe County Hospitals offer Local angler catches trophy tiger trout leads region in drive-through Gary Peters of Richland Center was fishing with Len Harris in Crawford County recently and caught this enormous rare tiger trout. The fish was promptly released. Gary’s tiger measured just under 17 inches. The current catch-and-release record for flood monitoring a tiger trout is 16 inches. Gary has submitted the photo to the state for review for a new state record for ‘Catch-and-Release By GILLIAN POMPLUN COVID-19 tests State Record Tiger Trout.’ A tiger trout is a sterile, intergeneric hybrid of the brown trout and the brook trout. The fish is an anomaly in the wild, with the brook trout having 84 chromosomes and the brown trout 80, according to Wikipedia. Monroe County is lead- ing the charge in the Drift- Gundersen Health less Area regarding develop- Gundersen Health System is ment of a stream monitoring now offering a drive-up test- and flood forecasting system. ing site at the Onalaska Clinic. At their meeting in Sparta on Patients who are experienc- Local farmers named Conservation Farmers of Year Wednesday, March 11, mem- ing mild symptoms of CO- bers of the county’s Climate VID-19 including fever, dry The Wisconsin Land and as the keynote speaker. With that have made extraordinary perform their speeches during Change Task Force heard from cough, tiredness or shortness Water Conservation Associa- two decades of leadership with contributions in conservation the opening luncheon. For the members of the county board of breath can go must first go tion (WI Land+Water) hosted The Nature Conservancy, Wis- across the state, during a lively poster contest, student artwork present that they believed the through a prescreening pro- its 67th Annual Conference consin Conservation Voters, Conservation Awards Banquet is on display and voted on by County Board of Supervi- cess in order to be eligible for this past March 4-6 at the KI and the International Crane ceremony. Recipients of the our membership during the sors would likely vote to fully the drive-up testing. Convention Center in Green Foundation, Deputy Secretary 2020 Conservation Awards conference. Winners advance fund purchase and installation Bay, Wisconsin. The confer- Sayers highlighted her pas- are: to the national competition. of stream sensors, hydrologic You must call your primary ence brought together over sion for the environment and care provider, call Gunder- • Kevin and Carolyn Parr of WI Land+Water concluded monitoring stations, and road- 450 conservation profession- how intertwined conservation Harmony Hills Farm – Con- the conference with the as- side alerts proposed by the sen’s telephone nurse advisors als from various organiza- is with Wisconsin’s economy and connect online with a pro- servation Farm Family of the sociation’s annual business committee as the ‘local op- tions across the state, includ- and identity. Year meeting, where counties voted tion.’ vider through the Gundersen ing county Land Conservation VirtualVisit app. Patients also Many presentations offered • Representative Katrina on two resolutions and one That local option, a $55,300 Committee (LCC) members There were 40 conservation Shankland – Friend of Conser- floor resolution. The approved package, calls for installation must be 2 years or older. By and Land Conservation De- phone or online, a nurse or presentations throughout the vation resolutions by our association of two weather stations; 16 partment (LCD) staff, state eight breakout sessions, with can be found here. stream sensors; two roadside provider will determine if the and federal agency staff, and • Seth Ebel – Outstanding patient should undergo COV- a wide variety of topics. Many Conservation Employee, En- The conference would not detectors; and four warning both nonprofit and industry sessions offered Continuing have been possible without the poles with beacons for known ID-19 and influenza testing at representatives. gineer the drive-up site. That testing Education Credits (CEUs) and • Eric Fehlhaber – Outstand- incredible support from our problem areas on roads in involves a swab that gets in- Over the three days, at- Professional Development sponsors, exhibitors, and part- times of flooding. The data tendees had the opportunity ing Conservation Employee, serted into the nose. Staff will Hours (PDHs) for technical County Conservationist ners. Special thanks to our: for this local option would notify patients of results. to attend professional im- staff to maintain their job cer- Silver Sponsors be housed free of charge with provement breakout sessions, tifications and licenses, as well • Zach Wilson – Brad Mat- the National Weather Service Dr. Megan Meller, an infec- a silent auction, and multiple son Youth Education Award Land Nav tion preventionist at Gunder- as obtain timely knowledge of (NWS) in LaCrosse. Yearly networking opportunities. Ad- best management practices in The Parr Family will host Petenwell and Castle Rock maintenance is estimated at sen Health System, said that ditionally, association mem- the 2020 Conservation Ob- Stewards they making sure both patients their fields. $1,300, and set up of an alert- bers took part in Area Asso- Following the Wednesday servance Day on their farm in Bronze Sponsors ing system at $1,000 per year. and hospital staff stay safe ciation meetings, the Youth Vernon County. The celebra- during this process. and Thursday breakout ses- American Transmission These devices would be de- Education Committee’s Poster tion this summer will include Company ployed in Monroe County in “We have staff who have sions were social hours where and Speaking Contest, and the attendees had the opportunity tours and presentations on Certified Crop Advisor the Little LaCrosse and Kicka- volunteered their time to drop annual business meeting. The their farm. poo River watersheds. everything and be here to assist to talk with exhibitors, bid on Board association also awarded out- silent auction items, and vote The Youth Education Com- Sensor locations in determining if COVID-19 is standing staff, supervisor, and Complete Fencing, LLC on the Youth Education poster mittee hosted the 63rd An- One of the proposed sensors in our community or not,” said citizens that have made pro- nual Conservation Awareness Conservation Services, Inc. Meller. She continues, “We’ve contest. Social hours were would be placed in Cashton, found contributions to conser- sponsored by Land Nav and Poster and Speaking Contest Transcendent Technologies gotten [our hospital staff] all vation in Wisconsin. which sits at the headwaters Petenwell and Castle Rock during the conference. During Wisconsin Farmers Union of the Kickapoo River, West set up, we have run though the A conservation conference the speaking contest, students process, we have checked out Stewards. Fork Kickapoo River, Coon “Our conference brought WI Land+Water recog- deliver topical speeches of Creek and Little LaCrosse all angles and we are ready to their choice, and the winners See PARRS Page 9 Col 5 go.” together the boots-on-the- nized individuals and families River watersheds. This is the ground conservation profes- The drive-up testing site, area where the super storm sionals and leaders for an that set up the breach of five located at the lower level inspiring three days to share entrance at the back of the flood control dams and his- our work, connect with other toric flooding of 2018 vented Gundersen Clinic in Onalaska, passionate conservation- will run from 8 a.m. until 4:30 its wrath. ists, and honor those who go The meeting was once again p.m. Monday - Friday. above-and-beyond to affect Richland Hospital attended by representatives lasting environmental change from Congressman Ron Kind, We now have drive-thru across Wisconsin,” said Matt and Senators Tammy Baldwin testing available. Hours for Krueger, WI Land+Water Ex- and Ron Johnson’s offices. testing are currently 8-11am. ecutive Director. “From up- In addition, DNR Secretary’s We ask that you call the RH dates of well testing programs Director for the West Cen- hotline beforehand. and chronic wasting disease to tral Region Dan Baumann at- If you’re not feeling well celebrating women in conser- tended, as did Vernon County or have symptoms including: vation and generational work- Board Supervisor Mary Henry fever, cough, and shortness of force solutions, our breakout and Vernon County Conserva- breath, PLEASE call the Rich- sessions provided our attend- tionist Ben Wojahn. Natural land Hospital Coronavirus ees with an incredible array of Resource Board member and Hotline BEFORE coming in. professional development op- Director of the Kickapoo Val- portunities. It was especially Richland Hospital Corona- ley Reserve Marcy West was empowering to see how many there, as well as a representa- virus Hotline: members were actively en- (608) 604-9953 tive from the Mississippi River gaged in statewide policy dis- Regional Planning Commis- Available 24 hours/day cussions regarding clean water sion (MRRPC). Robert Nigh this past year as well. A big of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau thank you to the conference’s Board and the Governor’s Cli- sponsors, speakers, presenters, mate Change Task Force also exhibitors, volunteers and our attended the meeting. staff for making this confer- ence one of our best yet.” Attendees at the meeting KEVIN AND CAROLYN PARR of Harmony Hills Farm in rural Viroqua have been named Wis- were treated to a preview of The conference was hon- the NWS LaCrosse’s third ored to welcome Anne Sayers, consin Conservation Farmers of the Year by the Wisconsin Land+Water Association. Vernon County Conservationist Ben Wojahn (left) was on hand to honor the Parrs (middle), along with Deputy Secretary of the Wis- See FLOOD Page 12 Col 1 consin Department of Tourism, executive director Matt Krueger (right) at the state convention last week in Stevens Point. 12

Page 12 Scout Thursday, March 19, 2020 Flood monitoring has better chance of funding if it’s watershed wide FLOOD from Page 3 River Watershed, it is pos- ported that she had met re- Marcy West sits on the to counties that have set up a The next meeting of the sible that DNR and other cently with representatives of board of an old non-profit segregated account. Monroe County Climate ‘Spring Flood Outlook’ one sources of funding could be MRRPC about funding to ad- in the Kickapoo Valley – Change Task Force will take day before its release to the “We are seeking member- accessed. dress the impact that flooding the Kickapoo Valley Asso- ship on the KVA Board from place on Wednesday, April 8, public on Thursday, March has on local economies. ciation, established in 1965. from 2:30-4:30 p.m., at the 12. NWS Service Hydrolo- “The bigger the watershed Richland and Crawford coun- being addressed, the bet- “In applying for the fund- West said that her fellow ties,” West said. “If we were Monroe County Courthouse gist John Wetenkamp spoke board member, Emily Roz- in Sparta. with members of the task ter your chances of funding ing for the Kickapoo River, to start accepting donations would be,” Baumann said. a letter signed by all four eske, is making a pamphlet for this cause, we would need force, and delivered some that can be used to solicit cautious good news. “This is particularly true for county board chairmen could explicit agreement about how In addition, the Governor’s watersheds that are already be very impactful,” Baumann donations towards building a the funds are to be used.” “Our area has experi- Climate Change Task Force listed as impaired or un- said. “Right now, the timing monitoring and warning sys- West can be reached at will hold a meeting at the enced an ideal thaw this der a Total Daily Maximum could be good.” tem in the Kickapoo Valley. spring, with warm days and the Kickapoo Valley Re- Organic Valley building in Load plan, and your chances Robert Nigh shared that That non-profit could accept serve, 608-625-2963, or e- Cashton on Thursday, May cold nights, slowing down would be better if the system tax-deductible donations, the melt,” Wetenkamp said. he thinks the Driftless Area mail [email protected]. 21, time TBD. were set up to monitor both needs to find ways to work which could then be donated wi.us. “This means that the forecast in times of flooding but also for flooding on the Missis- together on a watershed ba- in times where it is not flood- sis. He noted that in Vernon sippi River is now considered ing.” minor, as is the forecast for County, in addition to the the Kickapoo River.” In a follow up conversa- Kickapoo River, attention tion after the meeting, Bau- was also needed in the Coon Wetenkamp emphasized, mann told the Independent- Creek and Bad Axe River however, that risk factors for Scoutthat “our rivers plan- watersheds. Coon Creek flooding such as saturated ning and protection funds as would require a collaboration soils and high steam base well as our non point source between LaCrosse, Monroe flows in the tributaries, con- dollars are usually the best and Vernon counties. tinue to be a cause for con- fit. There are many instances Vernon County Conserva- cern. Although snow is main- though where we work with ly melted in the southern part tionist Ben Wojahn told the local governments (Counties, group that he has been work- of the Upper Mississippi Wa- Cities, Villages and Towns) tershed, and the frost is also ing to form a three-county to partner on activities that watershed authority for the leaving the soil, there is still leverage an array of funding between 1-6 inches of liquid Coon Creek Watershed. He sources. One example would said that a successful effort in in the remaining snow cover be work on a trout stream that in the north. that watershed could provide involves habitat improve- a blueprint for other water- “It will basically all boil ment, water quality moni- sheds. down to how the spring pre- toring and non-point source Segregated fund cipitation shapes up,” Weten- pollution reduction. That kamp said. “For March 18- type of project could include The Monroe County Cli- 24, the forecast is for precipi- County Land and Water dol- mate Change Task Force tation is below normal, and lars, Trout stamp funds, EPA has approved a resolution right now, for March through water quality dollars and creating a segregated fund May, the forecast is slightly non-profit money like from to which contributions from THIS MAP shows locations proposed by the Iowa Flood Center for the Kickapoo River in elevated for above normal Trout Unlimited. Projects businesses and individuals Monroe County. The one proposed for Cashton is at the headwaters of Coon Creek, Kicka- precipitation.” that include a comprehen- can be donated. These funds poo River, West Fork Kickapoo and the Little LaCrosse River. Also shown are two existing Collaboration sive approach and a number would only be available to monitoring stations – one from the Weather Underground, and one owned by U.S.G.S. finance task force initia- Vernon County Board Su- of partners, score higher on most funding sources.” tives. While Monroe County pervisor Mary Henry raised cannot solicit funding for a the question about whether Baumann also pointed out monitoring and warning sys- multiple counties in a water- that the Governor’s ‘Rural tem from the private sector, shed like the Kickapoo River Health and Prosperity’ ini- through setting up this ac- could collaborate in a flood- tiative would likely cover ONLINE count, they would be able to ing monitoring and warning investments designed to in- accept them. system. crease a community’s flood The resolution has already DNR’s Dan Baumann stat- resilience. Areas like the Access passed unanimously in the ed that it is possible, if Mon- Kickapoo River Valley have suffered adverse economic county’s Natural Resources roe, Vernon, Richland and Committee. It heads next to Crawford counties were to impacts from frequent flood- ing. the Finance Committee, and come together around a water from there, to the Monroe quantity and quality monitor- Monroe County Land Use County Board later in March. ing effort in the Kickapoo Planner Roxie Anderson re- Ready Wisconsin: remain flood ready Last year was the wettest Do you live in a flood plain, waterproof containers. year on record in Wisconsin have a basement, or live near Build a ‘Go Kit’ –Include for many counties, and there a source of water? Examine food, water, cash, medica- To Your Local Newspaper are signs that we could be in the potential for flooding on tions and copies of important for more flooding in the state your property. Plan with your documents (medical records, Paid subscribers, NOW can Access this spring. Governor Tony family for what you will do if insurance policies, and finan- Evers has declared March the floodwaters begin to rise. cial documents). A DIGITAL VERSION of their newspaper 16-20 Flood Safety Aware- Protect your property – If Make an emergency plan – ness Week in Wisconsin. you have gutters, make sure If you can’t make it home or through swnews4u.com. ReadyWisconsin offers they are kept clean and the need to leave quickly, iden- the following tips on making downspouts are directing tify a meeting place for your Subscribers of the Boscobel Dial, Grant County Herald Independent, Platteville Journal, you and your family flood water away from your foun- family. Make a list of emer- Fennimore Times, Tri-County Press, Richland Observer, Republican Journal, and safe: dation. Repair cracks in your gency numbers and impor- Stay up to date on the fore- foundation, improve grading tant contacts. Crawford County Independent can read their paper online as well as cast – Identify multiple ways so water flows away from Purchase flood insurance - getting home delivery of the printed paper. to receive alerts about dan- your house, and cover win- Standard insurance policies gerous weather conditions dow wells to keep water out. generally do not cover flood- and potential flooding, such Move valuables to higher ing. Most flood coverage re- To activate your online access, we will as a NOAA Weather Radio, ground – Never store any- quires 30 days to take effect. need to enter your NAME & EMAIL ADDRESS. trusted local news outlets, thing in a basement that can’t Find information at www. and mobile weather apps. be replaced. Store important floodsmart.gov. ‘Know your flood risk – records and documents in 608-375-4458 Please send to: [email protected]

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